Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...

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The hangars are solid structuresconstructed between two elongatedridges covered by natural jungle. TheBritish did not disturb the natural coverand utilized the canopy to provideconcealment from air. Nearly half acentury later most of the buildings werein a dilapidated state and providedshelter for stray cattle and ubiquitousbats. The surrounding scrub jungleoffered sanctuary to spotted deer and thedry under growth of thorny scrub offeredcover to deadly Rattle Snakes. Somestructures had been rehabilitated in the1960s by the Food Department to beused as food storages. Following thecommunal riots of 1983, 5 hundreds ofinternally displaced Tamil refugees werehoused in four of the hangars with asmall Sri Lanka Air Force detachmentfor protection.5 These riots followed the killing of 13 SriLankan Army personnel by terrorists near Jaffna.14
“WE NEVER WAVERED BECAUSE, IN THE LAST RESORT, WE WERETHE TANKERS OF 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT”Training and Build-up amidChallengesNurturing 4th ArmouredRegiment was the most challenging andmemorable experience of my militarycareer. I had to be patient with mydemanding superiors and firmlypersuasive with the subordinates. Theconfidence placed in me had to behonored but I could not compromise myprinciples and time tested militarytraditions. I had a responsibility to thenation, the army, to my superiors, andabove all to the officers and men placedunder my command. It was a hugechallenge, a daunting task and aresponsibility that demanded every bit ofmy character, leadership and twenty yearmilitary experience.I had a highly dedicated teamofficers and men but none had theknowledge or expertise on trackedvehicles, neither did I. But, there was aresponsibility to take these men andmachines to battle. The men had to bementally and physically conditioned, andtactically and technically trained to facethe demands of fighting with battletanks. A tank is an instrument of warthat places great demand on humanendurance and skill. My challenge wasto successfully merge a man with amachine so that both could fight andsurvive in battle. 6But, other challenges werelooming in the horizon like a developingthunderstorm.On a humid late afternoon, on 10October 1991 the officers and soldiers of4 Armoured Regiment arrived inClappenburg. They did not have the6 At this point Sri Lanka had been at war foreight years against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE).15
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Page 3 and 4: tracked vehicles. A reluctance toin
Page 5 and 6: influence and became an independent
Page 7 and 8: Classic Sri Lankan hospitalityand b
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Page 11 and 12: II. Field Marshall BernardMontgomme
Page 13: with buildings, jetties and sheds.
Page 17 and 18: It was a challenge thrown at me and
Page 19 and 20: trailers to camp. They contained ta
Page 21 and 22: eportedly used in twenty-threecount
Page 23 and 24: The Commander of the Army Lieutenan
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Page 29 and 30: In late December 1991 after sixweek
Page 31 and 32: egiment they were adorned with aspe
Page 33: Brigadier C S N B Mudannayake RWP U

Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...

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