Citation Assisted Commander Unwin at the work of securing the lighters under heavy rifle and maxim fire. He was wounded in the head, but continued his work and twice subsequently attempted to swim from lighter to lighter with a line. John James Crowe VC 28 December — 27 February was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On 14 April at Neuve Eglise, Belgium, when the enemy, having attacked a post in a village, broke past on the high ground and established a machine-gun and snipers, Second Lieutenant Crowe, with two NCOs and seven men twice engaged the enemy who on each occasion withdrew into the village, followed by the lieutenant firing on them.
On the second occasion, taking only two men, he attacked two enemy machine-guns killing both gunners and several more of the enemy. The remainder withdrew, allowing him to capture the two guns. His actions during this incident resulted in Crowe being awarded the Victoria Cross. On 12 March at Spanbroekmolen on the Messines Ridge, Belgium, Lieutenant Martin volunteered to lead a small bombing party against a section of the enemy trenches which was holding up the advance. Before he started he was wounded, but, taking no notice, he carried on with the attack which was completely successful.
He and his small party held the trench against all counter-attacks for two and a half hours until a general withdrawal was ordered. Martin was with the Northern Command in India Frederick Luke VC 29 September — 12 March was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. On 26 August at Le Cateau, France, when a captain Douglas Reynolds of the same battery was trying to save two guns which had been recaptured, Driver Luke and another driver Job Henry Charles Drain volunteered to help and gave great assistance in the eventual saving of one of the guns.
Fred Luke was a guest of honour of 93 Le cateau Field Battery shortly before his deat Albert Edward McKenzie VC 23 October — 3 November was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
- Iron Knights;
- Navigation menu.
- VCs Of The First World War: Spring Offensive 1918!
- I Need a Little More Jesus: A Short Story.
- Civil War Short Stories and Poems (Dover Thrift Editions).
- Mrs Caliban and other stories;
- The History Press | VCs of the First World War: Spring Offensive ?
The seaman accounted for several of the enemy running for shelter to a destroyer alongside the Mole, and was severely wounded whilst working his gun in an exposed position. John Molyneux VC 22 November — 25 March was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He left school at twelve to work in the mines. On 9 October east of Langemarck, Belgium, during an attack which was held up by machine-gun fire and causing many casualties, Sergeant Molyneux organised a bombing party to clear the trench in front of a house. Many of the enemy were killed and a machine-gun captured. The sergeant then called Frederick William Campbell VC 15 June — 19 June was a Canadian Army Officer, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Biography Campbell was born on 15 June to Ephraim B.
Hunt Campbell of Mount Forest, Ontario. He was married, to Margaret Annie. As he was retreating, his right thigh bone was shattered. The wound turned septic, and Campbell died in hospital in Boulogne four days later. Campbell took two machine-guns over the parapet, arrived at the German first line with one gun, and maintained his position there, under very heavy rifle, machine-gu Bernard Matthew Cassidy VC 17 August — 28 March was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On 28 March at Arras, France, at a time when the flank of the division was in danger, Second Lieutenant Cassidy was in command of the left company of his battalion. He had been given orders to hold on to the position at all costs and he carried out this instruction to the letter. Although the enemy came in overwhelming numbers he continued to rally and encourage his men, under terrific bombardment until the company was eventually surrounded and he was killed.
Cecil Leonard Knox VC 9 May — 4 February was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. The family were prominent in civil and railway engineering and had become affluent through their majority shareholding in the Haunchwood Brick and Tile Company. James was one of nine sons who all fought in the First World War. Knox gained the Military Cross and bar.
George Imlach McIntosh VC 24 April — 20 June was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. On 31 July at Ypres, Belgium, during the consolidation of a position, the company came under machine-gun fire at close range and Private Mclntosh immediately rushed forward under heavy fire and reaching the emplacement, threw a Mills grenade into it, killing two of the enemy and wounding a third.
Subsequently entering the dug-out he found two light machine-guns which he carried back with him. His quick grasp of the situation and the rapidity with which he acted undoubtedly saved many of his comrades and enabled the consolidation to proceed u Job Henry Charles Drain VC 15 October — 26 July was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Biography Drain was born on 15 October in Barking, Essex. Victoria Cross On 26 August at Le Cateau, France, when a captain Douglas Reynolds of the same battery was trying to recapture two guns, Driver Drain and another driver Frederick Luke volunteered to help and gave great assistance in the eventual saving of one of the guns.
He died on 26 July Memorials Drain was a resident of Barking, Essex. John Carmichael VC MM 1 April — 20 December was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. On 8 September , when excavating a trench near Hill 60, Zwarteleen, Belgium, Sergeant Carmichael saw that a grenade had been unearthed and had started to burn. Rather than simply throwing the bomb out of the trench and endangering the lives of the men working on top, he immediately rushed to the spot shouting for his men to get clear, put his steel helmet over the grenade and then stood on the helmet.
All images and media
The grenade exploded, blowing him out of the trench causing him serious injuries, but no one else was hurt. MacGregor was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He served in the army from to He led his company under intense fire, and although wounded, located and put out of action enemy machine-guns which were check Edward Barber VC 10 June — 12 March was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He ran speedily in front of the grenade company to which he belonged, and threw bombs on the enemy with such effect that a very great number of them at once surrendered. When the grenade party reached Private Barber they found him quite alone and unsupported, with the enemy surrendering all about him. Wallace Lloyd Algie VC 10 June — 11 October was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Frederick Henry Johnson VC 15 August — 26 November was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the attack on Hill 70 on 25 September Second Lieutenant Johnson was with a section of his company of the Royal Engineers.
Although wounded in the leg, he stuck to his duty throughout the attack, led several charges on the German redoubt, and at a very critical time, under very heavy fire, repeatedly Douglas Reynolds VC 20 September — 23 February was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
The son of Lt. Goodwyn, he was educated at Cheltenham College. He was 31 years old, and a Captain in the 37th Bty. On 26 August at Le Cateau, France, Captain Reynolds took up two teams with volunteer drivers, to recapture two British guns and limbered up two guns under heavy artillery and infantry fire.
Although the enemy was within yards he managed, with the help of two drivers Job Henry Charles Drain and Frederick Luke , to get one gun away safely.
Spring Offensive and Advance to Victory | NZHistory, New Zealand history online
On 9 September at Pysloup, he reconnoitred at close range, discovered a battery which was holding up the advance and silenced it. Major Edward Cooper VC 4 May — 19 August was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross VC , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
The citation was published in the London Gazette on 14 September , and reads: For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. Enemy machine guns from a concrete blockhouse, yards away, were holding up the advance of the battalion on his left, and were also causing heavy casualties to his own battalion. Cooper, with four men, immediately rushed towards the blockhouse, though heavily fired on. About yards distant he or William Buckingham VC February — 15 September was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Military career Buckingham joined the 2nd Battalion of The Leicestershire Regiment in , at the age of 15, and served in Egypt and India. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10 and 12 March at Neuve Chapelle during which he was wounded in the chest. The citation reads as follows: Major Richard Raymond Willis VC 13 October — 9 February was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was commissioned in , joined the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in India, then was posted with them to the Sudan for the Mahdist War. First World War Willis was 38 years old and a captain in the 1st Battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers, during the First World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On 25 April west of Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, three companies and the Headquarters of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, when landing on W Beach, were met by a very deadly fire from hidden machine-guns which caused a large number of casualties. The survivors, however, rushed u John Bernard Croak VC May 18, — August 8, was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He earned the award for events that occurred during the Battle of Amiens in August A park and elementary school was named in his memory at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. He attended school there and then, at the age of 14, began work as a coal miner. Posted to the 55th Battalion as a private, he embarked for Europe in November He soon transferred to the 13th Battalion, which wa VCs of the First World War.
Retrieved 5 August The Final Days Batchelor, Peter; Matson, Christopher The Western Front Member feedback about Atari Member feedback about Albert Jacka: Member feedback about Charles Doughty-Wylie: Somaliland Camel Corps officers Revolvy Brain revolvybrain. Fred Greaves topic Fred Greaves VC 16 May — 11 June was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Fred Greaves: Member feedback about Gallipoli Campaign: Conflicts in Revolvy Brain revolvybrain. Member feedback about Christopher O'Kelly: Member feedback about George Samson: Royal Navy sailors Revolvy Brain revolvybrain. William Burman topic William Francis Burman 30 August — 23 October was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about William Burman: Member feedback about Wilfred St Aubyn Malleson: Member feedback about Thomas Woodcock VC: People from Wigan Revolvy Brain revolvybrain. Colin Fraser Barron topic Colin Fraser Barron VC 20 September — 15 August was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Member feedback about Colin Fraser Barron: Member feedback about Adrian Carton de Wiart: Member feedback about George Fraser Kerr: Robert Vaughan Gorle topic Robert Vaughan Gorle VC 6 May — 9 January was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Robert Vaughan Gorle: People from Southsea Revolvy Brain revolvybrain. Member feedback about Alfred Cecil Herring: Member feedback about Herbert James: Thomas Henry Sage topic Thomas Henry Sage VC 8 December — 20 July was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Thomas Henry Sage: Thomas Edward Rendle topic Thomas Edward Rendle VC 14 December — 1 June was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Member feedback about Thomas Edward Rendle: Kulbir Thapa topic Kulbir Thapa Magar VC 15 December — 3 October was the first Nepalese Gurkha recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Kulbir Thapa: Member feedback about Charles Allix Lavington Yate: Robert Downie topic Robert Downie VC, MM 12 January — 18 April was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Robert Downie: British Battle of the Somme recipients of the V Mercurial topic Mercurial is a distributed revision-control tool for software developers. Member feedback about Mercurial: Wilfred Dolby Fuller topic Wilfred Dolby Fuller VC 28 July — 22 November was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Wilfred Dolby Fuller: Samuel Harvey topic Samuel Harvey VC 17 September — 22 September [1] was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about Samuel Harvey: George Drewry topic George Leslie Drewry VC 3 November — 2 August was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Member feedback about George Drewry: Royal Navy officers Revolvy Brain revolvybrain. John James Crowe topic John James Crowe VC 28 December — 27 February was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Member feedback about John James Crowe: Member feedback about Cyril Gordon Martin: Frederick Luke topic Frederick Luke VC 29 September — 12 March was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
1918: Spring Offensive and Advance to Victory
Second, the crisis galvanised the Allies to better coordinate their effort. They agreed to give the French General Ferdinand Foch overall command. The American authorities also placed several of their divisions under temporary British and French command, and two French armies moved forward to help defend the Somme.
The New Zealand Division, recovering in northern France after a difficult winter in the Ypres Salient, was among forces rushed south to the Somme. It began moving by train on 24 March. As all the other divisions were British, it made sense to redesignate it as a British corps. Operating in part of the Somme battlefield of , the New Zealanders, with considerable British help, managed to stabilise the front in this sector.
During the 27th, they repelled a series of German attacks. By this time, Operation Michael, now into its seventh day, was running out of steam as German losses mounted. Their artillery struggled to keep pace with the advancing infantry, and discipline suffered as troops looted British supply depots. Len Coley [Collins], a private in 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment , left a description of the fighting on 27 March:.
We were warned that Fritz was in the vicinity. Our scouts headed out to have a look. The rest of us prepared for a short stop while our officers palavered on the situation. The stop was too short. The scouts were back quickly. The Germans were marching along the road, half a mile away, towards us. The skipper gave us orders to stand by. He then spoke those words that make any soldier face hell 10 times over and never think of saying die. Now go to it. We all knew what was required. Like clockwork, we fell into extended battle order. We waited just inside the cover of the trees for that word which would take us back into action.
Our platoon officer lay beside me. I knew what that meant.
- Ten Thousand Miles From Home.
- VCs of the First World War;
- 30/90;
- .
- Bonneys Gynaecological Surgery.
- Al aire libro (Spanish Edition).
- To The Evening Star (from TannhΣuser)!
- Spring Offensive, - Gerald Gliddon - Google Книги!
- Meine Star Karriere (German Edition);
- VCs of the First World War - Wikipedia.
- Fernando Sabino na sala de aula (Portuguese Edition);
I could now see the Germans, less than yards away. They were coming towards us in great style and pace. Even as the New Zealanders entered the line, Ludendorff was preparing a mighty blow Operation Mars 20 km to the north, at Arras. This attempt to force the issue on 28 March — described by one historian as the single most important day of the campaign — was defeated. But he allowed operations against Amiens, now belatedly regarded as a key objective, to continue for a few more days. British and Australian troops repelled an attack on 4 April. Next day, a further blow was struck in the Colincamps sector.
This would be the only time that the New Zealand Division faced a major set-piece attack. The New Zealanders congratulated themselves on saving Amiens, though the objective of the enemy troops facing them had in fact been Doullens, with the aim of getting behind Arras. The BEF suffered , casualties many of them prisoners of war , while the French lost 77, men killed, wounded or captured. They spent the next few weeks carrying out aggressive patrolling and fighting small actions to improve their tactical position.
With the battlefield in this sector criss-crossed by trenches of the front line, there were plenty of opportunities for scouting and raiding. The German Army launched four more offensives between April and July. In Flanders, Operation Georgette 9—29 April pushed the British out of Passchendaele and Messines, territory won at such cost the previous year, but failed to capture the important Hazebrouck rail hub. New Zealand units were involved here too, helping stop the German advance in the Battle of the Lys.
Each advance only stretched their dwindling resources.
Search form
German factories, starved of materials by the Allied naval blockade, struggled to replace the weapons and equipment that had been lost. Between March and July, the German Army lost a million men killed or wounded, including many irreplaceable experienced and elite soldiers.
In desperation, the German authorities began sending year-old conscripts to the front. The Allies were also close to exhausting their available manpower, but had the reassurance of growing American support as the US presence on the front expanded. Unlike the Germans, they were also able to keep increasing the firepower of their artillery and infantry. The Germans could not match this combination of forces. The latter, later dubbed the Second Battle of the Marne, was notable for a devastating counter-attack by the French Tenth Army, supported by American and British forces, which threw the Germans off-balance.
New Zealand cyclists distinguished themselves by capturing the village of Marfaux on 22 July. This Allied counter-thrust indicated that Ludendorff had lost the initiative, a perception that would soon be confirmed in dramatic fashion. A carefully prepared attack by Australian and Canadian troops, with British support, won a stunning victory, capturing 50, Germans and field guns. With the Germans now clearly on the defensive, the Allies looked to maintain the pressure with a series of fresh offensives.
Operating now in ground that had not been shelled, with villages, farms and forests largely intact, the New Zealanders revelled, and excelled, in the new conditions of open warfare. All three were cited for their bravery in attacking German machine-gun posts, amongst other courageous acts. On 25 August, the New Zealand Division attacked again in an attempt to outflank Bapaume, but the defenders held firm in the town. After clearing strong German positions on Bancourt Ridge, they advanced another 6 km before halting near Bertincourt to regroup.
The Battle of Bapaume was over. The point where the German Army had launched its spring offensive in March was now its last major line of defence on the Western Front. This position was part of a chain of enemy outposts and strongpoints screening the Hindenburg Line, just 4 km to the east.
On 12 September, the Third Army attempted to overwhelm the German positions along Trescault Ridge, capturing the villages of Havrincourt and Trescault and some of the high ground during the Battle of Havrincourt 12—14 September.
The New Zealand Division, weakened from its efforts at Bapaume, struggled to advance on Trescault Spur, an offshoot of the main ridge defended by elite troops. After two days of bloody fighting the New Zealanders were relieved and moved back to Bapaume to rest. In late September, the Allies launched a massive offensive against the Hindenburg Line, attacking simultaneously along more than half of the Western Front. On the 26th, American and French forces struck in the Meuse-Argonne region in the north-east. The next day, the British First and Third armies pushed toward the city of Cambrai, capturing 10, prisoners and field guns.
Stunned by the scale and ferocity of the Allied offensive, the German high command implored the Kaiser to seek an immediate armistice to allow their troops to withdraw to Germany and regroup. On 4 October, the German government asked the Americans to broker a ceasefire. After pausing to regroup, the British Third and Fourth armies renewed their attack on 8 October. Breaking through weak German defences, the New Zealand Division advanced more than 5 km to take the village of Esnes, capturing more than prisoners and a dozen field guns along the way. The New Zealand casualties included dead.
That night German forces withdrew to the Selle River, allowing Canadian troops to take Cambrai unopposed. Further south, the New Zealanders continued the pursuit for 18 km to the river, seizing an important bridgehead at Briastre before being relieved on 14 October. A week later, the division returned to the fray, taking part in the closing stages of the Battle of the Selle 17—25 October. It advanced to within a kilometre of the old fortress town of Le Quesnoy, which was encircled by elaborate and historic brick ramparts. During this attack, New Zealand lost one of its most courageous soldiers.
He is buried in nearby Vertnigneul Churchyard. On 4 November, against faltering opposition, the British First, Third and Fourth armies launched a major offensive later designated the Battle of the Sambre. It would prove to be the final attack of the war. On the opening day, the New Zealand Division captured prisoners and 60 field guns and advanced to the edge of the Mormal Forest. Le Quesnoy fell the same day after soldiers from the 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, scaled the walls with a ladder.
The area around Le Quesnoy maintains a strong affinity with New Zealand. The old fortress town of Le Quesnoy had been in German hands since , and several thousand German troops were still inside it when the New Zealanders attacked. Heavy artillery could have rapidly demolished the walls of Le Quesnoy, but at heavy cost to the inhabitants. Although their orders did not provide for an immediate assault on the town, the New Zealand riflemen were determined to capture it.