This Day in History: 1943-04-27

Reminiscence by Lieutenant Colonel Showers, Commandant of the 1st Battalion in North Africa: ‘I felt it essential to know more about the German fixed lines of fire etc. I selected one of my best officers, Captain Patrick Stubbs [commanding A Company, and who had won a Military Cross at the battle of Wadi Akarit earlier in the month] to lead a fighting patrol. He set off with 8 men but on the way back they encountered a strong enemy patrol. There was a kukri and tommy gun battle and poor Pat was shot through the knee. Most of his men were killed or wounded but he managed to drag himself back on his elbows to a nearby Scots Guards position. This was a tremendous example of stamina and courage and I obtained the information required.’