Military Cross Award

[Compo]

Can anyone give me an idea what the meaning of a phrase in the award of a Military Cross might mean.

He was a 2Lt in an anti aircraft section and was awarded the medal in the field among other things for;

"He kept his section in close touch with the line throughout the operations."

The date was 27 Apr 1918 which was the time of the German Lys offensive on the Western Front. The first and second British armies were retreating, although I believe he was in the fourth army, but as anti aircraft artillery probably attached wherever he weas needed.

There are family stories that he stopped some infantry that was "retreating a bit too fast" at a bridge. This may be unconnected to the award.

Does anyone have an idea what the phrase means?

[Captain Dave]

By the sounds of things it implies that other units were losing touch with thier chain of command as a withdrawal descended into confusion (pretty easy to do) and he may have prevented his own unit from doing the same by ensuring that communications were kept up in support of the unit he was attatched to.

From there he may have acted as a rally point for other units and sent them on their way to where they were meant to be, whilst operating in difficult circimstances.

[rflory]

I would guess that "line" refers to "front line". I assume you officer is Royal Artillery. May I ask what his name is? Regards. Dick Flory

[mcderms]

You've also got accounts of AA guns being used as infantry support weapons by both the British and Germans troops... If it could fire something unpleasant, it got aimed at the enemy during the Spring Offensive. It's quite possible that your man's position behind the lines quickly became the Front Line and he got the MC in a defensive action or for supporting a counter attack under trying circumstances.

[Compo]

Sure Dick, he was my grandfather Lt Edmund Spencer Compton RGA Special Reserve, his award appears in the London Gazette Supplement of 26 July 1918 page 8788.

Rgds. Bill