The Single Victoria Cross of Operation Overlord
The 6th June 1944 witnessed the greatest invasion force ever land on the beaches at Normandy just a few hours after a large number of paratroopers had landed in German occupied France. D-Day was now underway.
1000s of Allied soldiers landed at the five beaches of Normandy; Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah. There were countless acts of bravery yet there was simply one single Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day. It had been given to CSM Stan Hollis who landed on Gold Beach.
Hollis was a seasoned veteran who had previously seen action at Dunkirk, El Alamein and Sciliy. He had previously been captured by the Afrika Korps but managed to get away to rejoin the war.
Self-discipline wise, Hollis was certainly not a model soldier however on D-Day, there was no questioning his ability as a soldier. He'd also been recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal while in action in Italy and it was as part of the attack on the Mont Fleury Battery that Hollis gained his Victoria Cross fighting with the Green Howards regiment.
While his company, advanced off the landing beach, he observed two pillboxes had been missed. As Hollis went along to look into, the Nazis inside commenced shooting. Hollis attacked them and eliminated both pillboxes acquiring quite a few pows in the act. This made it possible for the primary exit from the beach front to stay open.
Later in the day close to the village of Crepon, Hollis assaulted the Germans with a Bren gun to free 2 British troops who had been cornered in a building. He successfully rescued both soldiers. The bravery shown by Hollis in Normandy on D-Day preserved many British lives and he was accorded the Victoria Cross. He was injured in September that year and the next month was presented with his medal by King George VI. Now, his Victoria Cross is on display at the Green Howards Museum in Yorkshire alongside quite a few other Victoria Cross awarded in combat to other soldiers of the same regiment.
1000s of Allied soldiers landed at the five beaches of Normandy; Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah. There were countless acts of bravery yet there was simply one single Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day. It had been given to CSM Stan Hollis who landed on Gold Beach.
Hollis was a seasoned veteran who had previously seen action at Dunkirk, El Alamein and Sciliy. He had previously been captured by the Afrika Korps but managed to get away to rejoin the war.
Self-discipline wise, Hollis was certainly not a model soldier however on D-Day, there was no questioning his ability as a soldier. He'd also been recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal while in action in Italy and it was as part of the attack on the Mont Fleury Battery that Hollis gained his Victoria Cross fighting with the Green Howards regiment.
While his company, advanced off the landing beach, he observed two pillboxes had been missed. As Hollis went along to look into, the Nazis inside commenced shooting. Hollis attacked them and eliminated both pillboxes acquiring quite a few pows in the act. This made it possible for the primary exit from the beach front to stay open.
Later in the day close to the village of Crepon, Hollis assaulted the Germans with a Bren gun to free 2 British troops who had been cornered in a building. He successfully rescued both soldiers. The bravery shown by Hollis in Normandy on D-Day preserved many British lives and he was accorded the Victoria Cross. He was injured in September that year and the next month was presented with his medal by King George VI. Now, his Victoria Cross is on display at the Green Howards Museum in Yorkshire alongside quite a few other Victoria Cross awarded in combat to other soldiers of the same regiment.
About the Author:
The D-Day invasion in Normandy saw the beginning of the Allied fightback in the Second World War. Today, the beaches are regularly visited by tour groups wanting to see the historic battlefields for themselves.. Free reprint available from: The Single Victoria Cross of Operation Overlord.
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