Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Battalion Headquarters, 2nd Parachute Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

December 23rd, 1943

Citation:
"For gallantry, resource and devotion to duty. On the 14th of July 1943 this officer was in charge of a Naval Bombardment Observation Post which was operating with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, on the high ground South of Catania in Sicily. In the early hours of the morning the enemy launched a heavy counter attack and the situation became grave. None of the Battalion's heavy weapons were in position. Captain Hodge with complete contempt for his personal safety moved his Observation Post well forward under heavy fire and so skilfully directed the fire of the six inch guns from a cruiser that heavy casualties were inflicted on the attacking infantry, enemy supporting weapons were engaged to great effect, and the attack was successfully beaten off. Later he successfully engaged an enemy battery which was putting down a concentration on other British positions. So accurate was this fire that only one enemy gun remained in action and two large ammunition dumps were destroyed. Throughout the operation his one concern was to bring down accurate fire in support of the Parachute troops, and he moved about unconcerned under heavy fire in order to ensure that this was done."