Army mulls month-long events to mark Battle of Walong anniv

During the India-China war of October-November 1962, the Battle of Walong on the far-eastern edge of Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Army withstood a massive onslaught from the Chinese for almost three weeks.

To mark this heroic act, the Army will hold commemorative events from October 17 till November 14. A newly renovated Walong War Memorial will be opened, while the Shaurya Sthal at Lama Spur would be inaugurated.

Walong is the eastern-most town of India in Arunachal Pradesh. It is located near the tri-junction where the boundaries of India-China-Myanmar meet.

In September-October 1962, the Army sent some 2,500 troops in batches to counter the Chinese who were five times in number and were aided by artillery and automatic weapons. The Army’s assessment made by the IV Corps said the Chinese were a division of troops – some 15,000. The Indian troops were from the 6th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment (Saragarhi fame) 3rd battalion of the 3 Gorkha Rifles, 2nd battalion the 8 Gorkha Rifles, some companies of the Assam Rifles and the 4 Dogra.

The Battle of Walong was to stop the Chinese and maintain control of the lone mud-paved advanced landing ground (ALG) which was the only supply route to the eastern-most edge of Arunachal. The other route to Walong was a 14-day trek from Tezu. Some 830 Indian soldiers were killed, captured or wounded. ‘History of the conflict with China’ produced in 1993 by the Ministry of Defence describes the battle of Walong: “Indian troops offered stiff resistance. It was a defensive battle against heavy odds, the troops fought bravely, but being out-numbered and out-weaponed in automatics an ammunition”.

The Commander of the 11 Independent Brigade, Brigadier NC Rawlley, appointed on October 29, 1962, issued explicit orders on evening of October 31: “No withdrawal was to take place let every one get that straight.” Brig Rawlley only reversed his orders on 9 am on Nov 16. The withdrawal was more due to lack of ammunition and supplies. Two months latter when the Indian troops returned they found bodies of soldiers frozen in time. Besides the lone MVC, ten VrC’s were also awarded for the battle of Walong.

Maj Gen DK Palit , who was the Director Military Operations during the War writes in his 1991 published book ‘ War in the High Himalayas’ “The battles at Namka-chu, Walong; and the defence of Rezang-la, would be recorded as one of the most heroic in our military history”.