Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An immediate 1945 ‘Arakan operations’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Naik Tore Baz Khan, 7/16th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army, for silencing a Japanese bunker with grenades during a night attack on the northern top of Hill 170 in the Kangaw area, 31 January 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (12065 L-Nk Tore Baz Khan Punjab R) officially impressed naming, edge bruising; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, nearly very fine (4) £500-£700

Dix Noonan Webb, May 2020 (when sold as a single M.M.)

M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945.

The original recommendation states: ‘On the night of 31 January 1945, Lance-Naik Tore Baz Khan was commanding a section of the leading platoon during an attack on the northern tip of Hill 170 in the Kangaw area, where the enemy had succeeded in obtaining a footing only a short distance from our positions.

He was ordered by his Platoon Commander to take his L.M.G. to the left flank to cover the advance of the leading section down the ridge. When the enemy opened fire, he immediately engaged them with his L.M.G. and an enemy machine-gun post at once directed heavy fire on to his position, wounding his No. 1.

Seeing the danger to his gun group, he ordered them to a new position and ignoring the fact that the enemy were in a bunker only a few yards from him, he crawled forward to within four yards of their positions and threw grenades into the bunker, killing the occupants and silencing the gun.

At first light next morning this N.C.O. volunteered to accompany his Platoon Commander in an effort to recover the body of a sepoy who had been killed in the previous night’s action.

Lance-Naik Tore Baz Khan’s devotion to duty and cool courage under heavy enemy fire were a splendid example to his comrades.’

Tore Baz Jhan was from Bhatna village in Campellpore district and was serving in 51 Infantry Brigade, a component of 20 Indian Division, at the time of the above cited deeds.