TRIAL AND TRIUMPH
World War II(1939-45)The severest professional test of the officers trained at the Academy took place just few years after the founding of the Academy in 1939, when Britain declared war against Nazi Germany and other Axis Powers. The performance of the Indian forces, led in many cases by Indian Officers, who had passed out from the Academy was in the best traditions of bravery and courage. Indian-British Forces fought the War in Europe, Africa and the Far East. The glowing moment for the Academy came when 2nd Lt. P.S. Bhagat was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest British decoration, for showing exemplary courage and leadership in the campaign in Italy.
Manning a forward post at Tobruk
Indian Troops driving out the Nazis from Iran
Kashmir War(1947-48)
Just on the eve of Independence, irregular tribal militia invaded Kashmir supported by the Pakistan regular Army, with the intention to wrest Kashmir forcibly. The Indian Forces were dispatched to the valley to protect the civilians at the request of the Maharaja. The soldiers led by their officers fought bravely and repulsed the invaders. Many of the alumni of the Academy who participated in the Kashmir Operation were decorated for their courage and leadership and the crowning glory was the award of the highest war decoration, the Param Veer Chakra to Maj Som Nath Sharma, posthumously.
Maj Som Nath Sharma: First PVC awardee
Clearing Baramula-Uri Road-Kashmir Operation
Chinese Aggression(1962)
China attacked the Himalayan frontiers of the country in 1962 under the garb of Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai (Indian and Chinese are brothers). The Indian Army was caught unawares and being ill-prepared suffered heavy losses. In the face of most challenging circumstances, the Indian Forces were overwhelmed by the Chinese Forces many times over; but the Indian soldiers protected the frontiers with sheer grit and courage that has become part of legend. A bitter lesson was learnt in 1962 - An Army that prepares in peace can win wars.
Indo-Pak War(1965)
In 1965 bolstered by the weapons supplied by USA and the stress suffered by the Indian Forces in 1962, Pakistan once again tried to wrest Kashmir by force. Pakistan launched a surprise attack in the Chhamb-Jaurian sector, popularly known as Chickens-Neck. Swift and timely response by the Indian forces, forced them to suffer severe losses and worse the Indian Forces came quite close to knocking at the very doors of Lahore and Sialkot. Even though the Pakistani forces were at an advantage due to the element of surprise and better equipment such as the famed Patton Tanks, their attack was repulsed. The command of the Indian Ground Forces in the Western Sector during this war was under an Ex-IMA officer, Lt. Gen. Harbaksh Singh.
Hoisting the Tricolour atop Haji Peer Pass
Old campaigners get together at Haji Peer
