Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second-Lieutenant

Unit:

Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF), Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

December 7th, 1942

Awarded for:

Operation Postmaster

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.

Posthumously awarded on 21 February 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Special Boat Squadron (SBS), Special Air Service (SAS), Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

September 27th, 1943

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
Escape and Evasion and Special Operations

Posthumously awarded as first Bar to his MC on 21 February 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Special Boat Service (SBS), 1st SAS Regiment, Army Troops, Eighth Army, British Army

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1944

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.

Posthumously awarded as second Bar to his MC on 21 February 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Special Boat Service (SBS), 1st SAS Regiment, Army Troops, Eighth Army, British Army

Awarded on:

December 18th, 1945

In Italy, on the night of 8th/9th April 1945, Major Lassen was ordered to take out a patrol of one officer and seventeen other ranks to raid the north shore of Lake Comacchio.
His tasks were to cause as many casualties and as much confusion as possible to give the impression of a major landing, and to capture prisoners. No previous reconnaissance was possible, and the party found itself on a narrow road flanked on both sides by water.
Preceded by two scouts, Major Lassen led his men along the road towards the town. They were challenged after approximately 500 yards from a position on the side of the road. An attempt to allay suspicion by answering that they were fishermen returning home failed, for when moving forward again to overpower the sentry, machingun fire started from the position, and also from two blockhouses to the rear. Major Lassen himself then attacked with grenades, and annihilated the first position containing four Germans and two machineguns. Ignoring the hail of bullets sweeping the road from three enemy positions, an additional one having come into action from 300 yards down the road, he raced forward to engage the second position under covering fire from the remainder of the force. Throwing in more grenades, he silenced this position which was then overrun by his patrol. Two enemy were killed, two captured and two more machineguns silenced.

By this time the force had suffered casualties and its firepower was very considerably reduced. Still under a heavy cone of fire, Major Lassen rallied and reorganised his force and brought his fire to bear on the third position. Moving forward himself he flung in more grenades which produced a cry of 'Kamerad'. He then went forward to within three of four yards of the position to order the enemy outside and to take their surrender. Whilst shouting to them to come out he was hit by a burst of spandau fire from the left of the position and he fell mortally wounded, but even whilst falling he flung a grenade, wounding some of the occupants and enabling his patrol to dash in and capture this final position. Major Lassen refused to be evacuated as he said it would impede the withdrawal and endanger further lives, and as ammunition was nearly exhausted the force had to withdraw.

By his magnificent leadership and complete disregard for his own safety, Major Lassen had, in the face of overwhelming superiority, achieved his objects. Three positions were wiped out, accounting for six machineguns, killing eight and wounding others of the enemy, and two prisoners were taken. The high sense of devotion to duty and the esteem in which he was held by the men he led, added to his own magnificent courage, enabled Major Lassen to carry out all the tasks he had been given with complete success.

London Gazette dated Friday 7 September 1945.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

War Cross 1940, class unknown