Infantrymen The guys without whom wars cannot be won- Salute the soldier Jan 2020
Infantrymen: The guys without whom wars cannot be won- Salute the soldier Jan 2020
Ernest Pyle, a Pulitzer prize winning American Journalist and war correspondent wrote, ‘I love the infantry because they are the underdogs. They are the mud, rain, forest and wind boys. They have no comforts, and they even learn to live without the necessities. And in the end, they are the guys, wars cannot be won without.’ How true even today. There is no war where the Indian infantry has not shined.
Throughout Indian military history, the infantry man has shone and ensured victory. Battle honours to Infantry regiments from both the two world wars and campaigns even earlier indicate the infantry soldier’s guts, determination and bravery. It was the infantry which led the fight to regain Kashmir from Pak raiders in 1947, pushing them back, inch by inch, holding onto defences to the last man, preventing the enemy from achieving its aims.
In 1962, despite lacking everything there were multiple posts where they fought to the last man and last round and stemmed the Chinese advance. In the Kargil war, they assaulted peak after peak and regained each, despite losses in adverse weather and terrain. The soldier is employed in multifarious roles, aid to civil authority in natural calamities, restoring order during strike and defending the border against hostile neighbours.
Whether it is an earthquake, train accident or floods, the first to reach the area and provide succour to the local population is the nearest infantry battalion. As in most cases, they ignore their own losses and seek to help others who have been devastated.
The soldier who serves in the infantry is a common Indian, who chose the army as a career and post joining changed into a motivated individual always willing to lay down his life for the nation. The change has never been immediate but gradual. He is drilled to obey commands, motivated by the sacrifice and bravery of his predecessors and operates believing in the support and backing of his comrades. He is tuned to face hardships, despite shortfalls of everything except raw courage and guts, which exist in abundance.
The Indian infantry makes the nation proud when they march down Rajpath in unison on Republic Day wearing their colourful ceremonial attire, which for every soldier is a matter of pride. The regimental spirit remains within the ranks well after retirement. Regimental reunions, when the veteran community meet the serving are events which enhance regimental bonhomie and spirit.
The words of Late Major Somnath Sharma, PVC, ring deep when one considers the infantry soldier ‘The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round.’ The infantry soldier has never let the country down, never will and never can. The nation looks upto him and he is aware. The nation is proud of the infantryman and his sacrifices.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army