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2008-06-27 India-Pakistan

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Posted by john frum 2008-06-27 06:36|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

Posted by john frum 2008-06-27 06:40|| 2008-06-27 06:40|| Front Page Top

Posted by john frum 2008-06-27 06:43|| 2008-06-27 06:43|| Front Page Top

#3 Awarded the Military Cross for action in Burma, he still had shrapnel from seven Japanese bullets in his body.

The Indian PM Indira Gandhi once chided him for drinking during military briefings to which he replied, "Madam, the brand name of the whisky is Black Dog, which [President] Yahya Khan drinks. I am quite sure that I shall outdrink him and outfight him. Please do not get angry."

When Indira asked him to go to Dhaka and accept the surrender of Pakistani forces, Manekshaw declined, magnanimously saying that honour should go to his Army commander in the East Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora.

Manekshaw said he would only go if it were to accept the surrender of the entire Pakistani army.

He once sent a parcel of the bangles worn by Indian women to the commanding officer of a battalion in the Mizo hills - "with the compliments of the army commander" and a note inside: 'If you are avoiding contact with the hostile give these to your men to wear. Needless to say, the next few weeks saw a flurry of activity by this battalion resulting in another, more soothing message: 'send the bangles back.'

On a rather warm day the Defence Secretary , Harish Sarin, a very powerful civil servant, upon entering the Ministrys conference room said to a Colonel sitting close to a window, "You there, open that window!" Before the Colonel could get up came a sharp "Sit down" came from Manekshaw, who had also just entered from another door. Turning to the Secretary, he said, "Mr. Secretary, dont you ever address one of my officers in that tone of voice. You may say, "Sam, would you please open that window, and I will open the window for you. That officer is a Colonel, and not You there."

In 1962, with Indian forces reeling from the Chinese human wave attacks, he was sent to halt the tide. He met his staff officers: Gentleman, I have arrived! There will be no more withdrawals in 4 Corps without written orders and these orders will never be given. Thank you;' and walked out.

When the wife of a former army chief asked Manekshaw how he managed to remember the first names of most army wives, the field marshal remarked there are two things no honourable man should forget: His wife's birthday and the first name of the women around.

Posted by john frum 2008-06-27 07:04|| 2008-06-27 07:04|| Front Page Top

#4 As Commanding Officer of the Gurkha regiment on a visit to a unit, he once asked what action was taken against a man who contracted veneral disease. When he was told the man's head was shaved, he roared. "Shaved off? Dammit. he didn't do it with his head."

Lt-General A.K. Kalkat, a former army commander in Manekshaw's regiment, remembers a conversation between Manekshaw and a general accused of misusing funds: "Sir, do you know what you are saying?" asked the general. "You are accusing a general of being dishonest." Replied Manekshaw: "Your chief is not only accusing you of being dishonest but also calling you a thief. If I were you I would go home and either shoot myself or resign. I am waiting to see what you will do." The general submitted his resignation.

On one occasion, he found that the defence secretary had penned his own observations on a note he had written to the prime minister and defence minister. Infuriated, Manekshaw took the file and walked straight into Mrs Gandhi's office. He told her that if she found the defence secretary more competent than him to advise her on military matters she did not have a need for him. The defence secretary was found a new job.

Posted by john frum 2008-06-27 07:09|| 2008-06-27 07:09|| Front Page Top

#5 Thank you for the added information and photos, Mr. Frum.

The likes of men like these are so very rare. It is an honor even to have breathed the same air as he did.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2008-06-27 07:59|| 2008-06-27 07:59|| Front Page Top

#6 Mr. Frum,

Sounds like Gen. Manekshaw did a fine job of carrying on the old British-led Indian Army's esprit de corps. I think Bill Slim and John Masters would have been proud of him.

Posted by Thaimble Scourge of the Pixies4707 2008-06-27 11:18|| 2008-06-27 11:18|| Front Page Top

#7 Soldier is a soldier - cuts across nations and cultures.

This guy was a soldier's soldier.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-06-27 11:35|| 2008-06-27 11:35|| Front Page Top

#8 Love the first pic. He earned every one of those medals. Hell of a guy.

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2008-06-27 11:44|| 2008-06-27 11:44|| Front Page Top

#9 Sam Manekshaw otherwise known as Sam Bahadur - or 'Sam the Brave'

He was actually given this name by the Gurkhas, whom he once commanded. In his retirement and illness he was looked after by his beloved Gurkha soldiers.

Posted by john frum 2008-06-27 17:08|| 2008-06-27 17:08|| Front Page Top

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