The Nepalese Gurkhas
The Nepalese Gurkhas have been serving under the British since 1815. They have partaken in every war that Britain has been involved in from the Pindarr War to WWII. The Gurkhas are considered by many to be one of the Worlds finest armed units. The Gurkha corps are definitely the most elite fighting force in the British Army and they have consistently proved their worth in every battle they have fought, whether it was a victory or defeat. The common Gurkha has a diamond-hard will, and indomitable fighting spirit that clearly distinguishes him from his peers. For the Gurkha is no common soldier. He is a warrior to the core, and a not a man to be taken lightly.
The term Gurkha was derived from the Kingdom of Gorkha and was given to it's soldiers. The were already an established martial race but their fighting worth became wider known after they launched a successful invasion of Tibet, though greatly outnumbered (Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies 199). Their fighting merit was plainly seen in Britains first interaction with the Gurkhas.
The boundary between Nepal and the British and East India Company had been ill-defined, and the Gurkhas were using the confusion for their own purposes (Nepal 200). Finally, on May 24, 1814, they attacked three police posts in the Butwai district, killing a score of Indian policemen as well as an Englishman (Brief Historical Background of the Gurkhas 1). In November, war was declared. A force of 20,000 soldiers was divided into four groups and sent in to invade Nepal. The Gurkhas gathered their forces to make a stand at fort Kalunga. When the British arrived they immediately laid siege to the fort. Though the Gurkhas were greatly out numbered, they held o...
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...ed as guides for many of the covert operations (Keegan 356). They served their battalions faithfully and never have they been shamed. In the deserts of North Africa the Gurkhas were pitted against Rommel the "Gray Fox" and his Panzer division and emerged victorious (Reginald 118).
The Gurkhas legendary fighting skills will never be forgotten. Even today they are used by the British Army. Just recently a detachment was sent into Bosnia. It was a wise decision to keep the Gurkhas employed. In view of their illustrious history and heroic deeds, it is understandable why many view them as one of the most dangerous fighting units in the world. The twelve Victoria Crosses speak for themselves, the heroic escapes and daring rescues need no explanation, no analysis. The Gurkhas have been, still are, and always will be the most glorious addition to the British Army.
In reading this chapter I came to acknowledge a lot facts that I didn’t realize about the British Zulu war. The battle at Rorke’s drift, and the battle at Isandhlwana are the chapter main focus in book Carnage and Culture. It gave multitudes of information that went well in detail about the battles. After reading the chapter, and researching the information on the war, and comparing the information presented by Victor Davis Hanson I found the information insightful and correct. He backs up his statements with facts and explains how western military forces were so dominate because of tactics, discipline and technology.
One of Currie’s most impressive and important achievements had come during the winter or 1919-17, while he was still a divisional commander. By analyzing the fighting he had witnessed on the Western Front, Currie had drawn up what proved to be a blueprint for tactical success. In a paper, Currie synthesized the best of British and French concepts, and with many of his own beliefs based on personal experience. Under Sir Arthur Currie, the Canadian Corps emerged as an outstanding formation on the ...
Robert Rogers and his rangers are an excellent example of special operations and their use. Many lessons can be derived from the raid on Saint Francis. To this day, special operations organizations trace their heritage back to Robert Rogers and his use of unconventional warfare in the French and Indian War.
The Army’s history includes many unique global events such as World War I and II, the Vietnam War, the Korean conflict and most recently operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. An in depth study of these historical events is beyond the scope of this paper however, the origin of the Army is relevant in discussing the Army’s overall culture.
This exchange of European control sparked a two year long “Great Rebellion,” an attempt made by Indians to end the Raj — or British Imperialism. With the help of Indian princes and many other local leaders, the British controlled over 300 million Indians (Insert Internal Citation Here). The Raj was solely used a...
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When understanding the types Guerilla warfare tactics dates back to the earliest recorded history and continues today, as it will in the future. A formidable strategy used against the military by the Native Americans to preserve their way of life. After the Civil War in 1865, U.S. settlements exceeded ...
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The Mongols battle tactics are really cool. they organize their army in groups of ten. then groups of one hundred, they are also organized in groups of 1000 and 10,000. When the Mongols were trying to take fortresses they use catapults to sling rocks at the enemy. They also do not stop fighting when the night comes. They have men that rest while other men will be shooting arrows at the enemy through the night so the enemy never got any rest during the night.
It’s important to analyze the history of Burma and why the Indian Imperial Police Force had to be involved. Burma was institutionalized as a country in 11th century, ruled by King Anawratha. After Anawratha was deceased, his inheritor, Kyanzitta. Kyanzitta, was a pious Buddhist who influenced the country in a religious standpoint significantly (CFoB). Although their religious mandate was resilient in this time, their government was not so fortunate (CFoB). The monarchy Burma had created in the 11th century had never been stable and had broken into multiple states numerous times (CFoB). From 1824 to 1886, Burma and Britain fought war after war; Britain startin...
Power at its most abusive divides and conquers forever. England in 1893 creates the “Durand Line,” an arbitrary 1500-mile border between ‘British’ India and Afghanistan that makes permanent Britain’s previous territorial gains and lays claim to the Northwest Frontier Provinces, long considered part of Afghanistan. Without consulting the Afghan government, a 1907 Anglo-Russian convention made the boundary “‘permanent’.” The taking of these provinces divided th...
...the advance into Iraq. Armed with the Multiple-Launch Rocket System, the Field Artillery men of this battalion provided accurate and devastating fire throughout the entire campaign. The rockets were so deadly; the Iraqi soldiers called them "steel rain." Today the Guard continues its vital peacekeeping effort in Southwest Asia.
The military exploits of the Mongols under Ghengis Khan as well as other leaders and the ruthless brutality that characterized the Mongol conquests have survived in legend. The impact of the invasions can be traced through history from the different policies set forth to the contributions the Mongols gave the world. The idea of the ruthless barbarian’s intent upon world domination will always be a way to signify the Mongols. Living steadfast upon the barren steppe they rode out of Mongolia to pursue a better life for their people.
Shrestha, Nanda R. Nepal and Bangladesh: a World studies Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc, 2002
Savada, Andrea Matles. 1993. Nepal And Bhutan: Country Studies. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office.