Award Military Medal & Bar Pte. M.K.S. Khouri, AMPC Palestinian Pioneer Corps Greece 1943

brithm · May 17, 2022

Award Military Medal & Bar Pte. Mirhail Khalil Shibli Khuri Pioneer Corps Pal/12771

Palestinian Christian captured in Greece in April 1941 while serving as a private in a Palestinian company of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps

Military Medal

This man taken prisoner during the operations in Greece in the spring of 1941. Some time ago he escaped from captivity and joined up with local Greek guerrillas. During the time that the guerrilla Commandos(?) were collecting to the rendezvous with Lt-Col. MYERS, Pte. KHURI volunteered to join the demolition party detailed to destroy the GORGOPOTAMOS VIADUCT on the night of 25/26 November 1942. He showed great bravery and devotion to duty under fire.
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WO 373/46/98
London Gazette 22 April 1943

Bar to Military Medal

In March 1943, Brigadier MYERS reported that sabotage of the important ASOPOS Viaduct on the main railway line between SALONIKA and ATHENS and approximately 12 miles South of MAIA, presented a “chancey” likelihood of success. This viaduct is an example of one of the triumphs of railway bridging engineering and is some 200 metres long. It spans a precipitous gorge whose bottom lies 320 ft. below. The railway issues on to the viaduct is on a slight curve, thus making repair extraordinarily difficult. The viaduct is of steel.

Brigadier MYERS was advised by G.H.Q., M.E.F. that destruction of the viaduct was much to be desired, but the later it could take place the better.

Early in May, Brigadier MYERS reported that he considered destruction of the viaduct with the least loss of time was necessary as, not was the guard being strengthened, but Italians had been replaced by Germans. Furthermore, workmen had started reinforcing the whole structure at its base with concrete. G.H.Q., M.E.F., replied that they agreed early destruction was not only desirable, but would have important strategic results in the near future.

After a preliminary reconnaissance had been carried out by Lt. STOTT, a part of eight under command of Capt. GORDON-CREED, M.C., which included Pte. KOURI, set out to attack the viaduct, from the Village of MAVROLITHARION, with 56 fathoms of rope and improvised ropes plaited from parachute rigging lines. Owing to the weight of the stores being carried, they did not reach the beginning of the gorge until 22nd May and established a Headquarters at its head. Straight away STOTT led six of the party down to the first waterfall where a dump was made and they returned the same day to Gorge H.Q. On 23rd May, Capt. GORDON-CREED and STOTT made a reconnaissance from the Northern cliff top. Which enabled the whole party to reach the second waterfall with all their stores and explosives. On 24th May the whole party managed to reach a point midway between the second and third waterfall. Here they were stuck and further reconnaissance from the Northern cliff top was made on the 25th, with the result that STOTT and one other managed to reach the third waterfall om the 26th but could get no further with amount of rope then available. They decided to give up the attempt until further rope and packs suitable for carrying on the head, so as to keep explosives, etc., dry when walking through deep water, could be sent to them. It was feared also that it would be impossible to proceed further than the third waterfall without much more reconnaissance from both the North and South cliff tops. So far the party had not got within sight of the viaduct, although they had reached to within two miles of it. They returned to MAVROLITHARION on 28th May and a few nights later the requisite stores were dropped to them from an aircraft.

On 12th June, the same party, less two of their number but still including Pte. KHOURI, set out once more for the gorge. Pte. KHOURI played a major part in carrying explosives and their accessories, mostly on his head, through water up to the neck and whilst climbing and descending precipitous cliffs,

Without his assistance, not only in carrying stores, but in helping others over difficult places, it is doubtful if the whole party would have reached the target in time or as quietly as they did. He was with the two Sapper officers the whole time whilst they were laying their charges and he carried out their instructions to the letter. All this was done within a few yards of the German guard and post.

Pte. KHOURI is a strongly recommended for an award of bar to the M.M. for his diligence, courage and willingness throughout the operation which resulted in the successful and complete demolition of this important viaduct.
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WO 373/46/127
London Gazette 14 September 1943

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Award Military Medal & Bar Pte. M.K.S. Khouri, AMPC Palestinian Pioneer Corps Greece 1943

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Award Military Medal & Bar Pte. M.K.S. Khouri, AMPC Palestinian Pioneer Corps Greece 1943

brithm Senior Member

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