Dear Colleague
Today, 18 November is Rezang La Day. On this day in 1962, ‘C’ Company of 13 KUMAON had fought the classical ‘last man last round’ battle on the icy heights in Ladakh, where the Battalion had been deployed to defend against Chinese approach to Chushul airfield. In one of the fiercest battles of defence, heavily outnumbered, with outmoded .303 rifles and without artillery support, of the gritty 124 Ahirs, 114 had made the supreme sacrifice. The dead bodies were recovered much later in summer months, with almost everyone still clutching his weapon and in his trench. The 3 in Mor detachment crew still held bombs in their hands, with their bodies pieced by bullets and shrapnel. The Nursing Assistant’s body was found with him holding a bandage and syringe in either hand. The three men on the ‘listening post’ – two brothers and their brother-in-law were found dead on the very spot they were occupying. All martyrs had died doing their assigned task – in action. Their Company Commander Major Shaitan Singh was awarded the well-deserved PVC, posthumously.
Most men of ‘C’ Company hailed from Mahendragarh area in Haryana. They held a memorial service today – as they do every year – and had given me the honour of being the Chief Guest; Kameshwar Pandey from the Governing Body had also accompanied. On the occasion over 300 ESM and some families had assembled. The families were mostly the widows of Rezang La martyrs. The most notable event was the recounting of the battle by Hav Gaje Singh, Hav Mool Chand and Nb Sub Ram Kumar. They were all part of the historic action and are among the few survivors. Gaje Singh is popularly known as LMG 1, an appendage he carries with just pride.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
262, Sector-17A
Gurgaon- 122 001
Tele: 91+124-4015262
