“…Rifleman Thaman Gurung then started to work his way to the summit, but suddenly the second scout attracted his attention to Germans… preparing to fire with a machine gun at the leading section. Realizing that if the enemy succeeded in opening fire, the section would certainly sustain heavy casualties, Rifleman Thaman Gurung leapt to his feet and charged them. Completely taken by surprise, the Germans surrendered without opening fire.

…Although the sky-line was devoid of cover and under accurate machine gun fire… Rifleman Thaman Gurung immediately crossed it, firing his Tommy gun, thus allowing the forward section to reachthe summit, but due to heavy dire from the enemy machine guns, the platoon was ordered to withdraw. Rifleman Thaman Gurung then again crossed the sky-line alone and although…exposed to heavy fire… put burst after burst of Tommy gun fire into the German slit trenches, until his ammunition ran out. He then threw two grenades he had with him and rejoining his section, collected two more grenades and again doubled over the bullet-swept crest of the hillock and hurled them at the remaining Germans. This diversion enabled both rear sections to withdraw without further loss.

Meanwhile, the leading section… was still on the summit, so Rifleman Thaman Gurung, shouting to the section to withdraw, seized a Bren Gun and a number of magazines. He then, yet again, ran to the top of the hill and, although he well knew his action meant almost certain death, stood up on the bullet-swept summit, in full view of the enemy, and opened fire at the nearest enemy positions. It was not unitl he had emptied two complete magazines, and the remaining section was well on its way to safety, that Rifleman Thaman Gurung was killed…”

Extracts from London Gazette 22 February 1945

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