Fritz Sigmund Hausmann, also known as Fred Houseman

Fritz Sigmund Hausmann was born in Bingen Am Rhein, April 27th 1921. He was a German Jew who at age 13, fled Germany alone and went to school in Palestine. When he was of age he enlisted and did his basic training in Sarafend, Palestine and he then joined the 462 RASC.

On May 1st, 1943 he was on board the Erinpura, which was attacked in the Mediterranean and suffered a direct hit by a German bomb. Fortunately for Fred he had left the lower decks to visit the Sick Bay when the attack happened. The ship sank in 4 minutes with a loss of 943 lives and if Fred hadn't gone to see the MO he would have been perished as did the 140 Palestinian Jewish soldiers serving in 462 RASC.

He joined the No. 2 Commando in the autumn took part in the invasion of Salerno. As with any exiled German Jews serving in the special forces he had to change his name in the hope that it would avoid him being tortured and executed in the event that he was captured by the Germans. Part of Fred's cover story was that he was from Manchester and, as a multi-linguist, had no difficulty in perfecting a decent accent...
He went for special training on Monte Volturno and subsequently went to the Island of Vis, Yugoslavia where most of his operations were until he was severely wounded in Albania. He was in 23 landings, 40 battles and wounded 8 times. He was awarded the DCM, and was MiD.

His citation for the DCM: ‘In the Commando raid on Brac Island on the night of 5 March 1944, Driver Hausmann was the leading scout of the section which carried out this raid. The section was seen approaching and two sentries opened fire with schmeiser automatics which pinned them to the ground. Driver Hausmann dashed forward firing his T.S.M.G. and killed one sentry, but the other ran into the house. Hausmann followed, kicked open the door and threw in a hand grenade. When it exploded, he dashed in shouting to the Germans to surrender, and having killed one and wounded two more, the remaining five men gave themselves up.
On the morning of 19 March during the Commando attack on Solta Island, the behaviour of this man was exemplary. In the forefront of the final assualt on the village, he led a small group of men in house-clearing in an area where the German garrison was holding out, and during this operation severely wounded a German who was holding up the advance with a Spandau M.G. which was mounted in an upper window.
Driver Hausmann is a Palestinian of German origin serving in the Commando. He has taken part in three Commando raids in these islands during the last six weeks, and in each of these his behaviour has been outstandingly bold and aggressive. He insists on being the leading scout on all approaches by day or night and is not content to await his turn for this duty. He has set a magnificent example and his conduct under fire is in the highest traditions of the Army.’