Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite

[$@rJen]

Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite ​

Not everyone gets to be one’s enemy’s favourite – but with Gorakha/Gurkha regiment, things were different. On one hand they gave a tough fight to Germans during World War II and on the other, won Adolf Hitler’s admiration for their fighting spirit.

The East India Company tried to invade Nepal but in return, they suffered heavy casualties. Gurkhas trashed the British invaders hard, making them return without having achieved anything. The little Nepali fighters were, as if, born to win. With a motto – ‘It is better to die than be a coward’, each one, before dying, killed several of the opponent’s force by their conventional guns and khukris (a small Nepali knife); and yet, they were calm, simple people with a peaceful expression on their faces.

The British were startled by their abilities and valour, and signed a peace deal with Gurkhas in 1815, thus including a Gurkha regiment in the British Army. The regiments stood by their British counterparts in every hour of their need and won 13 Victoria Crosses between them, the highest British award for bravery. More than 200,000 of them fought in the two world wars and have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Even today England has a separate Gurkha regiment by the name of “Royal Gurkha Rifles” comprising people only from Nepal despite not being a dependent territory of England or a member of the commonwealth.

The Gurkhas were especially invincible in close-quarter fights. Their slender body gave them unbeatable agility, enough to surprise the enemy and offer him a fatal blow in no time. Gurkhas gave Hitler’s German forces such a hard time during the World War II that he said in admiration, “If I had Gurkha, I can win the whole world.” He used to call them ‘Black Devils’. Though unconfirmed, it is said that as a token of his admiration, Hitler sent many gifts to Nepali kings. Apparently, the first Mercedes Car to the Nepali land was sent by Hitler.

Even in the Indian Army, the tales of Gurkha valour are aplenty. According to a popular story, during 1965 Indo-Pakistani war, Gurkha regiment was in combat at Tanot Mata border. Pakistani army had tall, hefty pathans recruited as soldiers. In an instance, a tall Pathan ridiculed the little Gurkha saying that the latter won’t even reach his waist. The Gorkha charged the laughing pathan and swung his small khukri. The pathan roared, “you can’t even reach me, midget”. After this, the Gurkha asked the Pathan to turn his head and the moment Pathan did so, his head dropped off. The Gurkha had sliced the Pathan in the blink of an eye, and the giant was lifeless even before he realized.

Such are our Gurkhas and their breathtaking tales of courage and gallantry. The Gurkhas fight for their prestige, people and their nation, with absolute disregard for their life or safety. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw had rightly said, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”

- See more at: Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite » The Indian Republic

 

[sharjeel1992]

How much of this is true? (The pathan soldier part)
Any old book references will be appreciated.
PS: Do not say it is in news so it is true.

 

[Saiful Islam]

Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite ​

Not everyone gets to be one’s enemy’s favourite – but with Gorakha/Gurkha regiment, things were different. On one hand they gave a tough fight to Germans during World War II and on the other, won Adolf Hitler’s admiration for their fighting spirit.

The East India Company tried to invade Nepal but in return, they suffered heavy casualties. Gurkhas trashed the British invaders hard, making them return without having achieved anything. The little Nepali fighters were, as if, born to win. With a motto – ‘It is better to die than be a coward’, each one, before dying, killed several of the opponent’s force by their conventional guns and khukris (a small Nepali knife); and yet, they were calm, simple people with a peaceful expression on their faces.

The British were startled by their abilities and valour, and signed a peace deal with Gurkhas in 1815, thus including a Gurkha regiment in the British Army. The regiments stood by their British counterparts in every hour of their need and won 13 Victoria Crosses between them, the highest British award for bravery. More than 200,000 of them fought in the two world wars and have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Even today England has a separate Gurkha regiment by the name of “Royal Gurkha Rifles” comprising people only from Nepal despite not being a dependent territory of England or a member of the commonwealth.

The Gurkhas were especially invincible in close-quarter fights. Their slender body gave them unbeatable agility, enough to surprise the enemy and offer him a fatal blow in no time. Gurkhas gave Hitler’s German forces such a hard time during the World War II that he said in admiration, “If I had Gurkha, I can win the whole world.” He used to call them ‘Black Devils’. Though unconfirmed, it is said that as a token of his admiration, Hitler sent many gifts to Nepali kings. Apparently, the first Mercedes Car to the Nepali land was sent by Hitler.

Even in the Indian Army, the tales of Gurkha valour are aplenty. According to a popular story, during 1965 Indo-Pakistani war, Gurkha regiment was in combat at Tanot Mata border. Pakistani army had tall, hefty pathans recruited as soldiers. In an instance, a tall Pathan ridiculed the little Gurkha saying that the latter won’t even reach his waist. The Gorkha charged the laughing pathan and swung his small khukri. The pathan roared, “you can’t even reach me, midget”. After this, the Gurkha asked the Pathan to turn his head and the moment Pathan did so, his head dropped off. The Gurkha had sliced the Pathan in the blink of an eye, and the giant was lifeless even before he realized.

Such are our Gurkhas and their breathtaking tales of courage and gallantry. The Gurkhas fight for their prestige, people and their nation, with absolute disregard for their life or safety. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw had rightly said, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”

- See more at: Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite » The Indian Republic

Honestly, that sounds like bullsh-t. In the heat of time, especially in combat, I'm sure they won't have the time to exchange words, especially if the Gurkha sliced his head off. Sounds like they were having a candle lit dinner or something.

 

[Icarus]

Even in the Indian Army, the tales of Gurkha valour are aplenty. According to a popular story, during 1965 Indo-Pakistani war, Gurkha regiment was in combat at Tanot Mata border. Pakistani army had tall, hefty pathans recruited as soldiers. In an instance, a tall Pathan ridiculed the little Gurkha saying that the latter won’t even reach his waist. The Gorkha charged the laughing pathan and swung his small khukri. The pathan roared, “you can’t even reach me, midget”. After this, the Gurkha asked the Pathan to turn his head and the moment Pathan did so, his head dropped off. The Gurkha had sliced the Pathan in the blink of an eye, and the giant was lifeless even before he realized.

Guys were talking in the middle of hand to hand combat? That's a load of crap and then there's the part in bold. A decapitated man, not knowing that he's decapitated and talking to boot.
Although Gurkhas are great fighters, this particular paragraph casts doubts on the accuracy of the entire article.

 

[neehar]

i dont know how true the above story is but this sure sounds interesting
John Foster Dulles( ex-secretary of state):we must have pakistan on our side so we'll have gurkas on our side,because the gurkhas are great fighters.
his assosiate: "but mr.dullas the gurkhas are on indian side"

 

[errant]

Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite ​

Not everyone gets to be one’s enemy’s favourite – but with Gorakha/Gurkha regiment, things were different. On one hand they gave a tough fight to Germans during World War II and on the other, won Adolf Hitler’s admiration for their fighting spirit.

The East India Company tried to invade Nepal but in return, they suffered heavy casualties. Gurkhas trashed the British invaders hard, making them return without having achieved anything. The little Nepali fighters were, as if, born to win. With a motto – ‘It is better to die than be a coward’, each one, before dying, killed several of the opponent’s force by their conventional guns and khukris (a small Nepali knife); and yet, they were calm, simple people with a peaceful expression on their faces.

The British were startled by their abilities and valour, and signed a peace deal with Gurkhas in 1815, thus including a Gurkha regiment in the British Army. The regiments stood by their British counterparts in every hour of their need and won 13 Victoria Crosses between them, the highest British award for bravery. More than 200,000 of them fought in the two world wars and have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Even today England has a separate Gurkha regiment by the name of “Royal Gurkha Rifles” comprising people only from Nepal despite not being a dependent territory of England or a member of the commonwealth.

The Gurkhas were especially invincible in close-quarter fights. Their slender body gave them unbeatable agility, enough to surprise the enemy and offer him a fatal blow in no time. Gurkhas gave Hitler’s German forces such a hard time during the World War II that he said in admiration, “If I had Gurkha, I can win the whole world.” He used to call them ‘Black Devils’. Though unconfirmed, it is said that as a token of his admiration, Hitler sent many gifts to Nepali kings. Apparently, the first Mercedes Car to the Nepali land was sent by Hitler.

Even in the Indian Army, the tales of Gurkha valour are aplenty. According to a popular story, during 1965 Indo-Pakistani war, Gurkha regiment was in combat at Tanot Mata border. Pakistani army had tall, hefty pathans recruited as soldiers. In an instance, a tall Pathan ridiculed the little Gurkha saying that the latter won’t even reach his waist. The Gorkha charged the laughing pathan and swung his small khukri. The pathan roared, “you can’t even reach me, midget”. After this, the Gurkha asked the Pathan to turn his head and the moment Pathan did so, his head dropped off. The Gurkha had sliced the Pathan in the blink of an eye, and the giant was lifeless even before he realized.

Such are our Gurkhas and their breathtaking tales of courage and gallantry. The Gurkhas fight for their prestige, people and their nation, with absolute disregard for their life or safety. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw had rightly said, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”

- See more at: Trivia of the day: Gurkha Regiment was Hitler’s favourite » The Indian Republic

A thoroughly romantic version of what actually did take place during the Anglo Nepali wars but reality is a bitter pill to swallow.

The Gurkhas are superb and valiant fighters who offered no quarter but in the battles fought against the British they were hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned. Nevertheless, the British found it extremely difficult to overcome these fighters but eventually they did:-

Anglo-Nepalese War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Aarush]

I believe Pathan too are good fighters but Gurkhas are superb, it is not only an indian view but countries like UK, Gemany acknowledge it....

 

[OrionHunter]

I believe Pathan too are good fighters but Gurkhas are superb, it is not only an indian view but countries like UK, Gemany acknowledge it....

You're right! Pathans are great fighters but so are the Gorkhas. Their dexterity with their Khukris is breathtaking!

(Above pics) Indian Army's 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles, during an exercise with the
U.S. Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division,
at Fort Bragg, N.C.

A Gurkha soldier getting ready for the Republic Day Parade.

 

[Trev]

I believe Pathan too are good fighters but Gurkhas are superb, it is not only an indian view but countries like UK, Gemany acknowledge it....

Rajput are superior too both.

 

[Android]

Stop this Martial Race crap

 

[Trev]

Stop this Martial Race crap

No, Pakistan is home of the martial races and baniya Gurkhas cannot compare to Muslim Pathan warriors. Pakistan is fortress of warriors from all over the world infact the Ottoman Empire was founded in Pakistan.

 

[bloo]

That pathan story..........meh

But Gurkhas are amazing CQC specialists and I'm proud of our Gurkha regiments.