 When they reached the open sea the smaller calibre guns were out of range and stopped firing but the heavier artillery continued to engage them . The boats were about 4 miles ( 6 @.@ 4 km ) off @-@ shore when the last German salvo straddled them and killed Savage , who was still at his gun . He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his exploits . His citation recognised both Savage and the bravery of " the many unnamed crews of the Motor Gun Boat , Motor Torpedo Boat and Motor Launches who continued to carry out their duties in exposed positions , in the face of close range enemy fire . " 
 When they reached the open sea the smaller calibre guns <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> out of range and stopped firing but the heavier artillery continued to engage them . The boats <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> about 4 miles ( 6 @.@ 4 km ) off @-@ shore when the last German salvo straddled them and killed Savage , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a>was still at his gun . He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his exploits . His citation recognised both Savage and the bravery of " the many unnamed crews of the Motor Gun Boat , Motor Torpedo Boat and Motor Launches <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>continued to carry out their duties in exposed positions , in the face of close range enemy fire . " 
When they reached the open sea the smaller calibre guns was out of range and stopped firing but the heavier artillery continued to engage em . The boats was abt 4 miles ( 6 @.@ 4 km ) off @-@ shore when the last German salvo straddled them and killed Savage , was still at his gun . He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross fir his exploits . His citation recognised both Savage and the bravery of " da many unnamed crews of tdaMotor Gun Boat , Motor Torpedo Boat and Motor Launches continued to carry outt their duties in exposed positions , in thdaace of close range enemy fire . "