When 'mock drills' were about surviving wars: Stories from letter-shaped trenches of Assam

First Post

07-05-2025

Between candlelit shelters and childhood games in trenches, Assam remembers a time when war crept close and courage took root in everyday lives read more
(File) In this December 7, 1971, photo, Indian troops advance inside the Northwest sector of East Pakistan. In 1971 India Pakistan fought their third war in what was then East Pakistan. Indian troops supported secessionists fighting for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan. The war ended with the creation of Bangladesh. AP
While many places in Assam are participating in the nationwide civil defence mock drill on May 7, 2025, the state carries a historical legacy of its own when it comes to such preparedness efforts. Nestled in India's idyllic North East, Assam is no stranger to the country's military history, having played a significant role in several of its major conflicts.
During World War II, the region became a crucial base for Allied operations in the Southeast Asian theatre. The construction of the Ledo Road and the use of airstrips like those in Dibrugarh and Chabua helped supply the Allied forces via the treacherous aerial route known as 'The Hump.' In 1962, amid the Chinese aggression, Assam once again found itself on the frontlines. The threat loomed particularly large over towns like Tezpur, with the Chinese army advancing up to the opposite side of the Brahmaputra before withdrawing unilaterally.
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Again in 1971, during the India-Pakistan war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh, Assam's proximity to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) made it a strategically vital region. The state experienced regular air raid sirens, civil defence drills and military preparedness — reflecting both its geographical importance and its vulnerability. These episodes reflect how Assam, often distant from the political centres of conflict, has nonetheless stood at the forefront during national emergencies.
When war loomed, trenches became a way of life
And when it was wartime, civil defence activities took top priority.
'Mock drills were conducted in full swing before the war. I don't remember trenches being dug in 1971 during the Bangladesh war, but they were definitely dug in 1962 during the Indo-Chinese war,' recalled Prasanta Kumar Dutta, a retired engineer who now resides in Tezpur. 'We were in Nagaon, located just across the Brahmaputra from Tezpur, which was on the northern bank. The Chinese reached up to Tezpur before they went back on their own.'
He paints a vivid picture of a childhood shaped by conflict and creativity.
'All the trenches were dug in the shape of English letters like A or M. They were around 2 feet wide and 2.5 feet deep. They were ready during the Chinese aggression, and many such trenches were built. As children, we even played hide and seek in those trenches. However, I don't remember entering them when the actual war with China happened.'
At that time, infrastructure was limited.
'There was no bridge then connecting both banks of the Brahmaputra between the districts of Sonitpur and Nagaon. Tezpur, the headquarters of Sonitpur district, also hosted the 4 Corps of the Indian Army and the Salonibari airbase, which is now home to a Sukhoi-30MKI squadron,' he added.
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The shape of survival: Why letter-shaped trenches mattered
There was method behind the seemingly simple shapes of the trenches. Trenches shaped like the letters A, M or L allowed better movement and access within the network. These configurations offered multiple arms or angles, making it easier for people — especially soldiers — to move quickly between sections. In combat, the ability to shift positions without being exposed to enemy fire is critical and these shapes helped facilitate that.
Letter-shaped trenches also offered tactical coverage by allowing defenders to monitor different directions and cover each other's blind spots. For example, an M-shaped trench provided several vantage points, enabling defenders to aim in multiple directions and improving overall defensive capabilities.
Another significant advantage of these designs was blast resistance. A straight trench concentrates the force of an explosion along its entire length, increasing casualties. But trenches with bends or angles, such as L or M shapes, helped absorb and deflect the shockwaves and shrapnel from blasts. The corners acted as buffers reducing the impact on those inside.
From the air, long, straight trenches are easier to detect. But letter-shaped or irregular trenches blend better with the landscape. Their complex, natural-looking patterns could confuse enemy reconnaissance, making it harder to assess the size, strength or layout of defences.
Even internally, these trench shapes offered better organisation. Different arms of an M or A-shaped trench could be designated for different functions — active defence, resting areas, storage or even makeshift medical aid. This functional separation supported both combat efficiency and human welfare inside the trench.
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Dibrugarh: A town with wartime memories etched in silence
For many residents of Assam, these moments of national crisis are not just history — they are deeply personal.
Dipom Baruah, now in his 60s, lives in Dibrugarh district. He vividly remembers the 1971 India-Pakistan war, though he was only a Class 6 student at the time.
Dibrugarh never became a battlefield in the conventional sense, but its role in multiple conflicts was far from passive.
During World War II, the town gained strategic significance due to its proximity to the Burmese frontier. Though it saw no direct combat, it played a vital logistical and administrative role. During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Dibrugarh again did not witness direct fighting but was crucial as a supply base. The war occurred mainly in Arunachal Pradesh (then NEFA), which borders Upper Assam. Troops and supplies passed through Dibrugarh en route to the contested Himalayan frontier and the region saw a surge in military presence and preparedness. By 1971, during the Indo-Pak war, Dibrugarh found itself once more in a strategic position. It served as a key logistical and communications hub.
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Night sirens and shelters that defined childhood
Baruah still recalls those anxious nights.
'When the siren was sounded, lights were switched off immediately. People would rush to the shelter — usually an L-shaped trench dug to about 6x4 feet. The size depended on how many people lived in a household,' he said. 'Most families had these trenches. If there wasn't enough space at home, they were dug even in paddy fields. The idea was to dig deep enough so the person inside was fully covered.'
The design of the trench mattered.
'It was recommended that the trench be dug in an L-shape to provide better manoeuvrability in case of an attack from different directions. The shape could help protect people more effectively during air raids,' he explained.
These were times when fear became routine.
'When the first siren sounded, people rushed into the trenches. When the second siren was heard, people came out — that meant the threat had passed. The idea was to keep casualties to a minimum if the area was bombed.'
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'The air raids mostly happened after dusk. People carried candles, matchboxes, sometimes even food. The trench was big enough to sleep in. Often, they were covered with bamboo, banana leaves, or betel nut branches,' he said.
Raids were frequent, sometimes nightly.
'There was no count to the raids. As soon as enemy aircraft from East Pakistan were detected on radar, the siren would go off. The raids happened mostly in the evening or at night. Though no bombs were actually dropped here, the raids went on for nearly 21 days — until Pakistan surrendered and Bangladesh was born.'
Unsung heroes of civil defence
During that tense period, the role of civil defence volunteers was critical.
'Volunteers from were very active. They trained people on how to react during raids. Many young boys and girls were recruited. They carried first aid kits with bandages and Dettol, ready to help if needed. While Dibrugarh saw no direct combat, the level of preparedness was high,' Baruah recalled.
But 1971 also left behind a personal scar for him — one that the sirens could not drown out.
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'My mother was in the hospital. She passed away that year,' he said quietly. 'Once, we went to visit her with my uncle at the Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh. Then the siren suddenly sounded. We rushed back home — that memory has never left me.'
A living history
Assam's story is not just about strategic locations or defensive formations. It's about the people who lived through war without fighting it, who prepared for the worst in their courtyards and paddy fields, who taught their children how to duck into trenches when sirens wailed in the night.
For them, war wasn't a newspaper headline. It was a night filled with candlelight, whispers and shadows — and the hope that tomorrow would be better.