Anders Lassen
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Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen VC, MC & Two Bars (22 September 1920 - 9 April 1945) was a Danish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the fourth Dane to receive this decoration.
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[edit] Details
He was 24 years old, and a temporary major in the General List, commanding a squadron of the Special Boat Service (which was formed from the Special Boat Squadron of No. 1 Special Air Service Regiment) during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 9 April 1945 at Lake Comacchio, Italy, on Operation Roast, Major Lassen was ordered to take a patrol and raid the north shore of the lake, causing as many casualties and as much confusion as possible to give the impression of a major landing. In the face of overwhelming enemy numbers he fulfilled his mission, three positions being wiped out, and when he was mortally wounded he refused to be evacuated so that the withdrawal should not be impeded and his men's lives endangered. Corporal Hunter of the Royal Marines also received his VC in the same operation with his Commando.
The London Gazette of 4th September, 1945, gives the following particulars:-
In Italy, on the night of 8th/9th April, 1945, Major Lassen was ordered to take out a patrol and raid the north shore of Lake Comacchio. His task was to cause casualties, capture prisoners and give the impression of a major landing. The patrol was challenged and came under machine-gun fire. Major Lassen himself attacked with grenades and silenced two enemy posts, capturing two prisoners and killing several Germans. The patrol had suffered casualties and was still under fire. Major Lassen moved forward and flung more grenades into a third enemy position, calling upon the enemy to surrender. He was then hit and mortally wounded, but whilst falling he flung a grenade, wounding more of the enemy and enabling his patrol to capture this last position. Finally, he refused to be evacuated lest he should impede the withdrawal and endanger further lives. His high sense of devotion to duty and the esteem in which he was held by the men he led, added to his own magnificent courage, enabled Major Lassen to carry out with complete success all the tasks he had been given.
[edit] Further information
Also received the King Christian X Memorial Medal, the Military Cross and two Bars, The Greek War Cross, The 1939-45 Star, The Africa Star, The Italy Star, The Defence Medal and The War Medal.
Lassen's remains were subsequently buried in plot II.E.11 at Argenta Gap War Cemetery. The cemetery is administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
He was the son of Emil Victor Schau Lassen and Suzanne Maria Signe Lassen, of Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark. He was first cousin of Major Axel von dem Bussche, son of his aunt Jenny Lassen, a German professional officer who tried as member of the Stauffenberg plot to kill Hitler in Nov. 1943.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of Danish Resistance (Frihedsmuseet) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
[edit] References
- Anders Lassen VC, MC, of the SAS (Mike Langley, 1988)
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- List of Danish Victoria Cross recipients
- The Danish Victoria Cross holders
- Anders Lassen Fonden - The Danish Anders Lassen Foundation
- Photos of Lassen's grave
- Commonwealth War Graves Register Entry for Lassen
