I treasure the memory of my military life (2nd World War, 1943-45, Kashmir War, 1948, September 1965 War and the December 1971 War). During battles I had commanded patrols, platoon, rifle company battalion and a heterogeneous force. Hardly with 6 months service during October 1843 I joined 7/2 Punjab (now part of the Indian Army) in ARAKAN - BURMA (now MYAN-MAR). It was newly raised, its viceroy commission officers and NCOs had joined the army before the 2nd World War, whereas most of the sepoys had been recruited during the war. It is a fact that from old battalions (of 2nd Punjab Regiment Group - now part of the Indian army) VCOs and NCOs sent were educationally and professionally average. But during various battles my battalion (7/2 Punjab) had won about 40 gallantry awards. Most of the NCOs (NK and Hav) had passed 3rd class or 2nd class Roman Urdu. It is also a fact that during the 1st and 2nd World Wars most of the infantry soldiers of the British Indian Army were e'nlisted as illiterate because manpower was required to complete the new raisings. They were required to fire .303 rifle, light machine gun and throw grenade. Most of them had participated in successful battles, displayed boldness and won gallantry awards.
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