8 Field Regiment is an artillery regiment which is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.
| 8 Field Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941 – present |
| Country | India |
| Allegiance |  British India India |
| Branch |  British Indian Army Indian Army |
| Type | .svg){kind=small} Artillery |
| Size | Regiment |
| Motto(s) | SARVATRA, IZZAT-O-IQBAL “Everywhere With Honour and Glory”. |
| Colors | "Red & Navy Blue" |
| Decorations | Order of British India 1[1] Shaurya Chakra 2 Sena Medal 3 Mention in Despatches 17 COAS Commendation Card 5 VCOAS Commendation Card 1 GOC-in-C Commendation Card 14>.[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | 8 Fd Regt |
Initial establishment
editThe regiment was raised on November 1, 1941 at Secunderabad as 3rd Anti Tank Regiment by Lt Col J.H.H. Willans, RA. The class composition was Ahirs and Punjabi Muslims.[2]
History
editIn 1942, during World War II, the regiment was deployed in Colombo as part of the 34 Infantry Division in Ceylon Garrison. In 1945, the Regiment returned to India and was reorganised as the 8 Field Regiment with pure class composition of Ahirs.[3] The batteries composed of Punjabi Muslims moved to Pakistan. Lt Col KS Sandhu was the first Indian Commanding Officer. During the victory parade held in London in 1946, the Regiment was represented by its first Ahir Subedar Major Shib Sahai, Sardar Bahadur, OBI and three Other ranks.[2]
Operations
editSome of the major operations undertaken by the Regiment include:
- Partition of India
- During the partition, the Regiment helped evacuate around 210 thousand refugees, while deployed in Mianwali and Rawalpindi areas of Pakistan.
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948
- The Regiment was supporting an Infantry Division in capturing two important heights in Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
- The Regiment took part in the Western Front in the Shakargarh sector.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Subedar Major Shib Sahai in Gazette of India, 1947, No. 250". Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ a b c "8 Field Regiment-Indian Army Postal Cover (APO)". 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ Bhatia, HS (2008). Military History of British India 1607 - 1947. Deep & Deep Publications, New Delhi. p. 28. ISBN 978-8184500790.