Untold Story 1946 Naval Mutiny: Last War of Independence

About G. D. Sharma

Lt Cdr GD Sharma VSM (Retd) started his naval career by joining the first batch of Ordnance apprenticeship post-independence in January 1948. He underwent four-year training programme at HMIS Shivaji and went to the UK in 1952 for advanced Under Water weapons course. In 1956 he was a part of the commissioning crew of INS Mysore commissioned in England. From 1956 to 1962 he served onboard INS Mysore and INS Kirpan as an Ordnance engineer. He was commissioned into the electrical branch on 31 March 1963 when the Ordnance branch was finally merged with electrical branch. From 1963 to 1970 he served as an Ordnance instructor in INS Valsura and the Gunnery School. From 1970 till 1987 he worked as Assistant Director Naval Intelligence at the Naval Headquarters including a deputation with the newly formed coast guard. He was an expert in Counter intelligence and worked closely with Army and the Intelligence Bureau. He was commended by the Chief of Personnel and the Chief of Naval Staff. He was subsequently awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) by the President of India in recognition of his dedication to the service. His long stint with the naval intelligence gave him rare insights into the events of 1946 naval mutiny and helped provide an authentic account of the mutiny. He is a prolific writer and has contributed several articles to 'Quarter Deck' that included capturing the history of Ordnance branch of the Navy in his article 'Legend of Ordnance-A Page from History' which is now a part of the naval archives at the Naval Head Quarters (NHQ).