The Indian Warrior Manekshaw: First Indian Officer to Command the Gurkhas and Who Led India to Victory in 1971
“A ‘Yes man’ is a dangerous man. He is a menace. He will go very far. He can become a minister, a secretary or a Field Marshall but he can never become a leader nor, ever be respected. He will be used by his superiors, disliked by his colleagues and despised by his subordinates. So discard the ‘Yes man’,” Manekshaw was quoted by New India Express
Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC remains as one of the greatest Indian military leaders. His distinguished military career spanned four decades & five wars including #War of 1971. India MOD reporting.
When former prime minister Indira Gandhi asked him if he was ready to go to war with Pakistan to free Bangladesh in 1971, he replied, “I am always ready, sweetie.”
1971, After the genocide in East Pakistan and with 10 million refugees in India, Indira Gandhi made up her mind to liberate Dhaka. She wanted then army chief, late General Sam Manekshaw, to move in immediately in April, 1971. However the army was not prepared, India intervened in 1971:
“This Operation was a perfect synergy of army, navy and air force, Indiatoday highlights the war efforts: “The Indian Air Force (IAF) had complete air supremacy over the eastern skies. It also destroyed airfields in then East Pakistan to deny either China or the United States an opportunity to even think of landing troops there. Navy not only blockaded Karachi but also denied Pak Navy the use of Bay of Bengal.
“The Indian armed forces, which had learnt a major lesson from the 1962 debacle and the 1965 Indo-Pak war, were credited with many firsts in this operation.
“Liberation of Bangladesh was carried out by 19 divisions of the Indian Army. The army has never used so many troops in any operation before or even after the 1971 war.
“With just 3,000 soldiers, Indian Army surrounded Dhaka and forced 20,000 heavily armed Pakistan Army troops to surrender. It was because India broke Pakistan’s morale with its total supremacy on land, sea and air.
“The war had the people of Bangladesh fight shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Army. For more visit Indiatoday.
The War of India-Pakistan 1965 below.