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Indian Army Service Corps

2022-11-27T00:17:23Z

2405:201:6007:4AD4:141B:A9F5:6619:8EBB:

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Indian Army Service Corps
| image = Amy Service Corps India.jpg
|image_size = 180px
| caption = [[Emblem]] of Indian Army Service Corps
|dates= 1760{{endash}}Present
|country={{UK}} {{IND}}
|allegiance={{flag|British India}} (1760–1947) {{flag|India}} (1947–Present)
|branch={{army|British India}} {{army|India}}
|type=
|role= [[Military logistics|Military Logistics]]
| current_commander_label = Director General
| current_commander = Lt. Gen.
Manoj Kumar Singh Yadav [[Sena Medal|SM]][[File:M K S Yadav.jpg|100px|Lieutenant General MKS Yadav, Director General Supplies & Logistics (DGSL)]]
|command_structure=
|garrison=Bengaluru, [[Karnataka]]
|garrison_label=Regimental Centre
|patron=
|motto= ''Seva Asmākam Dharma'' ({{translation|Service is our duty}})
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|anniversaries=December 8 (Corps Raising Day)
|battles=[[First World War]] [[Second World War]] [[Sino-Indian War|Sino-Indian War of 1962]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1999]]
|decorations=
• [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]]-15 
• [[Mahavir Chakra|MVC]]-1 
• [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]]-33 
• [[Vir Chakra|VrC]]-14 
• [[Kirti Chakra|KC]]-4 
• [[Ashok Chakra Award|AC]]-1 
• [[Shaurya Chakra|SC]]-21 
• [[Sena Medal|SM]]-114 
• [[Distinguished Service Order|DSOs]]-4 
• [[Military Cross|MCs]]-25 
• [[Military Medal|MMs]]-67 
• IDMs-4 
• [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal|IDSMs]]-34 
• [[Companion of the Order of the Bath|CBs]]-4 
• [[Order of the Indian Empire|CIEs]]-8 
• [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire|CBEs]]-13 
• [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire|OBEs]]-60 
• [[Member of the Order of the British Empire|MBEs]]-161 
• [[British Empire Medal|BEMs]]-15 
• [[Order of British India|OBIs]]-185 
• [[Jagir]]s-5
|battle_honours=
Colonels of the Regiment- Maj. Gen. Arvind Katoch, Lt. Gen. MKS Yadav

|identification_symbol=[[File:Indian Army-Service Corps.png|200px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Flag }}

The '''Indian Army Service Corps''' ('''IASC''') is a [[corps]] and an arm of the [[Indian Army]] which handles its [[Military logistics|logistic support]] function. It is the oldest and the largest administrative service in the Indian Army. While the history of supply and transport services is as old as the history of organized warfare itself it was in 1760 that the very rudimentary supply and transport organizations of the three presidencies of the [[East India Company]] were brought under the council of a single authority.<ref>[https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=5HhSr/AG1H5RTyk5kRhwBw==&ParentID=yaIizpWdub5E+Z6omrga3Q== Army Service Corps]</ref>

==Role==
[[File:Indian Mule Corps in Alexandria about to embark for Gallipoli, c. 1915.jpg|Indian Mule Corps in [[Alexandria]] about to embark for [[Gallipoli]], c. 1915|left|thumb|220x220px]]
[[File:Stamp of India - 1992 - Colnect 164330 - Army Service Corps - 1760 - 1992 - Commemoration.jpeg|left|thumb|220x220px|1992 postal stamp]]
The ASC is mainly responsible for the provisioning, procurement and distribution of Supplies of food ration, fresh & dry eatable items, FOL(Fuels, oil, lubricants), Hygiene Chemicals and items of Hospital Comforts to Army, Air Force and when required for Navy and other para military forces. The operation of Mechanical Transport except first line transport and fighting vehicles and the provision and operation of first and second line Animal Transport is also the responsibility of the ASC. The other responsibilities include carriage and distribution of ammunition including mines, forward of the Corps Maintenance Area in the field in case of plains, and forward of Divisional Maintenance Area in case of mountain formation, packing of commodities for supply, loading of aircraft and ejection of loads, training and provisioning of clerks for all branches of staff at formation headquarters and the training and provisioning of catering staff in the army. This Corps is a versatile one designed for the role with wide parameters for multifarious activities of immediate concern to the troops. The Corps also handle postal services in forward areas.

==History==
The origin of the corps go back to 1760 when a [[Commissariat]] used to exist in the administrative component of the armies three Presidencies of [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] and [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]]. In 1878 the separate Commissariats were amalgamated into a single entity and then in 1901 it was renamed the '''Supply and Transport Corps'''. During the [[First World War]] the corps became a permanent component of the [[British Indian Army]] and was renamed the Indian Army Service Corps in 1923. In 1935 the corps was granted the 'Royal' prefix and became known as '''Royal Indian Army Service Corps''' ('''RIASC''').
[[File:Passing out parade Army Service Corps Centre, Bengaluru.jpg|thumb|left|Passing out parade, Army Service Corps Centre, Bengaluru]]
After India gained independence in 1947, the corps underwent further expansion and by 1948 Indian Catering Corps and Indian Army Corps of Clerks were amalgamated into the corps. The Food Testing Laboratories were also placed under the control of RIASC. On 8 December 1950, after India became a republic, the corps dropped the use of the 'Royal' prefix and was once again renamed the Indian Army Service Corps. Since that day the corps has celebrated its Raising Day on 8 December. A proposal for the award of regimental [[Colours, standards and guidons|colours]] to the Corps was initiated in 1952 and was approved in October 1967. To coincide with the Colour presentation first ever Reunion of ASC was also held. The new Corps Colours were presented by the President of India, [[Zakir Hussain (politician)|Dr Zakir Hussain]] to the Corps on 8 December 1967 on the 207th Corps Anniversary, at ASC Centre (South), Bangalore. Lt SSK Raheja had the rare and enviable privilege and honour of being selected as the Colour Ensign, he received the Corps Colours from the President. The second regimental Colours were presented on the occasion of Third Reunion by Gen OP Malhotra, COAS on 8 December 1979.

==See also==
*[[Indian Army Pioneer Corps]]

== References ==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://indianarmy.nic.in Official website of the Indian Army]

{{Indian_Army_Arms_and_Services}}

[[Category:Administrative corps of the Indian Army]]

Indian Army Pioneer Corps

2022-11-27T00:15:58Z

2405:201:6007:4AD4:141B:A9F5:6619:8EBB:

{{Short description|Operational logistics corps of the Indian Army}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2022}}{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Indian Army Pioneer Corps
| image = Indian Army Pioneer Corps insignia.jpg
| dates = 1758 – Present
| country = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| role = Support, Logistics, Construction and Maintenance
| size = 16 companies
| motto = Shram Sarva Vijayee (With Labour, everything can be won/ [[labor omnia vincit]])
| battles = World War 1 World War 2 Basantar Shamshernagar Keran Tithwal Kargil Mushkoh Operation Vijay Operation Deewar OP Pawan OP Parakram Indo-Pak Wars
| decorations = [[File:Sena Medal ribbon.svg|50px]] 3 [[Sena Medal]] 
[[File:Kirti Chakra ribbon.svg|50px]] 3 [[Kirti Chakra]] 
[[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|50px]] 6 [[Shaurya Chakra]] 
Presidential Colours
}}
[[File:Indian pioneers.png|thumb|right|305x305px|Pioneers of the British Indian Army. Left to right: 34th Sikh Pioneers, 12th Pioneers, 128th Pioneers, 81st Pioneers, 64th Pioneers, 61st King George's Own Pioneers, 48th Pioneers, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, 106th Hazara Pioneers, 34th Sikh Pioneers, 107th Pioneers (Water colour by AC Lovett in ''Armies of India'', 1911)]]
The '''Indian Army Pioneer Corps''' or '''Pioneers''' is the operational logistics arm of the Indian Army. Though not a combat arm, the Pioneer Corps provide disciplined and well trained manpower where civilian labour is either not available or its employment is not desirable for reasons of security. Pioneer units are mostly committed in forward and operational areas. Although the Pioneer Corps were at one time the third largest troop in the Army and had a total of 26 Pioneer Companies even till 1999, today there are 21 Pioneer Units under various commands.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/pioneer-corps-presented-presidential-colours/article3052457.ece|title=Pioneer Corps presented Presidential Colours|date=2006-11-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/army.htm|title=India - Army|last=Pike|first=John|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://topyaps.com/branches-of-the-indian-army|title=21 Different Branches Of Indian Army That Make It Such An Efficient Defence Force|last=Mishra|first=Rishabh|date=2015-06-24|work=TopYaps|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en-US}}</ref> The Pioneer Corps Training Center (PCTC) is currently located in [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/74-new-recruits-join-pioneer-corps/article7342364.ece|title=74 new recruits join Pioneer Corps|last=Correspindent|first=Special|date=2015-06-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2016/feb/09/WW-II-Veteran-Bids-Goodbye-at-95-890129.html|title=WW-II Veteran Bids Goodbye at 95|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30075913|title=badge, headdress, Indian, Indian Pioneer Corps {{!}} Imperial War Museums|website=www.iwm.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vidteq.com/Bangalore/Pioneer-Corps-Training-Centre/Story|title=Pioneer Corps Training Centre}}</ref>

== Functions and roles ==
* Provide logistic support to the fighting forces - with the service corps it brings up vital supplies and stores, with the ordnance corps it keeps up the flow of guns and ammunition
* Loading and unloading of stores, rations, equipment and ammunition over land, sea, and air
* Detect and are involved in laying and breaching of landmines and minefields
* Construction, activation and maintenance of roads, mule tracks, border fences, bridges, airstrips, railways, aerodromes and helipads
* Works in hospitals or acts as stretcher bearers with frontline troops
* Opening and maintenance of Jawahar Tunnel, [[Zojila Pass]], Sadhna & Tithwal Passes (J&K)
* Laying and breaching of mines and minefields
* Carrying back the body bags during ‘[[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]’ in the higher reaches of Kargil, Drass and Mushkoh.
* Bringing back the wounded from recaptured entrenchments
* Expatriating prisoners of war

== History ==
'''Pre-Independence of India'''

The origin of the Indian Pioneer Corps dates back to 1758 when the first Pioneer Companies was formed, the [[Madras Pioneers]], [[Bombay Engineer Group|Bombay Pioneers]], [[Sikh Pioneers & Sikh Light Infantry Association UK|Sikh Pioneer]] and the [[106th Hazara Pioneers|Hazara Pioneers]]. After being disbanded for many years, the Pioneer Corps was re-raised during [[World War II|World War-II]] in the following to provide semi skilled labour to work with Engineer units or tasks such as demolition, construction of roads, tracks bridges, defences & water supply and to provide unskilled labour where required. By the wars end a total of approximately 300,000 such workers had been engaged of which 21,000 were Indians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.paopctcblr.gov.in/readmore.html|title=Office of the PAO(ORs) PCTC Bangalore|website=www.paopctcblr.gov.in|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>
[[File:British Indian Army pioneers at the Ladder of Tyre during WWI.jpg|thumb|right|305x305px|British Indian Army Sikh Pioneers building a new road on the most difficult section of the [[Ladder of the Tyrians|Ladder of Tyre]] in September/October 1918 during the pursuit of the Ottoman Yildirim Army]]

Extensive use was made of pioneers in the British Indian Army because of the demands of campaigning in difficult terrain with little or no [[infrastructure]]. The twelve Indian Pioneer regiments in existence in 1914 were trained and equipped for road, rail and [[engineer]]ing work, as well as for conventional infantry service. While this dual function did not qualify them to be regarded as elite units, the frequency with which they saw active service made postings to pioneer regiments popular with British officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reubique.com/indpion.htm|title=Indian Pioneer Battalions by Ó Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis|date=1977}}</ref>

The Pioneer Corps were disbanded in 1933 and their personnel mostly transferred into the Corps of Sappers and Miners, whose role they had come to parallel. It was concluded that the Pioneer battalions had become less technically effective than the Sappers and Miners, but too well trained in specialist functions to warrant being used as ordinary infantry. In addition, their major role of frontier road building had now been allocated to civilian workers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.royalpioneercorps.co.uk/rpc/history_main1.htm|title=Royal Pioneer Corps & Royal Pioneer Association|last=Brown|first=Norman Brown & Paul|website=www.royalpioneercorps.co.uk|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>

'''Post-Independence of India'''

The re-organization commenced in 1940 at [[Jhelum District|Jhelum]] (now in Pakistan). Thereafter it became the Auxiliary Pioneers Corps in 1941 and subsequently the Indian Auxiliary Pioneer Corps with effect from 13 October 1942. 25 November 1941 is celebrated as the Raising day of the Pioneer Corp. An Indian Pioneer Corps was re-established in 1943 and now have 16 companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=iwJGTS0dOEgEp/wbulg5IQ==&ParentID=HjuqT5dxnJrWXcJZ4DbVSA==|title=Pioneer Corps Ethos|website=Indian Army Official Website}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=cocos60b6KdNHlxtd2I2cw==&ParentID=BWKVjAQdZcJtbjuY0qz92Q==&flag=Ow64LhREgrASHkA/nCyaSw==|title=Pioneer Corps History|website=Indian Army}}</ref>

=== [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]] ===
Two Pioneer Companies worked non-stop along with Border Roads Organization and ensured that the lines of communication on the Srinagar-Leh, the Jammu-Poonch-Rajouri and Jammu-Srinagar areas remained open at all times.<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==
* [[Indian Army]]
* [[106th Hazara Pioneers]]
* [[Madras Pioneers]]
* [[Pioneer (military)]]
* [[Indian Army Service Corps]]

== References ==
<references/>
{{Indian Army arms and services}}

[[Category:Indian Army]]