Award Military Cross 163027 Major Frederick BELL, 2nd Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment

brithm · Jun 14, 2022

Award Military Cross Major Frederick Bell, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Maj BELL commanded “D” Coy in the opening and subsequent phases of the battle for VENRAIJ. The initial role of this Coy on the 16th October was to make a bridge-head across a dyke through which the assaulting Coys in the attack proper would pass. The attack to make the bridge-head was a particularly difficult one. There was a great deal of opposition both from small arms and DF Mortar fire, and the approaches to and exits from the obstacle was strewn freely with Schu Mines. Maj BELL, in spite of known previous losses through Schu Mines, personally led his Coy to and across the obstacle at great risk to himself. On the other side his Coy was engaged by a tank or SP from a nearby farm. Maj Bell, by his personal action in visiting his forward Platoon under heavy fire, directed PIAT and other fire upon the farm building which caused the enemy to withdraw. By this time he had lost in casualties his Second-in-Command and all his Pl officers. From then onwards he personally led the Coy, forming up in rear of the assaulting Coy.

At each stage of the attack he was to be found up with the leading Platoon calmly organising and supervising a plan for attack or re-organisation on the objective, quite regardless of personal risk, which was great owing to continuous enemy mortar and shell fire. Finally, on the objective in BRABANDER - Northern outskirts of VENRAIJ, he personally supervised the layout of the whole of his Coy down to sec posts. His devotion to duty, calmness, courage, determination and cheerfulness throughout the operation, lasting from 0400 hrs until dusk were an example to all and were infectious.
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WO 373/51/207

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Award Military Cross 163027 Major Frederick BELL, 2nd Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment

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Award Military Cross 163027 Major Frederick BELL, 2nd Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment

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