Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

September 25th, 1947

Citation:
"This officer was parachuted into France in August 1942 as W/T operator to an organiser in the Paris area, but owing to various difficulties this proved impossible, and he started work instead with an important circuit in south-east France.

Rabinovitch set to work with remarkable energy and, overcoming all the technical difficulties due to the distance of his new territory from the area for which his wireless plan had been devised, became one of the most efficient and reliable W/T operators in France.

The organisation for which he worked had ramnifications all over southern France, and he had to make many dangerous journeys between the Riviera, Toulouse and Savoie carrying his W/T equipment. Whenever his chief was absent RABINOVITCH took over the direction of the circuit, at the same time continuing to maintain almost daily W/T contact with London.

In April 1943, his organiser and several others were arrested and RABINOVITCH was left in a position of the utmost peril. He nevertheless carried on, but was eventually so badly compromised that he was instructed to return to England, and he left France in June 1943.

Having volunteered for a further mission, he was parachuted back into France in March 1944 as organiser and W/T operator in the Nancy region. He was arrested soon after his arrival. A tireless worker, RABINOVITCH sent nearly 200 messages from the field, a feat involving long hours of operating under difficult and dangerous conditions. He showed great courage and disregard for his own personal safety.

It is recommended that Captain RABINOVITCH be appointed a Member of the order of the British Empire (Military Division)."

Sigened
C. McV. GUBBINS
Major general
15.1.45.

Postuum toegekend.
Originally recommended for a MBE but downgraded to a MiD.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)