This post is dedicated to Captain Swaraj Parkash, PVSM, MVC, AVSM, for his services in marking a new chapter in the history of Naval warfare, in 1971.
Captain Swaraj Parkash was born as the son of Pandit Milkhi Ram, on 3rd September, 1923 in the Jalandhar
Captain Swaraj Parkash was born as the son of Pandit Milkhi Ram, on 3rd September, 1923 in the Jalandhar
cantonment He chose the glorious career in the Royal Navy in the time of the British Raj and received commission on his birthday being exactly 20 years old on 3rd September 1943 Subsequently rising to the rank of a captain still Captain Swaraj Parkash was yet to achieve
his final glory. The Indian Navy lacked a proper Aircraft carrier at that time, so in 1957, the Indian Navy purchased HMS Hercules--an Aircraft carrier that Britain had once deployed to counter the German and Japanese Navy in world war-2, and finally in 1961, from Belfast, the
HMS Hercules, was commissioned as the star of the Indian Navy- as INS Vikrant. This ship became the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. 10 years later, in 1971, INS Vikrant and her Naval air squadrons- the Cobras and the White Tigers, were assigned to take part in one of
the most important Naval battles in the history of South-Asia. She was assigned as the Flagship of the Eastern Naval fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Samra and Vice Admiral Krishnan, and here, Captain Swaraj Parkash was assigned to command this glorious aircraft carrier.
From September, 1971, onwards Captain Swaraj Parkash was commanding the Vikrant, leading her from the Arabian Sea and off towards the Bay of Bengal. The Eastern Naval fleet was tasked to be in the operations for liberating Bangladesh, and even after being
Chased by PNS-GHAZI the flag ship of the pakistani Navy this valiant commander led her to this edges of the Bay Of Bengal. From her runway the alizès and sea Hawks to bomb the pakistani positions in chittagong Cox bazar and khulna ports. Writing a new chapter of Indian Naval
Warfare. Even after facing terrible anti-aircraft fire from the Pakistani defenses, still the alizés and Sea Hawks rained firestorms on the enemy- all under the leadership of this great man, Captain Swaraj Parkash. The valiant crew and fighters onboard the Vikrant herself
Earned 2 Maha Vir Chakras, alongside 12 Vir Chakras. Captain Swaraj Prakash was one of the leading figures who earned a Maha Vir Chakra for his gallant leadership and display of courage valor and sense of responsibility. Captain Swaraj Parkash was later awarded t
The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal as well rising upto the rank of vice chief of Naval Staff on 1'st March 1979.
My salutes to this brave Captain of a ship that will stay forever in history.
Jai Hind🇮🇳🇮🇳
Source ~ 1971 War book stories.
My salutes to this brave Captain of a ship that will stay forever in history.
Jai Hind🇮🇳🇮🇳
Source ~ 1971 War book stories.
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