Personal info
- Name: Yeshwant GHADGE
- D.O.B: 16th Nov, 1921
- D.O.A: 16th Nov, 1921
- D.O.D: 10th Jul, 1944
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Naik, 3rd Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, 20th Brigade, 10th Division, Indian Army
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 3
Over Europe June 1940-July 1944
June 1940-July 1944
With Wing Commander G Gibson VC and Squadron Leader H B Martin, Wing Commander G L Cheshire was one of the three outstanding RAF bomber pilots of the Second World War. All belonged to No 617 Squadron. British bombing of Germany had begun in May 1940. Cheshire was awarded the VC for his gallantry in four tours of duty between June 1940 and July 1944. He was a leading advocate and pioneer of the method of flying low to mark the target. The Citation makes particular reference to his participation in the raid on Munich on the night of 24 April 1944.
Citation
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 Tommygun. 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 him little hope of survival, were outstanding.