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IN MEMORY
Major Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen
"Andy"
22.09.1920 - 09.04.1945
AWARDS:
Victoria Cross
Military Cross 2 Bars
King Christian X´s Memorial Medal
Greek War Cross
1939-45 Star
Africa Star
Italy Star
Defence Medal
War Medal
The history of Major Anders Lassens exploits are described in these books:
1) Suzanne Lassen; Sømand og Soldat. (Danish)
2) Mike Langley; Anders Lassen VC, MC, Of The SAS. (English) ISBN # 0-450-42492-8
3) Mike Langley; Anders Lassen VC, MC, Of The SAS. (Danish) ISBN # 87-12-01888-0
4) John Lodwick; The Filibusters. (In Danish: Fribytterne og Anders Lassen)
5) Mogens Kofod-Hansen; "ANDY". (English) ISBN # 87-88214-346
6) Mogens Kofod-Hansen; "ANDY". (Danish) ISBN # 87-88214-168
7) Jørgen Halck; En Dansk Soldat. (Danish)
8) Thomas Harder; "Anders Lassens Krig". (Danish) ISBN # 978-87-7514-253-8
THE MILITARY CROSS:
Second-Lieutenant Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau LASSEN (234907). General List.
Second-Lieutenant LASSEN has at all times shown himself to be a very gallant and determined officer, who will carry out his job with a complete disregard for his own personal safety. As well as, by his fine example, being an inspiring leader of his men, he is a brilliant seaman possessed of sound judgment and quick decisions.
He was coxswain of the landing craft on an operation and effected a landing and subsequent re-embarkation on a dangerous and rocky island with considerable skill and without mishap. He took part in a further operation on which he showed dash and reliability. He recently took part in another highly successful operation in which he was the leader of a boarding party.
Regardless of the action going on around him, Second-Lieutenant LASSEN did his job quickly and coolly and showed great resource and ingenuity. Second-Lieutenant LASSEN also to part in another operation, as bowman on landing, and then made a preliminary reconnaissance for a reported machine-gun post.
THE MILITARY CROSS - First Bar:
THE MILITARY CROSS - Second Bar:
THE VICTORIA CROSS:
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the
VICTORIA CROSS to:
Major (temporary) Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau LASSEN, M.C (234907) General List.
In Italy, on the night of 8th/9th April, 1945, Major Lassen was ordered to take out a patrol of one officer and seventeen other ranks to raid the north shore of Lake Comacchio.
His tasks were to cause as many casualties and as much confusion as possible, to give the impression of a major landing, and to capture prisoners. No previous reconnaissance was possible, and the party found itself on a narrow road flanked on both sides by water.
Preceded by two scouts, Major Lassen led his men along the road towards the town. They were challenged after approximately 500 yards from a position on the side of the road. An attempt to allay suspicion by answering that they were fishermen returning home failed, for when moving forward again to overpower the sentry, machine gun fire started from the position, and also from two other blockhouses to the rear.
Major Lassen himself then attacked with grenades, and annihilated the first position containing four Germans and two machine guns. Ignoring the hail of bullets sweeping the road from three enemy positions, an additional one having come into action from 300 yards down the road, he raced forward to engage the second position under covering fire from the remainder of the force. Throwing in more grenades he silenced this position which was then overrun by his patrol. Two enemies were killed, two captured and two more machine guns silenced.
By this time the force had suffered casualties and its fire power was very considerably reduced. Still under a heavy cone of fire Major Lassen rallied and reorganised his force and brought his fire to bear on the third position. Moving forward himself he flung in more grenades which produced a cry of »Kamerad«. He then went forward to within three or four yards of the position to order the enemy outside, and to take their surrender.
Whilst shouting to them to come out he was hit by a burst of spandau fire from the left of the position and he fell mortally wounded, but even whilst falling he flung a grenade, wounding some of the occupants and enabling his patrol to dash in and capture this final position. Major Lassen refused to be evacuated as he said it would impede the withdrawal and endanger further lives, and as ammunition was nearly exhausted the force had to withdraw.
By his magnificent leadership and complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Lassen had, in the face of overwhelming superiority, achieved his objects. Three positions were wiped out, accounting for six machine guns, killing eight and wounding others of the enemy and two prisoners were taken. The high sense of devotion to duty and the esteem in which he was held by the men he led, added to his own magnificent courage, enabled Major Lassen to carry out all the tasks he had been given with complete success.
WAR OFFICE, 7th September, 1945.
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