101 Field Regiment (India)

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101 Field Regiment (Harar Kalan)
Active1963 – present
CountryIndia India
AllegianceIndia
Branch Indian Army
Type Artillery
SizeRegiment
Nickname(s)One-O-One
Motto(s)Sarvatra, Izzat-O-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory)
ColorsRed & Navy Blue
Anniversaries1 October – Raising Day
10 December – Battle Honour Day[1]
EquipmentIndian Field Gun
Battle honoursHarar Kalan[2]
Insignia
Abbreviation101 Fd Regt

101 Field Regiment is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.

Formation and history[edit]

01 Field Regiment(SP) was raised at Babina on 01 Oct 1963 by Lt Col (Later Maj Gen) RCV Apte by drawing tps from 1 Field Regiment , 2 Field Regiment and 34 Med Regiment . The Regiment was reorg on one class MARATHA basis in May 1964. The Regiment has the unique distinction of being the only unit to be raised as a `Self Propelled’ (SP) Regiment. Subsequently, it is also the only SP Regiment to have been baptised in both the 1965 and 1971 wars. Only 18 months after its raising the Regiment proved its mettle in 1965 Indo-Pak war (OP NEPAL) in the Sialkot Sector with the skill and valour of the Regiments. In 1971 war the Regiment participated in OP CACTUS LILY, the codename for the operation of 1 Corps in Shakargarh sect. It was because of the ferocity of Artillery fire power that facilitated own operations and the unit was awarded the Honour Title of HARAR KALAN. The Regiment participated in OP PARAKRAM while dply in Poonch sect. The guns of the Regiment and the troops of the unit were instrumental in delivering 37 lethal fire assaults on en locations, militant bases and administrative installations causing severe degradation to his comb potential opposite Poonch sect. A total of 2149 rounds were fired across the LC during the ops. In addition, 574 rounds were fired in OP HILL KAKA and SARP VINASH undertaken by the Regiment while it was deployed in Poonch. The Regiment was the Division champions for four consecutive years while posted in Western Command (WC) and also earned the GOC-in-C, WC Unit Citation in 2016. Regiment took over operational responsibility of a CI Area and has participated in 23 CFVs apart from its active involvement in Op Sadhbavana and has conducted various events that has benefitted the local populace. The Regiment has the unique distinction of holding a vast array of Artillery equipment to including Sextons, Abbots, the mighty 130 mm guns and versatile 105mm IFG. Over the years the Regiment has performed exceedingly well in all fields whether it be operations, sports or other day to day routine activities.

Class composition[edit]

The regiment was re-organised as a single class regiment with Maratha troops in May 1964.[3]

Equipment[edit]

The regiment has used the following artillery guns.[3]

Operations[edit]

The regiment has taken part in the following operations –

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Within 18 months of its raising, the regiment saw its first major operation. It took part in Operation Nepal - the Indian attack in the Sialkot sector. It was part of 1 Artillery Brigade under 1 Armoured Division.[4] In these 18 days of intense action, the regiment equipped with Sextons provided able artillery support to the offensive actions of 43 Lorried Brigade.[5] It also provided support to 62 Cavalry and 8 Garhwal during the capture of Kaloi.[6] Major Adarsh Kumar Kocchar was awarded the Vir Chakra for his gallant actions and an important role in breaking the counterattack by timely destruction of enemy tanks.[7][8] In addition, it was awarded two Sena Medals, four mentioned in despatches and two COAS Commendation Cards.[3]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

The regiment took part in Operation Cactus Lily in the Shakargarh sector on the western front of the war. It was equipped with self-propelled Abbots and was part of 39 Artillery Brigade under 39 Infantry Division. The division was tasked to capture Shakargarh in a five phased operation, of which the third phase was the capture of Harar Kalan. The initial attack by 1 Dogra was repulsed by a well-prepared enemy on the night of 7 December 1971. Captain Sheo Ganesh Singh was a Forward Observation Officer (FOO) with the Dogras. He was grievously wounded while directing artillery fire in an effort to neutralise the Pakistanis and help 1 Dogra to extricate. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry.[9] On the night of 10 December, a second and better prepared attack by 72 Infantry Brigade took place. Persistent and accurate artillery bombardment prior to the assault by 1 Mahar, ensured the capture of Harar Kalan without much opposition. Both 1 Mahar and 101 Field Regiment were awarded the honour title 'Harar Kalan'. The regiment lost one officer and 10 other ranks during the war. Two officers and 30 other ranks were wounded.[10][11][12][13]

Operation Parakram

The regiment was in the Poonch sector during the standoff with Pakistan and was involved in artillery fire across the LoC.[3]

Motto[edit]

The motto of the regiment is One-O-One, The Only One, The Fighting One, The Happy One.[citation needed]

Gallantry awards[edit]

The regiment has won the following gallantry awards[3][14] -

Notable officers[edit]

  • Major General Ramchandra Vinayak Apte, PVSM, AVSM – first commanding officer.
  • Lieutenant General Baljit Singh, AVSM, VSM – commanded the regiment, author.[13]
  • Lieutenant General Parmendra Kumar Singh Singh, PVSM, AVSM – General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Command – commissioned into 2 Field Regiment, went on to command the unit.[15][16]
  • Lieutenant General AK Sahni, PVSM, UYSM, SM, VSM – 'sword of honour' winner and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of South Western Command.[17]
  • Major General AC Chatterjee – who was also a 'sword of honour' winner.[3]

Other achievements[edit]

  • The regiment has proudly participated thrice in the Republic Day parade.[14]
  • It has won the General Officer Commanding in Chief's (Western Command) unit citation in 2016.
  • Hav Sarvesh Khushare.

(i) Gold Medal Winner, South Asian Games 2019.

(ii) Silver Medal Winner, Asian Athletics Championship Thailand 12 to 16 Aug 2023.

(iii) World Athletics Championship Budapest 20 Aug 2023.

(iv) Came fourth in Asian Games, Hangzhou, China 23 Sep 2023.

(v) Men’s High Jump title at Bryan Clay invitational 2024 held at the Azusa Pacific University in Southern California.

  • Nk Akash Sukhdeo Karad.

(i) Indl represented Indian Team in 21st Asian men’s Handball Championship held at Bahrain from 11 Jan to 25 Jan 2024.

(ii) Nk (GD) Akash Karad participated in “52nd Men’s Senior National Handball Championship held at Srinagar wef 02-06 Sep 2023.

(iii) Indl is currently shortlisted in Army Green Team (Handball) and is awaiting trials to conduct in May 2024.

  • NK Amar Gade.

(i) Silver Medal Winner, Maharashtra State Level Competition.

(ii) Silver Medal Winner, Northern- Maharashtra State Level Competition.

Honour Title “HARAR KALAN”[edit]

101 Fd Regt (SP) was part of 2 (I) Armd Bde for ‘Op CACTUS LILY’ during 1971 ops in SHAKARGARH BULGE. 2 (I) Armd Bde was tasked to make a Br H beyond the vill Harar Khurd. On the ni 7/8 Dec 1971, 1 DOGRA was ordered to capture Harar Kalan vill. During the battle, Sextons of 101 Fd Regt (SP) provided continuous fire sp. Capt SG Singh was the FOO with the leading coy of 1 DOGRA, and the adv was ferociously resisted. The offr took over comd of the coy when the coy cdr became a cas. Inspite of sustaining severe injuries, the offr led the attk and continuously directed fire on the en. The OP offr succumbed to his injuries and was awarded the VrC posthumously. Harar Kalan was ultimately captured on the ni of 10/11 Dec 1971. The Regt was bestowed with the honour title of “HARAR KALAN” for its superlative fire sp facilitating the ops of 2 (I) Armd Bde.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sharma, Gautam (2000). Indian Army, a Reference Manual. Reliance Publishing House. p. 62. ISBN 978-8175101142.
  2. ^ Singh, Sarbans (1993). Battle Honours of the Indian Army, 1757-1971. Vision Books. p. 311. ISBN 978-8170941156.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "101 Medium Regiment Golden Jubilee APO postal cover". 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  4. ^ "Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  5. ^ Bajwa, KS (2008). India's National Security: Military Challenges and Responses, Volume 1. Har Anand Publications. p. 361. ISBN 978-8124113899.
  6. ^ "Deepest thrust into the heart of enemy". 2015-09-20. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  7. ^ "Gazette of India, No 41, page 664" (PDF). 1966-10-08. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  8. ^ "Maj Adarsh Kumar Kochhar, VrC". Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  9. ^ "Gazette of India, No 51, page 1251" (PDF). 1972-12-16. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  10. ^ Singh, Jagjit (1994). Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971. Spantech & Lancer. pp. 127–130. ISBN 978-1897829554.
  11. ^ Gulati, YB (1973). History of the Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army. Leo Cooper Ltd. pp. 257, 282. ISBN 978-0850521184.
  12. ^ Das, Chand N (1997). Hours of Glory: famous battles of the Indian army, 1801-1971. Vision Books. pp. 150–151. ISBN 978-8170940692.
  13. ^ a b "Harhar Kalan, The little known story of One Battle Honour". 2014-07-12. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  14. ^ a b "Artillery Regiment celebrates golden jubilee today". 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  15. ^ Maj Gen PJS Sandhu (Retd) (2011). Strategies for Countering Non State Actors in South Asia. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. p. 128. ISBN 978-93-82573-44-9.
  16. ^ "2 Indian Field Regiment and the Battle of Bir Hachiem – PT 171". 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  17. ^ "Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni designated as GOC-in-C, South Western Command". 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
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