Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Burma operations’ immediate I.D.S.M. awarded to Acting Subadar Nawab Khan, 5/9th Jat Regiment

Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Jemdr A-Subdr Nawab Khan, 5-9 Jat R.) abrasively cleaned, otherwise good very fine £800-£1,000

I.D.S.M. London Gazette 24 February 1944. The recommendation for an Immediate award of the Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class) states:

‘At Manguan (Burma) on 29th Nov 1943 when in command of a platoon post this VCO received information that a patrol of 50 Japanese troops were in the vicinity and it seemed likely that they contemplated attacking his post. Making a true appreciation of the situation Subadar Nawab Khan decided to anticipate an attack on his post by laying an ambush on the most likely line of approach for an attacking force. With 16 I.O.R’s he laid an ambush and inflicting casualities on the enemy - fifty strong - who walked into the ambush, he proved once more that offence is the best form of defence. By his leadership, initiative and offensive spirit he undoubtedly countered an enemy attack on his Post.’

Subadar Nawab Khan came from Shajahanian, in the Gujrat District. He enlisted on 7 April 1931 and was promoted to Jemadar on 16 October 1941. The 5/9th Jat Regiment formed part of 26th Indian Division, commanded by Major-General Cyril Lomax, in late November 1943, which had held the rain-sodden frontline in northern Arakan since the disastrous end of the First Arakan campaign. Following the end of the monsoon, the 5/9th Jats - the divisional reconnaissance battalion - was occupying small outlying defensive positions and actively patrolling in the distant Kaladan Valley pending the arrival of fresh troops. The platoon commanded by Acting Subadar Nawab Khan was occupying the village of Mangsan, south of Daletme, when news of approaching enemy troops prompted him to anticipate their attack by mounting a devastating ambush.