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The brilliant success of this Company's attack cleared the beach of
small arms fire. These three brave men were all fated to be killed five days
later in the action near Oristot, but all received posthumous awards for
their gallantry. Captain Honeyman was awarded the Military Cross, and L/Sgt.
Prenty and L/Gpl. Joyce the Military Medal, In addition to these three men,
Lieuts. R. V. Mather, K. J. Hudson and L. A. Grosvenor, particularly distinguised
themselves by their courage and leadership in this action.
"D" Company, commanded by Major R. Lofthouse, ran into deep water, mines,
and heavy mortar fire as it landed, and suffered many casualties, including
such good N.C.O' s as Sgts, J. J. Hill, H. N. Scott, A. W. Lawson and W. Woolston.
Despite this unlucky start, Major Lofthouse collected the remainder of his
Company, and personally led them across the protecting minefield into the enemy's
positions. So swift had been his progress, the enemy troops defending the
battery were taken by surprise, and were either killed or taken prisoner.
Major Lofthouse immediately exploited his success on the right flank,
and had soon established his company in a position from which it was able to
dominate the front of the whole battalion. The determination, initiative, and
personal courage of Major Lofthouse enabled a tract exit from the beach to be
opened at an early stage in the proceedings, and had a direct bearing on the
operation as a whole. 14ajor Lofthouse was awarded the Military Cross.
It was during this assault, and for continuous bravery throughout the day,
that C.S.M.S.E. Hollis was awarded the Victoria Cross. The official citation
liately exploited his success on the right flank,
accompanying his award reads; -
"In Normandy, on June 6th, 1944, during the assault on the beaches and the
Mont Fleury battery, C.S.M. Hollis's Company Commander noticed that two of the
pill-boxes had been by-passed, and went with C.S.M. Hollis to see that they were
clear. When they were twenty yards from the pill-box a machine-gun opened fire frou
the slit, and C.S.M. Hollis instantly rushed straight at the pill-box, recharged
his magazine, threw a grenade in through the door, and fired his Sten gun into it,
killing two Germans and making the remainder prisoner. He then cleared several
Germans from a neighbouring trench. By his action he undoubtedly saved his
Company from being fired on heavily from the rear, and enabled them to open
the main beach exit.