Full medal write up
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘15133 HAV MIAN MOHD PUNJAB R.’
M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945. The recommendation for the award of the Immediate award Military Medal states:
“29th Jan 45 – KANGAW – hill feature MELROSE.
Hav. MIAN MOHD was in command of the leading Platoon in the assault on MELROSE of 29th Jan. During the advance to the F.U.P. across shell and MMG swept paddy and at the F.U.P. itself under heavy fire, Hav MIAN MOHD by his coolness and skilful control was responsible for saving his platoon from considerable casualties and for bringing his platoon to the F.U.P. punctually. His leadership of his PL. during the attack was exemplary and his skilful dispositions of his men enabled them to clear the crest of the feature with a minimum of causalities from enemy fire. From the crests he again directed a successful attack on three enemy bunkers which were sweeping the crest with fire, showing complete disregard for his personal safety and ensuring that his men were in the best posn to consolidate the feature. The enemy repeatedly launched savage and determined counter attacks on the posn., during which Hav MIAN MOHD continually visited his section posns. directing and controlling their fire with calmness and accuracy. It was largely due to his inspiring example and the excellence of his fire discipline which he maintained that his platoon was successful in repulsing the counter attacks with heavy causalities to the enemy. To add to his difficulty 2 of his 3 bren guns were put out of action by hostile shelling but by organising his remaining fire power effectively his platoon continued to repel and destroy the enemy. “
The recommendation by Lt. Col S.P.P. Thorat, Commanding Officer of the 2/2 Punjab Regiment on the 16 February 1945 was for an Immediate award of the I.D.S.M.. However he was awarded Immediate M.M. instead.
The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment formed part of the 51st Indian Infantry Brigade, also known as the ‘all Indian’ Brigade. This was due to the fact that it was first Indian Brigade in the history of the Indian army in which all the Battalions were commanded by Indian Officers.
On 25 January 1945, the 51st (all Indian) Infantry Brigade, consisting 2/2nd Punjab, 8/19th Hyderabad and 16/10 Baluch Regiment embarked on landing craft at Akyab, being landed at Mybon later that day. The following day the Brigade went into action in support of 3rd Commando Brigade during the battle for Hill 170. During the battle, also known as the battle of Kangaw, which lasted between 22-31 January 1945, 3rd Commando and 51st Brigade gained a extremely hard fought victory against a well positioned and dug in elements if the Japanese 54th Division:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hill_170
https://www.keymilitary.com/article/black-mud-green-berets-burma-commando-part-ii
Lord Louis Mountbatten would describe it as “the bloodiest battle of the Arakan” and General Christison, Commander of XV Indian Corps would state that "The Battle of Kangaw had been the decisive battle of the whole Arakan campaign."
Condition VF, with original ribbon and pin fitting as worn. An extremely fine fighting citation for this bloody but decisive battle.