Indian military contingent ready for Victory Day Parade in Moscow

A Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces comprising 75 all ranks, led by a colonel rank officer will participate in the Military Parade at Red Square, Moscow on June 24 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of victory of the Soviet people in the great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

The British Indian Armed Forces during World War-II were one of the largest Allied Forces contingents which took part in the North and East African campaign, Western Desert campaign and the European Theatre against the Axis powers.

These campaigns witnessed sacrifice by over 87,000 Indian servicemen beside 34,354 being wounded. The Indian military not only fought on all fronts but also ensured logistic support along the southern, trans-Iranian Lend-Lease route, along which weapons, ammunition, equipment support and food went to the Soviet Union, Iran and Iraq.

The valour of the Indian soldiers was recognized with the award of over four thousand decorations, which also included award of 18 Victoria and George Cross. In addition the then Soviet Union appreciated the valour of the Indian Armed forces and by the decree of 23 May 1944, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR signed by Mikhail Kalinin and Alexander Gorkin awarded the prestigious Orders of the Red Star to Subedar Narayan Rao Nikkam and Havildar Gajendra Singh Chand of Royal Indian Army Service Corps.

The marching contingent taking part in the Victory Day Parade is led by a major rank officer of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment had fought with valour in the World War-II and has proud distinction of earning four Battle Honours and two Military Cross amongst other gallantry awards..