Gunners observe 171st Raising Day

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28: Gunners Day was observed by the Regiment of Artillery to commemorate its 171st Raising Day at Chandimandir Cantonmen...

CHANDIGARH, Sept 28: Gunners Day was observed by the Regiment of Artillery to commemorate its 171st Raising Day at Chandimandir Cantonment, near here, today.The celebrations included a wreath laying ceremony at Veer Smriti War Memorial by Major General Artillery, Western Command, Maj. Gen. G M Lasrado. Homage was paid to the soldiers of the regiment who had fallen in far flung battlefields.

A two-day voluntary blood donation camp was also organised by the gunners to mark the occasion. A get-together was held at the Defence Services Officers Institute in the cantonment which was attended by about 300 officers, including retired gunners along with their families.

It was on this day in 1827 that the first artillery unit, Bombay Artillery was raised. This unit still exists today as 5 Bombay Mountain Battery, part of the 57 Field Regiment.

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The regiment, consisting over 200 units, has transformed continuously, changing its weapons and doctrines to enhance mobility and firepower for deterrence as well as destruction. The Bofors FH-77 and the Prithvi SRBM are among its latest acquisitions.

The regiment has 28 pre and post Independence Battle Honours to its credit. It has distinguished itself in the legendary battlefields of Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia as well as Basantar, Chushul, Jessore, Dhaka, Longewala and the rarefied heights of Siachen.

The regiment has produced three Army Chiefs — Gen P P Kumaramangalam, Gen O P Malhotra and Gen S F Rodrigues.