An outstanding Second War ‘Burma operations 1945’ Immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Lance Naik Mohammad Ajaib, 9th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (20305 L-Nk Mohd Ajaib Punjab R); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945.

The original recommendation states: ‘20305 Lance Naik Mohammad Ajaib. Punjab Mussalman Ghakar, Village Changryal, District Jhelum. 9th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment.
For very gallant services in action at mile 16.5 on the road Budalin-Monywa on 4 January 1945.
On 4 January 1945, L/Naik Mohd Ajaib was in command of a standing patrol, covering the battalion defended locality, 1.5 miles to the North. At about 2330 hrs a vehicle approached from the South at great speed. Appreciating that it would be better dealt with at the road block within the defended locality, L/Naik Mohd Ajaib withheld fire, allowed the vehicle to pass and informed Battalion H.Q. by telephone.
As a result of the warning given by the L/Naik the vehicle was dealt with so effectively at the road block that out of the 14 Japs in the lorry, one Jap Officer and twelve O.R.s were killed on the spot and only one with a member of the Battalion National Army broke back out of the Battalion defended area and ran towards the standing patrol. On hearing footsteps L/Naik Mohd Ajaib stood his post to, and as the leading man approached him he stepped forward, grappled with him and held him down. Hot on his heels arrived the Japanese. L/Naik Mohd Ajaib immediately handed over his captive and went for the Japanese who came at him with his bayonet. L/Naik Mohd Ajaib parried the point with his sten gun. The point was only partially deflected and the L/Naik was wounded in the head. In spite of being wounded he continued to fight and single handed killed his man, who fought with fanatical bravery.

L/Naik Mohd Ajaib’s initiative in holding his fire in the first case, and timely warning of the approach of the lorry was a major contributory factor which resulted in the annihilation of the occupants of the vehicle. His grim determination and guts in capturing the Burman, and killing the last Jap soldier ensured that no news of the failure of these reinforcements to get to Budalin reached Monywa.’