This documentary represents the saga of bravery, courage, love, and passion toward the motherland. It is the heroic tale of a WG CDR, left alone with a small group of pilots where he had to make an important decision between battle or escape. He did what warriors do; he chose to fight. Consequently, he did not only win and safeguarded his nation but also returned with his entire team proudly, without a single scratch.
The BATTLE OF LONGEWALA is among the many historical wars that will never be forgotten. Border movie, directed by J.P Dutta, is based on the same historic battle. As we all know, movies are never 100% correct, and so was Border. This documentary features Air Marshal Mohinder Singh Bawa, aka Mini Tiger (played by Jackie Shroff in the movie). He commanded the Jaisalmer base in the Indo-Pak War in 1971 and bombarded thousands of Pakistani army with their tanks in Longewala. The December 4-6, 1971 events were historic and seemed mesmerizing when the Wg Cdr himself narrated it.
What was the reason behind the 1971 war?
The Mukti Bahini, aka Bangladesh Forces, were struggling for liberation, so much pressure was built on Pakistan to form Bangladesh, but the liberation forces were weak. Therefore, Indian soldiers came forward to support them.
What was its connection to the Battle of Longewala ?
When the war took place, we had this idea that it would escalate to the western region of India. At that time, I, along with my four other pilots, was positioned from Jamnagar to Jaisalmer to support the army. I wanted the war to be fought from forward bases at Thar, not the mother bases, in Barely or Agra. I proposed this plan to the Indian Air Force. My mother base was declared at Jodhpur, but I did not receive any support from anyone. I was left all alone, high and dry, with my luggage. I made a call to Pawan Chopra, who happened to be the collector of that place. I told him I had no transportation or manpower to carry such heavy arms. He immediately made the arrangements.
What made you stand tall on the war field all alone?
Neither the helipad nor the bulk petroleum installations were fully ready, so I was only given two rubberized tanks and had kept two fighter jets ready, especially for war purposes. At that very moment, the military general clarified that they would not help us and asked me to leave the battlefield and escape. Remembering my mother's words.
"sword is a symbol of courage and valour when compelled to draw it must seek blood"
I decided not to kneel down. I declared I would fight as long as I lived; only my dead body shall return defeated. Additionally, I suggested the military general to run away and not to turn back even to check what happened next.
Despite being more powerful, the enemy couldn't get over you; why?
They planned this war just for a day as they were overconfident about their victory and did not even think of using the air force against us. Further, they forgot to attach balloon tires to their war tanks, making them slow in the desert; we used it as an opportunity against them.
So, what was your strategy for the victorious air strike?
We waited for the first morning light to aim and hit the target correctly. I would send my pilots in pairs at the regular interval of ten minutes. As soon as the first pair used to return after bombarding, the other pair would take charge; the war continued for two days. Thousands of the Pakistani army personnel were killed, making them too weak and tired to fight. Finally, they surrendered, and we won Longewala completely unharmed.
According to you, could the movie do justice to the depiction of reality?
Not a single bullet was fired by the army. But for the sake of business, an army-centric story was fabricated in the movie. The army had developed a war model to safeguard their honour in front of the nation. That model was somehow incorporated into the movie to represent the army as a hero. During the movie's music launch, my wife and I were invited, whereby J P Dutta requested me not to tell anyone that the movie was based on fabrications. I said I wouldn't let your movie suffer by disclosing anything on my own, but if anyone asks me anything personally, I won't lie either. So Dutta ensured I didn't get the mic at any cost throughout the event, turning the film into a big blockbuster.
Final Words
WG CDR MS BAWA wrote a heroic chapter in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) history by halting and annihilating a determined Pakistani Armour Thrust across the Thar Desert and becoming an unsung warrior. This documentary is a small effort to share MS BAWA's bravery saga with the nation. It's a powerful inspiration for all those who have immense love and compassion towards their nation and wish to serve their motherland.
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