Lieutenant Colonel Rangaraj, Korean War

After the Second World War, many Indian troops who had been part of the British-Indian Army continued their military service under the flag of a newly independent India. When hostilities erupted in Korea in 1950, the British Army once more called on the support of allied nations. The 27th ‘Commonwealth’ Infantry Brigade was one such unit to answer. Fighting under British command, the 27th consisted of British, Australian, Canadians and New Zealanders, ably supported by the elite 60th Indian Parachute Field Ambulance. An airborne medical unit, led by the highly respected Lieutenant-Colonel A G Rangaraj.

Already a legendary figure within the military as India’s first paratrooper, Rangaraj, who had fought throughout the Second World War in the British-Indian Army, led his 300-man unit to treat around 20,000 wounds and conduct over 2,300 field surgeries in a three-year period. The medical support offered by the 60th saved many lives, earning it an outstanding reputation.

Ever resourceful, Rangaraj and his men enhanced their reputations in the ‘bucket brigade’ incident when North Korean and Chinese forces broke through allied lines. Unwilling to surrender their vital supplies but unable to transport them, Rangaraj took possession of a long-abandoned stream train, loaded their supplies and formed a bucket chain down to a nearby river, allowing them to operate the steam engine and make their escape.

Whilst 60th Para Field Ambulance fought under an Indian Flag during the Korean War, they did so alongside their old comrades in the British Army, solidifying a military bond of friendship which has lasted across the decades.

For his exemplary leadership across a three-year deployment, Lieutenant-Colonel Rangaraj was awarded the coveted Maha Via Chakra, the second-highest military decoration in India. He died in 2009 aged 93. [1] [2] [3]