CPL JOHN ALEXANDER FRENCH V.C. (QX1071). ON THE AFTERNOON OF 4 SEPTEMBER 1942, "B" COMPANY OF AN ...

CPL JOHN ALEXANDER FRENCH V.C. (QX1071). ON THE AFTERNOON OF 4 SEPTEMBER 1942, "B" COMPANY OF AN 2/9 INFANTRY BATTALION ATTACKED A JAPANESE POSITION EAST OF THE CREEK AT K.B. MISSION, THE COMPANY CROSSED THE CREEK TO THE NORTH OF THE ENEMY POSITION AND STARTED TO WORK SOUTH IN AN ENFLANKING MOVEMENT. AT APPROXIMATELY 1600 HOURS THE COMPANY ENCOUNTERED TERRIFIC FIRE FROM ENEMY MEDIUM AND LIGHT MACHINE GUNS AND RIFLES. THE ADVANCE OF NO. 7 SECTION WHICH CPL FRENCH WAS COMMANDING WAS HELD UP BY THE FIRE FROM THREE ENEMY MACHINE-GUN POSTS. ORDERING HIS SECTION TO TAKE COVER THIS N.C.O. ADVANCED AND SILENCED ONE OF THE POSTS WITH GRENADES. HIS SUPPLY OF GRENADES BEING EXHAUSTED HE RETURNED TO THE SECTION, OBTAINED MORE GRENADES AND AGAIN ADVANCED AND SILENCED THE SECOND POST. ARMED WITH A TSMG HE THEN ATTACKED THE THIRD POST, FIRING FROM THE HIP AS HE WENT FORWARD. HE WAS SEEN TO BE HIT HARD BY THE FIRE FROM THIS POST BUT CONTINUED TO ADVANCE. THE ENEMY GUN WAS HEARD TO CEASE FIRE AND THE SECTION THEN PUSHED ON. IT WAS FOUND THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE ENEMY GUN CREWS HAD BEEN KILLED AND THAT CPL FRENCH HAD DIED IN FRONT OF THE THIRD GUN PIT. BY HIS COOL COURAGE AND DISREGARD OF HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY CPL FRENCH UNDOUBTEDLY SAVED MANY CASUALTIES AMONGST THE MEMBERS OF HIS SECTION AND WAS GREATLY INSTRUMENTAL IN ALLOWING THE ATTACK TO CONTINUE.