Sepoy Babu Desai 2/5th Mahratta Light Infantry , June 1941.

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by Owen, Oct 5, 2009.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    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??
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    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
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    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
     
  4. Bodston

    Bodston Little Willy

    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
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    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 ?

    [​IMG]
     
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    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
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    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?
     
  8. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

  9. mattgibbs

    mattgibbs Senior Member

    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
     

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