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Meghna Heli Bridge: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Aerial operation by the Indian Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971}} | {{Short description|Aerial operation by the Indian Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971}} | ||
{{Redirect-distinguish|Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus}} | {{Redirect-distinguish|Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=October | {{Use Indian English|date=October 2013}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}} | ||
{{Warbox | {{Warbox | ||
|conflict=Operation Cactus Lilly | |conflict=Operation Cactus Lilly | ||
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|image=Meghna Helibridge.jpg | |image=Meghna Helibridge.jpg | ||
|image_size=300px | |image_size=300px | ||
|caption=[[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] of [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] mounting troops in [[Brahmanbaria]] on 9 December 1971.<!-- FAIR USE of Meghna_Helibridge.jpg: see image description page at http://en. | |caption=[[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] of [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] mounting troops in [[Brahmanbaria]] on 9 December 1971.<!-- FAIR USE of Meghna_Helibridge.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Meghna_Helibridge.jpg for rationale --> | ||
|date=9 December 1971 | |date=9 December 1971 | ||
|place=[[East Pakistan]] | |place=[[East Pakistan]] | ||
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==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
When the war broke out, ''IV corps'' went into action in the [[Agartala]] sector. At the start of the Dhaka Campaign, Dhaka was set as an objective for ''II Corps'' and ''IV Corps '' had been tasked to capture the fortress of [[Comilla]].{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} By 8 December, troops of the ''57 Mountain Division'' and the ''IV Corps'' had already achieved their initial objectives of occupying the territory leading up to the [[Meghna]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=The epic role of helicopter units in 1971|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/the-epic-role-of-helicopter-units-in-1971-7612189/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The only way across the river was over the Ashuganj Bridge, which very soon became a fortress where a Pakistani division had consolidated itself. The strategic importance of breaking down resistance at Ashuganj soon became apparent to [[Lt Gen Sagat Singh]], leading the IV Corps, who realised that his troops could, with a push, threaten Dhaka.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-25|title=Surrender at Dacca Birth of a Nation Lt Gen JFR Jacob|url=https://songramernotebook.com/archives/58389|access-date=2021-11-11|website=সংগ্রামের নোটবুক|language=en-US}}</ref> Once a significant force had been built up, there was no recognisable enemy force between the helidropped force and Dhaka. Ashuganj Bridge was the only bridge that spanned the huge Meghna River which at its narrowest point was more than 4,000 yards wide. With his troops at Ashuganj, Singh however, realised his formation would be joining in the race to [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=..:: India Strategic ::. Army: The Indo-Pak Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1291_Indo-Pak_Bangladesh_liberation_war_1971.htm|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.indiastrategic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1971 – India's Greatest Victory|url=https://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=734&h=1971-Indias-Greatest-Victory|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.spslandforces.com|language=en}}</ref> As would later turn out, ''II Corps'' was [[Battle of Kushtia|held at Kushtia]] by Pakistani defences and did not make it to Dhaka. | When the war broke out, ''IV corps'' went into action in the [[Agartala]] sector. At the start of the Dhaka Campaign, Dhaka was set as an objective for ''II Corps'' and ''IV Corps '' had been tasked to capture the fortress of [[Comilla]].{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} By 8 December, troops of the ''57 Mountain Division'' and the ''IV Corps'' had already achieved their initial objectives of occupying the territory leading up to the [[Meghna]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=The epic role of helicopter units in 1971|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/the-epic-role-of-helicopter-units-in-1971-7612189/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The only way across the river was over the Ashuganj Bridge, which very soon became a fortress where a Pakistani division had consolidated itself. The strategic importance of breaking down resistance at Ashuganj soon became apparent to [[Lt Gen Sagat Singh]], leading the IV Corps, who realised that his troops could, with a push, threaten Dhaka.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-25|title=Surrender at Dacca Birth of a Nation Lt Gen JFR Jacob|url=https://songramernotebook.com/archives/58389|access-date=2021-11-11|website=সংগ্রামের নোটবুক|language=en-US}}</ref> Once a significant force had been built up, there was no recognisable enemy force between the helidropped force and Dhaka. Ashuganj Bridge was the only bridge that spanned the huge Meghna River which at its narrowest point was more than 4,000 yards wide. With his troops at Ashuganj, Singh however, realised his formation would be joining in the race to [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=..:: India Strategic ::. Army: The Indo-Pak Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories1291_Indo-Pak_Bangladesh_liberation_war_1971.htm|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.indiastrategic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1971 – India's Greatest Victory|url=https://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=734&h=1971-Indias-Greatest-Victory|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.spslandforces.com|language=en}}</ref> As would later turn out, ''II Corps'' was [[Battle of Kushtia|held at Kushtia]] by Pakistani defences and did not make it to Dhaka. | ||
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:IV Corps Ops Map.jpg|thumb|200px|left|'''IV Corps operation in 1971'''. The [[Ashuganj]] bridge, marked in red, was a key river crossing. Raipura and Narsingdi are situated immediately south of Ashuganj, North West of Dhaka.]] --><!-- FAIR USE of IV Corps Ops Map.jpg: see image description page at http://en. | <!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:IV Corps Ops Map.jpg|thumb|200px|left|'''IV Corps operation in 1971'''. The [[Ashuganj]] bridge, marked in red, was a key river crossing. Raipura and Narsingdi are situated immediately south of Ashuganj, North West of Dhaka.]] --><!-- FAIR USE of IV Corps Ops Map.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IV Corps Ops Map.jpg for rationale --> | ||
However, Aerial photos also showed that the bridge had been destroyed and it would require the Army Engineers to construct a new bridge over the sprawling Meghna for Indian troops to advance. Anticipating high casualties in the attempt to take the bridge by force, Singh, along with Maj Gen [[B F Gonsalves]], leading the 57 Mtn Div, made the decision to airlift the troops.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} | However, Aerial photos also showed that the bridge had been destroyed and it would require the Army Engineers to construct a new bridge over the sprawling Meghna for Indian troops to advance. Anticipating high casualties in the attempt to take the bridge by force, Singh, along with Maj Gen [[B F Gonsalves]], leading the 57 Mtn Div, made the decision to airlift the troops.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} | ||
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==Popular culture== | ==Popular culture== | ||
[[Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973 film)|Hindustan Ki Kasam]] a [[Hindi]] [[war movie]] directed by [[Chetan Anand (director)|Chetan Anand]] and released in 1973 was based on the incidents of ''Operation Cactus Lilly''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 10 films on Indo-Pak conflict |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/top-lists/top-10-films-on-indo-pak-conflict/videols/7824538.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=30 March 2011 |access-date=28 July | [[Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973 film)|Hindustan Ki Kasam]] a [[Hindi]] [[war movie]] directed by [[Chetan Anand (director)|Chetan Anand]] and released in 1973 was based on the incidents of ''Operation Cactus Lilly''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 10 films on Indo-Pak conflict |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/top-lists/top-10-films-on-indo-pak-conflict/videols/7824538.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=30 March 2011 |access-date=28 July 2012}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||