AFVOA Newsletter of Year 2021

Section 5 – War Diary CV 2 No. 01 / 2021 Page 51 of 123 Major PG Ravi Krishnan, commanded “Delta” Company of our battalion during the operations in 1971. A ram rod straight, thorough professional was admired by the troops for his sterling qualities of compassion. In the deployment of the troops of the Battalion, Ravi‘s Company was immediately behind my Charlie Company. I can never forget Ravi and his boys for holding my hands during the thick of the battle when the enemy forces were putting desperate efforts to overrun our position. One enemy assault with the chilling war cry of ALLAH O AKBAR had been thwarted by our determined fighting and coordinated fire power. My MMG gun was very effective as the enemy attack was broken .The enemy retreated to regroup to launch another attack. I spoke to Capt Prakash on the Radio to supplement the MMG ammunition. Ravi also heard my transmission and during the lull period ordered the MMG detachment allotted to his Company to deploy it in my Company location to thicken the firepower. The net result was that the second and third attempts also failed and the enemy suffered heavy casualties and eventually surrendered. No company Commander during war, would have taken the risk like what Ravi took to help out a sister company commander. When I asked him as to why he took the risk, He very confidently replied “Enemy could attack his position only if he is able to over run your company. I did not want to let that happen.” What camaraderie and confidence he possessed. How can one ever forget Ravi? A lifelong friend indeed. Alas Ravi is not amidst us today. He was an illustrious son to a proud father Late Hony. Capt. P Gopalan of the Madras Regiment. The third generation has taken the baton and making the family tradition continue to serve the country. His Son Col Nipun Krishnan, is a rising star of our Regiment and daughter Sunanda, who donned the Air force uniform for a while and the proud mother Suganda, are part of the extended family and maintain cordial relationship. Capt. Nirmal Singh Hira, the Forward Observation Officer of the Artillery assigned by the Brigade reported to me in the early morning hours of 14 Dec 1971 at the ambush site. It was with a bit of anger and disappointment, that I met this dishevelled tall “Khalsa” with mud over his dress and face. He profusely apologised that while on the move he had lost touch with his radio operator who perhaps had lost his way. I did not expect this from the officer to provide fire support for the operation in hand. I let him have it in chaste Punjabi to say that a FOO without communication is not needed. Crest fallen, Hira was full of josh and told me in Punjabi that all the link signs are in his pocket and he can establish communication and provide the fire support if he was provided the radio communication. He requested that I loan him my Battalion Radio set ANPRC25 meant for the communication with my command net. It was a Hobson’s choice