Details
Rhodesia - Gallantry medal pair
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia - B.C.R. (LT. G. J. SCHRAG), Rhodesia General Service Medal - R.G.S.M. with silver pick emblem on ribbon (2.LT. G. J. SCHRAG.).
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia Citation:
Lieutenant Graham John Schrag
Date of award: 29 July 1977
On October 31 1976, a platoon led by Lt.Schrag was involved in a two phase, set piece attack on two enemy camps, each of which included a large group of terrorists. Despite coming under heavy fire from the first camp, Lt.Schrag led the assault with great determination, forcing the enemy to break and run. Having secured the first camp, the platoon swept through the second camp, coming under close range fire from two terrorists who had hidden in a riverbed beyond the camp. The platoon went to ground, but Lt. Schrag charged into the riverbed alone and killed both terrorists at a range of less than ten metres.
He then led his platoon in a sweep of very thick cover where a further four terrorists were killed. Enemy small arms and mortar fire was intense throughout the engagement.
Military Forces Commendation: 31/3/1978
On 7 August 1977, a PATU call sign walked into Rugoyi Police Base in the Makoni TTL with radio failure, but reporting a presence of thirty CTs, the night before at locstst VQ 455454, not too far from St.Killian's Mission.
Fire Force was deployed and a mixed group of CTs and civilians broke cover. The K-Car went into action and two sticks of Paras were dropped in very high winds. After Platoon Warrant Officer Wilson broke a bone in his foot the drop was discontinued.
Lt.Schrag co-ordinated the troops on the ground and in a series of contacts four CTs were killed. Lt.Schrag was then shot in the shoulder and acting L/Cpl G.S.Murray, of 5 Indep., took over. Lt.Schrag and L/Cpl Murray did very good work in the contact.
Lot includes the book 'The War Diaries of Andre Dennison' by J.R.T. Wood in which Schrag is mentioned on 18 occasions, including a photograph of him being awarded his Bronze Cross.
Lieutenant Graham Schrag was in charge of 2 Platoon on 1st October 1975 when A Company 2nd Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles were formed at Methuen Barracks Bulawayo with Major Andre Dennison Officer Commanding. He was also responsible for turning off the power supply to Espungabera, the Mozambican village just across the border from Mount Selinda after a fire fight with the Army of the Republic of Mozambique which caused a sense of humour failure at high level and having to report to the Commander 3 Brigade to explain his actions. He took part in Operation Mardon-Chitanga II where he earned the Bronze Cross. He was made Intelligence Officer when they moved into the new barracks in Fort Victoria from 27 December 1977.
Lt Schrag received his Bronze Cross on 15th March 1978 at the same medal parade as Capt Schulenburg received his Grand Cross of Valour. Major Andre Dennison received 3 awards for gallantry and Capt Schrag received 2.
A rare combination.
With Bronze Cross of Rhodesia issue box, this scuffed
(NEF)
