Beschreibung:

A superb Second World War North Africa operations M.C. and Bar group of four awarded to Lieutenant D. S. “Duggie” Low, Royal Tank Regiment (R.A.C.): in writing to his mother after his death in 1943, his C.O. spoke of ‘the finest subaltern in action I have ever known’, and of an officer who literally appeared not to know the meaning of fear, a contention more than justified by the remarkable nature of his M.C. recommendations, and by the story of his escape from six German guards - one of whom he felled by a single blow Military Cross, G.VI.R., with Bar for Second Award,the reverses of the Cross and of the Bar both officially dated ‘1943’, in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; War Medal 1939-45, these last four in their original addressed card forwarding box to his father, with Army Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Lieutenant D. S. Low, M.C.’, generally extremely fine (4) £3000-3500 Footnote M.C. London Gazette 18 May 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant Low was in command of a Scout Car Troop in a light squadron of the Battalion of the Royal Tank Regiment and on 20 February 1943, during an attack on the enemy positions at Metameur, he showed outstanding initiative and personal courage. The Brigade objective was to cut the Metameur-Maret main road. The Battalion was leading the advance and within about an hour or less had advanced round the right flank and was in position overlooking the road and behind the enemy’s main defences, but it was impossible to cut the road as the enemy had a strong anti-tank screen supported by tanks covering the north side of the road. The Light Squadron was then ordered to find the right flank and try to get on to the road. Lieutenant Low, with others, was ordered to reconnoitre with his Troop. Although by then reduced to only one scout car, by daring and initiative he soon found a route on the right flank and actually got on to the road through the anti-tank screen. By this time the enemy was pulling out certain elements to the North-West along the road. Lieutenant Low, seeing this, still commenced to stop enemy lorries. He soon collected six lorries and a staff car, and took one officer and 16 other ranks prisoner, and passed back very valuable information. In this action the enemy was strongly entrenched in a naturally first class defensive position, and there is no doubt that he intended to stay. Yet he was turned out after one day’s brisk fighting. It is quite obvious that the reason for this was the fact that the main road was cut behind him. That was his greatest fear and to nothing else would he have reacted so quickly. Before the road was cut the Battalion received orders not to go any further but vigorous patrol activity was continued and it can be justly said that the cutting of the road was without question almost entirely due to the initiative, dash and courage of Lieutenant Low. Lieutenant Low’s fearless action in penetrating the enemy’s anti-tank screen was largely responsible for the enemy’s defeat and subsequent leaving of the vital Tedjera features in our hands.’ Bar to M.C. London Gazette 19 August 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘On 6 May 1943, Lieutenant Low was commanding his Scout Car Troop of three cars. His Squadron was doing protection front to the Regimental Group. The leading tanks were fired on by a 50mm. gun from a concealed position in a Wadi and one tank was knocked out. The enemy gun could not be located. It was vital for the advance not to be delayed at this critical moment. Lieutenant Low was ordered to reconnoitre the enemy gun. With great dash and gallantry he went straight for the suspected position and ran right onto a Mk. III Special which engaged him. Lieutenant Low then showed outstanding bravery and initiative. He converged on the enemy tank with his Troop firing his Bren Guns with a view to engaging it at close quarters with hand grenades. The enemy tank turned about and fled. Unfort