The Gurkhas live

One of the great rewards of reading Second World War history is stumbling across the exploits of the Gurkhas, "the wee fellows with the kris [knife]"--lads from Nepal who achieved wonders of heroism in British service. By golly, they're still at it! Here is Corporal Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross from Elizabeth II. "Pun fired more than 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine to repel the Taliban assault on his checkpoint near Babaji in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, last September." Crikey, what took the Queen so long? Blue skies! -- Dan Ford