John Morris Lowenthal

Sergeant John Morris Lowenthal, service number SR/599016V, South African Army Corps, nicknamed 'Tobruk', was the son of David Lowenthal and Jenny Lowenthal (nee Lowenthal) (1888-1957). His parents were married in Moscow, Russia in 1916. He was born in Penza, Russia in August 1917. His parents emigrated to Northern Rhodesia and his father died soon afterwards, in January 1926. He moved with his mother to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in 1928 and was educated at Milton High School in Bulawayo.

Having joined the Gwanda Regiment (Territorial Force) in October 1936, he was mobilised with the outbreak of hostilities during World War Two and was posted 'on commitment outside the Colony', enlisting in the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment at Mersa Matruh in early 1940. Active service in Egypt followed, and in Crete between November 1940 and March 1941. Returning to Egypt in March 1941, Lowenthal was wounded in action shortly afterwards. He then held brief appointments with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and 'No. 51 Commandos M.E.'. He was then appointed to the Long Range Desert Group (L.R.D.G.). He served with the L.R.D.G until March 1943, a period that encompassed no less than 12 patrols behind enemy lines in the course of 1941, and graduation from the famous parachute course at Kabrit. In March 1943 Rhodesian personnel were withdrawn from service in British units and Lowenthal gained appointment as a Sergeant in the Rhodesian African Rifles until being embodied in the South African Union Defence Force in March 1944, and once more he was seconded to the L.R.D.G. He was involved in operations in occupied Albania and Yugoslavia in 1944. Throughout these operations Lowenthal served in the patrol commanded by a fellow Rhodesian, Lieutenant Mike Reynolds, M.C. The Albania operation of June 1944 stemmed from intelligence received from an Officer of S.O.E's Force 266, Anthony Quayle, the well-known actor, who had lately returned from behind enemy lines. He reported of the establishment of a German coast-watching station near Valona, a target that was duly assigned to Major General David L. Lloyd-Owen, C.O. of the L.R.D.G. Lieutenant Reynolds and 33 men including Lowenthal departed from Brindisi in an Italian MAS Boat in the morning of 29 June 1944. The engagement that ensued receives due recognition in Lloyd-Owen's definitive history of the L.R.D.G., a naval bombardment being followed by a classic assault of the enemy's position, amidst the 'patter of machine and tommy guns and a few small explosions', Lowenthal displaying outstanding leadership and coolness. The operation was a complete success, the victorious raiders returned aboard some destroyers with some useful prisoners. Lowenthal next returned to the operational scene in August 1944, landing in Yugoslavia. He dropped by parachute with 4 men to join another L.R.D.G. patrol in Jugoslavia and despite a damaged ankle walked over 100 miles before he was evacuated. In February 1945 he landed by sea on the coast of Istria where his patrol was split in two sections to observe shipping movements. He commanded one section and maintained a watch each day for nearly two months from a point where the enemy were billeted only a mile away. He was awarded the Military Medal. The citation for the Military Medal reads: "Sergeant Lowenthal joined the Long Range Desert Group in the Desert in 1941 and took part in twelve patrols behind the lines in Libya. In June 1944 he was a member of a patrol which carried out a successful attack on an enemy Observation Post in Albania, where his leadership and coolness in this action were outstanding. In August 1944 he dropped by parachute with four men to join another Long Range Desert Group patrol in Yugoslavia and despite a damaged ankle walked over 100 miles before he was evacuated. In February 1945 he was landed by sea on the coast of Istria where his patrol was split in two sections to observe shipping movements. He commanded one section and maintained a watch each day for nearly two months from a point where the enemy were billeted only a mile away. Throughout all these operations Sergeant Lowenthal has shown great courage, enthusiasm, and coolness under fire, and his leadership and ability have set a fine example to all ranks working with him." Lowenthal was returned to the strength of S.A. Union Defence Force. He attended the Victory Parade in London in April 1946 and was repatriated to Southern Rhodesia 'for absorption into the Military Forces of that Colony' soon after his return. He received his Military Medal at an investiture held by George VI at Government House in Salisbury in April 1947. Lowenthal enjoyed a successful civilian career, including as appointment on the Board of Rhodesian Railways in the 1970s. In 2003 his military medals and badges were auctioned with ten original wartime photographs and included post-war letters from Major-General D. L. Lloyd-Owen, C.O. of the L.R.D.G., and Colonel David Stirling, founder and leader of the wartime S.A.S.

Sources: 1. South African Jews in World War II. SA Jewish Board of Deputies 1950. 2. Military Record. The South African Jewish Database Jewish Migration and Genealogy. 3. The National Archives, Kew. Name Lowenthal, John Morris: Rank Acting Serjeant; Service No. SR/599016V; Regiment South African Army Corps; Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy: Award Military Medal; Date of announcement in the London Gazette 13 December 1945; Reference WO 373/14/801. 4. Special Forces Roll of Honour Lowenthal John Morris. https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/lowenthal-john-morris.31304/ 5. Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention (19 September 2003) Lot 1296. Sergeant J.M. 'Tobruk' Lowenthal, Union Defence Force. https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/past-catalogues/lot.php?auction_id=52&lot_uid=90618