Nepal Sirmooree 2025

26 This pathway was found to be the only practicable route up the precipitous ridge, and by securing it the Company was able to deploy and mop up all enemy opposition on their objective. This objective was an essential feature covering the further advance of the Brigade and of the Division, as well as the bridgehead over the anti-tank ditch. There is no doubt that the capture of this objective was entirely due to this act of unsurpassed bravery by Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa and his small party in forcing their way up the steep gully, and up the cliffs of the arena under withering fire. The outstanding leadership, gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety shown by Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa were an example to the whole Company, and the ruthless determination of this Gurkha officer to reach his objective and kill his enemy had a decisive effect on the success of the whole operation”. Rifleman Bhanbhagta Gurung was born in September 1921 in Phalpu in the Gorkha District of Nepal and joined 3rd Battalion, 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (3/2 GR) in 1940. He saw service in the First Chindit operation in 1943 and by 1945 his battalion had advanced against the disintegrating Japanese forces down the Arakan Coast in a number of assault landings. By February 1945, the Battalion had advanced to the village of Tamandu. The road ahead was dominated by a hill feature known as ‘Snowdon’ and 3/2 GR were detailed to capture Snowdon to allow units of the 82nd West African Division safely to evacuate some of their casualties. Though the hill was initially occupied without opposition, the Japanese forces decided to retake a neighbouring hill known as Snowdon East on the night of March 4th. B Company of 3/2 GR were detailed to retake Snowdon East and during their attack, whilst subject to withering enemy fire, Bhanbhagta participated in actions for which he would be awarded the Victoria Cross, setting an example to his fellow soldiers and allowing them finally to clear the Japanese from Snowdon, despite the company taking over 50% casualties. Bhanbhagta’s citation reads as follows: “In Burma, on 5th March, 1945, a Company of the 2nd Gurkha Rifles attacked an enemy position known as Snowden East. On approaching the objective one of the sections was forced to ground by very heavy Light Machine Gun, grenade and mortar fire, and owing to the severity of this fire was unable to move in any direction. While thus pinned, the section came under RIFLEMAN BHANBHAGTA GURUNG VC AND THE BATTLE OF TAMANDU, BURMA