Regulars
HERO OF THE MONTH
Mahmood Durrani GC
TRACES OF WAR
Durrani’s George Cross, which is displayed in London’s Imperial War Museum IWM OMD 5297A
The ability of some individuals to endure sustained torture is quite remarkable. Yet few men or women have survived the level of brutality inflicted on Mahmood Durrani for months on end during World War Two.
His courage undoubtedly saved his own life and those of the men who worked with him, it also resulted in his place in the history books as the only Japanese POW to be awarded the George Cross and to survive his wartime ordeal.
Born in Multan City, Western Punjab, India (now Pakistan) on July 1, 1914, Mahmood Khan Durrani was the son of Shahzada Hafees Ullah Khan Sadozzi, who was a surveyor and botanist. Durrani was educated at the Government Pilot Secondary School in Multan.
