Drummond DSO, Lt Col John

An Army Form W.3121, Recommendation for Award, was raised by the Commander 9 Infantry Brigade on No 44776 (T/Maj) A/Lt.Col John Drummond RUR, commanding the 2nd Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles, and submitted to the chain of command through 3rd British Infantry Division, XXX Corps, Second Army and eventually signed by the Commander-in-Chief 21 Army Group, Field Marshal Montgomery. Lt Col J Drummond RUR was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) as gazetted in the Supplement to the London Gazette, dated 23 August 1945. The following is the text of the recommendation.
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In the initial assault on BREMEN (NEUSTADT) on the night
24/25 Apr 45, LtCol J DRUMMOND’s Battalion was detailed to
assault and capture the area of KATTENTURM 7293.
It was vitally important to the Div plan that the bridge
over the OCHTUM CANAL at 721935 should be captured intact.
This bridge was known to be prepared for demolition, and
was in fact, later found to be so prepared with four 500 lb
aerial bombs. The area was also known to be strongly held
by the enemy and to contain a number of guns. Further, in
order to approach the objective from the correct tactical
angle, the battalion had to cross a flooded area of ground
embarked in Buffaloes. These problems necessitated the most
careful and detailed planning and LtCol DRUMMOND’s planning
proved to be a big factor in the success of the attack.
The Battalion disembarked between 0030 and 0115 hrs 25
April. They immediately became engaged with a determined
enemy, well dug in and supported by heavy fire from one
88mm one 40mm and two 20 mm Flak guns.