14 Field Regiment’s memorable exploits

Lt Col Gurdial Singh (retd)

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It was a holiday on August 10, 1965. We were watching a movie in Pathankot when a strip flashed on the screen: “Return to the unit immediately.” Within four hours, the 14 Field Regiment was on its way to Chhamb sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides the CO, there was a Major, two Captains, a Lt (myself) and 17 2/Lts. The Dogra Regiment has 98, 99 and 100 Field Batteries.

On August 11, the 100 Field Battery led by me reached Jaurian by midnoon, Lt Col GS Sangha, the CO of 3 Mahar who was subsequently awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, ordered me to deploy my battery 3 km ahead of Jaurian. Captain TP Nair went as an Observation Post (OP) officer with a company of 3 Mahar to chase the infiltrators who had entered in large numbers in Chhamb sector as an overall plan of the Pakistan army, codenamed “Gibraltar”, to liberate J&K.

Col Sangha ordered me as a Gun Position Officer (GPO) to open artillery fire in support of his ‘A’ company. Capt Nair directed the fire, as a result of which 13 infiltrators were captured.

On August 12, the 14 Field Regiment was deployed ahead of Tawi river at Sakrana and Dewa, the tactical Headquarters of 191 Infantry Brigade. It was a big island, thickly occupied by troops, animals and essential stores.

On August 13, I was ordered to proceed with Lt Col Prem Singh, CO of 8 J&K LI, and 2/Lt Narinder Singh of 100 Field Battery was appointed as GPO at Dewa. I registered some targets as indicated on the routes of ingress of Pakistani infiltrators.

The enemy had enmassed a number of artillery units in the Chhamb sector. On August 15, at 6 in the morning, I was asked to engage the enemy artillery guns. As there was not adequate light to read the map, my Technical Assistant Bhagwan Singh asked me to shift to where he was sitting. He had hardly occupied my place when a rocket pierced through the bunker, making him the first martyr of 14 Field Regiment.

Dewa was heavily bombarded, and all the forward locations shelled. There were heavy casualties, including the Brigade commander, Brigade Major, and 2/Lt Narinder Singh. All the forward locations were vacated on the night of August 15-16.

The enemy occupied the locations abandoned by our Army; any movement of troops towards Dewa came under intense artillery fire. However, civilians were not fired upon. After repeated requests, the CO agreed to let me go in civvies to bring the guns. We reached Dewa in small groups from various directions. It was stinking with bodies all around. The equipment was damaged, but we hooked the guns and other equipment. We were fired upon, but succeeded in bringing 100 Field Battery guns and within 24 hours the battery was again fit to fight.

More Artillery and Infantry was inducted and all the abandoned locations were recaptured without much resistance by August 25, then, the additional troops were withdrawn. In the re-grouping, 14 Field Regiment less 100 Field Battery was again deployed in Chhamb along with a medium battery.

On September 1, the Pakistan army launched its biggest offensive in Chhamb sector led by its armoured division. There were not sufficient troops to counter the enemy thrust. The withdrawal was inevitable. The bloodiest battle was fought in this sector. There were heavy casualties on both sides. The enemy’s Patton tanks advanced on the Palanwala and Kalit axis towards Jaurian. Their aim was to reach Akhnoor as fast as possible to cut off 25 Infantry Division of our Army.

The 14 Field Regiment fought a great battle and the enemy could only advance up to 29 km to Jaurian in five days and was halted there. Aknooor was another 10 km away. The Indian Air Force played a major role in inflicting maximum causalities on the enemy tanks.

After 100 Field Battery moved to Sundarbani, it had no communication with the regiment. 9 Punjab, guarding Kalidhar Ridge, was twice attacked and both the attacks were repulsed by 100 Field Battery, the fire directed by Lt BS Sekhon and Maj KTM Pillai.

The enemy air OP was desperately trying to locate 100 Field Battery, which was well dug in and camouflaged. I decided to engage it with the Air Burst Shells. Four rounds were fired; thereafter, the enemy air OP was not seen. Naib Subedar Uttam Singh was awarded the Sena Medal.

The ceasefire was declared on September 21. The enemy cleverly occupied the heights held by our troops. The important features were Malla and Point 3776. Both were located south-west of Kalidhar Ridge, with River Tawi dividing these features. From these features, particularly Pt 3776, the enemy had a clear view up to Sundarbani. Hence, the enemy had to be pushed back.

Maj Pillai, the Brigade Commander himself with two companies of 8 Grenadiers supported by 100 Field Battery captured the first location ahead of Malla Hill feature. He was awarded Vir Chakra. 1 Madras was inducted to capture the Malla Hill on October 1.

The attack was supported by 100 Field Battery and medium guns. We fired 1,600 rounds. The Malla feature was captured and the CO of 1 Madras, Col CPN Menon, was awarded VrC and Lt M Shukla of my battery the Sena Medal along with a company commander.

Now, Pt. 3376 was to be secured. This feature had sharp falls of about 1,000 feet towards the home side and a steep slope towards the enemy side. Artillery fire was not very effective and we prepared the guns to fire at high angles.

Gun pits were dug and the guns were redeployed. 6 Sikh LI, commanded by Col Nand Gopal, was launched into the attack on October 3. They had to clear the bushes to move forward. At the end of the feature, there was hand-to-hand combat and when an enemy soldier attacked Col Gopal, his runner dismembered his hands. The feature was captured by first light. Col. Gopal was awarded MVC for his leadership and courage and his runner the VrC. Lt. Batra was awarded VrC posthumously.

There was an acute shortage of middle-rung and experienced officers during the war. All the OPs were 2/Lts as compared to the Pakistan artillery OP, who had six to eight years of experience.

The 14 Field Regiment lost two officers, a junior commissioned officer and 14 other ranks. It earned one VrC, two Sena Medals and two Mention in Dispatches. The regiment salutes its heroes and martyrs.

(The Dogra Regiment — Jai Durge)

The writer resides in Jalandhar