Yesterday was Defence Day. All weekend, PTV has been airing various programs on the military, Pakistani soldiers and other members of the army. It’s all very interesting. I was very surprised to learn that we do have quite a powerful army.
I don’t think we really hear enough about the past actions of Pakistan’s military and Pakistan’s overall history when it comes to warfare. Perhaps it is time to reflect and appreciate Pakistan’s military history … and history in general when it comes to war.
For those of you currently residing in Pakistan as well as those who are no longer there, I would like to know if you have any stories that you may be able to share … anything ranging from tales of relatives who actively took part in past wars … to tales of families who were directly affected and possibly caught in the crossfire.
This may be a sensitive topic to some … but I would appreciate it if some stories could be exchanged.
Personally, I don’t have any stories to share which is why I am eager to hear of various accounts from others.
I heard from my mam how they witnessed an Indian fighter jet- that came to bomb the Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Wah - being chased and shot down over Taxila. Then, there are others of valor shown by the Pakistani army soldiers that were entrenched around the BRB canal, and how they repulsed attacks after attacks, in the 65 war.
One thing I remember reading that after the war some farmer- while ploughing his fields- stumbled upon couple of bodies of the Pakistani soldiers, who were buried in a shallow grave. According to him, the bodies had still fresh blood on them, almost as they had passed on moments ago.
Also, how the Lahoris got their title as "Zinda Dillan - e - lahore", since at the height of the aerial war, they got on their roof-tops, and witnessed the Indian jets being shot out of the sky.
I would like to hear more about the battle near Sialkot, in which hundreds of Indian tanks were destroyed.
I'd like to share my dad's experience of '65 war. Occording to him, as he tells me and other siblings, "the unity among Pakistanis at that time was something that was never seen before and might never be seen again either." He tells us that there was a slogan on donation boxes "Aik Aney Mein Tank Kherdo". Counting the population of both East and West Pakistan which sumed up to about about 20 or so crore they calculated that if 1 Pakistani donates 1 ana (16 anas make one rupee) the gov't could buy one tank. He tells us that people brought in whatever cash they had and filled the donation boxes. Women gather all of their jewlery and put'em in those boxes. Those boxes were open and without any lock but no one dared stealing anything.
Ishfaq Ahmed (very famous writer also comes in a program Zaavia) was telling this morning that our second and third generation have no clue what they have missed, "I'm lucky I have experience the phenomena of 65 war" Ishfaq says, "such pivotal part of our history."
My parents back in Pakistan used to watch dog fights overhead during the wars. They recall many blackouts and air raid sirens, and heard much of the bombing.
None of my relatives partook in the Pakistan India wars, however, my grandfather (dads side) and my mothers uncle both actively saw battle as soldiers during world war II.
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*Originally posted by Fret Wizard: *
None of my relatives partook in the Pakistan India wars, however, my grandfather (dads side) and my mothers uncle both actively saw battle as soldiers during world war II.
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Cool fret.. do you know what theatre and unit they were involved in in WW2? My Grandad (dad's side) served as an officer in Burma in the 19th Indian Infantry Division, and his brother served in that theatre too.
My grandmother's brother (dad's side again) served as a Captain with the 5th Rajputs at Hong Kong, where he was captured, tortured and later beheaded by the Japanese in a POW camp on Stanley Island.
I salute all soldiers.
Ms sorry about your ancestor, i consider him a hero and i bet you would be proud of him today.
about the 1965 war, my grandfather(maternal) was a major in the Pakistan army at the time and stationed in Lahore. My mother has told me fascinating tales about how lahore and whole paksitan was one at the time. ppl used to watch fighter planes indulging in dog fights and shout slogans from the ground. there used to be black outs. My grandfather's home in lahore cantt was only a few miles away from the Burki border and that was where Major R.A. Bhatti Shaheed was staioned on the BRB canal. he received the Nishan-i-Haider for his valour in battle. i have always been amazed by the stories and have often wished to have been there at the time. later the Cantonment homes were ordered to be evacuated and when my mom and the whole family retyrned after ceasefire they found bullet hols and a few splinters in their home.
I salute and pay tribut to those who were martyred defendign their country in 1965. as a famous song goes (translated);
"...the flames that came to light up your nest
those flames you distinguished with drops of your blood"
we can not thank them enough.
long live ARMY.
Fret, where did your grandfather/relatives serve in WWII?
I was told that on Defence Day, the Indian army invaded all the way up to the outskirts of Lahore. Is this true? Does anybody else have any personal accounts of what it must have been like for the civilians?
I know a guy who was waiting at a bus stop to go to school one morning in the outskirts of Lahore when he saw some soldiers marching past. He waved to them and cheered them on. Only later that day did he find out that those soldiers weren’t Pakistani, but were the scouting parties of the Indian army.
Cool fret.. do you know what theatre and unit they were involved in in WW2? My Grandad (dad's side) served as an officer in Burma in the 19th Indian Infantry Division, and his brother served in that theatre too.
My grandmother's brother (dad's side again) served as a Captain with the 5th Rajputs at Hong Kong, where he was captured, tortured and later beheaded by the Japanese in a POW camp on Stanley Island.
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I really have no clue about what unit they were involved in. All I know is that they were stationed in Burma. I believe they were part of the infantry.
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*Originally posted by MehnazQ: *
Simply amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Fret, where did your grandfather/relatives serve in WWII?
I was told that on Defence Day, the Indian army invaded all the way up to the outskirts of Lahore. Is this true? Does anybody else have any personal accounts of what it must have been like for the civilians?
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Mehnaz, my relatives were stationed in Burma. I haven't heard anything about the enemy penetrating into the outskirts of lahore, but my parents in lahore at the time could see the dogfights overhead, and hear the fighting going on at the border. Blackouts were very common, and people were told to stay inside and not to light up any candles, etc, etc.
It sounds so exciting but must have truly been a terrifying time for the people. I wish it was documented somewhere ... personal accounts that is. They've done such a good job of documenting the experience of Jews and other civilians during WWII. Perhaps they should try and do the same in Pakistan given it's somewhat turbulent history.
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*Originally posted by outlaw: *
I would like to hear more about the battle near Sialkot, in which hundreds of Indian tanks were destroyed.
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My Grandfather (Maternal) was a Major in the Armoured Corps. He was involved in the Tank battle in Chhamb-Joriaan near Sialkot. He swapped tanks with his friend during the battle and later his old tank (his friend's) was destroyed completely! His tank also got hit. His Gunman pulled him out and then they had to survive in the battlefield on foot. It took him a few days to get back. At home, my mum and her family had been told he was "Missing in Action". So everyone was praying for him and were ecstatic when he eventually got back.
My other grandfather (paternal) fought in WWII and spent time in Burma, Italy, Iraq etc. He was with the engineers. Quite a few of my uncles fought in the '71 war but no heroic stories to tell !! One of them became a POW in Bengal.
How come Pakistani soldiers were stationed in Burma? I know some Indian soldiers actually fought against the Germans in Europe in WWII ... did any Pakistani soldiers?
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*Originally posted by Matsui: *
^ there was no Pakistan in WWII. It was all India.
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True ... I forgot. :) Well then, what about all Indian soldiers who partook in WWII? Any information on them?
I know Indians from the empire were sent to Hong Kong and served as police there early in Hong Kong's history. I also know that Indian prisoners were sent to Singapore where they had to build the island's infrastructure. Interesting stuff.
Any information on Indians serving in Europe during both World Wars?
