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Lieutenant (T/Captain) G.P. Carne M.C. |
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Transcript of Military Cross Citation |
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Brigade |
77th Indian Infantry Brigade |
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Corps |
4th Corps |
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Unit |
The Burma Rifles |
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Date of Recommendation |
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Regtl. No. |
ABRO 57 |
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Rank and Name |
Lieut. (Temporary Captain) George Power CARNE |
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Action for which recommended :- |
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On the night 2/3 March 1943, No. 2 Column was ambushed at KYAIKTHIN. Capt. Carne, who commanded its Guerilla Platoon, was some miles ahead of the spot where the action took place. In the confusion which resulted he was unable to ascertain the fate of the force, the only party of survivors which he encountered being one weak platoon of Gurkhas. A vigorous search in the area established that the Dispersal Groups into which the column had split had made their way back to the CHINDWIN, a course which Capt. Carne would have been fully justified in himself pursuing. He preferred, however, to cross the IRRAWADDY with the small party at his disposal in the hopes of meeting with the main body of the brigade; and he carried out this decision although without wireless and without any means of knowing what alterations might have been made in the Brigade plans. Although he unfortunately failed to locate and join the brigade, he boldly led his party across the SHWELI river and into the Kachin Hills returning to INDIA after a remarkable march which was the more praiseworthy in that his men were naturally depressed by the circumstances in which it had begun. His refusal to take the obvious and easy course back to the CHINDWIN and his choice to embark instead on a daring journey five times as long through enemy country shows this officer to be the possessor of a soldierly instinct in a high degree. |
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Recommended By |
T/Lieut.Co. P.C.Buchanan, 2 Burma Rifles |
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Honour or Reward |
M. C. |
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Signed By |
Brigadier O.C. Wingate Comdr. 77th Ind. Inf. Bde. |
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(London Gazette 16.12.1943) |
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