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The Battle of Walong took place during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. It took place near the town of Walong in the eastern sector of the conflict, in the present-day Arunachal Pradesh region of India. Indian forces, despite being outnumbered and under equipped, resisted the Chinese advance for nearly a month.[4]
| Battle of Walong | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Sino-Indian War | |||||||||
 The war memorial at Walong | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 India |
 People's Republic of China | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Brig. N.C. Rawlley | Unknown | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
| Indian 11th Infantry Brigade | People's Liberation Army (PLA) | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| ~4000 | ~6000 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Heavy[2] | Heavy[3] | ||||||||
Background
editThe Sino-Indian War was the result of long-standing border disputes between India and China. In particular, the Chinese government refused to recognize the McMahon Line, which had been established as the boundary between British India and Tibet in 1914.[5] The area of Walong, lying close to the disputed border, became a key battleground in the northeastern sector of the war. By October 1962, Chinese forces had already begun advancing into Indian-held territory, and the Indian Army was tasked with defending key positions along the border.[6] At Walong, the responsibility for defense fell to the Indian 11th Infantry Brigade, led by Brigadier N.C. Rawlley.
The battle
editThe battle began on 21 October 1962, when Chinese forces launched their first attack on Indian positions.[7] The Indian defenders, consisting primarily of troops from the 4th Sikh Regiment and the 6th Kumaon Regiment, had prepared defensive positions along the ridges and valleys around Walong. Despite being outnumbered, the Indian forces put up a determined defense, engaging the Chinese in fierce combat for nearly four weeks.[8] Using the difficult terrain to their advantage, Indian troops created bottlenecks and ambushes to slow the advancing Chinese forces.[9] By 16 November 1962, however, after suffering heavy casualties and running low on supplies, the Indian forces were ordered to withdraw.[10] The Chinese forces took control of Walong, but their advance had been significantly delayed by the Indian resistance.[11]
Aftermath
editThe Battle of Walong is remembered for the bravery of the Indian soldiers who fought against overwhelming odds.[12] The delaying action at Walong gave the Indian Army time to regroup further south, preventing a deeper Chinese advance into Indian territory.[13] The Sino-Indian War ended shortly after the Battle of Walong, with China declaring a unilateral ceasefire on 21 November 1962.[14]
Legacy
editThe Battle of Walong has become a symbol of Indian resistance during the 1962 war, despite the overall outcome of the conflict. In 2012, a memorial was built in Walong to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle.[15] Veterans and military historians continue to study the battle for its lessons in mountain warfare, especially the importance of terrain and logistics.[citation needed]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ In just 36 hours of intense fighting at Tri Junction and at Firm Base, 4 DOGRA sacrificed hundreds of brave soldiers while defending the honour and sanctity of what is now Arunachal Pradesh’s sacred territory and inflicted far more casualties on the Chinese attackers. Brigadier Rawlley acknowledged that the gritty fighting and sacrifices of Bravo and Delta companies of 4 DOGRA on 16 November had halted the Chinese offensive in its tracks and allowed 11 Mountain Brigade to consolidate."The Epic Battle of Walong 1962". Eastern Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
References
editCitations
edit- ^ "The epic Battle of Walong 1962". www.easternsentinel.in.
- ^ Maxwell 1970, p. 322.
- ^ Singh 2016, p. 172.
- ^ Palit 1991, p. 238.
- ^ Maxwell 1970, p. 180.
- ^ Palit 1991, p. 240.
- ^ Palit 1991, p. 243.
- ^ Singh 2016, p. 174.
- ^ Palit 1991, p. 246.
- ^ Maxwell 1970, p. 315.
- ^ Palit 1991, p. 247.
- ^ Palit 1991, p. 250.
- ^ Maxwell 1970, p. 318.
- ^ Maxwell 1970, p. 325.
- ^ Singh 2016, p. 180.
Bibliography
edit- The Epic Battle of Walong 1962. Eastern Sentinel.
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