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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Dauncey, Michael Donald Keen |
| Date of birth: | May 11th, 1920
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| Nationality: |
British |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Service number 184738.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Lieutenant
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Unit:
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"G" Squadron, No.1 Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps, British Army
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Awarded on:
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September 27th, 1945
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Awarded for:
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Operation Market Garden
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Action:
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Citation:
"During the action at Arnhem from 20th to 25th September 1944, Lt Dauncey was in command of a party of men defending the guns of the Airlanding Light Regiment RA at Oosterbeek. The position was continually attacked by superior forces of enemy tanks and infantry. On three occasions the enemy overran the sector necessitating a counter attack. Lt Dauncey, on his own initiative, organised and led each sortie with such determination that the positions were regained with heavy loss to the enemy. In the face of heavy small arms and mortar fire he personally attacked machine-gun posts, showing remarkable coolness and complete disregard for his own personal safety. During these attacks he was wounded on three occasions but refused to be evacuated from the area.
On 24th September a more determined attack was made by the enemy using tanks and S.P. guns. Lt Dauncey, whilst leading his men in a further counter attack, was wounded again - losing the sight of one eye. In spite of pain, and handicap of defective vision, he continued to lead his men in a fearless manner thus recapturing the lost ground and inflicting heavy loss to the enemy.
On 25th September the position was subjected to intense fire from an enemy S.P. gun. The houses were set on fire and the order was received to withdraw. By now no anti-tank weapons were available and there was imminent danger of the enemy S.P. gun penetrating the gun positions. Realising this fact, Lt Dauncey, who had remained alone, assaulted the enemy vehicle single-handed with gammon bombs. By his action the critical situation was averted but Lt Dauncey received further injuries which resulted in his capture by the enemy.
The high morale of the men, who had been drawn from many units, was undoubtedly due to the fine example of this officer. Had the enemy broken through this sector, the gun positions would have become untenable and thus unable to support the Airborne Division.
Lt Dauncey's indomitable courage, initiative, coolness and selfless devotion to duty, in spite of his wounds, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the service."
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Provide alterations or additional information |
| Picture source: |
- The Pegasus Archive
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| Information source(s): |
- Peters, M. & Buist, L., Glider Pilots at Arnhem, Pen & Sword Books Limited, Barnsley, England, 2009
- Middlebrook, M., Arnhem – Ooggetuigenverslagen van de slag om Arnhem, Uitgeverij Bosch & Keuning, Baarn, Nederland, 1994
- pegasusarchive.org
- The Battle of Arnhem Archive
- Unit Histories
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