page_title: Battle of Mirbat
section_title: Aftermath
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Mirbat / Aftermath
caption_attribution_description: English: The 25-pounder gun, now known as the "Mirbat gun" used by Fijian, Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba during the Battle of Mirbat. Taken at the Firepower museum of the Royal Artillery Woolwich.
context_page_description: The Battle of Mirbat took place on 19 July 1972 during the Dhofar Rebellion in Oman, which was supported by Communist guerrillas from South Yemen. Britain assisted the Omani government by sending elements of its Special Air Service both to train soldiers and compete against the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf guerrillas for the "hearts and minds" of the Omani people.
context_section_description: The 25-pounder gun (now known as the "Mirbat gun") used by Fijian Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba during the siege is now housed in the Firepower museum of the Royal Artillery at the former Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Though killed in action, Sgt Labalaba displayed remarkable bravery by singlehandedly operating the 25-pounder gun, a weapon normally requiring four to six soldiers to operate. Labalaba's heroism was a key factor in halting the Adoo's assault on the emplacement, allowing time for reinforcements to arrive. Labalaba was awarded a posthumous Mention in Dispatches for his actions in the Battle of Mirbat, though some of his comrades have since campaigned for him to be awarded the more prestigious Victoria Cross.
  The following SAS soldiers were present at Mirbat on 19 July 1972:
  Captain Mike Kealy
  Staff Sergeant Talaiasi "Laba" Labalaba (Killed in action)
  Sergeant Bob Bennett
  Corporal Roger Cole
  Corporal Jeff Taylor
  Lance Corporal P. Warne (Also known as Pete Wignall, Pete Winner & Soldier I, nickname Snapper)
  Trooper Sekonaia "Tak" Takavesi
  Trooper Thomas Tobin (Died of wounds)
  Austin "Fuzz" Hussey
  Kealy received the Distinguished Service Order, Takavesi the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Bennett and McNeice the Military Medal. These were announced three years after the event. An Omani from the fort, Walid Khamis, was injured during the battle and received the Sultan's Gallantry Medal - Oman's highest award.
  The battle was underreported, and many considered the SAS team deserving of further individual awards for gallantry. However, many in Oman at that time perceived a desire by HM Government and the MoD to downplay incidents of direct involvement of British service personnel in military action.  The British Military Intelligence Corporal received a medal for gallantry from the Sultan (for this action and others), but was threatened with disciplinary action by the British Army for being directly involved in the action at Mirbat.
caption: "Mirbat gun" at the Firepower museum of the Royal Artillery
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