The Tenacious Ten - 10 Division

A 2008 documentary based on 10 Division of Pakistan Army. 10 Division is the oldest and most honored formation of Pakistan Army.

One hundred years ago, the 10 Infantry Division of the Pakistan Army, nicknamed "the Tenacious Ten," was created. The 10 Infantry Division is the oldest and the most honored formation of the Pakistan Army.

In November 1914, the 28th, 29th and 30th Brigades of the British Indian Army were sent to Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. On the November 25, 1914, these Brigades were grouped together and the 10 Infantry Division of the British Indian Army came into being.

Seeing its first action in al-Qantarah, Egypt, where a rebel attack was repulsed, the division was ordered to Palestine to participate operations against Nablus. Clearing opposition along the way, the division attacked Nablus from the north-east, completing the operation. The fighting for the division in World War I was ended.

When World War II began, "the Tenacious Ten" was re-raised in January 1941 by Major General William Joseph Slim at Ahmednagar comprising 20th, 21st, 25th and later 10th Indian Infantry Brigades. It landed in Busra in Syria by May 1941. It moved to Habbaniyah and then to Baghdad in Iraq to crush the rebellion supported by Vichy France. A brigade sent to Syria forced the commanders of Vichy France to sign an armistice.

Meanwhile, the Soviet Union entered Iran through the Caspian Sea and the division was ordered for the rescue. It reached Tehran before the Russians could. After the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran was complete, the division then went back to Mosul, Iraq.

The Battle of Gazala began on May 26, 1942, in Libya. "The Tenacious Ten" was committed. The division took defenses in areas El Adem, Kambut and Sidi Rezegh. Later, a retreat was ordered to El Alamein, Egypt. El Alamein was vital. The remanence of 10 Division thwarted the attacks of Nazi Germany. The tide of the war was turned and the division was pulled out to Cyprus for regrouping.

The was sucked into Italy. The division, with Major General Denys Whitehorn Reid in command, moved to Ortona in Italy and was then ordered to peruse the Germans in the Upper Tiber Valley. It captured Umbertide and contacted Città di Castello, reaching the end of the Tiber basin fighting through forty miles in a month. Here, Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry.

The division has reached Bibiana facing the main enemy position when it was shifted to the Adriatic coast. Clearing San Marino provided a start line for the action along the Po Valley. 20th Brigade made an opportunity crossing over river Savio and captured Forlì. Ultimately, overpowering the 90th Panzergrenadier Division of Nazi Germany, the division was near Bologna when the ceasefire was declared. The division moves to Trieste.

In 1947, the Muslims of the subcontinent were perusing their dream. One of the largest mass migrations in history took place as the Muslims left everything behind and moved to their new home, Pakistan. During the Partition of India, the 10 Division at Lahore put all it could in caring and providing relief to the bewildered immigrants.

During the early hours of September 6, 1965, the Indian Army attacked Lahore with a very wide front with the city as its initial objective. There were two Indian infantry divisions against the 10 Division. The 15th Indian Infantry Division advance along the Grand Trunk road while the 7th Indian Infantry Division used the Khalra-Burki approach. The main defenses of the division was based on the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Canal. 10 Division had seven infantry battalions to defend a front of about fifty miles.

The protective detachments ahead of the eastern banks of the canal and a company commanded by Major Shafqat Baloch delayed the enemy for eight hours while the main position was ready. It took the 7th Indian Infantry Division three days to capture the small village of Burki. The village was helped by elements commanded by Major Raja Aziz Bhatti.

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti chose to stay with his forward platoon under incessant artillery and tank attacks for five days and nights in the defense of the strategic BRB Canal. Throughout, undaunted by constant fire from enemy small arms, tanks and artillery, he organized the defense of the canal, directing his men to answer the fire until he was hit by an enemy tank shell and embraced martyrdom on September 10, 1965. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for his acts of greatest heroism.

The Indians failed to dislodge "the Tenacious Ten." The Indian Army failed to cross the BRB Canal anywhere and were effectively checked. Lahore was as far away from the Indians as was on the first day of the war.

On December 3, 1971, Pakistan and India were at war again. The 10 Division used its experience and jumped into action and pushed forward into Indian territory. Many posts and villages close to the border were captured, including Pul Kanjari, Mula Kot, Kalsian and Gilpan.

After the ceasefire, the enemy violated and treacherously attacked Pul Kanjari. The enemy was stalled ahead of the post by a counterattack. The Division then saw the heroics of Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz.

Despite being pinned down by unceasing frontal and crossfire from automatic weapons and his machine gun destroyed by an enemy shell, Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz advanced towards an enemy bunker whose automatic fire had inflicted heavy casualties. Even though wounded in both legs by shell splinters, when he reached the bunker he stood up and pounced on the enemy, in the encounter he was hit with a bayonet. Although unarmed, he got hold of the enemy and did another bayonet strangling with him. Due to serious injuries he embraced martyrdom on the night of December 17, 1971. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for his acts of greatest heroism.

Whenever called upon, the 10 Division has been helping the government of Pakistan for the best interest of the nation. The menace of global terrorism has added yet another dimension to the duties of the division. The division is always ready to face this challenge as well.

"The Tenacious Ten" is fully trained in all areas of warfare and every soldier and will not resist in offering any sacrifice for the defense of the homeland.

The formation sign, red over blue with black shield, was adopted in 1941 denoting river crossing at night with blood spilling. In 1956, the round shield was adopted and it says to all, "Prospered in peace. We are there, on the walls, guarding."