 | PARAM VIR CHAKRA :Major Somnath Sharma, PVC (Posthumous)
Born - 31 Jan 1923 Dadh, Kangra ,HP
Father - Maj Gen AN Sharma
Commission - 22 Feb 1942
Action - 03 Nov 1947
Religion - Hindu
Studies - Prince of Wales Royal IndianMilitary College
| | In Nov 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam Village in the Kashmir Valley . He reached his objective at first light on and took up a position south of Badgam at 1100 hours. The enemy, estimated at 700, attacked his company position with 3 inches mortars, Light Machine Guns and rifles. Completely outnumbered and with withering fire being brought to bear on its position from three sides, the company began to sustain heavy casualties.
Fully realising the gravity of the situation and the direct threat that would result to both Srinagar and the aerodrome if the enemy attack was not held until reinforcements could be rushed to close the gap leading to Srinagar via Hum Hom, Major Sharma urged his company to fight the enemy tenaciously, with extreme bravery, kept rushing across the open ground to his sections exposing himself to heavy and accurate fire urging them to hold on.
Keeping his nerve, he skillfully directed the fire of his sections into the ever-advancing enemy. He repeatedly exposed himself to the full fury of enemy fire and laid out cloth air strips to guide our aircraft into their targets in full view of the enemy. Realising that casualties had affected the effectiveness of his light automatics, this officer, whose left hand was in plaster, personally commenced filling magazines and issuing them to light machine gunners. A mortar shell landing right in the middle of the ammunition resulted in an explosion that killed him.
Major Sharma's company held onto its position and the remnants withdrew only when almost completely surrounded. His inspiring example had resulted in the enemy being delayed for six hours, thus gaining time for our reinforcements to get into position at Hum Hom to stem the tide of the enemy advance.
His leadership, gallantry and tenacious defence were such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy outnumbering them by seven to one for six hours, one hour of which was after this gallant officer had been killed. He has set an example of courage and qualities seldom equaled in the history of Indian Army. His last message to Brigade Headquarter received a few moments before he was killed was: "The enemy is 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".
|  | PARAM VIR CHAKRA : Major Shaitan Singh, PVC (Posthumous)
Born - 01 Dec 1924 Banasar, Jodhpur , Rajasthan
Father - Lt Col Hem Singh
Commission - 01 Aug 1949
Award date - 18 Nov 1962
Religion - Hindu
Studies - Jaswant College, Jodhpur
| | Major Shaitan Singh was commanding a company of infantry battalion deployed at a height of about 17,000 feet. The locality was isolated from the main defended sector and consisted of five defended platoon positions.
During November 1962, the Chinese subjected the company position to heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire and attacked in overwhelming strength in successive waves. Against heavy odds, our troops beat back the enemy attack. During the action, Major Shaitan Singh dominated the scene of operations, and moved at great personal risk from one platoon post to another sustaining the morale of his hard-pressed platoon posts. While doing so, he was seriously wounded but continued to encourage and lead his men who, following his brave example fought gallantly and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. For every man lost by us, the enemy lost four to five . When Major Shaitan Singh fell disabled by wounds in his arms and abdomen, his men tried to evacuate him but came under heavy machine gun fire. Maj Shaitan Singh ordered his men to leave him to his fate in order to save their lives.
Major Shaitan Singh’s supreme courage, leadership and exemplary devotion to duty inspired his company to fight almost to the last man. The heroic resistance put up by this gallant soldier with his company against the assault of more than one thousand Chinese, is not only a tribute to the Regiment, but also a matter of pride for soldiers, the World over. These brave soldiers fought to the last man and last round. For this historic battle Major Shaitan Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra. Undoubtedly, the battle of Rezang La is a great feat of leadership, courage and unswerving determination in the annals of Military History. Appropriately the plaque at the memorial of Rezang La says: -
How can a man die better
than facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his fathers
and the temple of his Gods" |
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