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Maj Gen Rajinder Singh Shergill served in the ranks of the British Indian Army from 3 October 1932 to 31 January 1938. He attended the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, and was commissioned onto the Unattached List, Indian Army on 1 February 1938. He spent the next year attached to The King’s Regiment (Liverpool), a British Army regiment, stationed on the North West Frontier.
He was then admitted to the Indian Army and joined the 7th Light Cavalry on 24 February 1939. He was promoted to lieutenant on 30 April 1939,and served during World War II.
Singh opted to join the Indian Army upon the partition of India in 1947, and commanded the 7th Light Cavalry from September 1947 to May 1949. He was twice awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest military decoration in India, the first for his role during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, for outstanding leadership during the advance and capture of Jhangar (Operation Bison), and the second for displaying gallantry in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, during which he was GOC of the 1st Armoured Division.
Singh held the appointment of regimental colonel of the 7th Light Cavalry from July 1959 to July 1969.
After retirement he entered politics and became a minister in the short lived Gurnam Singh ministry in 1967. Later he was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and 1985 for the Jalandhar constituency as a candidate of the Indian National Congress.He died in May 1994, at the age of 83.
: MAJOR GENERAL RAJINDER SINGH SPARROW MVC*
1. Major General Rajinder Singh Shergill nicknamed as Sparrow was born on 03 October 1911. He was commissioned to 7th Light Cavalry on 24 Feb 1939. He was commanding the Regiment during Indo – Pak conflict of 1947 – 1948 (Operation Bison). Major General (later General) KS Thimayya, DSO, the then GOC decided to use Tanks in the operation and one Squadron of 7th Light Cavalry was ordered to move from Akhnur to Srinagar, a distance of 445 kms. To ensure secrecy, Lt. Col. Rajinder Singh, the then commanding officer, moved M5 Stuart Light Tanks in a dismantled condition. All movements were carried out at night, and during the day the Tanks were covered by sheets. Operation was launched on 01 Nov 1947 and the column reached Gumri by 1400 hours. The appearance of Tanks was a complete surprise to the enemy and they fled in panic. The battle had taken place under severe conditions of difficult terrain and low temperature. It was the first time that Tanks had been deployed at such heights. The officer was awarded MVC for his gallantry act and excellent leadership shown by him during the operation.
2. During 1965 Indo-Pak War, 1st Armoured Division under the command of Major General Rajinder Singh, MVC was assigned the task of capturing Phillora and Pagiwal in the Sialkot Sector. In his message dated 09th September 1965 to all ranks of his Division, the General officer said :-
“Tomorrow at dawn, I shall be launching you into battle. I want to impress upon all ranks of my Division that the battle about to begin will decide the fate of our country in the year ahead. You will be facing an enemy who has no cause except a pathological hatred for our Country. He must be HIT and HIT hard. Be bold and fearless and ensure that all your actions are aggressive and that every charge is driven home with the utmost vigour. Have full faith in the justice of your cause and the ability of your Commanders. To every one of you who has a heart and love for our country, the time has come to concur or die. God bless you all”
3. The attack which was carried out by the Division under his leadership on 11 September 1965 resulted in the biggest Tank battle since the 2nd World War. Sixty nine Pakistani Tanks were destroyed against nine of our own and Phillora was cleared by 16 September 1965. Lt Col AB Tarapore, Commanding officer, 17 Horse who had displayed outstanding leadership in the battle was awarded PVC (Posthumously). It is pertinent to mention that Major General Sparrow had led his formation to win against a better equipped and numerically superior enemy. The General Officer was awarded MVC again.
4. Let us take this opportunity to remember General Sparrow who contributed immensely in both the operations of November 1947 and September 1965.
“JAI HIND”
THE OTHER GENERALS (READ IN NEXT PUBLICATION)
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