6th Armoured Division (Pakistan)

History

Formation

The division was originally an armoured brigade known as the 100 Independent Armoured Brigade Group. In 1964, it was decided to use the headquarters and other assets of this formation to create a new armoured division. It was still in the process of raising when the 1965 war against India broke out.

1965 War

The formation would see its first taste of action in Operation Grand Slam in Chamb sector where it was the armoured contingent. However the general weakness of Pakistan Army defence around Sialkot and the fact that war was expected to break out over the international border, meant that the division would see only a few days of fighting before it was sent to Sialkot, where it would earn its spurs at a village called Chawinda. On 8 September the Indian attack came and thus began the Battle of Chawinda. Initially the division was surprised and outflanked by the Indians who chose an unexpected axis to attack. Desperate holding actions by some individual units, famously, the 25th Cavalry (of the 15th Infantry Division), would hamper the Indian advance. A battle ensued against the Indians at Phillora (Phillaurah) resulting in a loss of 66 tanks. The 6th Armoured Division then settled in defensive positions around Chawinda alongside other divisions, withstood multiple brigade-sized attacks by elements of the Indian I Corps, until the biggest on 18 September when the Indian 1st Armoured and 6th Mountain divisions launched a combined assault, but was ultimately repulsed, thanks largely to the accurate fire assaults conducted by superior Pakistani artillery.

The divisions' action at Chawinda remains its most famous action. This battle was the largest tank battle since Kursk in 1943 and has been forever associated with the 6th. Amongst the many commendations received was one by the President which read:

Present order of battle

The division is at present stationed in Gujranwala and has four armoured brigades attached.

• HQ 6 Armoured Division, Gujranwala

  • 7th Armoured Brigade, Gujranwala
  • 9th Armoured Brigade(Asad-e-Ilahi), Gujranawala
  • 11th Armoured Brigade, Gujranwala
  • 8th Armoured Brigade Group, Mangla (wartime only, normally under corps control)
  • 106 Air Defence Brigade One of the regiments of the division is reportedly the 29th Cavalry. In addition the following units are attached and stationed in Kharain.

• 6 Armoured Division Support troops (a brigades worth of troops, mostly engineers, signal and other logistic troops)

  • 313 Assault Engineers battalion
  • 314 Assault Engineers battalion

• 6 Armoured Division Artillery (Equivalent to a Brigade)

• 6 Armoured Div Aviation Air Brigade (wartime only, ordinarily units are dispersed)

References

• Brian Cloughley: A History of Pakistan Army
• https://www.orbat.com

References

1. (March 24, 2022). "Pakistan Day Parade - 23 March 2022 Full Version ISPR". [[Inter-Services Public Relations.
2. (March 24, 2018). "Pakistan Day Parade 23 March 2018 Full HD Part 2 of 3". [[Inter-Services Public Relations.
3. The Pakistan Army-War 1965-Shaukat Riza-Army Education Press-1984
4. Brian Cloughley- A History of the Pakistan Army, {{ISBN. 0-19-579507-5
5. Husain, Abrar. (April 2021). "Men of Steel: 6th Armoured Division in the 1965 War". OUP Pakistan.
6. History of Indo-Pak War of 1965. Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmed (ret) {{ISBN. 969-8693-01-7