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Battle of Rezang La Battle of No.8 & 9 Indian Posts in Ngari Chinese:阿印8、9据点战斗
Indian source:[2] ~120 soldiers Chinese source[3]: 140-150 soldiers
Chinese source:[1] ~700 soldiers Indian source:[2] ~3000 soldiers[note 2]
Casualties and losses
Indian source:[2] 114 killed Chinese source[3]: 136 killed 5 captured
Chinese source:[4] 21 killed 98 wounded Indian source:[2] 1,400 killed
The Battle of Rezang La[note 3], also known as Battle of No.8 and No.9 Indian Posts in Ngari (Chinese:阿印8、9号据点之战) in Chinese narrative, was a military engagement that took place on 18 November 1962, during the Second phase of Sino-Indian War in wester LAC.
To Chinese, it is a major military engagement in the Battle of Bangongluo (Chinese:班公洛之战),[5] where the reinforced 3rd Battalion of 11th Infantry Regiment was able to capture Rezang La with superior artillery fire in less than 2 hours.[4]
In Indian narrative, it is known that 120 Indian soldiers faced "more than 3,000 Chinese soldiers" and "successfully defended" the strategic mountain pass of Rezang Lah in Ladakh. Fought at an altitude of 16,000ft (4,900m), against overwhelming Chinese forces, the battle saw one of the greatest last stands, with Indian sources documenting more than 1400 Chinese casualties. Major Shaitan Singh, who led the defense, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, for his extraordinary bravery. Several other decorations were awarded posthumously to many officers and soldiers of the company.[6]October 1962, China launched a large-scale offensive against Republic of India in the disputed border areas of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh (then NEFA). The Indian Army, under-prepared and outnumbered, was tasked with defending these high-altitude regions. Rezang La, a pass located in the Chushul sector of Ladakh, became a key defense point as it guarded the vital airstrip at Chushul.[7]
The defense of Rezang La was entrusted to the 13th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, under the command of Major Shaitan Singh. The battalion was positioned on the barren, exposed ridges of the pass, without adequate artillery support or reinforcements.[8]
Battle
During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, Rezang La was the site of the last stand of the Charlie "C" company[9][10][11] of 13 Kumaon, consisting of 120 Indian soldiers. According to the official Indian history of the war, the Rezang La picket of Charlie company made up entire of Ahir from Ahirwal region was stationed at an elevation of 5,500 metres (18,000ft), 11km south of the Spanggur Gap, on the same ridge line as Rezang La.[12] Rezang La had the drawback that an intervening feature blocked artillery operation, so that the Indian infantry had to do without artillery cover.[13] The Indian side was led by Major Shaitan Singh,[14] who perished in battle and posthumously won India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, for his actions.[15][16][13]
The Chinese employed human wave tactics, sending up to eight waves against the Indian troop positions.[17][18][19] Eventually, the Indian position was overrun, and Indian troops were forced to withdraw to high mountain positions. After the conclusion of battle, their valor was recognized by the Chinese, who had covered the bodies of the Indian soldiers with blankets and even placed bayonets over them so that the makeshift covers did not fly off. This mark of respect is exceptional and atypical of practices of that time.[20]
Both sides took overwhelming casualties, though both countries disagree over how many were killed. It is generally accepted 114 Indian soldiers out of a total of 120 lost their lives.[21][22] However, Indian sources claim upwards of 1,300 Chinese troops were killed in Rezang La alone.[22][23][24]
Eventually, the Chinese captured Rezang La and Gurung Hill, but was unable to advance further due to Indian reorganization.[2]
Aftermath
The defense by the Kumaon Regiment at Rezang La has been cited as an important moment in Indian military history. Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his leadership and actions during the battle.[25] The engagement is sometimes described as a notable example of a last stand in modern warfare. As the fight at Rezang La went on concurrently, Battle of Gurung Hill took place, where both sides claimed victory. Battles of Rezang La and Gurung Hill were collectively known as Battle of Banggongluo in Chinese narrative.[26]
Legacy
The Battle of Rezang La remains a symbol of Indian courage and determination. Memorials have been erected at Rezang La and at various places in India to commemorate the bravery of the soldiers who fought and died in the battle.[6]
In 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the battle, veterans and military historians gathered to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, and the battle continues to be studied as a lesson in mountain warfare.[27]
How can a man die better,
than facing fearful odds,
for the ashes of his fathers,
and temples of his gods.
This inscription also appears on the Rezang La Memorial at Rewari.
↑ Feng, Cheng; Wortzel, Larry M. (2003). "PLA Operational Principles and Limited War". In Ryan, Mark A.; Finkelstein, David Michael; McDevitt, Michael A. (eds.). Chinese warfighting: The PLA experience since 1949. M. E. Sharpe. pp.188–. ISBN978-0-7656-1087-4. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
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