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So, Shri Katju ji offered this piece of gyan to General Ata Hasnain some time ago.
He talks about two 'real' militaries - American and Chinese.
Let me share some thoughts about them, focussing mostly on the Chinese who are an immediate threat.
So, Shri Katju ji offered this piece of gyan to General Ata Hasnain some time ago.
He talks about two 'real' militaries - American and Chinese.
Let me share some thoughts about them, focussing mostly on the Chinese who are an immediate threat.
2
But first, very quickly, the American military.
For all their shiny hardware, I fail to think of any major war that they have actually won after the Second World War.
Korea ended with a stalemate.
Then came Vietnam .. I guess what went there doesn't need any elaboration.
But first, very quickly, the American military.
For all their shiny hardware, I fail to think of any major war that they have actually won after the Second World War.
Korea ended with a stalemate.
Then came Vietnam .. I guess what went there doesn't need any elaboration.
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First Gulf War - a clear victory. But then, would you really call it as a war that finished, given that they revisited it in 2003 and are sill there?
Second Gulf War - Hmmm .. your call.
Afghan War - Well, the only good thing is the urgency to get out of there!
First Gulf War - a clear victory. But then, would you really call it as a war that finished, given that they revisited it in 2003 and are sill there?
Second Gulf War - Hmmm .. your call.
Afghan War - Well, the only good thing is the urgency to get out of there!
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However, let me add one thing.
The American military always fought well & won on the battlefield for most part. It was more the political direction of war that resulted in embarrassments that inevitably happened in most cases.
It is here that the PLA is in a league of its own!
However, let me add one thing.
The American military always fought well & won on the battlefield for most part. It was more the political direction of war that resulted in embarrassments that inevitably happened in most cases.
It is here that the PLA is in a league of its own!
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So here I replug an earlier thread about the PLA.
This thread is titled 'PLA - A History of Valour'.
It was tweeted a long time ago in continuation of two earlier threads, which are plugged in the quoted tweet below.
Please Read these as well.
I INSIST! https://twitter.com/CestMoiz/status/1133552618087866369
So here I replug an earlier thread about the PLA.
This thread is titled 'PLA - A History of Valour'.
It was tweeted a long time ago in continuation of two earlier threads, which are plugged in the quoted tweet below.
Please Read these as well.
I INSIST! https://twitter.com/CestMoiz/status/1133552618087866369
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#PLA_Myths
Huge parades, shiny ‘toys’, rows and rows of it. The President, or as he would like to be addressed – The Chairman, inspecting the troops in an open jeep with FOUR mikes, exhorting them to be loyal to him (Yes, apparently the PLA needs to be reminded of its ..
#PLA_Myths
Huge parades, shiny ‘toys’, rows and rows of it. The President, or as he would like to be addressed – The Chairman, inspecting the troops in an open jeep with FOUR mikes, exhorting them to be loyal to him (Yes, apparently the PLA needs to be reminded of its ..
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#PLA_Myths
.. obligation to be loyal to the CPC over and over again!).
Heck, they even have a shiny new aircraft carrier with beautiful introductory videos that would put Top Gun to shame!
#PLA_Myths
.. obligation to be loyal to the CPC over and over again!).
Heck, they even have a shiny new aircraft carrier with beautiful introductory videos that would put Top Gun to shame!
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#PLA_Myths
Or was it the other way round?
Well, watch this video and then watch Top Gun!
(Video: China copied not only the music, but also the choreography of Top Gun!)
#PLA_Myths
Or was it the other way round?
Well, watch this video and then watch Top Gun!
(Video: China copied not only the music, but also the choreography of Top Gun!)
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#PLA_Myths
Then there was the 'small' issue of an officially released video of their BESTEST fighter jet, which 'unfortunately' was found to be a video from the same 'Top Gun' instead! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8291729/China-red-faced-after-footage-of-new-fighter-was-from-Top-Gun.html
#PLA_Myths
Then there was the 'small' issue of an officially released video of their BESTEST fighter jet, which 'unfortunately' was found to be a video from the same 'Top Gun' instead! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8291729/China-red-faced-after-footage-of-new-fighter-was-from-Top-Gun.html
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#PLA_Myths
The PLA, PLAAF and PLAN are the future of warfare, as the People’s Republic of China would like us to believe.
Well, there’s only one way to find out the amount of truth in this ‘fact’ – and given the sabre rattling happening on the other side of the LAC (or is it..
#PLA_Myths
The PLA, PLAAF and PLAN are the future of warfare, as the People’s Republic of China would like us to believe.
Well, there’s only one way to find out the amount of truth in this ‘fact’ – and given the sabre rattling happening on the other side of the LAC (or is it..
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#PLA_Myths
.. empty vessels. Let’s leave that for later), it might not be too far in the future.
But one thing that we CAN, and in fact MUST analyze is how the PLA has measured up when time has come to live up to their bombast.
#PLA_Myths
.. empty vessels. Let’s leave that for later), it might not be too far in the future.
But one thing that we CAN, and in fact MUST analyze is how the PLA has measured up when time has come to live up to their bombast.
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#PLA_Myths
And there is plenty to talk about here, given their ‘rich’ history of ‘valour’ too.
Let us start with the PLA before the establishment of the PRC. They were actually raised as the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party, and continue to be so even today.
#PLA_Myths
And there is plenty to talk about here, given their ‘rich’ history of ‘valour’ too.
Let us start with the PLA before the establishment of the PRC. They were actually raised as the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party, and continue to be so even today.
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#PLA_Myths
Yes, China, the country doesn’t have an army. What they have is the ARMED WING OF THE CPC, enabling the CPC in ruling over China.
The PLA was raised in 1928 to help the CPC ‘struggle’ in its endeavour to establish a communist regime in China.
#PLA_Myths
Yes, China, the country doesn’t have an army. What they have is the ARMED WING OF THE CPC, enabling the CPC in ruling over China.
The PLA was raised in 1928 to help the CPC ‘struggle’ in its endeavour to establish a communist regime in China.
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#PLA_Myths
Since almost its very inception, it found itself fighting Chiang Kai Shek’s Koumintang for the right to rule over China.
This fight was, however interrupted when the Japanese showed up from across the East China Sea.
#PLA_Myths
Since almost its very inception, it found itself fighting Chiang Kai Shek’s Koumintang for the right to rule over China.
This fight was, however interrupted when the Japanese showed up from across the East China Sea.
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#PLA_Myths
This fight was, however interrupted when the Japanese showed up from across the East China Sea. This is where Mao played a masterstroke – he withdrew from the fight, preferring to let the Koumintang fight the Japanese instead!
#PLA_Myths
This fight was, however interrupted when the Japanese showed up from across the East China Sea. This is where Mao played a masterstroke – he withdrew from the fight, preferring to let the Koumintang fight the Japanese instead!
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#PLA_Myths
The same template carried on during the second world war too.
So basically, the PLA did NOTHING for the freedom of China when occupied by the Japanese.
Yes, do take a moment to let that sink in.
#PLA_Myths
The same template carried on during the second world war too.
So basically, the PLA did NOTHING for the freedom of China when occupied by the Japanese.
Yes, do take a moment to let that sink in.
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#PLA_Myths
On the contrary, as soon as the Japanese were defeated with the combined efforts of the Allies and the Koumintang, the PLA attacked a weakened Chiang Kai Shek and drove him to what is now Taiwan.
Smart, no?
#PLA_Myths
On the contrary, as soon as the Japanese were defeated with the combined efforts of the Allies and the Koumintang, the PLA attacked a weakened Chiang Kai Shek and drove him to what is now Taiwan.
Smart, no?
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#PLA_Myths
PRC established, the PLA soon marched into Tibet. There was NO resistance worth the name.
Tick first ‘victory’ for the PLA.
Fast forward three more years. Gen Eisenhower marched into North Korea, threatening to reach the very doorstep of the PRC on the Yalu River.
#PLA_Myths
PRC established, the PLA soon marched into Tibet. There was NO resistance worth the name.
Tick first ‘victory’ for the PLA.
Fast forward three more years. Gen Eisenhower marched into North Korea, threatening to reach the very doorstep of the PRC on the Yalu River.
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#PLA_Myths
Mao committed the PLA to ensure the survival of the commie regime. The Americans were ultimately driven back to the 32nd Parallel, where they continue to be even today.
This campaign was touted as a stunning victory for the PLA.
#PLA_Myths
Mao committed the PLA to ensure the survival of the commie regime. The Americans were ultimately driven back to the 32nd Parallel, where they continue to be even today.
This campaign was touted as a stunning victory for the PLA.
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#PLA_Myths
But was is really a victory? Dig a bit deeper and what does one find? Waves after waves of PLA soldiers sent in to simply overwhelm the Americans by sheer numbers.
No tactics.
No manoeuvres.
Nothing.
#PLA_Myths
But was is really a victory? Dig a bit deeper and what does one find? Waves after waves of PLA soldiers sent in to simply overwhelm the Americans by sheer numbers.
No tactics.
No manoeuvres.
Nothing.
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#PLA_Myths
Just keep sending them till the Americans run out of bullets to shoot them.
Very smart, Mr Mao!
I will let you google for the fatalities that the PLA as compared to those suffered by the Americans.
#PLA_Myths
Just keep sending them till the Americans run out of bullets to shoot them.
Very smart, Mr Mao!
I will let you google for the fatalities that the PLA as compared to those suffered by the Americans.
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#PLA_Myths
It was a ‘victory’ indeed.
Or was it?
Total lack of ingenuity. Just one resource that Mao had at his disposal aplenty – scores and scores of poor Chinese soldiers.
#PLA_Myths
It was a ‘victory’ indeed.
Or was it?
Total lack of ingenuity. Just one resource that Mao had at his disposal aplenty – scores and scores of poor Chinese soldiers.
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#PLA_Myths
Less than a decade later came the 1962 war. Enough has been written about it. But still, I’ll add my own bit.
As the Time Magazine wrote – ill armed, ill clad, ill trained, the only thing that the Indian Army did NOT lack was guts.
#PLA_Myths
Less than a decade later came the 1962 war. Enough has been written about it. But still, I’ll add my own bit.
As the Time Magazine wrote – ill armed, ill clad, ill trained, the only thing that the Indian Army did NOT lack was guts.
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#PLA_Myths
The Indian army was thrust in a battle it was not prepared for.
Couple that with questionable leadership and the result did NOT come as a surprise.
#PLA_Myths
The Indian army was thrust in a battle it was not prepared for.
Couple that with questionable leadership and the result did NOT come as a surprise.
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#PLA_Myths
BUT, one fact that is often left out is that wherever the local commanders did not panic, and actually LED their troops, the Indian soldier stood like a rock on his land.
Till his very last breath.
#PLA_Myths
BUT, one fact that is often left out is that wherever the local commanders did not panic, and actually LED their troops, the Indian soldier stood like a rock on his land.
Till his very last breath.
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#PLA_Myths
Names like Dhan Singh Thapa, Shaitan Singh, Jaswant Singh, Joginder Singh, Yog Raj Palta, Brahmanand Awasthi and the hundreds more became folklore.
#PLA_Myths
Names like Dhan Singh Thapa, Shaitan Singh, Jaswant Singh, Joginder Singh, Yog Raj Palta, Brahmanand Awasthi and the hundreds more became folklore.
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#PLA_Myths
A beautiful tribute to the Indian warriors who held on to Kibithu / Walong to their last breath appeared in the Pune Newsline on 07 Nov 1999. I still retain the original paper cutting.
A must read piece.
Download, zoom and read it.
I insist.
#PLA_Myths
A beautiful tribute to the Indian warriors who held on to Kibithu / Walong to their last breath appeared in the Pune Newsline on 07 Nov 1999. I still retain the original paper cutting.
A must read piece.
Download, zoom and read it.
I insist.
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#PLA_Myths
The Chinese admit to fewer than 750 casualties in that war.
Let us analyse that a bit.
750 casualties.
Let that sink in for a moment!
Here is how the Chinese fought.
They got a peasants’ army to march from the plains of East/South China into the high Himalayas in..
#PLA_Myths
The Chinese admit to fewer than 750 casualties in that war.
Let us analyse that a bit.
750 casualties.
Let that sink in for a moment!
Here is how the Chinese fought.
They got a peasants’ army to march from the plains of East/South China into the high Himalayas in..
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#PLA_Myths
.. Sep/Oct.
That done, they told them to attack.
Uphill, against a stubborn enemy.
At altitudes ranging from 12 to 18,000 feet.
Across a theatre ranging from Ladakh to Kibithu.
And then, with the plains of Assam in sight, they called for a ceasefire and withdrew!
#PLA_Myths
.. Sep/Oct.
That done, they told them to attack.
Uphill, against a stubborn enemy.
At altitudes ranging from 12 to 18,000 feet.
Across a theatre ranging from Ladakh to Kibithu.
And then, with the plains of Assam in sight, they called for a ceasefire and withdrew!
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#PLA_Myths
Back up the hills from where they’d just climbed down. Back into the icy Tibet. In the peak of winters.
And less than 750 casualties?
The souls of Maj Shaitan Singh and his Ahirs would be laughing their heads off!
They would have accounted for a tad more than ..
#PLA_Myths
Back up the hills from where they’d just climbed down. Back into the icy Tibet. In the peak of winters.
And less than 750 casualties?
The souls of Maj Shaitan Singh and his Ahirs would be laughing their heads off!
They would have accounted for a tad more than ..
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#PLA_Myths
.. that figure at Rezang La itself!
Another ‘victory’, but at what cost once again?
And what did they achieve?
No new lands came their way.
On the contrary, they made an eternal enemy of a large neighbour.
#PLA_Myths
.. that figure at Rezang La itself!
Another ‘victory’, but at what cost once again?
And what did they achieve?
No new lands came their way.
On the contrary, they made an eternal enemy of a large neighbour.
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#PLA_Myths
One that has given them considerable grief on the battlefield subsequently.
Talking of grief on the LAC, the first instance came soon after 1962, at NathuLa in 1967 when Brigadier Sagat Singh ensured that his Grenadiers killed 300+ Chinese in response to the PLA ..
#PLA_Myths
One that has given them considerable grief on the battlefield subsequently.
Talking of grief on the LAC, the first instance came soon after 1962, at NathuLa in 1967 when Brigadier Sagat Singh ensured that his Grenadiers killed 300+ Chinese in response to the PLA ..
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#PLA_Myths
.. wounding their commanding officer. Soon thereafter came the incident at Chola, again in Sikkim, less than a month later wherein the Gorkhas of 7/11 GR did a repeat of that.
And guess what, Sikkim has been so peaceful since then!
#PLA_Myths
.. wounding their commanding officer. Soon thereafter came the incident at Chola, again in Sikkim, less than a month later wherein the Gorkhas of 7/11 GR did a repeat of that.
And guess what, Sikkim has been so peaceful since then!
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#PLA_Myths
Two years later came the faceoff between the PLA and the Soviets at Usuri River. Close to 1000 PLA troops were accounted for by the Soviets.
So alarmed was Mao that he almost vacated Peking!
#PLA_Myths
Two years later came the faceoff between the PLA and the Soviets at Usuri River. Close to 1000 PLA troops were accounted for by the Soviets.
So alarmed was Mao that he almost vacated Peking!
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#PLA_Myths
Fast forward to a decade ahead. This time it was Shri Deng Xiaoping who thought he should ‘teach a lesson’ to puny Vietnam for opposing the China backed murderous Cambodian regime.
He launched the much vaunted PLA to teach the said lesson to Vietnam.
#PLA_Myths
Fast forward to a decade ahead. This time it was Shri Deng Xiaoping who thought he should ‘teach a lesson’ to puny Vietnam for opposing the China backed murderous Cambodian regime.
He launched the much vaunted PLA to teach the said lesson to Vietnam.
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#PLA_Myths
But no points for guessing who got taught the lesson!
The PLA lost close to 200,000 soldiers, claimed a victory and moved back. Very smart of them.
Just that the Vietnamese tend to disagree, though!
(Photo: Chinese POWs in Vietnam, 1979, guarded by women soldiers)
#PLA_Myths
But no points for guessing who got taught the lesson!
The PLA lost close to 200,000 soldiers, claimed a victory and moved back. Very smart of them.
Just that the Vietnamese tend to disagree, though!
(Photo: Chinese POWs in Vietnam, 1979, guarded by women soldiers)
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#PLA_Myths
Next decade came another standoff with India at Sumdorong Chu. Interestingly, Wikipedia has got it in good detail.
Bottomline: the PLA tried to pre-emptively occupy some areas on the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, but got the shock of their lives when the Indian army ..
#PLA_Myths
Next decade came another standoff with India at Sumdorong Chu. Interestingly, Wikipedia has got it in good detail.
Bottomline: the PLA tried to pre-emptively occupy some areas on the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, but got the shock of their lives when the Indian army ..
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#PLA_Myths
.. counter mobilised with an entire brigade!
Thing is, the Chinese thought that this time too, the ghost of 1962 would prevent India from responding to them. But I guess they forgot that the ghost of 1962 was more than exorcised in 1967 itself.
#PLA_Myths
.. counter mobilised with an entire brigade!
Thing is, the Chinese thought that this time too, the ghost of 1962 would prevent India from responding to them. But I guess they forgot that the ghost of 1962 was more than exorcised in 1967 itself.
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#PLA_Myths
Something similar, in fact, happened at Doklam a few months ago, a standoff which carries on still. If only the PLA could learn from THEIR OWN FCUKING HISTORY!
Here's a thread I did on the Doklam incident, btw.
MUST READ.
I INSIST! https://twitter.com/CestMoiz/status/902523778747424768
#PLA_Myths
Something similar, in fact, happened at Doklam a few months ago, a standoff which carries on still. If only the PLA could learn from THEIR OWN FCUKING HISTORY!
Here's a thread I did on the Doklam incident, btw.
MUST READ.
I INSIST! https://twitter.com/CestMoiz/status/902523778747424768
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#PLA_Myths
Then there was the ‘little’ incident in South Sudan some months ago, something that I tweeted about earlier too (link at the top of this thread), when shiny toys failed to ‘persuade’ the PLA soldiers to hang on instead of running away in face of rag tag militias.
#PLA_Myths
Then there was the ‘little’ incident in South Sudan some months ago, something that I tweeted about earlier too (link at the top of this thread), when shiny toys failed to ‘persuade’ the PLA soldiers to hang on instead of running away in face of rag tag militias.
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#PLA_Myths
At the end of it, I stand firm in my belief that the PLA is all huff & puff, but no WILL to prove that it is not mere bluster.
Despite shiny toys, the Chinese Emperor’s Army is Naked!
I guess they know it too, ‘coz their aim seems 2b to somehow win without fighting.
#PLA_Myths
At the end of it, I stand firm in my belief that the PLA is all huff & puff, but no WILL to prove that it is not mere bluster.
Despite shiny toys, the Chinese Emperor’s Army is Naked!
I guess they know it too, ‘coz their aim seems 2b to somehow win without fighting.
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#PLA_Myths
And they just might succeed in doing so, atleast in the South – China, nay Indo – China Sea as it has historically been called.
But then, they did run into a stone wall in Doklam, hoping for the same template to get repeated.
Interesting, no?
#PLA_Myths
And they just might succeed in doing so, atleast in the South – China, nay Indo – China Sea as it has historically been called.
But then, they did run into a stone wall in Doklam, hoping for the same template to get repeated.
Interesting, no?
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#PLA_Myths
To conclude all I will say is that this Indian Army is NOT the Indian Army of 1962, but the PLA soldier of today is STILL the same as the PLA soldier of 1962.
He STILL cannot fight, esp when faced with a worthy enemy.
#PLA_Myths
To conclude all I will say is that this Indian Army is NOT the Indian Army of 1962, but the PLA soldier of today is STILL the same as the PLA soldier of 1962.
He STILL cannot fight, esp when faced with a worthy enemy.
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#PLA_Myths
And days of sacrificing him by the hundreds are gone for good. (Once again, do read the threads quoted in the first tweet of this thread itself)
Just my thoughts.
:Fin:
#PLA_Myths
And days of sacrificing him by the hundreds are gone for good. (Once again, do read the threads quoted in the first tweet of this thread itself)
Just my thoughts.
:Fin:
45/45
Above thread in my blog, for those interested. https://cestmoizblog.com/2017/08/27/peoples-liberation-army-a-history-of-valour/
Above thread in my blog, for those interested. https://cestmoizblog.com/2017/08/27/peoples-liberation-army-a-history-of-valour/
