This post is dedicated to a legend Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

In the involvement of the Indian army for the Liberation of Bangladesh, the name of Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, will be written in Gold. A military genius, a born soldier and

a patriot, we Indians proudly call him as "Sam Bahadur". Sam Manekshaw PV, PB, MC was born on 3rd April, 1914 in Amritsar. He joined the first intake of the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun in 1932 and was commissioned in the 4th Battalion of the 11th Frontier Force

Regiment and served in World War 2. Being a young Company Commander, he was even shot in the battle against the Japanese forces near the Sittang river in Burma. Being wounded from devastating Machine gun fire, with half of his company being shredded to casualties, his company

managed to capture their objectives in the Pagoda Hill. But for being grievously wounded this Hero of Sittang river was dying. Seeing him like that Major General David Cowan GOC of the 17th Infantry Division in Burma rushed to him and placed his own Military Cross Ribbon and said

"A dead man cannot be awarded the Military Cross"

The Australian surgeon operating on him asked what happened to him and Sam replied that it was nothing, just "A kick from a mule!"

Soon, the surgeon was noticed to have removed 9 bullets from Sam Manekshaw's lungs, liver and

Intestines and Sam survived to write another saga of valor 29 years later.

Following the partition, Manekshaw was reassigned to the 8th Gorkha Rifles and by 1952, he was serving as the Brigadier of the 167 Infantry Brigade, till 1954 when he took over

As director of military training at Army. Headquarters. The Pakistani military dictator, Yahiya Khan, who came to power after the fall of dictator Ayub Khan, was junior to him before the partition. And Yahiya Khan still owed the 1000 bucks for the James bike that he took from

Sam Manekshaw in 1947 and Yahiya khan was yet to pay that money back. It would be paid in a way that Yahiya khan might not have even ever thought of. Sam Manekshaw completed his Higher command course from Imperial Defense College and soon became GOC of the 26th Infantry Division

By 1962 he was commanding the 4th corps and in 1969 he was appointed as the 8th Chief of the Army staff. Came 1971 and by month of April Bangladeshi refugees started flooding the refugee camps inside India. Then the PM of India Mrs Gandhi called for a cabinet

Meeting calling Sam Manekshaw as well.

Mrs. Gandhi directly said to Sam Manekshaw so many refugees are flooding in and chief minister of Assam had even telegrammed me what are you people planning?

Sam replied-
"We are doing nothing regarding this. What can we do?"

What can you not do? Isn't it getting too late to act on this? Asked Mrs. Gandhi.

What are exactly wanted me to do? Asked Sam Manekshaw.

You move into east Pakistan replied Mrs. Gandhi.

That means war! Said Sam Manekshaw.

Sam Manekshaw sat down and asked her did you ever

Read bible?

Sardar Saran Singh who was present in the cabinet meeting asked Sam Manekshaw.

"How is the bible even relevant here"

Sam replied-
"In the Bible, it is said that- God remarked that, let there be light! And hence, there was light! Prime

Minister said- let there be a war and the war begins".

He said " but PM are you ready for war? At least I am not"

Then Sam Manekshaw start saying

If we go to war what can happen I will tell you. This is the end week of April and within 15 to 20 days the monsoons will arrive

In the monsoon the rivers of east Pakistan becomes turn like a open seas with the other side of the river being barely visible from the other side. In this situation our columns will get stuck in the muddy roads and in the rains. Not even any IAF can come in time for support

The pakistani army down there will crush us. This is just one part coming to another part.

One side of armored division is in Babina while I cant remember were my another one is... yes I remember it is in secundrabad Right now in India this season is harvest season

And for transporting my my troops to the east I will need every road truck even railroard making it impossible to transport food and grains!"

Then, looking at the minister of Food Agriculture, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, Sam Manekshaw said-

"If there is a famine in India, you all

Can't blame me! I don't want to take that responsibility.

More than that the armored division that is my main strength has only 12 working tanks!..

Minister of finance Mr chauhan asked Sam Manekshaw.
"Why inky 12 tanks".

Sam replied to him-

The reason is govt and you sir

Fir months I am trying to acquire new tanks and bargaining for them. Bit you said there is no money. "So there is only 12 tanks".

Then he turned towards Mrs Gandhi and said.

Mrs PM in 1962 instead of General
Thapar, even if your father Neheruji had asked me to push the Chinese

Out I would have still said that there will be some problems. Now I am telling you the problems of today. Even in spite of that. If you ask me to move in I can guarantee you a complete defeat! Now you order".

Defence minister Jagjivan Ram remarked.

"Sam maan jao naa bhai".

"Sam replied I am saying this from professional angle now government has to decide".

For that time Mrs Gandhi didn't comment except for saying

"Okay the cabinet will meet again by 4 pm".

As the entire cabinet except for Sam Manekshaw and Mrs Gandhi left, Sam Smiled

At her while Mrs Gandhi said Chief, please take a seat".

As Sam Manekshaw sat back he said-

Mrs PM before you tell me anything do you want me resign on medical grounds?.

She said-
" Oh chief just tell me whether what you have said to me is right or not?"

Sam said- "Absolutely yes see fighting for victory is my job. Are you ready for that? At least I am not. Are you ready to deal with internal issues that might arise? Can you handle the international pressure that will arise?
I don't think you are ready".

I know what you want

And for this task everything has to be according to me and my timing. If you guarantee me that, I can guarantee you a victory.
On this matter, I want to make some things very clear.
1) In the war, there will be only one commander.
2) BSF, CRPF, whoever you want, I

Have no problem in working under anyone. But I dont want Soviet to come and dictate my duties.
3) I want someone from government from whom I will take orders and I cant take any orders from any specific department of the government now you decide".

Mrs Gandhi replied".
"Alright Chief" you will be the commander and no one will interfere in your work".
"Sam Manekshaw replied",
Now I can give you guarantee victory".

Just before the war started Sam Manekshaw met PM. Again at the meeting.

"Mrs Gandhi asked are you ready".

"I am always ready, sweetie!"- He replied.

And history says the rest!

Yahiya Khan, paid his 1000 bucks back via handing over Sam Manekshaw half of his country, and Sam Manekshaw handed over the country to the rightful owners of that country!

Sam Manekshaw served as a Field Marshal and after the war, in 1973, he retired. He was awarded the Padma Vibushan in 1972 and lived his retired life in Connoor.

Manekshaw died of complications from pneumonia at the Military Hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, at 12:30 a.m.

on 27 June 2008 at the age of 94. Reportedly, his last words were "I'm okay!", just like his words- "A kick from a mule!", exactly 66 years ago.
He was buried in the Parsi cemetery Ooty, Tamil Nadu, with full military honours.

My salutes to this Hero! My Salutes for his endless efforts in saving a suffering humanity!

Jai Hind

Source~ 1971 war book series.

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