The story of the Battle of Longewala.
On 4 December 1971 morning, at 2300 hrs, 22 Cavalry of the Pakistan Army commenced its advance towards Longewala from Masitwari Bhit.
The whole day, the Indian Air Force flew sorties in support of Indian 12 Infantry Division in the Jacobabaad, Rahim Yaar Khan and Sadiqabaad areas and for the capture of Sa-khi-re-walaa Khu. In all 20 sorties were flown but no one expected any threat to Longewala.

Lieutenant Dharamveer Singh, leading a patrol at the border, first reported tank sounds around midnight on 4/5December. The enemy artillery started shelling Longewala at around 0200 hrs.

According to the the war diary of the company of 23 Punjab occupying Longewala, the first of 16 Pakistani tanks reached 5 kms south west of Longewala at around 0430 hours. Two soldiers of the company were killed. The war diary also said that, by 0700 hours on 5 December, two Hunters appeared over Longewala and destroyed three enemy tanks.

The Hindi movie Border made in 1997, shows the Army fighting against enemy tanks at Longewala during the night of 4/5 December. It created the impression that the Pakistani tanks had lined up 100 meters ahead of Longewala post and surrounded it by 0400 hrs in the morning. The Army fought off the enemy and knocked out the tanks. Before the post could be overrun the Air Force reached and engaged the leftover tanks.

Now comes a new book in the Golden Jubilee year of the 1971 war, on the battle, that gives out, in candid detail, how events unfolded and who shot up the tanks and broke the enemy’s attack.

Air Marshal Bharat Kumar, a frontline fighter pilot of the war, has authored a book, based on first-hand conversations with pilots, the base commander, Army officers, Brigade staff and official records. The book, titled, The Epic Battle of Longewala, provides details of every mission, the crew, tank kills claimed and accounts for every tank and soft vehicle destroyed in the battle. There is no doubt who forced the enemy to turn tail.

The official count was eighteen T-59 tanks and five Sherman tanks destroyed. The Indian Air Force has accounted for each one of them.

The book has first-hand accounts by Wing Commander Mohinder Singh Bawa, the Jaisalmer Air Force Commander, Major Atma Singh and Captain Sangha of Air Observation Post, Captain Ramesh Khattri of the Brigade Headquarters and all surviving fighter pilots involved in the battle of Longewala.

The book has 280 pages with illustrations and maps and is available only in print. The price is Rs 595. You can order your copy by text message. Just type Longewala and send it to +91-9582649663. Or visit [ Ссылка ]

свернуть