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Hartland, William Herbert

Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
s.s. "Rockpool" (Sir R. Ropner and Company, West Hartlepool)
Awarded on:
December 15th, 1939
Citation:
"A U-Boat suddenly appeared on the beam at about 1,5 miles distance, and immediately fired a shot which fell about 100 yards short.
The second shot was close on the quarter. The Master at once altered helm to bring the U-Boat astern and his gun into action.
He fired thirteen rounds, which fell so close that the enemy was drenched with spray. The U-Boat fired some twenty rounds, and " Rockpool" was straddled, but not hit. After a stern chase of an hour and a quarter she shook off the enemy by zig-zagging behind a screen of smoke floats.
The crew showed great coolness under fire and all who could helped in the action.
The Master handled his ship in a seamanlike manner and deserves great praise for his coolness and judgment, and for the readiness and efficiency of his ship's company. The U-Boat, which he was the first to sight, was in due course destroyed by the Royal Navy."
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Sources

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