Pakistan Army Artillery Corps

Corps of Artillery
Active 1948
Allegiance  Pakistan
Branch  Pakistan Army
Role battle guns
Size Approx. 200 Regiments
Headquarters/Garrisons Generals Combatant Headquarter (GHQ)
Nickname(s) Gunners
Engagements Indo-Pakistani war of 1947
Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
Indo-Pakistani war of 1971
Indo-Pakistani war of 1984
Indo-Pakistani War of 1999
Indo-Pakistani standoff of 2001
War in North-West Pakistan
see Military history of Pakistan
Commanders
Regiment Commander Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat
Colonel Commandant

The Pakistan Army Corps of Artillery is an arm of Pakistan Army tasked with Muzzle-projectile weapons.[1] Despite its large size, the Corps of Artillery comprises number of regiments stationed with corps and divisions.[1]

The Corps of Artillery was initially part of the Regiment of Artillery of Indian Army, but linked itself with Royal Artillery and later integrated with Royal Indian Artillery.[1] However, its modern history started in 1947 with the establishment of Pakistan.[2] First founded as Royal Pakistan Artillery, it was re-designed on 23 March 1956, and since then it is known as Corps of Artillery.[1] In 1947, the Corps inherited only eight gun regiments, one survey battery, an air observation post flight and two formation headquarters.[2] Its earlier commanders were from British Army.[1] However, in 1955, with the help and assistance received by United States Army's Field Artillery Branch through the U.S. aid, the corps completely abolished its British Army organisation, with many of its officers called British Army system, a "Complex and Non-rationale".[3] The regiments in the British system were equipped with 24 guns held in three batteries, further divided in two troops of 4 guns each. Pakistan adopted US system of 18 guns in each regiment, divided in three batteries of 6 guns each. Gun troop was done away with. The Corps first earned renown in Indo-Pakistani war of 1947, and also actively participated in Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 with approximately 550 guns have participated.[1] However its performance was criticised in Bangladesh Liberation War, followed by Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, where it failed to produce any effective results.[1]

After the 1971 conflict, the Corps was re-organised and more advance courses were introduced. Since 1971, the Regiment has emerged as one of the potent combatant arms in the Pakistan Army.[1] It participated in notable operations and wars involving Pakistan at numerous occasions and time intervals.[2]

Right after joining artillery, the officers and personnel are sent to School of Artillery which was established by Pakistan Army in 1947 at Nowshera.[2] From period 1947-1955, massive re-organization and re-establishment took place and, on 11 November 1958, the research and development cell was placed, followed by a Physics and Mathematics division was also established the same year.[1] Since its inception, all personnel and officers are made mandatory to attend and pass these courses with advanced grades, before reaching to a commissioned service and active duty.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 PA, Pakistan Army. "corpsof Artillery". Directorate-General of Military History. Directorate-General for Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Bokhari, Colonel. "The history of artillery in the Pakistan army". Pakistan Military Consortium. Directorate-General of Military History (Army Division). Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  3. ↑ Bokhari, Colonel (retired) Eas. "50 years of Regiment of Artillery". July 1998. Colonel Eas Bokhari at Defence Journal. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
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