11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 11th Prince Albert Victor’s Own Cavalry (Frontier Force)
Insignia since 1974
Active	1849–present
Country	British India (1849-1947)  Pakistan (1947-present)
Branch	British Indian Army  Pakistan Army
Type	Armoured Regiment
Size	Regiment
Nickname(s)	"PAVOs Cavalry" "One One Charlie"
Engagements	North West Frontier of India Indian Mutiny of 1857 Second Afghan War 1878–80< First World War 1914–18 Third Afghan War Second World War 1939–45 Indo-Pakistani War of 1948 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	Prince Albert Victor
Notable commanders	John Watson, VC Charles Egerton Lord Ismay Sahabzada Yaqub Khan Khalid Mahmud Arif Charles Godwin

The 11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) is a special army unit in Pakistan. It is an armoured regiment, meaning it uses tanks and other armored vehicles. Before Pakistan became a country, this unit was part of the old British Indian Army. It was known as the 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry.

This regiment was created in 1921. It was formed by joining two older cavalry units together. These were the 21st Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) and the 23rd Cavalry.

The Start: 21st Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry

The 21st Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force) had a longer name: (Daly's Horse). It began on May 18, 1849. Lieutenant Henry Daly started it in Peshawar. It was first called the 1st Punjab Irregular Cavalry.

This unit was one of five cavalry groups. They were formed to protect the North West Frontier of India. These units became famous as the Punjab Frontier Force, or the Piffers. They served a lot on the Frontier.

Key Battles and Achievements

During the Indian Mutiny of 1857–58, the regiment fought in North India. They helped in the Siege of Delhi and the Relief of Lucknow. In Lucknow, Lieutenant John Watson showed great bravery. He won the Victoria Cross, a very high award for courage.

Later, in the Second Afghan War (1878–80), they were part of the Kandahar Field Force. They fought in the Battle of Ahmed Khel. In 1890, Prince Albert Victor became their Colonel-in-Chief. This meant he was a special leader for the regiment. The unit was named after him.

During the First World War, the regiment went to the Mesopotamian Campaign. They fought along the Tigris River. They helped capture Kut al Amara and Baghdad. They also fought in other battles like Ramadi and Tikrit. Later, they served in Kurdistan and helped take Kirkuk.

The Other Half: 23rd Punjab Cavalry (Frontier Force)

The 23rd Cavalry started in 1849. Lieutenant WG Prendergast formed it in Lahore. It was first known as the 3rd Punjab Irregular Cavalry. This unit also served a lot on the Frontier with the Punjab Frontier Force.

Important Campaigns

In the Second Afghan War, the 23rd Cavalry was part of the Kabul Field Force. They joined Lord Roberts on his famous march. This march went from Kabul to Kandahar. They also fought in the Battle of Kandahar.

During the First World War, this regiment also served in Mesopotamia. They were part of General Townsend's advance towards Baghdad. They fought on the Tigris Front. Later, they moved to the Euphrates Front. There, they fought in battles like Khan Baghdadi and Sharqat. One part of the unit also served in Persian Arabistan. After returning to India, they fought in the Third Afghan War in 1919.

Joining Forces: The Combined Regiment

After the First World War, the British Indian Army had too many cavalry regiments. Instead of closing them down, they decided to join them in pairs. This led to new names and numbers for many units.

In 1921, the 21st and 23rd Cavalry units joined together. They became the 11th Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (Frontier Force).

New Look and Modernization

The new regiment had a special uniform. It was blue with bright red parts. Their badge showed the Kandahar Star. This star represented the five rivers of the Punjab. The regiment was made up of soldiers from different groups. These included Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs, and Dogras.

In 1940, the regiment became "mechanised." This means they started using vehicles like tanks instead of horses.

World War II and Beyond

During the Second World War, the 11th Cavalry fought in many places. They served in Syria and Iran. Then, they went to North Africa and fought in the Battle of Gazala. After that, they moved to Burma. There, they fought bravely against the Japanese army. In 1946, the regiment went to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Their job was to help bring peace after the Japanese surrendered.

When India and Pakistan became separate countries in 1947, the 11th Cavalry became part of the Pakistan Army. Soon after, the regiment fought in Kashmir against India.

In 1956, Pakistan became a republic. This meant they removed all titles linked to British royalty. So, the regiment's new name became 11th Cavalry (Frontier Force).

Wars with India

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the 11th Cavalry helped the Pakistan Army advance towards Akhnur in Kashmir. They then fought in the important Battle of Chawinda. In 1971, the regiment again served in the Chhamb area of Kashmir.

This regiment is special. It is the only armoured regiment in the Pakistan Army that has "Battle Honours" on its Regimental Colours for all three wars fought with India. Battle Honours are special awards for bravery in battle.

Regimental Badge: What It Means

Since 1974, the 11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) has worn a special badge. This badge combines parts from the badges of the 21st and 23rd Cavalry units.

• It has the Kabul to Kandahar Star. This star comes from the 23rd Punjab Cavalry's badge. It reminds them of their role in the Second Afghan War.
• The badge also has swords from the 21st PAVO Cavalry's badge. These are now Muslim swords.
• The Arabic numbers "١١" replaced the English numbers "11".
• A Quranic verse replaced "KABUL TO KANDHAR 1880" around the number "١١".
• A bugle on top shows the regiment's connection to the "PIFFERS."

Battle Honours: A List of Bravery

Battle Honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in important battles. The 11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) has earned many of these.

Honours from British India Times

• Delhi 1857
• Lucknow 1857
• Afghanistan 1878–80
• Ahmad Khel 1880
• Kandahar 1880
• Mesopotamia 1915–18
• Kut al Amara 1917
• Baghdad 1917
• Khan Baghdadi 1918
• Sharqat 1918
• Afghanistan 1919
• El Mechili 1941 (Libya)
• Halfaya 1941 (Egypt)
• Gazala 1941 (Egypt)
• Bir Hacheim 1942 (Egypt)
• Kohima 1944 (India)
• Monywa 1945 (Burma)
• Myinmu 1945 (Burma)
• Irrawaddy 1945 (Burma)
• Meiktilla 1945 (Burma)
• Mandalay 1945 (Burma)
• Rangoon 1945 (Burma)
• Malaya 1945
• Java 1946 (Malaya)

Honours from Pakistan Times

• Kashmir 1948
• Chhamb 1965
• Chawinda 1965
• Chhamb 1971

Friends and Connections

The 11th Cavalry (Frontier Force) has special connections with other military units. These are called affiliations or alliances.

• The 9th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment (in Pakistan)
• 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (in the United Kingdom)

Images for kids

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  A sowar (soldier) of the 1st (Prince Albert Victor's Own) Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force, in 1900. This is a painting by Chater Paul Chater.