Rome, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Italy’s Montone Municipality and the Embassy of India in Italy jointly commemorated Victoria Cross recipient Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, an Indian soldier who fought in Italy during the Second World War.
The event featured a virtual interaction between students of Army Public School, Belagavi, in India, and Giuseppe Polidori Secondary School in Montone, Italy.
“The exchange enabled Indian and Italian children to learn about his valour and sacrifice, share experiences and connect across borders,” the Embassy of India said in a post on X, adding that the event was part of its efforts to highlight the shared history and enduring friendship between the two countries.
Naik Yeshwant Ghadge served with the 3/5th Mahratta Light Infantry, now known as the Maratha Light Infantry, during World War II.
On July 10, 1944, Ghadge single-handedly captured a machine-gun post at Morlupo in Italy’s Upper Tiber Valley. He was killed in the action at the age of 24.
According to his Victoria Cross citation, as reproduced by the National Army Museum in London, Ghadge advanced alone towards the machine-gun position after realising that no one was left to accompany him. He first threw a grenade that knocked out the machine gun and its firer, then shot another member of the gun crew with his Tommy gun.
With no time to change his magazine, he used his weapon by its barrel to kill the remaining two members of the gun crew. He was subsequently shot in the chest and back by enemy snipers and died at the post he had captured.
The citation described his courage, determination and devotion to duty as outstanding despite the circumstances offering little hope of survival.
Ghadge’s body was never recovered. He is commemorated at the Cassino War Memorial in Italy and through a statue at the Tahasil Office in Mangaon, Raigad district, Maharashtra.
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