I am just reading about this chap in The Tiger Kills. During Operation Battleaxe he performed a feat of gallantry and wondered if he recieved a medal for it. Here's what it says. Sepoy Babu Desai of the Mahrattas , only eighteen years old , took command of his section when it's commander was wounded. When the company was held up, he picked up his Bren gun , rushed across the open under heavy fire, and brought the gun into action from the flank, enabling the company to move on again. Then he was wounded in the leg and his platoon commander told him to go back to the Regimental Aid Post to have the wound dressed. But Babu Desai had other views. He rushed the gun that wounded him , killing the gunner and making the others run. Then his leg gave way under him , but still he had to be forcibly placed on a stretcher before he would even consider his own troubles. 4th Indian Division history doesn't mention this episode & he is not listed by name in the Gallantry Awards section, I wondered if he is one of the 14 un-named men of his regiment who were awarded the IDSM - Indian Distinguished Service Medal??
aha a bit of digging. Can't really afford £3.50 at the moment, would be nice to read it though. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Desai, Babu Rank: Sepoy Service No: 9245 Regiment: 2 Battalion 5 Mahratta Light Infantry Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya) Award: Indian Distinguished Service Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 21 Gazette Website: PDF Navigator http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21247&d=1254731102
Oh no, seems the poor bugger was killed a month later. CWGC :: Casualty Details Name:BABU DESAI Nationality:Indian Rank:Lance Naik Regiment/Service:5th Mahratta Light Infantry Unit Text:2nd Bn. Age:20 Date of Death:28/07/1941 Service No:9245 Awards:I D S M Additional information:Son of Sakharam and Sakhubai, of Moravne, Ratnagiri, India Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference:XIV. C. 11. Cemetery:EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY
4th Indian Division history doesn't mention this episode & he is not listed by name in the Gallantry Awards section, I wondered if he is one of the 14 un-named men of his regiment who were awarded the IDSM - Indian Distinguished Service Medal?? In the awards section of 'The Tiger Strikes' (published 1942) he is mentioned along with a few other recipients of the IDSM in the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry. Subadar Pandurang Chauhan 3313 Naik Bala Kharade 2301 Naik Sitaram Mhaske 7215 Naik Baba Sahib Ingle 9245 Sepoy Babu Desai 8605 Sepoy Laku Jadhao
Cheers Bod for extra info. I felt I had to pay for the recommendation. Here it is. Recommended by his CO Major MP Lancaster, signed by 11th ind Bde commander Brig RA Savory as well as Div commander Maj-Gen FW Messervy. Who is that Lt-Gen Commander Western Desert Force, I can't work it out??? Is it N Beresford-Peirse ?
Owen, Interesting reading thanks for posting. Was he killed or could he have died of wounds received that day I wonder? I note a bit of a discrepancy in his age between the text and the cwgc record - either way a brave young man. D
Can't find anything about any actions on that day for his unit so I think he maybe did DoW. Here's what a IDSM looks like. ODM of the United Kingdom: Indian Distinguished Service Medal All I'd like now is a photo of his grave . Anyone going to Egypt ? Another question, what Religion would he have been, any ideas?
He was Maratha. The majority of Marathi people are hindus but there are also significant minorities of Muslims, Christians and Buddhist. Maratha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Marathi people - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hi chaps. I am just reading the Div history at the moment. Does anyone still have the pic which seems to be missing but was attached above at some point? I would love to see it and have a read. Regards Matt