"The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round." - Major Somnath Sharma, India's First Param Vir Chakra The legacy of Indian Army's heroes is as vast and varied as India itself. Among the many brave hearts who have laid down their lives for their motherland is a man whose actions in the battlefield transcended heroism. Today, on his 69th death anniversary, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar will be visiting Kashmir to pay homage to this unbelievably courageous soldier. This is the story of India's first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma. [caption id="attachment_73890" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Major Somnath Sharma[/caption] Photo Source Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 at Dadh in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. His father, Amar Nath Sharma, was a Major General in the Indian Army who later became the first director general of India's Armed Medical Services. Somnath's family had a long tradition of military service - his uncle Captain K D Vasudeva had died defending a bridge on the River Slim against the Japanese during the Malayan Campaign in World War II. Vasudeva's gallantry had made it possible for hundreds of his jawans to cross over to safety, a fact that greatly influenced Somnath throughout his career. Deeply inspired by his father and uncle, Som (as his friends and family called him) had already decided that he would join the Indian Army when he was still a child. After completing his schooling from Sherwood College in Nainital, Somnath enrolled at the Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehradun before joining the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. On February 22, 1942, Somnath was formally commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) of the Indian Army (then British Indian Army). During his early career, he served under Colonel K S Thimmayya (the only Indian to command an Infantry brigade in battle during the World War II and Chief of the Army Staff, 1957–1961) during the Arakan Operations in Burma. For meritorious action in the face of the enemy, Somnath was also awarded a 'Mention-in-Despatches'. Somnath Sharma was a part of the D Company of 4th Kumaon regiment when the Pakistani invasion of Jammu & Kashmir began on October 22, 1947. The next morning, the first troops and equipment began being airlifted from Delhi's Palam airport to Srinagar. Somnath's company was airlifted to Srinagar on 31 October 1947. [caption id="attachment_73934" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Indian troops landing at the Srinagar airport on October 27, 1947[/caption] Photo Source At that time, Somnath's right hand was in a plaster cast due to a fracture he had suffered while playing hockey. Though he was advised rest due to his injury, Somnath insisted on being with his company in the battle area and was given permission to command his unit. Their mission was simple – hold the valley of Kashmir, repel all invaders, defend the newly independent state of India. Two days later on November 3, the enemy had reached Badgam, a small town just a few miles away from the Srinagar airfield. Brigadier L.P. ‘Bogey’ Sen, commander of the 161 Infantry Brigade in Srinagar, immediately dispatched Somnath and his company to Badgam. Major Somnath Sharma reached Badgam at first light on November 3 and took up a fighting position immediately. Enemy movement had been seen near the Badgam village but Major Somnath surmised that the movement in Badgam village was meant to divert attention while the real attack would come in from the west. He was right. At 2:30 pm, supported by 3-inch and 2-inch mortars, a 500-strong force of tribal lashkars (raiders ) attacked the 50 Indian jawans of Major Somnath's company. Surrounded by the enemy from three sides, 4 Kumaon began sustaining heavy casualties from the ensuing mortar bombardment. Outnumbered by 7 to 1, Sharma immediately sent a request to Brigadier 'Bogey' Sen for reinforcements. Major Somnath Sharma knew the importance of holding onto his position. The airfield was the only lifeline between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India - if the enemy seized the airfield, they would be able to block the induction of Indian troops into the Valley by air. Realising the gravity of the situation, he urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post. Under heavy fire, Sharma ensured that his company clung to its position tenaciously, despite the fact that the forward two platoons had already fallen. [caption id="attachment_73937" align="aligncenter" width="621"] A young Major Somnath Sharma[/caption] Photo Source Other than skillfully directing the fire of his troops into the ever-advancing enemy, Major Somnath himself took upon the task filling magazines and issuing them to the light machine gunners. Even though he himself was hindered by his plastered arm, he made sure that the casualties didn't affect the speed and effectiveness of his light automatics. His last message to the headquarters stated: 'The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.' Soon after, Major Somnath Sharma was martyred in a mortar shell explosion, fighting till his last breath to stem the tide of the enemy advance. His sacrifice did not go in vain. Inspired by their leader's gallantry and tenacity, the soldiers continued to fight the enemy for six hours after Major Somnath had been killed. [caption id="attachment_73925" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Major Somnath Sharma (centre)[/caption] Photo Source The spirited defense by 4th Kumaon Regiment delayed the enemy for six crucial hours, thus gaining time for reinforcements to get into position. However, by the time the relief company of 1st Battalion Kumaon Regiment reached Badgam, the position had been overrun. Along with Major Somnath Sharma, one Junior-commissioned officer and 20 other soldiers of the D company of 4 Kumaon had been killed in battle. Despite the fact that 4th Kumaon had suffered over 50 per cent casualties, it had inflicted much heavier losses to the enemy. The raiders had lost over 200 men and their leader had been incapacitated, making their movement lose its impetus.This also bought time for additional Indian troops to land at the airport, reorganise and block all routes of ingress to Srinagar. You May Like: This Unsung Hero’s Act of Extraordinary Courage Led the Indian Army to Victory in the Kargil War Led by incredibly courageous Major Somnath Sharma, 4th Kumaon Regiment had prevented the fall of Srinagar and arguably the Kashmir Valley. For his selflessness, dogged determination and raw courage in the face of the enemy, Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded independent India's highest wartime gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra. His citation read: "His leadership, gallantry and tenacious defence were such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy outnumbering them. Major Sharma set an example of courage and qualities seldom equaled in the history of the Indian Army." [caption id="attachment_73924" align="aligncenter" width="716"] Major Somnath Sharma's PVC Citation[/caption] Photo Source Soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma are not born every day. The sacrifice of this heroic warrior must forever be remembered with gratitude by the country he died protecting. On his 69th death anniversary, we remember and salute India's first Param Vir Chakra recipient. Also Read: #KargilHeroes: The Soft-Spoken Buddhist Soldier from Ladakh who Notched India’s First Win in Kargil Like this story? Have something to share? Email: contact@thebetterindia.com, or join us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia). NEW! Log into www.gettbi.com to get positive news on Whatsapp.
fromhttps://in.news.yahoo.com/little-known-story-major-somnath-084318228.html
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