*Reference : 1st OTS Armoured Corps Officers' Group Photo ( July 1949) . Seated , L to R at No 8 . Siege of Tobruk to Battle of Chawinda : Capt Yousaf Ali Khan ( red dot). Later, PA 1720 Maj Yusaf Ali Khan (1917–1997) 18th Cavalry, Central India Horse ( CIH ) , 6 Lancers, 25 Cavalry & 33T DU (Tank Delivery Unit)*
*Reference : 1st OTS Armoured Corps Officers' Group Photo ( July 1949) .
Seated , L to R at No 8 . Siege of Tobruk to Battle of Chawinda : Capt Yousaf Ali Khan ( red dot). Later, PA 1720 Maj Yusaf Ali Khan (1917–1997) 18th Cavalry, Central India Horse ( CIH ) , 6 Lancers, 25 Cavalry & 33T DU (Tank Delivery Unit)*
PA 1720 (IC 1467) Major Yusaf Ali Khan was born on 14 March 1917 into the martial Kaim Khani (KK) Rajput clan. He enlisted in the Indian Army in 1935 and was posted to the 18th Cavalry, which later took part in the defence of Tobruk during the Second World War under the 9th Australian Division, commanded by Lt Gen Sir Leslie Morshead.
During the campaign, Yusaf served as the unit’s Intelligence NCO and was once entrusted to drive General Morshead through minefields at night. His remarkable sense of direction and calm under pressure so impressed the General that he personally commended Yusaf to the unit’s commanding officer.
"Lt Gen Sir Leslie Morshead was regarded as Australia’s greatest soldier after Blamey. His victories over Gen Erwin Rommel at Tobruk and El Alamein in World War II were decisive and helped alter the course of the war.(Reference: “Morshead: Hero of Tobruk and El Alamein” by David L. Coombes.).
On 16 September 1942, Yusaf was promoted to Junior Commissioned Officer and posted to Syria. He later attended the Tank Gunnery Course at the British School of Armour, Cairo, where his outstanding performance earned him a Viceroy’s Commission. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 9 June 1945 and subsequently posted to the Central India Horse , then serving in Greece.