Pre-independence Maratha Light Infantry

infantrymen of 1/5 mahratta light infantry during training, florence, italy, august 28, 1944

the second world war saw marathas in forefront in every theatre of operations jungles of south east asia, deserts of north africa, , mountains , rivers of italy. war saw expansion of regiment when thirteen new war service battalions raised. of these later demobilised after war, whilst 2 converted artillery regiments. during war naik yeshwant ghadge , sepoy namdeo jadhav decorated victoria cross in italian campaign, while 130 other decorations awarded mli.

apart being first light infantry of indian army, kali panchwin first indian battalion participate in world war ii, first have lost commanding officer in action (colonel chitty @ battle of jebel hamrin, 1917), first maratha battalion participate in unite nations mission. later, earned indian army s first ashoka chakra in north-east.