Abdul Hafiz VC

Rao Abdul Abdul Hafiz Khan was born on 4th September 1925 in the village of Kalanaur, Punjab. He joined the 9th Jat Regiment of the British Indian Army before the Second World War.

In April 1944, the 9th Jats found themselves north of Imphal, as Allied forces battled the Japanese Army. On the 6th of April Abdul Hafiz and his men were ordered to attack Japanese forces on a hill overlooking them.

A citation for the Victoria Cross (VC) that Abdul Hafiz would be awarded, published in the London Gazette on the 27th of July 1944, reads;

“…. Abdul Hafiz led the attack … up a completely bare slope with no cover, and was very steep near the crest … On reaching the crest Jemadar Abdul Hafiz was wounded in the leg … So fierce was the attack, and all his men so inspired by the determination of Jemadar Abdul Hafiz to kill all enemy in sight at whatever cost, that the enemy … ran away down the opposite slope of the hill … Jemadar Abdul Hafiz was badly wounded in the chest from this machine-gun fire and collapsed … attempting to fire at the retreating enemy, and shouting at the same time “Re-organise on the position and I will give covering fire.” He died shortly afterwards.

The inspiring leadership and great bravery displayed by Jemadar Abdul Hafiz in spite of having been twice wounded … so encouraged his men that the position was captured … The complete disregard for his own safety and his determination to capture and hold the position at all costs was an example to all ranks, which it would be difficult to equal.”

At just 18 years old Abdul Hafiz became the youngest VC recipient from the British Indian Army. He is buried in Imphal Indian War Cemetery.

Image source: Victoria Cross & George Cross Association, (vcgca.org)