BOOK REVIEW

ON
THE BATTLE OF DOGRAI AND BATAPORE
BY BRIG D E HAYDES

Submitted By

(IC-68087L Lt Deepak Raj)

Introduction

1. “The battle of Dograi” by Brig D E Haydes is a gripping and action filled story of
combat. It is an account of a soldier’s struggle in war to achieve his mission.The book
highlights the soldering skills of the JAT community and shows how a JAT soldier when
properly led can fight well and bring laurels to his regiment and to the country.

2. The book gives an account of the battle of Dograi and Batapore fought by 3 JAT on
06 Sep and 21st to 23rd Sep 1965 respectively. It explains how without having any
advantage of numbers and without any edge in weaponry, 3 JAT convincingly trounced 16
Punjab of the Pakistan Army in a hard fought battle at close quarter, capturing its
Commanding Officer and inflicting very heavy casualties.

3. The book includes details of all that happened and what problems did 3 JAT faced to
capture Dograi on 23rd Sep 1965, an important township to the north of Ichhogil canal along
the Lahore – Amritsar GT road axis. The book highlights the contribution of senior officers
in building up the outstanding level of its junior leadership like Col Mundy did.The book
gives a graphic and detailed account of how this battle was conceived, fought and won.
The problem faced by a soldier in war and its reasons are explained in detail in the book.
The book also highlights the importance of leadership in war and leading from the front and
the results obtained thereof.

About the Author

4. Brig Desmond E Haydes is a soldier of great repute . He commanded the 3 rd battalion of

the Jat Regiment in the battle of Dograi .

Critical Analysis

5. The book contains a total of 16 chapters with a prologue and an epilogue. The first 2
chapters of the book describes about the Jat community and the Jat as a soldier. These
chapter also describes the origin of the Jat community and the development of the Jat as a
soldier. Chapters 3 to 7 describes how 3 Jat was inducted into the battle and how the battle
for the crossing of Ichhogil canal progressed and what problems did 3 Jat faced during
fighting with the Pakistani tps along the Lahore & Amritsar Border till the Ichhogil canal.

6. Chapter 8 gives a brief account of the action Dial – Santpura which saw heavy
exchange of Artillery and Mor Fire between the two sides which resulted in the capture of
Dial and shaped the actions for the capture of Dograi. Chapter 9 and 10 describes the
circumstances under which the attack of 3 Jat for the capture of Dograi was postponed and
later on how 3 Jat carried out various raids on 16 Punjab defensive positions before the
main attack developed .

7. Chapter 11 and 12 gives an account of the development of the attack plan for the
capture of the Dograi and gives a detail of a various patrols that 3 Jat carried out before
attack on Dograi. Chapter 13 describes the first phase of attack on Dograi in which the
soldier of 3 Jat displayed unprecedented courage. The unit suffered heavy casualties but it
made the enemy to gave into panic and run away and it occupied the enemy defensive
positions.
8. Chapter 14 and 15 describes about the Pakistani counter attack and the bravery of
the soldier of 3 Jat in repulsing and defeating them thus finally capturing the long cherished
objective – “Dograi”.

9. The book provides the reader the detailed knowledge about the inherent qualities
and characteristics of the soldiers of a particular community ie The JATs and thus the
reader develops an idea about the psychology and nature of the JAT soldier. It shows the
total subordination of JAT soldiers to his superiors and his mental and raw physical
courage.

10. The capability of JCOs as the junior leaders are explained very well in the book. We
find the JCO like Sub Khazan Singh, Sarop Singh are an asset to their units as well as to
the country. The book explains the role of young officers in leading from the front as the
major battle winning factor.The author has made no hesitation in highlighting the
weaknesses of his battalion and other two battalion of the brigade involved in the battle

11. Each chapter of the book explains a part in the course of the battle and is written as
a short story thereby maintaining the interest of reader through the book. Every chapter of
the book starts with a small quotation or event that is described in the chapter. Thus
providing the reader an idea of what the author wants to explain in that chapter. Every
chapter is given a title also which is totally appropriate to the sequence of event that follows
in that chapter thereby providing the reader a first hand knowledge about that chapter.

12. In the book, the author has discussed the course of battle in a very detailed manner.
He has also discussed the plans of enemy , his logistic strength. Thus the reader is able to
apprehend something about the enemy and our own forces and can compare the things
and have a visual picture in his mind as he studies the book.

Relevance in our context

13. The book is of great significance for young and middle levels officers. It provides an
insight of how to lead the men into combat from the front. The book also highlights various
tactics of war and explains how to prepare for war in peace. It highlights the importance of
good mil thinking, sound professional knowledge, leadership skills, physical courage and
motivation as the battle winning factor.

14. The book also explains the importance of strong regtl spirit and traditions within the
members of the unit as the major battle winning factor and a motivating factor for the soldier
which persuades him to fight for the honour of his regt. The study of book provides a very
good insight into the mechanics of battle at the battalion level . thus the book is a source of
mil knowledge of all the officers.
Physical Attributes

15. The book contains 16 chapter with a prologue and an epilogue. It contains 245
pages and has hard bond cover. The book is published by Natraj Publishers, Dehradun.
Cost of the book is Rs 300/-.

16. The front cover of the book contains a very good painting depicting a soldier hurling
a grenade on to the enemy. Maps are given at various places in the book to describe the
course of battle & operations of our own forces.

17. Photographs have also been provided at various places in the book which shows
various events occurring during and after the battle. The book can be viewed on the internet
also. The quality of printing is excellent throughout the book and is a pleasure to read.

Recommendations

18. The book is must read for all mil officers especially junior officer and student of mil
science.

19. Should be kept in the unit library and the officers mess.

20. It should be incorporated into the syllabus for the promotion examinations for the
officers.

21. Based on the book , a small movie should be made and be shown to all the tps
of the various regiments.
22.