Personal info
- Name: Joseph KAEBLE
- D.O.B: 5th May, 1892
- D.O.A: 9th Jun, 1918
- D.O.D: 9th Jun, 1918
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Corporal, 22nd Battalion The Quebec Regiment, (Canadien Français), Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Neuville-Vitasse, France 8-9 June 1918
8-9 June 1918
The First World War 1918
On the night of 8 June 1918 German troops mounted a raid against the Canadian positions at Neuville-Vitasse, two miles south-east of Arras. After a heavy bombardment three parties, each numbering approximately fifty men, rushed the Canadian line. All were repulsed.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and extraordinary devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun section in the front line trenches, on which a strong enemy raid was attempted. During an intense bombardment Cpl. Kaeble remained at the parapet with his Lewis gun shouldered ready for action, the field of fire being very short. As soon as the barrage lifted from the front line, about fifty of the enemy advanced towards his post. By this time the whole of his section except one had become casualties. Cpl. Kaeble jumped over the parapet, and holding his Lewis gun at the hip, emptied one magazine after another into the advancing enemy, and, although wounded several times by fragments of shells and bombs, he continued to fire, and entirely blocked the enemy by his determined stand. Finally, firing all the time, he fell backwards into the trench, mortally wounded. While lying on his back in the trench he fired his last cartridges over the parapet at the retreating Germans, and before losing consciousness shouted to the wounded about him: “Keep it up boys; do not let them get through! We must stop them!” The complete repulse of the enemy attack at this point was due to the remarkable personal bravery and self-sacrifice of this gallant non-commissioned officer, who died of his wounds shortly afterwards.