107 years later….
.. “Wiped out from Hollywood, Indian soldiers to march in Paris during Bastille Day Parade”

History repeats! Punjab Regiment troops of Indian Army embarks on journey to France to take part in Bastille Day Parade on 14 July 2023. Photo 1: Indian soldiers rehearsal for the parade in Delhi before embarking. Photo 2: French lady pins flower on the chest of a middle age agile Sikh soldier after defeating Germans in France during WW-I (1916).

Indians, particularly those interested in military history, were miffed when the 2017 Hollywood Film, 'Dunkrik' was released worldwide and became an instant blockbuster. Based on the Battle of France, fought during World War II and evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk, a coastal city in Northern France, Indians were disappointed on western media to continuously wipe out from the History the role Indian soldiers (of erstwhile British Indian Army) had played both during the First World War and then the WW II.

Dunkirk was not the first or the last Hollywood movie on military history which has completely ignored role British Indian soldiers had played in the European wars.

Notwithstanding the myopic view of western media, an iconic black and white picture of a French lady pinning flower on an Indian soldier became viral on social media at the same time during the release of 'Dunkirk'. This picture belonged to the First World War when Indian soldiers, of British Indian Army, had saved France from falling in the hands of Germany (1916). After winning the war, the Indian cavalry soldiers were marching on the streets of France as a mark of victory (parade) when the French lady out of exuberance and gratitude pinned a flower on the chest of one of the middle aged soldiers.

“I don't think any chest is being pinned. In our Regiment (Sikh Regiment) the caption of the photo is a lady touching (and welcoming) a Sikh soldier in Marseille ," stated Brig Sandeep Thapar (Retired) who had served Indian Army as Deputy DG in StratCom (ADGPI) and belonged to the Sikh Regiment. This picture along with other WWI pictures are kept in the Regimental Centre records of Sikh Regiment.

Since the soldiers were wearing turbans, everybody believed them to belong to Sikh or Punjab Regiment. But as per the military historian Mandeep Singh Bajwa, "The soldier whose chest was pinned by French lady was none other than Risaldar-Major Ganga Dutt of Haryana who belonged to the Indian Cavalry Corps." Other soldiers were too of the same corps marching on the streets of France (Marseilles) after withdrawing from the battlefield. "Till the Independence of the country, all the Indian soldiers wore the turban. That's the reason Risaldar-Major Ganga Dutt is confused to be a Sikh soldier", Bajwa adds.

Wheel of history has completed a full circle after more than a century, precisely 107 years later, when the soldiers of the Punjab Regiment (of course now part of Indian Army) embarked on a journey to France to take part in the infamous Bastille Day parade in the French Capital Paris on 14 July 2023.

This year, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi was invited by French President, Emmanuel Macron as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade or Fête Nationale Française (the French National Day). It is known as the Bastille Day as this day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

"The Bastille Day parade will witness a 269 member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces (army, air force and navy) marching alongside their French counterparts. The contingent has left for France", stated Colonel Sudhir Chamoli, Spokesperson of the Indian Army, in Delhi. The Indian contingent is visiting France at a time when Paris and other cities have been reeling under week long riots and arson.

"The association of the Indian and the French Armies dates back to World War I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and almost 74,000 of them fought in the muddy trenches to never return again, while another 67,000 were wounded", said the Indian Army in an official statement. "Indian troops valiantly fought on French soil also. Their courage, valour and supreme sacrifice not only thwarted the enemy but also significantly contributed towards winning the war", it added.

"The Army contingent in Paris is represented by the Punjab Regiment which is one of the oldest Regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations", stated the Spokesperson. The Indian Army contingent of 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the Band was led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Indian Navy contingent was led by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Indian Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.

In World War-I, troops of the Punjab Regiment were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours. The gallant soldiers fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Damascus and France. In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915 earning the Battle Honours 'Loos' and 'France and Flanders'.

Later, World War II witnessed a whopping 2.5 million Indian soldiers making significant contributions in various theatres of the war from Asia to Africa and Europe. This also included the battlefields of France. The Indian troops established their valour in these wars which was well recognised in the form of several gallantry awards being bestowed on the Indian soldiers. In World War-II, soldiers of the Punjab Regiment had earned 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours.

This year, both India and France are celebrating 25 years of 'Strategic Partnership'. The armies of both the countries have been participating in joint exercises and sharing their experiences. Over the years, India and France have become reliable defence partners with Indian Air Force (IAF) operating 36 French Rafale fighter jets, procured in a G2G (Government to Government) deal inked in 2016. The deal was himself announced by PM Modi during his first visit to Paris in 2015 as Prime Minister. IAF also operate French Mirage 2000 fighter jets which had carried out an airstrike on the training camp of terrorist organisation Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot area of Pakistan in Feb '19 in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack.

"Many Indians like Linker, Shivdev Singh, HC Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar have fought over the skies of France during the world Wars," stated IAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Ashish Moghe.  "A flying contingent of 4 IAF Rafale fighter jets, 2 C-17 Globemasters and 72 air-warriors will participate in fly past and marching in Paris on Bastille Day this year," Wg Cdr Moghe added.  

France has also helped the Indian Navy in making six Scorpene class submarines at Mazgaon Dockyard (in Mumbai). Five of these Scorpene submarines viz Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela and Vagir have already been commissioned in the Indian Navy while the sixth and the last Vagsheer is undergoing sea-trials these days.  

"The Navy team in Bastille Day parade will comprise of four officers and 64 sailors. The contingent will be led by Cdr Vrat Baghel who is a specialist in gunnery and missile warfare and has sailed on the French ship BCR Var during Exercise Varuna (between Indian and French navies)," stated Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal. "To commemorate the event (Bastille Day) the Indian Navy will also be represented by INS Chennai, indigenous guided missile destroyer, which will be deployed to France from 12-16 July," added Cdr Madhwal.

All eyes are again set on PM Modi as the Indian Navy is vying for 26 carrier based fighter jets for its indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Again, French Rafale (M), the marine version of IAF Rafale, is contending for this deal with US fighter jet F/A-18 Super Hornet. Also in line is the manufacture of engines of indigenous stealth AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) under PM Modi's flagship programme, 'Make in India'. It is believed that French aviation giant Safran is willing to manufacture aircraft engines (both fixed and rotary) in India–though no official word has come from either side.

"The Rajputana Rifles Regiment Band is also accompanying the tri-service contingent to France", stated Colonel Chamoli. The Regiment is the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army. Most of its battalions have a long and glorious history. They have taken part in some of the bloodiest battles in many theatres of the world. They have demonstrated exemplary contribution in both World Wars. During World War-II, the battalions of the Rajput Regiment fought in every theatre where the Indian Army was involved. They are the recipients of six Victoria Cross prior to independence. The band of the Regiment was raised in 1920 at Nasirabad (Rajasthan) during the British era.

Article by Neeraj Rajput (Defense Journalist and War Author)

Twitter @neeraj_rajput

The black/white photos have been shared by Brig Sandeep Thapar, Ex Deputy DG, StratCom, Indian Army.