"In Italy, on 12 May 1944, after crossing the River Gari overnight, the
Company advance was held up by heavy machine-gun fire from four posts on
the front and flanks. As the capture of the position was essential to
secure the bridgehead, the Company Commander called for a volunteer to
get round the rear of the right post and silence it. Volunteering at
once and crawling forward through the wire to a flank, Sepoy Kamal Ram
attacked the post single handed and shot the first machine-gunner; a
second German tried to seize his weapon but Sepoy Kamal Ram killed him
with the bayonet, and then shot a German officer who, appearing from the
trench with his pistol, was about to fire. Sepoy Kamal Ram, still
alone, at once went on to attack the second machine-gun post which was
continuing to hold up the advance, and after shooting one
machine-gunner, he threw a grenade and the remaining enemy surrendered.
Seeing a Havildar
making a reconnaissance for an attack on the third post, Sepoy Kamal
Ram joined him, and, having first covered his companion, went in and
completed the destruction of this post. By his courage, initiative and
disregard for personal risk, Sepoy Kamal Ram enabled his Company to
charge and secure the ground vital to the establishment of the
bridgehead and the completion of work on two bridges. When a platoon,
pushed further forward to widen the position, was fired on from a house,
Sepoy Kamal Ram, dashing towards the house, shot one German in a slit
trench and captured two more. His sustained and outstanding bravery
unquestionably saved a difficult situation at a critical period of the
battle and enabled his Battalion to attain the essential part of their
objective."
From Sepoy Ram's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 27 July 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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