“If I had Gurkhas, I can win the whole world.” – Adolf Hitler

“If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.” – Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

The Gurkhas are warriors native to Nepal who are famous for their unquestionable loyalty, ambition, ferocity and resolve. They first gained fame during the Gurkha War in 1814, when the British East India Company tried to invade Nepal and failed. Impressed by their combat skills and bravery (which was unlike anything the British had ever encountered in their enemies), the British offered to hire the Gurkhas to fight for them. Gurkhas went on to fight for the British in both World Wars.

After India gained independence in 1947, the original ten Gurkha regiments were split between the British Army and the new Indian Army. Today, the Gurkhas have highly served in their native country Nepal, Singapore, Brunei and are sometimes employed by the United States.

New York based Nepali singer Uges Limbu caught up with a World War 2 veteran – Arazio R Pando aka Richie from 1st CAV. Division, the US Army. He talked about the bravery of the gurkha soldiers. Watch the video and hear wha he has to say.