Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Acting-Naik An Mir, Frontier Force Regiment

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (9087 L-Naik, 3-12 F.F.R.) 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, slight edge bruise to first, very fine (5) £140-180

I.D.S.M. London Gazette 18 July 1941. Recommendation states: ‘On the night 22 / 23rd March 1941, Naik An Mir was in command of his section in the F.D.Is., East of Dolorodoc (?) Fort, in the position which bore the brunt of a heavy enemy counter-attack, led by tanks. Entrenched in hastily constructed sangers, his section was fired at by the tank guns and machine guns, at point-blank range. The supporting enemy infantry repeatedly attempted to rush his position, throwing hand grenades, many of which fell into the sangers. Regardless of his own safety, he went from group to group, controlling the fire, encouraging his men, and stopping dangerous rushes by well placed mills grenades. His personal bravery was an example to his men, who never flinched, and fired steadily on his orders whenever targets presented themselves. It was entirely due to his control and leadership, under very exacting and confused conditions, that the section did not run out of ammunition, and were able to maintain the L.M.G. with a steady supply of re-filled magazines. This section inflicted great loss on the enemy, who finally were forced to withdraw after very hard fighting.

A fine piece of steady and courageous leadership by a junior N.C.O. in a very hot corner.’

9087 Acting-Naik An Mir, 3-12 Frontier Force Regiment, was awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal for service with the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade, 5th Indian Division in North Africa.