Leuven(Louvain) was held by the B.E.F. who resisted stubbornly. Louvain's famous library, destroyed during the first World War, was again severely damaged. The picture above shows an anti-tank gun emplaced at a strategic point amidst houses which have been shattered-by bombardment.

Tommies in Leuven(Louvain)

The Battle of the Atlantic has yielded many fine stories of air attacks on underwater craft, but Flying Officer Trigg's exploit stands out as an epic of grim determination and high courage."

It was on the enemy's testimony that the award was given.

The U-boat sank, but the seven survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy vessel and the captain reported the incident, recommending Trigg be decorated for his bravery. The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously.

He was the only Allied serviceman in either World Wars 1 or 2 to be recommended for a Victoria Cross by the enemy.

In May 1998, Trigg's V.C. was sold at auction by Spinks of London for £120,000, the equal highest price ever realised for a V.C. The seller was not believed to have been a relative of Trigg, and the buyer was anonymous.



NZ B-24 Bomber Pilot nominated for VC by enemy

A destroyed German "Tiger II tank of Wehrmacht's 2nd company, 506th Heavy Tank Battalion (2./s.Pz.Abt. 506) at the beginning of Weverstraat street in the Dutch town of Oosterbeek, September 25, 1944. 
This tank received hits from a British 57 mm, 6-pounder anti-tank gun (Ordnance QF 6 -pounder) under the command of Lieutenant Adrian Donaldson - not fewer than 7 times, but it did not inflict any harm to it. The tank returned fire and destroyed it. Finally, this tank was immobilized by hits in the chassis from a 75-mm howitzer, and finally destroyed by two rocket launchers PIAT.