Award of the Military Cross
to
Major Paul Welch, 26th June, 1943.

Citation
    In early April [1943] Brigadier Howlett recommended this officer for the Military Cross for excellent work covering a period of three weeks in March, during this period his squadron gave great assistance in the extrication of the Lincolns from Sedjenane on 3 March, and also gave very valuable support to the infantry on several occasions in the advance of 46 Division to Sedjenane which began on 26 March. This recommendation has been reduced by Commander 46 Division to a “Mention in Despatches.”
   During March Major Welch was also under the command 1 Parachute Brigade and in many local actions which he controlled most ably he gave invaluable support at a rather critical time and often under very difficult conditions. During this month Major Welch was also under command of 138 and 139 Infantry Brigades and did much good work in their support.
   From that time Major Welch came under my command until the break through by 4 Division and 4 Indian Division when he was put under command of 142 Royal Armoured Corps for that operation. From 2 -26 April he took part in the battle for Longstop and his handling of his squadron was exceptionally good. [Next line not readable], the Argylls supported by the East Kents and on 24 April he was in command of a composite squadron which advanced along the southern slopes and cleaned up some machine-gun nests which had been worrying the infantry on the summit. This operation was very well carried out and the extrication of the crew of a tank, which had been knocked-out under heavy fire, was ably controlled by him. During the final attack on Djebel Rhar he commanded his squadron in the diversionary attack which was so successful on the Southern slopes. This operation again was extraordinarily will handled and contributed to no small extent to the success of the operation as a whole.
   On 30 April Major Welch supported the Argylls in their advance on to Sidi Amed and from then on to Pts. 160 and 177. This necessitated the crossing of two difficult oueds which Major Welch personally recced on foot and then guided his tanks across. When in position on Pt. 177 five German Mark IV tanks appeared and were engaged and driven off after a sharp engagement. Just before last light Major Welch successfully withdrew his squadron under heavy artillery and mortar fire.
   On 6 May, when under command 142 Royal Armoured Corps for the break through attack, Major Welch’s squadron ably protected the left flank and captured 50 prisoners and six 88 m.m. guns. Five enemy tanks were also engaged and driven off.
   On 7 May this officer came under command 1 Infantry Division and took part in the advance to El Bathan and Djedeida and on 8 May he very effectively supported the infantry across the river into the latter town. Immediately the infantry were across he recced a crossing for the tanks and successfully got all the tanks over a very difficult ford. Prisoners were then rounded up on all sides and several anti-tanks guns were captured. This operation was very well executed.
   During the campaign Major Welch has been under command of many formations and all commands have spoken extraordinarily highly of this Officer’s leadership and fighting qualities. I consider that he has shown personal courage of a high order on many occasions and that his leadership, initiative, resources and devotion to duty over a long period, have been most inspiring to my Regiment and his Squadron

Transcribed from a copy of Army Form making the recommendation.

Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel D. Dawnay, Commanding Officer North Irish Horse.

Endorsed by
Lieutenant-Colonel D. Dawnay, Acting Commander 25th Tank Brigade.

Approved by
Lieutenant-General C. W. Allfrey, Commander 5 Corps.

London Gazette Record
Issue: 36160 Date: 23.9.1943 Page: 4216.
which view.

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