On Saturday November 17th Cpl Jennings was commanding the left hand tank of 3rd Troop, ‘A’ Squadron 8th Hussars, who were in support of ‘B’ coy 1 K.S.L.I. in the company on the spur south of Pt 227.
Soon after the initial enemy bombardment opened at 1630 hrs, the Troop Leader was informed the the Troop Sergeant commanding the right hand tank was seriously wounded and the tank commander-less.
As this tank was the most important of the three from the D.F. point of view, the Troop Leader ordered Cpl Jennings to go and take over the command of the top tank.
Under intense shell fire, Cpl Jennings worked his way to the top tank 200 yards further up the hill. On arrival he found the operator had also been wounded. Having supervised the evacuation of the wounded, he took command of the tank, having also to act as operator.
Throughout the heavy attacks of Saturday and Sunday night on 1 K.S.L.I., Cpl Jennings continued to fire his D.Fs as called for by the infantry. On several occasion to implement the BESA, he got out on to the back of the tank and fired the Browning himself, to increase the weight of fire.
His performance on the wireless was exceptional, and on the second night he was the only contact with the isolated platoon of ‘d’ company 1 K.S.L.I., to whom he continued to give sitreps and orders.
Throughout the action Cpl Jennings displayed exceptional powers of leadership. By his courage, example, cool headedness and complete disregard for his own personal safety he immediately restored confidence in the two surviving members of the crew, thus enabling this tank to play a major part in this vital defensive action.
Lt-Col Sir WG Lowther Bt
Commanding
8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars
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