Ali Haidar
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Ali Haidar (August 21, 1913 - July 15, 1999) was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 31 years old, and a Sepoy in the 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 9 April 1945 near Fusignano, Italy, during the crossing of the Senio River, only Sepoy Ali Haidar and the two other men of his section managed to get across under heavy machine-gun fire. Then, while the other two covered him, the sepoy attacked the nearest strong point and, in spite of being wounded, put it out of action. In attacking a second strong-point he was again severely wounded but managed to crawl closer, throw a grenade and charge the post; two of the enemy were wounded, the remaining two surrendered. The rest of the company were than able to cross the river and establish a bridgehead.
[edit] Further information
He was born in Kohat, N.W. Frontier, India which is now Pakistan. He later achieved the rank of Havildar.
From The Times 21 July 1999 Obituaries: JEMADAR ALI HAIDAR, VC
JEMADAR ALI HAIDAR, VC
Bravery saved a perilous situation for his battalion
Jemadar Ali Haidar, VC, died at his home in the Kohat District
of Pakistan on July 15 aged 85. He was born on August 21, 1913.
ALI HAIDAR was the only Pathan to receive the Victoria Cross in
the Second World War. His death reduces the number of living Second
World War VCs to 25. The action which brought him his award typifies
the sense of duty to comrades of the men of the North-West frontier
region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where warfare between
tribes or against an invader is a way of life. He was serving as a
sepoy (private soldier) in what would be regarded as his local
regiment - the 13th Frontier Force Rifles.
By the early spring of 1945 the 8th Army's long slog up Italy
appeared almost over, yet one final offensive was required to clear
the German 10th Army out of the north-eastern corner of the
peninsula. The enemy had plenty of fight left in him. General von
Vietinghoff had replaced Field-Marshal Kesselring in March but
inherited his instructions to hold northern Italy for as long as
possible.
Unusually dry weather in January had allowed the 8th Army to
close up to the River Senio on the northern Adriatic coast. From
there it was planned to break into the plain of the Po and trap the
opposing German forces before they could escape across the river.
But first it was essential to cross and establish bridgeheads
over the Senio. The offensive was opened on April 9 by General Sir
Charles Keightley's 5th Corps with the 8th Indian and 2nd New
Zealand Divisions leading on the right and left respectively. The
6/13th Frontier Force Rifles, to which Ali Haidar belonged, were
with 19th Indian Brigade of the 8th Division.
The crossing of the Senio began in daylight after a prolonged
artillery bombardment and close support bombing by the United States
Army Air Force. Ali Haidar was with the extreme left-hand section of
his battalion.
The assault boats came under accurate machinegun fire as soon as
they left the river bank and, of his section, only he and two
comrades reached the far side. The remainder of the company were
held up by sustained fire from two enemy posts thirty and sixty
yards away.
Without waiting for orders, Ali Haidar told his comrades to cover
him and charged the nearer post and threw in a grenade. Almost
simultaneously the enemy threw one at him, wounding him severely in
the back. Undeterred, he continued his lone attack and charged into
the post and forced the occupants to surrender.
Leaving the prisoners with his two comrades, he began to stalk
the second post but was again wounded in the right arm and leg.
Although weakened by loss of blood he crawled closer, raised himself
from the ground, threw a grenade and charged into the second post.
Two enemy were wounded and the other two surrendered. Immediately
the second enemy post was silenced, his company launched its assault
boats, crossed the river and established its bridgehead.
Ali Haidar was picked up and carried to the river bank. His
citation for the award of the Victoria Cross concluded: "The
conspicuous gallantry, initiative and determination, combined with a
complete disregard for his own life, shown by this very brave sepoy
in the face of heavy odds were an example to the whole company. His
heroism saved an ugly situation which would - but for his personal
bravery - have caused the battalion serious casualties at a critical
time and delayed the crossing of the river."
Once over the Senio, the 6/13th Frontier Force Rifles made a
rapid advance and gained all their objectives. In the process they
took 220 prisoners.
Ali Haidar's wounds were indeed serious and he was unable to
return to active duty with his regiment until after the war. He did
eventually return and served until he had achieved the rank of
Jemadar (platoon officer). He then retired to his home district in
the North-West Frontier province of Pakistan to run a small scrub
farm with his wife.
Finally, age and poor health obliged him to sell his farm, as he
had no children to help with the work or to support him and his
wife. The fact that they were finding life extremely hard was
highlighted when he visited London for a reunion of the Victoria
Cross and George Cross Association in 1993. His wife had been ill
and the couple depended entirely on a modest Indian Army pension and
the £100 per year paid to all VC holders by the British Government.
The Pakistan High Commission in London was able to give him some
financial support in 1993. Two years later, he and his wife's
circumstances were much improved when the VC pension paid by the
British Government was increased to £1,300 per annum.
Ali Haidar visited England again for the 1995 celebrations to
mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. He
took part in the parade of the surviving Second World War holders of
the Victoria Cross who were able to attend. Although he was little
more than five feet tall and he spoke little English, his soldierly
bearing, decorative Pathan pugri and brilliant smile made him
an instantly popular figure.
He married, in 1947, Meena Jan, daughter of Hussain Ghulam and
Mehtab Jain. His wife, invariably known simply as "Begum Ali Haidar,
VC", predeceased him.
[edit] The medal
Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed. http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ggpakist.htm#top This website indicates that the Medal is held by the Lord Ashcroft Collection. I have also added the http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/vvashcro.htm which takes you directly to the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection website.
[edit] Reference
- John Cawkill
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Ali Haider
- Burial location of Ali Haider "Pakistan"
