1 FIELD REGIMENT (SP) MEIKTILA : INDIANSTATION TO MEIKTILA

Write By- Yogendra Singh 

Honour, Modernisation, and Meiktila: The Story of 1 Field RegimentRaised on 15 January 1935 at Bangalore as “A” Field Brigade under Lt Col G. A. Rickards, DSO, MC, the unit marked a milestone in the Indianisation of artillery and is commemorated as a foundational date in the Regiment of Artillery’s lineage. This origin anchors nearly nine decades of professional evolution and operational service. The regiment was sent to Burma in February 1942 from Calcutta.[19] It became part of the 17 Infantry Division during the Burma campaign. Early formation“A” Field Brigade’s raising established indigenous leadership at a time when artillery roles were transitioning to Indian officers. operation between April and August 1992.

First Field Regiment won the following citation awards during 1935 -2026. 

🥇Operation Meghdoot 1998 (Eastern Command)

🥇OPERATION RAINO 2016 (Northern Command)

🥇OPERATION RAKSHAK 2025(Northern Command)

Operation Meghdoot was the codename for the Indian Army 1984 operation launched against PAK at Siachen.

1 Medium Regiment was deployed in Siachen Glacier in 2015. L/Hav Ganga Singh was (now Nb/Sub) mentioned in despatches.

Operation Rakshak ciat

The unit’s early identity would later evolve into today’s 1 Field Regiment, carrying forward its 1935 heritage. 

Mechanisation and gunsWartime standard guns—the 18‑pounder and 4.5‑inch howitzer—were replaced by the versatile 25‑pounder gun‑howitzer, paired with Field Artillery Tractors to improve mobility and tempo. These changes reflected a doctrinal shift toward agile, combined‑arms fire support across expanding theatres. Meiktila, 1945Fighting around Meiktila began in late February 1945, and the town was captured on 3 March, breaking a key Japanese communications hub in central Burma. For its contribution, the regiment received the honour title “Meiktila,” which remains central to its identity and traditions. The Abbot eraThe regiment later inducted the FV433 Abbot 105 mm self‑propelled system and associated command‑post vehicles, enhancing protected, mobile fire support. Public sources note India’s adoption of the Abbot platform; unit‑level dates like “first firing on 01 Nov” require regimental records for precise confirmation. Enduring ethosInternal battery redesignations over time are part of normal regimental administration, best verified in unit diaries. Through organisational changes, the regiment’s constant has been timely, accurate firepower—from its Indianisation milestone in 1935 to wartime distinction and modern self‑propelled capability. If you’d like, this can be expanded to a 1,000–1,200 word post with a short sidebar on the 25‑pounder and the Abbot.

Mottos- SARVDA PRTHAM HUMARA DHRAM

Cheering - JAY MATA KI

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