Major Somnath Sharma,PVC
Maj Somnath Sharma
4 KUMAON (IC-521)
On 3rd. November 1947 Maj. Sharma's Coy was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam Village in Srinagar (Kashmir) Valley. He reached his objective at first light on 3rd. November, 1947, and took up a position south of Badgam Village. At 1100 hours, enemy estimated strength 700 attacked his Coy position being brought to bear on the Coy position from three sides, the Coy began to sustain heavy casualties. Maj. Sharma fully realizing the gravity of the situation and the direct threat that would result to both Srinagar and the aerodrome if the enemy attacking him was not held until reinforcements could be rushed up to close up the gap leading to Srinagar via Hum Hom, urged his Coy to fight the enemy - tenaciously with extreme bravery. In order to do this, he rushed across the open ground to his sections exposing himself to heavy and active fire. He took a very active part in directing the fire of his sections on to the ever-advancing enemy. He exposed himself to the full fury of the enemy's fire and laid out air-strips in order to guide the aircraft on to the targets in full view of the enemy. Realising that casualties had affected the efficiency of his light automatics, this officer, whose left hand was in plaster, personally commenced filling LMG magazines and issuing them to LMG gunners. A mortar shall landing amongst his ammunition resulted in an explosion that killed him. Maj. Sharma's Coy held on to its position and the remnants withdrew when almost completely surrounded. His inspiring example had resulted in the enemy being delayed for six hours and reinforcements permitted to get into position in Hum Hom to stem the tide of the enemy's advance. His leadership, gallantry and tenacious defence was such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy outnumbered by them 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, with qualities unequalled in the history of the Indian Army. 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 the last man and the last round."
Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 in Distt Kangra of Himachal Pradesh India. He came from a well-known and illustrious military family, his father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, was also a an army officer (retired as Director General of the Armed Medical Services) as were his brothers, Lt. General Surindar Nath Sharma (retired as Engineer-in-chief) and General Vishwa Nath Sharma (retired as Chief of Army Staff, 1988–1990), and his sister Major Kamla Tewari (Army Medical Corps).
Maj Somnath Sharma completed his schooling from Sherwood College, Nainital, before enrolling at the Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehra Dun( now known as Indian Military Academy) and later joined the Royal Military Academy. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) of the Indian Army (then British-Indian Army) on 22 February 1942. He also saw combat during the second World War in the Arakan Operations.
Battle of Badgaum
Maj Som Nath Sharma's company was airlifted to Srinagar on 31 October 1947. His right hand was in a plaster cast as a result of injuries sustained in the hockey field previously but he insisted on being with his company in combat and was given permission to go.
On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company (D Company of 4 Kumaon) was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgaum Village on the opurskirts of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley.he was ordered to defend the airport as well as halt the enemy till support was airlifted to protect Srinagar from falling in the hands of tribals and Pakistan army. A tribal "lashkar" of 700 which included regular Pakistani soldiers ,raiders approached Badgaum from the direction of Gulmarg. Maj Somnath Sharma’s company was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing mortar bombardment. Maj Sharma realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if it were lost. Under heavy fire and outnumbered seven to one, he urged his company to fight bravely and motivating them to keep fighting to repel the enemy, often exposing himself to danger as he ran from post to post.
When heavy casualties adversely affected the firing power of his 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. While he was busy fighting the enemy, 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 enemies 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."
By the time the relief company of 1st Battalion Kumaon Regiment reached Badgam, the position had been overrun. However, the 200 casualties suffered by the raiders made them lose their impetus to advance buying time for Indian troops to fly in to Srinagar airfield and block all routes of ingress to Srinagar. In this manner, Maj.Sharma prevented the fall of Srinagar and arguably the Kashmir Valley to Pakistan and made the supreme sacrifice for the country. The country salutes him and honoured him with the highest gallantry award PARAM VIR CHAKRA pothumously.
Maj Somnath Sharma is still remembered in the Indian armed forces with respect because of his courage and devotion to the duty and his love for the motherland for which he made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland..
JAI HIND
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