Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

8 Battalion Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders

Awarded on:

April 22nd, 1941

On 10 Mar 1943 this officer was detailed to patrol the ravine 303496 and destroy enemy patrols cutting telephone lines or attacking pack tpt supplying forward coys. He took out his patrol at dark and at 0300 hrs. brought them in again without having contacted enemy. About dawn 11 Mar he returned to his task taking only one N.C.O. Cpl. Williamson to cover the same ground in daylight.
At about 0715 hrs. they saw a German patrol of six men approaching and laid themselves in ambush. At 200 yds. range they fired with their Bren gun and killed two enemy. The other four took cover in a fold in a field of beans and opened fire with a 42mm Machine-gun and Automatics. Capt. Cadell and Cpl. Williamson replied end then made a quick move left flanking. They then succeeded in killing the German Machine Gunner and wounding the Sgt. leading the patrol, and forced the remaining two to surrender. They brought back three prisoners, a machine gun, two Schmeisser guns, two Luger pistols maps and personal papers.
The courage, skill and determination of this officer provides an excellent example of the qualities required by our patrols in dominating 'No Man's Land' and retaining the iniative. He has shewn similar qualities earlier in the North African operation in destroying by explosives German tanks at DJEBEL ABIOD in Nov 42.