Fighting Men of Rhodesia ep317 | Lt Col Nick Fawcett OLM, BCR | part 2 | 1 Cdo 1RLI & RAR

BRONZE CROSS OF RHODESIA
Following the reported location of terrorist equipment on a farm in the North Mashonaland area, a composite force of 4 Troop, 1 Commando and a small Police Anti Terrorist Unit patrol under the command of Second Lieutenant Fawcett was sent to investigate.
Tracks for seven terrorists were found in the area and what was to be a two day follow-up was commenced. The terrorist tactics of anti tracking and setting ambushes on their resting places and night bases indicated that the gang was well trained and extremely alert. Despite this, Second Lieutenant Fawcett conducted the follow-up with such determination that by the morning of 10th April 1968, he had reduced the terrorists' lead from 48 to six hours.
At 1330 hours on that day as the force approached high ground on which a number of deep prospectors trenches had been dug, one terrorist was observed, at 30 yards range. Second Lieutenant Fawcett immediately deployed his force into assault formation and despite the open nature of the ground commenced crawling towards the terrorist hide. At 15 yards distance,
Second Lieutenant Fawcett and his signaler were observed by the terrorists who immediately opened fire with rifles and machine-guns. In the initial fire fight, three terrorists were killed and one Trooper killed and one Policeman wounded.
The latter was evacuated from the contact area on Second Lieutenant Fawcett's orders.
Throughout this and the subsequent engagement in which the remaining four terrorists were killed, Second Lieutenant Fawcett directed the assault from an exposed position which was covered by heavy terrorist fire including the use of a bazooka. His calmness, clear thinking and complete disregard for his own safety under these hazardous conditions was an example to all. His outstanding leadership of a composite force the majority of which had never been under fire
was of the highest order.
The terrorists had fought with determined aggressiveness and no thought of surrender from well dug in positions advantageous to the defenders. The fact that all were eliminated with so few casualties to his own force is entirely due to Second Lieutenant Fawcett's fine leadership while his personal gallantry throughout the difficult contact w as a splendid inspiration to his men.

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