ID :
164564
Mon, 02/28/2011 - 05:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/164564
The shortlink copeid
Aussie Who Won Victoria Cross In Malaya In New Hall Of Valour
MELBOURNE (Bernama) - An Australian army officer who won a Victoria Cross (VC) for gallantry in fighting the Japanese in Malaya, is one of 98 VC winners installed in the newly-opened Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
It is reported that in January 1942, Lieutenant Charles Anderson, then 44, was commanding a mix of mainly Australian and Indian soldiers trying to hold back the Japanese onslaught in the Malay Peninsula.
"For several days, the force carried out a series of ambushes and
counter-attacks on Japanese forces backed by tanks, until Anderson and his men, many of them wounded, were surrounded in the Muar area," The Australian newspaper said.
Born in South Africa, Anderson fought in the East African campaign in World War I as a lieutenant in the King's African Rifles, winning the Military Cross.
It is said Anderson put his war experience to good use in Malaya and led a series of charges that broke through the encircling Japanese.
On Feb 14, 1942, Anderson was awarded the VC, the only Australian commander in World War II to receive the top military award for gallantry under fire.
The citation for the award read: "For setting magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage. He not only showed fighting qualities of very high order but throughout, exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety."
The next day, the Allied forces surrendered.
As a prisoner of war, Anderson survived the Burma Railway and returned to Australia to be elected a Country Party MP in 1949. He died in Canberra in 1988.
It is reported that in January 1942, Lieutenant Charles Anderson, then 44, was commanding a mix of mainly Australian and Indian soldiers trying to hold back the Japanese onslaught in the Malay Peninsula.
"For several days, the force carried out a series of ambushes and
counter-attacks on Japanese forces backed by tanks, until Anderson and his men, many of them wounded, were surrounded in the Muar area," The Australian newspaper said.
Born in South Africa, Anderson fought in the East African campaign in World War I as a lieutenant in the King's African Rifles, winning the Military Cross.
It is said Anderson put his war experience to good use in Malaya and led a series of charges that broke through the encircling Japanese.
On Feb 14, 1942, Anderson was awarded the VC, the only Australian commander in World War II to receive the top military award for gallantry under fire.
The citation for the award read: "For setting magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage. He not only showed fighting qualities of very high order but throughout, exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety."
The next day, the Allied forces surrendered.
As a prisoner of war, Anderson survived the Burma Railway and returned to Australia to be elected a Country Party MP in 1949. He died in Canberra in 1988.
