Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Anti-tank-gun section, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, 9th, Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the night of the 24th of March 1945 at Spelldrop, Germany the Highland Light Infantry of Canada had been givven the task of capturing the village of Spelldrop.
Sgt. Wilfred Francis Bunda in command of a section of Anti/Tank guns was given the task of protecting the right flank of the battalion position. The area in which Sergeant Bunda had to site his guns was under constant enemy mortar and small arms fire.
Owing to the fact that the roads had not been checked for mines it was necessary for Sergeant Bunda to go on foot ahead of his guns to lead them into position.
Owing to the fact that enemy self-propelled guns had been encountered in the area it was of the utmost importance to get the guns into position to consolidate the battalion position. Sergeant Bunda personally directed the siting and digging in of his section of guns.
By his total disregard of enemy fire and his example and leadership the men in his gun crews were inspired to a greater efford.
If it had not been for Sergeant Bunda’s example and direction the consolidation of the anti tank defenses of the battalion area would not have been accomplished in such a short time.
Even when some of his men were wounded during the consolidation Sergeant Bunda kept right on with the direction and leadership of his section. Removing his wounded only after his task had been completed.
On 26 March 1945 the Highland Light Infantry of Canada had just completed the capture of Bienen, Germany, and an entrenchment and anti-tank ditch about 1000 yards north of the town. Enemy self propelled guns and tanks had been encountered during the battle, and Sergeant Bunda was ordered to site his section of guns to cover the entrenchment and anti-tank ditch area.
The route up to the position was under enemy observation and small arms fire from the right flank. The section of guns lead by Sergeant Bunda proceeded up a route which was known to be mined and encountered a road Block. Here they came under heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire. The block was at a defile, and the guns had to be uncoupled and manhandled to turn them round.
Sergeant Wilfred Francis Bunda, knowing that his guns must be sited immediately, icnored the heavy enemy fire, dismounted from his carrier, and cooly directed the extrication of his guns by manhandling.
An alternative route was found and Sergeant Wilfred Francis Bunda led his section to their destination. Here they were once more under observation, and were immediately subjected to mortar and machine gun fire.
Sergeant Wilfred Francis Bunda again completely ignoring his own personal safety, moved freely about in the open ground, directing the siting and digging in of his guns and reorganizing one gun crew which had been decimated by enemy fire. He was to be seen everywhere, inspiring confidence and encouraging his men.
By his superb example and his great devotion to duty Sergeant Wilfred Francis Bunda successfully completed the consolidation of the battalion anti-tank defences. This consolidation was necessary to complet the bridge task of protecting the Rhine bridgehead against imminent enemy armoured counter attack.
During the continuous fighting from D-Day on Sergeant Bunda displayed personal courage and leadership in all active operations therby assisting the battalion to consolidate its objectives early and strongly.