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Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung M.C. |
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Transcript of Military Cross Citation |
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Brigade |
77th Indian Infantry |
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Division |
3rd Indian |
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Unit |
3/6 Gurkha Rifles |
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Date of Recommendation |
5th April 1944 |
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Regtl. No. |
33312 IO |
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Rank and Name |
Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung |
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Action for which recommended :- |
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During the night 5/6 April 1944, the Recce Platoon of 36 Column was ordered to take part in the defence of the HENU D.C.Airstrip to enable the landing and unloading of Dakota aircrafts to be carried out uninterrupted. One section of this platoon under command of Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung was ordered to take up position as a listening post in a dry bed at the south end of the airstrip to give warning and to intercept any enemy attempt to infiltrate on the strip. During the night, a Jap Officer's patrol of 1 and 12 was seen to advance deployed across the open strip towards Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung's position. When his men asked if they could open fire, he instructed them to let the enemy get closer. When the enemy were within 30 yards range Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung opened fire on them and they went to ground. They then opened fire on him with hand grenades and discharger cups, but as Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung had skilfully and quietly changed his men's positions they only suffered two casualties slightly wounded. He continued to engage the enemy, at least three of whom were known to be wounded. Eventually the enemy withdrew and Jemadar Digbahadur Gurung was able to evacuate his wounded. Throughout this action, this officer showed Military skill of the very highest kind, while his courage and determination to hold his ground certainly prevented the enemy patrol from getting through to the airstrip, where they might have caused untold damage |
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Honour or Reward |
Military Cross |
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Signed By |
Major General W.D.A. Lentaigne Comdr. 3 Ind. Div. General G. Giffard Commander-in-Chief 11 Army Group |
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(London Gazette 02.01.1945) |
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