INDIAN V.C.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 196, 1 June 1945, Page 3

INDIAN V.C.

(Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. The sole survivor of an Indian gun creAV, Avho saved his gun though overAvhelmed by Japanese attacks, has been awarded the Victoria Cross. He is Havaldar TJnrao Singh, of the Indian Artillery. In Kaladan Valley in Burma on December 15-16 Singh was in charge of one gun in an advanced position, when he was subjected to heavy fire from guns and mortars before being attacked by two companies of Japanese. Encouraged by Singh, the gun crew beat off the attack with losses to the enemy. Singh Avas tAvice wounded, but held off the second attack by skilful control of smallarms fire, and by personally firing a bren-gun over the shield of the field gun until the Japanese were within a few yards. Two more attacks were beaten off, but by then all the other members of the gun crew had been killed or wounded, except two. When the final attack came Singh’s ammunition was all expended, so he attacked the Japanese hand-to-hand until knocked senseless. Six hours later he Avas found in an exhausted condition beside his gun AVith seven severe wounds and 10 dead Japanese around him. His gun was still fit to fire, and was put in action again the same day.