Maj Gen Budh Singh
Maj Gen Budh Singh (19.03.1912-) is of Dahiya gotra and hails from village Bhatgaon district Rohtak, Haryana. During World War II, he was Coy Commander of a Punjab Regiment and in Burma. His company was holding a difficult defensive position. The enemy shelled the whole night and then launched fierce attacks. Budh Singh kept up the morale of his company and held on to the position. He was awarded M.C.[1]
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Awarded with M.C.
Later his company was ordered to attack a pass. They encountered very heavy Machine Gun fire from a dominating position. The company suffered heavy casualties, Budh Singh himself was wounded. He however managed to conduct organised withdrawal. He got a Bar to his MC.[2]
During the Chinese invasion in 1962, Major General Budh Singh was GOC of a Division in Ladakh.[3]
Early life
Born on 19th March 1912 in village Bhatgaon, distt. Sonipat, Haryana.
Graduated from Hindu College, Delhi University, (B.Sc.) in 1932.
Career in Military
What began as a quest for achieving excellence, landed him a rare distinction of rising to the top brass of Indian Army. It is an achievement worth mention, for he, who was denied commission, still chose to become a soldier by joining Indian Army in ranks of 2 Grenadiers in 1933. It did not deter his spirits for excellence, since he proved his ability to lead the same Regiment in 1947.
He was commissioned in 2/1 Punjab on 5th July, 1938 and fought action in Waziristan during 1940-41. During Burma campaign he fought operations in Arakans as a company commander in 2/1 Punjab in 1942-43. He was awarded MILITARY CROSS twice within weeks for his bravery in which his company warded off five Japanese Battalion attacks inflicting heavy casualties on them. The enemy failed to dislodge the company from its position and retreated. Field Marshall Vicount Slim in his memoirs had distinctly highlighted this action grading, the then, Maj Budh Singh as the bravest officer he had seen. He was wounded in the same action.
A graduate from Staff College Quetta and a BM of an active Brigade in field, he commanded 7/1 Punjab in 1946-47 and took the Battalion to Singapore. On the eve of Indian Independence he was summoned by Field Marshall Claude Auchinluck, the then Colonel of the Grenadiers to come back to the folds of his parent Regiment and take over the command of 2 Grenadiers.
He was Senior Instructor at Indian Military Academy during 1948-50.
He commanded the Sikh Regimental Centre at Meerut from September 1950 to March 1953 and was President SSB at the same location and then got posted to Army Headquarters as D.D.P.S. with the Rank of a Colonel (1953).
He was promoted to the Rank of a Brigadier during September 1956. Having commanded an active Brigade in J&K and Ladakh from 1956 to 1959, he was posted to Jabalpur, for three years as Cdr MP(1) Sub Area. He also served at Army Headquarters as DG Resettlement.
When the Chinese attacked the country in 1962, He was promoted to the Rank of Major General. During the height of Chinese invasion of 1962 He was asked to raise 3 Himalayan Div in Ladakh at a short notice. 2 Grenadiers was , once again, privileged to be in the same Formation which was being commanded by their own Grenadier General.
The situation was precarious. Due to very high altitude, intense cold and lack of roads in Ladakh, movement of supplies and troops was very difficult and time consuming. Further, fresh troops were coming in without proper acclimatization. The Chinese were ready with communications in the forward areas. This new divisional formation had to be raised while the fighting was going on. Inspite of the Chinese overwhelming strength, the troops under this command fought the battle in a befitting manner. It was in this area that the famous Battles of ‘Chushul’ and ‘Razangla’ were fought. The CHUSHUL air-field was saved by the sheer determination and bravery of the troops in this formation. The Heroic actions by the Indian Army during the Battles of RAZANGLA and CHUSHUL are the testimony of the fighting spirit and the will-to-win infused in them by their GOC who was always present with them during the height of actions. Age did not deter this hard core warrior, even in the inhospitable terrain and the dizzy heights of Ladakh posed no challenge for him. Maj Gen Budh Singh, thus, served as GOC in Ladakh during the Chinese invasion and came to be called as the ‘Ladakh Hero’ in China and surrounding areas. After raising MP B&O Area at Jabalpur in 1963, he had a unique distinction to be the CHIEF OF THE INDIAN MILITARY LIASON GROUP in Nepal from 1964 to 1966. He was awarded the GORKHA DAKSHIN BAHU by His Majesty The King of Nepal for his soldierly virtues and distinguished services.
Post-retirement achievements
In November 1966, Maj Gen Budh Singh retired to enter the civil battlefield, where he once again excelled in all walks of life. His laudable distinctions during the post-retirement were as under:-
(a) Member Haryana Management Committee of the Special Fund for Rehablitation and Reconstruction of Ex-servicemen.
(b) Member Haryana Public Service Commission.
(c) Chairman Board of Education Haryana.
(d) Member Haryana Housing Board.
(e) Member Haryana DSS & A Board.
(f) President Haryana Ex-Services League for 3 spells of 2 years each.
(g) Member Special Board for Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai.
DUTY BEFORE SELF was the motto of this indomitable man. Stickler for details, he meticulously planned his activities and always saw through the execution from the front line. A soul which inspired all those it came in contact with, passed away on 8th November, 1988, leaving behind a trail of high standards based upon dedication, hard-work and compassion for all.
Source
Source - Detailed Article contributed by User:Renutara
References
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