Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

"A" Company, The Algonquin Regiment, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 11 April 1945, “A” Coy, Algonquin Regiment, with under command one troop of tanks from 28th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The British Columbia Regiment), was ordered to attack the town Breddenberg, Germany (MR 9184, sheet M2, 1/100000). Sgt Flannery was in command of the leading platoon. As the coy approached the outskirts of the town it was pinned down by intense MG fire from the town and a small woods on the left. Sgt Flannery led a tank forward and commanded to clear the wood. As the tank moved forward an enemy paratrooper appeared and placed a panzerfaust in position some ten feet from the tank. The sgt had fired one shot with his sten when it jammed. Realizing that one shot from the enemy anti-tank weapon might complete disable the tank, he rushed the enemy and disposed of him with his bare hands. He then seized the paratrooper’s automatic weapon and led the tank forward. In clearing the woods Sgt Flannery personally killed four enemy and took eight prisoners. The courage and initiative displayed by this NCO undoubtedly enabled his coy to seize its objective without lost of valuable time. His complete disregard for personal safety was an inspiration to all ranks under his command.