Bharat Rakshak

Dear Members,

The 15th Battalion of Mechanized Infantry will be celebratiing its Silver Jubilee 25 years of service to the nation in 2006.

It was raised in 1981 in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra upon the creation of the Mechanized Regiment by Gen K. Sundarji.

It has served with distinction in all operations, whether in peace or in battle. Unit distinguished itself in OP PAWAN Srilanka, where it performed with unmatched gallantry. It has since then served with distinction in all theatres of importance.



I am seeking advice and help from all members with respect to the writing and publication of the regimental history in general. Those who have experience in this area, please put forward ideas.



Our Tentative Title:
Regimental History of the 15th Bn Mechanized Infantry Regiment
First 25 years (1981-2006)
"All for one and one for all"





We will be putting a together team of ex-officers in finishing this rather monumental task before the date of Silver Jubilee in Dec 2006.

I am looking at some sample histories for guidance:

Examples:



By Land and Sea: Punjab Regiment by Anil Shorey

69th Armoured Regiment by Gen Sandhu

Shahid, I am sure I wont be of much help with 15 mech inf history, but can you tell me as to what kind of info are you looking at from other regimental histories? Are you looking at the book structures?

I have the following regt histories with me - Kumaon, 11GR, 3 GR, 7th Lt Cavalry , Mahar , Para Regt. let me know what you needout of these.

Compiling the history of a single battalion in a regiment is also unusual as most infantry regimental histories i have seen deal with all bn's in the regiment. However i believe one or two bn's did get their individual histories out as books.

Jagan,
Thanks for the reply, I would definitely tap into the resources you have.

This is going to be quite challenging because we are looking into contrbution from the great number of retired and serving officers.

Individual Battalion Histories are not as common as regimental histories, however that did not always used to be the case.

A large number of famous infantry battalions of commonwealth armies wrote their histories after both First World War and Second World War.

Jagan,

Book Structure, would definitelly be a important starting point. Do you have any individual battalion histories for reference.

Book structures should be easy, let me post the Table of Contents of whatever i can get.

Individual regiments - I think theonly one that qualifies is the 7th Lt Cavalry. I can post that too if required.

Jagan

Jagan,
Thanks for the help, in fact my father was mentioning that we may have to do research on site where the regiment is currently located.

One would need to work meticulously with the various unit records and war diaries.

It is also of interest that all of the founding officers and men of 15th Battalion came from such famous regiments, I am giving a small list here.

First CO, 1st Bn Garhwal Rifles

First Subedar Major, 1st Bn 8th Gorkha Rifles


Officers and men from many veteran Units:
usually the senior battalions of the following units (not an exhaustive list)

Dogra Regiment

Rajput

JAK RIF

Grenadiers

Marathas

Regimental history of famous Kali Panchwin: 2nd Bn Maratha LI may be another example

I have borrowed a copy of Golden Galley: History of Punjab Regiment, this may come in handy as well.

Ideas seem to rather absent from the forum members so far, hope the situation changes.

Shahid,

I can post an outline of a coffee table book dealing with 3 and 9 Gorkha regiments. It is not a regimental history as such, but if you think it will be useful, please let me know.

Anoop,
Thanks for the offer, actually I have copy of that particular book. I will look it up and maybe get some ideas.

Even though we are considering a more formal history.

Please feel free to convey any applicable information that comes along. All help is greatly appreciated.

15 Mech Inf was the first mechanized battalion to be sent to Sri Lanka. There are a lot of records with respect to its operations in Sri Lanka, however approval will be needed from Army HQ Delhi, before some of the information can be made public

We are looking at several styles that can be used. Both old and new.

Interestingly, we are also looking at the rare Garhwal Rifles regimental histories such as:

Historical Record of 39th Garhwal Rifles: part I 1886-1922
by Brig John Evatt


Historical Record of 39th Garhwal Rifles: part II 1922-1947
by LT GEN Ralph Deedes

Shahid, sorry bout the delay on my part, but it looks like i can get to the books only on the weekend. dont forget to bump the topic up if there is no response by that time.

Thanks Jagan, look forward to the information.

Still awaiting the arrival of some sample histories

Path of Glory - History of 11 Gorkha Rifles Regiment by Lt Col Gautam Sharma.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgement
Colonels of the Regiment
Abbreviations

1. Birth of the Regiment
2. Formative Period
3. Expansion in Sixties
4. 1965 War with Pakistan
5. Chola Incident
6. Counter Insurgency and Beyond
7. 1971 War - Eastern Front
8. 1971 War - Western Front
9. Peacetime Soldiering
10 Post Script

Appendices
1. Background
2. something else
3. Territorial Army Bn
4. Customs and Traditions
5. Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awardees
6. Regimental Center Commandants and Subedar Majors
7. Commanding Officers
8. Subedar Majors
9. Regimental Officers
10. Regimental March
11. Regimental Song
12. Roll of Honour

Bibliography
Index

Flash of Khukri : 3rd Gorkha Rifles Col CL Proudfoot

Foreword
Authors Note
Maps and Sketches List

1. Early History
2. First WW
3. Second WW
4. independence and after
5. Invasion of Kashmir 1947-48
6. Decade of Consolidation
7. Early 60s
8. Chinese Aggression
9. 1965 WAr
10. Between Wars
11. 71 Operations
12. Sevenites
13. Regimental Center

Annexures

Colonels of the Regiment
Center commandants
Batallion Commanders
Subedar Majors
Honours and Awards
REgimental Flag
Shoulder Flashes
Ceremonial Dress

Jagan,
Thanks for the structures, these should be quite helpful.

Just found this single bn history listed. Probably worth looking into.

Portrait of courage :century of the 5th Battalion, the Sikh Regiment, XLVII (D.C.O.) Sikhs / / Prem K. Khanna & Pushpindar Singh Chopra., 2001

Jagan,
Thanks again, I need to contact you. Can you send me an email so that we can get in touch.

Shahid,

I do not have any books on Infantry, but have one on "The Sikh Army 1799-1849". Its a good read and has a good structure to it. If you want it, mail me at coolcyber AT gmail dot com.

Shahid,

got the email via Subra. The internet at home is down involving much formting and installing in the next couple of days - so I will email you the reply as soon as I have it back.


rgards

Jagan