The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Mann, John Pelham Rank: Captain Service No: P/124557 Regiment: 3 Tank Battalion Scots Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45 Award: Military Cross Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 22 March 1945 Date 1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/52 6th Guards Tank Brigade, 8 Corps P/134557 War Substantive Captain, Temporary Major John Pelham MANN On Monday 20 November 1944, the Battalion was in support of 227th (H) BRIGADE during the advance from BERLINGEN towards SEVENUM. Major MANN was commanding Left Flank in support of the leading Infantry Battalion. About 1630 hours, after advancing about 2000 yards, a strong enemy defence line consisting of at least two Companies of Infantry in depth in fortified houses and slit trenches was encountered. These were supported by a minimum of two S.P. Anti-Tank guns from dug-in positions in the woods which lay to the front and both flanks of the position. On reaching this opposition the leading Battalion found itself completely unable to get on as every movement drew extremely heavy and accurate mortar and shell fire. Major MANN was very quick to appreciate that most energetic action was essential since should the enemy manage to hold, our surprise thrust on this unexpected axis they would certainly reinforce this very strong position during the coming night, and at once led his Squadron forward to attack it. He first dealt with the infantry in the farmhouses - so successfully that their garrisons, when the houses were set burning around them finally surrendered to the tanks; 46 prisoners being taken in addition to at least 20 others killed. This vigorous advance however resulted in the Squadron being a considerable distance ahead of any infantry support and engaged at ranges of 400 - 600 yards by the Anti-Tank guns whose positions were so well concealed as to be almost unidentifiable in the twilight. Nevertheless so skilfully did he handle the Squadron, so outstandingly gallant was the way in which he fought his own tank and so quick was he to spot and attack the guns, that the S.P.s were forced to withdraw having only knocked out one of this tanks, though one of their dug-in positions when examined later showed that no less than 17 rounds of A.P. had been fired from it. The result of this action was that the German defensive crust was most effectively broken through and the column was able to advance practically unmolested. 29th November 1944. Granted an Immediate Military Cross
The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Mann, John Pelham Rank: Captain, Temporary Major Service No: P/124557 Regiment: 3 Battalion Scots Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: Netherlands Award: Order of the Bronze Lion or Medal of the Bronze Cross Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 15 October 1945 Date 1942-1952 Catalogue reference WO 373/144