“Chhe – Saat ”: Memoir of an Officer of the 6th/7th Rajput Regiment

“Chhe – Saat ”: Memoir of an Officer of the 6th/7th Rajput Regiment

By- Stuart Ottowell

The 6/7th Rajputs were raised at Trichinopoly in 1941 as a direct need for wartime expansion of the Indian Army. This memoir of the 6/7th’s North-West Frontier days in 1942 to its fight south through Burma against the Japanese is a unique insight into the Rajputs’ fighting qualities and attitude to life.

As the first wartime raised battalion in the Regiment it had the good fortune to attract well trained Senior VCOs, NCOs and Officers from the regular Rajput battalions, who all contributed to its development. It joined in activities on the North-West Frontier serving at Quetta, Peshawar, Darndil, Rasmak and on the Kojak Pass. Jungle training followed before joining 17 Indian Division at Ranchi then departing for Imphal and the final campaign in Burma, including the pivotal battle of Meiktila and then to Rangoon and beyond. The vital task was to ensure the successful containment of the 33rd Japanese Army in Southern Burma. Indicative of the Battalion’s achievement and demonstrating the high esteem in which it was held, was a remarkable letter received from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Army upon leaving Burma. There can be few equivalent plaudits in the annals of warfare. On his return to the UK in 1945 the author had the honour of presenting a Japanese sword to FM Montgomery on behalf of all Officers, VCOs and men of the 6th Battalion.

Stuart Ottowell held a wartime ‘Emergency Commission’ having passed out from Officer Training School (OTS) in 1942 at Belgaum. He chose the 7th Rajput Regiment and an active service battalion. After the War he sought a career in civilian life. He joined the Rajput Dinner Club (UK) in 1948 and subsequently became its Honorary Secretary. F.M. Cariappa attended the Club’s 50th Dinner in 1973 and in 1998 the final Dinner was held under the author’s presidency. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh was the principal guest. Present and future Colonels of the Regiment, Lieutenant General H.S. Bagga VSM and Brigadier M.L. Naidu VSM attended. Since 1987 the author has been a frequent guest at the Regimental Reunions, and the Meiktila Day celebrations with the 6th Battalion. 

ISBN  81-7304-763-4    2008   156p.   Rs.475/ pounds 35

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