Houghton, Joseph Blundell Johnson

Date of birth:: (Sachsenhausen concentration camp)
Date of death:: October 23rd, 1942
Service number:: 130206
Nationality:: British

Biography

Joseph Houghton took part in Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire,
Later he was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.

2nd Lt. 29th Apr. 1940
Lieutenant (war sub): 15 november 1941

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Captain
Unit:: No. 2 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:: November 15th, 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Musketoon

Citation:
"Captain Houghton was partly responsible for the planning of Operation 'MUSKETOON' and was second-in-command of the detachment of 2 Commando which carried it out. This highly successful operation resulted in the destruction of the important electric power plant at GLOMFJORD in NORWAY on the night of 20th October 1942. Captain Houghton carried out the preliminary recce of the route from the landing place to the objective, and enabled the party to make an extremely difficult mountain crossing with success. He entered the power house with one man and personally liad the charges which destroyed the plant. During the withdrawal he remained behind with one of his wounded men and was last seen administering morphia to him. He was later reported prisoner."

Sources

- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34841/supplement/2622
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35345/page/6565
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37349/supplement/5574
- Recommendation for Award for Houghton, J B J Rank: Captain Service No: ... | The National Archives
- Commando Veterans Archive | ͏