Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lance-Corporal

Unit:

No. 3 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

April 11th, 1946

Andrews was embarked in HM Submarine Triumph for a Commando Raid against the main Messina-Palermo railway.Triumph first attacked the Italian Battle Fleet north of Messina, torpedoeing the cruiser Bolzano; this was immediately followed by heavy and accurate depth charge counter attack.The submarine withdrew to carry out the Commando raid but ,on approaching the shore,encountered a fishing vessel in the mist and sank it, having again to withdraw since the gunfire had compromised the position.The next evening 29th August 1941,HMS Triumph approached and launched the Raiding party in canoes.At 0320 hrs 30th August one and a half spans of bridge were successfully demolished,but the Commando party could not be re-embarked and were taken prisoner.Andrews showed great courage ,determination and resource throughout this eventful and disturbing submarine passage and throughout the successful raid.