On the afternoon of April 12 1945, the 48TH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA were attacking towards area MR 908938. CAPTAIN GEORGE WILLIAM BEAL was in command of "A" Company.

At approximately 1515 hours "A"Company was pinned down by very heavy fire from six machine guns and three self-propelled guns. Despite the intensity of enemy fire, CAPTAIN BEAL immediately crawled forward over 200 yards of flat, featureless ground until he reached the leading section of his company.

Quickly analyzing the situation CAPTAIN BEAL called down fire from the supporting artillery effectively neutralizing the three enemy self-propelled guns. Then aggressively seizing the initiative CAPTAIN BEAL sent one platoon on a wide outflanking movement which enabled them to successfully attack the machine gun positions and thus make it possible for the company to attain its objective.

Two days later "A" Company was ordered to move forward from Area MR 803048 to Road MR 799046. It was of vital importance to the Battalion plan that "A" Company reach its objective before 1530 hours.

In spite of intermittent sniping from both flanks the Company moved forward until forced to take cover by extremely heavy machine gun fire from enemy positions at MR 801046.

Realizing that time was short, CAPTAIN BEAL quickly organized and personally led two platoons in a Bayonet Assault over 150 yards of open ground to capture the enemy positions.

So bold and speedy was this attack under CAPTAIN BEAL's spirited leadership that the enemy position at MR 801046 was overrun at 1445 hours with a loss of only three men, thus enabling the final objective to be reached by 1515 hours. A total of seven enemy were killed and eighteen prisoners taken.

The elimination of these machine gun posts subsequently enabled the carrier platoon to occupy an enemy strong point at MR 804047 and capture 29 prisoners.

The personal courage and dynamic leadership shown by CAPTAIN BEAL in this action greatly influenced the success of the Battalion attack. He was a constant inspiration to his men and his actions are worthy of the highest praise.