In Holland on the night of 25th-26th
February 1945, the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Own Rifles of
Canada launched an attack on the hamlet of Mooshof, to capture ground
which was considered essential for the development of future operations.
Sergeant Cosens' platoon, with two tanks in support, attacked enemy
strong points in three farm buildings, but were twice beaten back by
fanatical enemy resistance and then fiercely counter-attacked, during
which time the platoon suffered heavy casualties and the platoon
commander was killed.
Sergeant Cosens at once assumed command of the only other four
survivors of his platoon, whom he placed in a position to give him
covering fire, while he himself ran across open ground under heavy
mortar and shell fire to the one remaining tank, where, regardless of
the danger, he took up an exposed place in front of the turret and
directed his fire.
After a further enemy counter-attack had been repulsed, Sergeant
Cosens ordered the tank to attack the farm buildings, while the four
survivors of his platoon followed in close support. After the tank had
rammed the first building he entered it alone, killing several of the
defenders and taking the rest prisoner.
Single-handed he then entered the second and third buildings, and
personally killed or captured all the occupants, although under intense
machine-gun and small arms fire.
Just after the successful reduction of these important enemy strong
points, Sergeant Cosens was shot through the head by an enemy sniper and
died almost instantly.
The outstanding gallantry, initiative and determined leadership of
this brave N.C.O., who himself killed at least twenty of the enemy and
took an equal number of prisoners, resulted in the capture of a position
which was vital to the success of the future operations of the Brigade. |
