Bravery and the Belgian SAS

“During our time in the Ardennes we saw Belgian paratroopers.  These daredevils had jeeps with a machine gun mounted - not much protection or armour there.”  (From Ex Trooper S Handley’s ‘61 Recce - Memories of Normandy 1944 – 1945’, unpublished)

Lt J.W Cunningham of 'B' Squadron's 16 Troop recalled: "a Belgian SAS Troop was also atached (to 29th Armoured Brigade).  Their officer had been killed riding a horse through a minefield.  Their armoured jeeps mounted Vickers gas operated maching guns with a very high rate of fire.  They had to be restrained somewhat.  They were very confident." (From 61st Reconnaissance Veteran's Memoirs).

The Belgian paratroopers would have belonged to the 5^th Special Air Service, an elite airborne unit consisting entirely of Belgian volunteers.  They worked as a reconnaissance squadron in the Ardennes, supporting the 6^th British Airborne Division.

Sergeant Hollingworth was acting as the wireless link for a patrol of Belgian SAS in the village of Han-sur-Lesse, between Rochefort and Wellin, when they came under fire from machine guns and a tank.  He used his armoured car to engage the enemy, enabling the Belgian patrol to withdraw safely and returning to tackle a German patrol and ensure the escape of the SAS.

 

On the same day, 29^th December 1944, Dick’s room mate Lieutenant Eric Macey was in action with Corporal Mulcahy near Tellin (between Rochefort and Saint-Hubert).  They moved their armoured cars into an exposed position to draw fire and locate the enemy.  Then having laid down smoke and covering fire to enable the other car to retreat Lieutenant Macey remained there until the enemy positions, including a tank, were confirmed.

Also on 29th December, C Squadron’s Lieutenant Michael Anthony Urban-Smith and Lance Sergeant Kenneth Scott Moorhouse were operating south-west of Saint Hubert, 12 miles in front of the Brigade’s position.  Finding all crossings for the river L’Homme blocked, and with orders to recce enemy positions, they led two patrols on foot across the river in daylight.  The patrols located and engaged the enemy near Hatrival, moving behind the German forward outposts to check positions.

(See Military Cross citations for Lieutenants Macey and Urban-Smith and Military Medal citations for Sergeant Hollingworth, Lance Sergeant Moorhouse and Corporal Mulcahy in 61st Recce Battle Honours.)