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This month's Forgotten Battle is...
The Battle of Longewala
Intro
The battle of Longewala occurred on December 4 to December 7, 1971. It was fought between the Indian 12th Infantry Division and the Pakistani 18th Infantry Division as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Also involved, was the 122nd Squadron of the Indian Air Force. It was a climactic battle that would come to signify the evolving value of air power in warfare.
Part I
In the 20th Century, there were multiple conflicts between the nations of India and Pakistan. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was the third (and most devastating) of these clashes. Beginning on December 2, the war itself would only last thirteen days. However, it would take thousands of lives from both countries.
Most of the fighting of this conflict would take place on two fronts. The Eastern front took place along the Indian border with what is now, Bangladesh. At the time, it was called, East Pakistan. The Western Front took place directly on India's border with Pakistan. On the Eastern Front, the Indian and Bangladeshi armies emerged victorious and forced the surrender of the Pakistani Army. But on the Western Front, the Indian Army suffered two defeats and the Pakistanis seized the cities of Chumb and Hussainiwala.
Part II
In spite of their early defeats on the Western Front, the Indian Army quickly rallied and faced the Pakistani Army at the village of Turtuk. This savage battle lasted six days and took the lives of thousands on both sides.
While most of the Indian Army's attention was on Turtuk, the Pakistani 18th Infantry Division launched an attack targeting the Indian border town of, Longewala. Standing in their way was a small outpost on the outskirts of the town. It was defended by A Company, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment (numbering 120 soldiers). In command of this single company was, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri. Their position was located on a high sand dune that was almost intractable to vehicles. They were armed with two machine-guns, two L16 81mm mortars, and one Jonga-mounted (type of jeep) M40 recoilless rifle (RCL). In addition, they had surrounded their position with barbed wire.
In spite of their strong defensive position, A Company was severely outnumbered by the encroaching 18th Infantry Division. It included at least 45 tanks, 1 field regiment, two artillery batteries, and 2 mobile infantry brigades. In total, there were between 2,000 to 3,000 Pakistani soldiers converging on the Indian position at Longewala. Their objective was to capture and establish a military base in the town. From there, they were to launch further operations aimed toward capturing the Indian city of, Jaisalmer. The fighting would begin very late on the night of December 4.
Part III
At 11 PM, one of the Indian platoons detected movement near the border. Aerial reconnaissance by the Indian Air Force confirmed that it was 12 mile long column of Pakistani tanks that were advancing on the Longewala outpost. Knowing that he was severely outnumbered, Major Chandpuri sent an urgent request for artillery and tanks to support his battalion. After receiving a reply that no tanks nor reinforcements were available, he decided to hold his position at all costs.
The Pakistanis began their attack on the outpost at 12:30 in the morning of December 5. After a quick artillery barrage, 45 Pakistani tanks began advancing on the Indian outpost. The Indians held their fire until the tanks were less than 30 meters away. Then they opened fire with their M40 recoilless rifle on the Jonga. Their shots hit and disabled the first two tanks, stopping the column in its tracks. Unable to locate the Indian position, the Pakistanis became bogged down in soft sand. This allowed the Indians to destroy at least 10 of them within the first few minutes of the battle. To make matters worse for the Pakistanis, a fuel truck exploded, illuminating the battlefield for the defenders entrenched on the high ground. In addition, it created an acrid smokescreen at the ground level that blinded the Pakistani infantry. This made them easy targets for the Indian defenders.
At the crack of dawn, the Indian Air Force (IAF) assembled its 122 Squadron. Comprised of three HAL HF-24 Maruts and 4 Hawker Hunters, they launched at 6:30 in the morning to aid the outpost at Longewala. By now, the Pakistani tanks and infantry had pulled back and were attempting to flank the Indians. Although, the Indians were continuing to inflict heavy casualties on the advancing Pakistanis, their ammunition was beginning to dwindle. To make matters worse, their Jonga mounted recoilless rifle was hit by a tank shell and put out of action. When 122 Squadron arrived, they immediately began to pound the Pakistanis with T-16 rockets and 30 mm ADEN cannons. With no air support of their own, the Pakistani tanks and infantry were sitting ducks as the IAF bombed and strafed them for the rest of the day. By December 6, they had had enough and retreated from the area.
Epilogue
The Pakistanis had suffered a devastating defeat at the battle of Longewala. They are believed to have lost 36 of the 45 tanks, more than 100 other vehicles, and more than 200 infantrymen KIA. By contrast, the Indian defenders had suffered only 3 killed and 3 wounded. 122 Squadron had taken no casualties. It was one of the most lopsided tank battles since World War II.
For his valor in commanding the outpost, Major Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (India's second highest military award for valor). The Indian victory at Longewala (coupled with their victory at the battle of Turtuk) would have a decisive impact on the course of the war. After suffering severe casualties on both fronts, the Pakistanis signed a unilateral ceasefire with the Indians on the Western Front. On the Eastern Front, the Pakistani Army surrendered to the Indian-Bangladeshi Armies on December 16. This ended the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (and secured the independence of Bangladesh).
Today, the Indian victory at the battle of Longewala is remembered as a brave stand against overwhelming odds. It has also been seen as a recognition of the power of the air force in modern combat. Many military historians believe that this battle is proof that whoever controls the skies, will be the true victor of battles in the future.
https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/assets/uploads/home_banner/UpdatedFinalBattleofLongewala_com-2024-04-04.pdf
https://theprint.in/opinion/the-1971-battle-of-longewala-a-night-of-confusion-sam-manekshaws-order-pakistans-folly/329321/
