Page 23 - Seniors Today Jan20 Issue
P. 23
The demolished road bridge at Jhingergacha
For old comrades, it’s a poignant look back at battle days
and bunkers since the paddy field terrain was I was commissioned was monumental. Not
unsuitable for movement of RCL Jeeps. to mention that the spark in their eyes was
Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Babu justification enough for undertaking that
Lal Singh, then a platoon Havildar, who also eventful journey! Need I say more?
happened to be my weapon Training Instructor, Except that it’s probably only a soldier or
was wounded in action while involved in hand- probably a paramilitary policemen who can
to-hand fighting. Subedar Major and Honorary understand the significance of such bonding
Captain Ram Pyare Singh, then an MMG of comrades involved in action. I cherish
Detachment Commander, supported our assault and hope to so in future, every moment of it!
on the objective and later in holdings of defences For the record, in the battle, we suffered 68
with his accurate and sustained Medium killed including 4 officers and 2 JCOS and 130
Machine Gun fire. wounded and were awarded 3 MVCs, 2VRCs,
The repeated calls from my comrades beckoned 1 Sena Medal and 3 Mention-in-Dispatches.
me! So one fine morning in April this year I Besides this, 8th Battalion Brigade of the Guards
booked my ticket and flew to Lucknow en route received Theatre Honour Bangaladesh and
to Kanpur, where two of them, Ranjit and Babu Battle Honour Hilli and we were one of the only
Lal were based. Ram Pyare was a little away. It 3 units who were invited to participate in the
was indeed a memorable and emotional meeting Republic Day Victory Parade in January 1972.
and mere words cannot convey our sentiments. On Return to Lucknow, I also had the privilege
Ranjit was admitted in hospital and was in tears of meeting my old redoubtable CO, Col PPS
as he hugged me. His failing memory however, Kshatriya (Retd), ex-Commandant, Indian
could not recount much of the battle. Military Academy, Lt Gen Manvendra Singh
Babu Lal was also joyful but more in control and a youngster of yesteryears, now Col Neeraj
of himself, and he related stories of other (Retd). Last but not least, my Sahayak Nb Sub
bravehearts of the unit who had laid down their Rakesh Singh, from the unit, I was privileged
lives in the battle. Regrettably, Ram Pyare could to command, namely 18 Guards. The latter was
not make it due to unavoidable circumstances. very happy at meeting his old buddy. All said
For me, the satisfaction of meeting them after and done, it was a memorable visit which I
almost 35 years since I left the unit in which cannot easily forget!
23 SENIORS TODAY | Issue #7 | January 15, 2020
