Medals from the collection of Angela and the late Douglas Bertram

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (2) (3239 Hav. Jang Singh, Patiala S.F.; 227 Jemr. Sampuran Singh, 1 Patiala Infy. S.F.) very fine or better and rare (2) £100-120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the collection of Angela and the late Douglas Bertram.

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Jem. Sampooran Singh, posthumous winner of the Republic Of India's second highest gallantry award, the Mahavir Chakra (MVC), an award made in his case for gallantry at the battle of Zoji La pass at an altitude of over 15,000 feet during the Jammu Kashmir War of 1947-48:

After four hours lull and having reorganized themselves, the Pakistanis launched a fresh attack on the post. Simultaneously, concentrated gunfire was directed on the main Gumri position to knock out Patiala Mortars and also to prevent reinforcements from reaching the post. Against this overwhelming assault the forward outpost appeared to be in imminent danger of being over run. Under Jem. Sampooran Singh's leadership the forward outpost hit back foiling another determined attempt to capture the post. Sepoy Hazira Singh the No 1 on the LMG engaged the enemy with such accuracy that the attack stalled at 200 yards. The enemy then tried an outflanking move on the left. Hazira Singh ran quickly to the other side and continued firing till he was killed. Havildar Hardial Singh was hit by a burst of fire and fell over the cliff and was presumed dead. Later in the day Major Shamsher Singh observed some movement and asked the porter Mohd Ismail to check it out. He went and under enemy fire retrieved the severely wounded Hazira Singh.

In this biggest attempt so far to break through the Patiala defences, the Pakistanis fired 156 shells of 3.7.'/4.2" guns and 3' Mortars and over 20,000 rounds and suffered about 90 killed/wounded. 1 Patiala lost one soldier and three were wounded. Another important feature of the day's action was the feat of Nk. Pritam Singh, in charge of a signal detachment, who made valiant efforts to keep the communications open under very trying conditions. When shelling cut telephone lines, he moved out to repair the lines unmindful of shells bursting all round him, and restored the telephone connection. He repeated this feat twice again in the afternoon. Thus for the defenders of Gumri the day was saved by the grit and determination of the men of Picquet No.1.

During the next three days, i.e. 4th to 6th July 1948, the Pakistanis made one determined attack on each day, apart from the almost continuous shelling of Gumri defences. Each attack, mounted by 2 - 3 company strength was beaten back by this picket, inflicting over 70 casualties on the Pakistanis; keeping the Gumri defences intact and communications through.

Thus from 18th June to 6th July 1948, for 19 days, the Pakistanis made continuous and sustained attempts to break through or wrap up the defences of 1 Patiala, but the entire ZojiLa - Machoi area held on against very heavy odds. The Pakistanis suffered heavy casualties numbering around 200 killed or wounded. But the men of 1 Patiala had also been under tremendous pressure They were engaged in combat almost continuously during this period and were exposed to intensive shelling and firing. Apart from the pressure exerted by the Pakistanis, and consequent attrition amongst the ranks of the defenders, the severity of the elements was also making adverse impact. Operating at heights ranging upto 15,000 feet without getting a hot meal or a wash, made things even more difficult. The men of 1 Patiala were getting tired and weary. Fresh troops were required for counter attacks on the Pakistanis positions, if the defences of ZojiLa were to be stabilized in the existing positions. However, Gen. Thimaya's hands were full with operations in other sectors and no additional troops could be made available for the ZojiLa area.