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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Stothers, John Ellis |
| Date of birth: | Unknown
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| Nationality: |
Canadian |
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MILITARY CROSS (MC)
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Rank:
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Captain
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Unit:
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"A" Company, The Royal Regiment of Canada, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division ("A" Company, The Royal Regiment of Canada, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division)
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Action:
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Recommendation:
On the night of 30/31 October 1944, the Royal Regiment of Canada was given the task of seizing the eastern end of the causeway connecting South Beveland and Walcheren. This position was defended by a force of over two hundred enemy in concrete shelters and pill-boxes which were surrounded by wire. Daylight reconnaissance had been meager due the open nature of the country and the enemy’s command of the dykes. The battalion plan called for a bold thrust by one company, straight up the eastern sea-dyke to the causeway to cut off the enemy position. If this manoeuvre succeeded, the remaining companies were to reduce the defences and mop up the enemy position.
The company commanded by Captain J. E. Stothers, was chosen to make the all important initial thrust. Despite intense machine gun and mortar fire and the shelling from enemy artillery on Walcheren, Captain Stothers pressed home the attack with dogged determination. Displaying great gallantry, he moved from platoon to platoon encouraging his men.
He employed his own and supporting weapons with such skill and aggressiveness that his company were successful in consolidating at the end of the causeway, cutting the enemy communication and capturing almost the entire garrison, including three 75-millimetre guns, several flak guns and their small arms.
This brilliant attack ensured the success of the battalion operation which gave the division the firm base from which the attacks on Walcheren were launched.
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Details:
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Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 August, 1945.
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