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Later the same day, in the village of Crepon, the Company encountered a
field gun and crew, armed with spandaus, at a hundred yards range. C.S.M.
Hollis was put in command of a party to cover an attack on the gun, but the
movement was held up. Seeing this C.S.M. Hollis pushed right forward to
engage the gun with a P.I.A.T. from a house at fifty yards range. He was
observed by a sniper who fired and grazed his right cheek, and at the same
moment the gun swung round and fired at point blank range into the house.
To avoid the falling masonry G.3.M. Hollis moved his partyto an alternative
position. Two of the enemy gun crew had by this time been killed, and the
gun was destroyed shortly afterwards. He later found that two of his men had
stayed behind in the house, and immediately volunteered to get them out.
In full view of the enemy, who were continually firing at him, he went
forward alone using a Bren gun to distract their attention from the other
men. Under cover of his diversion, the two men were able to get back.

Wherever fighting was heaviest C.S.M. Hollis appeared, and in the course
of a magnificent day’s work he displayed the utmost gallantry, and on two
separate occasions his courage and initiative prevented the enemy from
holding up the advance at critical stages. It was largely through his
heroism and resource that the Company's objectives were gained and casualties
were not heavier, by his own bravery he saved the lives of many of his men."

In addition to Major Lofthouse and C.S.M. Hollis, Lieuts. R. L. Fitzwilliam,
L. Loxley and J. A. Kirkpatrick led their platoons with great gallentry, and
contributed largely to "D" Company’s success.

"B" Company, following behind the assault companies, rapidly secured its
objective, clearing a quarry occupied by the enemy on the way and taking some
prisoners.

"C" Company, led by Capt. J.C. Linn, waded ashore thirteen minutes
behind the leading companies. By this time the enemy had recovered from
his inital suprise and was plastering the high water mark with all the
weapons at his disposal. Halfway up the beach Capt. Linn was wounded in
the leg, but continued to direct operations from a sitting position until
he was hit again and killed. This very gallant and popular company commander
was a great loss to the Battalion. Several first class N.C.O.'s, including