The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A saga of military service

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 24, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

A saga of military service

Staff Reporter

Madras Sappers celebrate 227th anniversary in style

Proud Moment: Lt. Gen. K.S. Rao, Col. Comdt. of the Madras Sappers, releasing the First Day Cover to mark the 227th anniversary of the Sappers.

BANGALORE: Call of the bugles, horse-drawn carriages, immaculately dressed soldiers, and a parade from one of the finest regiments of the Indian Army. The ceremonial parade to mark the 227th anniversary of the Madras Sappers here was designed to impress one and all. Left speechless, the crowds vouched for it.

Picture this: Five contingents of smartly dressed soldiers, with blue dooptas on their heads, gold and maroon coloured jari bands on their waists and spotless white spats on their boots, marching proudly to the tunes of the military band. Watching them in awe and lots of pride and later participating in the parade were their veterans, ex-servicemen attached to the Madras Engineer Group & Centre (MEG).

Known for their high standards in drill, the Madras Sappers have been awarded the “Best Marching Contingent” trophy at the Republic Day parade for a record eight times. While the 227th anniversary of the Madras Sappers offered them another opportunity to showcase their marching prowess, it was also an occasion for the Army Postal Corps to release a Special First Day Cover to commemorate the event.

Also basking in that celebratory glory was the Madras Sappers Museum, majestic in its avatar as a repertoire of weapons and war equipment, medals and photographs. Inaugurated by Maj. Gen. P.R. Puri, Col. Comdt. Madras Sappers, in January 1979, the museum has a History Hall, Battle Study Hall, Comdts Gallery, Generals Gallery, Sports and Aid to Civil Power Galleries and an Archives section. The museum depicts the Sappers’ Egyptian expedition in 1801, the first campaign abroad that saw the Sappers in action. For their feat, the Sappers were awarded the battle honour. A bit of history – Two companies of Madras Pioneers were in the thick of battle under Maj. Gen. Arthur Wellesley on September 23, 1803. The Pioneers were commanded by Capt. Heitland and suffered 71 casualties. For this action, they were awarded the battle honour of “Assaye,” now displayed at the museum.

In 1834, during the Coorg Campaign, Havaldar Chockalingam earned a unique medal for his bravery. His three generations were honoured, and eventually he was inducted to the Order of British India First Class. The First Chinese War of 1840 saw the Sappers in action again, where their fighting prowess earned them the honour “China,” depicted by the Golden Dragon. Lt. S.G. Loch was presented with a Bronze Bell in recognition of the services rendered. Another interesting equipment is the Bangalore Torpedo. This system, a very rapid method of affecting passage through barbed wire entanglements, was devised in Bangalore under the guidance of Maj. R.L. McLintok, in 1912. The equipment is still in service.

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