THE SUPERB WW2 IMMEDIATE M.M. GROUP AWARDED TO SERGEANT, ROYAL NATAL CARABINEERS, FOR THE ASSAULT AND CAPTURE OF MONTE VIGESE, 6 OCTOBER 1944. IN DRIVING RAIN, HIS COMPANY PERFORMED THE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TASK OF DRIVING THE DEFENDERS OF THE FANATICAL 16TH SS PANZERGRENADIER DIVISION OFF THE PRECIPITOUS MOUNTAIN PEAK. DURING THE ACTION, THIS NCO PERSONALLY WIPED OUT A MACHINE-GUN POST WITH HIS TOMMY GUN

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘597V SGT. S. P. AUSTIN. 1. R.N.C.’; 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45; AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL, CAMPAIGN AWARDS ALL OFFICIALLY IMPRESSED ‘597 S. P. AUSTIN’.

M.M. London Gazette 8 March 1945.

The original recommendations for an ‘immediate’ award states:

‘On Friday morning, 6 October 1944, Sergeant Austin’s platoon was ordered to attack and occupy part of the precipitous Monte Vigese, known to be occupied by S.S. troops. It was pouring with rain and visibility very limited.

Shortly before reaching the objective, this N.C.O. discovered a well-concealed German M.G. post. He immediately engaged the post at close range with his Tommy gun, killing one of the crew. The other two emerged from the position and attempted to fire on Sergeant Austin’s platoon. Sergeant Austin, after demanding their surrender, closed in single-handed and cleaned up the post and enabled his platoon to move on to its final objective, without suffering any casualties.

His courage and leadership inspired his whole platoon.’

Stanley Philip Austin, a 24 year old factory superintendent from Pietermaritzburg, enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Royal Natal Carbineers on 1 July 1939. Promoted Lance Corporal on 23 February 1942, Temporary Corporal on 28 November 1941 and Temporary Sergeant on 1 September 1943.

According to his service records he had the following active service during the war with the 1st Battalion, Royal Natal Carbineers:

East Africa, 27 April 1940 – 16 June 1941
And would have served during the advance through Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia, taking part in numerous actions, the Battle Honours being El Wak, The Juba, Kombolcha and Combolcia
Middle East, 16 June 1941 – 2 January 1943
Middle East, 1 October 1943 – 13 April 1944
And would have served at Sidi Rezegh, Taieb el Essem, Bir Sciafsciuf, Gazala, Point 204, El Alamein defence, Qattara and El Alamein
Italy, 13 April 1944 – 8 January 1945

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingobamakhosi_Carbineers

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN 1944-5

The 1st Royal Natal Carbineers arrived in Italy on 20 April 1944 and took part in the final actions at Monto Cassio in May 1944……………

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE-UP

Condition generally GVF and mounted for display. Sold with Copy service records, recommendation and other research (all digital). Austin’s service papers confirm all awards but additionally entitled to the 8th Army clasp.

A fine and scarce Natal Carbineers M.M. with a superb fighting citation.