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User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Posts: 228
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts
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If any one is interested, I recently obtained a really nice (mint) 1918 DWM 4" 9mm all matching rig , gun, holster, 1918, both matching mags and tool, serial number 59b in pristeen condition.
This is a WW1 capture gun and the man who captured it was awarded the Military Medal which is very next in line to the Victoria cross. I have obtained a copy of the medal citation and two pages of his diary and I have a photo of him coming. If you are interested here is the information received from the NZ Defence Department. (by the way, he scratced his initals on the frame side and wrote his number on the RH grip in indelible pencil, but I think that just adds to the value. Surname : COOP Given Name : Norman Regimental : Number 48456 Rank : Private, Otago Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade Next of Kin : Mrs N Next of Kin Surname: COOP Next of Kin Relationship : Wife Next of Kin Address : Mount Smart Road Penrose Auckland Occupation at time of enlistment : Coachbuilder Citation of MM "For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. In the attack near Le Quesnoy on the morning of the 4th November 1918 enemy machine gun fire from the front and flank was holding up the advance of the front line and the enemy positions could not be located. Rifleman Coop who was No. 1 of Lewis gun team, regardless of his own personal safety; worked forward into the open to draw the fire of the guns and thus disclose their exact position. This he did most successfully and Rifleman Pedersen who was his No 2 was enabled to bring his gun into action and put the enemy guns out of action. Rifleman Coop by his fearless bravery saved many casualties and enabled the advance to be successfully carried through. Hes example of fearless courage was invaluable and greatly inspired his men" Exert from the diary of Corporal Norman Coop , Enlisted number 48456 Awarded the Military Medal at the Somme in 1918. We also noticed that on both our flanks were held up by Fritz, so the only thing left for us was to try and find out were the fire was coming from. So we crawled along the bottom and run across a open field in single file to a hedge the other side and then we crawled up the hill and when we were about 75 yards from the top we noticed old Fritz up there firing, so I got my Lewis gun into firing position while the remainder of the section opened up with their rifles. After we had fired a few rounds old Fritz came out with his hands up, so now the boys were able to carry on and we arrived at our final objective and dug in now being 10.30. Then the First Auckland boys carried on from us for that was as far as we had to go. After I had dug in and reported all well, the O.C. sent for me and told me that I had saved the boys and that he had sent my name in for a decoration which resulted in me getting the Military Medal. All through the stunt we only lost 9 wounded and none killed. My section came through without a scratch. It was good luck than good management I think but â??san fairy annâ? We stopped there till 1 oâ??clock and while we there did a little ratting the dead and took a nice Luger pistol from a Fritz whom had no further use for it â?¦â?¦. If anyone would like a photo I will post one. Kind wishes Murray
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Lugers down under |
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