Fazal Din Corporal in the British Indian Army, posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Date of Birth: 01.07.1921 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Fazal Din

Fazal Din, a corporal in the British Indian Army, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious military award in the United Kingdom. He was born on July 1, 1921, in Hoshiarpur, a city in the Punjab state of India, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The region is known for its relatively mild climate. Fazal Din's family belonged to the Muslim community of Hoshiarpur.

At the time of his death, Fazal Din was only 23 years old and served as a corporal in the 7th Battalion of the 10th Baluch Regiment of the British Indian Army. Although the battalion and regiment have since been renamed, they exist today as the 15th Battalion of The Baloch Regiment in the Pakistani Army. During World War II, Fazal Din's battalion fought against Japanese forces in the Burma Campaign.

On March 2, 1945, near the Burmese city of Meiktila, which had been the site of a major battle between the Japanese and Allied forces under the leadership of General William Slim, Fazal Din commanded a unit that participated in the attack on Japanese bunkers. His men faced heavy machine gun fire and grenades from multiple concrete bunkers. Displaying immense personal bravery, Din fearlessly attacked the nearest stronghold, silencing several machine guns with grenade explosions. He then led his soldiers towards the next fortification, but six Japanese soldiers emerged from a nearby structure, led by two officers wielding swords. One of Din's comrades, armed with a Bren light machine gun, shot and killed one of the enemy officers and a soldier, but ran out of ammunition. The second Japanese officer fatally wounded him with a sword.

Fazal Din rushed to assist his comrades, but the Japanese officer struck him with the sword, inflicting a chest wound. Despite the severe injury, Din managed to wrest the sword from his enemy's grasp and killed two more Japanese soldiers. Encouraging his men to continue the attack, he staggered and fell, making his way to his unit's headquarters to make a report. However, when he arrived, his comrades had already left. He was urgently transported to a field hospital, but unfortunately, Fazal Din succumbed to his injuries and died shortly after. The entire platoon witnessed his heroic actions, and inspired by the bravery of the Punjab corporal, they continued the assault and eventually eliminated the 55-man Japanese garrison.

Fazal Din's incredible dedication to duty, even while mortally wounded, his extraordinary spirit, and exceptional courage made him a legend in the British Indian Army. For his valorous act, Fazal Din was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.