World War II - ..... in Jamshedpur

Role of the 1^st Bihar Regiment (Indian Territorial Force) in the duties of railway protection and the guarding of the plant of the

Tata Iron & Steel Company

“The Bihar warriors protectors of TISCO”

 In April 1940, one Company of the Hyderabad Regiment sent from Danapur to Ranchi proceeded to Jamshedpur. On 15 September 1941 an embodied Indian Territorial Force was raised in Jamshedpur by the 11 & 19^th Hyderabad Regiment and named the ‘1st Bihar Regiment’ by the Commander Lt Col J.R.H. Tweed, MBE MC . The members were recruited from Champaran, Puri, Patna, Sahabad, Gaya, Shahabad Patna, Chaibasa, Ranchi,and  Palamu.

This Regiment’s duties were railway protection and guarding the steel plant of TISCO, Jamshedpur, the largest steel plant in India.

It was generally believed that the Germans might break through the Caucasus and attack India from the North-west. It was under this threat perception that the 11^th / 19^th battalion was given the roles of protecting the steel plant with Lewis machine guns deployed in an anti-aircraft role.

Lewis machine gun

 1^st Bihar Regiment – This regiment was initially located in Golmuri lines, Jamshedpur, when the conversion was effected. It was to boost the morale of the men that the officers started calling them the Bihar Warriors. Lt. Col. Tweed, who was in charge contributed to making the 1^st Bihar Regiment a fine fighting machine.

Lt. Col. JRH Tweed It was his innovativeness that resulted in the adaptation of the anti-aircraft gun to a bicycle. The mobile 'ack ack' gun was shown to Lord Wavell, the viceroy when he visited, who thoroughly disapproved. However this was much appreciated by other officers.

Capt. M. Habibullah Khan Khattak

The three lions of the Ashoka Pillar which was incorporated on the cap badge and shoulder titles of the regiment was selected by Capt Habibullah Khan Khattak. Later the Indian nation accepted the Ashoka lion as their emblem too.

Earlier the emblem for the 1^st Bihar Regiment was the meeting of the two rivers signifying the importance that the regiment was formed in Jamshedpur.

The archives have mentions of the armoury ground only after 1940, after the 1^st Bihar Battalion was formed. We therefore conclude that that from April 1940 till the end of the II World War, this ground was used by this Battalion for their parades, training and the mounting of the ack ack guns and other equipment essential to protect the plant. It is here that Lord Wavell would have seen the cycle mounted ack ack gun.

ASIDE

Diversionary tactics – Local legends also have it that another site was selected near Dalma hills to be lit and create confusion in the minds of the enemy fighter pilots.

Researcher : Ashok Tomar

Compiled by : Ronald D’Costa