Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Corporal

Unit:

No.1 Troop, No.2 Squadron, 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Div (No.1 Troop, No.2 Squadron, 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards), 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Div)

Recommendation:
On 24 April 1945, in the initial stages of the breakout across the Küsten Canal, No. 1 Troop of No. 2 Squadron 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment, under command “A” Coy, The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), was advancing along the road from MR 141025 to MR 131031. About three hundred yards from a road block which dominated the objective the Troop Commander’s tank and that of his Troop Sgt were forced to draw back because of mechanical difficulties. L/Cpl Johns took command of the remaining two tanks on the instant and moved steadily forward in the teeth of point blank panzerfaust fire from position on the right flank. It soon became apparent that a further advance was suicidal. The panzerfaust fire became more intense as the enemy closed on the right flank and a heavy machine gun concentration from the vicinity of the road block pinned out own infantry to the ground, depriving L/Cpl Johns of essential protection in the turret of his tank, L/Cpl Johns appreciated the predicament in which our infantry found itself, and at the same time noticed a covered avenue of advance which was apparently not visible from ground level. Without a moment’s hesitation he scrambled out of his tank and made his way back to the infantry through a hellish concentration of machine gun fire. He guided the infantry forward to a suitable covering position, and then, again fully exposing himself to the merciless fire, climbed back into his tank and continued the advance. So skillfully did he direct the fire of his two tanks and of the Badger flame thrower which he had called up in support that the positions in the vicinity of the road block were overwhelmed, the enemy on the flanks were forced to withdraw and “A” Coy was firmly established on the objective. The initiative, dash and powers of leadership displayed by L/Cpl Johns on this occasion were largely instrumental in assuring the successful breakout from the bridgehead. The complete disregard for his personal safety displayed by this NCO was an inspiration to all ranks of the small forced concerned, and will long remain a model of conduct for the 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 11 October, 1945.