#history
Abdul Hamid PVC,
an Indian Hero.
Havildar Abdul Hamid was the hero of the India Pakistan war in 1965.
Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Abdul Hamid, in an excellent display of military skills and bravery, blew up seven U.S made Pakistani Patton Tanks, and forced at least four tanks to be abandoned, with his recoil-less (RCL) gun mounted on his Willy jeep during the battle of Asal Uttar between 8th & 10th September, 1965.
The brave soldier was killed while shooting at a seventh tank with his gun, where both the tanks and his jeep were blew up. It was the first instance in the world when armoured tanks were defeated with guns mounted on a simple jeep.
Hamid’s PVC citation reads:
“At 0800 hours on 10 September 1965, Pakistan forces launched an attack with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Cheema on the Bhikkiwind road in the Khem Karan Sector. Intense artillery shelling preceded the attack. The enemy tanks penetrated the forward position by 0900 hours. Realising the grave situation, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid who was commander of a RCL gun detachment, moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep, under intense enemy shelling and tank fire. Taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another tank up in flames. By this time the enemy tanks in the area spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine-gun and high explosive fire. Undeterred, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank with his recoilless gun.
While doing so, he was mortally wounded by an enemy high explosive shell.
Havildar Abdul Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard for his personal safety during the operation and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but also to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.”
The photo is of the gun mounted willys jeep Abdul Hamid used, to destroy Patton Tanks.
