George Allan Mitchell
| George Allan Mitchell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
30 August 1911 Highgate, London |
| Died |
24 January 1944 Lazio, Italy |
| Buried at | Minturno War Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | The Gordon Highlanders |
| Battles/wars | World War II † |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
George Allan Mitchell VC (30 August 1911 – 24 January 1944) was an English 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.
Details
Mitchell was 32 years old, and a private in The London Scottish (Gordon Highlanders), during the Battle of Monte Damiano in the Italian Campaign when he earned the VC.
An Extract from the original citation reads:
On the night 23/24th January, 1944, six days after the assault crossing of the River garigliano, A Company, 1st Battalion, The London Scottish, was ordered to carry out a local attack to restore the situation on a portion of the main Damiano ridge. The Company attacked with two platoons forward and a composite platoon of London Scottish and Royal Berkshiremen in reserve. The Company Commander was wounded in the very early stages of the attack. the only other officer with the company was wounded soon afterwards. No. 9 Section of No. 9 Platoon of this Company was ordered by the Platoon commander to carry out a right flanking movement against some enemy machine-guns which were holding up the advance. also as soon as he had issued the order he was killed. There was no platoon sergeant. During the advance, the enemy opened heavy machine-guns at point -blank range. Without hesitation, private mitchell dropped the 2-inch mortar which he was carrying, and seizing a rifle and bayonet, charged, alone, up the hill through intense Spandau fire. He reached the enemy machine-gun unscathed, jumped into the weapon pit, shot one and bayoneted the other member of the crew, thus silencing the gun. As a result, the advance of the platoon continued, but shortly afterwards the leading section was again held up by the fire of approximately two German sections who were strongly entrenched. Private Mitchell, relising that prompt action was essential, rushed forward into the assault, firing his rifle from the hip, completely oblivious of the bullets which were sweeping the area. The remainder of his section, inspired by his example, followed him and arrived in time to complete the capture of the position, in which six Germans were killed and twelve made prisoner.
As the section was reorganising itself to continue to its objective, yet another enemy machine-gun opened up on it at close range. Once more Private Mitchell rushed forward alone and with his rifle and bayonet killed the crew. The section now found itself immediately below the crest of the hill, from which heavy small-arms fire was being directed and grenades were being thrown. Private Mitchell's ammunition was exhausted, but in spite of this he called on the men for one further effort and again led the assault up the steep and rocky hillside. Dashing to the front, he was again the first man to reach the enemy position and was mainly instrumental in forcing the remainder of the enemy to surrender.
A few minutes later, a German who had surrendered, picked up a rifle and shot Private Mitchell through the head. Throughout this operation, carried out on a very dark night, up a steep hillside covered in rocks and scrub, Private Mitchell displayed superb courage and devotion to duty of the very highest order. His complete disregard of the enemy fire, the fearless way in which he continually exposed himself, and his refusal to accept defeat, so inspired his comrades, that together they succeeded in overcoming and utterly defeating an enemy superior in numbers, and owning all the advantages of the ground.
The medal
For many years this medal was held by George Mitchell School in East London. Now it is held at the London Scottish Regimental Museum in London.[1]
References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)