John Baskeyfield

South Stafford's 1st Airborne

 


On the 20 Sep 1944 during the Battle of Arnhem Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield was the NCO in charge of six pound anti-tank at Oosterbeek. The enemy developed a major attack on this section with infantry, tanks and self-propelled guns and with obvious intent to break into an overrun battalion position. During the early stages of this action the crew commanded by the NCO was responsible for that destruction of to Tiger tanks and at least one self-propelled gun, thanks to the coolness and daring of this NCO who with disregard for his own safety, allows each tank to come well within 100 yd. of this gun before opening fire.
In the course of this current preliminary engagement Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield was badly wounded in the leg in remainder of his crew were either killed or badly wounded. During the brief respite after this engagement Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield refused to be carried to that Regimental Aid Post and spent his time attending to his gun and shouting encouragement to his comrades in neighbouring trenches.
After a short interval the enemy renewed attack for an even greater ferocity them before, under cover of intense mortar and shellfire. Manning his gun quite alone Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield continues to fire around after around at the enemy until his gun was put out of action. By this time his activity was the main factory in keeping enemy tanks at bay. The fact that the surviving men in his vicinity were held together and kept in action was undoubtedly due to his magnificent example and outstanding courage. Time after time enemy attacks were launched and driven off. Finally, when his gun was knocked out, Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield crawled, under intense fire, to a six pound gun nearby, the crew of which had been killed and preceded to men this single-handed. With this gun engaged an enemy self-propelled gun which was approaching to attack. Another soldier crawled across the open ground to assist in but was killed almost at once. Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield succeeded in firing two rounds at the self-propelled gun, scoring one direct hit which rendered it ineffective. Whilst preparing to fire a third shot, however he was killed by Shell from supporting enemy tank.
The superb gallantry of this NCO is beyond praise. During the remaining days at Arnhem stories of his valour were a constant inspiration to all ranks. He spurned danger, ignored pain and, by his supreme fighting spirit, Inflicted all who witnessed his conduct which is some aggressiveness and dogged determination to duty which characterised his actions throughout.

To appreciate the nerve daring require for Baskeyfield exploit it is necessary to know something of the Tiger tank and the effect it had on troops who had to face it. The British and Americans thought it was virtually invincible and it had seemed so in Normandy. On the 13th of June 1944 SS Obersturmfuther, Hans Wittmann commanding a Tiger tank, destroyed 25 Allied tanks and half tracts. This sweeping destruction blocks the way ahead and prevented an entire armoured division from advancing. A massive 56 tonnes in weight, the Tiger arm 100 millimetres thick and was armed with one tank version of the famous 88 millimetre gun. It was powerful enough to knock out any Allied tank. In appearance the Tiger was massive and understandably frightening and it was this giant that Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield faced and defeated.

Sergeant Baskeyfield had been called up at the age of 19 was approaching 22 when he was killed. He came from Burslem, Staffordshire. After the war his VC and other medals were put up to sell the open market but the regimental appealed to that people of the country who subscribed in just two weeks £1,600 needed to buy them. They are now in the regimental museum. The young Sergeant's body was never found that his name is commemorated on the Groesbeck Memorial, Holland, ending Garrison Church Whittington Barracks, Lichfield Staffordshire
                   
   
   
Lance-Sergeant John Baskeyfield of The South Staffs won his VC here after he single handed fought off German Tiger Tanks and SP guns. Lance-Sergeant John Baskeyfield was never found and his name is on the Groesbeek Memorial
       
                           
     
         
This is the junction of Benedendorpseweg and Acacialaan which was were the 2 6 pounders that Lance- Sergeant John Baskeyfield and his men were fighting with. Baskeyfield himself was wounded but continued to man his gun. When that to was knock out Baskeyfield crawled across the road and single headed continued to fight on..
     
                                 
                     
                                 
         
     
StuG. BriG.280 Sturmgeschutze this tank was on Benedendorpsweg which was attached to KGr Harder. And because the tank was close to Acacialaan it was probably one of those knocked out by Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield. Photo German Armored at Arnhem Marcel Zwarts