Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...

“WE NEVER WAVERED BECAUSE, IN THE LAST RESORT, WE WERETHE TANKERS OF 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT”Training and Build-up amidChallengesNurturing 4th ArmouredRegiment was the most challenging andmemorable experience of my militarycareer. I had to be patient with mydemanding superiors and firmlypersuasive with the subordinates. Theconfidence placed in me had to behonored but I could not compromise myprinciples and time tested militarytraditions. I had a responsibility to thenation, the army, to my superiors, andabove all to the officers and men placedunder my command. It was a hugechallenge, a daunting task and aresponsibility that demanded every bit ofmy character, leadership and twenty yearmilitary experience.I had a highly dedicated teamofficers and men but none had theknowledge or expertise on trackedvehicles, neither did I. But, there was aresponsibility to take these men andmachines to battle. The men had to bementally and physically conditioned, andtactically and technically trained to facethe demands of fighting with battletanks. A tank is an instrument of warthat places great demand on humanendurance and skill. My challenge wasto successfully merge a man with amachine so that both could fight andsurvive in battle. 6But, other challenges werelooming in the horizon like a developingthunderstorm.On a humid late afternoon, on 10October 1991 the officers and soldiers of4 Armoured Regiment arrived inClappenburg. They did not have the6 At this point Sri Lanka had been at war foreight years against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE).15