The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post

Michael · 30 January 2002, 06:51 AM

My particular quibble is the granting of the George Cross for minefield incidents. The Indian Army received three such for Italy alone, two being to the Central India Horse, (Sowar Ditto Ram and Lt. Young [R.T.R. attached]) and one to the Madras Sappers and Miners (Subadar Subramanian who already held the Indian Distinguished Service Medal for services in North Africa). When the soldier in front of him stepped on an 'S' mines (a "Bouncing Betty"), Subramanian pushed him aside and flung himself onto the mine before it could go off.

I never could see why such self-sacrifice didn't qualify for the V.C.

30 January 2002, 06:51 AM	#23 (permalink)
Michael Sage emeritus Contributor Join Date: Mar 1998 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 1,124	My particular quibble is the granting of the George Cross for minefield incidents. The Indian Army received three such for Italy alone, two being to the Central India Horse, (Sowar Ditto Ram and Lt. Young [R.T.R. attached]) and one to the Madras Sappers and Miners (Subadar Subramanian who already held the Indian Distinguished Service Medal for services in North Africa). When the soldier in front of him stepped on an 'S' mines (a "Bouncing Betty"), Subramanian pushed him aside and flung himself onto the mine before it could go off. I never could see why such self-sacrifice didn't qualify for the V.C. __________________ Adjt. Antonin Dominique Barthélèmy Gautier Médaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre - SPA 80 October 2, 1895-September 15, 1918 Mort pour la France en combat aérien.