Daryl-
My father was in awe of the Gurkas during WWII when he was a RCAF navigator in the 'Over The Hump" to Burma.
Now there is an organization for Gurka vets: http://www.gwt.org.uk/
Cheers
Derek
My grandfather said that they would be in a foxhole in the middle of pitch black night. Suddenly, they would be aware of someone's fingers running along the edge of their helmet. It was a Gurkha fighter. The German helmets had a notch in the side. They said they were told to stand still, a kukri was at their throat.
That is quite a feat and congratulations to him.
That's a tough play ground over there. and the play ground rules aren't exactly even. you catch the bad guy and the hearts and minds people let him go in a few weeks. The bad guy catches you and you're a you-tube celebrity as they saw off your head with a knife while shouting "Allah Akbar!"
I remember when we were training on the Big Island once and there was a Battalion of these guys on joint exercises. They're famous for their knives, my First Sergeant asked one of them if he could check his knife out. The guy promptly sliced himself and let my First Sargent check out his knife. If they pull it out they must draw blood was what I was told.
Encountering one of these guys in close confines(like in a cave) would have been a Taliban's worst nightmare. Sorta like wrestling a bobcat in a phone booth.
Ralph
From a Wikipedia quote, attributed to Former Chief of staff of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw:
"If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha"
Interesting too is the Gurkha history, especially their inaugural challenge of stemming the tide of Islam in the 8th. Century in the area now known as Afghanistan. It's been going on a looooong time.
phd
Derek;
My Grandfather was an Army Air Corps cargo pilot that flew relief flights over the hump into Burma.
Randy Rain
What is it with those guys and 30-1 and 40-1 odds? And coming out on top
:good:
