Battle of Chawinda

Battle of Chawinda
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
A captured Indian centurion tank at Chawinda, September 1965.
Date 14 September 1965, 18 – 19 September 1965 Location Chawinda, Punjab, Pakistan Result Pakistani victory.
Belligerents
Pakistan	India
Commanders and leaders
Maj Gen Abrar Hussain Lt Col Nisar Ahmed Khan Brig. Sardar M.Ismail Khan Brig. S. M. Hussain Brig. Abdul Ali Malik Brig. Muzzafaruddin Later: Maj Gen Tikka Khan Lt Gen Bakhtiyar M.Rana Maj Gen Sahibzada Yaqub Ali Khan Brg. Amjad Chaudhry	Lt Gen Pat Dunn Lt Col Ardeshir Tarapore †
Strength
30,000-50,000 infantry 22nd cavalry (44xM48) 10th Cavalry (44x Patton) 25th Cavalry (44x Patton) 33th TDU sqn (15x Shermans) 19th Lancers (44x Patton) 11th Cavalry (44x Patton) Total: 132 +150 (tank reinforcements)	80,000–150,000 infantry 4th Horse (45x Centurion) 16th Cavalry (45x Centurions) 17th Poona (45x Centurion) 2nd Lancers (45x Sherman) 62nd Cavalry (45x sherman) Total 225 tanks
Casualties and losses
44 tanks (Pakistani claim) Over 518 km2 (218 mi2) of territory lost	29 tanks lost (Indian claim) 120 tanks (Pakistani claim)
Chawinda Location of Chawinda in Pakistan

30,000-50,000 infantry

22nd cavalry (44xM48)

10th Cavalry (44x Patton)

25th Cavalry (44x Patton)

33th TDU sqn (15x Shermans)

19th Lancers (44x Patton)

11th Cavalry (44x Patton)

Total: 132

80,000–150,000 infantry

4th Horse (45x Centurion)

16th Cavalry (45x Centurions)

17th Poona (45x Centurion)

2nd Lancers (45x Sherman)

62nd Cavalry (45x sherman)

44 tanks (Pakistani claim)

The Battle of Chawinda was a part of the Sialkot Campaign in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It was one of the largest tank battles in history since the Battle of Kursk in World War II.

The initial clashes at Chawinda coincided with the tank battle near Phillora and the fighting intensified once the Pakistani forces at Phillora retreated. However, the Indian assault was repelled, resulting in a Pakistani victory. The battle finally ended due to the UN ceasefire of the 1965 war.

General Dunn, the commander of I Corps Indian Army was given an assortment of units: 1 Armoured Division, 6 Mountain Division, 14 Division and 26 Division. The Pakistani force expected to oppose the Indian thrust consisted of 15 Division, 6 Armoured Division (equivalent to armoured brigade group) and 4 Corps Artillery. Later reinforcements included 8 Infantry Division and 1 Armoured Division.

The aim of the attack was to seize the key Grand Trunk Road around Wazirabad and the capture of Jassoran which would enable domination of Sialkot-Pasrur railway, thus completely cutting off Pakistani supply line. The striking force of the Indian 1st Corps was the 1st Armoured Division supported by the 14th Infantry and 6th Mountain divisions and Indian infantry seized the border area on 7 September. This was followed by a short engagement at Jassoran in which Pakistan lost 10 tanks and ensured complete Indian domination of Sialkot-Pasrur railway. Realising the threat, the Pakistani rushed two regiments of their 6th Armoured Division from Chhamb to the Sialkot sector to support the Pakistani 7th Infantry Division there. These units, plus an independent tank destroyer squadron, amounted to 135 tanks; 24 M47 and M48 Pattons, about 15 M36B1s and the remainder Shermans. The majority of the Pattons belonged to the new 25th Cavalry commanded by Lt. Col. Nisar, which was sent to the Chawinda area. Fighting around the Gadgor village between the Indian 1 Armoured division and the Pakistani 25th Cavalry Regiment resulted in the Indian advance being stopped.

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Wikipedia