The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards

A fine Second World War D.S.M. awarded to Chief Electrical Artificer E. A. Head, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the cruiser H.M.S. Bellona during Operation Counterblast, a spectacular night action off Norway in November 1944 when nine enemy ships were destroyed: in the words of Rear-Admiral McGrigor, ‘We caught the Hun in his nightshirt’

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.E.A. E. A. Head, C/MX. 46689) mounted on original investiture pin, extremely fine £1,600-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 11 December 1945.

The original recommendation states: ‘For his services as Chief Electrical Artificer in charge of Fire Control during the night action off the southern coast of Norway on 12 November 1944. The unremitting diligence and forethought which this Chief Petty Officer has consistently displayed had their reward on the night in question. No material breakdown occurred, reflecting the greatest credit on Head. He set a fine example of thoroughness in preparation and steadiness in action, and showed skill, devotion to duty and steadiness in action.’

Ernest Arthur Head, a native of Gillingham, Kent, was serving in the cruiser H.M.S. Bellona at the time of the above cited deeds, which ship had recently served off Omaha in the Normandy landings and participated in another successful night action in the Bay of Biscay on 5/6 August 1944, south-west of St. Nazaire, in which eight ships from an enemy convoy were sunk.

But, as stated, it was for his part in Operation Counterblast on the night of 12/13 November that Head was recommended for his D.S.M. by Bellona’s C.O., Captain (afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir) C. F. W. Norris, D.S.O., R.N., an action described in the following terms in Gordon Holman’s The King’s Cruisers:
‘The luck came shortly after 11 p.m. as they were off Egersund Fjord. It was very dark, but there was good visibility and a calm sea, and keen eyes that had got used to the darkness had no difficulty in making out an enemy convoy steaming north. With the escort, which included “M” class minesweepers, it stretched over a distance of several miles, and was directly in the path of the British warships. For a few tense minutes, Admiral McGrigor allowed his force to close the enemy, the guns ranging all the time. Then, at about two miles range, the Kent fired her first 8-inch broadside.
The shells fell like a sledgehammer blow among the vessels of the convoy. One leading escort ship was hit straight away and began to sink. The Bellona and the destroyers had opened fire, too, and other enemy ships were hit. One, probably filled with ammunition, blew up, lighting the whole scene with a vivid red flash.
Tracer shells weaved an odd pattern in the darkness, and some of the German vessels sent up distress signals. The convoy had scattered and, probably not knowing the strength of the opposition, survivors of the escort were attempting to fight back. One approached the Kent, firing hard, but was hit aft and then lost in the darkness. Another, that was interfering with the destroyers, had a brief period of attention from the Kent and gave no more trouble.
Shore batteries designed to protect these convoys joined in the action, but in the words of the Admiralty communiqué, ‘their fire, although spectacular, was ineffective and none of H.M. ships sustained any material damage’. It was estimated that at one time our cruisers and destroyers were engaged within two and a half miles of the Norwegian coast.
After 20 minutes there was a lull, but when several vessels were seen drawing away, Admiral McGrigor sent in the destroyers. They delivered the final attack by the light of starshells and well under the German shore guns.
Of 11 ships in the convoy, nine were either blown up or sunk and one was driven ashore. In the whole of our force the casualties were two killed and less than a dozen wounded. In the Kent three men were wounded by splinters.
Summing up afterwards, Admiral McGrigor said, “We caught the Hun in his nightshirt. His shore batteries did not interfere until a quarter of an hour after the show started, although once I was so close to the land that I had to alter course to avoid a shallow patch. I will give their ships their due, they fought back very courageously”.’

Yet again, just two months later off Norway, the Bellona and her consorts contributed to another impressive score sheet. The King’s Cruisers continues:
‘ ... This time, however, the Germans, with vivid memories of the previous occasion, were on the alert. As soon as the attack opened, coastal batteries answered our guns. The convoy escort attempted to lay a smoke-screen and powerful searchlights were switched on to “blind” the British force ... There were seven or eight ships in the convoy, including a large tanker and two “M” class minesweepers. Although the smoke made it difficult to get an exact estimation of the final situation, three of four of them were claimed as sunk and the others were either set on fire or driven ashore. The attack was pressed home very close to the rugged Norwegian shore and when the British force was withdrawing at high speed Captain Norris made a signal from the Bellona, “We thought the Admiral was going to call on the Mayor when he made that turn to port” ... Another element did enter into this action, and it was fortunate that Admiral McGrigor had with him two escort carriers. Enemy aircraft shadowed the withdrawing force and, when daylight came, followed up with torpedo-bombers. Naval fighter aircraft from the carriers intercepted the enemy and broke up the attack. One enemy plane was shot down and we lost two aircraft, but both pilots were rescued.’

Bellona ended the War on the Arctic run, completing at least six convoys in the period November 1944 to April 1945.

Sold with copied research including Admiralty recommendation and operational reports.