A fine Second War 'Burma operations' M.M. awarded to Naik Karim Dad, 2nd Battalion, 1st...

A fine Second War ‘Burma operations’ M.M. awarded to Naik Karim Dad, 2nd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment, Indian Army, for his gallantry on two occasions in April 1945, where he cleared two enemy bunkers, engaged and forced back a Japanese machine gun, and personally killed five of the enemy Military Medal, G.VI.R. (13579 Nk Karim Dad Punjab R) contact marks, very fine £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 15 January 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On 9 April 1945 ‘B’ Company 2/1st Punjab Regiment was given the task of clearing the area between the railway and the road South of Tawgyang. The leading Platoon was held up by heavy fire from an enemy position along a chaung north of Byagon. Another Platoon was sent from the right but was also held up. It was essential that pressure on the left hand platoon be withdrawn in order to enable it to continue the advance. Naik Karim Dad volunteered to take his section to the rear of the enemy and distract the enemy’s attention from the left platoon. He led his section with great skill through the right hand platoon to the rear of the enemy position inspite of heavy enemy fire. On his way he his section cleared two enemy bunkers, he himself killing two of the occupants. This move brought all the Jap onto his section as intended and two casualties were sustained. He kept on engaging the enemy until rest of the Coy could clear up the resistance. This non-commissioned officer’s skill and Gallant leadership enabled the advance to be continued speedily without further casualties. Again on 27 April 1945 ‘B’ Company was ordered to clear a village east of Toungoo airfield where locals had reported approximately 30 Japs. This village was on the other side of Sittang River which could only be crossed by boats; as there was only one river boat available the crossing wold be slow. Naik Karim Dad took his section across first but when he reached the other side a Jap medium machine gun opened fire from a mound to the flank. It was essential that this medium machine gun be silenced before the rest of the Company could cross. He left the rest of his section to deal with the enemy in the village while he with one man crawled up the mound and engaged the medium machine gun, forcing it to move back. The rest of the Company was successfully got across the river and the village cleared. During the clearing of the village Naik Karim Dad killed three Japs himself. This non-commissioned officer’s courage and leadership during these two operations and during the whole period was of the highest order.’