Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

No.16 Platoon, D Company 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1944

Recommendation:
On 17 May 1944, 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to advance from the Pignataro area (Map Reference 8214) to the high ground overlooking the Forme d'Aquino. The 48th Highlanders of Canada moved on the axis of the road 820144 - 810132 with their left flank on the Liri River. The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment advanced on their right. "D" Company of the 48th Highlanders was leading the battalion supported by a troop of Churchill tanks from "C" Squadron of the 142nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Nos. 16 and 17 Platoons of this company made contact with the enemy in the area Map Reference 800131. This opposition was easily dealt with but in the skirmish the number 38 wireless sets of both platoons were knocked out and contact was lost with both the Company Commander and the Tank Troop Commander. The two platoons however continued their advance. No. 16 Platoon commanded by Lieutenant Alexander Ballard moved on the right of the road and No. 17 Platoon on the left. As they approached the battalion objective, No. 16 Platoon was fired on at close quarters with 75 millimeter guns which were sited on the high ground at Map Reference 785134. One man was killed and another wounded.
Lieutenant Ballard immediately organized an assault on the position, sending one section up to the right and himself leading a section forward on the left. Machine gun and rifle fire immediately broke out, and the commander of the right section was wounded.
Lieutenant Ballard led his men against the 75 mm gun positions. Hurling 3 grenade he killed the crew of four men who were about to fire another round into his section. With another grenade he killed several members of a protective section of enemy infantry. He was now unarmed, and a German officer levelled a pistol at him. With a shout, Lieutenant Ballard charged and with his bare fists forced the German officer to drop his pistol and surrender.
Altogether on this position, nine of the enemy were killed and twelve taken prisoner. Also captured were three 75 mm guns, one half track vehicle and one machine gun.
Lieutenant Ballard then consolidated his hard won position. The remainder of his company and "A" Company were thus able to take up positions on the newly won objective. This ground they held against determined counter-attacks by enemy tanks and infantry. In the meantime, the other two companies of the 48th Highlanders had become involved in very heavy fighting with a strong enemy position on the high ground to the right of the "D" Company axis. By nightfall they had not succeeded in dislodging the Germans. However, when the counter -attack on the position taken by Lieutenant Ballard failed, the enemy on the feature also withdrew and 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade was quick to follow up and pursue. The heroic conduct of Lieutenant Ballard won the day for his battalion and had very far reaching results in the subsequently successful series of actions against the Adolf Hitler Line.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 November, 1944.