99560 Simon Harvey COMBE, MC, 1 Irish Guards

dbf · Aug 13, 2011

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Name Combe, Simon Harvey
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: P/99560
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 24 August 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/7
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LG - Viewing Page 3923 of Issue 36668

24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6 American Corps
P/99560 War Substantive Lieutenant, Temporary Captain Simon Harvey COMBE, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

ON the night of the 3 February / 4 February Captain COMBE was acting Adjutant at Battalion H.Q. The German attack was preceded by a heavy bombardment which began at 2300 hours February 3rd.

Battalion H.Q. was continually attacked throughout the night by infantry, but all these attacks were beaten off, largely due to the cool leadership and tireless activity of this Officer.

At dawn Battalion H.Q. was ordered to make its way to the 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS. Captain COMBE arranged this difficult move under constant shell and mortar fire and led the party as it fought its way through the intervening German posts. The Battalion H.Q. party was eventually trapped in a gully and were marched off as prisoners under an escort of about 30 Germans. The Germans marched the party towards the positions of the FORESTERS who opened fire. Captain COMBE seized the opportunity offered, picked up a rifle and shot the German nearest to him. He then picked up a Tommy Gun and before the Germans had recovered themselves, shot five more. The whole party then followed suit, killed 20 Germans and handed 9 over to the FORESTERS as P.O.W.

Captain COMBE then took command of the party consisting of 4 Officers and 10 Other Ranks, and proceeded to fight his way back once more to our lines. A Machine Gun post in a small house by the road held up the party. Captain COMBE arranged the covering fire on to this house, and personally led the assaulting party which cleared the house and captured 8 prisoners. He then loaded his party and some wounded on to a few abandoned carriers and drove through the enemy under close and heavy S.A.A. fire to our own position.

This Officer's remarkable initiative, courage and outstanding example was responsible for the release of a large number of British prisoners of various regiments, and the destruction and capture of numerous enemy. He also rescued several wounded including No. 1 Company Commander, Major Sir I. STEWART-RICHARDSON who would otherwise have undoubtedly remained in enemy hands.

I strongly recommend this Officer for the award of the Military Cross.

Signed C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS
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From The Times, Thursday, April 6, 1944:

THE IRISH GUARDS AT ANZIO
BATTALION H.Q. STAFF'S ESCAPE
A battalion of the Irish Guards was among the first troops to land west of ANZIO, and from there it advanced on CARROCETO. On January 26 the enemy launched a counter-attack, which was preceded by tremendous artillery fire. On the left flank the attack passed right over a platoon in slit trenches. The men lay flat below ground level, and the attack was driven off.

The battalion then dug in half-way up the CARROCETO-CAMPALEONE road, and, when this work was made secure, attacked the enemy's main defences, which were protected by a forest of automatic weapons. It reached its objective, a cross-roads, and again dug in. German tanks kept sending up flares and shooting at digging parties, while British tanks could not get through to support them. But the digging continued under a smoke screen provided by the artillery, and finally our tanks secured the high ground on the right and drove off the German tanks.

Later, the battalion headquarters staff were caught in a gully by a mass of Germans. Their captors took them across the front of a neighbouring battalion, which opened fire. Captain Simon COMBE, seizing the opportunity, picked up a rifle, shot his immediate guard, and then got possession of a tommy gun and killed five more. Other guardsmen followed suit. Of the 30 Germans in the escort 20 were killed and nine taken prisoner.

ENEMY WIPED OUT
During a subsequent enemy advance German troops who had penetrated within 100 yards of a company headquarters were all killed, captured, or chased away by a counter-attack. That fight was scarcely over when it was reported that another German company was approaching. Most of them were caught in the fire of Bren guns; the remainder fled to cover, where they were caught by artillery fire laid on by Major D.M. KENNEDY.

Soon afterwards the same company of the Irish Guards was in danger of being overrun, and was ordered to withdraw to a prepared position. It moved in three parties - a small section with three stretcher cases, the walking wounded and the wireless, and the remainder as rearguard. On its way back it captured a number of Germans in houses, and eventually reached its allotted position.
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dbf · Oct 22, 2019

Personal Number: 99560
Rank: Captain
Name: Simon Harvey COMBE
Unit: Irish Guards

London Gazette : 10 October 1939
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34706/supplement/6853/data.pdf
The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts.:—
I. G'ds.
18th.Sept. 1939.
Simon Harvey COMBE (99560)

London Gazette : 24 August 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36668/supplement/3923/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following immediate award's in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —
The Military Cross.
Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Simon Harvey Combe (99560). Irish Guards (King's Lynn).

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