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Kumaon Regiment

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The Kumaon Regiment
Kumaon Regiment Insignia.gif
Regimental Insignia of the Kumaon Regiment
Active 1813 - Present (1945-Present with the name "The Kumaon regiment")
Country India
Branch Army
Type Infantry
Size 19 Battalions including 1 battalion of the Kumaon Scouts
Regimental Centre Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
Motto Parakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs)
War Cry Kalika Mata Ki Jai (Victory to the Great Goddess Kali)
Bajrang Bali Ki Jai (Victory to Bajrang Bali)

Dada Kishan Ki Jai (Victory to Dada Kishan)
Jai Durge Naga
Decorations 2 Param Vir Chakras, 4 Ashoka Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medals, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Battle honours Post Independence

Srinagar (Badgam), Rezangla, Gadra City, Bhaduria, Daudkandi, Sanjoi Mirpur and Shamsher Nagar
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lt Gen N. C. Marwah, AVSM
Notable
commanders		 General S M Shrinagesh
General K S Thimayya
General T N Raina
Insignia
Regimental Insignia A demi-rampant lion holding a cross. The demi-rampant lion is part of the arms of the Russel family, whose ancestor had started the body of troops now formed into the Kumaon Regiment.

The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars. Kumaon gets its recruits from Kumaonis of Kumaon division and Ahir from the plains.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Martial History of Kumaonis

Kumaonis have been famous for their valour, their legendary courage and their indomitable honour. The Kumaonis were never fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. They often offered their martial services as mercenaries, and fought on both the British as well as Gurkha sides in the Anglo-Nepalese War. Their valour was recognized by the British and they were enlisted in the British Army. Interestingly, the famous 3rd Gurkha regiment was known as the Keemaon battalion when it was formed and included Kumaonis along with the Gurkhas. They were classified as a Martial Race by the British. The achievements of the regiment are a living testimony of their martial traditions.[2]

[edit] Origins in the Hyderabad Contingent

The Kumaonis were in the military of the East India Company from the early 19th century. They often moved to other states in search of military service, including in the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

The Nizam's Contingent was formed when Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, became Governor-General of India and formed a plan to rid India of French influence.[3] His first action, on arriving in India in 1798, was to effect the disbandment of the Indian units of the Nizam under the command of Monsieur Raymond and officered by non-British Europeans. These soldiers were formed into the British officered Nizam's Contingent that fought at the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799 against Tippu Sultan in the final battle of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.[4]

In 1813, Sir Henry Russell, then British Resident in the court of Nizam of Hyderabad, raised the Russell Brigade comprising two battalions. Later, four more battalions were raised and they were known as the Berar Infantry. In addition, two battalions known as the Elichpur Brigade, were raised by Nawab Salabat Khan, Subedar of Berar, as a part of the Nizam's forces. The men of the Russell Brigade were chiefly Hindus, recruited from Oudh and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.[5]

By 1853, at the time of the signing of a treaty between the Nizam and the British, the Nizam's forces consisted of 8 battalions. The force was renamed as the Hyderabad Contingent, and became part of the British Indian Army.

During World War I, a Kumaon Battalion was raised at Ranikhet on 23 October 1917 as 4/39th Kumaon Rifles. In 1918, it was redesignated as 1st battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles and a second battalion was raised. These were merged with the Hyderabad Contingent into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1923. Some units of the regiment were demobilized after World War I, but the regiment was again expanded during World War II.

On 27 October 1945, the 19th Hyderabad was renamed as 19 Kumaon Regiment. Post-independence, it has been known as the Kumaon Regiment.

[edit] Regimental History

On 1 November 1970, the Naga Regiment was raised and affiliated with the Kumaon Regiment. Kumaon has produced three Indian Army Chiefs: General Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh (4 Kumaon), General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya (4 Kumaon) and General Tapishwar Narain Raina (14 Kumaon).

1 Kumaon, originally raised in March 1813, converted to the airborne role in 1946 but remained a part of Regiment till April 1952 when it was formally inducted into the Parachute Regiment as 3 Para.

14 Kumaon, converted to Mechanised Infantry role, and was transferred to the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, as its 5th Battalion.

[edit] Engagements

[edit] World War I

During World War I, the first all Kumaoni battalions were raised. The first was formed in 1917 as the 4/39th (Kumaon) Royal Garhwal Rifles and redesignated in 1918 as the 1st Battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles. A 2nd Battalion was also raised in 1918 but disbanded in 1923. The Hyderabad Contingent, with its mixed Kumaoni, Jats, Ahirs and Deccan Muslims, continued and fought with distinction in the Great War. In 1922, during the Indian Army reorganisation, the six regiments of the Hyderabad Contingent were renamed as the 19th Hyderabad Regiment and infantry companies formed from the Kumaon region replaced many of the Deccan Muslim based companies. In 1923 the 1/50th Kumaon Rifles joined the 19th Hyderabad Regiment as the 1st Kumaon Rifles.[4] In 1935 the battalion commanders attempted to have the regiment renamed as the 19th Kumaon Regiment, due to the diminishing links to the Deccan and Hyderabad regions. The request was refused.[3]

[edit] World War II

The 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1939 consisted of four regular battalions; the 1st (Russell's), 2nd (Berar), 4th and The Kumaon Rifles. The Hyderabads expanded during the war adding another eight battalions to the 19th Hyderabad Regiment. Two more battalions, the 1st and 2nd Hyderabad Infantry, were raised as part of the Indian State Forces. The battalions of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment fought in the Middle East, North African Campaign, Persia, Battle of Malaya, Battle of Singapore and Burma Campaign.[4]

The Kumaon Rifles were based in Hong Kong at the beginning of the Second World War but were transferred to the Middle East as part of the 24th Indian Infantry Brigade. The battalion took part in the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941 under Major-General William Slim. They remained in Persia as part of the garrison throughout the rest of the war.[6]

The 4th Battalion was part of the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade based in Malaya when the Japanese Army invaded in December 1941. The 4/19th Hyderabads were one of the few battalions in Malaya that were relatively well trained in jungle warfare. Although the battalion performed well in the fighting retreat in north-west Malaya, they were practically annihilated at the disastrous Battle of Slim River on 7 January 1942. The few survivors of the 4th Battalion were withdrawn to Singapore where they took part in the brief defence of the island before it surrendered on 15 February 1942.

[edit] Sino-Indian War of 1962

Main article: Sino-Indian War

[edit] Battle of Walong

This was the only battle of the war in which an Indian unit attacked the Chinese, rather than defending. On 14 November 1962, 6 KUMAON single-handedly attacked and captured Chinese defenses in the Walong sector, Arunachal Pradesh without any artillery or aerial support.[7]

The Chinese retaliated with wave after wave of human bodies and artillery. The Kumaonis were vastly outnumbered by over 10 to 1, but held the ground and repulsed every attack until all their ammunition was exhausted, without any logistical support. They then engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and fought to the last man and bullet. Five times as many Chinese soldiers died in the battle. The Chinese succeeded in retaking the defences when there was no Kumaoni left standing.

Five Vir Chakras were awarded to 6 KUMAON soldiers for the battle. The Battalion celebrates November 14 as Walong Day.

[edit] Battle of Rezang La

Among the many heroic exploits to the regiment's credit is the last stand of Company C, 13 Kumaon Regiment, at Rezang La, Ladakh. The First Battle of Rezang La has been placed in the ten most heroic stands in history along with the Battle of Saragarhi and Battle of the Alamo. Of the 118 men at Rezang La, 109 men laid down their lives, 5 men were captured and only 4 men returned alive.[7] None of the No.7 Platoon survived the action.

Major Shaitan Singh, commanding officer of the C Company, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his exemplary leadership during the battle. The account of this battle was an inspiration for Kavi Pradeep's legendary song, Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

13 Kumaon was deployed in Chushul sector. 'C' Company's three platoons were numbered 7, 8 and 9 and had Lee-Enfield .303 rifles with about 600 rounds per jawan, and between them six LMGs, and 1,000 grenades and mortar bombs. The 'C' Coy held a crucial position at Rezang La, at a height of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft). The company area was defended by three platoon positions and the surrounding mountainous terrain isolated it from the rest of the battalion. The expected Chinese attack on Rezang La came on the morning of November 18. It was at the end of a very cold winter night, with light snow falling. The icy winds howling through Rezang La were biting and benumbing. More than the thin air and cold, the location of Rezang La had a more serious drawback. It was crested to Indian artillery because of an intervening feature, which meant that C Coy had no covering fire from the big guns. In the dim light of the morning, the Chinese were seen advancing through nullahs to attack No.7 and No.8 platoon positions.

The Indian Army troops fell on their prepared positions to face the Chinese offensive. At 0500 hours when visibility improved, both platoons opened up on the advancing Chinese with rifles, light machine guns, grenades and mortars. Indian artillery could, however, not be used. The nullahs were littered with Chinese dead bodies. The survivors took position behind boulders and the dead bodies. The Chinese, though they failed the first frontal attack, were not discouraged. They subjected the Indian positions to intense artillery and mortar fire at about 0540 hours. Soon afer about 350 Chinese troops commenced advance through the nullahs. This time, No.9 Platoon, which held fire till the enemy was within 90 metres opened up with all weapons in their possession. Within minutes, the nullahs were again full of dead bodies, mainly the Chinese.

Unsuccessful in frontal attack, the enemy, approximately 400 strong, then attacked from the rear of the company position. They simultaneously opened intense medium machine gun fire on No.8 Platoon. This attack was contained at the barbed wire fencing of the post. The Chinese then resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling. An assault group of 120 Chinese also charged No.7 Platoon position from the rear. However, Indian Army 3-inch mortar killed many of them. When 20 survivors charged the post, about a dozen Kumaonis rushed out of their trenches to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, the Chinese brought up fresh reinforcements. The encirclement of No.7 Platoon was now complete. The platoon, however, fought valiantly till there were no survivors. No.8 Platoon also fought bravely to the last round.

Major Shaitan Singh, the Company Commander, displayed exemplary leadership and courage in the battle of Rezang La. By all survivor accounts, he led his troops most admirably. Unmindful of his personal safety he moved from one platoon post to another and encouraged his men to fight. While moving among the posts he was seriously wounded, by a sniping Chinese MMG. But he continued to fight along with his men. While he was being evacuated by two of his comrades, the Chinese brought heavy machine gun fire on them. Major Shaitan Singh sensing danger to their lives, ordered them to leave him. They placed him behind a boulder on the slopes of a hill, where he breathed his last.

The Chinese announced a unilateral ceasefire on November 21, 1962.

In this action, 109 Kumaonis out of a total of 123 were killed. Of the 14 survivors, 9 were severely injured. The Chinese suffered almost a thousand casualties. After the war was over, the body of Major Shaitan Singh was found at the same place, dead from the bullet wounds and the freezing cold. He was flown to Jodhpur and cremated with full military honours. Major Shaitan Singh was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for his leadership and devotion to duty.

[edit] Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

[edit] Battle of Kumaon Hill

Two companies of Kumaon captured Kumaon Hill after ousting companies of 23 Azad Kashmir Battalion and the Special Service Group from the heights on 21 September. Captain Surendra Shah and Naik Chander Singh were awarded the Vir Chakra for the battle.[8]

[edit] Battle of Maharajke

On 7 September 1965 a Kumaon battalion attacked and captured a Pakistan Army stronghold in village Pagowal, 13 miles inside West Pakistan. On 7 September, 9 KUMAON, under the command Capt V K Bogra further advanced and captured Maharajke. Naik Ganesh Dutt of the 9 Kumaon was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role in capturing Maharjke against Pakistani defenses.

[edit] Battle of Chhamb

To preempt Pakistani attacks into India, a Kumaon battalion was advanced into to Mandiala Heights in West Pakistan at August end, 1965. Before they had the chance to set up any defences, the Pakistan Army started a major offensive in the Chhamb sector in the early hours of 1 September, accompanied by massive artillery shelling targeting the Kumaon battalion's positions. There followed an armored thrust by 2 Pakistani armored divisions. Faced with enemy advancing from 3 sides, the battalion held off for a day and a half. On 2 September the battalion was ordered to withdraw, after they had destroyed 4 Pakistani tanks. One Vir Chakra was awarded for the action.

[edit] Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Kumaon battalions were deployed and fought on both the Eastern and the Western fronts during the war.[9]

[edit] Operation Meghdoot

Main article: Siachen Conflict

The Indian Army's initiative to hold the Siachen Glacier consisted of units of the Kumaon Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts. It was led by Major R.S. Sandhu, who was awarded the Vir Chakra for his leadership. Captain Sanjay Kulkarni's unit was the first to land on Bilafond La and hoist the Indian tricolour. Kumaon units were instrumental in Indian success in capturing the glacier and repelling Pakistani attempts to retake it.[10]

Anticipating a Pakistani attack on the glacier at the start of the spring thaw in 1984, a full Kumaon battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) D.K. Khanna, marched on foot with full packs and equipment for weeks in the dead of the winter across Zoji La, through the world's toughest terrain, highest altitudes and most forbidding climate. Naik (later Subedar/Honorary Captain) Ram Mehar Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his gallant role during the move. This turned out to be a vital move that enabled Indian victory in Operation Meghdoot.

[edit] Operation Pawan

Main article: Operation Pawan

Kumaon units were deployed to Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan. A Kumaon battalion was the first Indian Army unit to land in Jaffna at the Palali airfield.[10] It successfully cleared the Kokuvil area, and moving to Mallakam. A number of LTTE militants were killed or captured.

Another battalion was deployed to search and destroy LTTE camps in the Kumurupiddi and Irrakandi areas of the Trincomalee Sector. Among the areas in which Kumaon units were deployed and operated included Kilividdi of Muttur Sector, Sampur, Vellvutturai and Point Pedro.

[edit] Kargil War

Main article: Kargil War

Kumaon units were deployed during Operation Vijay to oust Pakistani Army regulars who had infiltrated the Kargil sector posing as insurgents. In difficult terrain and hostile weather conditions, they cleared and captured a number of altitude features. The regiment was honored with a number of gallantry awards for the operations.

[edit] Units

  • 2nd Battalion
  • 3rd Battalion <Rifles>
  • 4th Battalion <Fighting Fourth>
  • 5th Battalion
  • 6th Battalion
  • 7th Battalion
  • 8th Battalion
  • 9th Battalion
  • 11th Battalion <double first veer aheer>>
  • 12th Battalion
  • 13th Battalion [ REZANG LA ]
  • 15th Battalion < Indore>
  • 16th Battalion
  • 17th Battalion (ex-31st Battalion)
  • 18th Battalion
  • 19th Battalion
  • 20th Battalion
  • 21st Battalion
  • Kumaon Scouts

The Kumaon regiment also has affiliated to it three battalions (third Bn the Naga Regt is recently raised)of the Naga Regiment and two Territorial Army units (the 111 Infantry Battalion and the 130 Infantry Battalion), a naval ship and an airforce squadron.

Furthermore, the following regiments were also associated with this regiment at one time:

  • 1st Battalion - Now the 3rd Parachute
  • 10th Battalion - Now the Kumaon Regimental Centre
  • 14th Battalion - Now the 5th Mech. Inf [11]

[edit] Battle honours

  • Srinagar (Badgam)
  • Rezang La
  • Gadra City
  • Bhaduria
  • Daudkandi
  • Sanjoi Mirpur
  • Shamsher Nagar

[edit] Decorations

The regiment has won 2 Param Vir Chakras, 4 Ashoka Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medals, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.

[edit] Param Vir Chakra

Major Somnath Sharma, 4th Kumaon, was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), for the Regiment in October 1947. He was also the first individual, from the three Services, to receive the Param Vir Chakra - India's highest award for gallantry. Major Shaitan Singh, 13th Kumaon, was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), in November 1962.

[edit] Ashoka Chakra

  • Major Bhukant Mishra (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, Punjab[12][13]
  • Naik Nirbhay Singh (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, Punjab[12][13]
  • Subedar Sujjan Singh (Posthumous), 13 Kumaon, 1994, Operation Rakshak,Zalurah, Kupwara, J&K, India [12][13]
  • Naik Rambeer Singh Tomar (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon (on deputation to 26 Rashtriya Rifles), Doda, Jammu and Kashmir[12][13]

[edit] Maha Vir Chakra

[edit] Colonels of the Regiment

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Brief History of the Kumaon Regiment from official site of INDIAN Army
  2. ^ Ethnic Group Recruitment in the Indian Army by Dr. Omar Khalid.
  3. ^ a b "History of the Kumaon Regiment". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rgt-kumaon.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-21. 
  4. ^ a b c "Indian Army, A brief history of the Kumaon Regiment". Official Home of the Indian Army. http://indianarmy.nic.in/arms/kumaon/history.html. Retrieved 2009-05-21. [dead link]
  5. ^ http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp12PLM8C.aspx?MnId=QezfHTV88Qc=&ParentID=DULbco0Ru9o=
  6. ^ Gardner, Brian. "Orders of Battle.com". http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=9686&Tab=Sup. Retrieved 2009-05-21. 
  7. ^ a b http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp5P11C.aspx?MnId=Q6YcbySIYr8=&ParentID=1/O4fj0Mcdg=&flag=p
  8. ^ http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimpleWithThreePara.aspx?MnId=h0z/FLAvUMs=&ParentID=1/O4fj0Mcdg=
  9. ^ http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp16P31C.aspx?MnId=xkFw09/aom0=&ParentID=1/O4fj0Mcdg=
  10. ^ a b http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp3PLMMCRM6C.aspx?MnId=YSzhf1kWAbU=&ParentID=1/O4fj0Mcdg=
  11. ^ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Units/Infantry/111-Kumaon-Regt.html
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp13P26C.aspx?MnId=rbklUFs1NRg=&ParentID=Fm3oVPUsxtM=&flag=p
  13. ^ a b c d http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/institutes/kumaon_regiment.php

[1]

The Kumaon Regiment on Bharat-Rakshak

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