Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36605/supplement/3273. No. 3663590 Fusilier Francis Arthur Jefferson, 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. On 16th May 1944 during an attack on the Gustav Line, Monte Casino, Italy, the leading company of Fusilier Jefferson's battalion had to dig in without protection. The enemy counter-attacked opening fire at short range, and Fusilier Jefferson, on his own initiative, seized a P.I.A.T. Gun and, running forward under a hail of bullets, fired on the leading tank. It burst into flames and all the crew were killed. The fusilier then reloaded and went towards the second tank which withdrew before he could get within range. By this time our own tanks had arrived and the enemy counter-attack was smashed.
Fold3_Team · 31/10/2023
Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36605/supplement/3273. No. 3663590 Fusilier Francis Arthur Jefferson, 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. On 16th May 1944 during an attack on the Gustav Line, Monte Casino, Italy, the leading company of Fusilier Jefferson's battalion had to dig in without protection. The enemy counter-attacked opening fire at short range, and Fusilier Jefferson, on his own initiative, seized a P.I.A.T. Gun and, running forward under a hail of bullets, fired on the leading tank. It burst into flames and all the crew were killed. The fusilier then reloaded and went towards the second tank which withdrew before he could get within range. By this time our own tanks had arrived and the enemy counter-attack was smashed.