Hero of 1965 : of Lt. Col. A.B. Tarapore PVC – 17 Horse (Poona Horse)

This is the second ‘tribute’ of the series pertaining to the Param Vir Charka awardees in the Indo-Pak war of 1965. Lt. Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, the Commandant of 17 Horse (Poona Horse), led his regiment in what was the biggest and one of the most fiercely fought tank battles of the 1965 war. His personal bravery which resulted in Lt. Col. Tarapore laying down his life, is a shinning example of courage and leadership in military action.

 

 

Here’s the story….

The Battle of ‘Chawinda’ was the scene of intense action, as the capture of this town was important in the overall design of 1 Corps in its operations in the Sialkot sector.

The area of Chawinda was held by two regiments of Pakistani armour and infantry. 17 horse, commanded by Lt. Col. Tarapore was part of the 1 Armoured brigade and was advancing towards Chawinda, when it was counter attacked by the enemy’s heavy armour.  Lt. Col. Tarapore defied the enemy charge, held on to his position, and attacked another town “Phillora’ with just one of his squadrons, supported by an infantry battalion.  In the heavy continuous fire, Lt. Col. Tarapore was wounded, but refused to be evacuated.

On September 14, 1965, though wounded, Col. Tarapore led his regiment to capture another town – Waziralli. This was followed by the capture of Jasoran and Butur – Dograndi. This happened on 16th September.  Despite his tank being hit several times, and he himself being wounded, he played the role of a ‘pivot’ between these areas. This enabled the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda.

Lt. Col. Tarapore was mortally wounded in the tank battle. 17 Horse, inspired by the leadership and grit displayed by its Commandant, fought with renewed ferocity, and destroyed 60 enemy tanks against the loss of 9 of its own.

For his brave and gallant action and leadership displayed, despite being wounded, Lt. Col. Tarapore was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

 

(Source : Gazette of India notification – 112 – Press 65)

Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid PVC (4 Grenadiers)

It is September, and in one week’s time, it would be the 46th anniversary of Indian’s second war with Pakistan after Independence. It is befitting then, that we  remember those brave soldiers who fought this war bravely, some of them laying down their lives to thwart Pakistan’s designs to once again forcibly take away the Region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The first in the series of remembrances is that of Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, who belonged to 4 Grenadiers, who fought gallantry to thwart a massive enemy armoured offensive with just RCL guns, in the Punjab sector, and was successful in restraining the attack and holding back the enemy. In the process Abdul Hamid laid down his life.

Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, PVC

It was early September 1965 and Pakistan had just launched an intense offensive in J&K (Operation Grand Slam) aimed at capturing Akhnoor in Jammu. The objective was to cut off communications and supply routes to the Indian forces on the border in J&K. India had retaliated with air attacks and was on the verge of opening the front in Punjab.

On 6th September, Indian forces (11Corps) was tasked to launch an offensive near the west bank of Icchogil canal (a de facto border between India and Pakistan). The intent was to establish bridgeheads  across the canal and pose a threat to Lahore. It was expected that Pakistan would react violently and provide 11 Corps an opportunity to destroy them. It was decided that ‘Asal Uttar’ would be a suitable place to cover an enemy offensive, as it covered both the Khem Karan – Amritsar axis as well as the Khem Karan – Patti axis.

4 Grenadiers  is a unique example of a Battalion that distinguished itself in an intensely fought out war, without its regular company commanders and platoon commanders who were then deployed on the Indo-Tibetan border. The Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) were elevated to fight his battle, and Company Quartermaster Abdul Hamid was directed to take over a detachment of RCL gums of his battalion (he was chosen because of he had done well in the RCL course at Infantry School Mhow, and therefore was the obvious choice).

The Battalion arrived at Ichhogil Canal on the night of September 7-8 and made preparations. No overhead cover was possible, and no camouflage necessary as the battalion was in the midst of sugarcane fields.

Very early morning on September 8, 1965 the battalion heard the ‘rumbling’ of tank movement. By 9 o’clock, the first three Patton tanks came astride the road. When the lead tank was about 30 yards away, Abdul Hamid fired with this RCL gun and knocked it out. The crew of the two follow up tanks abandoned them and fled.

At 1130 am, three more tanks came into view. Once again, Abdul Hamid fired when the lead tank was at close range, and destroyed it. And once again the crew of the two follow up tanks abandoned them and fled. By the end of the day, two enemy tanks were destroyed singularly by Abdul Hamid, and four others had been abandoned, thus taking the tally up to six. An Engineer company was frantically called and some anti tank mines were laid.

On September 9, the 4 Grenadier position was attacked came under air attack, but fortunately not much harm was done. This was followed by three waves of attacks by Pakistani tanks – at 9.30 am, 1130 am and at 2.30 pm. Abdul Hamid destroyed two more tanks. Some sounds of the anti tank mines exploding were heard. At the end of the day, more than 13 Pakistani tanks lay abandoned in the fields

It was clear that 4 Grenadiers was facing a massive and determined armoured assault. Furthermore, for strategic reasons, the Indian armour could not be deployed there, as a result of which this Battalion was to fight what was evidently a full armoured division, with just its RCL guns.

One September 10, the battalion was first shelled heavily and what followed was pretty much a similar armoured thrust. Three tanks moved first at 8.30 am, in a pattern similar to that on the previous two days – the lead tank on the road, with two follow up tanks moving on the lower verges of the read a little behind.

Abdul Hamid aimed his RCL gun once again, and when the lead tank was close enough, destroyed it. The second armoured thrust came at 9.00 am, and Abdul Hamid got another tank – his sixth one. The artillery shelling meanwhile became heavier. Abdul Hamid moved his RCL jeep to a different firing position, and told the rest of his jeep crew to take cover.

The next tank, and Abdul Hamid spotted each other at the same time. Abdul Hamid, now alone took aim of the tank. Both the tank and Abdul fired simultaneously. Abdul Hamid was killed instantly. According to unofficial reports, both the tank and the RCL jeep were blown together to bits.

Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously. His citation reads thus:

“Abdul Hamid’s brace action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to bear back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard for his personal safety during the operation and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army”

 

Major General Ian Cardozo SM, in his book “Param Vir – Our heroes in Battle” highlights the irony related to his award. Apparently, the recommendation for the Param Vir Chakra was sent on the evening of September 9, by when Abdul Hamid had personally destroyed three enemy tanks. By September 10, Abdul Hamid had destroyed three more, and was killed in the process of destroying a seventh tank. A follow up message was sent for correcting the previous citation. His award was changed to a ‘posthumous’ one but the record about the number of tanks destroyed was never amended to this date.

 

 

With contributions from :

1. “Param Vir – Our heroes in Battle” (Major General Ian Cardozo, Lotus Roli)

2. Satyameva Jayate - http://satyameva-jayate.org/2010/09/10/abdul-hamid-pvc/

Lt. General Inderjit Singh Gill - PVSM, MC

I have often wondered how easy - or hard it is to 'compress' an entire life of this soldier and General, into a few hundred words. This is a humble attempt - to pay tribute to one of India's finest soldiers - a distinguished General, leader and trainer, about whom very few outside the Army circles know..

Inderjit Singh Gill was born to a Sikh father and and English mother in 1919, in Chennai. His father was a Royal Medical Corps Doctor and Inder was one of four sons. After finishing School in Chennai, Inder went to England to complete his studies. It was because of the fact that he was half English biologically, and spent a good part of his life in England, that Inder was more of an Englishman, and less of a 'Sardar' That explained his clipped English accent, and absence of a turban and beard. Inder was a 'gora sa'ab' in more ways than one.

Inder finished School in 1939 and had good enough grades to pursue Engineering at Edinburgh University. He however enlisted with the famous 'Black Watch' - a Scottish Regiment, in 1941, shortly after the outbreak of World War II.

Soon after, in 1942, Inder got involved in what came to be known as the 'Harling Mission' - which was to thwart the Axis strength in Greece and in the Mediterranean region through undercover operations. Inder was part of the team that destroyed the Gorgopotamos Bridge in Greece in November 1942.

Soon after the War was over, Inder decided to give up his commission in the British Army, and joined the Indian Army in January 1948. What followed was a distinguished career in the Army that consisted of a variety of command and staff appointments. He passed 'Staff College' in 1954 Inder got his command - that of the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, or more commonly known as '1 Para' in 1955. This was followed by Brigade and Division level commands. Inder was then appointed Director Military Training.

During the 1971 Bangladesh war Inder was the officiating Director of Military Operations, where he played a pivotal role in coordinating operations that ultimately led to India's victory. After the war, Inder commanded a Corps and finally was appointed GOC-in-C, Western Command, before he retired in 1979.

Inder Gill's career record might not be different from that of any other General who rose to that rank. But he demonstrated exceptional qualities because of which he stood out.

One of the foremost things for which Inder was admired by not only the men he commanded but also his seniors was the depth of professional knowledge, and clarity of thinking. And because of this quality, Inder proved to be an exceptional instructor. As Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College Brigadier (later General) Manekshaw assessed Inder as "a first class instructor, credit to the Army and 'should be considered for accelerated promotion'

Inder was also known to work hard and party hard. His capacity to put in hard work was also folklore in the Army. There were many a time, when he would party hard till the wee hours, return home sit down to work, and by the opening hours of Office, produce multiple pages of neat handwritten accounts of war plans, strategy tactics and so on.

His propensity to party hard, and his weakness for 'the bottle' also did not escape the attention of his seniors many of whom made it a point to make a mention of his nuisance value once he got drunk, in his Confidential Reports. Many appraisers felt that an otherwise brilliant officer would lose out due to his fondness of alcohol. Inder was to prove all of them wrong, right through his career.

So confident was he of his professional capabilities, that he had the moral courage to stand upright in front of any senior - be it an Officer, or as was proved in some cases, even politicians.Once during the 1971 war, as Director of Military Operations, Inder was to give a briefing to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram. Everyone gathered in the room but the chatter did not cease. After waiting for several minutes Inder turned to Sam Manekshaw the Army Chief and said " Sam, there's a war going on and I better see how it's progressing. Why don't you take over?" And he walked out.

During the war Inder was at the helm of affairs as Director of Military Operations. Rumor has it that he did not go home for 14 days, and remained in his operational headquarters. But despite the tension, he was unflappable even then. One story goes that Inder was on his desk, trying to catch a quick nap when the Vice Chief rang up and wanted to know the status at various war fronts. 'I was dreaming of my wife. I 'll let you know if anything exciting happens' Inder said, and hung up.

After war Inder played an equally important role in delineating the line of control that divided the northern disputed Kashmir state between the rival claimants, India and Pakistan.

Long after the war was over, Inder kept the Operations Directorate busy, with formulation and documentation of 'after action' reports, lessons learnt and so on.

Inder went on to command a Corps in the East before being appointed the Army Commander of the Western Command. It was here that Inder having got provoked by a controversial newspaper article, acted without discretion, and shot off an angry response to the editor, in his official capacity. His letter was published the next day, and this became a huge controversy, with the opposition en cashing upon the situation, and the Government facing embarrassment.

Inder who with his exceptional career record and a long string of medals including 7 of them from other Countries, the PVSM and the Padma Bhushan, was undoubtedly in line for the top position of the Chief of Army Staff.

Whether he missed the opportunity due to the fact that he shot himself in the foot with the letter to the editor, or something else went wrong, will never be known. But it is clear that Inder not becoming the Indian Army Chief was the loss of the Army, the Government and the Nation.

Because officers like Inder don't come along so easily.

Inputs from:

1.http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/2008/02/remembering-lt-gen-inderjit-gill-pvsm.html

2. 'Born to Dare' (The LIfe of Lt. Gen. Inderjit Singh Gill PVSM MC by S. Muthiah (Penguin Viking)

Lt. General Zorawar Chand Bakshi -PVSM, MVC, VrC, VSM India's most decorated General

A true officer and a gentleman, 'Zoru' Bakshi, as he was popularly known, remains an icon, and a source of inspiration to the past and present generations of Army officers in India.

Zoru was born in 1921, in the Rawalpindi district of Punjab, now in Pakistan. He was commissioned into the Infantry arm of the Army in 1943, and joined the 16/10 Baluch Regiment, then deployed in Burma.

Almost as soon as he joined, in series of operations in quick succession, Zoru earned the admiration of the rank and file. One of these operations involved the capturing of a hill feature, and Zoru was ordered to lead a small team of men. At the end of a bloody fight, the hill was captured. It was under Zoru's leadership that Subedar Bhandari Ram fought gallantly and was seriously injured, and earned a Victoria Cross.

In 1945, Zoru fought in the Battle of Kangaw, one of the hardest fought battles of the Burma campaign. It was in this Battle that Zoru won the first of the series of decorations. He was 'Mentioned in Dispatches'

At the time of partition, Zoru was assigned to the Punjab Boundary Force, entrusted to maintain peace in Punjab. Contrary to plans, the Punjab Boundary Force was found inadequate to manage the situation arising out of the riots and disturbances. Responsibility of maintaining peace in the disturbed areas was handed over to the respective Governments, and the Punjab Boundary Force officially ceased to exist.

In 1948, in the J&K operations, Zoru fought valiantly, and was awarded the 'Vir Chakra'. What was unique about this achievement was that Zoru was a staff officer and staff officers rarely got an opportunity to be in a combat situation.

In 1949, Zoru was awarded his next medal - "Mac Gregor Memorial Medal'.  This was instituted in memory of Major General Charles Metcalf Macgregor, and was awarded every year for the best military reconnaissance or journey of exploration or survey of remote areas of India. Zoru was assigned the task of conducting a very important strategic military reconnaissance of some areas of Tibet. Zoru, disguised as a Tibetan monk, covered a distance of 400 kms in 80 days, and traversed some of the highest mountain passes of the Himalayas. For successfully completing this assignment, Zoru was awarded this medal - the fist one after India's independence.

In 1951, Zoru was selected for the 4th course of the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, and completed this with flying colours. He performed so well, that was recommended for an Instructional appointment. After completing Staff College, Zoru took up the assignment of Brigade Major – 121 Infantry Brigade. Zoru thus had the unique distinction of completing this assignment on two occasions.

After two quick stints – one as Instructor – Infantry School, Mhow, and then as Instructor Staff College (on promotion to Lt. Col.) Zoru got his command of a Battalion – that of 2/5 Gorkha Rifles which was in Calcutta. This was in 1951. Soon after, Bakshi’s Battalion sailed for Congo (erstwhile Zaire), for peacekeeping duties. For leading his battalion in effective implemtation of law and order and peace in Congo, Zoru was awarded the Vishisht Sewa Medal.

 

In 1965, Zoru was promoted to the rank of Brigadier, and posted as Commander 68 Infantry Brigade in Kashmir. The war clouds had gathered once again. Pakistani infiltration began just a few days after Zoru assumed command.  While infiltration was being effectively addressed, it was felt that to prevent further ingress,  by guerrillas and to block routes being used by them, some key tactical features had to be captured. The Hajipir Pass was one of them.

The Hajipir Pass was strategically very important as it provided one of the main routes of ingress into the Kashmir Valley. Zoru was assigned the mission to capture the Pass. In fact, so strong was the faith of the senior command in Zoru’s capability, that the whole operation was codenamed ‘Operation Bakshi’

In one of the most brilliantly executed operations in the 1965 conflict, Zoru captured the Hajipir Pass and wrote his name in the Indian Military history.

The credit for the capture went to Major Ranjit Dayal, who actually captured the feature, and to Zoru for planning and executing a bold plan, fraught with risk. There is no doubt that if this plan had failed, Zoru would have been solely held responsible, as he had not taken permission from his senior command to execute it.  For his role as a commander in executing this mission, Brigadier Zoru Bakshi was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest medal for gallantry. With a Vir Chakra already under his belt, Zoru became  the only Indian Army officer to have been awarded both medals.

In March 1967, Zoru was appointed Brigadier General Staff of the Eastern Command, where Lt. Gen. Manekshaw as the Army Commander.  Soon after Zoru was selected to do the senior command course at the Imperial Defence College, London. Zoru passed the course with distinction. He returned, and after a brief stint in the Military Training Directorate, Zoru was promoted to Major General and posted at GOC 8 Mountain Division, in Nagaland, where insurgency had become a serious problem.

As GOC, Zoru experienced an incident which was to earn him the reputation of being a very strict disciplinarian. One of his Brigade Commanders was Brigadier SK Sinha, (who later rose to the position of Vice Chief of Army Staff), under whose command two Nagas were killed reportedly because they were hostile. Zoru personally got involved in the enquiry and soon the truth was out that one of the battalions, in a bid to notch up the counter insurgency score had actually tortured and killed  two Nagas, and their bodies were disposed off.

Zoru was extremely upset. Since this happened under Sinha’s command, Sinha was informed by Zoru, that the recommendation for an AVSM for Sinha was not being withdrawn. The commanding officer of the Battalion was removed from command and demoted to the rank of Major. Two more officers were court martialled and either dismissed from service or imprisoned.

When the 1971 operations against Pakistan became imminent, Zoru was commanding 26 Infantry Division in Jammu. As part of a strategic initiative planned for 1 Corps, Zoru’s Division was assigned a strategically important mission which was to advance towards Sialkot, Pakistan. However, soon after hostilities commenced on December 3, 1971, the situation on the ground changed fast, and soon, the original plan to advance towards Sialkot had to shelved, and 26 Division was redeployed to defend Jammu.

Zoru proceeded to capture ‘Chicken’s Neck’ a phrase coined by Zoru himself, that was of extreme strategic importance. That Chicken’s Neck was captured within 48 hours of implementation of plans, is a feat in itself. It was an operation reminiscent of the capture of the Hajipir Pass. Zoru once again proved the point that it wasn’t numerical superiority, but daring and audacity that bring success.

 

After the war, Zoru was posted to the Directorate of Military Operations. On promotion to Lt. General Zoru took charge as Military Secretary, at the Army HQ.

In 1975 Zoru was assigned 2 Corps as Corps Commander, replacing Lt Genl TN Raina who moved to take over as Western Army Commander.Zoru undertook his responsibility in a most distinguished manner, till the time he retired in 1979.

Age was against Zoru, else (there is little doubt) that he would have moved right up to the top most position.

Zoru is one of the most well known Generals of the Indian Army. A highly decorated soldier, he was a very successful military leader. He was also a brilliant strategist and a tactician. In all missions assigned to him, he did not taste defeat even once, nor did he lose an inch of territory to the enemy. His courage on the battlefront was matched by his sense of fair play, upright behaviour and the courage to stand by his convictions.

Zoru – a true ‘son of the soil’ defended the honour of his motherland and of his command, always and every time.

 

(With help from “Leadership in the Indian Army” by Major General VK Singh)