Duquesne, Paul "Henri"

Operation Amherst

Date of birth:: October 5th, 1919 (Lys les Lannoy/Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France)
Date of death:: April 9th, 1945 (Zuidlaren, the Netherlands)
Nationality:: French (1870-present, Republic)

Biography

Took part in course 145A at Ringway from 2nd December to 21st December 1944 and in Operation "Amherst" from 4th April 1945. Was killed in action on 9th April 1945 near Zuidlaren, the Netherlands.

In several sources this person is referred to as Henri Duquesne. His correct name however is Paul Duquesne.

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Bronzen Kruis (BK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Chasseur 1ère classe (Private 1 st clas)
Unit:: 18/HQ Squadron, 4th SAS Regiment, Special Air Service (SAS), British Army
Awarded on:: January 2nd, 1951
Awarded for:: Operation Amherst

Royal decree no.15 dated 2nd January 1951.
Awarded posthumously.

Médaille Militaire

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: January 28th, 1946

Awarded by "Decret" dated 28th January 1946.

Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Citation:
"Young parachutist heir of the most beautiful traditions of his regiment. Parachuted in the Netherlands, the 7 april 1945, attacked with his squad the 9 april in a farm by an ennemy twenty times strongest, he managed to fight and escape. Encircled a second time, he was commanded by a german officer to surrender and throw away the handgrenade he still handed. Forgetting all dangers and represals, he threw his grenade in the middle of the ennemy squad killing and wounding many of them, he has been shot by an ennemy SMG burst. Type of an elite parachutiste and of the young Frenchman with a splendid fighting spirit and devoted to his country till the supreme sacrifices."

Awarded with palme.