Australian Company HQ (Early & Mid War)
(BR746)
includes one Company Command Rifle team, one Company 2iC Rifle team, two 3" mortars with crew, two optional captured Italian 81/14 mortars, one Corporal John 'Jack' Edmondson figure, three Small bases & two Medium bases.
John Hurst Edmondson, ‘Jack’ to his mates, was born in Wagga Wagga, Australia in 1914. As a young man he worked as a farm worker and was an active member of the 4th Militia Battalion in Liverpool, New South Wales.
In May 1940 he joined the 2/17th Battalion and was soon promoted to Corporal. After training, his battalion left for
the Middle East on 19 October 1940 as reinforcements for the 9th Australian Division.
After another period of training in the desert Edmondson’s division replaced the 6th Australian Division at Mersa Brega in Libya on 9 March 1941. On 31 March the Germans attacked the Australian and British positions and pushed them back. The 9th Australian Division established new positions around the port of Tobruk. Little did Edmondson know this would be the start of an epic struggle for this important supply point. On 11 April the siege began.
Edmondson was in the thick of the action right from the onset. On the night of 13/14 April Edmondson’s battalion was under attack. The Germans had broken through the wire and established a position amongst the Australians. Edmondson’s section counterattacked. Accompanied by the platoon officer, Lieutenant Austin Mackell, Edmondson and five of his men charged the enemy positions. A ferocious melee ensued.
The counterattack successfully pushed the Germans out of the Australian positions. However, once Edmondson returned to the Australian trenches his condition deteriorated. He died of his wounds shortly afterwards. A German counterattack an hour later forced the Australian platoon to withdraw from their post. However, further fierce defence from the platoon forced the Germans to redirect reinforcements to this sector, weakening their main thrust which ultimately failed that night. It was noted afterwards that throughout the battle he had displayed through his actions outstanding resolution, leadership and bravery. He was recommended by his battalion for a Victoria Cross and posthumously awarded it. His Victoria Cross was presented to his mother by the Australian Governor-General on 27 September 1941.
Corporal John 'Jack' Edmondson in Flames Of War
Characteristics
Corporal John Edmondson is a Warrior and a Rifle/MG team rated as Fearless Veteran.
Jack Edmondson may replace a Rifle/MG team in an Australian Commonwealth Rifle Platoon (marked 
) or a
Tobruk Rifle Platoon for +45 points.
Special Rules
Conspicuous Bravery
With no fear for his own safety and no thought of his own injuries, Corporal Edmondson quickly dispatched the Germans attacking his Officer.
Edmondson hits on a roll of 2+ in Assault combat.
Resolution and Leadership
Edmondson’s outstanding leadership and resolution during the establishment of the Tobruk defence was noted in his Victoria Cross citation.
Edmondson’s platoon may re-roll failed Motivation Tests.
Contents
1x Officer in Slouch hat.
1x Officer in helmet.
2x Kneeling NCO.
1x Pointing NCO.
1x NCO with SMG.
1x Corporal John 'Jack' Edmondson.
2x. Mortar loader.
2x Mortar gunner.
1x Standing Rifleman.
1x Advancing Rifleman.
2x 81/14 mortar sprues
2x ML 3" mortar stands.
2x ML 3" mortar tubes.
3x Small bases.
2x Medium bases.
15mm, metal
Battlefront Miniatures
Product safety information
Manufacturer information:
Battlefront Miniatures Europe Ltd
Tissington Close Unit 4C
Nottingham, Vereinigtes Königreich, NG9 6QG
customerservicerow@battlefront.co.nz
https://www.flamesofwar.com/
Responsible person:
Frontline Games
Faerbereiweg 3A
Schleswig-Holstein
Huetten, Deutschland, 24358
info@frontlinegames.de
https://www.frontlinegames.de/
