Italy inaugurated a memorial on Saturday honouring the 50,000 Indian Army personnel who fought in the Italian Campaign of World War II to free Italy from Nazi domination. The ‘V.C. Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial’ was unveiled by the Commune of Monotone (in Italy) and Italian military historians in Montone in Perugia as a memorial to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in action during the Italian Campaign.
The soldiers were a member of the British Commonwealth forces’ 4th, 8th, and 10th Divisions, which fought the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Italian Campaign is the name given to the two-year effort by the Allied powers—Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union—to free Italy from German rule in 1943–1945.
Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was one of the distinguished Indian troops. The monument built in his honour features a sundial that stands for harmony. “Omines Sub Eodem Sole,” which translates to “we all live under the same sun,” is inscribed on it.
India was represented at the event by Dr. Neena Malhotra, Indian Defence Attaché, and India’s Ambassador to Italy. The gathering on Saturday included a sizable number of Italian people, notable visitors, and Italian military personnel.
It’s interesting to note that six Indian soldiers received Victoria Crosses out of the 20 that were awarded in Italy.
Of the 23,722 casualties, 5,782 were fatal, and they are remembered in the 40 Commonwealth War Graves scattered around Italy.
Italy celebrates Naik Yeshwant Ghadge for having “single-handedly captured post for Allied powers in World War 2.”
Italy inaugurated a memorial on Saturday honouring the 50,000 Indian Army personnel who fought in the Italian Campaign of World War II to free Italy from Nazi domination. The ‘V.C. Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial’ was unveiled by the Commune of Monotone (in Italy) and Italian military historians in Montone in Perugia as a memorial to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in action during the Italian Campaign.
The soldiers were a member of the British Commonwealth forces’ 4th, 8th, and 10th Divisions, which fought the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Italian Campaign is the name given to the two-year effort by the Allied powers—Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union—to free Italy from German rule in 1943–1945.
Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was one of the distinguished Indian troops. The monument built in his honour features a sundial that stands for harmony. “Omines Sub Eodem Sole,” which translates to “we all live under the same sun,” is inscribed on it.
India was represented at the event by Dr. Neena Malhotra, Indian Defence Attaché, and India’s Ambassador to Italy. The gathering on Saturday included a sizable number of Italian people, notable visitors, and Italian military personnel.
It’s interesting to note that six Indian soldiers received Victoria Crosses out of the 20 that were awarded in Italy.
Of the 23,722 casualties, 5,782 were fatal, and they are remembered in the 40 Commonwealth War Graves scattered around Italy.
Naik Yeshwant Ghadge
As a tribute to Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, a Victoria Cross recipient who was killed in action while fighting on the heights of the Upper Tiber Valley on July 10, 1944, the memorial was dedicated on Saturday.
During World War II (1939–1945), Naik Ghadge, a member of the Mahratta Light Infantry, served in Italy. The National Army Museum of the UK reports that he was only 22 years old when he lost his life while defending his country from the Axis powers.
In 1944, the Victoria Cross was awarded to him posthumously.
After the German forces surrounding Lake Trasimeno were breached in the middle of 1944, the Allies moved northward towards the Gothic Line, the next significant line of German defenders.
The 3/5th Mahratta Light Infantry was to move from Perugia across the difficult terrain of the upper Tiber Valley in the initial phase of this operation alongside other units of the 10th Indian Division in order to aid in the conquest of the town Citta de Castello.
On June 30, the Mahrattas arrived at Pianello. But before reaching Monte Delle Gorgacce, they had to climb a number of mountains, including Monte Cucco, Monte Gengarella, and Monte Marucchino.
They finally reached Mount Gengarella by July 8 after a battle. German counterattacks launched from Point 624 put pressure on Point 613, which is close to Monte Gengarella. Enemy machine guns mounted a fierce defence against this.
The ‘C’ Company, which was sent to conduct a strike against Point 624 on July 10, 1944, came under intense machine-gun fire while engaged in combat in the Upper Tiber Valley, which resulted in the deaths of everyone but Naik Ghadge. Additionally, the Company lost Captain Madiman, its leader, along with six other members, and 15 additional men were injured.
Naik Ghadge was the lone survivor
The machine gun and its operator were both destroyed by the grenade he tossed after charging at the machine gun station, according to his citation. He then shot another member of the gun crew with his Tommygun. Because he didn’t have time to reload, he killed the final two members of the gun crew by using his gun as a club.
Naik Ghadge at the post he had single-handedly taken for the Allies, hit by sniper fire in the chest and back. Because of his valour, the Germans were forced to leave position 624, enabling the Mahrattas to advance.
