Award Military Cross Capt. A.G. Young, 31 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

brithm · Aug 19, 2024

Captain Archibald Gilchrist Young, 31 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
Service No: 129778
Award: Military Cross

On 20th September 1944 Capt. YOUNG was FOO with a Company whose objective was WINTELRE E3318. This village was strongly held by the enemy who had had time to dig in and evacuate the civil population. After an initial success, it was found impossible to penetrate the main defences o the village owing to intense machine gun and mortar fire.

After four separate attacks had been launched and all had failed the situation was critical, as it was the intention of the Brigade Commander to move his two other Battalions through the village and until this could be done the Brigade attack on the MEUSE-ESCAUT canal was held up. it was impossible to move any vehicles forward. The company commander's 18 set and signallers had been knocked out and his only means of communication was via Capt. YOUNG's 38 set back to his carrier and thence to Bn HQ_Battery(?).

The Company commander decided that the only way to resume the attack was lead it himself, and whilst Capt. YOUNG put down covering fire the party consisting of Capt YOUNG, his assistance, the Company commander and the remnants of his Company H.Q. advanced across open country at the double, dominated throughout by enemy S.A. fire. hey made good progress until held up close to the enemy's main position and as the party had become isolated Capt YOUNG called up the Infantry carrier section which advanced with great success.

The fine example set by Capt YOUNG and the Company commander had not been followed, and the small H.Q. party was left in a hazardous position. The Battalion commander then decided to launch the fireplan for Phase II of the attack, which was a barrage arranged previously, but Capt YOUG was quick to realise that his part was now in front of the opening line of the barrage. Without a moment's delay he adjusted the opening line, testing it on the ground while the Company Commander reorganised his Company.

The company then went into the attack close behind the barrage, again led by the Company commander and Capt YOUNG. The adjusted fireplan was complexly successful and the company finally reached its bijective, taking over 100 prisoners.

The success of this vital attack was due in no small part Capt YOUNG's skill in handling the artillery and to his fine leadership in complete disregard for his own personal safety.
Click to expand...

WO 373/51/139

Edinburgh Evening News 8th December 1944

Uncle Target · Aug 19, 2024

Wintelre - Wikipedia

31 Field Regiment RA - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 (Error for Derek to check)

Derek Barton · Aug 19, 2024

My page for 31 Field Regt is correct. The Regiment served in Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Cyprus, Tunisia, Palestine, Syria, Italy & Greece. Can find very little on Capt Young and the only mention of him being in 31 Fld Rgt is his recommendation for the MC held by the IWM. It wouldn't be the first time they had got something wrong.

Derek

Log in or Sign up

Award Military Cross Capt. A.G. Young, 31 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

brithm Senior Member

Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

Derek Barton Senior Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Award Military Cross Capt. A.G. Young, 31 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

brithm Senior Member

Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

Derek Barton Senior Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches