A Memory of Snipe and Alamein Major Tom Bird DSO, MC
T
Tom Bird, October 28, 1942, the day after Snipe
om Bird, 96 this year, is a much decorated hero of the Desert War in World War II, whose most famous exploit was commanding the anti-tank company of 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, which stopped Rommel’s determined panzer counter-attack during the Second Battle of El Alamein (Oct. 23 – Nov. 24, 1942) at Snipe, a small oval-shaped depression 2000 yards in front of the British forward position, on Kidney Ridge. The battle was described by newspapers at home as ‘the finest action of the war’. It earned the commanding officer (Col. Victor Turner) a VC, and Bird added the DSO to his MC and Bar. Bird was already something of a desert legend for his aggressive night patrols, and for capturing an astounding number of Axis prisoners. One of his Battalion’s riflemen, Victor Gregg, called him ‘a man of exceptional courage. When all seemed to be lost, there would be Dicky boy, calm and seemingly aloof from the dangers around us…’ [Rifleman, 2011]. He also served as ADC to Field Marshals Wavell and Auchinleck in India before returning to his regiment. He was blown up by a mortar during 30 Corps’ drive to Arnhem in September 1944, and dragged to safety by the present Lord Saye and Sele. His fighting war ended, but he served with distinction in Washington as ADC to another Rifleman, FM ‘Jumbo’ Wilson. He met most of the great names of the war including the Big Three, spent a day with Ike in Potsdam mending a fountain, a night in the desert alone with ‘Stafer’ Gott and played charades with the Wavells. Continued on next page E-Zine 2014
Volume 6 Issue 1 | 18
