Equivariant splitting of the Hodge--de Rham exact sequence

Abstract: Let $X$ be an algebraic curve with an action of a finite group $G$ over a field $k$. We show that if the Hodge-de Rham short exact sequence of $X$ splits $G$-equivariantly then the action of $G$ on $X$ is weakly ramified. In particular, this generalizes the result of K\"{o}ck and Tait for hyperelliptic curves. We discuss also converse statements and tie this problem to lifting coverings of curves to the ring of Witt vectors of length $2$.