ISSUE 11 | NOVEMBER 2019
In October 1959, India realised that it was not
ready for war after a clash between two armies at
Kongka Pass, in which nine Indian policemen
were killed; the country assumed responsibility for
the border and pulled back patrols from disputed
areas.
On October 20, 1962, China's People's Liberation
Army invaded India in Ladakh, and across the
McMohan Line in the then North-East Frontier
Agency.
Till the start of the war, the Indian side was
confident that war would not be started and
made little preparations. Thinking this, India
deployed only two divisions of troops in the region
of the conflict, while the Chinese troops had three
regiments positioned.
The Chinese also cut Indian telephone lines,
preventing the defenders from making contact
with their headquarters.
On the first day, the Chinese infantry also
launched an attack from the rear. The continued
losses forced the Indian troops to escape to
Bhutan.
On October 22, the Chinese lighted a bush which
caused a lot of confusion among the Indians.
Some 400 Chinese troops attacked the Indian
position. The initial Chinese assault was stopped
by accurate Indian mortar fire.
When the Indian army discovered that a Chinese
force gathered in a pass, it opened fire with
mortars and machine guns and killed about 200
Chinese soldiers.
On October 26, a patrol from the 4th Sikh was
encircled, and after they were unable to break the
encirclement, an Indian unit sneaked in and
attacked the Chinese army and freed the Sikhs.
According to China's official military history, the
war achieved China's policy objectives of securing
borders in it's western sector.
BATTLE OF WALONG
On Night Oct 20/21, the PLA cleared the Kumaoni
Company from McMohan Ridge and before they
could attack the remainder of 6 Kumaon at Kibithoo,
the unit was ordered back to man the defenses at
Walong, leaving behind a Screen Position
overlooking a small Nullah. This was Capt Bikram's
Company, which after it had drawn first blood, was
ordered back after a grim battle with the boisterous
supremely confident Chinese.
BIKERS CLUB | MAGAZINE | PAGE 60
Within two days, the remainder of 4 Sikh along with two
companies of 2/8 Gurkhas were flown in and the
command of the Garrison taken over by CO 4 Sikh from
CO 6 Kumaon.
The Chinese had been confidently advancing Southward
along the single track from the North on the West Bank
of the Lohit River. The Sikhs and Gurkhas had field days
as they caught the attacking Chines, with their machine
guns enfilade (along their main axis) as they came
forward with restricted space for deployment of out
flanking movements.
The Chinese took a big hit as they fled back and out of
range. To their credit, let it be said that under cover of
the smoke from fires they had lit, the Chines came back
and honourably carried away their dead. A fair estimate
of casualties - all Chines, would conservatory be between
a hundred and two hundred.
From Nov 3 onwards Sikh and Assam Rifle patrols were
fired upon from Green Pimple. However, the
venturesome Sikh had established themselves in an area
they named Patrol Base so that they could more
effectively interfere with the movement of the Chinese
going up North Eastern Spur and towards the two
Pimples they had occupied.
From Nov 6, a company under the valiant Lieut. Bikram
Singh of 6 Kumaon and a course mate, launched
repeated probes and attacks on Green Pimple from the
South - but with little success. The Chinese proved to be
strongly entrenched and young Bikram was killed
leading one attack. The company established itself on an
area they named West Ridge, in order to keep Green
Pimple under observation.
On Nov 11, Kumaoni patrols reported to brigade that Tri
Jn. was not held. The Corps Commander, Gen. Kaul, who
was visiting, approved a plan for 6 Kumaon to attack
Yellow Pimple from Tri Jn, complete with artillery and
mortar support. Tri Jn. was secured on Nov 12 by a strong
patrol of 6 Kumaon. This would of course have warned
the Chinese - if warning was necessary.
At last light Nov 11, 6 Kumaon had a company on the
East of Lohit River. As such this company had to cross
the river to the West Bank and then climb some 10,000
ft with equipment and ammunition together with the
rest of the battalion for launching the attack. It took 6
Kumaon the better part of two days, Nov 12 and 13 to
establish it self at Tri Jn.