An extremely rare Second World War clandestine operations D.S.M. awarded to Leading Seaman M. Rahim, Royal Indian Navy, who was seriously wounded during the course of an S.O.E. agent pick-up operation off Burma in February 1944

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ldg. Smn. M. Rahim, 4209 R. Ind. N.) extremely fine £3000-3500

Just 23 D.S.Ms were awarded to Royal Indian Navy personnel during World War II, all for operations off Burma 1942-45.

D.S.M. London Gazette 18 April 1944: ‘For gallantry in going to the rescue of a wounded seaman, regardless of heavy fire from the enemy.’

The original recommendation for an immediate award states: ‘At 0140 hours on 10 February 1944, M.L. 474, which had just completed a clandestine operation, sighted and closed an Arakanese ship. At 0140 the sloop was brought alongside and seven of the crew taken on board the M.L., the eighth man being left to steer. To avoid danger of capsizing it was decided to lower the sails, and HO. 74388 Ahmed Miah, Sucani, jumped on board and lowered the foresail. Having completed this, he was walking aft to the mainmast to lower the mainsail when two shots were fired at him from the cabin aft. He was hit and fell. He got to his feet and, with his hands to his ribs, stumbled forward to rejoin the M.L. Rapid fire was then opened on him from the cabin and it was obvious that Ahmed Miah was too weak to succeed in clambering on board the M.L.

The Coxswain, ON. 4209 Mohd. Rahim, Leading Seaman, with complete disregard for the enemy fire and his own safety, promptly left cover and went to the assistance of Ahmed Miah and endeavoured to haul him on board. Unfortunately, he was then badly wounded in both legs and unable to succeed in his attempt at rescue. Ahmed Miah was again hit in the back and fell into the water.’

This, then, a brief account of operation “Lancelot II”, and the gallant actions of Leading Seaman Rahim, an operation in which S.O.E. agents, including Tin Shwei, were successfully extracted from enemy held territory - in company with another prominent Communist Party member, Thein Pe, he would return to the mainland and open up radio communication that November, a success story that led to the recruitment of another 70 potential agents. In his official report on the operation, Captain J. Ryland, R.I.N., C.O. Arakan Coastal Forces, stated: ‘M.L. 474 (Lieutenant K. Baber, R.I.N.R.) sailed from Chittagong at 0615 hours on 8 February 1944 and anchored off Foul Island at 0600 on the 9th. She sailed from Foul Island at 0900 on the 9th and reached St. John’s Rocks at 2230 and closed the coast at 2345. The pick up signal was received at 0027 hours on the 10th and the conducting officer (Captain Dring) proceeded ashore to embark the agents, returning with them at 0135. During his absence, a sailing craft was observed closing and it was considered that she had seen the whole operation. Accordingly, it was decided that in order to maintain secrecy, the crew should be taken off and the craft towed out of sight of land and sunk.’

There follows an account of the attack on Ahmed Miah and Rahim’s gallant attempt to save him, as per the above recommendation, Captain Rylands concluding, ‘It is considered that the Coxswain, ON. 4209 Mohd. Rahim, Leading Seaman, displayed great courage and disregard for danger in his attempt to rescue Ahmed Miah in the face of close range enemy fire’. He then continues his account of M.L. 474’s response to the sloop’s fire:

‘The sailing craft was now cast off, range opened to 150 yards and fire opened with both Oerlikons. Four magazines were fired and many hits observed. The craft was again closed, but as a shot was fired from her it was decided to ram. This was done, but only a glancing blow struck and as the craft drifted past a number of hand grenades were thrown aboard her. The grenades exploded and the craft was blown to pieces. A search was carried out for survivors and Ahmed Miah but except for pieces of wreckage, nothing was found. The remainder of the crew stated that resistance was put up by two Japanese armed guards who were travelling on board the sailing craft which was used for running arms and ammunition up the coast. M.L 474 then returned to Chittagong, arriving at 0350 on the 11th. The prisoners were handed over to 5th F.I.C. Company and the wounded taken to hospital.’

In addition to the loss of Ahmed Miah, and the seriously wounded Rahim, Captain Ryland lists three further casualties from M.L. 474, an indication of the ferocity and accuracy of the enemy’s return fire.