Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1944 ‘Burma operations’ M.M. and 1945 Second Award Bar awarded to Havildar Mohammed Akbar, 2/1st Punjab Regiment, for repeated acts of skilful leadership and gallantry during operations from the Assam - Burma Frontier through to Meiktila, August 1944 - March 1945. A fine section commander who often carried out personal reconnaissance missions, crawling into Japanese positions at the dead of night

Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (9863 Hav Mohd Akbar Punjab R) very fine £1,200-£1,600

M.M. London Gazette 13 September 1945

The Recommendation states: ‘Assam - Burma Frontier 16 August to 15 November 1944. Havildar Mohammed Akbat has commanded a Platoon with skill throughout the campaign showing outstanding bravery, initiative and determination.
On 31 October he crawled right into a Jap position and observed for three hours, marking down bunkers and posts. He returned with valuable information which enabled his platoon to destroy the forward post of the position.
On November Havildar Mohammed Akbar’s Platoon was detailed to jitter a defended enemy gun position, with two other men he crawled up to and made a careful reconnaissance of the enemy position. He was therefore able to dispose his platoon to the best advantage and by harassing the enemy all night caused casualties and compelled the enemy to pull out from their position, thus greatly assisting the course of operations.’

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 20 September 1945

The recommendation (originally for an immediate I.D.S.M.) states: ‘Burma Campaign 1945. On 31 March 1945 Havildar Mohammed Akbar was commanding a Platoon of ‘C’ Coy, 2/1st Punjab Regiment which carried out an attack on a party of 100 Japs near the village of Letpanzauk in Meiktila District. His Platoon was given the task of going behind the Jap position and attacking the enemy in rear while he was engaged with another Platoon attacking from a flank.
After a quick and careful reconnaissance close to the Japanese position Havildar Mohammed Akbar by skilful use of dead ground lead his Platoon to the rear of the Jap position unobserved.
Putting in his attack Havildar Mohammed Akbar went with the forward sections cheering on his men. With his inspiring example the men went in with great dash and completely bewildered the enemy. His control throughout the engagement was magnificent and as a result 16 Japs were killed by his Platoon, and their dump captured.
The success of this action was due to the speed of action, cool courage, and power of command of this N.C.O. and had a great effect on the battle by demoralising the enemy in the forward and flank positions.’