Heroes of the Victoria Cross BERNARD FREYBERG

“THE PERSONALITY, VALOUR AND UTTER CONTEMPT OF DANGER ON THE PART OF THIS SINGLE OFFICER ENABLED THE LODGEMENT IN THE MOST ADVANCED OBJECTIVE OF THE CORPS TO BE PERMANENTLY HELD”
Freyberg’s citation in the London Gazette on 15 December 1916

t 7.20am on 1 July 1916 the Battle of the Somme commenced when the British detonated a large mine under a German strongpoint defending the village of Beaumont-Hamel. The British offensive was designed to relieve pressure on the beleaguered French Army at Verdun. In addition, according to General Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, its second objective was to inflict heavy losses on the German forces. A further 16 mines were detonated before the Allies went over the top.