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Sep, 1965 - In this picture man seen leading is Lt Col Desmond Hayde. In 1965 Indo-Pak war he commanded 3 Jat (3rd battalion of Jat regiment of Indian Army). @Manik_M_Jolly @Leopard212 @CestMoiz
Biggest obstacle Indian Army found in '65 war was Ichhogil canal on Pakistani side all along the IB which which Indian Tanks and men could not ford thus saving Lahore and plains of Pakistan from Indian Army thrust. Soon Indian offensive came to halt.
But 3 Jat beating all odds not only crossed the Icchogil canal but captured important towns of Dograi, Batapore and Attoke Awan.
Fighting against the Jats were Pakistani 16 Punjab along with battery of artillery and a light armoured squadron. Jats first target was Dograi, a small satellite town of Lahore.
Soon battle of Dograi broke out with Jats pounded with artillery shells and air bombardment.
The Battle of Dograi, one of the bloodiest battles in Indian military history, was fought- first with guns and grenades, then with bayonets, and finally with bare hands on the dark nights of September between the soldiers of the Indian Army's 3 Jat and Pakistan's 16 Punjab.
Soon Dograi fell and thus Indian Army captured the town on east of Icchogil canal which meant bridge of canals were also captured. Now Indian Army just had to cross and attack Batapore and Attoke Awan to threaten Lahore.
But Indian Army's logistics were overstretched and other sectors demanded more resources. It was clear to Pakistanis that Jats would halt and will not carry on with crossing canal.
Pakistanis were wrong...with dropped jaws and wide eyes, they saw Jats crossing Icchogil canal, led by their commanding officer in boats. So confident Jats were that one of the boat also carried the Unit Mandir (which means Jats were crossing just not to attack but occupy).
3 Jat battalion with 550 men took on 16 Punjab, double in size with the support of tank squadrons and artillery.
Beating all odds,Jats led by an adamant and maverick CO, Lt Col Desmonde Hayde annihilated 16 Punjab by capturing its CO, Col Golwala, along with his Battery Cdr & 2 officers, 5 JCOs and 108 ORs. 308 Pakistani soldiers were killed. In the clashes, 86 Indian soldiers were KIA
The fierceness of the battle can be fathomed by the gallantry awards won by 3 Jats for their heroics. The battalion received four Mahavir Chakras, four Vir Chakras, seven Sena Medals, 12 Mention in Dispatches and 11 COAS.
3rd Jat CO Lt Col Hayde was one the recipient of Mahavir Chakra for his leadership and courage.
