"On the 22nd November, 1944, in East Mayu, Arakan, during a Company
attack on a strongly held Japanese bunker position, Sepoy Bhandari Ram
was in the leading section of one of the platoons. In order to reach its
objective, his platoon had to climb a precipitous slope, by way of a
narrow ridge with sheer sides. When fifty yards from the top, the platoon came under heavy and
accurate light machine gun fire. Three men were wounded, amongst them
Sepoy Bhandari Ram, who received a burst of light machine gun fire in
his left shoulder and a wound in his leg. The platoon was pinned down by
the intense enemy fire. This Sepoy then crawled up to the Japanese light machine gun, whilst
in full view of the enemy, and approached to within fifteen yards of the
enemy position. The enemy then hurled grenades at him, seriously
wounding him in the face and chest. Undeterred, severely wounded by
bullets and grenade splinters and bespattered with blood, this Sepoy,
with superhuman courage and determination, crawled up to within five
yards of his objective. He then threw a grenade into the position,
killing the enemy gunner and two other men, and continued his crawl to
the post. Inspired by his example, the Platoon rushed up and captured
the position. It was only after the position had been taken that he lay
down and allowed his wounds to be dressed. By his cool courage, determination to destroy the enemy at all
cost, and entire disregard for his personal safety, this young Sepoy
enabled his Platoon to capture what he knew to be the key to the whole
enemy position."
From Sepoy Ram's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 8 February 1945.
Bhandari and his father on the cover of Illustrated magazine.
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