- SURNAME
Burls
- FORENAME
Timothy William
- UNIT
D Squadron (17 Troop)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
491132
- AWARD
Military Cross
- PLACE
Falklands 1982
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Parachute Regiment
London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12846
CITATION:
Military Cross : Captain Burls commanded the Boat Troop during Operation CORPORATE/PARAQUET. The amphibious nature of the operation ensured his troop's frequent employment. The success that the troop achieved, which had a significant effect upon the progress of the war, owed much to his leadership and expertise.
As a preliminary to the repossession of South Georgia it was essential to establish the enemy's strength and dispositions. Captain Burls' troop were tasked to conduct the necessary close reconnaissance of the Leith, Stromness and Husvik whaling stations. The environment was harsh and despite the dispersion of his Gemini craft by fierce katabatic winds he, through strength of character, successfully completed his task with a depleted force.
Off the Falkland Isles, Pebble Island was believed to be the site of a clandestine enemy Naval Air station. Before a Squadron raid could be mounted, detailed intelligence was necessary: it fell to Captain Burls' troop to conduct the reconnaissance. Escaping detection from sophisticated surveillance radar, the 8 man team led by Captain Burls approached the target by canoe. That the subsequent Squadron raid achieved the destruction of 11 enemy aircraft owes much to the thoroughness with which his men executed their task.
The troop was in action behind enemy lines immediately prior to the amphibious landings conducting a diversionary raid in the Goose Green area. Later, as part of advance force operations in the Mount Kent area he and his troop again distinguished themselves. Whilst conducting a raid on Estancia House their position on Bluff Cove Peak was infiltrated by a small enemy patrol. On discovering the enemy's presence the following morning, Captain Burls coolly conducted his troop in a hazardous, close quarter clearance operation through the rocky crag which resulted in 2 enemy killed and the remainder put to flight.
Throughout all this. Captain Burls has shown himself to be a courageous and inspiring leader.
As a preliminary to the repossession of South Georgia it was essential to establish the enemy's strength and dispositions. Captain Burls' troop were tasked to conduct the necessary close reconnaissance of the Leith, Stromness and Husvik whaling stations. The environment was harsh and despite the dispersion of his Gemini craft by fierce katabatic winds he, through strength of character, successfully completed his task with a depleted force.
Off the Falkland Isles, Pebble Island was believed to be the site of a clandestine enemy Naval Air station. Before a Squadron raid could be mounted, detailed intelligence was necessary: it fell to Captain Burls' troop to conduct the reconnaissance. Escaping detection from sophisticated surveillance radar, the 8 man team led by Captain Burls approached the target by canoe. That the subsequent Squadron raid achieved the destruction of 11 enemy aircraft owes much to the thoroughness with which his men executed their task.
The troop was in action behind enemy lines immediately prior to the amphibious landings conducting a diversionary raid in the Goose Green area. Later, as part of advance force operations in the Mount Kent area he and his troop again distinguished themselves. Whilst conducting a raid on Estancia House their position on Bluff Cove Peak was infiltrated by a small enemy patrol. On discovering the enemy's presence the following morning, Captain Burls coolly conducted his troop in a hazardous, close quarter clearance operation through the rocky crag which resulted in 2 enemy killed and the remainder put to flight.
Throughout all this. Captain Burls has shown himself to be a courageous and inspiring leader.
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/supplement/12846
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