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1944 A War Story: Umrao risked his life, a hero then and now

For 80-year-old Subedar Major (honorary captain) Umrao Singh, one of the three surviving Victoria Cross awardees in the country, it was a proud moment on July 3 when Chief of Army Staff, General V P Malik released a film on his heroic fight against the intruding Japanese during World War II in Burma which brought him the coveted award.

Born in the nondescript Palra village in Haryana, about 100 km from New Delhi, he joined the artillery in November, 1939, and his baptism by fire took place during World War II operations in Iran, Iraq and Italy.

In 1943, he came to Burma (now Myanmar) where he was destined to make history a year later.

In the Kaladan valley in Burma, on the intervening night of December 15 and 16, 1944, Havildar Umrao Singh was in charge of one gun in an advanced section of his battery when it was subjected to heavy fire prior to being attacked by two companies of Japanese forces.

Though twice wounded by grenades in the first attack, he held off the second enemy attack by skilful control of his detachment's small firepower and fired with a Bren gun to inflict heavy casualties on the Japanese who had come within a five yards range.

In the final attack with all ammunition expended, he caught hold of a steel rod and indulged in a furious hand-to-hand duel knocking off three Japanese soldiers in a desperate bid to save his gun.

Six hours later when a counter-attack restored the position, he was found unconscious with seven wounds and 10 enemy soldiers around.

Singh was honoured with the Victoria Cross, the highest gallantry award of that time, which he received from the King of England in a ceremony in London in 1945.

''My initial reaction on hearing about the award was fear since I did not know what was it about," Singh said with a sense of fulfilment writ large on his face.

UNI

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