Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine ‘Chindits’ Special Forces M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant H. C. V. Dodd, Royal Corps of Signals

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5780038 Sjt., R. Signals; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence & War Medals, good very fine (5) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 22 April 1945. The following details are taken from the original recommendation put forward by Brigadier J. M. Calvert, D.S.O., Commander 77 Indian Infantry Brigade: ‘Sergeant Dodd is one of the Cipher Sergeants of Brigade Headquarters. During the Brigade counter-attack at Kayin on 17th April 1944, Brigade H.Q. Battle Group was forward with the leading battalion and came under spasmodic fire from the enemy on the flank. Later this developed into a counter-attack and at one period personnel came under sustained fire of three MMGs at close range which caused many casualties and some confusion. The few officers of Brigade H.Q. were absent or wounded or killed. Sergeant Dood took control and sorted out the wounded. Later, when the order for Brigade H.Q. to withdraw to a safe area was given, Sergeant Dodd again took control, saw to the loading of the mules and quietly without fuss led the men and animals through the jungle to its new R.V., having taken care first that all concerned were evacuated. Throughout the campaign Sergeant Dodd, besides his own duties, which he has carried out with skill and conscientious hard work, has invariably shown himself ready to take on responsibility and jobs beyond the normal call of duty.’

Sergeant Dodd won his award during Operation ‘Thursday’, the codename given to the second Chindit expedition behind Japanese lines. He was a member of 77 Indian Infantry Brigade, Special Force, led by Brigadier J. M. Calvert, and consisting of 1st King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, 1st Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st South Staffordshire Regiment and 3/6th Gurkha Rifles. It was the spearhead of the Chindit Brigades and was landed at ‘Broadway’ by glider on 5 March 1944. Twenty-three men were killed and as many again injured in the landing, mainly from incoming gliders colliding with those that had already landed. A rough landing ground was quickly cleared and defended from Japanese attack while the other Chindit Brigades were flown in over the next few days.

The Brigade counter-attack at Kayin was against the main Japanese H.Q. in the area. The attack started on 17 April with the Lancashire Fusiliers, 45th Reconnaissance Regiment and 3/6th Gurkhas attacking. Initially good progress was made but it was later discovered that the main Japanese position was outside the village and was protected by almost impenetrable lantain scrub. After a trying day of indeterminate fighting, Brigadier Calvert decided, reluctantly, to withdraw westwards and consolidate at the village of Thayaung, about two miles away. In the fighting the Chindits lost 16 killed and 35 wounded.