Captain Peter King DSO MC No.4 Commando

This message was edited 16 times. Last update was at 05/04/2013 18:24:39

Having seen this officer mentioned in another message about Sgt Donald Martin of No.4 Commando 1 troop I found this link to details of Peter King who served as a Captain in Korea and the action for which he was awarded the DSO:

http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/publications/army-news/archive/374/pkanddr.htm

Citation for his MC whilst serving as a Lieutenant with No.4 Commando:
Lieutenant Peter F. King ws/Lieut.328163 DCLI, No.4 Commando
"Since 6th June 1944 this officer has continually been conspicuous both in action and on patrol, and displays the highest qualities of leadership and courage. He had fought in all the actions that the Commando has been involved. For example on the night 9th-10th April 1945 Lieut. King with a partyof two crossed the Volkerak into the enemy held island of Overflakee. During the night he made extensive reconnaissance of enemy dispositions, lying up the next day to observe the habits of the enemy. He determined to remain longer and penetrate deeper, and during the following two days directed a large number of harrassing artillery shoots against the enemy, frequently from positions within the danger zone. Lieut. King withdrew on the night 12th-13th April 1945 with very complete information on the enemy dispositions in the south eastern half of the island. (L.G.11.10.45) (from the book Commando Gallantry Awards of WW2 by George Brown)

Please Note
The date of April would appear to conflict with information supplied in both James Dunning's book The Fighting Fourth and Murdoch McDougall's book Swiftly They Struck. At the end of March they both state the whole Commando moved to Bergen Op Zoom on the mainland. The island mentioned in the above citation - Overflakkee - also conflicts with information in those books which suggest it to be Schouwen. I am unable to find the Gazettes entry for his MC
Thank you to John Martin for the information from James Dunning's book.

Citation for the award of his DSO in Korea

206382. Captain.
16th Field Regiment,
Royal New Zealand Artillery.

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea. Captain King was forward Artillery Observation officer in support of "C" Company, 1 Bn The King's Own Scottish Borderers. At about 2.30 pm the Company positions came under heavy artillery and mortar fire and shortly afterwards, enemy infantry attacked along a ridge from the west and approached the Company area. Defensive fire which Captain King called down from his regiment and adjusted on the enemy forces succeeded in breaking up the attack.

At about 3.30 pm, however, the enemy launched another attack preceded by an intensive artillery and mortar barrage. Captain King again called for defensive fire but shortly afterwards his radio set was destroyed and line communications cut so that he was unable to continue giving fire orders to the guns, and the enemy having advanced through their own barrage, penetrated the company position.

With complete disregard for the intense fire on the position, Captain King moved to the danger spot and there, armed with grenades and supported by Light Machine Gun parties he had collected, he endeavoured to restore the situation. When the grenades and small arms ammunition were expended, he went back to the Company headquarters area together with his radio operator and re-armed and then returned to the west flank where he directed the defence and engaged the enemy in close combat. The action was repeated several times under intense artillery, mortar and machine gun fire during which Capt King was wounded three times. He continued in his efforts to restore the position, until at 5.30 pm he was ordered by the Company Commander to withdraw. The gallantry, coolness under fire and outstanding tenacity shown by this officer, when wounded, in a valiant attempt to restore the position on the west flank, enabled the company position to be held for approximately two hours until excessive casualties necessitated a withdrawal.

The superb example displayed by Captain King inspired all personnel in Company area to greater efforts in stemming the enemy attack.
(Hill 355, Korea, 4 November 1951) L.G.18.03.52