The Poona Horse is a renowned cavalry regiment of the Indian Army that was raised in 1817. Over the years, the regiment has played a significant role in various military operations, including the First World War, the Second World War, and the Kargil War. In this article, we will explore the history of The Poona Horse and its contributions to the Indian Army.
The Poona Horse was initially raised as the 2nd Regiment of Cavalry in the British Indian Army in 1817. The regiment was formed by Lieutenant Colonel A. Coop, and it was made up of three squadrons of cavalry. The regiment was first deployed to Burma in 1824 to participate in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The regiment later served in several campaigns, including the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, and the Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885-86.
During the First World War, The Poona Horse was deployed to the Western Front in France and Belgium, where it played a vital role in several battles. The regiment was later deployed to Palestine, where it participated in the Battle of Megiddo, which led to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The Poona Horse was awarded the battle honor of "Megiddo" for its contribution to the war effort. In the Second World War, The Poona Horse was deployed to North Africa, where it participated in the Battle of Gazala and the Battle of El Alamein. The regiment was later deployed to Italy, where it played a vital role in the Allied advance towards Rome. The regiment was awarded several battle honors, including "Gazala," "El Alamein," and "Italy."
During the Kargil War of 1999, The Poona Horse was deployed to the Dras sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The regiment played a crucial role in the recapture of several strategic peaks, including Point 4875 and Tiger Hill. The regiment was awarded the battle honor of "Tiger Hill" for its contribution to the war effort. The Poona Horse has also been involved in several peacetime operations, including counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-Eastern states of India. The regiment has also participated in several international military exercises and has won several awards for its outstanding performance.
The Poona Horse regiment has won several awards and battle honors for its outstanding performance and contributions to the Indian Army. Some of the notable awards and honors include:
- Victoria Cross: Captain Francis Arthur Carmondy was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the First World War. He was serving with the Poona Horse at the time of the action.
- Battle Honors: The regiment has been awarded several battle honors for its contributions to various military campaigns, including the First and Second World Wars, the Kargil War, and other military operations. Some of the notable battle honors include Megiddo, Gazala, El Alamein, Italy, and Tiger Hill.
- Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation: The regiment was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation for its outstanding performance during the Kargil War.
- Unit Appreciation: The regiment has also received several unit appreciations from the Indian Army for its exemplary service and professionalism
In conclusion, The Poona Horse is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army, with a rich history of service to the nation. The regiment's motto, "Sarvatra Vijay" (Victory Everywhere), reflects its commitment to excellence and its determination to uphold the highest standards of military service.