The Ninth Anniversary of the battle of Tanbingon was
celebrated by a battalion of the Fifth Gorkha Rifles on June 7, 1954. The
day was observed as a Regimental Holiday.
A Ceremonial Parade was held on the occasion to pay
homage to those who fell in the battle and to the gallant who earned
distinction. The citations were read out in Gorkhali.
"Pillow-de-Grease", "Tie-me-knot"
and "Cooks' Waterloo" were some of the most interesting items
which highlighted the celebrations. Pillow fight attracted more attention
as it was raining heavily while this competition was in progress.
A feast was held in the evening in which Officers and
Jawans with their families joined together. The Regimental drama party
staged a variety show at night which was witnessed by a packed house
including Brigadier and Mrs. Moti Sagar. Nepali dances were particularly
appreciated. The comedians, led by Jagat Singh, provided plenty of
amusement. "Nainitalo" - a highlanders' song - which was sung
with gusto was an added attraction.
The celebrations recall the deeds of the battalion, the
then 4/2nd Gorkhas (Sirmoor Rifles), which fought a heroic battle at
Tanbingon in Central Burma during World War II on June 7, 1945. A position
known to have been occupied by some 400 enemy was successfully attacked
and captured. The battalion suffered heavy casualties - and earned 1 IOM
(Posthumous), 2 IDSM, 1 MC and 6 MM in this one single action. Besides
other arms, ammunition, and stores one enemy gun was also captured. This
gun is now kept in the Quarter Guard as a Regimental Trophy.
The Indian 'Jawan' wherever he may be, maintains a
smart turn-out and keeps his surroundings spick and span. This is no
problem at peacetime stations but in the field area facilities have to be
provided to him to enable him to keep up his traditional smartness of
appearance.
In Jammu and Kashmir, therefore, a self-contained
laundry-on-wheels has been arranged and it has satisfactorily solved the
problem of good, clean, quick and hygienic washing. It has all the
necessary equipment and appurtenances for washing and drying of garments.
Facilities for decontamination for protective clothing like battles dress,
shirts, trousers, vests, towels, socks and web-equipment are also readily
available.
With the establishment of mobile laundries, the job
normally done by hand washing is achieved by machines. The units are thus
supplied with clean garments. Clothing returned by units are conditioned :
Serviceable garments, both woollen and cotton, are sent for washing.
Reparable garments are also sent for washing and then repaired by tailors.
The normal repairs are darning, stitching of buttons, replacement of
collars, stitching of small patches and so on. The properly ironed
clothing is then passed to the stock groups for further issue as
serviceable items to the units.
A section of the "washer" in the machine does
the job of washing and removing of dirt from the clothing, which is then
passed on to a section named hydro extractor. This removes all the surplus
water by the centrifugal dynamic type extractor.
The clothing, after the surplus water has been
extracted, then goes to the drying chamber. The function of this section
is far more interesting and quick. It has a mechanically propelled long
chain on which the clothing are hung by means of clips. The chain goes
around in the steam chamber. Thus the clothing passes through the chamber
where the hot wind is produced by means of steam. The duration of drying
in the drying chamber varies from 7 to 21 minutes depending on the type of
garment. Thus the process of drying the cotton and the woollen garments is
achieved and the dried clothing come out automatically and are removed
from the chain. This process of drying also serves the purpose of
disinfecting.
The system, in addition to being quick and efficient, has the advantage
of being economical.
Illustrated
Weekly Magazine of the