Page 276 - Leadership in the Indian Army

addition of abutments at both ends, the bridge was soon recommissioned. 1
Para also managed to capture the villages of Ibrampur, Maulinguem and
Doromaoga by first light on 18 December, though it suffered some

casualties.
The advance of 17 Infantry Division commenced from its assembly area
south of Belgaum at dawn on 18 December, with 63 Infantry Brigade in the
lead. The plan was to advance up to Ponda by way of Mollem. 48 Infantry
Brigade, which was following it, was to pass through at Ponda and go for
Panjim—the final objective. Because the advance had to be made on foot
and due to the abnormally large size of the bridging column that was

following the leading brigade, 48 Infantry Brigade could not keep up its
advance, and when it reached the Candepar river in the evening, found that
it was already occupied by paratroopers. Two battalions of 50 Parachute
Brigade, 2 Para and 2 Sikh Light Infantry, had also commenced their
advance at first light on 18 December. Moving on converging axes, they did
not let the blown-up bridges deter them and simply swam across. The

absence of heavy equipment and light opposition from the enemy, coupled
with the initiative of the leaders, made this possible. As a result, the
paratroopers made excellent progress and achieved more than was expected
from them. By 0830 hrs, 2 Sikh Light Infantry had taken Bicholim; 2 Para
reached Sanquelim by 1030 hrs, and by 1730 hrs they occupied Ponda.
They did this despite two major obstacles—the Usgaon and Candepar rivers
—which they crossed by means of improvised rafts and fording.

After the Usgaon river had been crossed, Sagat felt that there was now no
need to hold 1 Para in reserve, and he ordered them to head straight for
Banasterim after crossing the ferry at Piligao. According to his initial plan,
on reaching Panjim 2 Para was to establish a firm base close to the city,
with 1 Para tasked to clear the expected resistance in the built-up area.
However, the lack of enemy resistance and the speed of advance had altered

the situation. Another development took place at the tactical HQ of
Southern Command at Belgaum. A wireless intercept indicated that the
Portuguese Governor General had called for a meeting at 0800 hrs next
morning to consider surrender. When informed of this, the Army
Commander realised that the Portuguese had lost the battle. And when he
saw the slow progress of 17 Infantry Division and the rapid advance of 50
Para Brigade, he decided to change the plan. The task of capturing Panjim,

that had earlier been assigned to 17 Division, was now given to the