Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

10th Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse), 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade (10th Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse), 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade)

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1945

Recommendation:
Captain Little commanded a troop of tanks in the first assault wave on 6 June 1944. In the campaign through France and Belgium he established a reputation for bold, decisive leadership. It is the action of 7 October 1944, in Holland for which he will be chiefly remembered.
Captain Little had been detailed to support the infantry in an attack on Hoogerheide. Without this town our forces could not cut the enemy communications between South Beveland and the Walcheren Islands. But from the moment our infantry moved forward, they came under unexpectedly heavy mortar and machine gun fire. It was necessary to change the plan, but there was no time for an order group. As soon as the danger became apparent, Captain Little went forward alone and on foot, to recce a better position for his own tanks. Following his recce he placed his own tank in a very exposed flank, thus drawing fire while the rest of his tanks made the dash to the flank position he had chosen. Although his tank was hit several times, it was not knocked out. From their new position, the tanks were enabled not only to cover the advance of the infantry, but in doing so destroyed two machine guns, at least one mortar and two 40 mm guns in addition to a great many infantry. A few moments later, the last obstacle to the town was removed when an enemy SP gun was destroyed by Captain Little’s own tank.
The capture of Hoogerheide isolated the enemy garrison denying the approaches to Antwerp. The personal courage of Captain Little contributed in an essential manner to this vital achievement.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 January, 1946.