Hunter VC

Led the advance against Spandau's

The previous page was: "Harvey VC"

Hunter VC; Thomas Peck Hunter VC won the Victoria Cross for exceptional valour during the advance by 43 Commando Royal Marines at Lake Commachio, Italy.

When they advanced to their final objective he was in charge of the Bren gun team; they were the leading section of 43 Commando Royal Marines that had advanced through open country. He could see the enemy they were holed up in a group of houses near the south side of the canal.

He realised that his troop had no cover they would be mowed down or receive heavy casualties by the Spandau machine guns.

Harvey VC

1 Bren gun verses 9 Spandau machine guns

Quickly he grabbed the Bren gun and magazines and charged 200 yards across open ground with the Bren gun blazing away.

Three Spandau machine guns from the buildings ahead opened up and six more from the north side of the canal joined them.

Enemy mortars joined in and started firing at the Commandos in the open; and mortar bombs were dropping all around them.

Corporal Hunter VC attracted most of the enemy fire.

His determined charge and firing from the hip; and changing magazines while he was charging totally demoralised the enemy before him.

He showed total disregard for his own safety or the intense enemy fire that was aimed at him; his actions were for his men's safety.

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6 Germans surrender to Corporal Hunter

He alone cleared the houses; six German soldiers surrendered to him; the remainder fled across a foot bridge to get over the other side of the canal of Lake Commachio.

The troops dashing behind Hunter then became the targets for the spandaus that were on the north bank.

Again he offered himself as a target, laying in full view of the Germans on a heap of rubble; he fired at the German troops in the concrete pill boxes on the north bank.

Finally Hit

Once more he drew the enemy fire towards him; by then the majority of his troops were in the safety of the houses.

He called for more magazines and shouted encouragement to the men who were still advancing.

He fired at the spandau positions with great accuracy up to the last. When he was finally hit in the head with a burst from the Spandau machine guns that killed him instantly.

Magnificent Bravery

There is no doubt that Corpral Hunter made himself a target to save the lives of his troop; he was a cheerful character a strong leader that gave inspiration to his comrades.

It was only the speed and the accuracy of his excellent shooting that prevented him from being hit earlier. His skill with the Bren gun completely demoralised the enemy and he alone silenced many of the more powerful Spandau machine guns.

Because of his extravacant courage and incentive his troops captured their final objective.

The next Link below will be: "Lumsden VC"

Hunter VC Lumsden VC

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