Born on 20 October
1888 into a Minhas Rajput family in the village of Dab in Chakwal District
(then a tehsil of District Jhelum) of the Punjab Province, British India (now
Pakistan), Khudadad Khan was a Sepoy in the 129th Duke of Connaught's Own
Baluchis, British Indian Army (now 11th Battalion The Baloch Regiment of
Pakistan Army). The battalion formed part of the Indian Corps, which was sent
to France in 1914, to shore up the British forces fighting on the Western Front
during the First World War.
In October 1914,
the Germans launched a major offensive in northern Belgium, in order to capture
the vital ports of Boulogne in France and Nieuport in Belgium. In what came to
be known as the First Battle of Ypres, the newly arrived 129th Baluchis were rushed
to the frontline to support the hard-pressed British troops. On 31 October, two
companies of the Baluchis bore the brunt of the main German attack near the
village of Gheluvelt in Hollebeke Sector. The out-numbered Baluchis fought
gallantly but were overwhelmed after suffering heavy casualties. Sepoy Khudadad
Khan’s machine-gun team, along with one other, kept their guns in action
throughout the day; preventing the Germans from making the final breakthrough.
The other gun was disabled by a shell and eventually Khudadad Khan’s own team
was overrun. All the men were killed by bullets or bayonets except Khudadad
Khan who, despite being badly wounded, had continued working his gun. He was
left for dead by the enemy but despite his wounds he managed to crawl back to
his regiment during the night. Thanks to his bravery, and that of his fellow
Baluchis, the Germans were held up just long enough for Indian and British
reinforcements to arrive. They strengthened the line, and prevented the German
Army from reaching the vital ports. For his matchless feat of courage and
gallantry, Sepoy Khudadad Khan was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Khudadad Khan
retired as a Subedar. He died in 1971 and is buried in Chak No. 25, Mandi
Bahauddin. His Victoria Cross is on display at his ancestral house in Village Dab
(Chakwal), Pakistan.
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d8, Spirit d8, Strength
d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Fighting d6, Intimidation d8, Knowledge (Battle)
6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d6, Throwing d8
Charisma: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Sanity:
5;
Toughness: 6
Hindrances: Code of Honor, Stubborn
Edges: Command, Dig In!, Hold the Line!
Gear: Uniform, canteen, steel helmet (+1), Lee- Enfield
rifle (Range 24/48/96, Damage 2d8) with 150 rounds
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