Service number:

174557

Nationality:

British

During the 1930s, Charles Macintosh worked in the oil business in Venezuela, but the Spanish Civil War found him training republicans in sabotage work. In 1940, he returned to the UK and in November was already with SOE. He was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps in February 1942 and then posted to the Inter-Services Research Bureau and was selected for paramilitary work. He attended Station XII in Hertfordshire for training on a wide range of ‘devices’ before moving on to Beaulieu and Arisaig House in Scotland. He was dispatched to Gibraltar in March 1942 where he worked with ‘H’ Spanish Section on a variety of SOE projects largely connected with the defence of the Rock.

In February 1943 he joined MASSINGHAM, the SOE base near Algiers, and was posted to Sicily in the following July. For his work leading to the liberation of Florence, in which he made use of a secret passage (built by the Medicis) in order to lay a telephone line which intercepted German communications, he was awarded the DSO. He was appointed commander of Tactical HQ, No. 1 Special Force (in support of the 5th Army) and returned to Florence with a small team to set it up. In the closing stages of the war, he went forward with advancing forces to Bologna and Milan.

Military career:
?: Cadet, Sandhurst
22 February 1941: 2nd Lieutenant
?: Lieutenant
?: Temporary Major
?: War Subs Captain
25 May 1955: Relinquishes his commn, granted the rank of Honorary Major

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

Headquarters, 21st Indian Infantry Brigade, 8th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

September 4th, 1944

"On the morning of 12 August 1944 21 Indian Brigade took over the original Florence Garrison including Partisans in the city. Major Macintosh wih one officer assistant was the only means of liaison with the Partisans. At the time of the arrival of the brigade, the enemy were counterattacking the Partisans in the centre of the city with tanks and infantry and reports were received that of the four Garibaldi brigades who had been cut off and probably destroyed, and that behind the Partisans and down to the River Arno about 200 Fascist snipers were practically in control of the streets. This situation appeared critical. Major Macintosh and his assistant crossed the River Arno alone in curcumstances requiring the greatest cool nerve and courage. His assistant wa wounded by a sniper but Major Macintosh succeeded in conveying the plan and orders to the Partisan leaders. As a direct result of his gallant action, when British and Indian troops crossed the river next day they were met by Partisan guides, and a Partisan screen cleared snipers from their path as they penetrated the city. Throughout 13 and 14 August, Major Macintosh moved through sniper infested streets conveying orders and information with complete disregard for his own safety. On the night of 14/15 August when the ANC HW behind the British lines was attached by a Fascist gang, Major Macintosh immediately proceeded to the spot, assumed command of the Partisans and Carabinieri and quickly restored the situation.
Throughout a very difficult period this officer displayed qualities of leadership and gallantry of the highest order. It was principally due to his actions that two thirds of the city was occupied smoothly and with very few British casualties."

• - AF Judge (biography)
  - Spur Called Courage: SOE Heroes in Italy, blz. 8-10
  - From Cloak to Dagger: An SOE Agent in Italy, 1943-1945
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36828/supplement/5609/data.pdf
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40484/supplement/2997/data.pdf
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35091/supplement/1287/data.pdf
  

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Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Camberley - Surrey