Kumaon Regiment

The Kumaon Regiment

Regimental Insignia of the Kumaon Regiment
Active 1813-Present
Country India India
Branch Indian Army
Type Infantry
Size 19 Battalions including 1 battalion of the Kumaon Scouts
Regimental Centre Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
Motto(s) 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. Bobby Mathews
Notable
commanders		 General S. M. Shrinagesh
General K S Thimayya
General Tapishwar Narain 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 infantry 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 Ahirs from the plains.[1]

History

Indian soldiers from the 6th Battalion of the 6th Kumaon Regiment pulls security before entering a room while conducting company movement procedures with the United States Army during the Yudh Abhyas 2015 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Soldiering has been an important profession of the Kumaonis and the region has a long history of warfare with neighbours, including the Garhwalis and the Gorkhas.[2] 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.

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. Kumaonis, along with other North Indian classes served in the Hyderabad contingent which was raised, trained and led by British officers under Russell, but paid for by the Nizam of Hyderabad.[1]

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, subsequently, becoming the 19th Hyderabad Regiment. Over time, the class composition changed to Kumaonis and Ahirs.[1]

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. The first battalion of the 50th Kumaon Rifles survived to become the 1st Kumaon Rifles, and is today the 3rd Battalion, Kumaon Regiment (Rifles) of the Indian Army. Some units of the Berar and Elichpur infantry were demobilized after World War I. However, the Hyderabad Regiment was again expanded during World War II.[1]

On 27 October 1945, after the Second World War, the 19th Hyderabad Regiment was renamed as 19th Kumaon Regiment. Post-independence, it has been known as the Kumaon Regiment.[1]

Two state forces battalions, 4th Gwalior Infantry and Indore Infantry were allocated to the Kumaon Regiment becoming 14 Kumaon (Gwalior) and 15 Kumaon (Indore) respectively.[1]

The Kumaon Regiment 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).[5]

Affiliations

The senior battalion, 1 Kumaon, originally raised in March 1813, was converted to the airborne role in 1946. It fought with distinction in the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistan War as 1 Kumaon (Para). It remained a part of the regiment until April 1952 when it was formally inducted into the Parachute Regiment as 3 Para. In 2000, the battalion was converted to special forces as part of the expansion of the special operations forces of the Indian Army, and renamed 3rd Battalion (Special Forces), The Parachute Regiment, or 3 Para (SF).

On 1 November 1970, the Naga Regiment was raised and affiliated with the Kumaon Regiment.[1] The class composition of this regiment comprises Nagas, Kumaonis and Ahirs.

A Border Scouts battalion was raised and named as "Kumaon Scouts".[1]

14 Kumaon (Gwalior), was converted to the mechanised infantry role, and transferred to the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, as its 5th Battalion.

Engagements

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 when it fought in the Battle of Megiddo (1918). 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] kavindra

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.

1947 Indian Partition

1 and 4 Kumaon was dispatched to Kashmir to fight in the defense of Srinigar. 4 Kumaon elements were decisive in the Battle of Badgam

Sino-Indian War of 1962

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 14 November as Walong Day.

Battle of Rezang La

The 13 Kumaon made a last stand at the Rezang La pass on 18 November 1962 during the Sino-Indian War in 1962.[8] It was led by Major Shaitan Singh.

The area assigned to 13 Kumaon was defended by three platoon positions, but the surrounding terrain isolated 13 Kumaon from the rest of the Regiment. The Indian artillery was located behind a hill feature, and could not train its guns on the target. Therefore, the Indian infantry had to fight the battle without the protective comfort of the artillery. The Chinese suffered no such disadvantage and brought on heavy artillery fire on the 13 Kumaon’s Charlie Company.

The Chinese attack, which was expected, came through a dry river bed. It was repulsed with heavy machine gun fire by the Indian soldiers. The Chinese regrouped and attacked persistently with more reinforcements. Major Shaitan Singh, the Company Commander, went from post to post raising the morale of his men and continued to fight even after being seriously wounded. The Chinese ultimately defeated the Indian side. 114 Indian soldiers out of a total of 120 were killed, Of the 6 survivors, 5 were severely injured and captured by Chinese Army. There is a memorial in Rewari in the memorial of the Ahir soldiers,as many of the Ahir soldiers came from there,and the fact is that 1700 Chinese soldiers were killed in the battle.[9]

Major Shaitan Singh posthumously won the Param Vir Chakra for his actions; this was the second instance of a Kumaon Regiment soldier winning this award (the first being Major Som Nath Sharma). Other soldiers defending Rezang La who were awarded Veer Chakras were Naik Hukum Chand (posthumous), Naik Gulab Singh Yadav, Lance Naik Ram Singh (posthumous), Subedar Ram Kumar and Subedar Ram Chander.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

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.[10]

Battle of Ramban Bridge

3rd Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment under Lt Col Sinha with a field Artillery battery in direct support and a group of 600 Fighting Sikhs was moved to flush out the Pakistani Infiltrators in the Rajouri sector on 15 September 1965 who were now threatening the tactically important Ramban Bridge, the opposing enemy was the much feared Ghaznavi Force under command of an ex Netaji's INA Commander Maj Munawar who was known for his ambush skills against British since Battle of Imphal. Munawar adjusted his marksmen in a Nullah who ambushed the moving column of 3 Kumaon and forced the entire body of Troops into Nullah in a hot Pursue against Munawar's men. Meanwhile, Munawar had laid a death trap at the mouth of Nullah with his elite members on three sides on the rocks where he expected 3rd Kumaon together with its Sikh auxiliaries to come between, the moment 3rd entered the trap, Munawar's men unleashed with full force, 3 Kumaon lost 174 Jawans, 7 officers (Including CO Lt Col Sinha), 222 Sikh Mercenaries that day and fled leaving their equipment, dead and the injured. Incident broke the Morale of Indian Troops in Rajouri and allowed Kashmiri Muslims to join Munawar in Large numbers. Incident has been briefly quoted by Lt Gen Harbaksh Sing in his book WAR DISPATCHES-Indo Pak War 1965.

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.

Battle of Chhamb

To preempt Pakistani attacks into India, a Kumaon battalion was advanced into the Mandiala Heights in West Pakistan at the end of August 1965. Before they had the chance to set up any defenses, the Pakistan Army began a major offensive in the Chhamb sector during the early hours of 1 September, accompanied by massive artillery shelling targeting the Kumaon battalion's positions. There followed an armored thrust by two 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 four Pakistani tanks. One Vir Chakra was awarded for the action.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Kumaon battalions were deployed and fought on both the Eastern and the Western fronts during the war.[11]

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.[12]

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.

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.[12] 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.

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.

Units

The Kumaon regiment also has affiliated to it three battalions of the Naga Regiment and two Territorial Army units (the 111th Inf. Bn. & 130th Inf. Bn.) ; a Naval Ship & an Air Force Squadron .

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

(former Gwalior State Infantry) - [Princely State Forces unit of the Imperial Service Troops]

Battle honours

The list of battle and theatre honours of the Kumaon Regiment are as follows :[13]

Pre-World War I [nb 1]

Nagpore* – Maheidpoor* – Nowah* – Central India* – Burma 1885-87* – China 1900 – Afghanistan 1919.

The Great War

Neuve Chapelle - France and Flanders 1914-15 – Suez Canal – Egypt 19l5-16 – Gaza – Jerusalem – Megiddo – Sharon – Nablus – Palestine 1917-18 – Tigris 1916 – Khan Baghdadi – Mesopotamia 1915-18 – Persia 1915-18 – Suvla – Landing at Suvla – Scimitar Hill – Gallipoli 1915 – Macedonia 1916-18 – E Africa 1914-16 – NW Frontier India 1914-15, 1916–17

The Second World War[nb 2]

North Malaya – Slim River – Malaya 1941-42 – Kangaw – Bishenpur – Burma 1942-45

Post-independence
Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar – Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48
Chinese Aggression 1962
Rezang La – Ladakh 1962
Indo-Pak Conflict 1965
Sanjoi-Mirpur – Jammu and Kashmir 1965 – Punjab 1965
Indo-Pak Conflict 1971
Bhaduria – Shamsher Nagar – East Pakistan 1971 – Jammu and Kashmir 1971 – Punjab 1971 – Gadra City - Sindh 1971
Notes
  1. ↑ Repugnant battle honours are marked with an asterisk superscript ( like this * ).
  2. ↑ Theatre honours are shown in italics.

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.

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.

Ashoka Chakra

Maha Vir Chakra

Chief of Army Staff's Commendations

Colonels of the Regiment

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Brief History of the Kumaon Regiment". Indian Army website. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Sharma, Gautam (1 January 1990). Valour and Sacrifice: Famous Regiments of the Indian Army. Allied Publishers. pp. 265–270. ISBN 978-81-7023-140-0.
  3. 1 2 "History of the Kumaon Regiment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  4. 1 2 3 "Indian Army, A brief history of the Kumaon Regiment". Official Home of the Indian Army. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  5. ↑ "The Kumaon Regiment". Bharat-Rakshak.com. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  6. ↑ Gardner, Brian. "Orders of Battle.com". Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  7. ↑ "Official Website of Indian Army". Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  8. ↑ Mohan Guruswamy. "Don't forget the heroes of Rezang La". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "'Nobody believed we had killed so many Chinese at Rezang La. Our commander called me crazy and warned that I could be court-martialled'". Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  10. ↑ "Official Website of Indian Army". Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "Official Website of Indian Army". Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Official Website of Indian Army". Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  13. ↑ Singh, Sarbans (1993). Battle Honours of the Indian Army 1757 - 1971. New Delhi: Vision Books. p. 327. ISBN 8170941156.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Official Website of Indian Army". Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 4 http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/institutes/kumaon_regiment.php
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