"In Italy, on 10th July, 1944, a Company of the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry attacked a position strongly defended by the enemy. During this attack a rifle section commanded by Naik Yeshwant
Ghadge came under heavy machine-gun fire at close range, which killed or
wounded all members of the section except the commander. Without
hesitation, and well knowing that none were left to accompany him, Naik
Yeshwant Ghadge rushed the machine gun post. He first threw a grenade
which knocked out the machine gun and firer, after which he shot one of
the gun crew with his Tommy gun. Finally,
having no time to change his magazine, he grasped his gun by the barrel
and beat to death the remaining two men of the gun crew. Unfortunately
Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was shot in the chest and back by enemy snipers and
died in the post which he had captured single handed. The courage, determination, and devotion to duty of this Indian
N.C.O. in a situation where he knew the odds against him gave little
hope of survival, were outstanding."
From Naik Ghadge's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on November, 2 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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