In the year 1884, when Henry Maxim invented the ‘Maxim Machine Gun’, the cavalry started to be considered obsolete in the war. But on 23 September 1918, in the city of Haifa, present Israel, the first and last time in history, a mounted contingent of Jodhpur Lancers attacked with spears and swords and demolished the strong Turkish front.
This historic war is called the ‘Battle of Haifa’, in which Jodhpur Lancers played an important role. Major Dalpat Singh Shekhawat was martyred in this war, whose bravery ended the 400 -year -old Turkish rule. The forces of Mysore and Hyderabad were in the reserve in this attack, while Jodhpur Lancers led the forward front.
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Even today, Israel pays tribute to the martyrs
Even today, Israel pays tribute to Indian soldiers every year who sacrificed his life to liberate Haifa in the First World War. Captain Aman Singh Jodha and Major Dalpat Singh Shekhawat played a decisive role in this battle. When Major Dalpat Singh was injured by the enemy bullet, Captain Aman Singh led the soldiers to liberate the city of Haifa.
Swords were heavy on cannons
Indian soldiers had only swords and spears in the hands of the Indian soldiers, while the Turks had machine guns and cannons- yet the horse attack was successful. Abhay Krishna, the Lieutenant General (retired) of the Army, says, ‘The history of the Indian Army has been very glorious, but unfortunately it never received due respect at the global level. Today’s younger generation is also unaware of this great history.
He explains, ‘The British Indian Army fought several decisive battles against Germany, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman (Turkish) Empire in World War I. But does anyone ask at what cost did this win? About 74,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives. Sadly, this sacrifice has been forgotten in America and Britain today.
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A large number of Turks and Germans surrendered
Turks and Germans surrendered in large numbers in the war of Haifa. In this war, 8 Indian soldiers were martyred and 34 were injured, while more than 1,350 Ottoman and German soldiers were taken captive. These included 23 Ottoman officers, 2 German officers and 664 other soldiers. The total casualties of the Turks are still unknown.
No horse -ridden attack before or after this in history was successful in this way. Jodhpur Lancers made the impossible possible, and the historians of war are still surprised to understand this unprecedented courage.