Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Burma campaign’ immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Naik W. Mohd, 31st Mountain Battery, 23rd Mountain Regiment, Indian Artillery, who held his observation post under a ‘shower of grenades’ from enemy troops just 15 yards distant

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (44167 Nk Wali Mohd RIA); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, mounted for display, generally very fine (5) £500-£700

M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945.

The original recommendation – for the I.D.S.M. – states: ‘In the Kyigon area on 16-17 February 1945, during the operations covering the bridgehead across the River Irrawaddy, Naik Wali Mohd was the senior N.C.O. of the battery O.P. party with a company of 1st Northamptons holding an isolated feature essential to the bridgehead.

At 0300 hours on 17 February, an advanced post of the company was attacked by about 40 Japs and was driven in, the enemy establishing themselves in the trenches thus vacated within 15 yards of the O.P.

At one period there was no one between the O.P. and the enemy, but without heed to the shower of grenades falling all round the O.P., and the heavy fire to which it was subjected for several hours, Naik Wali Mohd continued to work calmly and unremittingly on the maintenance of his communications to the battery, which never failed. When the telephone line was broken, he went out immediately on his own initiative to supervise its repair, showing complete disregard for his personal safety. At one period, there was considerable wireless interference which made communication difficult but Wali Mohd, with complete calm, directed the operators at both ends in methods of improving speech, quite regardless of the proximity of the enemy and the heavy fire.

The action lasted till 0730 hours when the enemy were finally driven back with many casualties and the situation in the position was restored.

During the whole action Naik Wali Mohd displayed courage and resource of a very high order. His calm efficiency and complete disregard of his personal safety were an inspiration to those round him. His gallantry and devotion to duty in successfully maintaining uninterrupted communication throughout the night, enabling the F.O.O. to bring down effective gun fire at a critical time, contributed largely to the defeat of the enemy and holding of the vital position.’

Wali Mohd was from Mawara village in Rawalpindi district and was serving on attachment to the 32nd Indian Infantry Brigade, a component of the 20th Indian Division, at the time of the above cited deeds.