Battle of Asal Uttar: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Major battle in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{short description|Major battle in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| width            = 380px
| width            = 380px
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| conflict          = Battle of Asal Uttar
| conflict          = Battle of Asal Uttar
| partof            = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
| partof            = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
| date              = 8–10 September 1965
| date              = 8–10 September 1965<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=9|day1=8|year1=1965|month2=9|day2=10|year2=1965}})
| place            = Asal Uttar, [[Khem Karan]], [[Punjab, India]]
| place            = Asal Uttar, [[Khem Karan]], [[Punjab, India]]
| result            = Indian victory<ref name=Wilson83>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Peter|title=Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India|year=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=81-7099-890-5|pages=83–84|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qYK0BhcgwaQC&q=uttar&pg=PA84}}</ref>
| result            = Indian victory<ref name=Wilson83>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Peter|title=Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India|year=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=81-7099-890-5|pages=83–84|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qYK0BhcgwaQC&q=uttar&pg=PA84}}</ref>
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| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| commander1        = {{plainlist|
| commander1        = {{plainlist|
*{{flagicon|India|army}} Lt. Gen. [[Harbaksh Singh]]
* {{flagicon|India|army}} Lt. Gen. [[Harbaksh Singh]]
*{{flagicon|India|army}} Lt. Gen. J. S. Dhillon
* {{flagicon|India|army}} Lt. Gen. J. S. Dhillon
*{{flagicon|India|army}} Maj. Gen. Gurbaksh Singh
* {{flagicon|India|army}} Maj. Gen. Gurbaksh Singh
*{{flagicon|India|army}} [[Brig. Thomas K. Theogaraj]]
* {{flagicon|India|army}} [[Brig. Thomas K. Theogaraj]]
}}
}}
| commander2        = {{plainlist|
| commander2        = {{plainlist|
*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Maj. Gen. Nasir Khan{{KIA}}<ref name=Wilson83 /><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" />
* {{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Maj. Gen. Nasir Khan{{KIA}}<ref name=Wilson83 /><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" />
*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Brig. A.R.Shami{{KIA}}<ref name="amin asal uttar">{{cite web|last=Amin|first=Agha Humayun|title=The Battle of Lahore and Pakistans Main Attack in 1965|url=http://pakistan-army-interviews.blogspot.com/2011/06/battle-of-lahore-pakistans-main-attack.html|work=Military Historian|publisher=AH Amin|access-date=17 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="War Despatches">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Lt.Gen Harbaksh|title=War Despatches|year=191|publisher=Lancer International|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-7062-117-8|pages=108}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Brig. A.R.Shami{{KIA}}<ref name="amin asal uttar">{{cite web|last=Amin|first=Agha Humayun|title=The Battle of Lahore and Pakistans Main Attack in 1965|url=http://pakistan-army-interviews.blogspot.com/2011/06/battle-of-lahore-pakistans-main-attack.html|work=Military Historian|publisher=AH Amin|access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="War Despatches">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Lt.Gen Harbaksh|title=War Despatches|year=191|publisher=Lancer International|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-7062-117-8|pages=108}}</ref>
}}
}}
| strength1        = 3rd Cavalry<br><small>(45 [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] tanks)</small><br>9th Deccan Horse<br>(45 [[M4 Sherman]]) tanks<br>8th Light Cavalry<br><small>(45 [[AMX-13]] tanks)</small><br>'''Total''':<br>135 Tanks
| strength1        = {{flagicon|India|army}} [[3rd Cavalry Regiment (India)|3rd Cavalry]]<br/><small>(45 [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] tanks)</small><br/>
| strength2        = 4th Cavalry<br><small>(44 [[Patton tank|Patton]] tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history">{{cite web|last=History|first=Official|title=All out war pg 39|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1965War/PDF/1965Chapter06.pdf|work=Official History of 1965 war|publisher=Times of India|access-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609072642/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1965War/PDF/1965Chapter06.pdf|archive-date=9 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><br>5th Horse <br><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" /><br>6th Lancers<br><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" /><br>24th Cavalry<br><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" /><br>12th Cavalry<br><small>(44 [[M24 Chaffee]] tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" /><br>19th Lancers<br><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history" /><br>'''Total''':<br>264 tanks
{{flagicon|India|army}} [[9th Horse (Deccan Horse)|9th Horse]]<br/>(45 [[M4 Sherman]]) tanks<br/>
| casualties1      = 10 tanks damaged<ref name=Zaloga>{{cite book |last = Zaloga|first = Steve|title = The M47 and M48 Patton tanks|date = July 1999|publisher = Osprey Publishing, 1999|isbn = 978-1-85532-825-9}}</ref>
{{flagicon|India|army}} [[8th Light Cavalry]]<br/><small>(45 [[AMX-13]] tanks)</small><br/>'''Total''':<br/>135 Tanks
| casualties2      = 100+ tanks destroyed, 40 tanks captured by Indian forces<ref>{{cite web| author=Maninder Dabas | title =The battle of Asal uttar where the Indian army crushed Pakistan to avoid the capture of Amirtsar| date =10 August 2016| access-date=2020-07-06 | url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/the-battle-of-asal-uttar-where-the-indian-army-crushed-pakistan-to-avoid-the-capture-of-amritsar-259734.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author= Peter Wilson Prabhakar| title= Wars, Proxy-wars and Terrorism: Post Independent India|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qYK0BhcgwaQC&q=battle+of+asal+uttar+97+tanks&pg=PA84 |year= 2003 |publisher= Mittal Publications |isbn = 978-81-7099-890-7|page=84}}</ref><ref name=Wilson>{{cite book|last = Wilson|first = Peter |title = Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India|year = 2003 |publisher = Mittal Publications, 2003|isbn = 978-81-7099-890-7}}</ref><ref name=Jaques>{{cite book|last = Jaques|first = Tony|title = Dictionary of Battles and Sieges|year = 2007|publisher = Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007|isbn = 978-0-313-33538-9}}</ref>
| strength2        = [[4th Cavalry (Pakistan)|4th Cavalry]]<br/><small>(44 [[Patton tank|Patton]] tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history">{{cite web|last=History|first=Official|title=All out war pg 39|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1965War/PDF/1965Chapter06.pdf|work=Official History of 1965 war|publisher=Times of India|access-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609072642/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1965War/PDF/1965Chapter06.pdf|archive-date=9 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><br/>[[5th Horse]]<br/><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history"/><br/>[[6th Lancers (Pakistan)|6th Lancers]]<br/><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history"/><br/>[[24th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|24th Cavalry]]<br/><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history"/><br/>[[12th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|12th Cavalry]]<br/><small>(44 [[M24 Chaffee]] tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history"/><br/>[[19th Lancers]]<br/><small>(44 Patton tanks)</small><ref name="Chapt 5 official history"/><br/>'''Total''':<br/>264 tanks
| casualties1      = Unknown
| casualties2      =;Indian claims
97 tanks destroyed or captured by Indian forces<ref>{{cite web| author=Maninder Dabas | title =The battle of Asal uttar where the Indian army crushed Pakistan to avoid the capture of Amirtsar| date =10 August 2016| access-date=2020-07-06 | url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/the-battle-of-asal-uttar-where-the-indian-army-crushed-pakistan-to-avoid-the-capture-of-amritsar-259734.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author= Peter Wilson Prabhakar| title= Wars, Proxy-wars and Terrorism: Post Independent India|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qYK0BhcgwaQC&q=battle+of+asal+uttar+97+tanks&pg=PA84 |year= 2003 |publisher= Mittal Publications |isbn = 978-81-7099-890-7|page=84}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}


The '''Battle of Asal Uttar''' ([[Hindi language|Hindi]] : आसल उत्ताड़ {{efn|आसल उत्ताड़ (pronounced like - Aasal Uttaard) is the actual name of the village in Khemkaran Sector where this battle was fought. आसल उत्ताड़>>Asal Uttar>>असल उत्तर. Phonetic differences between the Hindi/Punjabi and English Languages sometimes causes a wrong pronunciation which changes the meaning of the words. Asal Uttar read as असल उत्तर means "Real Reply" or a "befitting response", but is not the code name for the battle.}}, [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਆਸਲ ਉਤਾੜ<ref name="ceopunjab">{{cite web | url=http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/electoralrolls/2015/05-01-15/acsumm-022.pdf | title=Voter List 2015, Punjab | publisher=Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab | access-date=3 September 2015 | pages=11, Row No. 163–165}}</ref>) was one of the largest tank battles fought during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. It was fought from 8 to 10 September 1965, when the [[Pakistan Army]] thrust its [[tank]]s and [[infantry]] into [[India]]n territory, capturing the Indian town of [[Khem Karan]] 5&nbsp;km from the International Border.<ref name=pradhan>{{cite book|last=R.D. Pradhan & Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan|title=1965 War, the Inside Story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's Diary of India-Pakistan War''.|year=2007|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|isbn=978-81-269-0762-5|page=47|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymYCJQjEGBUC&pg=PA47}}</ref> The Indian troops retaliated, and after three days of bitter fighting, the battle ended with the Pakistani forces being repulsed near Asal Uttar. Factors that contributed to this were the fierce fight put up by the Indian army, conditions of the plains, better Indian tactics and a successful Indian strategy.<ref name=Wilson/><ref>{{cite book|author= B. Chakravorty | title= Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uzizVBSb4YsC&q=battle+of+asal+uttar+97+tanks+lost&pg=PA17 |year =1995 |publisher= Allied Publishers |isbn=81-7023-516-2 |page=17}}</ref>
The '''Battle of Asal Uttar''' ([[Hindi language|Hindi]] : आसल उत्ताड़ ,{{efn|आसल उत्ताड़ (pronounced like – Aasal Uttaard) is the actual name of the village in Khemkaran Sector where this battle was fought. आसल उत्ताड़>>Asal Uttar>>असल उत्तर. Phonetic differences between the Hindi/Punjabi and English Languages sometimes causes a wrong pronunciation which changes the meaning of the words. Asal Uttar read as असल उत्तर means "Real Reply" or a "befitting response", but is not the code name for the battle.}} [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਆਸਲ ਉਤਾੜ<ref name="ceopunjab">{{cite web | url=http://ceopunjab.nic.in/English/electoralrolls/2015/05-01-15/acsumm-022.pdf | title=Voter List 2015, Punjab | publisher=Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab | access-date=3 September 2015 | pages=11, Row No. 163–165}}</ref>) was one of the largest tank battles fought during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. It was fought from 8 to 10 September 1965, when the [[Pakistan Army]] thrust its [[tank]]s and [[infantry]] into [[India]]n territory, capturing the Indian town of [[Khem Karan]] 5&nbsp;km from the International Border.<ref name=pradhan>{{cite book|last=R.D. Pradhan & Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan|title=1965 War, the Inside Story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's Diary of India-Pakistan War''.|year=2007|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|isbn=978-81-269-0762-5|page=47|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymYCJQjEGBUC&pg=PA47}}</ref> The Indian troops retaliated, and after three days of bitter fighting, the battle ended with the Pakistani forces being repulsed near Asal Uttar. Factors that contributed to this were the fierce fight put up by the [[Indian Army]], conditions of the plains, better Indian tactics, and a successful Indian strategy.<ref name=Wilson>{{cite book|last = Wilson|first = Peter |title = Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India|year = 2003 |publisher = Mittal Publications, 2003|isbn = 978-81-7099-890-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author= B. Chakravorty | title= Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uzizVBSb4YsC&q=battle+of+asal+uttar+97+tanks+lost&pg=PA17 |year =1995 |publisher= Allied Publishers |isbn=81-7023-516-2 |page=17}}</ref>


This battle is compared with the [[Battle of Kursk]] in the [[Second World War]] for how it changed the course of the India Pakistan war of 1965 in India's favour. War historians, including Dr. [[Philip Towle]], regard the Indian resistance near Khem Karan as one of the key turning points of the war, one which tilted the balance of the war in favour of India.<ref name=Towle>{{cite book
This battle is compared with the [[Battle of Kursk]] in the [[Second World War]] for how it changed the course of the India-Pakistan war of 1965 in India's favour. War historians, including Dr. [[Philip Towle]], regard the Indian resistance near Khem Karan as one of the key turning points of the war, one which tilted the balance of the war in favour of India.<ref name=Towle>{{cite book
  |last = Towle
  |last = Towle
  |first = Philip
  |first = Philip
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  |publisher = Routledge
  |publisher = Routledge
  |year=1982
  |year=1982
  |isbn = 978-0-7099-0434-2}}</ref> Peter Wilson states<ref name=Wilson83>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Peter|title=Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India|year=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=81-7099-890-5|pages=83–84|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qYK0BhcgwaQC&q=uttar&pg=PA84}}</ref> that the defeat of Pakistan Army in the battle of Asal Uttar was one of the greatest defeats suffered by Pakistan forces in the course of the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965.<ref name="Wilson83"/>
  |isbn = 978-0-7099-0434-2}}</ref> Peter Wilson states<ref name=Wilson83>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Peter|title=Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India|year=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=81-7099-890-5|pages=83–84|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qYK0BhcgwaQC&q=uttar&pg=PA84}}</ref> that the defeat of the Pakistan Army in the battle of Asal Uttar was one of the greatest defeats suffered by Pakistani forces in the course of the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965.<ref name="Wilson83" />


== Battle ==
== Battle ==
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The battle is described as one of the largest tank battles in history since the [[Battle of Kursk]] in [[World War II]]. Pakistan's invading force, consisting of the 1st Armoured Division and 11th Infantry Division, crossed the [[International Border]] and captured the Indian town of Khem Karan. Considering the situation, GOC Indian 4th Mountain Division (Maj. Gen. Gurbaksh Singh) immediately ordered the division to fall back and assume a horseshoe shaped defensive position with Asal Uttar as its focal point. The battle strategy was the brainchild of Brigadier Thomas K. Theogaraj.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/unsung-hero/article6797696.ece|title = Unsung hero|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 18 January 2015|last1 = Dandapani|first1 = Vijay}}</ref><ref>http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1965/XI/0100.jpg.html</ref><ref>http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1965/XI/6517.jpg.html</ref>
The battle is described as one of the largest tank battles in history since the [[Battle of Kursk]] in [[World War II]]. Pakistan's invading force, consisting of the 1st Armoured Division and 11th Infantry Division, crossed the [[International Border]] and captured the Indian town of Khem Karan. Considering the situation, GOC Indian 4th Mountain Division (Maj. Gen. Gurbaksh Singh) immediately ordered the division to fall back and assume a horseshoe shaped defensive position with Asal Uttar as its focal point. The battle strategy was the brainchild of Brigadier Thomas K. Theogaraj.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/unsung-hero/article6797696.ece|title = Unsung hero|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 18 January 2015|last1 = Dandapani|first1 = Vijay}}</ref><ref>http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1965/XI/0100.jpg.html</ref><ref>http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1965/XI/6517.jpg.html</ref>


In the night, the Indian troops flooded the sugar cane field, and the next morning, the Pakistani tanks of the 1st Armoured Division, consisting mainly of [[M47 Patton|M47]] and [[M48 Patton|M48]] Patton tanks, were lured inside the horse-shoe trap. The swampy ground slowed the advance of the Pakistani tanks and many of them could not move because of the muddy slush. Over 100 Pakistani tanks mostly Pattons, and a few [[M4 Sherman|Shermans]] and [[M24 Chaffee|Chaffees]], were destroyed and another 40+ captured<ref name=Wilson/><ref name=Jaques/>
In the night, the Indian troops flooded the sugar cane field, and the next morning, the Pakistani tanks of the 1st Armoured Division, consisting mainly of [[M47 Patton|M47]] and [[M48 Patton|M48]] Patton tanks, were lured inside the horse-shoe trap. The swampy ground slowed the advance of the Pakistani tanks and many of them could not move because of the muddy slush. Over 100 Pakistani tanks mostly Pattons, and a few [[M4 Sherman|Shermans]] and [[M24 Chaffee|Chaffees]], were destroyed and another 40+ captured<ref name=Wilson /><ref name=Jaques>{{cite book|last = Jaques|first = Tony|title = Dictionary of Battles and Sieges|year = 2007|publisher = Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007|isbn = 978-0-313-33538-9}}</ref>
while the Indians, by their account, lost only 10 tanks during this counter offensive.<ref name=Zaloga/>
while the Indians, by their account, lost only 10 tanks during this counter offensive.<ref name=Zaloga>{{cite book |last = Zaloga|first = Steve|title = The M47 and M48 Patton tanks|date = July 1999|publisher = Osprey Publishing, 1999|isbn = 978-1-85532-825-9}}</ref>


== Conclusion ==
== Conclusion ==
Despite the initial thrust of the Pakistani Army into Indian territory, the battle ended in a decisive Indian Victory.<ref name="Wilson83"/> The commander of Pakistani forces Maj. Gen. Nasir Ahmed Khan was killed in action.<ref name=Wilson83 />  According to military historian [[Steven Zaloga]], Pakistan admitted that it lost 165 tanks during the 1965 war, more than half of which were knocked out during the "debacle" of Asal Uttar.<ref name=Zaloga/>
[[File:JVF-Mounted-M40-Anti-Tank-Gun.jpg|thumb|105 mm [[Jonga]]-mounted RCL gun, manned by [[Abdul Hamid (soldier)|Abdul Hamid]], which destroyed a number of tanks during the battle]]
 
Despite the initial thrust of the Pakistani Army into Indian territory, the battle ended in a decisive Indian Victory.<ref name="Wilson83" /> The commander of Pakistani forces Maj. Gen. Nasir Ahmed Khan was killed in action.<ref name=Wilson83 />  According to military historian [[Steven Zaloga]], Pakistan admitted that it lost 165 tanks during the 1965 war, more than half of which were knocked out during the "debacle" of Asal Uttar.<ref name=Zaloga />


[[Pervez Musharraf]], later Army Chief of Staff and [[President of Pakistan]], participated in this battle as a [[lieutenant]] of artillery in the 16 (SP) Field Regiment, 1st Armoured Division Artillery. The battle also witnessed the personal bravery of an Indian soldier, [[Abdul Hamid (soldier)|Abdul Hamid]], who was honoured with the [[Param Vir Chakra]], India's highest military award, for knocking out seven<ref>Maj Gen Cardozo, Ian (2003). PARAM VIR. New Delhi: Lotus Collection. {{ISBN|81-7436-262-2}}</ref> enemy tanks with a [[recoilless gun]].<ref>[http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/photo_6.htm The Param Vir Chakra Winners' home page for Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215807/http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/photo_6.htm |date=3 March 2016 }} indianarmy.nic.in</ref>
[[Pervez Musharraf]], later Army Chief of Staff and [[President of Pakistan]], participated in this battle as a [[lieutenant]] of artillery in the 16 (SP) Field Regiment, 1st Armoured Division Artillery. The battle also witnessed the personal bravery of an Indian soldier, [[Abdul Hamid (soldier)|Abdul Hamid]], who was honoured with the [[Param Vir Chakra]], India's highest military award, for knocking out seven<ref>Maj Gen Cardozo, Ian (2003). PARAM VIR. New Delhi: Lotus Collection. {{ISBN|81-7436-262-2}}</ref> enemy tanks with a [[recoilless gun]].<ref>[http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/photo_6.htm The Param Vir Chakra Winners' home page for Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215807/http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/photo_6.htm |date=3 March 2016 }} indianarmy.nic.in</ref>


This battle led to the creation of [[Khemkaran#Patton Nagar|Patton Nagar]] (or "Patton City") at the site of the battle. This is because a large number of [[M48 Patton|Patton tanks]] fielded by the [[Pakistan]]i forces were either captured or destroyed at the scene.<ref name="Zaloga"/>
This battle led to the creation of [[Khemkaran#Patton Nagar|Patton Nagar]] (or "Patton City") at the site of the battle. This is because a large number of [[M48 Patton|Patton tanks]] fielded by the [[Pakistan]]i forces were either captured or destroyed at the scene.<ref name="Zaloga" />
==Battle Honour==
 
The honour '''Asal Uttar''' was awarded for the period 9 to 11 September to the following units-<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Sarbans|title=Battle Honours of the Indian Army, 1757-1971|year=1993|publisher=Vision Books|isbn=978-8170941156}}</ref>
== Battle Honour ==
*[[9th Deccan Horse|Deccan Horse]]  
The honour '''Asal Uttar''' was awarded for the period 9 to 11 September to the following units-<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Sarbans|title=Battle Honours of the Indian Army, 1757–1971|year=1993|publisher=Vision Books|isbn=978-8170941156}}</ref>
*[[3rd Cavalry Regiment (India)|3 Cavalry]]  
* [[9th Deccan Horse|Deccan Horse]]
*[[91 Field Regiment (India)|91 Mountain Regiment]]
* [[3rd Cavalry Regiment (India)|3 Cavalry]]
*[[40 Field Regiment (India)|40 Medium Regiment]]  
* [[91 Field Regiment (India)|91 Mountain Regiment]]
*[[The Grenadiers|4 Grenadiers]]  
* [[40 Field Regiment (India)|40 Medium Regiment]]
*[[Rajputana Rifles|18 Rajputana Rifles]] (now 11th Mechanised Infantry Regiment)  
* [[The Grenadiers|4 Grenadiers]]
*[[Dogra Regiment|1 Dogra]] (now 7th Mechanised Infantry Regiment)  
* [[Rajputana Rifles|18 Rajputana Rifles]] (now 11th Mechanised Infantry Regiment)
*[[Mahar Regiment|2 Mahar]]  
* [[Dogra Regiment|1 Dogra]] (now 7th Mechanised Infantry Regiment)
*[[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]]
* [[Mahar Regiment|2 Mahar]]
* [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]]


==Published accounts==
== Published accounts ==
===Documentaries===
=== Documentaries ===
''Battle of Asal Uttar - Largest Tank Battle Since World War II'' (2018) is a [[TV documentary]] which premièred on Veer by [[Discovery Channel]] series, Mission & Wars.<ref name="VeerTV_AsalUttar">{{cite web|title=Battle of Asal Uttar - Largest Tank Battle Since World War II Mission & Wars|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF0IRQymp_E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VF0IRQymp_E |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=Veer by Discovery|access-date=6 May 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="VeerTV">{{cite news|title=This R-Day, get ready for Discovery channel's 'Battle Ops'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/society/discovery-channels-new-series-battle-ops-on-indias-iconic-military-operations/article22520490.ece|access-date=22 April 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 January 2018}}</ref>
''Battle of Asal Uttar – Largest Tank Battle Since World War II'' (2018) is a [[TV documentary]] which premièred on Veer by [[Discovery Channel]] series, Mission & Wars.<ref name="VeerTV_AsalUttar">{{cite web|title=Battle of Asal Uttar – Largest Tank Battle Since World War II Mission & Wars|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF0IRQymp_E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VF0IRQymp_E |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=Veer by Discovery|access-date=6 May 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="VeerTV">{{cite news|title=This R-Day, get ready for Discovery channel's 'Battle Ops'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/society/discovery-channels-new-series-battle-ops-on-indias-iconic-military-operations/article22520490.ece|access-date=22 April 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 January 2022}}</ref>


==Gallery==
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:AMX-13 Tank. (31424627492).jpg|AMX-13 tank displayed at the [[Cavalry Tank Museum, Ahmednagar|Ahmednagar Cavalry Tank Museum]] in India. The AMX 13/75 was one of several types of armour fielded by the Indian Army during the battle
File:AMX-13 Tank. (31424627492).jpg|AMX-13 tank displayed at the [[Cavalry Tank Museum, Ahmednagar|Ahmednagar Cavalry Tank Museum]] in India. The AMX 13/75 was one of several types of armour fielded by the Indian Army during the battle
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== Resources ==
== Resources ==
* 1965 Official War History, Ministry of Defence, [[Government of India]]
* 1965 Official War History, Ministry of Defence, [[Government of India]]
*{{citation |url=http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/assaluttar.html |title=The Battle of Assal Uttar: Pakistan and India 1965 |date=24 February 2002 |publisher=Orbat.com |access-date=3 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106023957/http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/assaluttar.html |archive-date=6 November 2006 |url-status=dead }}
* {{citation |url=http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/assaluttar.html |title=The Battle of Assal Uttar: Pakistan and India 1965 |date=24 February 2002 |publisher=Orbat.com |access-date=3 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106023957/http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/india/assaluttar.html |archive-date=6 November 2006 |url-status=dead }}


==External links==
== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070101073406/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Patton2.html Pictures of the ''Patton Nagar'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070101073406/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Patton2.html Pictures of the ''Patton Nagar'']


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{{Coord|31.13748|N|74.5530719|E|display=title}}
{{Coord|31.13748|N|74.5530719|E|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle Of Asal Uttar}}
[[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars|Asal Uttar]]
[[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars|Asal Uttar]]
[[Category:Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
[[Category:Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
[[Category:Tarn Taran Sahib]]
[[Category:Tarn Taran Sahib]]
[[Category:1965 in India]]
[[Category:1965 in India]]
[[Category:Tank battles involving Pakistan]]
[[Category:Tank battles involving Pakistan|Asal Uttar]]
[[Category:Tank battles involving India| ]]
[[Category:Tank battles involving India|Asal Uttar]]
[[Category:September 1965 events in Asia]]
[[Category:September 1965 events in Asia]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1965|Asal Uttar]]

Revision as of 00:22, 12 December 2022


Battle of Asal Uttar
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
File:Pattonb.jpg
Captured Pakistani tanks on display near Bhikhiwind, India
Date8–10 September 1965
(2 days)
Location
Asal Uttar, Khem Karan, Punjab, India
Result Indian victory[1]
Belligerents
 India  Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Strength

India 3rd Cavalry
(45 Centurion tanks)
India 9th Horse
(45 M4 Sherman) tanks

India 8th Light Cavalry
(45 AMX-13 tanks)
Total:
135 Tanks		 4th Cavalry
(44 Patton tanks)[2]
5th Horse
(44 Patton tanks)[2]
6th Lancers
(44 Patton tanks)[2]
24th Cavalry
(44 Patton tanks)[2]
12th Cavalry
(44 M24 Chaffee tanks)[2]
19th Lancers
(44 Patton tanks)[2]
Total:
264 tanks
Casualties and losses
Unknown
Indian claims
97 tanks destroyed or captured by Indian forces[5][6]

Template:Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The Battle of Asal Uttar (Hindi : आसल उत्ताड़ ,[lower-alpha 1] Punjabi: ਆਸਲ ਉਤਾੜ[7]) was one of the largest tank battles fought during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It was fought from 8 to 10 September 1965, when the Pakistan Army thrust its tanks and infantry into Indian territory, capturing the Indian town of Khem Karan 5 km from the International Border.[8] The Indian troops retaliated, and after three days of bitter fighting, the battle ended with the Pakistani forces being repulsed near Asal Uttar. Factors that contributed to this were the fierce fight put up by the Indian Army, conditions of the plains, better Indian tactics, and a successful Indian strategy.[9][10]

This battle is compared with the Battle of Kursk in the Second World War for how it changed the course of the India-Pakistan war of 1965 in India's favour. War historians, including Dr. Philip Towle, regard the Indian resistance near Khem Karan as one of the key turning points of the war, one which tilted the balance of the war in favour of India.[11] Peter Wilson states[1] that the defeat of the Pakistan Army in the battle of Asal Uttar was one of the greatest defeats suffered by Pakistani forces in the course of the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965.[1]

Battle

The battle is described as one of the largest tank battles in history since the Battle of Kursk in World War II. Pakistan's invading force, consisting of the 1st Armoured Division and 11th Infantry Division, crossed the International Border and captured the Indian town of Khem Karan. Considering the situation, GOC Indian 4th Mountain Division (Maj. Gen. Gurbaksh Singh) immediately ordered the division to fall back and assume a horseshoe shaped defensive position with Asal Uttar as its focal point. The battle strategy was the brainchild of Brigadier Thomas K. Theogaraj.[12][13][14]

In the night, the Indian troops flooded the sugar cane field, and the next morning, the Pakistani tanks of the 1st Armoured Division, consisting mainly of M47 and M48 Patton tanks, were lured inside the horse-shoe trap. The swampy ground slowed the advance of the Pakistani tanks and many of them could not move because of the muddy slush. Over 100 Pakistani tanks mostly Pattons, and a few Shermans and Chaffees, were destroyed and another 40+ captured[9][15] while the Indians, by their account, lost only 10 tanks during this counter offensive.[16]

Conclusion

105 mm Jonga-mounted RCL gun, manned by Abdul Hamid, which destroyed a number of tanks during the battle

Despite the initial thrust of the Pakistani Army into Indian territory, the battle ended in a decisive Indian Victory.[1] The commander of Pakistani forces Maj. Gen. Nasir Ahmed Khan was killed in action.[1] According to military historian Steven Zaloga, Pakistan admitted that it lost 165 tanks during the 1965 war, more than half of which were knocked out during the "debacle" of Asal Uttar.[16]

Pervez Musharraf, later Army Chief of Staff and President of Pakistan, participated in this battle as a lieutenant of artillery in the 16 (SP) Field Regiment, 1st Armoured Division Artillery. The battle also witnessed the personal bravery of an Indian soldier, Abdul Hamid, who was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award, for knocking out seven[17] enemy tanks with a recoilless gun.[18]

This battle led to the creation of Patton Nagar (or "Patton City") at the site of the battle. This is because a large number of Patton tanks fielded by the Pakistani forces were either captured or destroyed at the scene.[16]

Battle Honour

The honour Asal Uttar was awarded for the period 9 to 11 September to the following units-[19]

Published accounts

Documentaries

Battle of Asal Uttar – Largest Tank Battle Since World War II (2018) is a TV documentary which premièred on Veer by Discovery Channel series, Mission & Wars.[20][21]

Gallery

  • AMX-13 tank displayed at the Ahmednagar Cavalry Tank Museum in India. The AMX 13/75 was one of several types of armour fielded by the Indian Army during the battle

    AMX-13 tank displayed at the Ahmednagar Cavalry Tank Museum in India. The AMX 13/75 was one of several types of armour fielded by the Indian Army during the battle

  • Rear view of the same tank

    Rear view of the same tank

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ आसल उत्ताड़ (pronounced like – Aasal Uttaard) is the actual name of the village in Khemkaran Sector where this battle was fought. आसल उत्ताड़>>Asal Uttar>>असल उत्तर. Phonetic differences between the Hindi/Punjabi and English Languages sometimes causes a wrong pronunciation which changes the meaning of the words. Asal Uttar read as असल उत्तर means "Real Reply" or a "befitting response", but is not the code name for the battle.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Wilson, Peter (2003). Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India. Mittal Publications. pp. 83–84. ISBN 81-7099-890-5.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 History, Official. "All out war pg 39" (PDF). Official History of 1965 war. Times of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  3. ↑ Amin, Agha Humayun. "The Battle of Lahore and Pakistans Main Attack in 1965". Military Historian. AH Amin. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  4. ↑ Singh, Lt.Gen Harbaksh (191). War Despatches. New Delhi: Lancer International. p. 108. ISBN 81-7062-117-8.
  5. ↑ Maninder Dabas (10 August 2016). "The battle of Asal uttar where the Indian army crushed Pakistan to avoid the capture of Amirtsar". Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Peter Wilson Prabhakar (2003). Wars, Proxy-wars and Terrorism: Post Independent India. Mittal Publications. p. 84. ISBN 978-81-7099-890-7.
  7. ↑ "Voter List 2015, Punjab" (PDF). Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab. pp. 11, Row No. 163–165. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  8. ↑ R.D. Pradhan & Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan (2007). 1965 War, the Inside Story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's Diary of India-Pakistan War. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 47. ISBN 978-81-269-0762-5.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Wilson, Peter (2003). Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India. Mittal Publications, 2003. ISBN 978-81-7099-890-7.
  10. ↑ B. Chakravorty (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. Allied Publishers. p. 17. ISBN 81-7023-516-2.
  11. ↑ Towle, Philip (1982). Estimating foreign military power. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7099-0434-2.
  12. ↑ Dandapani, Vijay (18 January 2015). "Unsung hero". The Hindu.
  13. ↑ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1965/XI/0100.jpg.html
  14. ↑ http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/Galleries/Wars/1965/XI/6517.jpg.html
  15. ↑ Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. ISBN 978-0-313-33538-9.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Zaloga, Steve (July 1999). The M47 and M48 Patton tanks. Osprey Publishing, 1999. ISBN 978-1-85532-825-9.
  17. ↑ Maj Gen Cardozo, Ian (2003). PARAM VIR. New Delhi: Lotus Collection. ISBN 81-7436-262-2
  18. ↑ The Param Vir Chakra Winners' home page for Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine indianarmy.nic.in
  19. ↑ Singh, Sarbans (1993). Battle Honours of the Indian Army, 1757–1971. Vision Books. ISBN 978-8170941156.
  20. ↑ "Battle of Asal Uttar – Largest Tank Battle Since World War II Mission & Wars". Veer by Discovery. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  21. ↑ "This R-Day, get ready for Discovery channel's 'Battle Ops'". The Hindu. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2018.

Resources

External links

Template:Military of Pakistan

Template:Tank battles Coordinates: 31°08′15″N 74°33′11″E / 31.13748°N 74.5530719°E / 31.13748; 74.5530719

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