Every one who knows the Greek war history,knows about a battle fought by 300 Spartans under Leonidas the battle which was a major reason for defeat of mighty Persian army in battle of Plataea and ended the invasion of Greece by Persian yes I m taking about battle of Thermopylae.Battle of Thermopylae where the valor and patriotism of a few warriors changed the course of whole battle.
But,few know about a battle which was fought during 1962 Sino-Indian war the battle against all odds by 123 men of C-Company of 13 Kumaon all Ahir regiment of Indian army : the battle of Rezang La.Rezang La was at 16000 feet from sea-level and had major set back of intervening feature that blocked the artillery support for the soldiers.Rezang La was of strategic importance to Chinese as it would open them to Chushul valley and rest of Ladakh also there was an airstrip nearby in chushul valley they had already acquired most of the portion of Aksai Chin.
Chinese had a plan in place but major Shaitan Singh the commander of Kumaon Regiment had his own plan.He and his men were determined to fight till the last breath of their life.While they were ill equipped and outnumbered they used the heights to their advantage.As soon as Chinese attacked,the LMG of Indian forces became a death machine for the Chinese caused heavy causality,the first attack by Chineese was decimated but they soon regrouped and attacked and the Indian side fought valiantly this heavy cross fire continued,four attacks of Chinese were destroyed but there was also heavy casualty on the Indian side.Chineese now pushed for a final attack on the Indian post and the Indian soldiers decided for a final hand to hand combat after fierce fights Chineese were finally victorious.
Chinnese faced heavy casualties they lost 1300 men and the Kumaon regiment lost 114 of its 123 gallant men including the regiment commander major Shaitan Singh who was latter given PVC for his gallantry.Due to the heavy loss of men Chineese declared a unilateral cease-fire.
The battle of Rezang La showed unparalleled show of gallantry by the Ahir regiment but for incompetence of the political class the battle is never discussed as it is a part of a lost war.This unknown battle is today just a memoir in certain books and war documentaries.
But,few know about a battle which was fought during 1962 Sino-Indian war the battle against all odds by 123 men of C-Company of 13 Kumaon all Ahir regiment of Indian army : the battle of Rezang La.Rezang La was at 16000 feet from sea-level and had major set back of intervening feature that blocked the artillery support for the soldiers.Rezang La was of strategic importance to Chinese as it would open them to Chushul valley and rest of Ladakh also there was an airstrip nearby in chushul valley they had already acquired most of the portion of Aksai Chin.
Chinese had a plan in place but major Shaitan Singh the commander of Kumaon Regiment had his own plan.He and his men were determined to fight till the last breath of their life.While they were ill equipped and outnumbered they used the heights to their advantage.As soon as Chinese attacked,the LMG of Indian forces became a death machine for the Chinese caused heavy causality,the first attack by Chineese was decimated but they soon regrouped and attacked and the Indian side fought valiantly this heavy cross fire continued,four attacks of Chinese were destroyed but there was also heavy casualty on the Indian side.Chineese now pushed for a final attack on the Indian post and the Indian soldiers decided for a final hand to hand combat after fierce fights Chineese were finally victorious.
Chinnese faced heavy casualties they lost 1300 men and the Kumaon regiment lost 114 of its 123 gallant men including the regiment commander major Shaitan Singh who was latter given PVC for his gallantry.Due to the heavy loss of men Chineese declared a unilateral cease-fire.
The battle of Rezang La showed unparalleled show of gallantry by the Ahir regiment but for incompetence of the political class the battle is never discussed as it is a part of a lost war.This unknown battle is today just a memoir in certain books and war documentaries.
