Brigadier J.M. Calvert D.S.O.

BURMA - THURSDAY OPERATION

This officer was in command of the first Brigade to be flown in. His boundless energy, drive and leadership overcame all obstacles and and made the operation of his Brigade possible.

At the last moment, when PICCADILLY strip was found to be blocked and it was possible that BROADWAY was held by the enemy, it was Brig. CALVERT's determination to carry on that helped to form the revised plan. He went in one of the leading gliders, and in spite of heavy casualties in the first wave, by his force of character and determination, caused the operation to be carried through to a successful conclusion, where many others might have accepted defeat and cancelled further landings.

The organisation of the stronghold strip to take his and the bulk of another Brigade in a few nights, followed by his rapid execution of the next phase of the operation proved him to be an officer of unequalled vigour determination and leadership, and worthy of the implicit trust placed in him by General Wingate.