Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

43rd Reconnaissance Regiment R.A.C., Divisional Troops, 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, British Army

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1945

"On ** August 1944 Lieut L.S. Baker was ordered to reconnaissance the route VERNON - LES ANDELYS. He was informed by the D.C.L.T. who, were in PRESSAGNY L'ORGUEILLEUX that the enemy were in NOTRE DAME de L'ISLE. The country between the two villages is very open and completely dominated by high ground to the NORTH which was enemy territory. Lieut L.S. Baker laid on a plan whereby the Carrier Section should do a right flanking movement covered by the Cars, to get to the area of the Church. Suddenly enemy were seen leaving the village in direction of PORTMORT and into the woods on the NORTH. He led his cars in to attack thee, inflicting a number of casualties on the enemy. Under covering fire from the carriers he moved forward with the cars short of the village. Artillery fire was brought down under Lieut Baker's direction on the woods into which the enemy had withdrawn and also on some positions on the high ground. The enemy remaining in the village were engaged by the carriers; one section under cover of smoke, 3" mortar, and Besa moved to the WEST **** the church to cut off the enemy's retreat.

Lieut Baker then led his cards in with the other sections and cleared the area of the Church. A battle then ensued for some time with the enemy in the main part of the village, Lieut Baker then put another plan into effect, to cut off the enemy's retreat cleared up the village and mopped up an enemy position on the river bank taking some 15 to 20 prisoners and killing several others.

(**unreadable section**) entering the village from the SOUTH just as it was getting dusk, contacted the Mayor who informed him that there had been 500 Germans in the village but they had withdrawn NORTH two hours previously. The following day, to complete the operation Lieut Baker continued his advance at first light with information that there were enemy tanks in the FORET des ANDELYS. He pushed on, proved this to be incorrect and shortly reached his objective LES ANDELYS.

The success of this operation was due to the drive, imitative and good planning of the Troop Leader, Lieut E.S. Baker."