The Tiger Division of the Indian Army commemorated the 100th birthday of Lieutenant Colonel Sharad Dev Singh Jamwal. Known as a hero of World War II, Jamwal actively participated in the 1961 Goa Liberation campaign, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and the Indo-Pakistani Wars, demonstrating his dedication to serving the nation.
Born in Jammu on August 13, 1926, Colonel Jamwal comes from a family with a strong tradition of national service; his father, Prabhat Singh, was a colonel who played an active role in World War I. Jamwal received his early education at The Doon School and later attended the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College in Dehradun.
Jamwal’s military career is marked by significant participation in key historical events. He was inducted into the 7th Light Cavalry in 1946, during the final stages of World War II. His distinguished service record includes the Burma campaign, the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistani War, the 1961 Liberation of Goa, and the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
World War II, a devastating conflict that spanned from 1939 to 1945, resulted in approximately 70 million fatalities worldwide. This war was fought between two main alliances: the Allied forces, including Britain, France, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, and the Axis powers, consisting of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
The Goa Liberation campaign of 1961, also known as Operation Vijay, aimed to liberate Goa, Daman, and Diu from Portuguese control. The operation commenced on December 17, 1961, with around 30,000 Indian soldiers participating. The Portuguese initially prepared to resist but ultimately conceded defeat and withdrew from Goa.
