In the First World War from 1915 to 1918 over 120,000 Gurkhas served in Europe out of which about 20,000 were wounded, died or went missing. Gurkhas were the first British unit to break the German line at Neuve Chapelle in France. They also fought in the Middle East, most notabley at Gallipoli, where they alone secured the commanding heights of Sari Bair. During this war, two Gurkhas also received the recently introduced Victoria Cross (VC), the highest medal awarded for bravery shown in the field in the face of the enemy. Kulbir Thapa won in 1915 and Karanbahadur Rana won in 1918. Meanwhile as close allies, the Nepalese Army helped to garrison India so that Gurkha troops could be released to go to the front.