Lt Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne - What A True-life Hero

Lt Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne. The 14th December will be the 55th anniversary of the death of this man, at age 40.

Reading about his life is like reading an action-packed, super-hero novel, and during his short life he was no less than outstanding in everything he did. For those unfamiliar with who Paddy Mayne was, please follow link for a brief history.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO & 3 Bars (11 January 1915 - 14 December 1955) was a Northern Irish soldier, solicitor, rugby union international, amateur boxer and polar explorer.

www.sasspecialairservice.com...

He was an extremely fearless leader of men and I was amazed to learn of his single-handed rescue of a squadron of his men in WW2 in Germany, again quoted from the above link:

In 1945 Mayne was recommended for a VC after single-handedly rescuing a squadron of his troops, trapped by heavy gunfire near the town of Oldenberg in north-west Germany. After the squadron became pinned down and sustained casualties, Mayne rescued the wounded, lifting them one by one into his Jeep before destroying the enemy gunners in a nearby farmhouse. However, although the VC recommendation was signed by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, commander of the Allied 21st Army Group, Mayne instead received a fourth DSO.

I was wondering, has it ever been established as to why Paddy was not awarded a VC?
Who is it that ignores such high recommendations, and what's the reason why?

I've yet to read more about Paddy Mayne and would welcome any interesting info from ats-ers if you have any.

For me tho, Lt Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne was a real-life Rambo, A hero. And deserves the highest of honours.

reply to post by doobydoll


They made MEN back then. I am proud to say my father was one who fought in that war.

yes they did make real men back then , war time was way different then ,boys went to war because it was just the right thing to do for their country , now days ,they go to war to kill or because their pissed off ,eater way war is a tragedy , but i am sure their are still a few good men out their in the military

Nephi

Good one. Nice posting.

I love these stories of people wonderful past and experiences.

I wish we had a forum so we could put up these type of stories (and other types about greatness of a human).

I have done several of these type of post but sadly they get over looked to much.

I still think this one is one of the best I ever read about and posted about:
WWII hero of two nations honored in Moscow: Joseph Beyrle-A true American & Russian hero
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Indeed, real men back then. I've read somewhere that they fought and died for our freedom, and I sigh loudly when I wonder what they would say if they could see us now.

Why didn't Paddy get a VC?
He had unbelievably high recommendations for a VC, so who makes the decisions on who gets one and who doesn't?
Do they often 'ignore' recommendations like this?
Do they give reasons why they 'go against' such high recommendations?

Appreciate any more imput, and thanks so far

reply to post by doobydoll


I believe the reason he did not get it is because other people involved in the operations reports did not match the story about him doing everything by himself. It is not uncommon for stories to be exaggerated during wartime by a chain of command to create good PR stories. However if the other people involved will not corroborate the story then they tend not to push it. The fact he died while driking and driving makes it less likely he will ever get it. I have known guys like this, in peacetime they are a disaster with the heavy driking and brawling but, in wartime they are just what you need.

Originally posted by MrSpad
reply to post by doobydoll

 

I believe the reason he did not get it is because other people involved in the operations reports did not match the story about him doing everything by himself. It is not uncommon for stories to be exaggerated during wartime by a chain of command to create good PR stories. However if the other people involved will not corroborate the story then they tend not to push it. The fact he died while driking and driving makes it less likely he will ever get it. I have known guys like this, in peacetime they are a disaster with the heavy driking and brawling but, in wartime they are just what you need.

I can accept that a story will/can be exaggerated, but there is more than one story of Paddy. Are they all exaggerated?

I watched a documentary prog a while back (can't remember the name now), and his military friends and colleagues told of him raiding an enemy airfield and ripping the consoles out of the aircraft to disable as many as he could. They had other stories of his heroics too.

I know a story could be exaggerated, but the ones about Mayne? I find it difficult to believe they all are. At least one must be true, I don't know. What do you think?

Should the fact that he was killed in a car crash while drinking and driving affect him being credited for his heroism?

Give him the VC I say.

If I can find the documentary I'll post it, but later though, off to work in couple hours.. meanwhile, If anyone else can find it I'd appreciate your efforts.

reply to post by doobydoll


I do not know about all of them just one that he was nominated for the VC for. The story goes he was all alone but, that account is not shared by the others who were there. I think if they would have just gone with facts and not decided to make it a better story he most likely would have gotten it because no one would be pointing out that the story was not entirely true. They have brought up giving it him years later after his death but, as I said considering his reputation as a heavy drinker and the fact he was killed driving drunk into a parked car, sadly I do not see that happening.