The 6th June 1944 witnessed the greatest invasion force ever land on the beaches at Normandy just a few hours after a large number of paratroopers had landed in German occupied France. D-Day was now underway.
1000s of Allied soldiers landed at the five beaches of Normandy; Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah. There were countless acts of bravery yet there was simply one single Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day. It had been given to CSM Stan Hollis who landed on Gold Beach.
Hollis was an experienced veteran who had been in combat at Dunkirk, El Alamein and Sciliy. He'd previously been captured by Rommel's Afrika Korps but managed to get away to rejoin the war.
Self-discipline wise, Hollis was certainly not a model soldier however on D-Day, there was no questioning his ability as a soldier. He'd also been recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal while in action in Italy and it was as part of the attack on the Mont Fleury Battery that Hollis gained his Victoria Cross fighting with the Green Howards regiment.
While his company, advanced inland, he spotted two pillboxes had been missed. When Hollis went to investigate, the Germans within began firing. Hollis attacked them and cleared both pillboxes acquiring quite a few prisoners in the process. This allowed the primary exit from the beachfront to stay open.
Later in the day at the village of Crepon, Hollis attacked the Germans with his Bren gun to free 2 British soldiers who had been stuck in a building. He successfully saved both men. The valour displayed by Hollis in Normandy on D-Day saved a great number of British lives and he was given the Victoria Cross. Holllis was wounded in Sept that year and the next month was awarded his medal by King George VI. Now, his medal is on display at the Green Howards Museum in Yorkshire next to a number of other Victoria Cross given in combat to other men of the regiment.
1000s of Allied soldiers landed at the five beaches of Normandy; Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah. There were countless acts of bravery yet there was simply one single Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day. It had been given to CSM Stan Hollis who landed on Gold Beach.
Hollis was an experienced veteran who had been in combat at Dunkirk, El Alamein and Sciliy. He'd previously been captured by Rommel's Afrika Korps but managed to get away to rejoin the war.
Self-discipline wise, Hollis was certainly not a model soldier however on D-Day, there was no questioning his ability as a soldier. He'd also been recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal while in action in Italy and it was as part of the attack on the Mont Fleury Battery that Hollis gained his Victoria Cross fighting with the Green Howards regiment.
While his company, advanced inland, he spotted two pillboxes had been missed. When Hollis went to investigate, the Germans within began firing. Hollis attacked them and cleared both pillboxes acquiring quite a few prisoners in the process. This allowed the primary exit from the beachfront to stay open.
Later in the day at the village of Crepon, Hollis attacked the Germans with his Bren gun to free 2 British soldiers who had been stuck in a building. He successfully saved both men. The valour displayed by Hollis in Normandy on D-Day saved a great number of British lives and he was given the Victoria Cross. Holllis was wounded in Sept that year and the next month was awarded his medal by King George VI. Now, his medal is on display at the Green Howards Museum in Yorkshire next to a number of other Victoria Cross given in combat to other men of the regiment.
About the Author:
The D-Day invasion in Normandy saw the start of the Allied fightback in the Second World War. Today, the landing grounds are regularly visited by tour groups wanting to see the historic battlefields for themselves.
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