Gurkha troops with their legendary Kukri knife drawn for battle
Gurkha troops from the Himalayan mountains in Nepal and are known for their bravery in battle and the expert use of their unique knife in hand to hand combat.  They have served for 200 years in the British army.  The Gurkha regiments have been awarded 13 Victoria Crosses for bravery in combat.  This is a German postcard.

Gurkha soldier with his legendary Kukri
A British officer who was familiar with these Nepalese troops described on them in his report,   "they are small of stature, large of heart, accustomed to hardship, good natured with a sense of humor, loyal unto death, more disciplined than any fighting force in the world, brave and capable and absolutely without fear."  Their motto was "better dead than a live coward".

Gurkhas in France, 1915