1851 Light Regiment (India) Explained
| Unit Name: | 1851 Light Regiment |
| Dates: | 1967 – present |
| Country: | India |
| Allegiance: | India |
| Branch: | Indian Army |
| Type: | Artillery |
| Size: | Regiment |
| Identification Symbol: | 1851 Lt Regt |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Abbreviation |
| Nickname: | Cameleers |
| Motto: | SARVATRA, IZZAT-O-IQBAL “Everywhere with Honour and Glory”. |
| Colors: | "Red & Navy Blue" |
| Anniversaries: | Raising day – 12 April |
1851 Light Regiment is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.
Formation
1851 Light Regiment was raised on 12 April 1967 as 185 Light Regiment (Pack) under 12 Artillery Brigade at Bikaner. The first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Veer Bahadur Singh. The unit was unique in being the only camel pack artillery regiment of the Indian Army and hence was nicknamed as the cameleers. The unit was redesignated as 1851 Light Regiment in 1984.[1]
Composition
The regiment consists of two batteries of Rajputs and one battery of Ahirs.[1]
Operations
The regiment has taken part in the following operations[1] –
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Operation Cactus Lily) – the unit was deployed in the Jaisalmer sub-sector during the war. It was part of 12 Artillery Brigade under 12 Infantry Division and was equipped with 120 mm Brandt mortars. The regiment took part and provided artillery support in the Battle of Longewala.[2] [3] Captain (later Brigadier) K R Kanwal was mentioned in dispatches.[4] The regiment lost Gunners Dalip Singh and Jage Ram in the war.[5]
- Operation Rhino
- Operation Vijay
- Operation Rakshak – Gunner Harsit Bhadoriya was posthumously mentioned in dispatches.[6] [7]
- Operation Falcon
Honours and awards
The regiment has won two mentioned in dispatches, and four GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.[1]
Notable Officers
- Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah was commissioned into the regiment and rose to become the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Planning and Systems).[8] [9]
See also
- List of artillery regiments of Indian Army
Notes and References
- Web site: 1851 Light Regiment-Indian Army Postal Cover. 2017-04-12. 2022-04-14.
- Web site: The 1971 Battle of Longewala: A night of confusion, Sam Manekshaw’s order, Pakistan’s folly. 2019-12-03. 2022-04-14.
- Book: Singh, Jagjit . Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971. 1994. Spantech & Lancer. 978-1897829554. 213.
- Web site: Gazette of India, No 19, page 532. 1974-05-11. 2022-04-14.
- Book: Azad, Salam. Contribution of India in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh. 2006. Bookwell Publications. 343.
- Web site: List of personnel being conferred gallantry awards on the occasion of Independence Day – 2017. 2017-08-15. 2022-04-14.
- Web site: Gazette of India, No 44, page 797. 2017-11-04. 2022-04-14.
- Web site: The Sarkari Mussalman. 2019-04-20. 2022-04-14.
- Web site: Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah appointed Deputy Chief of Indian Army. 2006-09-29. 2022-04-14.
