| The Indian Government sent medical teams, including a
field ambulance unit to Korea. On 14th December 1950, the 60th
(Parachute) Indian Field Ambulance joined the 27th Commonwealth Infantry
Brigade on the 38th Parallel defence line, and served with the
Commonwealth Division for the rest of the war. This was India's only but
distinguished contribution to the war-effort. The Australian battalions,
to show their appreciation for the work of the Indians, presented the
Indian commander Lieutenant Colonel A.G. Rangaraj, M.C., with an inscribed
silver tray. In addition the United Nations Command cited the unit for
exceptionally meritorious conduct in support of American, Australian,
British, Canadian and other United Nations troops. In their spare time
members of the Indian unit treated sick Koreans in burnt-out villages and
often shared rations with war-stricken Koreans.
The Indians rotated their troops occasionally and Lieutenant Colonel
A.G. Rangaraj, who arrived in Korea in November 1950, was relieved by
Lieutenant Colonel M.B.K. Nair in February 1953. The 60th (Parachute)
Indian Field Ambulance joined the Indian Section of the Neutral Nations
Repatriation Commission Custodian Force in August 1953. In all four
members of the unit were wounded in action during the war.
Other Indian Units involved in the Neutral Nations Repatriation
Commission Custodian Force, included 3 Dogra Regiment, 3 Garhwal Rifles, 6
Jat, 2 Parachute Regiment, 5 Rajputana Rifles and elements of The Mahar
M.G. Regiment. |
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