Overview:
The second Indo-Pak war started on April 1965 after Pakistan Army launched operation Gibraltar to snatch Kashmir from India. The war saw numerous chapters getting immortalized in military history, one of them being the largest tank battles fought after WW2.
Lt. Col. Ardeshir Tarapore was the commanding officer of the 17 Poona Horse regiment of 1st armored division.
On 11th September, 1965 Indian Army launched an offensive on Phillora, in order to isolate and capture Sialkot sector of Pakistan. The two tank regiments Hodson's horse and Poona Horse were tasked to attack Phillora from different directions. Poona horse under command of Lt. Col. Tarapore was attacking Phillora from Chawinda. He effectively led his men and won the battle leading to Indian control of more than 336 sq km of Pakistani land. However, during the battle he succumbed to his injuries and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his exemplary courage and determination.
Leading from the front
At the time of war, Pakistani armored corps were feared by everyone due to their advanced Patton tanks, rumours were there that these tanks can't be destroyed by another tank. The Indian Army was equipped with soviet-made centurion tanks. On 11th of September, 4 armored regiments marched into Pakistan out of which two were butchered by Pakistani Air force, the morale was low but Lt. Col. Tarapore motivated his team and started his ferocious attack on Pakistan's 11 cavalry, the intensity was so high that 13 tanks were destroyed shortly.
Centurion Tank. Source: Google
Phillora was captured and after the battle 11 Cavalry sustained so much damage that it ceased to exist as a regiment. During the battle, Lt. Col. was wounded but when he was ordered by GOC-in-C to be evacuated, he refused and decided to stay with his men in the battle.
Just two days after the battle, Indian forces attacked Chawinda however due to effective camouflage, they suffered heavy casualties, that's when Lt. Col. Tarapore came to aid his men while he was wounded. With his effective plans, 6 Pakistani tanks were destroyed on the spot and the mission was successful.
However on the 14th of September, in Wazirwali he was hit several times and succumbed to his injuries, the regiment fought so fiercely that 60 Pakistani tanks were destroyed at cost of just 9 Indian Tanks.
Aftermath of war:
With the help of effective leadership by Lt. Col. Tarapore, Indian Army dominated the region and after the war retained 518 sq. km of Pakistani land which was returned in the peace treaty. Lt. Col Tarapore still lives in memory of every man of Poona horse. He was very popular among his men,both officers and soldiers.
Lt. Col. Tarapore posing in front of the enemy tank. source: Google
Lt. Col. Tarapore: Reincarnation of Napoleon
(This is an excerpt from The Brave Param Vir Chakra stories by Rachna Bisht)
There is a famous incident related to this brave officer, He was quite influenced by Napoleon due to his legacy and his respect for Napoleon was so much that he often claimed that he was the reincarnation of Napoleon. One day in officer's mess, after a couple of drinks he started posing like Napoleon however Napoleon had a large hat which he didn't, suddenly he glanced upon the mess bowl filled with water and rose petals and placed it upside down on his head, completely wetting his uniform which made everyone laugh.
I am sure that the reader will be inspired by the dedication of Lt. Col. Tarapore, he will continue to inspire generations. For more such stories, stay tuned with my blog.
Thank You!
Jai Hind!
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