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Question on John Hurst Edmoundson VC

Discussion in 'North Africa: Western Desert Campaigns 1940 to Ope' started by Fatboy Coxy, Mar 21, 2022.

  1. Fatboy Coxy

    Fatboy Coxy Member

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    Hi all,
    John Hurst Edmondson died of his wounds on 14th April 1941, at Tobruk, fighting in its defence, and received the Victoria Cross.

    Here is a little more detail
    Biography - John Hurst Edmondson - Australian Dictionary of Biography

    Does anyone know what German units were engaged in that action with his 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion.
     
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  2. Andy Codd

    Andy Codd New Member

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    Hi there, I recently listened to an Audio book of Peter FitzSimons account of Tobruk from the Australians perspective. It features Jack Edmondson and whilst I cannot recall if it details the units facing his patrol when he died, it was certainly detailed in the account of the action. I have never read any of FitzSimons books before but this really captured me enough to read his account of Kokoda and that really blew me away. I think everyone should read up about New Guinea, it reads as one hell of a story and along with Tobruk shows the true grit and heroism that were / are the Diggers.
     
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  3. Andy Codd

    Andy Codd New Member

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    Was having a further think over lunch, unfortunately all my books are in storage atm whilst we do up a new house but I would hazard a guess that the most likely contenders for your axis infantry would be the troops of Lt. Colonel Gustav Ponath's 8th Machine Gun Battalion. They were involved in the assault in the area of R33 trying to break the Australian's defence in order to allow the Panzers access. Hope that helps.
     
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  4. Owen

    Owen O

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    Thought I was going a bit mad as I'm sure Andreas answered this query & mention 8 MG Bn but then remembered it was over on 2T.

    Question on John Hurst Edmoundson VC
     
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  5. Fatboy Coxy

    Fatboy Coxy Member

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    Thank you for replying Andy Codd, and yes, I did try another forum, and found the answer there as Owen says
     
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