Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 48


The outstanding and well-documented ‘Battle of the Imjin River’ M.M. group of eight awarded to Trooper H. L. Bomber, 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, late Royal Tank Regiment and No. 5 Commando, for his coolness and courage in continuing to fight his Centurion tank single-handedly, after the rest of the crew had baled out; whilst under ferocious assault from swarms of attackers armed with anti-tank bombs, he managed to get the vehicle moving again, charged it through buildings to dislodge assailants who had climbed onto the outside of it, inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy, and saved his Centurion, which was fitted with a top-secret gunsight and automatic main gun stabiliser, from falling into their hands


Military Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (82323 Tpr. H. L. Bomber. 8th H.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (82323 Tpr. H. L. Bomber. 8th. H.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, mounted thus; together with a Defence Medal, this loose, the entitlement to which is confirmed in the recipient’s service record, nearly extremely fine (8)


£8,000-£10,000 M.M. London Gazette 10 July 1951: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea.’


The original Recommendation states: ‘Trooper Bomber was the driver of Captain Murray’s tank during the action of 23rd to 25th April 1951. On 25th April as the track of his tank was hit by enemy fire and the tank did not answer to the controls the order was given to abandon the tank. Trooper Bomber did not hear the order, and continued to manipulate the controls and by putting the tank in reverse he succeeded in jumping the track back on again. Opening his driver’s hatch to see what had happened to the crew, he saw a Chinaman on top trying to put a grenade inside. Quickly closing his hatch he advanced at full speed and charged a house where he had seen more enemy in an endeavour to throw this Chinaman off. Then continuing down the road at full speed, he attempted to run down other enemy who obstructed his progress until he caught up with a party of our own infantry and came out of action with them on his tank. Trooper Bomber’s determination was undoubtedly responsible for saving the tank and his coolness and courage in the face of the enemy has been an example to everybody.’


Harry Lionel Bomber was born in Smethwick, Staffordshire on 23 October 1921. In April 1939 he joined his local Territorial Army unit, 34 A.A. Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps. In June 1939 he enlisted in the Armoured Corps of the Regular Army for six years, followed by six years in the Reserve. Initially posted to 52nd Heavy Tank Regiment, in May 1940 Bomber was transferred to 51st Royal Tank Regiment. Due to a severe shortage of tanks following the Dunkirk evacuation, 51 R.T.R. was organised as a Motor Machine Gun battalion, equipped with fifty-four Humber or Hillman two-seater cars which carried Vickers or Bren machine guns and Boys ‘elephant gun’ anti-tank rifles.


In July 1940 Bomber was among the men who volunteered for action ‘of a hazardous nature’ with the newly formed Commando raiding forces. He joined No. 5 Troop of No. 5 Commando at Bridlington. Shortly after its formation, No. 5 Commando moved to Dover and then to Helensburgh in Scotland, for intensive training in raiding tactics and techniques. Army Commandos were paid and administered by their parent unit and continued to wear its badge. Following the Lofoten islands raid, the Commando forces were restructured and No. 5 Commando was re-mustered. Parent Corps still had a claim on their personnel who had been seconded (loaned) to the Commandos, but who now were needed by the parent. Bomber was reclaimed by the Armoured Corps and posted to 12th Royal Tank Regiment on 21 March 1941.


Winston Churchill: “This is the tank they named after me when they found out it was no damn good!”


At 12th R.T.R. Bomber trained as a Driver/Mechanic, to prepare for re-equipment with the new Churchill Heavy Tank, which began to be mass-produced from June 1941. The Churchill was designed to support infantry rather than to fight enemy tanks. It was heavily armoured and could cross ground and tackle slopes that few other tanks could attempt. It was wide enough to accommodate a driver and a co-driver/machine gun operator, but its engine was under-powered, unreliable and difficult to access. It was very slow, and struggled to do more than 12 miles per hour.


Bomber spent eighteen months learning how to get the best out of a Churchill before 12 R.T.R. was sent to North Africa as part of 21st Tank Brigade, joining the Tunisian campaign in March 1943. Massed formations of Churchills were used to support infantry attacks made by 4th Division during its bid to break open the approaches to Tunis. Actions at Cactus Farm and Sidi Abdallah against Tiger tanks, supporting dug-in German paratroopers of the elite Hermann Goering Division who were armed with sticky anti-tank mines, cost 12 R.T.R. thirty-six of its Churchills. 12 R.T.R. fought its last battle in Africa on 6 May 1943. 21st Tank Brigade remained in North Africa for another year. Soon after it was transferred to Italy, it joined the attacks on the Adriatic flank of the heavily fortified Gothic Line from August 1944. Bomber was wounded in action on 19 October 1944. 12 R.T.R.’s final major actions of the war were the river Lamone Crossing in December 1944 and the Battle of the Argenta Gap in April 1945.


Bomber’s Regular Army engagement ended in October 1945. He was discharged in May 1946. His Military Conduct was rated Exemplary and his testimonial reads: ‘This man is a regular soldier who has served since June 1939 during which time he has given loyal service. He is a reliable hard worker, conscientious and efficient, a Trade Tested Vehicle Mechanic and a good Driver. Is honest, sober and trustworthy. Highly recommended for employment in civilian life.’ Bomber spent most of the next four years working as a publican.


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