During Burma Campaign,8/19 Hyderabad Regiment participated in one of the bloodiest battles, the battle of Kangaw. It was fought in January-February 1944.

Kangaw lies on the coastal side about 50 miles south of Myohaung, the ancient capital of Arakan. It was the only route of withdrawal for the Japanese army and, thus, was important to both of the Japanese and the Allied forces. The battle for the control of Kangaw caves and heights raged for four weeks. Two thousand Japanese lost their lives and a substantial number of heavy equipment in a series of attacks and counter-attacks. The Japanese dropped 750 tons of bombs in eight days. Seeing the gravity of the situation, the 8/19 Hyderabad Regiment swung into action and took control of Kangaw and held on to it despite ferocious counter-attacks by the Japanese. The battalion won admiration not only of the British Commanders but also of enemy for its bravery. It had proved its mettle against a stubborn enemy, second to none in the art of waging a war. For the sterling performance of the battalion, Lt Col KS Thimayya received Distinguished Service Order and Maj Gen Wood, Commander, 25 Division said in a Special Order : Every man who landed on the Kangaw beaches can recall the feat with pride.

Praising the bravery and commitment of the battalion, Commander of 3 Commando Brigade, Brig Hardy presented a memento, a green beret, a commando headgear to Lt Col KS Thimayya and said : "We can not buy anything here but would like you to accept this, as a token of our great admiration for the bravery and achievement of your battalion".