Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi - Burma Campaign

Burma Campaign

On 11 June 1942, Niazi was sent to the Kekrima area of the Assam-Burma front. That spring, he was part of the 14th Army Offensive Group of the British Army commanded by General Slim. During this period, the 14th Army Group had halted the offense against the Japanese Imperial Army at the Battle of Imphal and elsewhere in bitterly fought battles along the Burma front. General Slim described his gallantry in a lengthy report to General Headquarters, India, about his judgment of the best course of action. They agreed on Niazi's skill in completely surprising the enemy, his leadership, coolness under fire, and his ability to change tactics, create diversions, extricate his wounded and withdraw his men. At the Burmese front, Niazi impressed his superior officers when, as a lieutenant, he commanded a platoon that initiated an offense against the Japanese Imperial Army at the Bauthi-Daung tunnels.

Niazi's gallantry had impressed GHQ India. They wanted to award him the Distinguished Service Order, but his rank was not high enough for such a decoration. During the campaign, Brigadier D.F.W. Warren, commanding officer of the 161st Infantry Division of the British Army, gave Niazi the soubriquet "Tiger" for his part in a ferocious fight with the Japanese. After the conflict, the British Government awarded Niazi the Military Cross for leadership, judgement, quick thinking and calmness under pressure in action along the border with Burma.

On 15 December 1944, Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, flew to Imphal and knighted Slim and his corps commanders Stopford, Scoones, and Christison in the presence of Lord Mountbatten. Only two Indian officers were chosen to be decorated at that ceremony. One was Niazi and the other Lieutenant (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw.