INDIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM BUTTUR DOGRANDI

The Indians withdrew from Buttar Dograndi at 0600 hours on 17th
September because of heavy casualties caused as a result of artillery
shelling.Gurcharan Singh states that it was decided that Jassoran
would suffice as a firm base for launching an assault on Chawinda and
it was decided to abandon Buttur Dograndi. At 1200 hours 17 September
4 Armoured Brigade's 19 Lancer was ordered by 6 Armoured Division to
clear line Buttar Dograndi-Purab-Mundeke Berian. This was done by 1600
hours since the Indians were demoralised due to heavy casualties suffered
on 16th September. By the evening of 17th September the Indians withdrew
their armour north of the railway line; and took up the same dispositions
as on 15th September. There is considerable confusion about why the Indians
withdrew their tanks north of the railway line while there was no significant
reason to do so. Harbaksh Singh thinks that tanks were withdrawn north of the
railway line, 'Through an inexplicable misunderstanding from Jassoran' on 18th
September. It appears that the Indian Army was afflicted by an almost as
serious inter arm bias as the Pakistan Army and this withdrawal was a
clear proof of this bias.Infantry and armour commanders did not see
eye to eye and the Indian armour was not interested in fighting the
infantry's battle. Indian general Menezes admitted the existence of
this inter arm rivalry and lack of communication.
Menezes thus said; 'A regrettable lack of understanding
between certain commanders often thwarted cohesive action
so essential in achievement of a common goal. There were
misunderstandings galore between the infantry and armour
commanders in the Second Battle of Chawinda'.92 Harbaksh
states that 1st Armoured Division was asked to recapture
Jassoran as it was intended to be used as the firm base,
from where Indian infantry was to mount the main infantry attack on Chawinda. At this stage it appears that the Indian 1 Armoured Brigade Commander who was ordered by the GOC 1st Armoured Division to recapture Jassoran had lost all the will to fight.Harbaksh states that the 1 Armoured Brigade Commander gave a plea that he could not recapture Jassoran at such a short notice but would be able to do so on first light 19th September (8 hours after the planned assault time of Indian infantry attack on Chawinda!) .