"In Burma on 23 June 1944, a Battalion of the 6th Gurkha Rifles was
ordered to attack the Railway Bridge at Mogaung. Immediately the attack
developed the enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at
close range from a position known as the Red House and from a strong
bunker position two hundred yards to the left of it. The cross fire was so intense that both the leading platoons of
'B' Company, one of which was Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun's, were pinned to
the ground and the whole of his Section was wiped out with the exception
of himself, the Section commander and one other man. The Section
commander immediately led the remaining two men in a charge on the Red
House but was at once badly wounded. Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun and
his remaining companion continued the charge, but the latter too was
immediately wounded. Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun then seized the Bren Gun, and firing from
the hip as he went, continued the charge on this heavily bunkered
position alone, in the face of the most shattering concentration of
automatic fire, directed straight at him. With the dawn coming up behind
him, he presented a perfect target to the Japanese. He had to move for
thirty yards over open ground, ankle deep in mud, through shell holes
and over fallen trees. Despite these overwhelming odds, he reached the Red House and
closed with the Japanese occupants. He killed three and put five more to
flight and captured two light machine guns and much ammunition. He then
gave accurate supporting fire from the bunker to the remainder of his
platoon which enabled them to reach their objective. His outstanding courage and superb gallantry in the face of odds which
meant almost certain death were most inspiring to all ranks and beyond
praise."
From Pun's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 7 November 1944.
Another brave ally,
Brian
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