Lieutenant Peter Ian Phillip Scott-Martin
Unit : 6th Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment
Army No. : 307778
Awards : Military Cross
On 16th April 1945 this officer was ordered to establish contact with the enemy to the East of the 6 Airlanding Brigade positions at Rosche, and obtain vitally important information as to their depth and flanks.
Lieutenant Scott-Martin's task was made extremely difficult in that the enemy was concealed in dense woodland and villages which were on higher ground than the lines of approach which he would have to use. Furthermore the ground was extremely dry and vehicle movement at almost any speed raised dust clouds and gave away his presence. It was necessary to take the vehicles as they mounted the wireless sets and the information was so important that it had to be passed at once.
After pinpointing and reporting several enemy positions Lieutenant Scott-Martin decided to work round to the South where he thought he had found a flank. During this move his leading vehicle was fired on and pinned by an 88mm self-propelled. Lieutenant Scott-Martin immediately appreciated that unless he could destroy the gun he would be unable to obtain the information he required and would almost certainly lose his leading vehicle. He decided to call for artillery support and to direct it himself by wireless. The only chance of obtaining observation was from a position which could only be approached by coming under fire from the gun: nevertheless he decided to use it, and in spite of being fired on twice, he reached his objective and directed the artillery fire so well that the gun was silenced.
This action showed exceptional qualities of courage and quick thinking and enabled him to obtain information which was urgently required by his Divisional Commander.