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Revision as of 16:53, 11 June 2005 by Idleguy (talk | contribs) (rearranged, corrected spelling errors and wikified.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Battle of Longewala December 5 - December 6 1971 was part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, fought between Indian and Pakistani forces in the Thar Desert of the Rajasthan state in India. It is generally regarded to be one of the decisive battles in the two week long 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 and also a pivotol theatre of war in engaging India on the western front.
Battle plan
The Pakistani plan was lauded in the words of Brigadier Tariq Mir as "Insha Allah (God willing) we will have breakfast at Longewala, lunch at Ramgarh and dinner at Jaisalmer". The ambition was far-fetched from the start. And as the day unfolded, Longewala would stand out as one of the biggest routs in a battle for Pakistan despite overwhelming superiority before commencement of the battle.
The actual battle
The battle began on 5th December at 2:30 AM when Pakistan Army made the daring attempt to cross the desert heading for Longewala, 16 km from the border. As the tanks neared the Indian line, troops without support of heavy artillery or minefield defences knocked out 2 tanks with their Recoilless rifles. 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.
Dawn arrived, and the Pakistan froces had still not taken the post.
With daylight, the Indian Air Force (IAF) was able to operate effectively. Without support from the Pakistan Air Force which was busy elsewhere, the tanks and other armoured vehicles were easy targets for the IAF's Hawker Hunters. The Pakistani attack was first dented, then forced to withdraw when Indian troops launched their counter-offensive; Longewala had proved to be one of the defining moments in the war.
Aftermath
Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence and 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 that their T-59/Type_59 Chinese-made tanks were slow on 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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