The Valiant Dogra Soldiers in Paris

 

In the freezing month of December 1841, Wazir Zorawar Singh, the Dogra General moved to Tibet to fight the Tibetans in the deadly conflict in the high Himalayas. Under the worst freezing conditions, he demonstrated the saying of Napoleon Bonaparte, 'Offence is the best form of defence.'His military campaigns helped in the process of assimilation of Ladakh and Gigli Baltistan into the erstwhile Dogra state in Jammu and Kashmir. We have another warrior, Brigadier Rajinder Singh Jamwal (MVC), who is also remembered as the 'Saviour of Kashmir' in 1947. He was posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra, independent India's second highest military decoration. Maj. Somnath Sharma, another valiant Dogra who fought Pakistani infiltrators and saved Srinagar Airport was the first recipient of India's highest military decoration, Param Vir Chakra (PVC). There are unending bravery stories of valiant Dogras of Jammu. In the 1965 war, Dogra soldiers saw action on many fronts in J&K and won many battle honours. In the 1971 war, Dogra soldiers saw action in East Pakistan and the Khem Karan Sector. For their bravery in the East Pakistan, 9 Dogra was awarded the battle honour of Suadih. The 5th Dogra Battalion fought in the Kargil War to capture Tiger Hill. The Dogra Regiment has not only contributed to the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in the Gaza Strip, Korea, and Congo but has also contributed to providing various military observers in various peacekeeping operations around the globe. Under British command, the Dogra units served in numerous colonial military campaigns across Asia and Africa. They participated in the Second Afghan War (1878-80),where their familiarity with mountainous terrain made them effective against Afghan tribesmen. They were also involved in the campaigns in Abyssinia, Burma, and Tibet. In World War II, the Dogra Regiment was extensively involved across various theatres of war. The regiment contributed multiple battalions, which served in Burma, North Africa, Italy, and Malaya. The Dogra troops fought the Japanese during the Burma Campaign, notably in the Battle of Kohima (1944) and the Battle of Imphal, which were turning points in halting Japanese advancement into India. Before Indian independence, the Dogras had to their credit two Victoria Crosses and 44 Military Crosses besides 312 other awards including 2 Unit Citations. DOGRAS IN WORLD WAR I In Paris, I came to know that during World War I, Maharaja Partap Singh had sent the Dogra troops to fight alongside the British soldiers. The Dogra Regiment played an important role in World War I with its battalions deployed in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The 41st Dogra Regiment saw action in France during World War I (1914-1918) and this is mentioned in the books and literature relating to World War I. remembered The Dogra and the Sikh soldiers are for their heroic deeds in the Battle of La Bassee which was fought by German and Franco-British forces in northern France. The Dogra soldiers also joined the action in Aubers, Neuve-Chapelle and Festubert areas of France. Lance Naik Lala (No. 501) of the 41st Dogra Regiment was conferred the Victoria Crossohis exemplary bravery in World War I. In Franethe Dogra troops were commanded by Capt. P Myles of the 41st Dogra Regiment, who was lat killed in Action in *Mesopotamia in Janua 1916. In this war, the Ottoman Turkey had allie with Germany. The name Mesopotamia mean "the land between the rivers" in Greek; me so "middle" or "between" and "potam" is a ro word for "river," also seen in the work hippopotamus or "river horse." Mesopotamian was the ancient name for what is now Iraq, theland between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers The Dogra soldiers also saw action in Palestine and Egypt, supporting the British-led offensive against the Ottomans in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. The Dogra soldiers joined British soldiers in the campaign against the Ottoman Empire in Iraq, where Indian troops bore the brunt of fierce resistance and logistical hardships. Throughout the war, the Dogra soldiers earned accolades for their bravery, and several were awarded the Indian Order of Merit and Distinguished Service Medal. Working their way through mangrove swamps, the Dogra soldiers surprised the European army with their bayonet charge something not heard of in bush front. warfare. Many times the Dogras led from the After protracted international discussions held mainly at Versailles (France), a peace treaty was signed between the Allied and Associated Powers (which included Great Britain, France, United States of America, Russia, Japan and some more countries) and the Central Powers (which included Germany, Turkey, Austria Hungary, and Bulgaria).After the war was over, many injured Dogra soldiers were admitted to special convalescent homes for the wounded soldiers set up in Paris and the UK by the British authorities. The wounded soldiers were visited by Queen Mary and King George V who handed over some gifts to the injured soldiers. King George V and Queen Mary were also active in the war effort. The King first visited the Western Front in November 1914 and he returned five further times during the war. His Indian soldiers marching in Paris during World War I engagements included meeting Allied heads of state, inspecting troops and visiting the wounded. Queen Mary felt she should accompany her husband and her first visit to France was in July 1917, where she visited hospitals, aerodromes, nurses' hostels and casualty clearing stations. At home in Britain, they undertook similar visits to wounded and disabled soldiers, sailors and airmen in hospitals and convalescent centres; discharged soldiers and sailors were even invited to entertainments at Buckingham Palace. Indian soldiers were sent back to India only after providing them all possible medical treatment. A major portion of the Jammu Kashmir State Forces under Maharaja Partap Singh participated in World War I (1914-1919). Their war trophies included the German insignia the Brass Eagle and the German flag captured by the 2nd battalion amongst other German artillery. during World War I. Captured in Fauquissart, France, this photograph from 9 August 1915 reflects the diversity and solidarity of the Allied forces on the Western Front. "The association of the Indian and the French Armies dates back to World War I. Ove 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war, and almost 74,000 of them fought in themuddy trenches to never return, while another 67,000 were wounded. Indian troops valiant fought on French soil also. Their courage, valour and supreme sacrifice not only thwarted the enemy but also significantly contributed towards winning the war." The origins ofthe Dogra Regiment can be traced back to the late 19th century when the British Indian Army recognised the martial competency of the Dogra people. The regiment was initially raised as part of the Bengal Army in 1877, with the establishment of the 37th Dogra Regiment of Benga Infantry. The 37 Dogra, 38 Dogra and 41st Dogrа regiments saw action in World War I. Dr Karan Singh, last Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir wrote the Dogra Regiment's regimental song, 'Dikhi Lai Dogra Desh'.Maharaja Har Singh, the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, was a Dogra. General Nirmal Chander Vij, the 21s Chief of the Army Staff, was from the Dogra Regiment. And in the field of sports and games it produced six national-level players and twelve service-level players.

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Courtesy: Avtar Mota and Koshur Samachar-2025, August