Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1946

Recommendation:
"Captain Starr was landed on the South Coast of France in November 1942 to establish contact with a resistance group which had become completely disorganised owing to arrests.
He succeeded after ten months work in building up a very strong organisation in the face of tremendous difficulties.
In spite of very great Gestapo activity in his area, he has kept his organisation intact and had even expanded it.
Again, recently the Gestapo made a very concentrated drive to penetrate his organisation. Captain Starr displayed astounding leadership of the highest order, the main elements of his organisation remained unharmed.
In spite of the quite unusual dangers and difficulties whith which he had to contend, Captain Starr was responsible for the following recent acts of sabotage:
1. In July 1943 - Destruction of 28 wagons of small arms and ammunition between Pau and Dax.
2. In July 1943 - Complete destruction of Pouderie de Bergerac powder works, together with 20 wagons of gun cotton.
3. In July 1943 - Destruction of 84 tanks of aviation spirit at Riscle (Gers).
4. In August 1943 Destruction of German ammunition train."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

June 21st, 1945

Recommendation:
"This officer was dropped into France by parachute in late 1942 and remained there until the liberation of France. During this time he built up one of the largest and certainly the most water-tight circuit in France: it was never penetrated by the Gestapo.
Starr organised no less than 140 successful parachute operations. The excellence of his reception and of his circuit was held in high esteem by the R.A.F.: this regard was strengthned when he arranged for a captured German aircraft to be flown to England.
Through these activities his organisation became a serious menace to the enemy in the south-west of France, as he was able to arm and equip the F.F.I. on a large scale.
Instances of this officer's activities, since the award to him of the Military Cross in 1943 are:
1. In August 1943, 48 wagons of ammunition and 84 trucks of aviation spirit destroyd.
2. Over 100 locomotives sabotaged during the first six months of 1944.
3. March 1944the Pouderie at Toulouse out of production for one month
4. 28 railway cuts reported.
By D-Day Starr controlled 5,000 trained men and on instruction form London, railway cuts, tlephone and telegraphic destructions were carries out on a large scale.
This officer subsequently organised and led guerillas in action, on which was personally commanded by him being a group of 500 F.F.I. and was attacked by 2,000 S.S. Troops. In this action Starr's group fought a skilful withdrawal inflicting 437 casualties on the enemy. A month later when commanding a force of 1,200 he attacked a German column 1,000 strong, ambushing them and causing approximately 150 casulaties. Enemy aircraft were sent to extricate their troops from this position.
In addition there were numerous actions commanded by Starr ranging from full scale attacks on towns to guerilla fighting. By the 14th June Starr's group were in complete control of the towns of Condom, Nogaro, Eauze and Castel Jaloux. These actions not only caused appreciable casualties to the German forces in the area, but seriously hampered their movements. This combined with the large scale sabotage, proved a vital factor in immobilizing enemy potential reserves for counter-attacking the allied bridgehead and later prevented the withdrawal to Germany of many troops.
An untiring and brilliant organiser, Starr inspired respect and affection in the troops under his command: faced with most complex political strife he overcame prejudice and performed an outstanding feat of resistance.
It is recommended that this officer be appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel

Awarded on:

July 18th, 1947

"Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE R. STARR, General List, British Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in enemy occupied territory, from October 1942 to October 1944. Infiltrated into France with the assignment of reorganizing dispersed Resistance groups, Lieutenant-Colonel Starr displayed outstanding courage and ability in accomplishing the tremendous task of equipping and training an effective force throughout the Departments of Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne and Gers. He was directly responsible for establishing an escape line across the Franco-Spanish border over which he safely dispatched to England many American and British airmen. Lieutenant-Colonel Starr worked in closest collaboration with American members parachuted to his circuit, providing any assistance and guidance necessary to the accomplishment of their missions.
His courageous actions made and inestimable contribution to the Allied Cause."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945

From Wo 373-185 correspondance between the Fench and British authorities:
"We have no hesitation in supporting any French award to this officer, who was infiltrated into FRANCE in November 1942 and remained there continually until the Liberation. His activities over this exceptionally long period in the Field were most outstanding and he was without doubt one of the most leading and most successful British officers working in FRANCE for this organisation. During ther period in which he was in enemy-occupied territory, he was engaged on a series of independant operations concerned with such varied activities as sabotage, the organisation of parachute operations, the arming and equipping of the F.F.I., large-scale disorganisation of German transport at D-Day, the building of a very strong organisation n the face of extreme Gestapo activity and the leading of large groups of the F.F.I. in action against the Germans. His behaviour at all times was outtanding and his services invaluable."