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Bratland, Sverre

Date of birth:
June 2nd, 1917 (Utskarpen/Nordland, Norway)
Date of death:
April 29th, 2002 (Norway)
Service number:
A744
Nationality:
Norwegian

Biography

Sverre Bratland took part in the fighting in northern Norway in 1940 and served in the British Army during the liberation of western Europe. Battalion manager of the Brigade of southern Norway from 1961 to 1964. Colonel in 1966 and chief of staff of the Commander-in-Chief northern Norway. General-major in 1972 and chief of the 6th division, deputy chief of staff of the northern NATO command in 1974 and territorial commander southern Norway from 1977 to 1982.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Second-Lieutenant
Unit:
4th battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159th Infantry Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded for:
Operation Market Garden
Citation:
"At dawn on 22 Sep 44 this Offr was detailed to lead the adv of the Bn out of the br head established on the BOIS-LE-DUC canal, to the town of ASTEN.
The br head proved to be only 50 yards deep and the exit from it down the main rd was under hy SA fire and mortar fire, and was defended by a determined enemy. Furthermore 2/Lieut Bratland's Pl was going into action with a large proportion of reinforcements with no previous battle eperience.
Lieut Bratland therefore, took charge of the leading section personally. He immediately came under hy fire from an enemy MG post some 15 yards away and this temporarily held up the adv of the Pl. 2/Lieut Bratland with complete disregard for his personal safety, immediately crawled fwd under hy fire fire flung two grenades into the post and then himself rushed th post and silenced it with his Sten gun, killing or wounding the six members of the post. By his gallant action, mobility was restored to the pl and the adv was continued.
Throughout the action, this Offr continued to show powers of leadership and personal bravery of the highest order. He was continually with the leading sec encouraging and leading his men and there is no doubt but that the successful attack on and capture of ASTEN was in a large measure due to the example set by this Offr and the consequent excellent work done by his pl.
It should be remembered that 2/Lieut Bratland is a NORWEGIAN Offr and therefore has a language barrier to overcome when dealing with Br tps. This makes his action all the more outstanding."

drawn up 6 October 1944
Military Cross (MC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With oak leave.
St Olavsmedaljen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1980
Chevalier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur

Sources

Photo