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| Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence & strategic failures on both sides. India's intelligence failed to forecast such a huge invading tank column in the western sector. Moreover the defending post was not heavily armed to neutralise the enemy. Finally, they didn't push home the advantage by finishing more tanks when the IAF had the Pakistan tanks on the run though they did take out a total of nearly 50 tanks in one single battle. | Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence & strategic failures on both sides. India's intelligence failed to forecast such a huge invading tank column in the western sector. Moreover the defending post was not heavily armed to neutralise the enemy. Finally, they didn't push home the advantage by finishing more tanks when the IAF had the Pakistan tanks on the run though they did take out a total of nearly 50 tanks in one single battle. | ||
| Invading Pakistan troops meanwhile, had over-estimated the Longewala post due to the stiff |
Invading Pakistan troops meanwhile, had over-estimated the Longewala post due to the stiff resistance encountered there. Attacking with virtually no air cover, they waited too long to deliver the lethal blow & failed to anticipate an Indian counter-attack from the skies. Infact the entire offensive was so audacious that it bordered on the verge of absurdity, given the fact that the T-59/] Chinese made tanks were pretty slow to cross the loose sands of the Thar desert. And the vast desert provided little to no cover for the tanks and infantry in case of an aerial assault. | ||
| A blockbuster hindi (]) movie "Border" was made that revolved around this battle. | A blockbuster hindi (]) movie "Border" was made that revolved around this battle. | ||
Revision as of 22:03, 8 May 2005
The Battle of Longewala December 5 - December 6 1971 was a military battle between Indian and Pakistani troops. It was a part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 fought in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan state in India. It's generally regarded to be one of the decisive battles in the 2 week war.
In every conflict there comes a turning point. In the 1971 war against Pakistan, the Battle of Longewala in the western sector was one such point for India. Against immeasurable odds, the Indian 'A' company of 50 odd soldiers, managed to repulse a 2000-3000 strong 51st Infantry Brigade backed by the 22nd Armour Regiment of Pakistan. Longewala was a strategic point enroute to capturing vast tracts of land. The Pakistani plan in the words of Brig Tariq Mir “Insha Allah we will have breakfast at Longewala, lunch at Ramgarh and dinner at Jaisalmer,” was far fetched from the word go. And as the day unfolded, Longewala would stand out as one of the biggest routs in a battle for Pak despite overwhelming superiority before commencement of the battle.
The actual battle
The battle began on Dec. 5th at 2:30 AM when Pakistan made the daring attempt to cross the desert heading for Longewala in Rajasthan state, 16 km from the border. As the tanks neared, the Indian side which did not possess any anti-tank weapons or landmines or heavy artillery however managed to eliminate 2 of the tanks with 2 RCL guns. Though jolted, the Pak advance managed to surround the post a couple of hours later trying to soften the Indians before attacking. Although massively outnumbered and surrounded, the Indians never gave up which confused the invading troupe. As time passed and dawn arrived, it was clear Pakistan had lost the initiative when it should have gone in for the kill.
With the IAF (Indian Air Force) coming to the Longewala post's rescue by dawn, and the PAF (Pakistan Air Force) busy elsewhere, the tanks and armoured vehicles were easy targets for the IAF's Hawker Hunter aircrafts. Thus, not only was the Pak attack dented, but it was also forced to withdraw when India launched its own offensive. Longewala was, therefore, a crucial battle.
Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence & strategic failures on both sides. India's intelligence failed to forecast such a huge invading tank column in the western sector. Moreover the defending post was not heavily armed to neutralise the enemy. Finally, they didn't push home the advantage by finishing more tanks when the IAF had the Pakistan tanks on the run though they did take out a total of nearly 50 tanks in one single battle.
Invading Pakistan troops meanwhile, had over-estimated the Longewala post due to the stiff resistance encountered there. Attacking with virtually no air cover, they waited too long to deliver the lethal blow & failed to anticipate an Indian counter-attack from the skies. Infact the entire offensive was so audacious that it bordered on the verge of absurdity, given the fact that the T-59/Type_59 Chinese made tanks were pretty slow to cross the loose sands of the Thar desert. And the vast desert provided little to no cover for the tanks and infantry in case of an aerial assault.
A blockbuster hindi (bollywood) movie "Border" was made that revolved around this battle.
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