A 'MAGNIFICENT & RARE CASUALTY PUNJAB MEDAL (1849) '24th FOOT. KILLED-IN-ACTION at THE BATTLE of CHILIANWALA. 13th JANUARY 1849.
To:(2995) WILLIAM NICHOLLS . 24th FOOT REGT.
(2nd WARWICKSHIRE REGT) later SOUTH WALES BORDERERS.
24th FOOT at CHILLIANWALLA
THE BATTLE OF CHILIANWALA was the first heavy engagement of the Anglo-Sikh war and the East India company was stopped right in their tracks. In fact analysts say that never before has a European army been better prepared to face the enemy but they still couldn't press for victory. While the fact remains that the battle was a stalemate and the British did decisively rout the Sikhs a month later, at Chillianwala they certainly met their match. The following are excerpts from a neutral source
"The Battle of Chillianwala fought on 13 January 1849 is, however, one odd exception and stands out as a battle in which the British failed to defeat their opponents despite having all the advantages of weight of numbers, ideal weather and terrain, superior logistics etc"
The Sikhs had little if any numerical superiority to the British force of 13,000. The artillery was about equal, 60 guns to each side. The British Army was comprised of a high European troop component, it had sufficient artillery, and in an attempt to ensure that no one could surprise them, it also had two heavy cavalry brigades. Little campaign exhaustion was apparent having fought no major battle since assumption of hostilities. The cool winter weather negated the possibility of heatstroke or cholera which were the worst killers of white soldiers in India. But it still failed to defeat the Sikhs.
The final losses to Gough's army were 2,800 men killed, of whom nearly 1000 were Europeans and 89 were British and 43 native officers. HM 24th Foot suffered 590 casualties, over 50 percent. Sikh casualties were harder to estimate, but it is put at around 4,000. An obelisk erected at Chillianwalla by the British government preserves the names of those who fell in the battle.
Both armies held their positions for three days, at the end of which the British withdrew. Sher Singh later withdrew to the north. Both sides could claim a victory. However, the British repulse, together with the loss of several guns and the colours of the 24th and two other regiments, and the rout of the 14th Light Dragoons, dealt a severe blow to British morale and prestige.
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ONE OF 'THE' CLASSIC BATTLE CASUALTY MEDALS OF THE ENTIRE BRITISH SERIES. TOTALLY ORIGINAL & UNCLEANED ON ITS ORIGINAL LONG LENGHT OF RIBBON.
A Highly Desirable & Fast Appreciating Classic.
THE SALE INCLUDES AN ORIGINAL PERIOD HELMET BADGE & AN ORIGINAL PERIOD BRASS BELT BUCKLE.
On 13 January 1849, near the village of Chilianwala, north-west of Lahore, General Lord Hugh Gough, Commander-in-Chief India, led his army into the first major battle of the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849). The 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot and the 25th and 45th Regiments of Bengal Native Infantry advanced to attack the guns of the Sikh Army. Outstripping the native infantry, the 24th Regiment arrived upon the enemy prematurely but, under instructions not to fire, they fixed bayonets and charged the deadly artillery. In this gallant but foolhardy attack, the regiment suffered 515 casualties including 238 killed.
24th Foot at CHILIANWALA
SOLD (Export / USA )
PART EXCHANGES WELCOME.
To:(2995) WILLIAM NICHOLLS . 24th FOOT REGT.
(2nd WARWICKSHIRE REGT) later SOUTH WALES BORDERERS.24th FOOT at CHILLIANWALLA
THE BATTLE OF CHILIANWALA was the first heavy engagement of the Anglo-Sikh war and the East India company was stopped right in their tracks. In fact analysts say that never before has a European army been better prepared to face the enemy but they still couldn't press for victory. While the fact remains that the battle was a stalemate and the British did decisively rout the Sikhs a month later, at Chillianwala they certainly met their match. The following are excerpts from a neutral source
"The Battle of Chillianwala fought on 13 January 1849 is, however, one odd exception and stands out as a battle in which the British failed to defeat their opponents despite having all the advantages of weight of numbers, ideal weather and terrain, superior logistics etc"
The Sikhs had little if any numerical superiority to the British force of 13,000. The artillery was about equal, 60 guns to each side. The British Army was comprised of a high European troop component, it had sufficient artillery, and in an attempt to ensure that no one could surprise them, it also had two heavy cavalry brigades. Little campaign exhaustion was apparent having fought no major battle since assumption of hostilities. The cool winter weather negated the possibility of heatstroke or cholera which were the worst killers of white soldiers in India. But it still failed to defeat the Sikhs.
The final losses to Gough's army were 2,800 men killed, of whom nearly 1000 were Europeans and 89 were British and 43 native officers. HM 24th Foot suffered 590 casualties, over 50 percent. Sikh casualties were harder to estimate, but it is put at around 4,000. An obelisk erected at Chillianwalla by the British government preserves the names of those who fell in the battle.
Both armies held their positions for three days, at the end of which the British withdrew. Sher Singh later withdrew to the north. Both sides could claim a victory. However, the British repulse, together with the loss of several guns and the colours of the 24th and two other regiments, and the rout of the 14th Light Dragoons, dealt a severe blow to British morale and prestige.
. 
ONE OF 'THE' CLASSIC BATTLE CASUALTY MEDALS OF THE ENTIRE BRITISH SERIES. TOTALLY ORIGINAL & UNCLEANED ON ITS ORIGINAL LONG LENGHT OF RIBBON.
A Highly Desirable & Fast Appreciating Classic.
THE SALE INCLUDES AN ORIGINAL PERIOD HELMET BADGE & AN ORIGINAL PERIOD BRASS BELT BUCKLE.
On 13 January 1849, near the village of Chilianwala, north-west of Lahore, General Lord Hugh Gough, Commander-in-Chief India, led his army into the first major battle of the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849). The 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot and the 25th and 45th Regiments of Bengal Native Infantry advanced to attack the guns of the Sikh Army. Outstripping the native infantry, the 24th Regiment arrived upon the enemy prematurely but, under instructions not to fire, they fixed bayonets and charged the deadly artillery. In this gallant but foolhardy attack, the regiment suffered 515 casualties including 238 killed.
24th Foot at CHILIANWALA
SOLD (Export / USA )
PART EXCHANGES WELCOME.