Miracle During World War II

From abstracts of Sikh Studies, published by Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh The Khalsa Samachar New Delhi, Translation by Colonel Amrik Singh.

In 1964, when some of the holy weapons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were brought back from England, an Englishman, in complete Sikh form accompanied the weapons. The Englishman was asked by someone the reason for his adopting the Sikh form. Was it due to respect for the weapons or was there any other reason? The explanation given by him at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is being reproduced for the benefit of the readers.

“My name was A. David. I happened to be commanding a Sikh Regiment during World War II. My Regiment suffered very heavy losses fighting the Germans. Most of the soldiers of my Battalion were killed. Only a few survived and we were all surrounded by the Germans. As there were very remote chances of our survival, I called the Subedar major of the Battalion and informed him about our precarious situation. Death was facing us and there was no chance of our survival. I suggested to him that the soldiers should individually attempt to escape from the enemy encirclement and save their lives.

The Subedar Major replied, “We cannot bring ignominy to the Sikh Regiment by running away from the battlefield.” However, he had a suggestion that they should perform “Akhand-Path” ceremony and take action as per the Divine Hukam (Holy-Command). Accordingly, necessary security arrangements were made and the “Akhand-Path” ceremony was completed without interruption. After the supplicatory Ardas (Prayer), the Divine Hukam from the Holly Book was explained to me by Subedar Major and the Granthi (Religious Teacher). As per the divine Hukam, we should not abandon the battlefield, victory will be ours.

“Then I conveyed to them the miracle that I had witnessed during the supplicatory prayer. While standing with my eyes closed during the Ardas, a fully armed Sikh on a horseback with a unique grandeur appeared in front of me and ordered “Follow me”. I pointed out the direction in which the fully armed Sikh went after giving the order and asked them about the identity of the warrior. The Subedar Major said that as per my description, he was none other than Guru Gobind Singh Ji Mahraaj.

“So, we got ready and launched an attack in the direction pointed out by the Guru. After a short while, we were able to break through the German encirclement and save ourselves. We then got in touch with the Brigade Commander on wireless and requested for additional help.

“After the war, I reflected upon the incident and the divine personality who had saved me and my men’s lives from an impregnable enemy encirclement in a desperate situation by ordering me to follow him. I made up my mind to follow him for the rest of my life. I resigned from the Army and along with my daughter, embraced Sikhism with the initiation ceremony of the Khalsa.

Now my name is Devinder Singh and my daughter’s name is Surjit Kaur. This is due to the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji that he took pity on us and made us his disciples.”