Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a Fijian SAS soldier, displayed notable courage while involved in the “Battle of Mirbat”. He was part of a team who had been sent to fight the Dhofarian and Communist Rebels in South Oman.
On the 19th of July 1972 two-hundred-and-fifty guerillas attacked the British Troops who were commanded by Captain Mike Kealy. The battle began at 6.00am with only nine SAS soldiers to hold the guerillas back, for some hours, until relief forces arrived.
When fighting commenced, Sgt. Labalaba ran over to a 25 pounder gun and began firing at guerilla froces. The SAS requested further air support as it became evident that the nine B Squadron 22nd British SAS unit soldiers were clearly overpowered by the enemy.
A message was received that Sgt. Labalaba had been hit on the chin and it is said that he uttered, with remarkable composure, “The enemy is getting a bit close”. Another Fijian Soldier, Trooper Savesaki, ran over to help Sgt. Labalaba as bullets flew around him. Not only had the 25 pounder gun been heavily attacked and its shield significanlty damaged by bullets but Sgt. Labalaba was badly injured. It wasn’t long before Trooper Savesaki was shot in the shoulder and head, while helping Sgt. Labalaba, but he was remarkably still able to fire his gun. Captain Kealy and Trooper Tobin took over from the injured Fijians and The Captain promptly called for an immediate air strike and at approximately 12.30 the guerillas surrendered.
The guerillas lost 30 men that day - the SAS soldiers lost two: Sgt. Labalaba and Trooper Tobin.
Sadly, Sgt. Talaiasi Labalaba died heroically during this battle while Trooper Savesaki survived injuries that should have killed him. Instead, after the battle, he walked calmy over to the helicopter, unassisted.
Probably because the British Government did not want to publish their involvement in this battle, no awards were given to the Fijian heroes until three years later when Sgt. Labalaba was posthumously Mentioned in Dispatches. Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) is a military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service. The award is relatively common, does not confer a medal and is relatively low in the order of precedence.
In comparisson, Captain Kealy received a Distinguished Service Order, two other soldiers obtained a Military Cross each and Trooper Tobin was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Conduct medal. Both of these Fijian soldiers were willing to give their lives for England and should have been honoured accordingly.
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