NX47279 - BREESE, John Frederick, Pte.

 

 

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NX47279 - BREESE, John Frederick, Pte.

Nominal Roll details

Military Medal (MM)

"In this Unit's first action at GEMAS, Pte. Breese's Company was on 15 January, 1942 attacked by enemy tanks in addition to heavy machine gun and rifle fire.

Breese throughout this fire maintained a deliberate and accurate fire with his Anti Tank rifle fire, inflicting such damage to one vehicle as to cause it's crew to abandon it. which resulted in them all being killed. The accuracy of his Anti Tank rifle fire also caused another tank to deviate from its course, which enabled his platoon to occupy an alternate position which was less vulnerable to tank attack.

To perform these actions it was necessary for Breese to go forward and occupy a position not dug in and to fire in very quick time 50 rounds with an Anti Tank Rifle. It resulted in his hearing becoming impaired together with further physical disabilities. Despite this he continued to fight with his platoon till 21 January, 1942 when he was evacuated to hospital, rejoining his Company on 8 February, 1942.

On 12 February, 1942 at MANDAI Road position his personal courage and devotion to duty were responsible for the success of a patrol which eliminated a number of enemy from a strongly held position.

This man, by his personal courage, bravery and exemplary conduct has been an inspiration to all the members of his Company and I recommend that he be awarded the Military Medal."

(Source: originally transcribed from the Diary of Brigadier D.S. Maxwell by The Army Museum Sydney Foundation in 1998.)

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Last updated  04/06/2024