Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Sergeant

Unit:

1 Battalion The Rifle Brigade, British Army

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1944

"On 3 Sept[ember] the b[attalio]n was in position [in margin: behind the enemy] holding X r[oa]ds on main r[oa]d NORTH of ST POL at CAUGHY. A section of carriers was sent out to some high ground to watch the EAST flank of the position. From this position L/Sjt Meyer contacted some Maquis who reported a troop of German field guns 3 kilos down the road to the EAST. Having reported this, he received permission to investigate and continuing in that direction he contacted other Maquis who gave him the troop location fairly accurately. L/Sjt Meyer then took his section forward until he was able to observe one gun and its crew in an "action" position. L/Sjt Meyer then patrolled forward himself on foot till he had located each gun. He then returned to his section and made a quick plan which was to collect as many Maquis as possible and to create a diversion while he attacked the troop position with his carriers. This he did taking the German gunners completely by surprise; by suddenly pouring on them a deadly fire from three .5 Brownings at the critical moment when their attention was drawn to rifle fire from the Maquis to their flank.

With his Brownings L/Sjt Meyer knocked out three guns and brewed up two ammunition lorries and one Opel staff car; and killed one officer and five ORs and took eight others prisoner. an action requiring cool judgment, good leadership and considerable daring and personal bravery. The following day this NCO's section "liberated" BETHUNE at approximately 1100 h[ou]rs and for the rest of the day proceeded to engage the enemy NORTH of the canal. With his heavy machine guns and a Bren placed in a house he knocked out a heavy lorry and a staff car and killed or wounded several men who attempted to bale out. This fire was returned by a numerically very superior enemy wounding the section signaller and another rifleman. L/Sjt Meyer trough slightly wounded from a mortar fragment remained in action, called for medical help on the 19 set himself, then proceeded to neutralize the enemy fire with HE from his own 2" mortar. He remained in position until reinforced at approximately 2000 h[ou]rs the same day."

Posthumously awarded