Source:-Sam Manekshaw: Remembering the Greatest Soldier India Ever Knew
As the Chief of the Army Staff, Sam’s service to the nation is immense as he united the army, navy and air force into a team, helping India win against Pakistan in 1965 and even more significantly the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh.
His distinguished military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in the British Indian Army in World War II.
His words were like Staccato Machine gun fire- “Remember – In war there is no place for a defeated soldier- you either win or you DIE.”
He was called as Sam Bahadur by the Gorkhas which was a name given by Harka Bahadur, a young soldier of the battalion which only suggested how good was as a leader.
In 1963, while briefing the Prime Minister of the operations in the operations room, he denied the entry of Indira Gandhi citing that she has not taken any oath to secrecy. He was this badass later too when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and Sam was the Army Chief.
Manekshaw told the ministers that East Pakistan is the size of France and it will take thirty days to win the war. But it was done in 13 days, Indira Gandhi asked him why he told so many days, he replied that if he taken one more day extra, the politicians will be behind his back.
During the 1971 war, when the Indian soldiers were proceeding to the eastern command. He strictly told many times, to not hurt any women during the war. He asked if at all a thought comes in their mind of that sort, they have to put their fingers in the pocket and think of Sam Manekshaw.
USA sent their 7th fleet to fight India in the 1971 war. The ships were nuclear capable. The politicians were scared of a nuclear strike of India. The politicians were fearing the United States. Sam said, “If US army intervenes then I have no fear, I will become the greatest general
When India won the Indo-Pak war and Bangladesh was made. Sam was asked by Indira Gandhi to attend the surrender of Pakistan army but Sam was so modest that he declined and didn’t visit. According to him, the credit of whole eastern command goes to Lt Gen. Jagjit Aurora and he should attend it. He remarked he will only go to surrender of entire Pakistani army.
After the war, there was 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war which were brought to India. It was 45,000 soldiers and 45,000 civilians among them. Sam visited them in their tents and he first asked permission of Subedar Major to enter inside. He was shocked that the army chief of the enemy who just defeated them asked for permission. He then asked of well being of the soldiers and asked if mosquito nets are working properly. Also, spoke to the widows of the Pakistani soldiers and made sure they were comfortable.
He also had food with the Pakistani soldiers which were made by them. While he was leaving, Subedar Major asked his permission to say something. He said, “Pardon me for saying this but I know why you won the war. It’s because you care for your men. The way you visited us today, not even our soldiers visit us, they consider themselves as Nawaabzadas.
Sam was a man who lead with example. He motivated the troops to achieve great professional standards. Sam was so honest, that in an interview, he said Pakistani soldiers fought bravely but their leadership failed. Appreciation of the enemy needs a spine.
Once a reporter asked him, what if he had went to Pakistan in 1947, he said calmly “then you will have a defeated India.”
Promotion to field marshal
After the end of the war, Gandhi decided to promote Manekshaw to the rank of field marshal and subsequently appoint him as the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). However, after several objections from the bureaucracy, and the commanders of the navy and the air force, the appointment was dropped. It was felt that, as Manekshaw was from the army, as comparatively smaller forces the navy and air force would be neglected. Moreover, bureaucrats felt that it might challenge their influence over defence issues.Though Manekshaw was to retire in June 1972, his term was extended by a period of six months. On 3 January 1973, Manekshaw was conferred with the rank of field marshal at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was the first Indian army officer to be promoted to the rank.
Sam and Indira Gandhi
Contrary to popular belief, Sam had a great working relationship with Indira Gandhi. On the eve of the war with Pakistan in December 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh, India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had asked Manekshaw if he was ready for the fight.
Sam, in his trademark style, replied saying, “I am always ready, sweetie.”
At another time when Sam was questioned by a tense Indira if rumours of a planned coup by the army chief were indeed true, Sam shot off a brilliant reply.
You mind your own business, I’ll mind mine. You kiss your own sweetheart, I’ll kiss mine. I don’t interfere politically, as long as nobody interferes with me in the Army
Sam’s Red James Motorcycle
At the time of the partition, Manekshaw and Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan were together on the staff of Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, helping with the extra administrative duties that the partition brought along with it.
Sam owned a red James motorcycle which Yahya always fancied. When the two parted ways after the partition, Yahya offered to buy the motorcycle for a princely sum of Rs 1,000, which he promised to send over from Pakistan.
As it turns out, Yahya never really got around to sending the money. After the 1971 victory, Sam who led India to victory against President Yahya Khan’s Pakistan said:
Yahya never paid me the Rs 1,000 for my motorbike, but now he has paid with half his country
When Sam Bahadur Died
Sam’s outspoken behaviour and his tiffs with the bureaucracy meant that India’s greatest general never received the respect he truly deserved. For much of his life, he was not accorded the benefits and status due to a Field Marshal.
Sadly, Sam Manekshaw was not accorded respect in death too. When Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died, none of the three Service Chiefs attended the funeral to pay their last respects. The then Defence Minister AK Antony was also absent.
Source:- Defence Lover
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