Tank Hunter VC
Major Robert Cain was one of five British soldiers to earn a Victoria Cross during the Battle of Arnhem – the highest British military award. Of those five, Robert Cain was the only one who survived the Battle of Arnhem.
Cain and the South Staffords landed on Ginkel Heath on 18 September 1944, the South Staffs attempting to fight its way to the bridge the next day. Due to German tanks, the attack ended on Utrechtseweg.
Because Major Cain was the highestranking officer of the unit not killed or injured, he attempted to steer the retreat. In Oosterbeek, the remainder of his unit was partly responsible for defence of the east side of the sector, at the Oude Kerk, Benedendorpseweg.
On 20 September, a Tiger tank approached Cain’s company and he set out alone, armed with a PIAT anti-tank gun, to take out the tank. He took up position and waited until the tank was only 20 meters away before opening fire. The tank immediately stopped and turned its gun, targeting Cain, but the shell hit the corner of a house and Cain was injured by falling brickwork. He continued to fire his PIAT until he immobilised the tank.
Cain now turned his attention to the next tank, but the grenade exploded prematurely. Blinded, he was taken to a first aid post. Afraid he was blind, Cain’s eyesight returned after half an hour and he declared himself ready for battle, saying: “I’m not injured enough”.
In the following days, Cain went hunting for tanks with a PIAT, but on 22 September his eardrums burst due to constant explosions and so he stuffed cotton wool in his ears and continued.
When the PIATs ran out of ammunition and Cain improvised by using mortar shells to take out tanks instead.
Robert Cain was evacuated with the remainder of the Airborne division on 26 September, having eliminated six tanks, including four Tiger tanks. In addition, he also destroyed several pieces of motorised field artillery. The citation for his Victoria Cross stated: ‘During the Battle of Amhem, Major Cain was extremely brave. His stamina and leadership aroused admiration from colleagues, and stories of his prowess were constantly exchanged between the troops. His cold-bloodedness and courage under ceaseless fire could not be surpassed. Major Cain, for his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable leadership skills, was largely personally responsible for saving a vital sector front.’
After the war, Robert Cain returned to his pre-war job at Shell, working in Asia and western Africa. In 1965 he returned to Great Britain. He died in 1974.
The three other Arnhem VCs were: • Flight Lieutenant David Samuel Anthony Lord, 271 Squadron, Royal Air Force • Captain Lionel Ernest Queripel, 10 Parachute Regiment • Lieutenant John Hollington Grayburn, 2 Parachute Regiment.