Battle of Longewala: Difference between revisions

Battle of Longewala
	Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
	File:Longewala.jpg; Tank tracks at Longewala. Photographic reconnaissance image taken at the time showing the desperate last-minute manoeuvres by Pakistani tanks in the Longewala sector. Circles show destroyed Pakistani tanks.
Date	4–7 December 1971; (3 days)
Location	Longewala ~30 km (19 mi) from Ramgarh, Rajasthan, India27°31′30″N 70°09′24″E / 27.524942°N 70.156693°E
Result	Indian victory
Belligerents
India	Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Major General J. F. R. Jacob; Brigadier E. N. Ramadoss; Lieutenant Colonel Khursheed Hussain; Major K. S. Chandpuri; 2nd Lieutenant Dharam Veerbhan; Major Atma Singh; Lance Naik Bhairon Singh, BSF; Wing Cdr. M. S. Bawa; Wing Cdr. R. A. Cowsajee; Wing Cdr. Suresh; Wing Cdr. Sherwin Tully	Maj Gen. B. M. Mustafa; Brig. Tariq Mir; Brig. Jahanzeb Abab; Lt. Col. Akram Hussain; Lt. Col. Zahir Alam Khan
Units involved
12th Infantry Division Comp A, 23 Punjab; 122 Squardon	18th Infantry Division 206 Brigade; 51 Brigade; 22 Cavalry (T-59); 38 Cavalry (Sherman); Field Rgt. (25 pdr); 120 mm mortar battery; 130 mm med. battery;
Strength
1 Company (120 soldiers); 2 MMGs; 2 L16 81mm mortars; 4 rocket launchers; 2 Jonga-borne 106mm RCL guns; 4 Hawker Hunters	2 Mobile infantry brigade (2,000–3,000 soldiers); 40 tanks; 1 field regiment; 2 artillery batteries
Casualties and losses
2 soldiers killed; 1 anti-tank gun destroyed; 5 camels killed	200 soldiers killed; 36 tanks destroyed; 500+ vehicles destroyed or abandoned
	class=notpageimage\| Location within Rajasthan

Revision as of 01:17, 22 December 2022

The Battle of Longewala (4–7 December 1971) was one of the first major engagements in the western sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, fought between assaulting Pakistani forces and Indian defenders at the Indian border post of Longewala, in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan state in India. The battle was fought between 120 Indian soldiers accompanied by four Hunter fighter aircraft and 2,000–3,000 Pakistani soldiers accompanied by 30–40 tanks.

A company of the Indian Army's 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, commanded by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, was left with the choice of either attempting to hold out until reinforced, or fleeing on foot from a Pakistani mechanised infantry force.^[8] Choosing the former, Chandpuri ensured that all his assets were correctly deployed and made the best use of his strong defensive position, as well as weaknesses created by errors in enemy tactics. He was also fortunate that an Indian Air Force forward air controller was able to secure and direct aircraft in support of the post's defence until reinforcements arrived six hours later.

The Pakistani commanders made several questionable decisions, including a failure of their strategic intelligence to foresee the availability of Indian strike aircraft in the Longewala area, exercising operational mobility with little or no route reconnaissance, and conducting a tactical frontal assault with no engineer reconnaissance.^[9] This led to the Pakistani brigade group being left extremely vulnerable to air attack, vehicles becoming bogged in terrain unsuitable for the movement of armoured vehicles as they tried to deploy off a single track, these being more susceptible to enemy fire by using external fuel storage in tactical combat, attempting to execute a night attack over unfamiliar terrain, and infantry being surprised by obstacles to troop movement causing confusion and stalling the attack during the crucial hours of darkness, when the assaulting infantry still had a measure of concealment from Indian small arms and infantry support weapon fire.^[9]

Background

The main thrust of the Indian Army during the 1971 war was directed towards the eastern theatre, with the western sector envisioned as a holding operation to prevent the Pakistan Army from achieving any success that would allow the President of Pakistan, Yahya Khan, any bargaining tool to trade against the captured territories in the east. By the last week of November 1971, the Indian Army had launched offensive manoeuvres at Atgram against Pakistani border posts and communications centres along the eastern border. The Mukti Bahini also launched an offensive against Jessore at this time.^[10] It was clear to Islamabad by this time that open conflict was inevitable, and that East Pakistan was indefensible in the long run.^[11] Yahya Khan chose at this point to try to protect Pakistan's integrity and to hold India by Ayub Khan's strategy—"The defence of East Pakistan lies in the West".^[12]

Prelude

The Western sector

Khan's policy made the assumption that an open conflict with India would not last long due to international pressure, and that since East Pakistan was undefendable, the war effort should be concentrated on occupying as much Indian territory as possible as a bargaining tool at the negotiating table. To this end, Gen. Tikka Khan had proposed an offensive into India, and the PAF's "overriding priority was to give maximum support to this offensive".^{[citation needed]} The initial plans for the offensive called for at least temporary air dominance by the PAF under which Khan's troops could conduct a lightning campaign deep into Western India before digging in and consolidating their positions. To support Khan's troops, the PAF had launched pre-emptive strikes on the evening of 3 December that led to the formal commencement of hostilities. In the western theatre, the town of Rahim Yar Khan, close to the international border, formed a critical communication centre for Khan's forces and, situated on the Sindh–Punjab railway, remained a vulnerable link in Khan's logistics. The fall of Rahim Yar Khan to Indian forces would cut off the railway as well as road link between Sindh and Punjab, starving Khan's forces of fuel and ammunition delivered to Karachi.

Indian battle plans called for a strike by the 12th Indian Division across the border towards Islamgarh through Sarkari Tala, subsequently advancing through Baghla to secure Rahim Yar Khan, which would not only destabilise the Pakistani defences in the Punjab, but also in the Jammu & Kashmir Sector, allowing the planned Indian offensive in the Shakargarh sector to sweep the Pakistani forces trapped there.^[13]

Pakistan, which envisaged the Punjab as an operational centre, had a strong intelligence network in the area and planned to counter its own comparatively weak strength on the ground with a pre-emptive strike through Kishangarh towards the divisional headquarters south of Ramgarh.^[13] Pakistani intelligence agents were able to infiltrate the operations area posing as local people and pass on information. However, these sources failed to pass on information on the Longewala post which, originally a BSF post, was now held by a company of the Punjab Regiment. Longewala formed a strategic point en route to capturing vast tracts of land and also a pivotal theatre of war in engaging India on the western front.

Tactical plan

Pakistan's tactical plan was based on the assumption that an attack in the area would help Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division's task in the Sri Ganganagar area. Pakistan High command also felt that it was important to protect the north-south road link which they felt was vulnerable, as it was close to the border. A combined arms plan was decided upon. This involved two infantry brigades and two armoured regiments. A separate division, the 18th Division, was formed for this purpose. The 18th Division's operation orders required one infantry brigade (206th) with an armoured regiment (38th Cavalry) to capture and establish a firm base at Longewala, a junction on the Indian road system, and the 51st Infantry Brigade and the 22nd Cavalry (Pakistan Army Armoured Corps) to operate beyond Longewala to capture Jaisalmer.^[14]

The Pakistani plan was to reach Longewala, Ramgarh and Jaisalmer. The plan was far-fetched from the start, if only because it called for a night attack to be conducted over terrain that was not preceded by route or engineer reconnaissance, and the armoured troops were therefore unaware the ground could not support rapid movement towards the objective. As the day unfolded, Longewala would stand out as one of the biggest losses for Pakistan, despite overwhelming superiority before commencement of the battle, largely due to the vehicles becoming bogged down in soft sand.

Indian defensive planning

On the Indian side, the post was held by A Company, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, led by Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, the defences occupying a high sand dune which dominated the area that was largely intractable to vehicles.^[8] The post was surrounded by a barbed wire fence of three strands. The rest of the battalion was located at Sadhewala, 17 kilometres (11 mi) to the north-east. Chandpuri commanded an infantry company reinforced by a section each of medium machine guns (MMGs) and L16 81mm mortars, and one Jonga-mounted recoilless rifle (RCL). His two other recoilless rifle teams of the anti-tank section were under training at battalion headquarters. Major Chandpuri also had under his command a four-man team of the camel Border Security Force division.^[15] The Longewala post had no armoured vehicles, but artillery support was available from a battery of the 170th Field Regiment, tasked with direct support of the battalion, and the 168th Field Regiment, which had been deployed to the area in secrecy just a day earlier. The direct support battery was attached to the 168th Field Regiment and served as its "Sierra" Battery. Immediately after PAF strikes on Indian airfields on 3 December, Chandpuri dispatched a 20-man-strong patrol under 2nd Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan to Boundary Pillar (BP) 638, on the border. This patrol was to play an important part in detecting the advances of Pakistani forces.

Battle

Jonga, mounted with 105 mm RCL gun, which destroyed several tanks

One of the three HAL Marut used by the IAF against Pakistani armour at Longewala

During the night of the 4th, Dharam Veer Bhan's platoon, while on a patrol, detected noises across the border that suggested a large number of armoured vehicles approaching.^[16] These were soon confirmed by reports—from the Army's Air Observation Post aircraft flown by Maj. Atma Singh—in the area of a 20-kilometre-long (12 mi) armoured column on the track leading to the post advancing in the general direction of the Longewala post.^[17] Directing Dharam Veer Bhan's patrol to trail the advancing armoured column, Chandpuri contacted battalion headquarters, requesting urgent reinforcements and armour and artillery support. Battalion headquarters gave him the choice of staying put and containing the attack as much as possible, or carrying out a tactical retreat to Ramgarh, as reinforcements would not be available that night. Considering that Chandpuri's command had all the transportation to retreat on time,^{[clarification needed]} he decided to stay and fight back the advancing enemy.

The Pakistani forces began their attack at 12:30 am.^[18] As the offensive approached the lone outpost, Pakistani artillery opened up across the border with medium artillery, killing five of the ten camels from the BSF detachment. As the column of 45 tanks neared the post, Indian defences, lacking the time to lay a prepared minefield, laid a hasty anti-tank minefield as the enemy advanced, one infantryman being killed in the process.^[19]^[20] The Indian infantry held their fire until the leading Pakistani tanks had approached to within 15–30 metres (49–98 ft) before firing their PIATs.^[20] They accounted for the first two tanks on the track with their Jonga-mounted 106 mm M40 recoilless rifle, with one of its crew being killed during the engagement.^[21] This weapon proved quite effective because it was able to engage the thinner top armour of the Pakistani tanks from its elevated position, firing at often stationary, bogged-down vehicles. In all, the post defenders claimed 12 tanks destroyed or damaged. The initial Pakistani attack stalled almost immediately when the infantry discovered the barbed wire which had not been spotted in the night, and interpreted it as signifying a minefield. Firing for the Indian RCL crews was made easier by the flames of fires when the spare fuel tanks on the Pakistani tanks, intended to supplement their internal capacity for the advance to Jaisalmer, exploded, providing ample light for Indians located on higher ground, and creating a dense, acrid smoke screen at ground level for the Pakistani infantry, adding to the confusion. Two hours were lost as Pakistani sappers were brought up, only to discover there was no minefield. However, at this time Pakistani infantry were required to make another attack, from a different direction, but in the dawn light. The Pakistani advance then attempted to surround the post two hours later by vehicles getting off the road, but many vehicles, particularly armoured personnel carriers and tanks, in trying to soften up the Indian defenders before attacking, became bogged down in the soft sand of the area surrounding the post. Throughout the engagement, Major Chandpuri continued to direct the supporting artillery fire.^[20]

Although massively outnumbering the Indian defenders and having surrounded them, the Pakistani troops were unable to advance over open terrain on a full-moon night, under small arms and mortar fire from the outpost.^[18] This encouraged the Indians not to give up their strong defensive position, frustrating the Pakistani commanders. As dawn arrived, the Pakistan forces had still not taken the post, and were now faced with doing so in full daylight.

In the morning, the Indian Air Force was finally able to direct some HAL HF-24 Maruts and Hawker Hunter aircraft to assist the post; they were not outfitted with night-vision equipment, and so had to wait until dawn.^[22] With daylight, however, the IAF was able to operate effectively, with the strike aircraft being guided to targets by the airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC), Maj. Atma Singh in a HAL Krishak.^[23] The Indian aircraft attacked the Pakistani ground troops with 16 Matra T-10 rockets and 30 mm cannon on each aircraft. Without support from the Pakistan Air Force, which was busy elsewhere, the tanks and other armoured vehicles were easy targets for the IAF's Hunters. The range of the 12.7 mm anti-aircraft heavy machine guns mounted on the tanks was limited and therefore ineffective against the Indian jets. Indian air attacks were made easier by the barren terrain. Many IAF officers later described the attack as a "turkey shoot", signifying the lopsidedness. By noon the next day, the assault ended completely, having cost Pakistan 22 tanks claimed destroyed by aircraft fire, 12 by ground anti-tank fire, and some captured after being abandoned, with a total of 100 vehicles claimed to have been destroyed or damaged in the desert around the post. The Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw when Indian tanks from the division's cavalry regiment, the 20th Lancers, commanded by Col. Bawa Guruvachan Singh, along with the 17th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles, launched their counter-offensive to end the six-hour engagement.^[20] Longewala had proved to be one of the defining moments in the war.

Aftermath

Since the Indians were on the defensive, they managed to inflict heavy losses on the Pakistanis: 200 soldiers killed,^[6] 36 tanks destroyed or abandoned, and 500 additional vehicles lost.^[5] The Pakistani judicial commission set up at the end of war recommended the commander of 18 Division, Maj. Gen. Mustafa, be tried for negligence.^[24]

Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence and strategic failures on both sides. India's intelligence service failed to provide warning of such a large armoured force in the western sector. Moreover, the defending post was not heavily armed. Finally, they did not push home their advantage and destroy the fleeing Pakistani tanks while the IAF had them on the run. They did, however, destroy or capture some 36 tanks,^[25] one of the most disproportionate tank losses for one side in a single battle after World War II.

The Pakistani troops, meanwhile, had underestimated the post's defensive capability due to the difficulty of approach over sand, conducting the attack at night and in full-moon light, against stiff resistance from a well-prepared defensive position located on a dominant height. Attacking with virtually no air cover, they took too long to close for an assault on the position, and failed to anticipate the availability of Indian close air support. Given that Pakistan's Sherman tanks and T-59/Type 59 Chinese tanks were slow on the sandy Thar Desert, some military analysts have opined that the attack may have been poorly planned and executed, given the terrain.^[26] Some Pakistani tanks suffered engine failure due to overheating in trying to extricate themselves, and were abandoned. The open desert battleground provided little to no cover for the tanks and infantry from air attacks. The plan to capture Longewala may have been good in conception, but failed due to lack of air cover. As a result, two tank regiments failed to take Longewala.

File:KuldipsinghchandpuriGujjar.jpg

Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, MVC

For his part, the Indian company commander, Maj. (later Brig.) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, was decorated with India's second-highest gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra. Several other awards were earned by members of the defending company and the battalion's commander. On the other hand, the Pakistani divisional commander was dismissed from service. However, the commander of the Pakistani 51 Brigade who mounted the daring attack and crossed into Indian territory was later awarded Pakistan's high award, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

British media reported the defence of Longewala. James Hatter compared the Battle of Longewala to Battle of Thermopylae in his article Taking on the enemy at Longewala, describing it as the deciding moment of the 1971 war.^[25] Similarly, Field Marshal R. M. Carver, the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, visited Longewala a few weeks after the war to learn the details of the battle from Maj. Chandpuri.^[25]

In 2008, the battle was the subject of disagreement, some officers of the time ascribing all the combat success to the air force.^[27]^[28] This led to Kuldip Singh Chandpuri suing for the token amount of one rupee.^[29]

In popular culture

The Battle of Longewala was depicted in the 1997 Bollywood film Border, which was directed by J. P. Dutta and starred Sunny Deol as Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, Jackie Shroff as Wg. Cdr. M.S. Bawa, Sunil Shetty as Assistant Commandant Bhairon Singh (BSF), and Akshaye Khanna as 2 Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan.^[30] The main criticism of the movie was that it showed Indian forces being in a terrible position before any sort of help came from the Indian Air Force. The movie also exaggerates the Indian casualties for dramatic purposes.^[31]

Citations and notes

↑ p. 1187, IDSA
↑ Lal, Pratap Chandra (1986). My Years with the Iaf. ISBN 978-81-7062-008-2. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
↑ Karl R. DeRouen; Uk Heo (2007). Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II. ABC-CLIO. pp. 101–. ISBN 978-1-85109-919-1.
↑ DeRouen, Karl R. (2007). Karl R. DeRouen, Uk Heo (ed.). Civil Wars of the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 596. ISBN 978-1851099191.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-First Century. Greenwood. p. 597. ISBN 978-0313335389.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 Col J Francis (Retd) (30 August 2013). Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. pp. 93–96. ISBN 978-93-82652-17-5.
↑ "1971 war hero gives hour-by-hour account of the battle of Longewala". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 "The Tribune – Windows – Featured story". tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 "The 1971 Battle of Longewala: A night of confusion, Sam Manekshaw's order, Pakistan's folly". 3 December 2022.
↑ "Pakistan — Yahya Khan and Bangladesh". Library of Congress Country Studies. April 1994. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
↑ Kyle, R.G. (14 March 1964). "The India-Pakistan War of 1971: A Modern War". Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
↑ Failure in Command: Lessons from Pakistan's Indian Wars, 1947–1999. Faruqui A. Defense Analysis Vol.17, No. 1, 1 April 2001
↑ ^13.0 ^13.1 Thakur Ludra, K. S. (13 January 2001). "An assessment of the battle of Longewala". The Tribune. India. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
↑ Correspondence from Lt. Col. (Retd) H.K. Afridi Defence Journal, Karachi. feb-mar99 Archived 22 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine URL accessed on 22 September 2006
↑ Shorey A. Sainik Samachar. Vol.52, No.4, 16– 28February 2005
↑ p. 177, Nayar
↑ p. 239, Rao
↑ ^18.0 ^18.1 p. 83, Imprint
↑ "Years later, Longewala reminds the do-or-die battle | Jaipur News – Times of India". The Times of India.
↑ ^20.0 ^20.1 ^20.2 ^20.3 p. 42, Sharma
↑ There is a suggestion that there were two RCL-armed Jeeps at the post
↑ p. 100, Nordeen
↑ An IAF pilot's account of the battle Archived 5 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Suresh
↑ Hamoodur Rehman; Sheikh Anwarul Haq; Tufail Ali Abdul Rehman. Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report (PDF) (Report). Government of Pakistan. pp. 79–80. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
↑ ^25.0 ^25.1 ^25.2 Hattar, James (16 December 2000). "Taking on the enemy at Longewala". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
↑ "Pakistan Army Order of Battle — Corps Sectors". Retrieved 14 January 2022.
↑ "The truth of courage". tehelka. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)"The truth of courage". tehelka. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)
↑ "Army lied to the nation Longewala?". Hindustan times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)
↑ Sura, Ajay (29 November 2013). "War veteran's book reiterates doubts over Army's role in Longewala battle". The Times of India.
↑ p. 17, Alter
↑ "Border". 1 January 2000. Retrieved 2 August 2016 – via IMDb.

References

Indivisible Air Power, Strategic Analysis, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, 1984, v.8, 1185–1202
Imprint, Justified Press, 1972, v.12:7–12 (Oct 1972 – Mar 1973)
Alter, Stephen, Amritsar to Lahore: A Journey Across the India-Pakistan Border, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000
Nordeen, Lon O., Air Warfare in the Missile Age, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985
Suresh, Kukke, Wg. Cdr. (Retd), Battle of Longewala: 5 and 6 December 1971, 1971 India Pakistan Operations, http://www.bharat-rakshak.com
Sharma, Gautam, Valour and Sacrifice: Famous Regiments of the Indian Army, Allied Publishers, 1990

External links

Template:Military of Pakistan

[1] . 1187, IDSA

[2] Lal, Pratap Chandra (1986). My Years with the Iaf. ISBN 978-81-7062-008-2. Retrieved 6 July 2022.

[DeRouenHeo2007-3] Karl R. DeRouen; Uk Heo (2007). Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II. ABC-CLIO. pp. 101–. ISBN 978-1-85109-919-1.

[DeRouen-4] DeRouen, Karl R. (2007). Karl R. DeRouen, Uk Heo (ed.). Civil Wars of the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 596. ISBN 978-1851099191.

[Jaques-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-First Century. Greenwood. p. 597. ISBN 978-0313335389.

[Francis-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 Col J Francis (Retd) (30 August 2013). Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. pp. 93–96. ISBN 978-93-82652-17-5.

[mention-7] "1971 war hero gives hour-by-hour account of the battle of Longewala". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 17 August 2022.

[TI-8] 8.0 ^8.1 "The Tribune – Windows – Featured story". tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2 August 2022.

[theprint.in-9] 9.0 ^9.1 "The 1971 Battle of Longewala: A night of confusion, Sam Manekshaw's order, Pakistan's folly". 3 December 2022.

[LOC-10] "Pakistan — Yahya Khan and Bangladesh". Library of Congress Country Studies. April 1994. Retrieved 6 April 2009.

[gs-11] Kyle, R.G. (14 March 1964). "The India-Pakistan War of 1971: A Modern War". Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.

[Faruqui-12] Failure in Command: Lessons from Pakistan's Indian Wars, 1947–1999. Faruqui A. Defense Analysis Vol.17, No. 1, 1 April 2001

[Ludra-13] 13.0 ^13.1 Thakur Ludra, K. S. (13 January 2001). "An assessment of the battle of Longewala". The Tribune. India. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2009.

[14] Correspondence from Lt. Col. (Retd) H.K. Afridi Defence Journal, Karachi. feb-mar99 Archived 22 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine URL accessed on 22 September 2006

[SS-15] Shorey A. Sainik Samachar. Vol.52, No.4, 16– 28February 2005

[16] . 177, Nayar

[17] . 239, Rao

[p.83,_Imprint-18] 18.0 ^18.1 p. 83, Imprint

[19] "Years later, Longewala reminds the do-or-die battle | Jaipur News – Times of India". The Times of India.

[p.42,_Sharma-20] 20.0 ^20.1 ^20.2 ^20.3 p. 42, Sharma

[21] There is a suggestion that there were two RCL-armed Jeeps at the post

[22] . 100, Nordeen

[23] An IAF pilot's account of the battle Archived 5 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Suresh

[HRC_Report-24] Hamoodur Rehman; Sheikh Anwarul Haq; Tufail Ali Abdul Rehman. Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report (PDF) (Report). Government of Pakistan. pp. 79–80. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2013.

[JH-25] 25.0 ^25.1 ^25.2 Hattar, James (16 December 2000). "Taking on the enemy at Longewala". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.

[26] "Pakistan Army Order of Battle — Corps Sectors". Retrieved 14 January 2022.

[27] "The truth of courage". tehelka. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)"The truth of courage". tehelka. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)

[28] "Army lied to the nation Longewala?". Hindustan times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch (help)

[29] Sura, Ajay (29 November 2013). "War veteran's book reiterates doubts over Army's role in Longewala battle". The Times of India.

[30] . 17, Alter

[31] "Border". 1 January 2000. Retrieved 2 August 2016 – via IMDb.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Major skirmish in 1971 Indo-Pakistani War}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
 {{Infobox military conflict
 | conflict          = Battle of Longewala
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 | image             = Longewala.jpg
 | image_size        = 300
-| caption           = Tank tracks at Longewala. Photographic reconnaissance image taken at the time showing the desperate last minute manoeuvres by Pakistani tanks in the Longewala sector. Circles show destroyed Pakistani tanks
+| caption           = Tank tracks at Longewala. Photographic reconnaissance image taken at the time showing the desperate last-minute manoeuvres by Pakistani tanks in the Longewala sector. Circles show destroyed Pakistani tanks.
-| date              = 4–7 December 1971
+| date              = 4–7 December 1971<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=12|day1=4|year1=1971|month2=12|day2=7|year2=1971}})
-| place             = Longewala ~{{convert|30|km|mi}} from [[Ramgarh, Jaisalmer|Ramgarh]], Rajasthan, India
+| place             = Longewala ~{{cvt|30|km}} from [[Ramgarh, Jaisalmer|Ramgarh]], Rajasthan, India
 | map_type          = India Rajasthan
 | map_relief        =
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 | map_label         =
 | territory         =
-| result            = Indian victory<ref>p.1187, IDSA</ref>
+| result            = Indian victory<ref>p. 1187, IDSA</ref>
 | status            =
 | combatants_header =
-| combatant1        = {{flag|India|23px}}
+| combatant1        = {{flag|India}}
-| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan|23px}}
+| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan}}
-| commander1        = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|20px]] Brig. E.N.Ramadoss<br>[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|20px]] Lt. Col Mohammed Khursheed Hussain<ref>{{cite book |last=Lal |first=Pratap Chandra |isbn=978-81-7062-008-2 |url=http://www.abebooks.com/9788170620082/Years-Iaf-Lal-Marshal-8170620082/plp |title=My Years with the Iaf |year=1986 |access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref><br>[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|20px]] Maj. [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri|Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri]]<br>[[File:BSF Flag.svg|20px]] Assistant Commandant. Ajmer Singh Sodhi<br>[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|20px]] 2Lt. Second lieutenant Dharamveer Singh Bhan<br><br> [[File:BSF Flag.svg|20px]] Captain. Bhairav Singh Rathod<br>[[File:Air Force Ensign of India.svg|20px]] Wg. Cdr. M.S. Bawa<br>[[File:Air Force Ensign of India.svg|20px]] Wg. Cdr. R.A. Cowasjee<br>[[File:Air Force Ensign of India.svg|20px]] Wg. Cdr. N.L. Gupta<br>[[File:Air Force Ensign of India.svg|20px]] Wg. Cdr. Suresh<br>[[File:Air Force Ensign of India.svg|20px]] Wg. Cdr. Sherwin Tully<br>[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|20px]] Maj. Atma Singh
+| commander1        = {{flagicon|India|army}} Major General [[J. F. R. Jacob]]<br>{{flagicon|India|army}} Brigadier E. N. Ramadoss<br>
-| commander2        = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Brig. Gen. Tariq Mir<br>{{flagicon|Pakistan}} Brig. Gen. Jahanzeb Abab <br>{{flagicon|Pakistan}} Brig. Gen. Syed Mohammad Zaidi<br>{{flagicon|Pakistan}} Lt. Col. Zahir Alam Khan
+{{flagicon|India|army}} Lieutenant Colonel Khursheed Hussain<ref>{{cite book |last=Lal |first=Pratap Chandra |isbn=978-81-7062-008-2 |url=http://www.abebooks.com/9788170620082/Years-Iaf-Lal-Marshal-8170620082/plp |title=My Years with the Iaf |year=1986 |access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref><br>
-| strength1         = 120 soldiers<ref name="DeRouenHeo2007">{{cite book|author1=Karl R. DeRouen|author2=Uk Heo|title=Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nrN077AEgzMC&pg=PA101|year=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-919-1|pages=101–}}</ref><br>4 [[Hawker Hunter]]s<br>1 [[HAL Krishak]]<br>1 Jeep mounted [[M40 recoilless rifle]]<br>3 [[HAL HF-24 Marut]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/aircraft/past/1199-marut-polly.html|title=HAL HF-24 Marut – Where the wind blows|first=Polly|last=Singh|work=bharat-rakshak.com|access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vidinfo.org/video/39701427/hal-hf-24-marut-indias-first-indigenous-fight|title=HAL HF 24 Marut India's First Indigenous Fighter Aircraft – Battle of longewala|work=vidinfo.org|access-date=2 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820135710/http://www.vidinfo.org/video/39701427/hal-hf-24-marut-indias-first-indigenous-fight|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+{{flagicon|India|army}} Major [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri|K. S. Chandpuri]]<br>
-| strength2         = 1 [[Motorized infantry|Mobile infantry brigade]] consisting 2000–3000 soldiers<ref name=DeRouen>{{cite book|last=DeRouen|first=Karl R.|title=Civil Wars of the World|year=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1851099191|editor=Karl R. DeRouen, Uk Heo|page=596}}</ref><ref name=Jaques>{{cite book|last=Jaques|first=Tony|title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-First Century|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood|isbn=978-0313335389|page=597}}</ref><br>40 [[tank]]s<ref name=Jaques />
+{{flagicon|India|army}} 2nd Lieutenant Dharam Veerbhan<br>
-| casualties1       = 2 soldiers killed<ref name="Francis">{{cite book|author=Col J Francis (Retd)|title=Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rotnAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA93|date=30 August 2013|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-82652-17-5|pages=93–96}}</ref><ref name="mention">{{cite web |title=1971 war hero gives hour-by-hour account of the battle of Longewala |url=https://www.mynation.com/news/1971-war-hero-gives-hour-by-hour-account-of-the-battle-of-laungewala-pjcyzd |publisher=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref> 5 camels killed. 1 [[anti-tank mine]] destroyed<ref name="Francis"/>
+{{flagicon|India|army}}  Major Atma Singh<br>
-| casualties2       = 200 soldiers killed<ref name="Francis">{{cite book|author=Col J Francis (Retd)|title=Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rotnAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA93|date=30 August 2013|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-82652-17-5|pages=93–96}}</ref><br/>36 tanks destroyed,500+ vehicles destroyed or abandoned<ref name="Francis"/><ref name=Jaques>{{cite book|last=Jaques|first=Tony|title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-First Century|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood|isbn=978-0313335389|page=597}}</ref>
+{{flagicon|India|army}} Lance Naik Bhairon Singh, BSF<br>
+{{flagicon|India|air force}} Wing Cdr. M. S. Bawa<br>{{flagicon|India|air force}} Wing Cdr. R. A. Cowsajee<br>{{flagicon|India|air force}} Wing Cdr. Suresh<br>{{flagicon|India|air force}} Wing Cdr. Sherwin Tully
+| commander2        = {{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Maj Gen. B. M. Mustafa<br>
+{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Brig. Tariq Mir<br>{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Brig. Jahanzeb Abab<br>{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Lt. Col. Akram Hussain<br>
+{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Lt. Col. Zahir Alam Khan
+| strength1         = 1 Company (120 soldiers)<ref name="DeRouenHeo2007">{{cite book|author1=Karl R. DeRouen|author2=Uk Heo|title=Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nrN077AEgzMC&pg=PA101|year=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-919-1|pages=101–}}</ref><br>
+[[Medium machine gun|MMGs]]<br>
+[[L16 81mm mortar]]s<br>
+[[Shoulder-fired missile|rocket launchers]]<br>
+[[Jonga]]-borne 106mm [[M40 recoilless rifle|RCL guns]]<br>
+[[Hawker Hunter]]s
+| strength2         = 2 [[Motorized infantry|Mobile infantry brigade]] (2,000–3,000 soldiers)<ref name=DeRouen>{{cite book|last=DeRouen|first=Karl R.|title=Civil Wars of the World|year=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1851099191|editor=Karl R. DeRouen, Uk Heo|page=596}}</ref><ref name=Jaques>{{cite book|last=Jaques|first=Tony|title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-First Century|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood|isbn=978-0313335389|page=597}}</ref><br>
+[[tank]]s<ref name=Jaques/><br>
+field regiment<br>
+artillery batteries
+| casualties1       = 2 soldiers killed<ref name="Francis">{{cite book|author=Col J Francis (Retd)|title=Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rotnAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA93|date=30 August 2013|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-82652-17-5|pages=93–96}}</ref><ref name="mention">{{cite web |title=1971 war hero gives hour-by-hour account of the battle of Longewala |url=https://www.mynation.com/news/1971-war-hero-gives-hour-by-hour-account-of-the-battle-of-laungewala-pjcyzd |publisher=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref><br>
+[[anti-tank gun]] destroyed<ref name="Francis"/><br>
+camels killed
+| casualties2       = 200 soldiers killed<ref name="Francis">{{cite book|author=Col J Francis (Retd)|title=Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rotnAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA93|date=30 August 2013|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-82652-17-5|pages=93–96}}</ref><br/>36 tanks destroyed<br>
++ vehicles destroyed or abandoned<ref name="Francis"/><ref name=Jaques>{{cite book|last=Jaques|first=Tony|title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-First Century|year=2007|publisher=Greenwood|isbn=978-0313335389|page=597}}</ref>
 | notes             =
 | campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
+| units1            = {{flagicon|India|army}} [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]]
+*{{flagicon|India|army}} Comp A, [[Punjab Regiment (India)|23 Punjab]]
+{{flagicon|India|air force}} 122 Squardon
+| units2            = {{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 18th Infantry Division
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 206 Brigade
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 51 Brigade
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 22 Cavalry (T-59)
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 38 Cavalry (Sherman)
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} Field Rgt. ([[Ordnance QF 25-pounder|25 pdr]])
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 120 mm mortar battery
+*{{flagicon|Pakistan|army}} 130 mm med. battery
+| width             = 360px
 }}
-The '''Battle of Longewala''' (4–7 December 1971) was one of the first major [[engagement (military)|engagements]] in the western sector during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], fought between assaulting [[Pakistani]] forces and [[India]]n defenders at the Indian border post of [[Longewala]], in the [[Thar Desert]] of [[Rajasthan]] state in [[India]]. The battle was fought between 120 Indian soldiers accompanied by 4 [[Hawker Hunter|Hunter fighter aircraft]] and 2000–3000 Pakistani soldiers accompanied by 30–40 tanks.
+The '''Battle of Longewala''' (4–7 December 1971) was one of the first major [[engagement (military)|engagements]] in the western sector during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], fought between assaulting [[Pakistan]]i forces and [[India]]n defenders at the Indian border post of [[Longewala]], in the [[Thar Desert]] of [[Rajasthan]] state in India. The battle was fought between 120 Indian soldiers accompanied by four [[Hawker Hunter|Hunter fighter aircraft]] and 2,000–3,000 Pakistani soldiers accompanied by 30–40 tanks.
-A (reinforced) [[company (military unit)|Company]] of the [[Indian Army]]'s 23rd Battalion, [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]], commanded by Major [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri]], was left with the choice of either attempting to hold out until reinforced, or fleeing on foot from a Pakistani [[mechanised infantry]] force.<ref name="TI">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001216/windows/main2.htm|title=The Tribune – Windows – Featured story|work=tribuneindia.com|access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref> Choosing the former, Chandpuri ensured that all his assets were correctly deployed, and made the most use of his strong defensive position, as well as weaknesses created by errors in enemy tactics. He was also fortunate in that an [[Indian Air Force]] [[forward air controller]] was able to secure and direct aircraft in support of the post's defence until reinforcements arrived six hours later.
+A [[Company (military unit)|company]] of the [[Indian Army]]'s 23rd Battalion, [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]], commanded by Major [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri]], was left with the choice of either attempting to hold out until reinforced, or fleeing on foot from a Pakistani [[mechanised infantry]] force.<ref name="TI">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001216/windows/main2.htm|title=The Tribune – Windows – Featured story|work=tribuneindia.com|access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref> Choosing the former, Chandpuri ensured that all his assets were correctly deployed and made the best use of his strong defensive position, as well as weaknesses created by errors in enemy tactics. He was also fortunate that an [[Indian Air Force]] [[forward air controller]] was able to secure and direct aircraft in support of the post's defence until reinforcements arrived six hours later.
-The Pakistani commanders made several questionable decisions, including a failure of their [[strategic intelligence]] to foresee availability of Indian [[strike aircraft]] in the Longewala area, exercising [[operational mobility]] with little or no [[route reconnaissance]], and conducting a tactical [[frontal assault]] with no [[engineer reconnaissance]].<ref name="theprint.in">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/the-1971-battle-of-longewala-a-night-of-confusion-sam-manekshaws-order-pakistans-folly/329321/|title = The 1971 Battle of Longewala: A night of confusion, Sam Manekshaw's order, Pakistan's folly|date = 3 December 2019}}</ref> This led to the Pakistani [[brigade]] group being left extremely vulnerable to air attack, vehicles becoming bogged in terrain not suitable for the movement of armoured vehicles as they tried to deploy off a single track, these being more susceptible to enemy fire by using external fuel storage in [[military tactics|tactical combat]], attempting to execute a night attack over unfamiliar terrain, and infantry being surprised by [[obstacles to troop movement]] causing confusion and stalling the attack during the crucial hours of darkness, when the assaulting infantry still had a measure of concealment from Indian [[small arms]] and [[infantry support weapon]] fire.<ref name="theprint.in"/>
+The Pakistani commanders made several questionable decisions, including a failure of their [[strategic intelligence]] to foresee the availability of Indian [[strike aircraft]] in the Longewala area, exercising [[operational mobility]] with little or no [[route reconnaissance]], and conducting a tactical [[frontal assault]] with no [[engineer reconnaissance]].<ref name="theprint.in">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/the-1971-battle-of-longewala-a-night-of-confusion-sam-manekshaws-order-pakistans-folly/329321/|title = The 1971 Battle of Longewala: A night of confusion, Sam Manekshaw's order, Pakistan's folly|date = 3 December 2022}}</ref> This led to the Pakistani [[brigade]] group being left extremely vulnerable to air attack, vehicles becoming bogged in terrain unsuitable for the movement of armoured vehicles as they tried to deploy off a single track, these being more susceptible to enemy fire by using external fuel storage in [[military tactics|tactical combat]], attempting to execute a night attack over unfamiliar terrain, and infantry being surprised by [[obstacles to troop movement]] causing confusion and stalling the attack during the crucial hours of darkness, when the assaulting infantry still had a measure of concealment from Indian [[small arms]] and [[infantry support weapon]] fire.<ref name="theprint.in"/>
 == Background ==
-The main thrust of the Indian Army during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 war]] was directed towards the eastern theatre, with the western sector envisaged as a holding operation to prevent the Pakistan Army from achieving any success that would allow the [[President of Pakistan]], [[Yahya Khan]], any bargaining tool to trade against the captured territories in the east. By the last week of November 1971, the Indian Army had launched offensive manoeuvres at [[Battle of Atgram|Atgram]] against Pakistani border posts and communications centres along the eastern border. The [[Mukti Bahini]] also launched an offensive on Jessore at this time.<ref name= LOC>{{Cite web|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+pk0032)|title=Pakistan&nbsp;— Yahya Khan and Bangladesh|publisher= Library of Congress Country Studies|access-date = 6 April 2009|date=April 1994}}</ref> It was clear to [[Islamabad]] by this time that open conflict was inevitable, and that East Pakistan was indefensible in the long run.<ref name= gs>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/KRG.htm |title = The India-Pakistan War of 1971: A Modern War|author=Kyle, R.G. |date=14 March 1964|access-date=6 April 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090418234716/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/KRG.htm| archive-date= 18 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Yahya Khan chose at this point to try to protect Pakistan's integrity and to hold India by [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]]'s strategy&nbsp;– ''"The defence of East Pakistan lies in the West"''.<ref name=Faruqui>''Failure in Command: Lessons from Pakistan's Indian Wars, 1947–1999.'' Faruqui A. Defense Analysis Vol.17, No. 1, 1 April 2001</ref>
+The main thrust of the Indian Army during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 war]] was directed towards the eastern theatre, with the western sector envisioned as a holding operation to prevent the Pakistan Army from achieving any success that would allow the [[President of Pakistan]], [[Yahya Khan]], any bargaining tool to trade against the captured territories in the east. By the last week of November 1971, the Indian Army had launched offensive manoeuvres at [[Battle of Atgram|Atgram]] against Pakistani border posts and communications centres along the eastern border. The [[Mukti Bahini]] also launched an offensive against [[Jessore]] at this time.<ref name= LOC>{{Cite web|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+pk0032)|title=Pakistan — Yahya Khan and Bangladesh|publisher= Library of Congress Country Studies|access-date = 6 April 2009|date=April 1994}}</ref> It was clear to [[Islamabad]] by this time that open conflict was inevitable, and that East Pakistan was indefensible in the long run.<ref name= gs>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/KRG.htm |title = The India-Pakistan War of 1971: A Modern War|author=Kyle, R.G. |date=14 March 1964|access-date=6 April 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090418234716/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/KRG.htm| archive-date= 18 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Yahya Khan chose at this point to try to protect Pakistan's integrity and to hold India by [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]]'s strategy—''"The defence of East Pakistan lies in the West"''.<ref name=Faruqui>''Failure in Command: Lessons from Pakistan's Indian Wars, 1947–1999.'' Faruqui A. Defense Analysis Vol.17, No. 1, 1 April 2001</ref>
 == Prelude ==
 === The Western sector ===
-Khan's policy made the assumption that an open conflict with India would not last long due to [[United Nations|international pressure]], and that since East Pakistan was undefendable, the war-effort should be concentrated on occupying as large an area of Indian territory as possible as a bargaining tool at the negotiating table. To this end, [[Tikka Khan|Gen Tikka Khan]] had proposed an offensive into India, and the PAF's "overriding priority was to give maximum support to this offensive".{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} The initial plans for the offensive called for at least a temporary cover of [[air dominance]] by the PAF under which Khan's troops could conduct a lightning campaign deep into [[Western India]] before digging in and consolidating their positions. To support Khan's troops, the PAF had launched [[Operation Chengiz Khan|pre-emptive strikes]] on the evening of 3 December that led to the formal commencement of hostilities. In the western theatre, the town of [[Rahim Yar Khan]], close to the international border, formed a critical communication centre for Khan's forces and, situated on the Sindh&nbsp;— Punjab railway, remained a vulnerable link in Khan's logistics. The fall of Rahim Yar Khan to Indian forces would cut off the rail as well as road link between [[Sindh]] and [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], starving Khan's forces of fuel and ammunition delivered to [[Karachi]].
+Khan's policy made the assumption that an open conflict with India would not last long due to [[United Nations|international pressure]], and that since East Pakistan was undefendable, the war effort should be concentrated on occupying as much Indian territory as possible as a bargaining tool at the negotiating table. To this end, Gen. [[Tikka Khan]] had proposed an offensive into India, and the PAF's "overriding priority was to give maximum support to this offensive".{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} The initial plans for the offensive called for at least temporary [[air dominance]] by the PAF under which Khan's troops could conduct a lightning campaign deep into [[Western India]] before digging in and consolidating their positions. To support Khan's troops, the PAF had launched [[Operation Chengiz Khan|pre-emptive strikes]] on the evening of 3 December that led to the formal commencement of hostilities. In the western theatre, the town of [[Rahim Yar Khan]], close to the international border, formed a critical communication centre for Khan's forces and, situated on the Sindh–Punjab railway, remained a vulnerable link in Khan's logistics. The fall of Rahim Yar Khan to Indian forces would cut off the railway as well as road link between [[Sindh]] and [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], starving Khan's forces of fuel and ammunition delivered to [[Karachi]].
-Indian battle plans called for a strike across the international border with the 12th Indian division towards Islamgarh through Sarkari Tala, subsequently advancing through Baghla to secure Rahim Yar Khan, which would not only destabilise the Pakistani defences in the Punjab, but also in the [[Kashmir|Jammu & Kashmir]] Sector, allowing the planned Indian offensive [[Battle of Basantar|in the Shakargarh sector]] to sweep the Pakistani forces trapped there.<ref name=Ludra>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010113/windows/main4.htm|title=An assessment of the battle of Longewala|first=K. S.|last=Thakur Ludra|work=The Tribune|location=India|date=13 January 2001|access-date=6 April 2009|page=1}}</ref>
+Indian battle plans called for a strike by the 12th Indian Division across the border towards [[Islamgarh]] through Sarkari Tala, subsequently advancing through Baghla to secure Rahim Yar Khan, which would not only destabilise the Pakistani defences in the Punjab, but also in the [[Kashmir|Jammu & Kashmir]] Sector, allowing the planned Indian offensive [[Battle of Basantar|in the Shakargarh sector]] to sweep the Pakistani forces trapped there.<ref name=Ludra>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010113/windows/main4.htm|title=An assessment of the battle of Longewala|first=K. S.|last=Thakur Ludra|work=The Tribune|location=India|date=13 January 2001|access-date=6 April 2009|page=1}}</ref>
-Pakistan, which envisaged the Punjab as an operational centre, had a strong intelligence network in the area and planned to counter its own comparatively weak strength on the ground with a pre-emptive strike through [[Kishangarh]] towards the divisional headquarters south of Ramgarh.<ref name=Ludra/> Pakistani intelligence was able to infiltrate the operations area posing as local people and pass on information. However, these sources failed to pass on information on the Longewala post which, originally a [[Border Security Force|BSF]] post, was now held by a company of the Punjab Regiment. Longewala formed a strategic point en route to capturing vast tracts of land and also a pivotal theatre of war in engaging India on the western front.
+Pakistan, which envisaged the Punjab as an operational centre, had a strong intelligence network in the area and planned to counter its own comparatively weak strength on the ground with a pre-emptive strike through [[Kishangarh]] towards the divisional headquarters south of Ramgarh.<ref name=Ludra/> Pakistani intelligence agents were able to infiltrate the operations area posing as local people and pass on information. However, these sources failed to pass on information on the Longewala post which, originally a [[Border Security Force|BSF]] post, was now held by a company of the Punjab Regiment. Longewala formed a strategic point en route to capturing vast tracts of land and also a pivotal theatre of war in engaging India on the western front.
 === Tactical plan ===
-Pakistan's tactical plan was based on the assumption that an attack in the area would help Pakistan's 1st Armoured Divisions task in the [[Sri Ganganagar]] area. Pakistan High command also felt that it was important to protect the North-South road link which they felt was vulnerable as it was close to the border. A [[Combined Arms]] Plan was decided upon. This involved two Infantry Brigades and two Armoured Regiments. A separate division, the 18 Division, was formed for this purpose. 18 Division Operation Orders required one Infantry Brigade (206) with an Armoured Regiment (38 Cavalry) to capture and establish a firm base at Longewala, a junction on the Indian road system and 51st Infantry Brigade and the 22nd Cavalry ([[Pakistan Army Armoured Corps]]) to operate beyond Longewala to capture [[Jaisalmer]].<ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/feb-mar99/letter.htm '''Correspondence from Lt. Col. (Retd) H.K. Afridi''' Defence Journal, Karachi. feb-mar99] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622082310/http://www.defencejournal.com/feb-mar99/letter.htm |date=22 June 2006 }} URL accessed on 22 September 2006</ref>
+Pakistan's tactical plan was based on the assumption that an attack in the area would help Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division's task in the [[Sri Ganganagar]] area. Pakistan High command also felt that it was important to protect the north-south road link which they felt was vulnerable, as it was close to the border. A [[combined arms]] plan was decided upon. This involved two infantry brigades and two armoured regiments. A separate division, the 18th Division, was formed for this purpose. The 18th Division's operation orders required one infantry brigade (206th) with an armoured regiment (38th Cavalry) to capture and establish a firm base at Longewala, a junction on the Indian road system, and the 51st Infantry Brigade and the 22nd Cavalry ([[Pakistan Army Armoured Corps]]) to operate beyond Longewala to capture [[Jaisalmer]].<ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/feb-mar99/letter.htm '''Correspondence from Lt. Col. (Retd) H.K. Afridi''' Defence Journal, Karachi. feb-mar99] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622082310/http://www.defencejournal.com/feb-mar99/letter.htm |date=22 June 2006 }} URL accessed on 22 September 2006</ref>
-The Pakistani plan was to reach Longewala, Ramgarh and Jaisalmer. The plan was far-fetched from the start, if only because it called for a night attack to be conducted over terrain that was not preceded by route or engineer reconnaissance, and the armoured troops were therefore unaware of the ground surface that could not support rapid movement towards the objective. As the day unfolded, Longewala would stand out as one of the biggest losses in a battle for Pakistan despite overwhelming superiority before commencement of the battle, largely due to the vehicles becoming bogged down in soft sand.
+The Pakistani plan was to reach Longewala, Ramgarh and Jaisalmer. The plan was far-fetched from the start, if only because it called for a night attack to be conducted over terrain that was not preceded by route or engineer reconnaissance, and the armoured troops were therefore unaware the ground could not support rapid movement towards the objective. As the day unfolded, Longewala would stand out as one of the biggest losses for Pakistan, despite overwhelming superiority before commencement of the battle, largely due to the vehicles becoming bogged down in soft sand.
 === Indian defensive planning ===
-On the Indian side, the post was held by A Company, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, led by Maj. [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri]], the defences occupying a high sand dune which dominated the area that was largely intractable to vehicles.<ref name="TI" /> The post was surrounded by a [[barbed wire]] fence of three strands. The rest of the battalion was located at Sadhewala, 17&nbsp;km north-east of the Longewala post. Chandpuri commanded an infantry company reinforced by a section each of [[Medium machine gun|MMGs]] and [[L16 81mm mortar]], and one Jeep-mounted [[Recoilless rifle|RCL]]. His two other recoilless rifle teams of the anti-tank section were under training at the battalion headquarters. Major Chandpuri also had under his command a four-man team of the camel [[Border Security Force]] division.<ref name=SS>Shorey A. ''Sainik Samachar''. Vol.52, No.4, 16– 28February 2005</ref> The Longewala post had no armoured vehicles, but artillery support was available from a battery of 170 Field Regiment (Veer Rajput) tasked in direct support to the battalion, and 168 Field Regiment which had been deployed to the area in secrecy just a day earlier. The direct support battery was attached to 168 Field Regiment and served as its "Sierra" Battery. Immediately after PAF strikes on Indian airfields on 3 December, Chandpuri dispatched a 20-man strong patrol under 2Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan to Boundary Pillar (BP) 638, on the international border. This patrol was to play an important part in detecting the advances of Pakistani forces.
+On the Indian side, the post was held by A Company, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, led by Maj. [[Kuldip Singh Chandpuri]], the defences occupying a high sand dune which dominated the area that was largely intractable to vehicles.<ref name="TI"/> The post was surrounded by a [[barbed wire]] fence of three strands. The rest of the battalion was located at Sadhewala, {{convert|17|km}} to the north-east. Chandpuri commanded an infantry company reinforced by a section each of [[medium machine gun]]s (MMGs) and [[L16 81mm mortar]]s, and one [[Jonga]]-mounted [[recoilless rifle]] (RCL). His two other recoilless rifle teams of the anti-tank section were under training at battalion headquarters. Major Chandpuri also had under his command a four-man team of the camel [[Border Security Force]] division.<ref name=SS>Shorey A. ''Sainik Samachar''. Vol.52, No.4, 16– 28February 2005</ref> The Longewala post had no armoured vehicles, but artillery support was available from a battery of the 170th Field Regiment, tasked with direct support of the battalion, and the 168th Field Regiment, which had been deployed to the area in secrecy just a day earlier. The direct support battery was attached to the 168th Field Regiment and served as its "Sierra" Battery. Immediately after PAF strikes on Indian airfields on 3 December, Chandpuri dispatched a 20-man-strong patrol under 2nd Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan to Boundary Pillar (BP) 638, on the border. This patrol was to play an important part in detecting the advances of Pakistani forces.
 == Battle ==
+[[File:WLUS (20).jpg|thumb|[[Jonga]], mounted with 105 mm RCL gun, which destroyed several tanks]]
 [[File:HAL Marut used in the battle of longewala.jpg|thumb|200px|right|One of the three [[HAL Marut]] used by the IAF against Pakistani armour at Longewala]]
-During the night of the 4th, 2Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan's platoon, while on a patrol, detected noises across the border that suggested a large number of armoured vehicles approaching.<ref>p.177, Nayar</ref> These were soon confirmed by reports&nbsp;— from the Army's Air Observation Post aircraft flown by Maj. Atma Singh&nbsp;— in the area of a 20&nbsp;km long armoured column on the track leading to the post advancing in the general direction of the Longewala post.<ref>p.239, Rao</ref> Directing 2Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan's patrol to trail the advancing armoured column, Chandpuri got in touch with battalion headquarters requesting urgent reinforcements and armour and artillery support. Battalion HQ gave him the choice of staying put, and containing the attack as much as possible, or carrying out a tactical retreat of the company to Ramgarh, as reinforcements would not be available for the night. Considering that Chandpuri's command had all the transportation to retreat back on time, he decided to maintain the defensive position of the post and fight back the advancing enemy.
+During the night of the 4th, Dharam Veer Bhan's platoon, while on a patrol, detected noises across the border that suggested a large number of armoured vehicles approaching.<ref>p. 177, Nayar</ref> These were soon confirmed by reports—from the Army's Air Observation Post aircraft flown by Maj. Atma Singh—in the area of a {{convert|20|km|mi|-long|adj=mid}} armoured column on the track leading to the post advancing in the general direction of the Longewala post.<ref>p. 239, Rao</ref> Directing Dharam Veer Bhan's patrol to trail the advancing armoured column, Chandpuri contacted battalion headquarters, requesting urgent reinforcements and armour and artillery support. Battalion headquarters gave him the choice of staying put and containing the attack as much as possible, or carrying out a tactical retreat to Ramgarh, as reinforcements would not be available that night. Considering that Chandpuri's command had all the transportation to retreat on time,{{clarify|date=April 2022}} he decided to stay and fight back the advancing enemy.
-The Pakistani forces began their attack at 12:30 am.<ref name="p.83, Imprint">p.83, Imprint</ref> As the offensive approached the lone outpost, Pakistani artillery opened up across the border with medium artillery guns, killing five of the ten camels from the [[Border Security Force|BSF]] detachment. As the column of 45 tanks neared the post, Indian defences, lacking the time to lay a prepared minefield, laid a hasty anti-tank minefield as the enemy advanced, one infantryman being killed in the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Years-later-Longewala-reminds-the-do-or-die-battle/articleshow/27554710.cms|title = Years later, Longewala reminds the do-or-die battle &#124; Jaipur News – Times of India}}</ref><ref name="p.42, Sharma">p.42, Sharma</ref> The Indian infantry held their fire until the leading Pakistani tanks had approached to 15–30 metres before firing their [[PIAT]]s.<ref name="p.42, Sharma"/> They accounted for the first two tanks on the track with their Jeep-mounted 106&nbsp;mm [[M40 recoilless rifle]], with one of its crew being killed during the engagement.<ref>There is a suggestion that there were two RCL-armed Jeeps at the post</ref> This weapon proved quite effective because it was able to engage the thinner top armour of the Pakistani tanks from its elevated position, firing at often stationary, bogged down vehicles. In all, the post defenders claimed 12 tanks destroyed or damaged. The initial Pakistani attack stalled almost immediately when the infantry discovered the barbed wire which was unseen in the night, and interpreted it to signify a minefield. Firing for the Indian RCL crews was made easier by the flames of fires when the spare fuel tanks on the Pakistani tanks, intended to supplement their internal capacity for the advance to [[Jaisalmer]], exploded, at once providing ample light for Indians located on higher ground, and creating a dense acrid [[smoke screen]] at ground level for the Pakistani infantry, adding to the confusion. Two hours were lost as Pakistani sappers were brought up, only to discover there was no minefield. However, at this time Pakistani infantry were required to make another attack, from a different direction, but in the dawn light. The Pakistani advance then attempted to surround the post two hours later by vehicles getting off the road, but many vehicles, particularly armoured personnel carriers and tanks, in trying to soften up the Indian defenders before attacking, became bogged down in the soft sand of the area surrounding the post. Throughout the engagement, Maj. Chandpuri continued to direct the supporting artillery fire.<ref name="p.42, Sharma"/>
+The Pakistani forces began their attack at 12:30 am.<ref name="p.83, Imprint">p. 83, Imprint</ref> As the offensive approached the lone outpost, Pakistani artillery opened up across the border with medium artillery, killing five of the ten camels from the [[Border Security Force|BSF]] detachment. As the column of 45 tanks neared the post, Indian defences, lacking the time to lay a prepared minefield, laid a hasty anti-tank minefield as the enemy advanced, one infantryman being killed in the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Years-later-Longewala-reminds-the-do-or-die-battle/articleshow/27554710.cms|title = Years later, Longewala reminds the do-or-die battle &#124; Jaipur News – Times of India| website=[[The Times of India]] }}</ref><ref name="p.42, Sharma">p. 42, Sharma</ref> The Indian infantry held their fire until the leading Pakistani tanks had approached to within {{convert|15|–|30|m}} before firing their [[PIAT]]s.<ref name="p.42, Sharma"/> They accounted for the first two tanks on the track with their [[Jonga]]-mounted 106 mm [[M40 recoilless rifle]], with one of its crew being killed during the engagement.<ref>There is a suggestion that there were two RCL-armed Jeeps at the post</ref> This weapon proved quite effective because it was able to engage the thinner top armour of the Pakistani tanks from its elevated position, firing at often stationary, bogged-down vehicles. In all, the post defenders claimed 12 tanks destroyed or damaged. The initial Pakistani attack stalled almost immediately when the infantry discovered the barbed wire which had not been spotted in the night, and interpreted it as signifying a minefield. Firing for the Indian RCL crews was made easier by the flames of fires when the spare fuel tanks on the Pakistani tanks, intended to supplement their internal capacity for the advance to [[Jaisalmer]], exploded, providing ample light for Indians located on higher ground, and creating a dense, acrid [[smoke screen]] at ground level for the Pakistani infantry, adding to the confusion. Two hours were lost as Pakistani sappers were brought up, only to discover there was no minefield. However, at this time Pakistani infantry were required to make another attack, from a different direction, but in the dawn light. The Pakistani advance then attempted to surround the post two hours later by vehicles getting off the road, but many vehicles, particularly armoured personnel carriers and tanks, in trying to soften up the Indian defenders before attacking, became bogged down in the soft sand of the area surrounding the post. Throughout the engagement, Major Chandpuri continued to direct the supporting artillery fire.<ref name="p.42, Sharma"/>
-Although massively outnumbering the Indian defenders, and having surrounded them, the Pakistani troops were unable to advance over open terrain on a full-moon night, under small arms and mortar fire from the outpost.<ref name="p.83, Imprint"/> This encouraged the Indians not to give up their strong defensive position, frustrating the Pakistani commanders. As dawn arrived, the Pakistan forces had still not taken the post, and were now having to do so in full daylight.
+Although massively outnumbering the Indian defenders and having surrounded them, the Pakistani troops were unable to advance over open terrain on a full-moon night, under small arms and mortar fire from the outpost.<ref name="p.83, Imprint"/> This encouraged the Indians not to give up their strong defensive position, frustrating the Pakistani commanders. As dawn arrived, the Pakistan forces had still not taken the post, and were now faced with doing so in full daylight.
-In the morning, the Indian Air Force was finally able to direct some [[HAL HF-24 Marut]]s and [[Hawker Hunter]] aircraft to assist the post; they were not outfitted with [[Night-vision device|night vision equipment]], and so were delayed from conducting combat missions until dawn.<ref>p.100, Nordeen</ref> With daylight, however, the IAF was able to operate effectively, with the strike aircraft being guided to the targets by the airborne [[Forward Air Controller]] (FAC) Maj. Atma Singh in a [[HAL Krishak]].<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Suresh.html An IAF pilot's account of the battle] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205024625/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Suresh.html |date=5 December 2005 }}, Suresh</ref> The Indian aircraft attacked the Pakistani ground troops with the 16 [[Matra]] T-10 rockets and [[ADEN cannon|30 mm cannon]] fire on each aircraft. Without support from the Pakistan Air Force, which was busy elsewhere, the tanks and other armoured vehicles were easy targets for the IAF's Hunters. The range of the 12.7&nbsp;mm [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] [[heavy machine gun]]s mounted on the tanks was limited and therefore ineffective against the Indian jets. Indian air attacks were made easier by the nature of the barren terrain. Many IAF officers later described the attack as a '[[turkey shoot]]' signifying the lopsidedness. By noon the next day, the assault ended completely, having cost Pakistan 22 tanks claimed destroyed by aircraft fire, 12 by ground anti-tank fire, and some captured after being abandoned, with a total of 100 vehicles claimed to have been destroyed or damaged in the desert around the post. The Pakistani attack was first halted, and then Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw when Indian tanks from the division's cavalry regiment, the [[20th Lancers (India)|20th Lancers]], commanded by Col. Bawa Guruvachan Singh, along with the 17th battalion, [[Rajputana Rifles]], launched their counter-offensive to end the six-hour engagement.<ref name="p.42, Sharma"/> Longewala had proved to be one of the defining moments in the war.
+In the morning, the Indian Air Force was finally able to direct some [[HAL HF-24 Marut]]s and [[Hawker Hunter]] aircraft to assist the post; they were not outfitted with [[Night-vision device|night-vision equipment]], and so had to wait until dawn.<ref>p. 100, Nordeen</ref> With daylight, however, the IAF was able to operate effectively, with the strike aircraft being guided to targets by the airborne [[Forward Air Controller]] (FAC), Maj. Atma Singh in a [[HAL Krishak]].<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Suresh.html An IAF pilot's account of the battle] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205024625/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Suresh.html |date=5 December 2005 }}, Suresh</ref> The Indian aircraft attacked the Pakistani ground troops with 16 [[Matra]] T-10 rockets and [[ADEN cannon|30 mm cannon]] on each aircraft. Without support from the Pakistan Air Force, which was busy elsewhere, the tanks and other armoured vehicles were easy targets for the IAF's Hunters. The range of the 12.7 mm [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] [[heavy machine gun]]s mounted on the tanks was limited and therefore ineffective against the Indian jets. Indian air attacks were made easier by the barren terrain. Many IAF officers later described the attack as a "[[turkey shoot]]", signifying the lopsidedness. By noon the next day, the assault ended completely, having cost Pakistan 22 tanks claimed destroyed by aircraft fire, 12 by ground anti-tank fire, and some captured after being abandoned, with a total of 100 vehicles claimed to have been destroyed or damaged in the desert around the post. The Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw when Indian tanks from the division's cavalry regiment, the [[20th Lancers (India)|20th Lancers]], commanded by Col. Bawa Guruvachan Singh, along with the 17th Battalion, [[Rajputana Rifles]], launched their counter-offensive to end the six-hour engagement.<ref name="p.42, Sharma"/> Longewala had proved to be one of the defining moments in the war.
 == Aftermath ==
-The battle of Longewala saw heavy Pakistani losses and 2 Indian casualties. Since the Indians were able to use the defenders' advantage, they managed to inflict heavy losses on the Pakistanis. Indian casualties in the battle were two soldiers along with one of their jeep mounted recoilless rifles knocked out. Pakistani losses were 200 soldiers killed.<ref name="Francis"/> The Pakistanis suffered the loss of 36 tanks destroyed or abandoned, and lost 500 additional vehicles.<ref name=Jaques /> The [[Hamoodur Rahman Commission|judicial commission]] set up at the end of war recommended the commander of 18 Division, Maj. Gen. Mustafa, to be tried for negligence during the war.<ref name="HRC Report">{{Cite report|author=Hamoodur Rehman |author-link=Hamoodur Rehman |author2=Sheikh Anwarul Haq |author3=Tufail Ali Abdul Rehman |title=Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report |url=http://www.pppusa.org/Acrobat/Hamoodur%20Rahman%20Commission%20Report.pdf |publisher=Government of Pakistan |pages=79–80 |access-date=19 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304011310/http://www.pppusa.org/Acrobat/Hamoodur%20Rahman%20Commission%20Report.pdf |archive-date= 4 March 2012 }}</ref>
+Since the Indians were on the defensive, they managed to inflict heavy losses on the Pakistanis: 200 soldiers killed,<ref name="Francis"/> 36 tanks destroyed or abandoned, and 500 additional vehicles lost.<ref name=Jaques/> The Pakistani [[Hamoodur Rahman Commission|judicial commission]] set up at the end of war recommended the commander of 18 Division, Maj. Gen. Mustafa, be tried for negligence.<ref name="HRC Report">{{Cite report|author=Hamoodur Rehman |author-link=Hamoodur Rehman |author2=Sheikh Anwarul Haq |author3=Tufail Ali Abdul Rehman |title=Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report |url=http://www.pppusa.org/Acrobat/Hamoodur%20Rahman%20Commission%20Report.pdf |publisher=Government of Pakistan |pages=79–80 |access-date=19 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304011310/http://www.pppusa.org/Acrobat/Hamoodur%20Rahman%20Commission%20Report.pdf |archive-date= 4 March 2012 }}</ref>
-Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence and strategic failures on both sides. India's intelligence failed to provide warning of such a large armoured force in the western sector. Moreover, the defending post was not heavily armed to neutralise the enemy. Finally, they did not push home the advantage by destroying the fleeing Pakistani tanks while the IAF had them on the run. They did, however destroy or capture some 36 tanks,<ref name=JH /> remaining one of the largest disproportionate tank casualties for one side in a single battle after [[World War II]].
+Notwithstanding the Indian victory, there were intelligence and strategic failures on both sides. India's intelligence service failed to provide warning of such a large armoured force in the western sector. Moreover, the defending post was not heavily armed. Finally, they did not push home their advantage and destroy the fleeing Pakistani tanks while the IAF had them on the run. They did, however, destroy or capture some 36 tanks,<ref name=JH/> one of the most disproportionate tank losses for one side in a single battle after [[World War II]].
-Invading Pakistan troops meanwhile, had underestimated the Longewala post's defensive capability due to the difficulty of approach over sand, conducting the attack at night and in full-moon light, against stiff resistance encountered there from a well prepared defensive position located on a dominant height. Attacking with virtually no air cover, they took too long to close for an assault on the position, and failed to anticipate availability of Indian [[close air support]]. Given that Pakistan's [[Sherman tank]]s and [[T-59 (tank)|T-59/Type 59]] Chinese tanks were slow on the sandy [[Thar Desert|Thar desert]], some military analysts have opined that the attack may have been poorly planned and executed given the terrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/army-orbat-corps-aor.htm|title=Pakistan Army Order of Battle&nbsp;— Corps Sectors|access-date=14 January 2014}}</ref> Some Pakistani tanks suffered engine failures due to overheating in trying to extricate themselves, and were abandoned. The open desert battleground provided little to no cover for the tanks and infantry from air attacks. The plan to capture Longewala may have been good in conception, but failed due to lack of air cover. As a result, two tank regiments failed to take Longewala.
+The Pakistani troops, meanwhile, had underestimated the post's defensive capability due to the difficulty of approach over sand, conducting the attack at night and in full-moon light, against stiff resistance from a well-prepared defensive position located on a dominant height. Attacking with virtually no air cover, they took too long to close for an assault on the position, and failed to anticipate the availability of Indian [[close air support]]. Given that Pakistan's [[Sherman tank]]s and [[Type 59 tank|T-59/Type 59]] Chinese tanks were slow on the sandy [[Thar Desert]], some military analysts have opined that the attack may have been poorly planned and executed, given the terrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/army-orbat-corps-aor.htm|title=Pakistan Army Order of Battle — Corps Sectors|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> Some Pakistani tanks suffered engine failure due to overheating in trying to extricate themselves, and were abandoned. The open desert battleground provided little to no cover for the tanks and infantry from air attacks. The plan to capture Longewala may have been good in conception, but failed due to lack of air cover. As a result, two tank regiments failed to take Longewala.
-[[File:KuldipsinghchandpuriGujjar.jpg|x216px|right|thumb|Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]].]]
+[[File:KuldipsinghchandpuriGujjar.jpg|x216px|right|thumb|[[Kuldip_Singh_Chandpuri|Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri]], [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]]]]
-For his part, the Indian company commander, Maj. (later Brig.) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, was decorated with India's second highest gallantry award, the [[Maha Vir Chakra]]. Several other awards were earned by members of the defending company, and the battalion's commander. On the other hand, the Pakistani divisional commander was dismissed from service. However, the commander of the Pakistani 51 Brigade who mounted the daring attack and crossed into Indian territory was later awarded Pakistan's high award of the [[Sitara-e-Imtiaz]].
+For his part, the Indian company commander, Maj. (later Brig.) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, was decorated with India's second-highest gallantry award, the [[Maha Vir Chakra]]. Several other awards were earned by members of the defending company and the battalion's commander. On the other hand, the Pakistani divisional commander was dismissed from service. However, the commander of the Pakistani 51 Brigade who mounted the daring attack and crossed into Indian territory was later awarded Pakistan's high award, the [[Sitara-e-Imtiaz]].
-British media reported the defence of Longewala. James Hatter compared the Battle of Longewala as to [[Battle of Thermopylae]] in his article ''Taking on the enemy at Longewala'' describing it as the deciding moment of the 1971 war.<ref name=JH /> Similarly, [[Michael Carver|Field Marshal R.M. Carver]], the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, visited Longewala a few weeks after the war to learn the details of the battle from Maj. Chandpuri.<ref name=JH>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001216/windows/main2.htm|title=Taking on the enemy at Longewala|first= James|last= Hattar|work= The Tribune|date=16 December 2000|access-date=6 April 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090422023208/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001216/windows/main2.htm| archive-date= 22 April 2009| url-status= live}}</ref>
+British media reported the defence of Longewala. James Hatter compared the Battle of Longewala to [[Battle of Thermopylae]] in his article ''Taking on the enemy at Longewala'', describing it as the deciding moment of the 1971 war.<ref name=JH/> Similarly, Field Marshal [[Michael Carver|R. M. Carver]], the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, visited Longewala a few weeks after the war to learn the details of the battle from Maj. Chandpuri.<ref name=JH>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001216/windows/main2.htm|title=Taking on the enemy at Longewala|first= James|last= Hattar|work= The Tribune|date=16 December 2000|access-date=6 April 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090422023208/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001216/windows/main2.htm| archive-date= 22 April 2009| url-status= live}}</ref>
-In 2008, the battle was the subject of disagreement, some officers of the time ascribing all the combat success to the air force.<ref>{{cite news|title= The truth of courage|url= http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|publisher= tehelka|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141022072452/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|archive-date= 22 October 2014}}{{cite news|title= The truth of courage|url= http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|publisher= tehelka|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141022072452/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|archive-date= 22 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Army lied to the nation Longewala? |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-lied-to-the-nation-on-laungewala/article1-279335.aspx |work=Hindustan times|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104065802/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-lied-to-the-nation-on-laungewala/article1-279335.aspx |archive-date= 4 November 2014}}</ref> This led to Kuldip Singh Chandpuri suing for a token amount of one [[Indian rupee|rupee]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sura |first=Ajay |date=29 November 2013 |title=War veteran's book reiterates doubts over Army's role in Longewala battle |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/War-veterans-book-reiterates-doubts-over-Armys-role-in-Longewala-battle/articleshow/26545285.cms |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>
+In 2008, the battle was the subject of disagreement, some officers of the time ascribing all the combat success to the air force.<ref>{{cite news|title= The truth of courage|url= http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|publisher= tehelka|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141022072452/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|archive-date= 22 October 2022}}{{cite news|title= The truth of courage|url= http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|publisher= tehelka|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141022072452/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main38.asp?filename=Ne150308the_truth.asp|archive-date= 22 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Army lied to the nation Longewala? |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-lied-to-the-nation-on-laungewala/article1-279335.aspx |work=Hindustan times|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104065802/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-lied-to-the-nation-on-laungewala/article1-279335.aspx |archive-date= 4 November 2022}}</ref> This led to Kuldip Singh Chandpuri suing for the token amount of one [[Indian rupee|rupee]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sura |first=Ajay |date=29 November 2013 |title=War veteran's book reiterates doubts over Army's role in Longewala battle |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/War-veterans-book-reiterates-doubts-over-Armys-role-in-Longewala-battle/articleshow/26545285.cms |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>
 == In popular culture ==
-The Battle of Longewala was depicted in the 1997 [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Border (1997 film)|Border]]'', which was directed by [[J.P. Dutta]] and starred [[Sunny Deol]] as Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, [[Jackie Shroff]] as Wg. Cdr. M.S. Bawa, [[Sunil Shetty]] as Assistant Commandant. Bhairon Singh (BSF), and [[Akshaye Khanna]] as 2 Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan.<ref>p.17, Alter</ref> The main criticism of the movie was that it showed Indian forces being in a terrible position before any sort of help came from the [[Indian Air Force]]. The movie also exaggerates the casualties of Indian soldiers for dramatic purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118751/|title=Border|date=1 January 2000|access-date=2 August 2016|via=IMDb}}</ref> This was not the case in the real incident as Indian forces had defended a position on a height that commanded the area, and were able to defend it effectively due to tactical mistakes made by the Pakistani commanders. This resulted in only two soldiers being killed before combat ceased. Indian troops were later able to capture damaged or abandoned Pakistani tanks.<ref>p.17-18, Alter</ref>
+The Battle of Longewala was depicted in the 1997 [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Border (1997 film)|Border]]'', which was directed by [[J. P. Dutta]] and starred [[Sunny Deol]] as Maj. Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, [[Jackie Shroff]] as Wg. Cdr. M.S. Bawa, [[Sunil Shetty]] as Assistant Commandant Bhairon Singh (BSF), and [[Akshaye Khanna]] as 2 Lt. Dharam Veer Bhan.<ref>p. 17, Alter</ref> The main criticism of the movie was that it showed Indian forces being in a terrible position before any sort of help came from the [[Indian Air Force]]. The movie also exaggerates the Indian casualties for dramatic purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118751/|title=Border|date=1 January 2000|access-date=2 August 2016|via=IMDb}}</ref>
 == See also ==
@@ Line 92: / Line 126: @@
 * [[Mitro Bahini order of battle]]
 * [[Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971]]
+* [[Battle of Chamb]]
 * [[Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan]]
 * [[1971 Bangladesh genocide]]
@@ Line 106: / Line 141: @@
 == References ==
 * Indivisible Air Power, ''Strategic Analysis'', Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, 1984, v.8, 1185–1202
-* ''Imprint'', Justified Press, 1972, v.12:7–12 (Oct 1972 – Mar 11973)
+* ''Imprint'', Justified Press, 1972, v.12:7–12 (Oct 1972 – Mar 1973)
 * Alter, Stephen, ''Amritsar to Lahore: A Journey Across the India-Pakistan Border'', University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000
 * Nordeen, Lon O., ''Air Warfare in the Missile Age'', Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985