Major Somnath Sharma, PVC. The painting incorrectly depicts him wearing the 1947-48 General Service Medal, which was not instituted till years after his death

Major Somnath Sharma, PVC (b. Himachal Pradesh, January 31, 1923),son of Major General Amarnath Sharma, was an officer in the Indian Army during the Second World War. He was the first recipient of Param Vir Chakra, India's highest gallantry award^[1]. Image File history File linksMetadata Major_Somnath_Sharma. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Major_Somnath_Sharma. ... The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ... Major is a military rank denoting an officer of mid-level command status. ... The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... An officer is a member of a military service who holds a position of responsibility. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ...

His brother, General V.N. Sharma, served as the Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army during 1988 to 1990. A General is an officer of high military rank. ... Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army is the highest post in the Indian Army ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

He was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment (then known as the 19th Hyderabad Regiment) of the Indian Army on 22 February 1942 During the Second World War, he fought in the Arakan Operations. This article needs to be wikified. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

Military Action

On 22 October 1947, Pakistan launched the tribal invasion of Jammu & Kashmir. The intention was to grab the Kashmir valley by force. As the State became a part of the Union on October 26th, her protection became the responsibility of India . To save the State from a tribal invasion, which was approaching the valley at a very fast pace, India dispatched troops to Srinagar . The first batch of Indian troops reached just in time on October 27th morning to stop the Pakistani irregulars on the outskirts of Srinagar . October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... Jammu and Kashmir is a historic state in Asia which is currently disputed between India, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent, China. ... Shown in green is the Kashmiri region under Pakistani administration. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ...

The D Company of 4 Kumaon, led by Major Somnath Sharma, was airlifted to Srinagar on October 31st. When his company was asked to move to Srinagar , Major Sharma's arm was in plaster. He had suffered a fracture on the hockey ground and was advised rest till the plaster was removed. But he insisted on being with his company at this crucial hour and was allowed to go. Meanwhile, the 1 Sikh at Patan had blunted the main thrust of the tribal invasion of Srinagar . The Pakistani irregulars now resorted to guerilla tactics to sneak into the valley. But the induction of more troops into Srinagar enabled the Army to take care of the surrounding areas better. On November 3rd, a strong fighting patrol compromising 3 companies was dispatched to reconnoiter the Bagdam area to look for raiders approaching Srinagar from the northern direction. By 0930 hrs the troops had established a firm base at Bagdam. In logistics and military terminology: An airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft. ... Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ... October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 61 days remaining. ... Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ... Hockey is any of a family of sports in which two teams compete by trying to maneuver a ball or hard round disc, called a puck, into the opponents net or goal, past the goaltender or goalkeeper (often abbreviated goalie), using a hockey stick. ... Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... November 3 is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 58 days remaining. ...

As no enemy was seen during patrolling, two companies moved back to Srinagar by 1400 hrs. D Coy led by Major Sharma, which had taken up position south of Bagdam, was, however, asked to stay on in the area till 1500 hours. At 1435 hours, D Coy was subjected to firing from some houses of Bagdam village. The Coy did not return fire for fear of killing innocent people of the village. While Major Sharma was discussing this threat with the Brigade Commander, a large force of the Pakistani irregulars, about 700 strong, appeared from a depression to the west of his position. It attacked with coy with small arms, mortars and heavy automatics. Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ...

The accurate and devastating fire of the irregulars inflicted heavy casualties on D Coy. Major Somnath Sharma understood the gravity of the situation and the imminent threat to both Srinagar town and the airfield was looming large before his eyes. He rushed across the open ground to his sections, exposing himself to enemy fire. He also laid out panels to guide IAF aircraft to their targets in the face of irregulars' fire. The company held on for six hours against heavy odds. Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. ...

When heavy casualties adversely affected the firing power of the company, Major Sharma, with his right hand in plaster, took upon himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to men, operating light machine guns. Disregarding the fact that his left hand was in a cast to heal a fracture, he personally refilled Light Machine Gun magazines and delivered them to his ever-thinning sections. To do so, he braved heavy Pakistani irregulars' fire while running on open grounds to reach the LMG positions. The M249 SAW, one of the most popular 5. ...

As he fought on, he exhorted his company to keep on fighting and fight they did. After delaying the inevitable for 6 long hours, the company's positions were overrun. Major Sharma's heroics allowed the rear-lines to position and anticipate the Pakistani irregulars at Hum Hom and rout them later.

While he was busy fighting the Pakistani irregulars, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade HQ, received a few moments before he was killed was, "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 our last man and our last round." His answer is now part of the Army lore. The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ...

In the battle of Bagdam, Major Sharma, one JCO and 20 other ranks were killed

But their sacrifices did not go in vain. He and his men stemmed the tide of the Pakistani irregular's advance on Srinagar and the airfield for some very crucial hours. He has set an example of courage and qualities, seldom equalled in the history of the Indian Army. Major General Amarnath Sharma received India 's first and highest wartime gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra, on behalf of his brave son. Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ...

Citation

The citation for the Param Vir Chakra awarded to him reads: The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ...

On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma’s company was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam in the Kashmir Valley . He reached his objective at first light on 3 November and took up a position south of Badgam at 1100hours. The enemy, estimated at about 500 attacked his company position from three sides; the company began to sustain heavy casualties.

Fully realizing the gravity of the situation and the direct threat that would result to both the aerodrome and Srinagar via Hum Hom, Major Sharma urged his company to fight the enemy tenaciously. With extreme bravery he kept rushing across the open ground to his sections exposing himself to heavy and accurate fire to urge 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 strips to guide our aircraft onto 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 the light machine gunners. A mortar shell landed right in the middle of the ammunition resulting in an explosion that killed him.

Major Sharma’s company held on to list position and the remnants withdrew only when almost 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 by seven to one, six hours after this gallant officer had killed.

He has set an example of courage and qualities seldom equaled in the history of the Indian Army. His last message to the Brigade Headquarters a few moments before he was killed was, ‘the enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbers. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.’

Family Background

Major Sharma was from a distinguished military family. Other members of this valiant clan include - A family of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 1997 A family consists of a domestic group of people (or a number of domestic groups), typically affiliated by birth or marriage, or by comparable legal relationships — including domestic partnership, adoption, surname and (in some cases) ownership (as occurred in the Roman Empire). ...

• His father -- Major-General A.N. Sharma served the Indian Army and fought in WWII for the British in Arakan.
• His brother -- General V.N. Sharma was Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army, 1988-1990.
• His wife was daughter of Mrs Savitri Khanolankar, designer of the medal for the very honor her son-in-law would be awarded.

Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... German soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad World War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the worlds nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. ... A General is an officer of high military rank. ... Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army is the highest post in the Indian Army ... The Indian Army (भारतीय सेना Hindi: Bharatiya Sena) is the land force of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting land-based warfare. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Mrs. ... In law and in cultural anthropology, affinity, as distinguished from consanguinity, is kinship by marriage. ...

External links

• Som Nath Sharma
• Bharat Rakshak article
• Indian Army Webpage