Indian Army History Thread

The Military Issues & History Forum is a venue to discuss issues relating to the military aspects of the Indian Armed Forces, whether the past, present or future. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
Post Reply
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/6711Anumit/status/1 ... 97824?s=20 ---> A very rare photograph of Captain Sam Manekshaw. A young Indian Army officer in the NWFP of Undivided India. Exact Location Unknown. Circa 1940's. Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw (03 April 1914 – 27 June 2008). Popularly Known As Sam Bahadur.

Image
SBajwa
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5777
Joined: 10 Jan 2006 21:35
Location: Attari

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by SBajwa »

thank you Admiral. you are the best. we love you!! keep showing such great pics.


Sandeep
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

SBajwa wrote:thank you Admiral. you are the best. we love you!! keep showing such great pics.

Sandeep
I am a sucker for nostalgia - I spend hours poring over old photographs of India. When I saw him on Twitter, my nostalgia radar went up. The stories this great man will have. The people he may have met (Gandhi, Nehru, Manekshaw, Mountbatten). His experiences in the three services. He is like a living, breathing history book! In 1947, when India got Independence, he was a young 27 years old. I could spend days listening to him. All I have is questions for him.
Manish_P
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5383
Joined: 25 Mar 2010 17:34

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Manish_P »

Rakesh wrote:What a wonderful life! Wow!

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1337301446929223680?s=20 ---> Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retd.), the only officer to serve in Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Army (Artillery), turns 100. He served during World War II and the 1965 India-Pakistan War. (Photo source: Indian Army).

https://twitter.com/DefenceDirect/statu ... 99363?s=20 ---> Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retd.) turns 100 today. Started as pilot in RIAF (flew Harvards in Karachi), transferred to RIN (Minesweepers & FF in WW2), transferred to Indian Army Artillery (fought 1965 war as Lt Colonel) & as Colonel was in Assam Rifles.
The very definition of a Warrior. Wow
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

Image
VinodTK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2976
Joined: 18 Jun 2000 11:31

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by VinodTK »



Timeline of the Indian Army Generals
g.sarkar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4382
Joined: 09 Jul 2005 12:22
Location: MERCED, California

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by g.sarkar »

https://www.rediff.com/news/special/far ... 210331.htm
Farewell, Victor of the Battle of Basantar
By Lieutenant General B T Pandit. PVSM, VrC (retd), March 31, 2021
Lieutenant General Walter Anthony Gustavo Pinto was known for his dynamic, bold and aggressive leadership in the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 War.

Lieutenant General B T Pandit -- who was awarded a Vir Chakra for his courage during that battle -- salutes the Victor of Basantar who passed into the ages last week.
Lieutenant General W A G Pinto was born on July 1, 1924 at Pune and just three years short of a century, he breathed his last in the Command Hospital in Pune on March 25, 2021. He served in the Indian Army for nearly four decades from September 1943 till he was superannuated in July 1982 as the Central Army Commander. During his illustrious and enviable career, he rose from 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant General and held varied important posts and assignments with great distinction.
However, his command tenure as General Officer Commanding 54 Infantry Division during the 1971 War stands out clearly as it catapulted him as our foremost battlefield General. Under his dynamic, bold and aggressive command, 54 Inf Div, deployed for the offensive in the western theatre, added a golden chapter to our post-Independence military history.
I was then a lieutenant colonel commanding 9 Engineer Regiment and in that capacity was extremely fortunate and privileged to be part of this offensive mission as combat engineer task force commander. The hostilities began with our then prime minister Smt Indira Gandhi's declaration of war in a very inspiring radio address to the Nation late 3/4 December night. As planned, we immediately launched an offensive from Samba (near Jammu) into the Shakargarh sector of Pakistan.Thereafter, for the next fortnight, we fought as well integrated all arms force, blazed our own trail in the absence of any worthwhile road common network, crossed three formidable minefields of unprecedented 600 to 1,300 meters depth laid by Pakistan hoping to bring our advance to a grinding halt and on the night of 15/16 December we succeeded in establishing a strong bridgehead across Basantar Nala. This posed a serious threat to the Pakistan heartland and forced the enemy to react and commit his strategic reserve to contain and eliminate this threat. In the ensuing intense battles fought from 15 to 17 December, we decimated the enemy's one infantry and one armed brigade accounting for as many as 60 tanks (as conceded even by Pakistan). These crippling losses forced the Pak government to sue for and accept a cease-fire in the western theatre from 2000 hours on 17 December, thereby conceding decisive victory to us.
.....
Gautam
Om Shanti.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/shubhankargh/status ... 82982?s=20 ---> What a military officer should be...as in 1907! Fun Read.

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/GODOFPARADOXES/stat ... 23873?s=20 ---> HAL HUL-26 Pushpak was actively flown by the Indian army in the 1965 and 1971 wars while manning the Air Observation Posts along the international borders. Picture credit to owners.

Image

Image
jamwal
BR Mainsite Crew
Posts: 5727
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 21:28
Location: Somewhere Else
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by jamwal »

Image
wig
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2162
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 16:58

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by wig »

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/featu ... amb-247221

6 Sikh and 5 Sikh troops: Defenders of Poonch, Chhamb

the article needs to be read in full
extracted
Two memorable defensive battles were fought south of Banihal Pass, amidst the rigours of the Pir Panjal mountains of Poonch and the undulating rough plains of Chhamb-Jaurian west of Munawar Tawi. The assaulting enemy numbered several times the men who manned the defences; however, they were met squarely with rare steadfastness, valour and dedication, inflicting crushing defeats on the enemy in both these encounters
unflagging spirit of soldiers
Soon, the next position at ‘Tund’ was under bi-directional attack. Major Punjab Singh, the company commander, ‘was the man of the moment; he quickly readjusted the defences and beat back the enemy on the first night. The next night, when the enemy returned, Punjab Singh had skillfully positioned the reinforcements and rushed forward.’ Two junior leaders, Havildar Malkiat Singh and Naib Singh, need special mention who with disregard to their own safety struck the enemy where most wanted. The enemy withdrew, their bodies and weapons scattered all over. Desperate, the enemy sent in their Special Forces (SSG), who managed to come within 30-40 metres of Point 405, but were also forced back.

From December 3 till the dawn of December 7, on display was the true mettle of Lt Col (later Maj Gen) KL Rattan — ‘unmindful of the heavy shelling and firing, he was present wherever an attack developed; with his skillful professionalism, he ensured the right moves, his hearty words kept the men in high morale and charged up throughout.’ He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. His motivation energised Sepoy Safaiwala Mangat Ram, ‘who without any fear or adversity continuously supplied ammunition to points under attack till his last breath, and was killed in the act.’

Protecting Chhamb-Jaurian
The Chhamb-Jaurian sector, west of Jammu bulging towards Pakistan, in military terms, is considered a ‘soft belly’ of the defences, as Pakistan has tremendous advantage which they have repeatedly exploited. 1971 was no different as Pakistan launched their major offensive here, aiming to capture Akhnoor and cut off the main Rajouri-Poonch axis. Pakistan employed its 23rd Infantry Division with five infantry brigades (15 battalions), three armoured regiments (approximately 150 tanks) and paramilitary forces.

5 Sikh went on to fight an epic defensive battle here.
Earthquake-like, the ground shook on and around the Indian forward posts around 2100 hours on December 3 as Pakistani artillery opened its barrage. The initial targets were our posts at Pir Jamal and Moel and by midnight, the posts at Phagla, Mandiala and Point 303. These posts and Point 303 were under the command of Maj DS Pannu, an intrepid soldier and outstanding sportsman, with a special passion for riding. Like a true aggressive horseman, not caring for personal safety, he rushed to join his forward troops at Pir Jamal and Moel, which were soon under intense attack with tanks and infantry. The small Indian force beat back three attacks, which delayed the enemy for 16 hours and upset their overall plan.

The casualties were heavy, but Maj Pannu, with a handful of survivors, pulled back to his main position at Point 303, which too soon came under attack. The enemy was held up through December 4 and on the evening of December 5, Maj Pannu was killed. Point 303 fell for a short time, but the gallant Capt Kamal Bakshi rose to the occasion and counter-attacked; the post was regained but he went missing in action, reportedly killed. In the entire surroundings could be seen the bodies of enemy soldiers; two MMGs and 70 rifles were recovered.
wig
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2162
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 16:58

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by wig »

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/featu ... gil-243918

Maha Virs of Nubra & Kargil
The remarkable feat of Col Chhewang Rinchen, Col Uday Singh, Subedar Mohinder Singh and Brig ML Whig
Vips
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4699
Joined: 14 Apr 2017 18:23

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Vips »

Army inducts women as soldiers for the first time, breaking another glass ceiling.

Shattering yet another glass ceiling in the overwhelmingly male-dominated armed forces, the first-ever batch of 83 women jawans have now been inducted into the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in the 13- lakh strong Army.

The attestation parade of the 83 women soldiers was held at the CMP Centre & School at Bengaluru on Saturday after they underwent 61 weeks
of intensive basic military and provost training, which included all forms of policing duties and management of prisoners of war, ceremonial duties,
skill development and signal communications.

Reviewing the parade, CMP Centre commandant Brigadier C Dayalan expressed his confidence that the training imparted to the women soldiers, along with the standards they achieved, would hold them in good stead. They will prove to be forcemultipliers at their new units located across varied terrains and operational conditions in the country, he said.

Army spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand, in turn, said the force plans to induct 1,700 women in the PBOR (personnel below officer rank) category in the CMP in a phased manner over the next 16-17 years.

The Army, Navy and IAF, which together number over 15-lakh, have till now inducted women only as officers, and that too in small numbers. Several branches have been progressively opened for women in recent years, with the IAF now even having 10 women fighter pilots.

The Navy also earlier this year deployed four women officers onboard its warships after a gap of around 23 years. But women are still not allowed to serve on board submarines or join “fighting arms” in the Army like infantry, armoured corps and artillery.

Officers say recruitment of women as soldiers (general duty) in the CMP is a path-breaking step, with the Army also planning to deploy women soldiers for crowd control and frisking of women protestors in militancy-hit areas like Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

Moreover, the CMP women will also help in investigation of criminal cases like rapes and molestation as well as in preserving good order and discipline in military formations.
wig
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2162
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 16:58

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by wig »

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/featu ... aka-267645

March to free Dhaka
Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen SS Mehta (Retd), who commanded a tank squadron that rolled into Dhaka as a greenhorn, remembers the epic battles beyond the brief
wig
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2162
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 16:58

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by wig »

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/featu ... vcs-271298

Recalling the valour of Maulvi Bazaar, Sylhet MVCs
Recalling the valour of Maha Vir Chakra recipients Sepoy Anusuya Prasad of 10 Mahar, Lt Col AB Harolikar and Rifleman Dil Bahadur Chhetri of 4/5 Gorkha Rifles, along with several other bravehearts
VinodTK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2976
Joined: 18 Jun 2000 11:31

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by VinodTK »



सियाचिन : धगधगते हिमकुंड के चोटी पर बाना टॉप
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

Twitter thread. Click on link below.

https://twitter.com/TheWolfpackIN/statu ... 05696?s=20 ---> Major General Ian Cardozo was then a young Major in the 5 Gorkha Rifles in the 1971 war with Pakistan. He stepped on a landmine and had to cut off his badly wounded leg with his own khukri. Yet through sheer will power and determination, he did not let his disability come in the way+
VinodTK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2976
Joined: 18 Jun 2000 11:31

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by VinodTK »

The Hyderabad connection to the historic Battle of Haifa
On Wednesday too, when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiled a plaque at Ra’anana in Israel, it was the same. Wondering how?

More than 100 years ago, it was one of the most remembered cavalry campaigns in which three Indian Cavalry Regiments – Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers – participated that helped liberate Haifa. They were part of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade of the then British Indian Army, with the action later coming to be known as the Battle of Haifa, 1918.

The three cavalry units were merged after Independence and came to be known as the Indian Army’s 61st Cavalry.

On Wednesday, when Jaishankar unveiled the plaque, he said the plaque was a step towards establishing an India Trail, marking the major points where Indian soldiers fought and paid supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in the region.

@DrSJaishankar
Unveiled the memorial plaque for Indian Army soldiers who fought at the Battle of Tabsor in the Megiddo Offensive of September 1918.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

Beautiful photo!

https://twitter.com/_ShivaniSD/status/1 ... 81092?s=20 ---> Greetings on Infantry Day today! A picture of my father - 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (FF) a proud infantryman as a young Captain at Fort William, Kolkata in the 60's. He's 86 now.

https://twitter.com/parasips/status/145 ... 98855?s=20 ----> See how the uniform is, perfection to the core. Three buttons above the belt, the sword is aligned with the trouser, the 30 degree angle in the foot, the strap in the chin, the sharp eye, I love our great soldier. I remember my grandfather. Jai Hind.

https://twitter.com/RakeshG1109/status/ ... 93348?s=20 ---> In those days when we had this cotton uniform, the Adjutant of the unit would not sit in his chair until the CO's interviews were finished, to avoid crumpling.

https://twitter.com/RakeshG1109/status/ ... 27302?s=20 ---> Only 5th Gorkha has the tradition of wearing the strap under the lip, all others wear it under the chin. It takes some doing to practice drill word of commands.

Image
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

Mandeep Bajwa on the 36 Light Artillery Regiment

https://indianexpress.com/article/india ... 1-7622459/

Military Digest | How the Marathas mastered Israeli mortars in 1971
The 36 Light Regiment took a week to do what was supposed to take two months



Written by Mandeep Singh Bajwa | Chandigarh |
November 15, 2021 8:00:30 am

The mortars arrived by ship at Mumbai in September and were immediately transported to Talbehat. (PIB)
The 1971 war and its build-up were marked by a great hunger for a decisive, strategic victory among the Indian population in general. After a thousand years of facing Central Asian and European invaders, the time was just right for the nation to enjoy the heady feeling of victory. The longing was highest among the chosen instrument of victory – the armed forces. Therefore, they worked extremely hard in the roughly seven months granted to them for preparation by the strategic planners. This involved very hard training and groundwork required for a successful feat of arms.

Having barely stepped into my teens and keenly interested in military matters I was witness first-hand to the tough training that my father’s formation, 36 Artillery Brigade, then located at Talbehat in Uttar Pradesh, was doing in preparation for the war they knew was coming. Gun-drill, field firing, exercises (with and without troops) and manoeuvres were the order of the day. Everyone worked very hard. But the story of 36 Light Regiment and its conversion to heavy mortars stands out.

To boost the Army’s firepower the government placed an order of 160mm heavy mortars with the Israeli firm Soltam. Since we had no diplomatic relations with Israel, the weapon system was routed through their Finnish collaborators, Tampella. 36 Light Regiment was chosen to be the pioneers in receiving, converting to and using the new mortars in war. The unit had started life as a battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry during World War Two. For a short while it was a unit of the Armoured Corps. It converted to an anti-tank regiment of the Artillery in January 1943 and fought with the Fourteenth Army in the battles of Letse, Mount Popa, Pyanbwe and in the Arakan during the Burma Campaign. After the war it became a parachute unit with its number changed to 36. During the Indo-Pak War, 1947-48 it remained deployed in Kashmir denying the main Uri-Muzaffarabad axis to enemy armour. Along with other anti-tank regiments it converted to 4.2-inch (107mm) mortars in 1956, With these it fought the 1962 war in the Namka Chu and Tawang-Sela sectors incurring heavy losses. Converting to the 120mm Brandt mortars, it took part with distinction in the 1965 war in Amritsar and Dera Baba Nanak sectors, showering death and destruction on the Pakistanis with accuracy. In 1971, it was commanded by the unflappable Lieutenant Colonel BB Kumar.

The mortars arrived by ship at Mumbai in September and were immediately transported to Talbehat. The School of Artillery sent a team consisting of two Instructors-in-Gunnery (IsG), Major Kultar Singh and Captain Pushpendra Singh to help in the conversion and formulate drills and practices. The Israeli manufacturers had specified two months for conversion and training, Army Headquarters felt it could be done in a month; my father, the brigade commander, was confident that 36 Light would be able to manage it in a fortnight. Anyway, let me use Captain (now Major General) Pushpendra Singh’s words to describe the situation as it developed. He writes about seeing the large crates in which the mortars were packed. And then, “What we next witnessed was amazing as the crates were opened, the personnel from the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) would identify and inspect the item and it was then duly receipted by the various Ordnance units from the Mumbai Depot all the way down to the Divisional Ordnance Field Park and then issued to the unit. Similarly, the EME would record their respective inspections in their particular echelons. Thus, in about a day, all inspections and receipts from Mumbai Embarkation Headquarters – which received the equipment at the port – through a long and complicated line of headquarters and units down to the regiment were completed, a process that would normally take several weeks. I have never in my service of 39 years experienced such efficiency before or since!”

Meanwhile, the Maratha Gunners were busy figuring out how to operate the new system. The School of Artillery team aided by the Regiment’s own IG, Major Randhir Navet used the typical Indian imagination to figure out the workings and had within a day worked out a gun drill for bringing the mortar into action, recording a centre of arc and cease-firing. Training started in right earnest with the Regiment using all its strength to get things right. At about this time Major General KD Vasista, the Director of Artillery, visited to see things for himself. The regiment put on a grand demonstration. All this in just three days without the benefit of foreign experts. The Israeli experts, who included a technician, came next. Their two-month training programme was brushed aside almost contemptuously by the Regiment. Major Navet told them, “We’re going to accomplish our conversion and do a unit fire and movement exercise in a week’s time followed by live firing.”

The Israelis were stumped when 36 Light Regiment did just that. They completed their conversion and training in seven days flat, and did their field firing on the ranges on the eighth, while simultaneously preparing to move to the operational area. Captain (Now Colonel) Arun Thakur, the Adjutant (unit fire control officer) told me that the impact of the 38-kg bomb even 2km away in the observation post was simply breathtaking. A wonder weapon had been provided to the Artillery. The 36 Heavy Mortar Regiment were on the train on the ninth day to join the rest of the formation in North-West Punjab for the planned offensive into Shakargarh.

My father told me that the Maratha Gunners were simply awesome in their battle performance. As for the Soltams, suffice it to say that on the last day of the war a Pakistani station cut into the India radio net and plaintively beseeched, ‘For God’s sake please stop your shelling!’ Truly a battle-winning weapon in the hands of our indomitable Gunners.

A quarter century later the Soltams were still going strong. In 1996, Pushpendra Singh, now a Major general took charge of the artillery in Northern Command. The first task given to him was to silence some Pakistani 12.7mm machine-guns interfering with traffic on the National Highway between Srinagar and Leh. He had no hesitation in detailing a battery (six tubes) of Soltam mortars for the task. Within 48 hours the Pakistanis were forced to abandon their advance position. As Pushpendra Singh now writes, “Even 25 years after their induction, the Talbehat Mortars had crushed the enemy despite their vintage ammunition.” Earlier this year the Soltam were retired from service. As they were fired for the last time at the Mahajan Ranges, one could hear the echoes of ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’. The Maratha Gunners had lived up to the trust vested in them.

What explains 36 Heavy Mortar Regiment’s extraordinary performance in converting in record time belying all expectations? Professional pride is only one part. I would put it down to the Spirit of 1971, a spirit instilled in everyone who fought the war. So eager were they to rise to the expectations of their countrymen, that they gave freely of their all. It was truly a national victory.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

Rakesh wrote:What a wonderful life! Wow!

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1337301446929223680?s=20 ---> Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retd.), the only officer to serve in Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Army (Artillery), turns 100. He served during World War II and the 1965 India-Pakistan War. (Photo source: Indian Army).

https://twitter.com/DefenceDirect/statu ... 99363?s=20 ---> Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill (retd.) turns 100 today. Started as pilot in RIAF (flew Harvards in Karachi), transferred to RIN (Minesweepers & FF in WW2), transferred to Indian Army Artillery (fought 1965 war as Lt Colonel) & as Colonel was in Assam Rifles.
From my post last December. The legend just recently passed away. See below.

https://twitter.com/manaman_chhina/stat ... 28643?s=20 ---> Colonel Prithipal Singh Gill has passed away today just a few days short of his 101st birthday. Colonel Gill had the unique privilege of having served in all three services-Army, Navy and Air Force. He commanded 71 Medium Regiment in the 1965 war.

Image

Image
rajkumar
BRFite
Posts: 422
Joined: 22 Sep 2000 11:31
Location: London U.K
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by rajkumar »

Skinner Horse in Italy During WWII

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/VinodDX9/status/147 ... 26341?s=20 ---> Instrument of Surrender - from Portuguese colonial power!

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/singhshwetabh71/sta ... 57244?s=20 ---> Another cool and rare drop. An Indian Centurion Mk 7 gets loaded on a (possibly) Thornycroft Antar 60 ton tractor.

https://twitter.com/singhshwetabh71/sta ... 19842?s=20 ---> By Simon Dunstan.

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

History watchers will recognize the signature at bottom left :) The AUK!

https://twitter.com/rwac48/status/14777 ... 68545?s=20 ---> The last (British) India Army Order.

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18190
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/rahulsinghx/status/ ... 40032?s=20 ---> On Armed Forces Veterans Day, here is a lovely photo that captures the close bond between our serving soldiers & the wise men who showed them the path. Gen MM Naravane with Brig Madan Das (on the left), the army chief's first CO more than four decades ago.

Image
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

I think we should collect biographies of great civilians who contributed to the armed forces here:

http://wdpatwardhanmemorial.org/A_tribu ... ntist.html
Dr. Waman Dattatreya Patwardhan

(1917 – 2007)



Space and Defense technology in India has reached a sky high after fifty years of independence. India is now a declared Nuclear Power, and has indigenous and highly developed Space and Missile Programs.



Today’s achievements and successes in these Programs are the result of years of hard work, ingenuity, and excellence in scientific research in these technologies.



Looking back, the foundation stones of the Nuclear Program, the Missile Program and the Space Program were laid in the fifties and sixties. Moreover, it is interesting to study how the foundation stones for today’s successes were laid with great works of a handful of men who stayed away from fame and publicity, as secrecy was the need of the time. Even today, most of them remain in obscurity.



Dr. W. D. Patwardhan was one of those great men, who shaped the Science and
Technology of Armaments and Explosives in DRDO, and laid the foundation stones for India’s indigenous and highly successful Nuclear, Space, and Missile Programs.



He worked as the Director of the Explosives Research and Development Laboratory (ERDL) from 1962 to 1972, and later as the Director of the Armaments Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), from 1972 to 1976.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

Ravi Rikhye Page:

https://www.indianmilitaryhistory.org/index.html

A few dead links.
Atmavik
BRFite
Posts: 1985
Joined: 24 Aug 2016 04:43

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Atmavik »

ernest
BRFite
Posts: 147
Joined: 26 Aug 2016 15:35

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ernest »

Atmavik wrote:are these centurian tanks ?
Looks like Vijayant
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

parikh_ind wrote:A Talent for War , The Military Biography of Lt Gen Sagat Singh - Randhir Sinh
Image
https://www.amazon.in/Talent-War-Milita ... 327&sr=8-1

One of the 2-3 biographies on a military genius. Thanks to his unconventional and brilliant tactics we won
- Battle for Goa , main IA advance was bogged down and lost all co ordination except for the corps under Sagat Singh who made a dash for the Mandovi and finished the war defying the battle plan.
- 1967 war , where he taught the Chinese a lesson and didnt retreat like the neighbouring IA units again defying orders
- 1971 , orchestrated the race to Dhaka , kept his plans secret , bypassing the Paki strong holds, which was not part of the IA battle plans . He knew the stupid politicians would negotiate a cease fire after capturing some territory to house the refugees. Infact the IA plan didnt factor a move to capture Dhaka. So much for the so called brilliance of Manekshaw , Jacob and the other credit hoggers and photo op free loaders.

Sadly was persecuted by the deadwood generals of the IA and Congoons, was kept out of 1962 , 1965 and was ignored after 1971. 1962 and 65 would have been another story if he was in play.

After reading books on the 1962 , 65 and 71 one seriously doubts the capability of IA senior leadership , except for mavericks like Sagat and Sunderji . The bravery of our jawans and junior leadership bail us out time and again
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

I read many war histories from US Civil War, WWI, and WWII. The early years of each war are notable for the lack of good generalship in the larger armies. Promotions are given for spit and polish and pomp. Those expected to be the least trouble makers are promoted and when war comes they don't perform either.
Recently there was a book looking at the Royal Navy policy of promoting admirals after the Napoleonic wars and how it ended up with total duds in WWI. Anyone with any iota of innovation in tactics, strategy, and enjoying rapport with the ranks is suppressed with some nasty remarks in their ACR.

It Was Field Marshal Manekshaw who stemmed the rot in Eastern Command after 1962.
It was Maj Gen Mohinder Singh, who was shunted as Director NCC< when Maj Gen Prasad was dismissed and led the stand at Assal Uttar.

These warriors do their duty and fade away.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

A book review in the Operational Art thread.
The last comment applied to IA senior officers in 1962 and other wars.

viewtopic.php?p=2536579#p2536579
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

Indian Army Knowledge Online page
Has articles on important issues facing Army.

https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemp ... o6xa2FXA==

Online Journals Links:

Baat Cheet

https://indianarmy.nic.in/publications/baatcheet

Sainik Samachar:
https://indianarmy.nic.in/publications/sainiksamachar

Pinnacle Journal:

https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemp ... PzZG4isw==

Publications from CLAWS:

https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemp ... Z5ktZiQy4=
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

Indian Army Make In India projects by Army Design Bureau

https://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata ... s_2021.pdf

Has projects suggest schedule and list of suppliers being identified.

My only fear is some of these are state of art systems which have taken decades to develop aborad and to give such to beginner industry is very hopeful.
I would rather have the appropriate DRDO lab assigned to help the supplier with design and development.
Maria
BRFite
Posts: 212
Joined: 15 Aug 2020 13:50

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by Maria »

ramana wrote:
parikh_ind wrote:A Talent for War , The Military Biography of Lt Gen Sagat Singh - Randhir Sinh
Image
https://www.amazon.in/Talent-War-Milita ... 327&sr=8-1

One of the 2-3 biographies on a military genius. Thanks to his unconventional and brilliant tactics we won
- Battle for Goa , main IA advance was bogged down and lost all co ordination except for the corps under Sagat Singh who made a dash for the Mandovi and finished the war defying the battle plan.
- 1967 war , where he taught the Chinese a lesson and didnt retreat like the neighbouring IA units again defying orders
- 1971 , orchestrated the race to Dhaka , kept his plans secret , bypassing the Paki strong holds, which was not part of the IA battle plans . He knew the stupid politicians would negotiate a cease fire after capturing some territory to house the refugees. Infact the IA plan didnt factor a move to capture Dhaka. So much for the so called brilliance of Manekshaw , Jacob and the other credit hoggers and photo op free loaders.

Sadly was persecuted by the deadwood generals of the IA and Congoons, was kept out of 1962 , 1965 and was ignored after 1971. 1962 and 65 would have been another story if he was in play.

After reading books on the 1962 , 65 and 71 one seriously doubts the capability of IA senior leadership , except for mavericks like Sagat and Sunderji . The bravery of our jawans and junior leadership bail us out time and again
Ramana Garu let's not forget the famous victory he delivered in '67.
wig
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2162
Joined: 09 Feb 2009 16:58

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by wig »

https://caravanmagazine.in/interview/ge ... mahon-line

this is an interview conducted of General V N Sharma on the events of 1986 on the India China border on the eastern front

Army HQ wanted me to withdraw from Wangdung in 1987 but I refused: Retired General VN Sharma


excerpts. but it is well worth one's time to read the full interview
The captain said, “Sorry, we are not moving.” But the Chinese kept advancing. When they were about fifty yards below him, he winked at the LMG gunner who fired off a burst, about two feet above the Chinese brigadier’s head. Even his cap flew off and went rolling down the khud [ravine], and that shocked him because he didn’t expect Indian troops to stand their ground. He went running back and that became a diplomatic incident.

He reported to his headquarters that these chaps are standing there and they fired at us, and the Chinese foreign ministry contacted the Indian foreign ministry and the Indian foreign ministry contacted the Indian Army chief, the army chief contacted the Eastern Command and from there down back to the corps commander, Narahari and to the divisional commander: “You should tell your chaps, you are not supposed to fire at the Chinese as per our hukum [order] and cross the line of actual control. Come back.”

This argument started taking place in July–August 1986. Come October, the snow started coming down, so the thing froze at this position. Meanwhile, Narahari had already moved the divisional commander, tactical headquarters and a brigade or two to Tawang. A chap called JM Singh [a major general who was the divisional commander of the Indian Army’s 5 Mountain Division], he established his headquarters at Tawang and he had a brigade worth of troops there. And Narahari was in Tezpur [the headquarters of the IV Corps] and kept on visiting. This was the situation when I came to Eastern Command around June [1987].

SS: You were in the College of Combat in Mhow before moving to the Eastern Command in June 1987. What was the build-up before you moved to the Eastern Command?
VNS: Lieutenant General JK Puri was the commander there [in 1986]—and I was a great friend of JK Puri also—only six months senior to me, a gunner officer and a very fine officer. Before June [1987], I had sent my boys from the higher command course to reconnoitre the whole place. As the commander of the College of Combat, round about September–October [1986], I visited Narahari, whom I knew, and got a helicopter from him, and visited JM Singh in Tawang. I wanted to see the layout of Chinese positions, so he gave me a local helicopter, a Cheetah, with one of his officers to explain to me the area and I flew over the Chinese positions to see how they were laid out.


We had a battalion of Gorkhas, which Narahari and JM Singh had put forward. A chap called Lieutenant Colonel Pathania was commanding the Gorkhas. I spoke to Pathania, and he said, “Hum to yahaan aage nikle hue hai”—We have moved ahead here. We were not supposed to cross the McMahon Line [A demarcated boundary between Tibet and India defined and negotiated by the then British government, in 1914. India considers its interpretation of the line as its legal border with China but the Chinese do not accept the McMahon Line]. Pathania’s battalion was between Bum La pass, which is a high feature and the Langro La ridge line, slightly northwest of Tawang.

What was the plan? The plan was that should it come to fisticuffs, then we would be at a better position than the Chinese—they were in the valley with a company, and we had almost a whole battalion ranged on the Langro La ridge. And we had people in Tawang, right up to Bum La pass—tactically we were in a far better position. Artillery guns were not very useful because we had the Indian field gun—105 mm—and while its range is good enough but it’s a flat trajectory, so it was not really able to reach the valley. But they had sent two Bofors guns for trial in the mountains—5 Division, high-altitude trials.

So, we had moved these two guns up to Tawang and they were still out of range—their range is up to thirty kilometres but on a high angle the range is slightly less. So, they wanted the guns to go forward by five to six kilometres. The sappers were told to construct a track on which the gun would automatically move with its own engine, about five to six kilometres, and bring Wangdung in range. And JM Singh was in the process of doing that by October [1986], and he said, “By the time the winter passes, the next monsoon finishes, and we come into battle positions again, we will have done this.”
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

Gallantry Awards site

https://t.co/EaAzoOiuMv
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

USI has every year an essay competition for Lt Gen Sl Menezes Memorial Prize
https://usiofindia.org/lt-gen-sl-meneze ... mpetition/

The topic this year is
‘An Appraisal of Gen Zorawar Singh's Military Expedition and its Impact on India's Strategic Geography’

General Zorawar Singh's conquest of Ladakh and his expedition into Tibet forms the basis of the present-day McMahon Line. Born to a humble Rajput family, he was a ferocious warrior and is revered as a hero in Dogra folklore. As a General in Ranjit Singh's Army, very interestingly, he met the emperor twice but was denied permission to capture Tibet for the Sikh Empire. Finally, after the demise of Ranjit Singh, with the blessings of Raja Sher Singh & the Dogra ruler of J&K, Dhyan Singh, he led a mixed army of Sikhs, Dogras and Ladakhis to capture Ladakh and most of Western Tibet. There are fascinating accounts of the bravery & professionalism of his army, which fought at 15,000 feet under extreme weather conditions & formidable terrain to subdue the Tibetan army of the Dalai Lama. Following his death in Dec 1841 and the signing of the famous treaty of 1842, it brought the kingdom of Ladakh & Tibet together, resulting in a robust socio-economic interaction that remained till the annexation of Tibet by China in 1950-59.

The implications of Zorawar Singh's campaign on the strategic geography of modern India are profound. His conquest of Ladakh and the impact on the Treaty of 1842 are proof of the absence of any Chinese presence in Tibet. In fact, the Qing Emperor sent assistance to the Dalai Lama in the First Tibetan- Gorkha war of 1788-89, but refused the same in the Sikh-Tibetan war(1841-42) as well as the Second Tibetan-Gorkha war (1855-56) further cementing the fact that China had little presence or control over Tibet. Aside from this, a number of Sikh & Dogra soldiers chose to stay behind, marrying locally and contributing to an interweave and synthesis of cultures, traditions and religious beliefs in this region

Examine the historical and legal facts arising from the 1841 military expedition of Gen Zorawar Singh and the impact it had on India's strategic geography, particularly on our northern frontiers.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Indian Army History Thread

Post by ramana »

Gen JJ Singh writes about Artillery in India
https://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id ... m-Thoughts
Post Reply