Lance Naik HARI GAVAS 4208, 3rd Bn., 5th Mahratta Light Infantry who died age 29 on 25 March 1941 Son of Parvati Bai; husband of Bhagirthi Bai, of Hiwale, Ratnagiri, India. Remembered with honour KEREN CREMATION MEMORIAL CWGC :: Cemetery Details
The main attack was fixed to start early on March 25. It had been postponed by a day. Just before midnight on the 24th patrols from Captain Timbrell's company of the 2nd West Yorkshires, after hearing enemy talking on the reverse slope of Hillock 'A,' occupied this small feature. And by half-past four two companies had been established there by Colonel Langran. At the same time Reid's Mahrattas took Hillock 'B' against heavy opposition. Their attack was due to start at half-past four. It was later discovered that an Italian counter-attack had been planned for the same time, but was postponed because the supporting tanks did not arrive. So Reid's men found themselves outnumbered and fighting against an enemy well dug in. By seven o'clock on March 25 the Indian troops had surprised the enemy on Red Hill. Our casualties were heavy when the Italians retaliated from Falestoh with mortar fire, but the defences of the road-block to the south had now been cleared. Anthony Brett-James. Ball of Fire. Fifth Indian Division in the Second World War. 1951. Chapters 4-5.
