Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 1

Armoured Corps Day was observed by the Headquarters Western Command at Chandimandir today. This marks the mechanisation of Indian cavalry regiments. It was on May 1, 1938, when the Scinde Horse became the first regiment to shed its horses and re-equipped with Vickers light tanks and Chevrolet armoured cars.A solemn wreath laying ceremony was held at the Veer Smriti war memorial where Maj Gen AK Sanyal paid floral tributes to the martyrs on behalf of all ranks of the Command. The Corps has acquitted itself with distinction in all wars. The deployment of armour on Zojila Pass in the 1947 Indo-Pakistan War proved to be decisive and the turning point in the conflict. The Indian Armoured Corps gave a sterling performance in the 1965 Indo-Pak War where the sophisticated and advanced Patton Tanks of the Pakistan Army were decimated to form the famous graveyard, “Patton Nagar” near Khemkaran in Punjab. The Corps proved its mettle yet again gloriously in the 1971 war, wherein tanks were at the forefront of action on both western and eastern fronts.

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Armour Day is celebrated on May 1 every year to commemorate the commencement of mechanisation of the Indian cavalry regiments. On this date in 1938, the Scinde Horse became the first regiment to shed their horses and to be equipped with tanks. The first such equipment comprised Vickers light tanks and Chevrolet armoured cars.

The Indian Armoured Corps was equipped with comparatively modern Sherman tanks (M4) of American origin in 1943. Regiments so equipped formed the spearhead of the 14th Army during its pursuit of the defeated Japanese in the liberation of Burma. Post-independence, Indian armour lost one third of its units and training establishments to Pakistan with the Indian share being only twelve regiments. It was these regiments which nurtured the Corps and helped expand to the force that it has evolved into today.

Expansion and modernisation of the Armoured Corps was initiated post independence with Centurions Mark VII and AMX-13 light tanks. Since then, the Armoured Corps has operated the indigenous Vijayanta tanks, the Russian T-54 and T-55, T-72 and T-90 tanks and indigenous MBT Arjun.

An ideal man-machine interface led to a sterling performance in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 when the sophisticated Pakistani Patton tanks were decimated by own Centurian tanks to form the famous ‘Patton Graveyard, near Khemkaran in Punjab. Lt Col AB Tarapore of ‘The Poona Horse’ was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra for his gallant action in the Shakargarh Bulge. The Corps proved its mettle yet again gloriously in the 1971 war with Pakistan wherein tanks were at the forefront of action in the plains sector on the Western and Eastern fronts. 2nd Lt Arun Khetrapal fought gallantly and made the supreme sacrifice in the Battle of Basantar River earning for his regiment ‘The Poona Horse’, yet another Param Vir Chakra.

The core ethos of displaying exemplary courage in the face of fearful odds is amply demonstrated by the award of two Param Vir Chakras, 15 Maha Vir Chakras and 60 Vir Chakras amongst a large number of gallantry and distinguished service awards bestowed upon officers and men of the Armoured Corps.

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Celebration of Armoured Corps Day begins at Western Command Hqs

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: The 3-day celebration of Armoured Corps Day to commemorate 77 years of the mechanization of Indian Cavalry Regiments begins today at Headquarters of Western Command.
It was on May 1, 1938 that the Scinde Horse became the first Regiment to shed its horses and was equipped with Vickers Light Tanks and Chevrolet Armoured Cars. This was the beginning of a new era of valour and sacrifice by the tankmen.
Dignity and nostalgia marked the celebrations of the Armoured Corps Day at Headquarters Western Command. First of all a solemn wreath laying ceremony was held this morning at the “Veer Smriti” where Lt Gen KJ Singh Army Commander, Western Command laid the wreath to pay homage to the gallant martyrs who laid down their lives defending the Nation.
The event was also attended by the select veterans from the Armoured Corps including Brig NS Sandhu, MVC (Retired), the war hero of 1971 India Pakistan War.
The Armoured Corps has acquitted itself with distinction in all wars. The deployment of armour on the Zojila Pass in the 1947 Indo Pakistan War proved to be decisive and the turning point of the conflict. The Indian Armoured Corps gave a sterling performance in the 1965 war, wherein the sophisticated and advanced Patton tanks of Pakistan Army were decimated to form the famous graveyard, “Patton Nagar” near Khemkaran in Punjab.
The Corps proved its mettle yet again gloriously in the 1971 war wherein tanks were at the forefront of action on the both Western and Eastern front and infact spearheaded the offensive of ground forces into Dhaka.
Apart from proving its mettle in the domain of conventional operations, the Armoured Corps has contributed substantially and significantly to the Counter Insurgency Operations in J&K and North East. The Corps is also contributing a contingent at United Nation’s mission in Lebanon, apart from individual representations.