During war the Field Commanders at all levels make sure that their artillery advisers are always close at hand. It is akin to seeking parental protection. In attack as in defence, artillery plays decisive role and has rarely, if at all, been found wanting. It is a morale booster. Statistics reveal that the maximum casualties in war, 80 percent by most estimates are caused by artillery. There have been instances when the leading company commander has been wounded or killed, the FOO has had to take charge and lead the assault and in the process laid down his life. Similarly the BC has taken over when the Battalion’s Commanding Officer and Second in Command have both fallen. There have been instances at the higher command level too where the Gunners have retrieved the situation and have invariably fulfilled the assigned tasks most admirably.
Writing even an abridged history of the Artillery Regiment, which is the second largest Arm of the Indian Army, and its glorious achievements would be a herculean task and would have run into a couple of volumes, but the Author has deftly tackled the dilemma by selecting to write about six Field Generals, eight Gallantry Award Winners, four Artillery Intensive Battles, twenty four Battle Honours and some noteworthy Vignettes of Valour. With this uniquely innovative approach the Book makes a great collection of marvelous feats of the Artillery Regiment of the Indian Army and the role it has played in shaping the outcomes of wars fought by the Indian Army. Artillery indeed continues to be the most potent and powerful arm without which no battle can ever be won.
The Book’s aim is to celebrate the wartime history of the Regiment, of its officers and men for the benefit of the present generation of Gunners, the posterity and for the veterans to relish the nostalgia and the reminiscences that it may revoke. The Book is a mark of love for the Regiment which has given so much of happiness, joy and fulfillment to generations of Gunners.
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