Last Stand

According to Wikipedia definition, "Last Stand" is a military terminology where there is a situation in the battlefield in which a relatively small number of defending troops hold a defensive position in the face of overwhelming odds (like shortage of ration, ammunition, large number of enemy forces and a formidable opposition with the capability to have multiple waves of attack). In all likelihood the defending army face a complete destruction of their battalion such as death of all the personnel or very heavy casualty figures or being taken prisoner of war. The defending army takes the last stand (while they are well aware that the odds are against them) due to their dedication towards their duty, honor and over and above for their country and fellow countryman. The heroic acts of the soldiers earn them the highest military awards for their gallantry and their names are etched in the history with memorials being erected in their names. But in some cases, history forgets the names of the brave heart and they disappear over the time. 

Battle of Thermopyale of 480 BC is considered as the first official last stand in history where 7000 Greek force faced 1,50,000 Persian army. The year 1879 witnessed two famous last stand in military history, i.e. Battle of Rorke’s drift where 150 British regular and colonial troops defended attacks by 4000 Zulu warriors in Anglo-Zulu war. Though British casualties were less, the valor shown in the battle is still remembered.  

In battle of Saragarhi (12 Sep 1879), 21 Sikh non-commissioned officer of 36^th Sikh Regiment of Bengal Infantry equipped with older generation weapons faced 10000 Afridi and Orakzai tribe’s man at North West Frontier province. An intense hand to hand battle ensured when the tribes name breached the fort wall. All 21 Sikh soldiers laid their life in the battle field.

In the history of mankind when the men were armed with sticks, stones, spears and swords to the modern warfare which involves sophisticated weaponry and allied instruments there are several instances of the last stand in the battlefield. There have been last stand in all formats of the warfare such as land based last stand, naval last stand and last stand in aviation war fare. In World War I, general Douglas Haig ordered all the British troop that “Every position must be held to the last man, with our backs to the wall, each one of us must fight on to the end (London Times report 13 Apr 1918).

In 1961, 158 UN peacekeepers from Ireland were attacked by more than 3000 Katangese troops in Jadotville, Congo. The Irish troops fought for 6 consecutive days and finally surrendered when they ran out of water, ammunition and ration. But none of the Irish troops were killed. But their valor was forgotten as they had surrendered amidst difficult circumstances.

In Indo-china War of 1962, Param Veer Chakra Major Shaitan Singh of 13^th Kumaon Regiment made a last stand at Rezang La. Along with 120 soldiers of Charlie Company PVC Maj. Shaitan Singh defended the Indian position against successive Chinese attack and killed 1300 Chinese troops. 114 soldiers were martyred and most belonged to Rewari in Haryana and Alwar in Rajasthan.

Apart from the glory details of war and war casualties, it’s about what is going through the minds of the soldiers when he is facing the impossible task knowing that this is his last stand and he may not see his village, his family ever again. No final good byes, just the duty to perform and die for the country. This emotion is aptly represented in the following words

“How can a man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers and temple of his God’s”

"Horatius at the Bridge" Thomas Babington Macaulay