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Oh and my source is the Hong Kong Veterans Commerative Association website. The information can also be found at the end of Carl Vincent's book No Reason Why and the Honours and Awards file on Hong Kong.
Question of the Hour
- Thread starter Spr.Earl
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Bishop was cited for actions on the 18th of Dec. But also during that 24 hours in addition to the Standish award you all so had:
Derek Everard Rix, Corporal
Corporal Rix was in command of a section of the Winnipeg Grenadiers at Hong Kong in December 1941.
At dawn of 19 December when the Japanese attacked the Wong Nei Chong area, Corporal Rix and his section were cut off from their platoon. They worked their way from their open position on the hillside above the Blue Pool Valley to Join a section of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps who were holding pill box No. 2 on the slope of Jardine's Lookout and cooperated in the defence of the pill box during the remainder of the morning. At about noon a patrol of Japanese succeeded in reaching pill box No. 1 (about fifty yards further up the steep hillside) and heavily engaged the crew, who were soon in a very difficult situation.
After an unsuccessful relief attack by some of the crew of pill box No. 2, Corporal Rix with a mixed party of Winnipeg Grenadiers and Hong Kong Volunteers made another attempt. They were under fire from across the valley and had to climb a steep hillside in the face of the enemy, but succeeded in wiping out the surviving Japanese around pill box No. 1, thereby regaining control of both pill boxes for some hours longer. As pill box No. I was no longer in use due to the machine guns being damaged, and the loopholes being under continuous close range rifle fire, Corporal Rix took up a very precarious position close to pill box No. 1 until he was wounded in the right hand when he returned to pill box No. 2 for treatment. Later when enemy pressure increased and there was no sign of relief, the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps officer in command gave leave to walking wounded to retire, but Corporal Rix preferred to stay and see the action through to a finish.
Corporal Rix proved himself an able and courageous noncommissioned officer and his conduct throughout was a credit to his unit and the Canadian army. (http://www.hkvca.ca/historical/Honours/dcm/rix.htm)
Derek Everard Rix, Corporal
Corporal Rix was in command of a section of the Winnipeg Grenadiers at Hong Kong in December 1941.
At dawn of 19 December when the Japanese attacked the Wong Nei Chong area, Corporal Rix and his section were cut off from their platoon. They worked their way from their open position on the hillside above the Blue Pool Valley to Join a section of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps who were holding pill box No. 2 on the slope of Jardine's Lookout and cooperated in the defence of the pill box during the remainder of the morning. At about noon a patrol of Japanese succeeded in reaching pill box No. 1 (about fifty yards further up the steep hillside) and heavily engaged the crew, who were soon in a very difficult situation.
After an unsuccessful relief attack by some of the crew of pill box No. 2, Corporal Rix with a mixed party of Winnipeg Grenadiers and Hong Kong Volunteers made another attempt. They were under fire from across the valley and had to climb a steep hillside in the face of the enemy, but succeeded in wiping out the surviving Japanese around pill box No. 1, thereby regaining control of both pill boxes for some hours longer. As pill box No. I was no longer in use due to the machine guns being damaged, and the loopholes being under continuous close range rifle fire, Corporal Rix took up a very precarious position close to pill box No. 1 until he was wounded in the right hand when he returned to pill box No. 2 for treatment. Later when enemy pressure increased and there was no sign of relief, the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps officer in command gave leave to walking wounded to retire, but Corporal Rix preferred to stay and see the action through to a finish.
Corporal Rix proved himself an able and courageous noncommissioned officer and his conduct throughout was a credit to his unit and the Canadian army. (http://www.hkvca.ca/historical/Honours/dcm/rix.htm)
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That is a valid point I had not considered. It still seems to me that Standish probably did it first by the few hours because "C" Company was the first to be hit (at night on the 18th) as they were very close to where the Japanese landed. According to "C" Company War Diary the order to retreat came at 0130 hours on the 19th and by 0245 platoons were moving back (pp 36, this is under the section for the 18th) and by the morning of Dec 19th they were at a new position (pp38).
Wong Nei Chong was the scene of fighting at dawn of the 19th. So it could be Rix but my money is on Standish as he most likely would have done his work before dawn.
Also during the retreat it was noticed that two wounded soldiers had been left behind so Bishop and another Lt went back for them! (talk about leading by example!)
One of those was Sgt Bob Clayton who is one of the few HK vets still alive and keeps busy giving speechs to students and the like.
I have been lucky enough to talk to this man.
Wong Nei Chong was the scene of fighting at dawn of the 19th. So it could be Rix but my money is on Standish as he most likely would have done his work before dawn.
Also during the retreat it was noticed that two wounded soldiers had been left behind so Bishop and another Lt went back for them! (talk about leading by example!)
One of those was Sgt Bob Clayton who is one of the few HK vets still alive and keeps busy giving speechs to students and the like.
I have been lucky enough to talk to this man.
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Not an answer or a quizz question. Found this surfing and I would like to confirm or deny it:
"During WWI a member of the PPCLI was awarded the German Iron Cross Second Class. As a Prisoner of War the PPCLI soldier saved a young German girl from drowning."
"During WWI a member of the PPCLI was awarded the German Iron Cross Second Class. As a Prisoner of War the PPCLI soldier saved a young German girl from drowning."
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Larry,
I will look into that Iron Cross matter through some German sources and see if I can find out any information. Perhaps there is a Patricia historian floating about that could check into the regimental history from that direction.
I haven't been able to locate the armoured unit referred to in the question from 3rd Herd, but I will continue to have a look.
I take it this is a reserve armoured unit?
tchuss,
I will look into that Iron Cross matter through some German sources and see if I can find out any information. Perhaps there is a Patricia historian floating about that could check into the regimental history from that direction.
I haven't been able to locate the armoured unit referred to in the question from 3rd Herd, but I will continue to have a look.
I take it this is a reserve armoured unit?
tchuss,
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I’m going with the PLDG (Princess Louise Dragoon Guards) They were the armoured recce regiment of 1st Canadian Infantry Division until after the Liri Valley/Hitler Line campaign.
When it was decided that 5th Canadian Armoured Division needed more infantry the 12th Infantry Brigade was stood up in July 1944. It consisted of the Westminster Regiment, 5CAD’s motor battalion, the 1st LAA regiment later rebadged to the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish and the PLDG who were reluctantly rerolled into Infantry. They did retain their unique organization referring to their rifle companies as squadrons and platoons as troops.
The RCD the 1st Corp armoured car regiment, were attached to 1CID to replace the PLDG.
http://www.rcaca.org/includes/r-4PLDG.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Princess_Louise_Dragoon_Guards
When it was decided that 5th Canadian Armoured Division needed more infantry the 12th Infantry Brigade was stood up in July 1944. It consisted of the Westminster Regiment, 5CAD’s motor battalion, the 1st LAA regiment later rebadged to the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish and the PLDG who were reluctantly rerolled into Infantry. They did retain their unique organization referring to their rifle companies as squadrons and platoons as troops.
The RCD the 1st Corp armoured car regiment, were attached to 1CID to replace the PLDG.
http://www.rcaca.org/includes/r-4PLDG.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Princess_Louise_Dragoon_Guards
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Ive been looking around for the Iron Cross question too, but to no avail. I did find this tidbit, however.
Forgive its lack of historical credibility, but it does have hysterical merit.
It concerns Grandpa Simpson of the Simpsons TV Show
:
While recalling a series of fatal mistakes he made as a WWII mine detector, he [sadly] explains "and that's how I earned my Iron Cross."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Cross
Forgive its lack of historical credibility, but it does have hysterical merit.
It concerns Grandpa Simpson of the Simpsons TV Show
: While recalling a series of fatal mistakes he made as a WWII mine detector, he [sadly] explains "and that's how I earned my Iron Cross."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Cross
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3rd Herd said:
Ok this one did take a bit more effort. Nothing about the second cap badge but considering the lineage I could see the rationale behind it.
The 16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse were converted to Infantry May 1, 1941 and designated The Battleford Light Infantry (16th/22nd Saskatchewan Horse)
http://www.regiments.org/regiments/na-canada/volmil/sk-cav/936-16-22.htm
http://www.saskd.ca/famtree.htm
http://home.adelphia.net/~dryan67/orders/casf40.html
http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/regiments/li/li_canadian.htm
http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/mediawiki-1.5.5/index.php?title=Armoured_Regiments_1940-1963
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Im going to go with
Fort Gary Horse?
http://www.fortgarryhorse.ca/phpweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=51&MMN_position=61:61
"1944-1945 The Netherlands and Germany
Eager to get on with the job, the Garrys advanced into the Siegfried Line toward the Goch-Calcar road, being the first Canadian armoured regiment to enter Germany on 17 February 1945. Later, "A" and "B" Squadrons supported the 9th Brigade clearing Udem, while "C" Squadron supported the Infantry attack into the Hochwald. On 29 March the Regiment crossed the Rhine near Rees and pushed on in the pursuit of the enemy through the Netherlands.
The towns of Gendrigen, Terborg, Doetinchem, the Twente Canal, Laren and Holten were taken in quick order between 29 March and 8 April. While the Squadrons were engaged in battle for the town of Groningen, Regimental Headquarters and A Echelon took on the enemy held town of Haren. The odd group of cooks, clerks, drivers and mechanics captured two antitank guns and 34 prisoners. When the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders arrived to take the town, they found the "Fort Garry Infantry" already in charge."
Fort Gary Horse?
http://www.fortgarryhorse.ca/phpweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=51&MMN_position=61:61
"1944-1945 The Netherlands and Germany
Eager to get on with the job, the Garrys advanced into the Siegfried Line toward the Goch-Calcar road, being the first Canadian armoured regiment to enter Germany on 17 February 1945. Later, "A" and "B" Squadrons supported the 9th Brigade clearing Udem, while "C" Squadron supported the Infantry attack into the Hochwald. On 29 March the Regiment crossed the Rhine near Rees and pushed on in the pursuit of the enemy through the Netherlands.
The towns of Gendrigen, Terborg, Doetinchem, the Twente Canal, Laren and Holten were taken in quick order between 29 March and 8 April. While the Squadrons were engaged in battle for the town of Groningen, Regimental Headquarters and A Echelon took on the enemy held town of Haren. The odd group of cooks, clerks, drivers and mechanics captured two antitank guns and 34 prisoners. When the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders arrived to take the town, they found the "Fort Garry Infantry" already in charge."
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, social psyc studies have shown that people who ask the questions are usually seen as more intellegent than the people who answer EVEN if they are picked at random. Its way more fun to pick questions that you know the answer to and show off all your obscure knowledge!
My knowledge of Canadian Armour is very weak
although I have straddled a Tiger and a Sherman 17 pounder (Firefly?) now all I want need is T-34. I have also been to the spot that tanks were first used in the Great War.
And I have all sorts of useless knowledge about the Churchill tanks at Dieppe
I got stones from the main beach @ Dieppe sitting upstairs
My knowledge of Canadian Armour is very weak
although I have straddled a Tiger and a Sherman 17 pounder (Firefly?) now all I want need is T-34. I have also been to the spot that tanks were first used in the Great War.
And I have all sorts of useless knowledge about the Churchill tanks at Dieppe
I got stones from the main beach @ Dieppe sitting upstairs
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I could find no record of a Patricia being awarded an Iron Cross second class (EKII) in WW1 for saving a German woman from drowning.
As for the armoured unit was it it the British Columbia Regiment (DCO) formerly Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles?
As for the armoured unit was it it the British Columbia Regiment (DCO) formerly Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles?
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Looks like it was the Bavarian medal of Military Merit 3rd class. I am trying to find more info from some Imperial German experts.
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