Ali Haidar (VC)

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Naib Subedar
Unit13th Frontier Force Rifles
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards Victoria Cross

Ali Haidar Khan

Second World War, at Fusignano, Italy, 31-year-old Ali Haidar, serving in the British Indian Army
, performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Details

He was 31 years old, and a

landed in Italy. In 1945, the regiment was in Italy
when the following deed took place for which Ali Haidar was awarded the VC.

On 9 April 1945 near

Senio River. Only Sepoy Ali Haidar and the two other men of his section managed to get across under heavy machine-gun fire. Then, Without orders, and on his own initiative, Sepoy Ali Haidar, leaving the other two to cover him, charged the nearest post which was about 30 yards away.[3] He threw a grenade and almost at the same time the enemy threw one at him, wounding him severely in the back. In spite of this he kept on and the enemy post was destroyed and four of the enemy surrendered. With utter disregard of his own wounds he continued and charged the next post in which the enemy had one Spandau and three automatics, which were still very active and preventing movement on both banks.[3] He was again wounded, this time in the right leg and right arm. Although weakened by loss of blood, with great determination Sepoy Ali Haidar crawled closer and in a final effort raised himself from the ground, threw a grenade, and charged into the second enemy post. Two enemy were wounded and the remaining two surrendered.[4]

Taking advantage of the outstanding success of Sepoy Ali Haidar's dauntless attacks, the rest of the Company charged across the river and carried out their task of making a bridgehead. Sepoy Ali Haidar was picked up and brought back from the second position seriously wounded. He was sent to

King George VI in October 1945. He retired to a small scrub farm with his wife in his hometown of Kohat and died on 15 July 1999.[5][6]

Further information

He was born in

Senio River western bank in the vicinity of the Sabbioni area. The ceremony was attended by several Italian politicians including the mayor of Rome
.

Official citation

The official citation for Haidar's award, published in the

London Gazette
in July 1945 reads:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: — No. 26534 Sepoy ALl HAIDAR, 13th Frontier Force Rifles, British Indian Army.

In Italy, during the crossing of the River Senio, near Fusignano, in daylight on 9 April 1945, a Company of the I3th Frontier Force Rifles were ordered to assault the enemy positions strongly dug in on the far bank. These positions had been prepared and improved over many months and were mainly on the steep flood banks, some 25 feet high.

Sepoy Ali Haidar was a member of the lefthand Section of the left-hand Platoon. As soon as the Platoon started to cross, it came under heavy and accurate machine gun fire from two enemy posts strongly dug in about 60 yards away. Sepoy Ali Haidar's Section suffered casualties and only 3 men, including himself, managed to get across. The remainder of the Company was temporarily held up. Without orders, and on his own initiative, Sepoy Ali Haidar, leaving the other two to cover him, charged the nearest post which was about 30 yards away. He threw a grenade and almost at the same time the enemy threw one at him, wounding him severely in the back. In spite of this he kept on and the enemy post was destroyed and four of the enemy surrendered. With utter disregard of his own wounds he continued and charged the next post in which the enemy had one Spandau and three automatics, which were still very active and preventing movement on 'both banks. He was "again wounded, this time in the right leg and right arm. Although weakened by loss of blood, with great determination Sepoy Ali Haidar crawled closer and in a final effort raised himself from the ground, threw a grenade, and charged into the second enemy post. Two enemy were wounded and the remaining two surrendered.

Taking advantage of the outstanding success of Sepoy Ali Haidar's dauntless attacks, the rest of the Company charged across the river and carried out their task of making a bridgehead.

Sepoy Ali Haidar was picked up and brought back from the second position seriously wounded.

The conspicuous gallantry, initiative, and determination combined with a complete disregard for his own life shown by this very brave Sepoy in the face of heavy odds were an example to the whole Company. His heroism had saved an ugly situation which would — but for his personal bravery — have caused the Battalion a large number of casualties at a critical time and seriously delayed the crossing of the river and the building of a bridge. With the rapid advance which it was possible to make the Battalion captured 3 officers and 217 other ranks and gained their objectives.[7]

See also

  • List of Indian Victoria Cross recipients

Awards and decorations

Victoria Cross

1945

1939-1945 Star
Italy Star
War Medal

1939-1945

India Service Medal

1939–1945

Queen Elizabeth II

Coronation Medal

(1953)

References

  1. ^ victoriacross.org.uk - Known graves of holders of the Victoria Cross in Pakistan
  2. ^ a b c "Known Graves of holders of the Victoria Cross in Pakistan". victoria cross.org.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  3. ^ a b Victoria Cross Association - Biographical Profile and Citation of Ali Haidar
  4. ^ Government of KP - Ali Haidar
  5. OCLC 29051302
    .
  6. ^ The Times (1999) ALI HAIDAR VC, 13th Frontier Force Rifles has died in Pakistan
  7. ^ "No. 37156". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 June 1945. p. 3439.

External links