Baldwin & Sons
Auction 75 26 September 2012
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MILITARY MEDALS. Gallantry Groups. An Impressive 'Fighting Citation' Military Medal Group of Five awarded to Acting Sergeant James Critchley, 144th (East Lancashire) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, originally recommended for the DCM in July 1944 for 'outstanding service in action' against German Panzer Divisions at Noyers-Bocage and Oudeville, as part of the 'Tank Battle' for Caen, Military Medal, G VI R (3390801 A/Sjt. J. Critchley. R. A, C. [sic]), 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals; the first officially impressed, the others unnamed as issued, group mounted on card for display. Group lightly toned, polished extremely fine. (5)
MM London Gazette 19.10.1944
James Critchley served in the 144th (East Lancashire) Regiment RAC during WWII, which formed part of the 33rd Armoured Brigade. Landing in Normandy at Gold Beach 6f June 1944, the 144th's Sherman I and Firefly tanks gradually proceeded towards the major tactical objective of Caen, where heavy fighting ensued as part of Operation 'Charnwood'. On the 16th-18th July the 144th RAC were deployed in support of the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division as part of Operation 'Pomegranate' -a diversionary attack prior to the launch of Operation 'Goodwood' by the British 2nd Army just two days afterwards.
The aim of Operation 'Pomegranate' was to convince the German forces that this was going to be the main British 'break out' point, and in this aim it was very successful. British code-breakers were able to confirm that in their interceptions the Germans had reported a 'particularly dangerous armoured thrust' taking in this area. It was during these actions in the area of Noyers-Bocage, against the German 276 & 277 Divisions, supported by elements of 2nd Panzer and 9th SS Panzer Division, that Acting Sergeant Critchley was recommended for the DCM, later awarded the MM.
The recommendation for the DCM was made by the then Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Jolly, Commanding Officer of the 144th RAC, which was subsequently downgraded for reasons uncertain, reads as follows:
"On the morning of the 16 July 1944 at Quedeville 889642, a company of infantry were held up by machine gun fire from a sunken road at 889642, and the woods to the south of it, and a local stalemate seemed to have been reached."
"Sergeant Critchley advanced by himself, the remaining tanks in his troop being already casualties of mines, and engaged the enemy from a flank up the sunken road. He went up the sunken road firing his tank machine guns while he himself was engaging the enemy from the turret by using his Sten gun and throwing hand grenades. He silenced the enemy opposition in this road but it was still fierce from the woods to his left. Having run out of small arms ammunition he asked the infantry to lend him a Bren gun and manned it himself on the turret of his tank. After his Bren gun ammunition had run out he reversed out of the sunken road and went down the main road to the south engaging the enemy with the 17-pounder gun."
"The enemy appeared to be regrouping but the armour-piercing shells threw them into confusion and very shortly after this the infantry were able to take the position. The Infantry Company Commander, Major B Barber of the 1/6th Staffs, has reported that it was entirely due to the action of Sergeant Critchley that his company was able to capture their objective."
"Throughout this day and again on the 18 July he gave outstanding service in action and was an example to all those round him."
Sold with copy London Gazette mention which gives in brackets Acting Sergeant Critchley's place of origin as Bolton, copy award recommendation, and a quantity of copied research relating to the 144th RAC.
Estimate: £2500-3000
MM London Gazette 19.10.1944
James Critchley served in the 144th (East Lancashire) Regiment RAC during WWII, which formed part of the 33rd Armoured Brigade. Landing in Normandy at Gold Beach 6f June 1944, the 144th's Sherman I and Firefly tanks gradually proceeded towards the major tactical objective of Caen, where heavy fighting ensued as part of Operation 'Charnwood'. On the 16th-18th July the 144th RAC were deployed in support of the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division as part of Operation 'Pomegranate' -a diversionary attack prior to the launch of Operation 'Goodwood' by the British 2nd Army just two days afterwards.
The aim of Operation 'Pomegranate' was to convince the German forces that this was going to be the main British 'break out' point, and in this aim it was very successful. British code-breakers were able to confirm that in their interceptions the Germans had reported a 'particularly dangerous armoured thrust' taking in this area. It was during these actions in the area of Noyers-Bocage, against the German 276 & 277 Divisions, supported by elements of 2nd Panzer and 9th SS Panzer Division, that Acting Sergeant Critchley was recommended for the DCM, later awarded the MM.
The recommendation for the DCM was made by the then Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Jolly, Commanding Officer of the 144th RAC, which was subsequently downgraded for reasons uncertain, reads as follows:
"On the morning of the 16 July 1944 at Quedeville 889642, a company of infantry were held up by machine gun fire from a sunken road at 889642, and the woods to the south of it, and a local stalemate seemed to have been reached."
"Sergeant Critchley advanced by himself, the remaining tanks in his troop being already casualties of mines, and engaged the enemy from a flank up the sunken road. He went up the sunken road firing his tank machine guns while he himself was engaging the enemy from the turret by using his Sten gun and throwing hand grenades. He silenced the enemy opposition in this road but it was still fierce from the woods to his left. Having run out of small arms ammunition he asked the infantry to lend him a Bren gun and manned it himself on the turret of his tank. After his Bren gun ammunition had run out he reversed out of the sunken road and went down the main road to the south engaging the enemy with the 17-pounder gun."
"The enemy appeared to be regrouping but the armour-piercing shells threw them into confusion and very shortly after this the infantry were able to take the position. The Infantry Company Commander, Major B Barber of the 1/6th Staffs, has reported that it was entirely due to the action of Sergeant Critchley that his company was able to capture their objective."
"Throughout this day and again on the 18 July he gave outstanding service in action and was an example to all those round him."
Sold with copy London Gazette mention which gives in brackets Acting Sergeant Critchley's place of origin as Bolton, copy award recommendation, and a quantity of copied research relating to the 144th RAC.
Estimate: £2500-3000