BAPTISM BY FIRE

From early 1971, the security situation in the sub-continent deteriorated steadily. Towards the end of that year matters grew worse, and it became increasingly probable that the Armed Forces would be called upon to defend their country. Along with the rest of the Navy, the Submarine Arm was charged to prepare itself to meet any threat to our national security. This fledgling force, with barely three years of experience in an entirely new professional field, readied itself for battle, as war clouds rolled across the sub-continent.

When ultimately the war broke out, our submarines sallied forth to give battle to the enemy. They were deployed on both fronts, in the Bay of Bengal as well as in the Arabian Sea, and ventured deep into enemy waters. The presence of our submarines had precisely the effect that the perspicacious Staff Officer had foreseen, it deprived the enemy of much of his offensive power. Notwithstanding their inexperience, the submarines did the Navy proud. All patrols were successfully accomplished, and the Submarine Arm finished the war with a Mahavir Chakra, two Vir Chakras, a Nao Sena Medal, and several "Mentions in Dispatches."