Map of Brac
This is the map of Brac used by L/Sgt Tom Smith whilst serving with No.2 Cdo. As a result of his courage on Brac he was awarded the Military Medal. Copy of map courtesy of Phil Smith who gives this information "The circles towards the bottom are in pencil and I assume that they were something to do with the raid. According to the scale, the distance from there to Supetar is about five miles. The notes on the back suggest that the other members of the Patrol included: - Captain Mike Webb, a South African; Buster Mullen, from Newcastle; Taff Bancroft from South Wales; and someone from the Palestine Regiment. The back of the map is signed by Jack Churchill and someone whose name looks like Peter Freeman. I know that these were added many years later, at a reunion."
L/Sgt. 3655831 Tom Smith MM of No.2 Commando
Citation for his award of the Military Medal:
" This NCO was one of a small party of volunteers who remained behind on Brac after the Allied forces had left, in an attempt to rescue their Commanding Officer who had been captured. It was thought at the time that there was little chance of them returning.For three days and nights this NCO was outstanding for his coolness and resource when in close proximity to the enemy (4th-6th June 1944). The party did return to base however, and on the 8th June, information being received of prisoners, this NCO again volunteered to return to Brac.He was again outstanding. He climbed a hill in the German lines to observe enemy movement and was spotted. He was fired at, and mortared, and with perfect calmness he ignored this fire and continued to observe the enemy, and did not retire until the Germans were actually advancing up the hill.He then retreated and made his way back through the German lines to base with very valuable information about the enemy. This NCO has also been conspicuous in several battles during the past year being recommended for the MM at Salerno In September 1943. (L.G.22.2.45)
(above detals entered by Pete R)
There are more pictures of Tom in the No.2 Commando albums
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