"Crasher" Nichols - FAMOUS WW2 British Airborne Commander

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Theres nothing you chaps on forum dont know about the Airborne! But have you heard of this man?

"Crasher" Nichols DSO (& Bar), MC and US Legion of Merit.

His WW2 service record goes a little something like this:

Commanded the 1st Essex Regiment 1941

Brigadier and Commander of the 50th Northumbrian Division in the Western Desert.

Commanded the Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force 1945.

Died 1954.

Crasher was literally fearless.........one of his DSO citations details how when an advance was held up by strong resistance he personally went out alone and silenced a position firing a Bren from the hip. This time the foe was the French Foreign Legion!

Rather than give the order for someone else to risk their lives he went out ahead and alone...........this gives us a good idea of what sort of commander he was!

I hope you can now understand why I hold him in such high regard!

At this point your probably thinking I`m going to tell you I own the medals, alas, no............but I have a more than interesting story to tell about Crasher and how if it wasnt for another mans bravery "Crasher" would never of been.

Have I sparked readers interest on forum?.......Let me know if you would be interested in more posts in which I will chronicle the untold story of Crasher.

Steve.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I don't know Steve? Not much interest in this kind of stuff. Post them if you must.........








Cheers, Ade.

[Stijn David]

Go ahead

Hello,


yes, please post the story !!!! => airborn is always interesting iMHO


Cordial greetings,

[DJT]

Sounds boring but go on and tell us

[Sonny Nilsson]

Tell us more please

Cheers, Sonny

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Well b***** me, Some interest!

If one were to consult the "books", write off to museums, contact airborne associations or other experts I am sure that huge quantities of information could be obtained relating to this mans WW2 service. However, very little is known concerning Crashers early military career......until now.

Everyone has to start at the bottom, Crasher was no exception. His first brush with danger took place as a junior officer in his own county Regiment........the Lincolnshires.......serving as Captain Hadfields right hand man in the 5th Battalion (Territorials). Leaving England for France in 1915.

Even as a young officer he was noticed for his exceptional bravery as the battalions bombing officer. After a trench raid on 25th September 1915 the Germans threw a message wrapped around a stone into the 5th Battalion trench, it read.......

"Why do you shoot so idiotically? If we are ordered to sling over two or three hand grenades is it necessary for you to send immediately a dozen into our trenches? Stop this Nonsense! My best friend was killed because of this".

For this Lt. J. S. Nichols earned the nick name "Strafing Henry".

The attack on the Hohonzollern Redoubt saw Nichols slightly wounded. Almost all the Battalions officers were either kIA or WIA. It shows that back then officers really did lead from the front.....no doubt that was an attitude Crasher took with him into the Second War.

Despite this massive blow to moral work began almost straight away to rebuild the Battalion.......Nichols was back!

Nichols "soldiered on" until 1917. When tragically his luck would run out at the attack on Lens. Lieut Nichols (company commander) fell seriously wounded when the Battalion was checked by heavy machine gun and rifle fire on the approach. It was at this point that Company Sergeant Major Harry Brown took charge. Tending to Crasher whilst reorganising the attack, personally leading it forward, gaining the objective and organising its defence.........repelling several enemy counter attacks. His action saw him recommended for the DCM to be later upgraded to the MC........which I might add is a rare award to a warrant officer.

Unfortunately, Sergeant Brown never saw the end of war. He was last seen alive waving his stick and shouting abuse at the Germans before an attack on July 1st 1917 !!!!BANG!!!! Brown had fallen mortally wounded and was whisked away to the causality clearing station.

Nichols obviously survived the war, obtaining the rank of Captain and a Military Cross for his gallantry and leadership. I am almost certain that Nichols would never have forgotten Brown and although seriously wounded at Lens he may of personally recommended Brown for the DCM or of even of pushed for the higher award of the MC.

However, the story does not end there...........a chance encounter during the Second War in Northern Palestine with another officer from Lincolnshire, a Major Wright (serving with the Lincolnshires Battery of Artillery) encouraged Crasher to recall his time with the 5th in France during WW1. Wrights father had for a time been a platoon sergeant of Crashers......I guess crasher never forgot the roots of his military service.

From a TA Junior Officer to Commander of the Airborne. A very impressive military achievement!

Steve.

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Crasher (Left) and Captain Hadfield wearnig goat skin coats.

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Company Sergeant Major Harry Brown

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The MC won on that faithful day by Brown.

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Much sorrow ...

[SHEARING-CROSS]

....o.k i will be honest...... never heard of him ??
very keen to here more ,regards ,Michael.

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Hi Michael,

Sorry you havent heard of Nichols, he was something of a hero and well liked by the Border Regiment.

Here are some more details for you I just pulled in the last five minutes quickly from the LG.

1941 Border Regiment Acting Lt Colonel J. S. Nichols DSO MC (6701)

1942 Major Acting Brigadier J. S. Nichols DSO MC to be Acting Major General.'

1943. Mentioned in Despatches (if you look up 'only' 18 places up that list you wll see Monty.......enough said really!)

1944 - 10th December to be full Lt. Col. of the Border Regiment.

Steve.

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Very interesting guy this person, although I admit I've never heard of him! Oh well!

Thanks for pointing this chap out Steve