A SUPERB "HAND TO HAND" BATTLE CITATION
MILITARY CROSS
1939-45 Star, Africa Star (8th Army) Italy, War, Defence.
226563 Lieut, ROBERT ERNEST RUSSELL
8th Battalion The Royal Fusiliers
(City of London Regiment)
AN EX-LLOYDS BANK CLERK WHO ROSE FROM THE T.A. RANKS Lt Russell was taken PRISONER OF WAR BY THE GERMANS AT THE SMALL VILLAGE OF PIEGOLLELLEL, Nr SOLERNO on 16th September 1943
Complete with copies of full service records, Citation, P.O.W Questionnaire, War Diary for day of action,
and
The original George VI 'Buckingham Palace award slip and original typed citation. Also comes with medal ribbon bar, wound badge in box of issue and cloth divisional badge.
Awarded for action near Enfidaville in Tunsia on 09/05/1943 (LG 19/08/1943).
(CITATION)
Casualties during this bitterly contested M.C. winning action on 09/05/1943 were 41 killed and 101 wounded.
“On May 9th 1943 this officer commanded a platoon in a Battalion attack on an extremely strong enemy position North of Enfidaville. This position was a steep rocky ridge, the slopes of which were mined and swept by machine gun and mortar fire. By his example and determined leadership his platoon captured the objective in spite of heavy casualties. His successful reorganisation under very heavy artillery, mortar and Machine Gun fire enabled the objective to be held for several hours against all enemy efforts to recover the position. When ordered to withdraw he did so in good order, bringing away many of his wounded. Throughout these actions his determined leadership and complete disregard for personal danger were the greatest inspiration to his men under most trying circumstances.”
A Lieut at the time, the 8th Bn RFs was part of 167th (London) Infantry Brigade, 56th (London) Division, X Corps. The 8th Bn RFs had moved from the UK to Iraq in 1942. They moved from Iraq on 28/03/1943 arriving in Enfidaville on 24/04/1943 and joining the 8th Army.
Casualties during this M.C. winning action on 09/05/1943 were 41 killed and 101 wounded. The war in Africa was over on 13/05/1943 and they moved to Tripoli. They sailed from Tripoli on 08/09/1943 to be part of the Northern Attack Force in Operation Avalanche, the invasion of Italy and landed just south of Salerno on 09/09/1943. The Bn lost 206 men between 09/09/1943 and 23/09/1943.
Lt Russell was taken PRISONER OF WAR AT SOLERNO on 16th September 1943 and was interned at Eichstatt in Bavaria ( Oflag7B, POW No. 4266.) He was slightly wounded at the time of his capture.
Camps held –
Sep 1943 Moosberg,
Sep 1943 to Oct 1943 Luckenwalde,
Oct 1943 to Apr 1945 VIIB Eichstatt,
Apr 1945 to 29/04/1945 VIIA Moosberg.
From POW questionnaire: Were you interrogated?
“At Luckenwalde. After 14 days solitary confinement without toilet accessories and totally inadequate food. This took place a fortnight after capture. Drilling methods employed and threats but I was dumb.”
POW questionnaire signed 10/04/1945.
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