Havildar

Thomas Philipose

MVC
Born8 July 1942
Travancore, British India
Died9 June 2018 (aged 75)
Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Rank Havildar
Unit16 Madras
Battles/warsBattle of Basantar - Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards Maha Vir Chakra[1]

Thomas Philipose (born 8 July 1942) was a havildar (sergeant) in the Madras Regiment during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[2]

During the 1971 war, the Madras Regiment was tasked to capture Lalial and Sarajchak, prior to establishing a bridgehead across the river Basantar, in the Battle of Basantar. Enemy minefields covered the entire area and the Pakistani infantry was well entrenched in the area. Pakistani observation posts kept a close watch over Indian movement.

Undaunted, the Madras Regiment attacked Lalial on 16 December. When the platoon commander and several others were wounded, Havildar Philipose took charge. Accompanied by only 15 men, the havildar led a fierce attack and secured Lalial. The enemy soon regrouped for a second attack.

Philipose and his men, however rushed at the advancing enemy with fixed bayonets, Philipose was hit by a bullet but he kept going. The ferocity of the charge unnerved the Pakistanis and they began retreating. A stray bullet hit Philipose again, but he held on grimly till the battle was won. He was honored by being awarded with the Mahavir Chakra for his steadfastness and courage.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "HAV THOMAS PHILIPOSE MAHA VIR CHAKRA". Indian Army, Govt of India official website.
  2. ↑ "Thomas Phillopose, MVC, MVC". The War Decorated India & Trust.
  3. ↑ Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. Allied Publishers. p. 273. ISBN 978-81-7023-516-3.

Further reading

  • D.P. Ramachandran, Empire's First Soldiers, p. 223, Lancer Publishers, 2008 ISBN 0979617472.
  • G. S. Bhargava, Their finest hour: saga of India's December victory, pp. 12-19, Vikas Pub. House, 1972 OCLC 838786503.
  • Chand N. Das, Hours of Glory: famous battles of the Indian army, 1801-1971, pp.257-258, Vision Books, 1997 OCLC 36556719.
  • N. Kunju, Indian Army: A Grassroots Review, p. 46, Reliance Publishing House, 1991 ISBN 8185047782 (contains a photograph of Philipose).
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