HEROES OF THE HAIFA BATTLE

The Battle of Haifa exhibited the valour and grit of India’s Armed Forces – we must salute the soldiers whose sacrificed lives are often forgotten in today’s time

Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the airport. They proceeded to the Teen Murti roundabout to unveil the plaque, renaming it the "Teen Murti-haifa Chowk" – in remembrance of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives to liberate the Israeli city of Haifa during World War I. was erected to commemorate the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Army's 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade during World War I in battles fought in Sinai, Palestine, Haifa, the best-known one, and Syria. The three bronze statues of Indian cavalry soldiers of erstwhile Hyderabad, Mysore and Jodhpur Lancers around a white triangular based stone obelisk were sculpted by Leonard Jennings. The memorial was subsequently dedicated to commemorating all martyrs of Indian Army's cavalry and armoured corps in all wars and operations till date.

Against all odds, the town of Haifa was captured by the Indian Cavalry following a charge by 400 Indian cavalrymen armed with only lances and swords against 1,500 enemy troops equipped with heavy artillery and machine guns

THE NEW CAVALRY

After Independence, with the abolishment of princely states in India, it was decided to disband all regular and irregular erstwhile state forces cavalry units and raise a new horse cavalry regiment. Designated as the 61st Cavalry, the Regiment was raised in Jaipur in 1953 with Lt Col Phulel Singh of Jammu & Kashmir State Forces being entitled as its first Commandant.

The following Cavalry Regiments were amalgamated to form the 61st Cavalry. Gwalior Lancers formed by the amalgamation of 1st and 2nd Gwalior Lancers. Jodhpur/kachhawa Horse, formed by an amalgamation of Dungar Lancers, Mangal Lancers, Jodhpur Lancers, Kachhawa Horse, Mewar Lancers, Rajendra Lancers and Jodhpur Sardar Rissala. Mysore Lancers

B Squadron, 2 Patiala Lancers Saurashtra Horsed Cavalry Squadron The present class composition of the Regiment is Rajput, Maratha and Kaim Khani. The Regiment was deployed for guarding the capital city of New Delhi, from September 1971 to April 1972 during the 1965 Indo-pak War. Subsequently, it was also deployed for various other operations – deployed in Operations Pawan (1989-1990), Rakshak (1990), Vijay (1999) and Parakaram (2001-2002)After inheriting 39 Battle Honours before India's Independence, personnels of the regiment have been decorated with one Padma Shri, one Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, 10 Arjuna Awards, five Vishishtha Seva Medals, 53 Army Chief's Commendations, one Naval Chief 's Commendation, seven Army Vice Chief's Commendations, and 152 Army Commander's Commendations.