Personal info
- Name: Eric ANDERSON
- D.O.B: 15th Sep, 1915
- D.O.A: 6th Apr, 1943
- D.O.D: 6th Apr, 1943
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 5th Battalion The East Yorkshire Regiment, (The Duke of York’s Own), 69th Brigade, 50th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 3
Wadi Akarit, Tunisia 6 April 1943
6 April 1943
The Second World War 1943
As the attack on the Axis positions at Wadi Akarit developed, 69th Brigade was on the right of 4th Indian Division (see above). It made slow progress initially as it sought to cross the minefield and anti-tank ditch and suffered heavy casualties. Further east still, 51st Highland Division attacked the Roumana Ridge with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders engaged between the Ridge and the Wadi. The battle once again forced the Germans to withdraw.
Citation
On the 6th April, 1943, a Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment was making a dawn attack on a strong enemy locality on the Wadi Akarit with “A” Company leading. After some progress had been made and “A” Company was advancing over an exposed forward slope, it suddenly came under most intense and accurate machine gun and mortar fire from well concealed enemy strong points not more than 200 yards away. Further advance in that direction was impossible and “A” Company was able to withdraw behind the crest of a hill, with the exception of a few men who were wounded and pinned to the ground by strong and well directed small arms fire. Private Anderson, a stretcher bearer attached to “A” Company, seeing these men lying wounded in “no man’s land”, quite regardless of his personal safety, went forward alone through intense fire and single handed carried back a wounded soldier to a place of safety where medical attention could be given. Knowing that more men were lying wounded in the open he again went out to the bullet swept slope, located a second wounded man and carried him to safety. Private Anderson went forward once again and safely evacuated a third casualty. Without any hesitation or consideration for himself he went out a fourth time but by now he was the only target the enemy had to shoot at and when he reached the fourth wounded man, and was administering such first aid as he could to prepare for the return journey, he was himself hit and mortally wounded. Private Anderson, by his valour, complete disregard for his personal safety, and courage under fire, probably saved the lives of three of his comrades and his example was an inspiration to all who witnessed his gallant acts.