Page 42 - Seniors Today June2020

the Chinese halted operations to regroup against all physical odds. The valour of the
and focus. They now held the frontline
from Demchok–Sirjap (Chushul ) – DBO
line which the Indians once held. The
government promulgated emergency and
the Defence of India ordinance was issued.
Across the country massive fund collection
drives were initiated and generally people
offered any and everything they could give,
including enrollment to help the frontline
in any way. This really boosted the morale
of our troops and one could feel a sense of
patriotism everywhere.
The IAF too played a very valuable role
as they kept on flying sorties after sorties
with men and material to shore up defences
all over Ladakh. Fairchild Packets, AN 12
and MI helicopters were relentless. Leh,
DBO, and Chushul airstrips were used
very frequently. The American company
manufacturing Fairchild Packets wrote to
the IAF that these aircrafts could not be
used at such altitudes. Yet it is these men
of valour who flew these to such heights.
Only ingenious retrofitting of the AN 12
could produce miracles like the airlifting of
tanks to Chushul. Just like the Americans, I
am sure the Russians could not believe the
Antonov aircrtaft could lifts tanks to those
heights.
In the meanwhile, the Brigade made plans
for defence of Leh – the capital city. Soon
reinforcements arrived in Ladakh and the
action now shifted to Chushul where it was
expected that the Chinese would confront
the Indian army. The existing brigade under
the redoubtable Brig Raina (who later went
on to become the Chief of Army staff) headed
to Chushul. This is where the famous battle
of Rezang La was fought. In the annals of
Indian Military history this is probably
the most well-known battle fought by a
much numerically inferior force (1:10) and
42
detachment of Kumaon regiment fighting in
temperatures of 30 Degress C below are now
legendary.
Chushul – Battle of Rezang La
Brig Raina began shoring up defences
immediately upon arrival and identified
the three main routes the Chinese could
take to attack. From all strategic thinking it
was the Spanggur gap area which was the
most probable area where they would come
down from as they could control the Leh
to Dungti road. This was the lifeline of the
area and whoever controlled that, was at the
most advantageous position. Deployment
of various battalions was done, along with
detailed planning meticulously by Brig
Raina. A squadron of tanks was airlifted
from Chandigarh by the redoubtable AN
12 aircrafts and this really gave a very good
equation of balancing out the defence as
never had tanks been pressed into service at
these altitudes. While it was the Stuart tanks
which did commendable duty at Zoji La in
1948, here it was the AMX tanks. Operating
at such altitudes soon become a world
record.
For some strange reason the attack did
not come till a month later. By that time
the Indian troops who were all set in their
trenches, could not understand why we
could not attack rather than wait endlessly.
It was not as if we had not been attacked
earlier but the fact is that we have a holier-
than-thou attitude otherwise what would
explain this wait ? Poor military tactics
as the Chinese could be seen building on
their defences and arsenal. I am told that
the orders to not initiate the attack came
from Delhi. The Chinese had already killed
many a fellow jawan and the troops were
irked and wanted to take revenge. Knowing