Battle of the Namkachu 1962
Karpola PassLooking Down from the Summit at 16000 feet photograph taken on 6th October 1962One was Breathless, Sleepless, Hungry and Tired beyond words. No Oxygen and no Snow clothing. The Karpola pass was the Battle Zone. One can imagine what would have been the condition when we were withdrawing from the Chinese onslaught.
Brig lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)
Summary: 7th Infantry Brigade paid the price with its blood.
7th Infantry Brigade Brigadier John Dalvi – POW, tactical commander for the battle
1/9th Gorkhas Lt Col BS Alhuwalia
2nd Rajputs Lt Col Maha Singh Rikh, 90 POW in a single day. 60 escaped.
4th Grenadiers Lt Col KS Harihar Singh
9th Punjab Lt Col RN Mishra
One company, 6th Mahar Machine Gun Regiment
One troop, 17 Parachute Field Regiment (4 guns, only 2 operational, 260 rounds, no sights or FOO)
34 Heavy Mortar Troop (Minus one platoon, No ammunition)
100 Field Company (Engineers)
One platoon, Assam Rifles
450 civilian road construction crew, Border Roads Organization, used as porters
Chinese forces directly attacking 7th Brigade included 11th Division, Tsona Dzong. A second division and a separate or independent regiment joined 11th Division in the subsequent fight against 4th Division.
That the Indian infantry stood and fought and died in the conditions and circumstances of the Battle of Namkachu had nothing to do with its senior officers, and everything to do with its company and battalion officers and its traditions of honour– honour to your brother soldier, to your unit, to your officers, and to your flag.
Tailpiece: The higher military leadership had been so beaten down and cowed by the Government, that the senior officers who should have set the terms and the timetable for this offensive remained silent. 7 Infantry Brigade paid the price in blood. Our hearts go out to them. Is there a memorial to honour them or to place a wreath or candle for their eternal supreme sacrifice?
We acknowledge with thanks “Famous Battles” from http://www.bharat-rakshak.com
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