Description
A Second World War Military Cross attributed to W/Lieut Douglas Joseph Watts, Royal Armoured Corps, attached to the 27th Lancers: an immediate award for the Italian campaign. Military Cross, George VI, reverse engraved with date, 1945, in case of issue. Extremely fine. A full copy of the Citation recommendation dated 24th April, 1945 (by Lt. Col A. M. Horsbrugh-Porter, Commanding the 27th Lancers, with the approval signed by Field Marshal Alexander) is sold with the lot. "During the early morning Lt. Watt's Armoured car Troop was advancing in front of 56 Division's left axis when he came to a small bridge backed by houses ? held by a considerable number of enemy. It was essential that the bridge should be seized intact. ? Watts ? rushed the bridge with his own troop in face of very heavy fire. ?within 45 minutes of his first arrival at the bridge he succeeded in seizing and consolidating his objective ? the operation was entirely successful ... He took 56 prisoners of war, inflicted many casualties and destroyed or captured a large amount of arms and equipment, including a complete Company HQ, a half track ammunition carrier, 15 carts loaded with heavy mortar ammunition, and a large quantity of horsed transport." Watts attended the Rossell School (Fleetwood, Lancs), and read Law at Cambridge prior to officer training at Sandhurst, All un-named medals can only be attributed, but the cataloguers wish to emphasise that this MC has been consigned to the auction by the recipient's immediate family."