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It has been published in Hindustan Times dated 22 Jan 10, page three of the economic supplement.

MY WRITE UP MAKES NATIONAL HEADLINES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND A MENTION IN THE ZULU WAR FORUM

BROKEN MEMORIAL (GRAVE) OF MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD,VC ALONG WITH THE REGIMENTAL MEMORIAL OF SOUTH WALES BORDERERS

It is a matter of great satisfaction that my previous write up titled "RECIPIENT OF VICTORIA CROSS MAJOR G BROMHEAD FINALLY DOWN IN INDIA" dated 02 January, 2010 has made national headlines in the United Kingdom due to the kind attention of my friend Andy Cherry via Facebook. It has also been mentioned in the zulu war forum. Please refer the links:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/rorkes-drift-heros-grave-lies-in-ruins-1884349.html

http://1879zuluwar.talk-forums.com/general-discussion-area-f6/bromhead-s-broken-grave-t1659-30.htm#7032

Rorke's Drift hero's grave lies in ruins

Last resting place of soldier portrayed by Michael Caine in 'Zulu'

lies mouldering and desecrated By Jonathan Owen

"The bravery of Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead during the defence of the mission stationat Rorke's Drift in the Zulu War of 1879 has come to symbolise courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

But 118 years after the death of this British hero– famously portrayed by Michael Caine in the film Zulu – his grave at Allahabad, India, lies in ruins – the headstone broken on the ground, surrounded by animal dung and overgrown grass.

For his gallantry at Rorke's Drift, Lt Bromhead, of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot (later the South Wales Borderers), was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour – and one of a record 11 VCs awarded to the mission's defenders. He helped to command around 140 soldiers, of whom 36 were sick or injured, against about 4,500 Zulu warriors intent on destroying the post and killing the garrison. The battle raged for 12 hours before the Zulu attack was abandoned.

The citation for his VC stated: "Lt Bromhead shared the command of the defenders of the post with Lt JRM Chard of the Royal Engineers, setting a fine example and conducting himself with great gallantry in most trying circumstances."

Promoted to Major, Bromhead went on to serve in Burma during the 1880s before dying of typhoid at Camp Dabhaura, Allahabad, India on 9 February 1892.

Lord Roper, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary War Graves and Battlefields Heritage Group, said last night he would take urgent action to restore the resting place of one of Britain's best-known military heroes. "I will be contacting the British High Commission in Delhi to ask whether they can do anything about it. It is very sad that the grave of someone of such historic distinction is in such a condition," he said.

Brigadier David Bromhead, the great, great nephew of the Rorke's Drift hero said yesterday: "It's sad, and I hadn't realised it had got that bad. It doesn't surprise me, I'm afraid. Maybe it's a heartless thing to say, but you can't really blame anyone at that end – I suppose it's the inevitable result of the passing of time. I don't know quite how one deals with something like that, unless you employ someone to maintain it locally. I'll talk to the regiment about it to see what can be done."

The British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (BACSA) confirmed that the matter has now been referred to the Indian army. Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones of BACSA said: "I am very confident that this grave will be restored in the very near future."

I sincerely believe that something would be done for its restoration.

POINT OF VIEW ON SUKHNA LAND SCAM

A point of view by Lt-Gen Harwant singh ( Retd ) on the Sukhna Scam

"On a piece of private land, adjacent to Army establishment (Corps HQ) at Sukhna, an educational institution was being planned. Law does not permit construction of any building within 1000 meters of a military installation. This law has been breached at innumerable places. At Badowal (near Ludhiana ) marriage palaces and other construction has come up next to an army ammunition depot, objections by the military authorities not withstanding. A number of villas have been constructed next to a very sensitive defence installation at Kasauli, inspite of the IAF taking the issue to Himachal High Court, where nothing came of it. A toll barrier has come up next to ammunition depot at Lalru, inspite of serious of protests by the army. The list is endless….

At Sukhna the concerned builder had approached the military authorities for an NOC (no objection certificate) to raise an educational institution close to corps HQ on private piece of land. This was just to make sure that at a later stage the army may not obtain a stay or seek demolition of the buildings, through the courts. This request for NOC was turned down by the army for security reasons. In fact army never issues any such NOC. After some gap, concerned builder once more approached the military authorities, for an NOC and on its brochure had the picture of the present military secretary (Lt-Gen Avadesh Prakash) who was shown as the future director of the institute. Being in a key position as MS at army HQ, he pressurized those at Sukhna corps HQ to issue an NOC. Thus it makes a case of gross impropriety and violates the purpose of the law which ensures security of military installations. Equally those who relented to this pressure have become party to this misdemeanor, which included two generals and few other officers. Gen Avadesh Prakash is involved in a similar case at Ranikhet, where in addition there are allegations of misappropriation of regimental funds.

Command Headquarters at Calcutta took a serious view of this impropriety (gross misconduct) and ordered a court of inquiry. The army commander at Calcutta has reviewed the inquiry report and recorded his recommendations. It is now for the army chief to examine the details of the inquiry report and the recommendations of the army commander and take further action. Ranikhet case is being dealt with separately by Central Command.

Military draws its manpower from within the country, where moral standards have fallen, corruption is rampant and a climate of loot and plunder prevails right across the national landscape. The difference is that this fall in standards is unacceptable in the military. That is how military’s internal mechanism searches out cases of corruption, misdemeanor and misconduct etc, (liquor, ketchup, local purchase frauds, moral turpitude and Sukhna like cases, violators of civil rights etc types,) irrespective of the rank of the miscreant and apply to these the rigors of military law. It is not that every crook is caught. Some do manage to hoodwink the system but their number is minimal.

The process of application of Military Law has well defined set of rules and procedures and these cannot be short circuited without prejudicing the legal position. No senior commanders in the chain of command is expected to show undue interest is a case while under investigation and being dealt with at the lower level. Military’s justice system is not only prompt but eminently fair and this is borne by the fact that not more than 4 to 5 % of the military’s cases are reversed by the high courts/supreme court and that percentage is far less than judgments of lower courts reversed by the higher judiciary

The RM and the media ought to be aware of this. Therefore, RM’s, summoning the Army Chief and telling him that severe disciplinary action ( in the interest of morale of the army etc ) should be taken against officers involved in Sukhna and Ranikhet cases, tend to subvert the military’s legal system. Eastern Army Commander is known for his sense of propriety, probity and fairness. It was best to have left the case to his judgment at that stage. What, if the President of India was to call upon the Chief Justice of India to dole out severe punishment in a particular case or take a lenient view! Now that the case has comes up before the Army Chief and the RM, they can .do whatever is proper: keeping in focus the evidence on record, nature of the case and army commander’s recommendations.

Nor should the RM try to link this need for action against these officers with the morale of troops. Morale is an area and domain entirely the province of the Army Chief and his officers. What one expected the RM to do, if he wanted to make morale of troops and officers his concern as well, was to look carefully at the, distortions and disparities brought about by the Sixth Pay Commission, as these relate to the defence services and which have adversely impacted the morale of troops and veterans and not left this vital issue in the hands of the bureaucrats, who in the first place are the ones to bring about the distortions. In this important area of his direct concern, the RM has singularly failed.

Handing over the case to the CBI will achieve double purpose. One, it will put it on a long drive. Two, it will not be possible to build a legal case against the officer (s) under the civil law, for what they did.

Military does take prompt disciplinary action against offenders, when and where they are detected, irrespective of the rank. But do look at the MoD, which oversees the military. Bhatnagar, as the defence secretary was charge sheeted by the CBI in the Bofors case and instead of taking legal action against him, he was moved as Lt-Governor to Sikkim, placing him beyond the reach of the Indian Law. Another defence secretary, Ajit Kumar was indicted by the Delhi high court for tampering with the service record of a senior IAF officer, which had resulted in denial of promotion to him. Instead of taking legal action against him he was merely shifted to another ministry. Yet another defence secretary was involved in a shady deal in the purchase of one lakh rifles for the army when no ammunition for these was available anywhere in the world and for years these rifles remained rotting in the depots. No action was taken against him. (It is only when he moved as chief secretary to Tamil Nadu and tried the old MoD tricks that Iron Lady put him behind bars.) Had such misdemeanors been committed by a military officer, the full weight of the military law would have been applied on him.

So it is best to leave the army to deal with such cases. Media, both print and electronic, whatever its compulsions, should refrain from sensationalizing such cases, for they serve no useful purpose except highlight its own naivety. Now that we are on this subject of dealing with such cases, the media may as well tell us what action has been taken against all those officers of the MoD, involved in the Tehelka Sting Operation. Additional secretary who took a gold chain from the Tehelka team was promoted, because, we are told, and hold your breath, he did not take the chain home but kept it in the safe in his office! While all the army officers involved in the case were dealt with without delay, interference by civil courts not with standing. One of then ending up behind bars and others faced various degrees of disciplinary actions. In one case a general officer was merely entertained to a dinner by the Tehlka Team and that was enough to end, his otherwise bright career.

THE END"

Happy Republic Day to All.....

RECIPIENT OF VICTORIA CROSS MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD FINALLY DOWN IN INDIA

SIDE VIEW: BROKEN MEMORIAL (GRAVE) OF MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD,VC ALONG WITH THE REGIMENTAL MEMORIAL OF SOUTH WALES BORDERERS

BACK VIEW

ENGRAVING OF BROKEN STONE

CLOSE VIEW

Hero of Rorke’s Drift, Major Gonville Bromhead, V.C. of the 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment (later South Wales Borderers) might have never imagined during his life span that one day his Memorial at grave in "The New Cantonment Cemetery, Allahabad, India" would be left broken on the earth surrounded by animal waste. This is what the beautifully sculpted historical monument stands today at Allahabad completely in a bizarre condition. To all, it gives a feeling of shame after visiting this site; one may also think on the fate of a gallantry soldier sacrificing his life for the honour and pride of the nation. That one day, the same nation would put your honour in the dust. Major Gonville Bromhead was not a politician rather a true patriot who obeyed the will of the nation in the highest tradition. A true soldier of the great Army, for whose deeds, the entire nation owes a lot.

Gonville Bromhead was born in Versailles, France to Sir Edmund de Gonville Bromhead Bart and Judith Christine (née Wood) daughter of James Wood Esq. of Woodville, Sligo. He was educated at Magnus Grammar School, Newark, joined the 24th Regiment as an Ensign on the 20th April, 1867. Served in the South African War of 1877 to 1879, he was mentioned in Dispatches (London Gazette dated 1st March and 15th March, 1879). Promoted to Captain and was given the Brevet of a Major. He also received the South African Medal with clasp as well as being awarded the Victoria Cross.

He died of typhoid at Camp Dabhaura, Allahabad, India on 9th. February 1892 and was buried at Plot B-1, Grave 66, New Cantonment Cemetery, Allahabad, India. A Memorial with a plaque in the Havard Chapel and his name on the colour pole in Brecon Cathedral. Other Memorials at Magnus Grammar School, Newark on Trent and in Thurlby Church, Lincolnshire.

Alongside the Grave at Allahabad Cemetery is The 24th Regiment Memorial with the engraving of following Veterans from the Anglo-Zulu War:

Lieut. Col. J.J. Harvey DSO

Major G. Bromhead VC
Sergeant J.A. Whellor
Drummer D. Kinchenton
Private A. Ker
Private T. Mitchell

(Other names are however, too difficult to read)

His Digest of Citation reads “On 22nd and 23rd January, 1879 at Rourke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Lieutenant Bromhead shared the command of the defenders of the post with Lieutenant J.R.M. Chard (Reg No.203) of the Royal Engineers, setting a fine example and conducting himself with great gallantry in most trying circumstances.”

The London Gazette 2nd May, 1879 mentioned “Lieut. Chard, Royal Engineers, and Lieut. Gonville S. Bromhead, 2nd Battn. 24th Regt. For their gallant conduct at the defence of Rourke's Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus on the 22nd and 23rd of June, 1879.The Lieut. General commanding the troops, in his report, stated that if it was not for the fine conduct and excellent behaviour of these two officers under the most trying circumstances, the defence of Rorke's Drift post would not have been conducted with that intelligence and tenacity which so essentially characterised it. He was presented with his Victoria Cross at a ceremony held on the 22nd of August 1879 at Utrecht, Holland by Sir Garnet Wolseley. Major Bromhead served in the Burmese Expedition of 1885 and 1887-9 receiving the Medal and two clasps.”

Battle: The Defence of Rorke's Drift, 22nd and 23rd of January, 1879 South Africa “In January 1879 the British invaded KwaZulu in South Africa, without the sanction of the Home Government, in a war brought about by the misguided policy of "Confederating" Southern Africa under the direction of the Governor-General Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere. The fiercely independent AmaZulu people refused to lay down their arms and accept British rule over the Sovereign Kingdom. The British General Officer Commanding, Lord Chelmsford, despite having abundant military intelligence on the AmaZulu, had a misconceived idea of the fighting prowess of his enemy. The result was that on 22nd January a British force of seventeen hundred strong, was attacked and only some four hundred men, of whom only some eighty Europeans, survived at a place called Isandhlwana.

Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande commanded an impi, the Undi 'corps' of 4,500. His men had played little part in the action at Isandhlwana, but goaded on by his men, and despite the orders of his brother, King Cetshwayo kaMpande, not to cross the Buffalo River into Natal, he chose to attack the British supply base close to a river crossing known as Rorke's Drift, which the AmaZulu called KwaJimu.
The post was established in a trading store-cum-mission station that consisted of a dwelling house and a chapel, both sturdily built of stone. The house was doing temporary duty as a field hospital, the chapel was full of stores and there were only 104 men who were fit enough to fight. The command of the post had passed to Lieutenant Chard of the Royal Engineers, when Major Henry Spalding of the 104th Regiment left on the morning of the 22nd January. Commanding a company-strength was Lieutenant Bromhead of the 24th Regiment.* James Langley Dalton, a volunteer serving as an Acting Assistant Commissary and a former Staff Sergeant, ordered the construction of barricades connecting the two buildings with sacks of corn, and an inner barricade with biscuit boxes.
When the Zulus attacked, wielding their short stabbing assegais, they were unable to reach the men behind the barricades and they were blasted by rifle fire at point blank range. Most of those who did mount the breastwork were repulsed by the bayonets of the defenders. Some of the Zulus were armed with rifles, purchased from unscrupulous traders, but they were not trained marksmen and the British soldiers were able to pick them off at long range.
After a number of unsuccessful attacks the Zulus set fire to the hospital, burst in and began to spear the patients. A private named Alfred Henry Hook, a Gloucestershire man, kept them at bay with his bayonet while his friend John Williams hacked holes in the wall separating one room from another and dragged the patients through one by one, the last man had dislocated his knee. Williams had to break the other to get him out of a window and into the yard where the barricades offered some protection.
Fighting went on all night in the fitful glare from the blazing hospital as the Zulus made charge after charge on the barricades. Both sides fought with desperate courage. A patient from the hospital, a Swiss born adventurer Christian Ferdnand Schiess, stabbed three Zulus in quick succession after he had clambered over the breastwork. In the yard Surgeon James Henry Reynolds tended to the wounded, oblivious to the life and death struggle going on all around him. Those too badly hurt to shoot propped themselves up as best they could and reloaded the guns, and re-supplied ammunition to those who were still on their feet.
When dawn came at last, the Zulus drew off taking their wounded with them and leaving at least 351 dead around the barricades. Later Lord Chelmsford arrived on the scene with a column of British Soldiers.
Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were both awarded the Victoria Cross, as were the redoubtable privates Alfred Hook, Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, William Jones, Corporal Allen, James Langley Dalton and Pte. John Williams. Surgeon Reynolds got the Cross for tending the wounded under fire; and the Swiss volunteer Christian Schiess - the first to a soldier serving with South Africa forces.”

(Film titled "ZULU" is based on this operation)

(Published by the team of "Indian Analysis" in the absence of Surender Singh)

(Source: http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/index.html)

STORY OF HARD WORK IN INDIAN CONTEXT

This write up has been received by me via mail from a good friend of mine. The contents are quite interesting and deserves at least one reading....

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter. The Grasshopper thinks the Ant is a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the Ant is warm and well fed. The Grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.


Indian Version

The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter. The Grasshopper thinks the Ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering Grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the Ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering Grasshopper next to a video of the Ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor Grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Arundhat Roy stages a demonstration in front of the Ant's house. Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other Grasshoppers demanding that Grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter. Mayawati states this as `injustice' done on Minorities. Amnesty International and UNO criticize the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the Grasshopper. The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the Grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Ever lasting Peacefor prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance). Opposition MPs stage a walkout. Left parties call for' Bengal Bandh' in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial Enquiry. CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among Ant and Grasshoppers. Mamata Banerjee allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'. Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the ' Preventionof Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act' [POTAGA], with effect from the beginning of the winter. HRD minister makes 'Special Reservation ' for Grasshoppers in Educational Institutions & in Government Services. The Ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, it's home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the Grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV. Arundhati Roy calls it ' A Triumph of Justice'. Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice '. CPM calls it the ' Revolutionary Resurgence of the Down trodden UNO invites the Grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.

Many years later

The Ant has since migrated to the US and set up amulti-billion dollar company in Silicon Valley , 100s of Grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation some where in India. AND as a result of loosing lot of hard working Ants and feeding the grasshoppers,
India is still a developing country.

COMMITMENTS

Dear All

I have been busy with my professional commitments off late; due to which, not enough time is being left for blogging. Although, I have been trying hard to make it, but would surely take some time. However, It would be my sincere effort to keep you updated from time to time.

Apropos my last write up on Naik Kirpa Ram, an amendment on "The Background of Naik Kirpa Ram" has been made on 08/12/2009 as it could not be verified earlier. The text is an original work of Ashok Nath which was given to DNW medal auctions 02 Dec 2009.

I thank Mr. Ashok Nath for his personal feedback on this subject.

STORY OF NAIK KIRPA RAM, INDIAN ARMY

History of the George Cross

"When, in 1940, King George VI instituted the George Cross and George Medal the total nature of World War Two had brought war into all civilian life, and there were many acts of outstanding gallantry for which the terms of award of the existing non-military medals were deemed to be inappropriate. Initially only the George Cross could be issued posthumously, but following a new warrant in 1978, the George Medal can be now be issued posthumously.
When the George Cross was introduced, it superseded the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) whose living recipients were required to exchange their EGM for the George Cross.
Following an amended warrant in December 1971, surviving recipients of the Albert Medal (AM) and Edward Medal (EM) exchanged their medal for the George Cross.
During World War Two (1939-45) there were instances when it was not easy to decide whether a Victoria Cross or a George Cross was the more proper award. The George Cross was intended to be an award for outstanding civilian bravery, but as many people in the armed forces were unavoidably engaged in work not appropriate for strictly military awards, they became eligible for the George Cross equally with civilians. Consequently, 76 of the first 100 awards were made to members of the armed forces. A complete tally of the 152 direct awards of the George Cross up to 1985 shows that only 49 have gone to civilians. Awards of the George Cross have now become so rare that few people are ever likely to see one, or its recipient.
The George Cross is of silver, with the words "For Gallantry" as described in the warrant, and is suspended from a dark blue ribbon one and half inches wide, and is worn on the left breast before all other medals and orders except the Victoria Cross. Ladies not in uniform wear the Cross, suspended from a wide bow of blue ribbon, below the left shoulder. Each Cross is made by the Royal Mint and engraved on the reverse with the recipient's name and date of the London Gazette in the case of direct awards and for the exchanged EGMs, and the date of the action for exchanged AMs and EMs."

Award of George Cross to Naik Kirpa Ram

G.C. London Gazette 15 March 1946. ‘The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the George Cross, in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to:- No. 15634 Naik Kirpa Ram, 8th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Army.’

The War Office recommendation

"At Thondebhavi on 12th November 1945, Naik Kirpa Ram was commanding a section on a field-firing exercise. He was lying close to a Sepoy who was firing grenades from a discharger-cup, the remainder of his section being in position beside him. The third grenade to be fired fell short and landed only about 8 yards in front of the section position. Naik Kirpa Ram saw at a glance that if it exploded there many of his section would be killed or wounded. Without a moment’s hesitation he leapt up and dashed forward shouting as he did so to the men of his section, “Get back and take cover”. He picked up the grenade, but before he could throw it into a place where it could cause no damage, it exploded. The main force of the explosion was taken by his body, and he died of wounds shortly afterwards. As a result of his act only two men of his section were slightly wounded. Naik Kirpa Ram knowing full well the possible consequences, risked his life in order to save those of the men under his command. His fine spirit of sacrifice and devotion to duty will ever be remembered in his regiment and will be a constant source of inspiration to all ranks."

Background of Naik Kirpa Ram by Ashok Nath (original research which was given to DNW medal auctions 02 Dec 2009).

"Naik Kirpa Ram was born in 1918 in the village of Bharpal in the Bilaspur district of Punjab Hills, now known as Himachal Pradesh. He came from the Dogra Rajput clan, an ancient Aryan race that inhabit the Northern Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Dogras have a long tradition of military service and in the early days of the British Empire they wore beards, as a result of which they were erroneously known as ‘Hill Sikhs’. The first all Dogra regiment to be formed in the British Indian Army was in 1846 as part of the Frontier Brigade (The Punjab Frontier Force). Kirpa Ram hailed from a military family, his father Mussadi Ram having served with the 57th Wilde’s Rifles (Frontier Force) in France during the Great War. Kirpa Ram enlisted in the 13th Frontier Force Rifles on 9 January 1935, at the age of seventeen. After his initial training with 10th (Training Battalion) 13th Frontier Force Rifles, he was transferred to the 6th Royal Battalion (Scinde) 13th Frontier Force Rifles and saw field service from 2 June to 15 December, 1937, in Waziristan against the Fakir of Ipi. On raising of the 8th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles in 1940, which was to comprise a company each of Dogras, Sikhs and Pathans, Kirpa Ram was transferred to the Dogra Company of the 8/13th F.F. Rifles. During the Second World War Kirpa Ram saw action against the Japanese with his battalion in the Eastern theatre. The 8th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles had a splendid fighting record as is evident by their battle/theatre honours and awards: North Arakan, Kaladan, Mayu Tunnels, Maugdaw, Arakan Beaches, Ramree, Burma 1942-45. Kirpa Ram's wife Brahmi Devi was only 13 years old when she went to receive the posthumous award of her late husband (she had been betrothed to Kirpa Ram, as was custom in those days, at the tender age of eleven). The George Cross was received by Brahmi Devi on 1 January 1946, and presented by Field Marshal Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, on behalf of King George VI. She was accompanied by Major R. W. Niven who was Commandant of the 8/13th Frontier Force Rifles at the time Naik Kirpa Ram’s brave sacrifice."

General Fonseka is now Sri Lanka's Presidential candidate

This is further to my last write up on former Sri Lankan Army Chief.

General Fonseka is now contesing for the country's highest post as the common candidate from the opposition at the upcoming presidential election.

He has declared his intentions to challenge the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the upcoming polls to be held on January 26, 2010.

The retired military leader who is a novice to the political affairs of the country pledged to eliminate corruption and restore democracy.

ONLY REAL GENERALS CAN SPEAK

GENERAL FONSEKA’S LETTER OF RESIGNATION HAS DEMONSTRATED HOW BUREAUCRACIES WORLD OVER HAVE LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED IN TARNISHING THE IMAGE OF ARMED FORCES AND MISLEADING THE POLICY MAKERS.

Following are some the key notes taken from the letter of resignation (dated 13 November, 2009) sent by Chief of Defence Staff General Fonseka, Sri Lanka Armed Forces.

1. His Excellency the President, Through the Secretary, MOD, Public Security, Law and Order, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo. Dated 12 November, 2009.

2. Request to Retire from the Regular Forces of the Sri Lanka Army.

3. I would not be exaggerating to state that I was instrumental in leading the Army to this historic victory, of course with Your Excellency’s political support, which helped to materialize this heroic action. (Author stating victory over LTTE).

4. Nevertheless the course of action which initiated subsequently greatly depressed me which I have enumerated in the Annex hereto.

5. Annex and more, which I am privy to withhold, I am compelled to believe that Your Excellency and the Government has lost your trust and faith bestowed upon me for reasons best known to Your Excellency.

6. Thereby I have the honour to request that I be permitted to terminate my services and retire from the Regular Force of the Army with effect from 01st December 2009.

7. Furthermore I have the honour to request that on retirement Your Excellency would be kind enough to grant me sufficient security which includes trained combat soldiers…………………………………that I am considered as one of the highest priority targets by the LTTE, which they are yet capable of achieving.

8. I would also wish to quote an example in the case of the former INDIAN CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF GENERAL AS VAIDYA, INSTRUMENTAL IN LEADING THE INDIAN ARMY IN “OPERATION BLUE STAR” AGAINST THE SIKHS AT THE GOLDEN TEMPLE, AMRITSAR IN 1984, WAS ASSASSINATED WHILST ON RETIREMENT IN 1986 PURELY IN REVENGE OF HIS VICTORIES ACHIEVED.

The Reasons:

9. Various agencies misleading Your Excellency by stating a possible coup immediately after the victory over the LTTE which obviously led to a change of command in spite of my request to be in command until the Army celebrated its 60th Anniversary. This fear psychosis of a coup is well known the defence circle.

10. During the subsequent Service Commanders Meeting, the Secretary Defence was bold enough to state an unethical and uncalled statement by mentioning that “if operational control of all three services is granted to the CDS it would be very dangerous’, which indeed was a loss face to me in the presence of subordinate service commanders.

11. “Your Excellency too made a statement that a strong public opinion is in the making stating that the country is in the possession of a too powerful army.” I personally felt that Your Excellency has commented mistrusting your own loyal Army which attained the unimaginable victory just a week ago. Over these comments I felt disgusted as we even insulted those who made the supreme sacrifices by such comments.

(Complete letter would be posted soon)

AIR MARSHAL PK BARBORA NEEDS TO LEARN FROM HISTORY

Soviet Women Fighter Pilots during World War II

Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal P.K. Barbora has recently said that women couldn't be inducted as fighter pilots as they were not fit for combat operations. Quote,"Women cannot be used in combat scenarios as we can't afford to have them captured as prisoners of war". Un quote.

Barbora also sought to suggest that women were 'not worth' the heavy investment made on training fighter pilots. Quote, "We invest Rs 1.66 crore on training a fighter pilot and expect 12 to 14 years of service. If the air force doesn't recover that investment in the form of service, it's a waste of money and time for the organisation. Women have to go for their family duties after a certain period." Un qoute.

Barbora said that the armed forces have taken decision not to place women in combat roles for the time being, but if that happens in the future, there may be certain preconditions to it.

Now, Some Facts of the Soviet Female Fighter Pilots during the World War II:

"Nearly a million women fought alongside their male counterparts and in October 1941, women’s aviation regiments began to be formed.

Marina Raskova, already an ace pilot and member of the ‘People’s Defence Committee’, was allowed to organised three female aviation groups authorised by the Soviet high command. They were the 586 IAP (Fighter Aviation Regiment), the 587 BAP (Bomber Aviation Regiment) and the 588 NBAP (Night Bomber Aviation Regiment).

After being accepted to the training program, the young women underwent a rigorous six month flying and navigation course, fitting in to that time an amount of training that would normally take around a year and a half. In September 1942, Valerya Khomyakova of the 586 IAP’s or ‘Fighter Aviation Regiment’ became the first female Soviet pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft at night when she downed a Ju 99.

A month later, the 586 IAP assisted in Operation Saturn and Uranus, which was successful in eliminating the German 6th Army at Stalingrad, after which, they were given the task of defending some important military logistical facilities and strategic locations. In 1944, the unit took part in the Soviet offensive in Hungry fighting with Yak-9 fighters and they finished the war on one of the captured airfields in Austria.

The 588 NBAP unit or ‘Night Bomber Aviation Regiment’ arrived combat ready in the Ukraine on the 23rd May 1942. They quickly earned the respect and fear of their enemies being given the nick name ‘night witches’. The decorated German Commander of II. /JG 52, Hauptmann Johannes Steinhoff, wrote of the 588 NBAP’s;

"We simply couldn't grasp that the Soviet airmen that caused us the greatest trouble were in fact WOMEN. These women feared nothing. They came night after night in their very slow biplanes, and for some periods they wouldn't give us any sleep at all."

On 25th October 1942, a bomb strike by the 588 NBAP set alight a fuel depot at Armavir airfield. The fire spread and destroyed all but one of the planes on the airfield, leading to the quick withdrawal of the German fighters situated there. In January the following year, the regiments achievements were acknowledged and it was given the new title of 46th Taman' Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment.

It was the most highly decorated regiment in the whole Soviet Air Force, with twenty-three of its pilots being awarded with the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union, with a former navigator of the regiment becoming the twenty-forth to receive the award in 1995.

Marina Raskova took command of the third regiment herself, the 587th BAP or (Bomber Aviation Regiment). The regiment finished its training on 22nd November 1942 and was moved to the Stalingrad front line. After helping to liberate the town of Borisov, the unit became known as the 125th "M. M. Raskova" Borisov Guards Dive Bomber Aviation Regiment.

In one celebrated incident involving a pilot from the unit, Mariya Dolina flying a Pe-2 bomber, managed to shoot down two enemy plains at the same time. The regiment finished war operations in May 1943 after flying a total of 1134 combat missions dropping 980 tons of bombs in the process. A tribute made to the women of the unit by the Free-French pilots of the "Normandie-Niemen" Fighter Regiment who often fought along side them stated;

"Even if it were possible to gather and place at your feet all the flowers on earth, this would not constitute sufficient tribute to your valour."

The 587 BAP and the 588 NBAP were involved in the fighting in the Kuban area of Southern Russia where they came up against some of the best fighter pilots the German air force had to offer including Erich Harmann of the famous JG 54 fighter group, who was the highest ranked fighter ace in the world with 352 confirmed combat kills.

Throughout the war, the Soviet female fighter pilots were involved in some of the heaviest aerial combat operations in history. They earned the fear and respect of enemy combatants and were often highly decorated for their efforts by their country."

(Source: http://www.elknet.pl/acestory/raskov/raskov.htm, Photo: Google)

USE OR MISUSE OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES

Armed forces are the ultimate weapon of state whose basic task is to protect the nation and project national power beyond its boarders. Every effort, therefore, should be made to keep this potent weapon in the highest possible professional standard and any deviation whatsoever, from the same should be strictly avoided as it undermines the national security.

Committing nation’s armed forces in menial tasks reflect a very poor understanding amongst the policy makers about this force. It also raises questions on the morality of generals towards a larger national interest as they are expected to appraise the statesmen on the consequences of same and quit more honorably, if otherwise, not heard. It also raises questions on the efficiency of a huge civil mechanism eating tax payer’s money without any accountability.

Over a period of time, it has become a common tendency in India to call the armed forces for many and for any contingency. In the recent past, we have seen our services being mobilized for taking out children from the bore wells (and our generals posing as saviors in front of glittering media), digging trenches outside a compound being caught on fire, standing to help civil administration during railway accidents, helping the defunct Indian police on almost occasions (Mumbai's 26/11 proved it quite significantly that when it matters the most, they are good for nothing), organizing events, helping civil administration on all major or minor calamities, combating insurgency in almost all fronts directly or indirectly, so on and so forth. The list does not seem to end.

Now, does it mean the rusting of our forces at all? Or a more popular statement echoed by the top brass that Indian Armed Forces are the most experienced ones……

MILITARY TRANSFORMATION

During the Vietnam War, a study was conducted in the US as to why soldiers fought for the nation and the most common reasons were for respected and valued leaders, out of sense of duty and for survival. These reasons are further corroborated by observations of American soldiers during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraqi War and the Afghanistan War. The fact of the matter is that organizations having structures to control and support individual behaviour might lead to greater individual commitments. Through a control over individual behaviour in supporting his day to day needs, a total institution often engineers a great sense of identification and devotion to the organization which in turn is reflected in individual's effort to carry out goals and purposes of the organization.

Reports of combat effective soldiers show greater similarity to the institutionally oriented soldier. These factors could be in terms of honour through service, sense of duty and loyalty. Institutionally committed soldiers are therefore, more strongly committed to the military, the unit and more willing to undergo adversities to serve others.

Observations of this American study needs a greater emphasis in the Indian context. Although, we don't have any political leader who can inspire the nation and other values too, eroding quite significantly, our armed forces needs an urgent check to transform themselves. They need to create a strong interface with the society and understand as to what the society expects from them and based on the honest evaluations, a structural transformation is the need of time. This transformation should never be associated with monetary gains from the state.

Armed forces for ages have remained sacred organizations world over... an ultimate weapon of the state, it should in no manner be equated with a police or a para-military force. An honour to serve should always remain as the sole guiding factor.

HISTORY OF "KHAKI"(Persian for Dust Colour)

Khaki was first invented in India by Lieutenant (later Lieutenant General) Lumsdon, who raised "The Queen's Own Corps of Guides" in December, 1846.

He was of the view that boarder banditti could be best dealt with in a manner which they would well understand, if his own men wore their native style clothing, rather than adopt the semi-European dress which was then used in the Indian forces, and which the infantry battalion of the Punjab Frontier Force raised at the same time as the Guides were wearing.

No serious attempt of uniformity were made as the corps was in existence for more than a year, when were adopted a smock and pyjama trouser made of coarse home spun cotton material, a cotton turban and overall in the winters, jerkins of sheepskin and wadded cotton jackets. All were dyed locally with the product of a dwarf palm known as mazari which possessed the quality of colouring white cloth a drabbish grey; an indigenous method of producing camouflage clothing developed by the tribesmen as a result of constant vendetta and domestic wars. The leather jackets, however dyed unsuccessfully with mazari, so mulberry juice was used instead, which produced a yellow drab shade.

This is how the "Khaki" was born.

By the end of Boer war in 1899, the word "Khaki" had found its place in the English dictionaries. The Americans adopted "Khaki" in the early nineteen hundred, Japan in 1905, French in 1910 and the Belgian and Spanish armies in 1919. It gradually went on to become a universal pattern for militaries world over.

This coloured uniform is today the universal pattern of Indian police and para military forces across the line. However, the Indian armed forces have almost shed this pattern.

(Photo: Google)

A BLACKMAIL FROM WITHIN

This is further to my previous write up "TO FEEL PROUD OR NOT TO FEEL SO", which read as:

"Prisoner Swap with Naxals in Bengal indicates that India is wide open for any kind of blackmail.(Please remember the police officer came out with a "POW" tag and even commented on what Govt of India should do to overcome Naxalism). There was a complete failure of coordination between the Centre and the State Administration. Our union Home Minister was publicly seen accepting his ignorance on the issue. Over and above, our great BABU (Bengal State secretory) even compared it with the Kandhar swap of 1998."

Within days of this incident, our politicians have left no stone unturned to bring more embarrassment to Indian State and the credit goes to firebrand Mamta Banerjee. She is the first one to ring the bell in gaining political mileage at the cost of national pride. The released police officer is also not behind, he has been seen in various TV channels talking about his experiences in captivity, contrary to the established code of conduct for uniformed personnel.

Lets have a look on Mamta story,

"Relatives of two policemen kidnapped by Maoists in West Bengal's Lalgarh are expected in Delhi on Tuesday morning. Bringing them across to meet Home Minister P Chidambaram is the Trinamool Congress. Trinamool leader Partha Chatterjee is accompanying them to the capital.

Mamata Banerjee is determined to wring as much political advantage as she can out of the situation. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had said the two policemen had been killed but later corrected his statement to say the two are officially still missing.

Arriving at Howrah Station to catch a train to Delhi were relatives of two policemen kidnapped by Maoists. Sub Inspector Kanchan Garai and constable Sabir Mollah had stepped out of their camp at Dharampur on July 30 to buy spare parts for a generator when Maoists whisked them away.

"We are going because Mamata has asked us to take them to Delhi. They will meet the Home Minister," said Partha Chatterjee, who is escorting them to Delhi.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had erroneously told a press conference that the two policemen had been killed, only to later change his statement.

The chief minister's statement took the state administration by surprise because police had information to the contrary.

Maoist leader Chhatradhar Mahato's bodyguard Papan Mondal had told the police almost a month ago that the kidnapped policemen were alive then.

In despair, the families approached Mamata Banerjee for help. The release of Sankrail OC Atin Dutta has raised their hopes.

"I want Kanchan Garai back. I want my son back," said Minati Garai, Kanchan Garai's mother.

But there are efforts to get him back.

For the families, going to Delhi is a desperate bid to have the two kidnapped policemen rescued. For the Trinamool, taking them to the capital may certainly be an attempt to help but it also is an opportunity to extract political mileage from a situation that could potentially be tragic."

(Source: NDTV)