HISTORY OF THE CORPS OF SIGNALS

1. The History of Corps of Signals has been published in the following parts :-

(a) History of The Corps of Signals Volume-I (Early Times to Outbreak of Second World War in 1939).

(b) History of The Corps of Signals Volume-II (From outbreak of World War II (1939) to Partition & Independence (1947).

(c) History of The Corps of Signals Volume-III (Covering the First 25 Years of the Post-Independence History of the Corps from 1947-72).

History of The Corps of Signals Volume-I (Early Times to Outbreak of Second World War 1939) 

2. The Volume-I covers the history of the Corps from its birth in 1911 to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. The brief history of signalling from early times to the present days has also been included, as a background.

3. The major portion of the book is devoted to the activities of units of the Corps of Signals in various theatres in which the Indian Army fought in World War I (France, Mesopotamia and East Africa) and subsequently in miscellaneous operations in Egypt, Palestine, Persia, Mesopotamia (later Iraq) and Aden. Major changes in organisation, training and developments in communications that occurred in the period between the two World Wars have been included, along with the activities of the Corps in the North West Frontier and various other theatres where formations of the Indian Army were periodically deployed.

4. An introductory paragraph giving the polkitical and military circumstances leading to the outbreak of World War I have been added at the beginning of Chapter-4 (World War I – France 1914-15), on the recommendation of the author.

History of The Corps of Signals Volume-II (From outbreak of World War II (1939) to Partition & Independence (1947). 

5. The Volume-II covers the history of the Indian Signal Corps from the outbreak of World War II in 1939 to the attainment of Independence by India in 1947. The major portion of the book is devoted to the activities of units of the Corps of Signals in various theatres in which the Indian Army fought in World War-II, including the Middle East (North and East Africa), Italy, Greece, West Asia (Iraq, Iran and Syria), and South-East Asia (Malaya and Burma). In addition, post World War II operations in Japan, French Indo-China, Thailand, Malaya, Netherlands East Indies and Iraq and miscellaneous operations in North West Frontier, Sind and Ceylon are also covered in brief. Important aspects relating to organisation, training, development in communications, Indianisation, partition and independence have also been included. 

6. Certain subjects such as regimental institutions and unit histories have been included in the appendices, with their coverage extending from 1911 to 1947. Another appendix is the Roll of Honour, which comprises the list of personnel who died in both World Wars.

History of The Corps of Signals Volume-III (Covering the First 25 Years of the Post-Independence History of the Corps from 1947-72).

7. The Volume-III of the History of the Corps of Signals of the Indian Army, covering the first 25 years of the post Independence history of the Corps from 1947 to 1972. The first volume, published in 1975, covered the period from the birth of the Corps in 1911 to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. The second volume, published in 2006, covered the period from 1939 to the partition and independence of India in 1947.

8. The major portion of the book is devoted to the activities of units of the Corps of Signals in major wars fought by the Indian Army after Independence viz. the Jammu & Kashmir operations of 1947-48; and the Indo Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. It also covers the Hyderabad operation of 1948, the Goa operation in 1961, the skirmish at Nathu La in Sikkim 1967 and various operations undertaken under the aegis of the United Nations. Apart from the performance of the Corps in operations, other aspects such as organisations, personnel, training, equipment, developments in signal communications and regimental institutions have also been covered.

9. Brief unit histories have been included in an appendix, along with the names of the commanding officers. Other important appendices are the roll of honour, which gives the names of those who died in action; and the honours & awards, which lists signallers decorated for gallantry and distinguished service. 

10. Since the records of the Sino-Indian conflict of 1962 have still not been declassified, the chapter dealing with these operations does not form part of this Volume. It is intended to print it separately as a supplement, which can be added to the book at a future date, when records are declassified.

History of The Corps of Signals Volume-IV

11. The History of Corps of Signals from 1973 to 2000 is under preparation.

12. The Vol - IV is proposed to be covered in the following chapters : -

Chapter 1  Major Conflicts – OPERATION PAWAN at Sri Lanka and OPERATION VIJAY at Kargil 

Chapter 2 Miscellenous Operations – Operation Sumdorong Chu, Operation Blue Star, Operation Meghdoot, Operations Vajrang and Rhino, Other Counter Insurgency Operations including J&K Operations (Operation Rakshak) 

Chapter 3 Transformation of the Corps. Introduction of PLAN AREN, ASCON, Electronic Warfare, Tropo Scetter Communications, Satellite Communication, AWAN, Introduction of COTS Equipment, raising of units like EMI/EMC, Army Software Development Cell(ASDC), Army HQ Computer Center(AHCC) etc.

Chapter 4  Signals in UN Peace Keeping Operations 

Chapter 5  Signals as part of Assam Rifles and Rashtriya Rifles in active CI Operations 

Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Operations 

Chapter 7 Organisational Changes 

Chapter 8 Introduction of new Equipment and Technologies 

Chapter 9  Training 

Chapter 10  Regimental Institution, Sports & Adventure.

APPENDICES 

Appendix 1  Unit Histories 

Appendix 2  Roll of Honour 

Appendix 3  Honours & Awards 

Appendix 4  List of Abbreviations 

Appendix 5  List of Maps 

Appendix 6  Bibliography

13. The above chapters are only proposed at the preliminary stage. Depending on the inputs and feedbacks obtain from environment the chapters can be suitably amended/ modified.

14. All types of inputs in the form of memoirs, personal anecdotes, photographs, organisation and its changes, personalities, eqpt profile and any other material may please be sent to : 

Corps History Cell

C/O 1 Army HQ Signal Regiment

Rao Tula Ram Marg, Signals Enclave 

PIN - 110010

Email : corpshistorycell@gmail.com

Facebook : Page Under Construction.

15. In case of difficulty of sending any material concerning the history of the Corps of Signals (1973-2000) we will arrange collection from your place. 

16. We will be posting the draft chapters in the the blogsite. All are requested give comments, any observation on factual details, photographs, addition/ alterations so that the individual chapters become complete in all respects.