Picture Pad
More Picture Pads
Battle of Basantar 1971
Clearance of Gazipur Forest by Mechanised Infantry - Battle of Basantar 1971
First Field Marshal of Indian Army
Sam Manekshaw was one of the greatest soldiers and war hero that India has ever had. His long military career is studded with achievements including the successful campaign of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh. He became the 8th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army in 1969 and though the Indian army had limited resources he crafted them to become brave soldiers and tasted victory on each occasion. After four years as COAS he was awarded the honorary rank of Field Marshal in 1973.
Salute to a Wing Commander
On 19 Dec 2011, Wg Cdr Vatsal Kumar Singh was detailed to fly a helicopter in a low level mission in the densely forested and heavily Naxal infested area, in support of the CRPF. The landing site was only a small clearing in the jungle with very tall trees around it and an undulating landing surface, which made the task even more difficult. After having completed two shuttles and having transported thirty commandos, while he was executing the third shuttle with seventeen persons on board, his helicopter was fired upon with automatic weapons from the left and below the aircraft. He immediately turned away from the probable direction of fire and gained height. After having ascertained that all aircraft parameters were normal, he decided to return to base, i.e. Jagdalpur. Subsequently, the aircraft started experiencing severe vibrations and the entire cargo compartment was filled with the smell of burnt explosives. The severe vibrations made it extremely challenging to make sure that the helicopter does not go out of control with an any time possibility of an engine malfunction, Wg Cdr VK Singh kept his calm and controlled the helicopter with his professional acumen and flying skills. He reduced the speed and minimised the vibrations and kept a close vigil on the vital engine parameters. His calm and controlled composure and exceptional courage ensured that he tracked every event in the helicopter meticulously and brought seventeen men and the machine to safety, in an extremely professional manner after flying for forty long and demanding minutes. In recovering the helicopter and personnel on board from the precarious situation in the face of intense danger and imminent threat to life, he showed exceptional courage and flying skills of the highest order. For this exceptional display of courage, inspirational leadership and composure under adverse conditions, Wing Commander Vatsal Kumar Singh has been awarded Shaurya Chakra.
Robert Whiting in Paris
Robert Whiting, an elderly US gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, Monsieur ?" the Customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously."Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!" the Customs officer sneered. The American senior gave the Frenchman a long, hard look. Then he quietly explained ... " Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach, at 4:40am, on D-Day in 1944, to help liberate your country, I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show a passport to. ... "
Charles DeGaule could not respond!
JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when Charles DeGaule, the French President, decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded "does that include the 180,000 who are buried here ?" DeGaule could not respond.
Manekshaw in Gujrat
Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw once started addressing a public meeting at Ahmedabad in English. The crowd started chanting, "Speak in Gujarati. We will hear you only if you speak in Gujarati." Field Marshal Sam Bahadur Maneckshaw stopped. Swept the audience with a hard stare and replied, "Friends, I have fought many a battle in my long career. I have learned Punjabi from men of the Sikh Regiment; Marathi from the Maratha Regiment; Tamil from the men of the Madras Sappers; Bengali from the men of the Bengal Sappers, Hindi from the Bihar Regiment; and even Nepali from the Gurkha Regiment. Unfortunately there was no soldier from Gujarat from whom I could have learned Gujarati."
Siachen: The Highest Battlefield
Indian Defence Review salutes each and every Indian Soldier, alive, or who died fighting and winning against Pakistan, at the Siachen - the world's highest battlefield. The recent proposal by Pakistan, to make 'Siachen', into a 'No Man Zone' should never be considered. It would be an Insult, and a mockery of the Indian Men in Arms.
The NDA Dining Hall
At the entrance of the Dining Hall of National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, there is a table set for one, with the chair tilted forward. This table is set for the Armed Forces Personnel who are Prisoners of War and forgotten, in the hope that they will return one day.
Dare Devils
Dare Devils during the demonstration to the team from Guinness World Records - 251 men on 11 Motor Cycles covering a distance of 240 meters on 11 June 2008.
Rajputana Rifles in Tunisia, 1943
Machine Gun Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles in action in Tunisia, 1943. In the Second World War, the battalions of the Regiment has convincingly defeated seemingly invincible German and the Japanese, in all the trials of the combat, in every single theatre of the war. In the process, they had claimed as many as fifty battle honours and the officers and men of the Regiment had decorated with two VCs and well over a hundred other gallantry awards.