1965 WAR

1965 War was the first all-out clash between the two nationsIndia and Pakistan, after the Partition in 1947.Y.B. Chavan, Indias former Defence Minister, recorded in his own hand the 22-day war. The inside story reveals Utter failure of intelligence on timing of Pak attack. How and why Chavan ordered IAF to launch attack without even informing the PM. Why India attacked across the international border? Reasons as per Chavan recording, If we failand I cannot even imagine of itthe Nation fails. How a Division Commander bolted from the theatre of operation. How the Army Commander sacrificed over 300 men for the Greater Glory of his Regiment. Why the Indian Army did not march into Lahore. Occasions when the Army Chief almost lost his nerve. How the Defence Minister, the Army and Air chiefs worked as team. How PM kept his cool and emerged as a great leader in War. Was it a Futile War? Did India lose in Tashkent what was won on battle-fields. Finally, how the political leadership re-established its proper relationship with the defence forces leadership and wiped out bitter memories of the 1962 India-China War.The book is a tribute to the IAF that was deployed in war for the first time after the Independence. Also to Indias armoured Regiments that fought valiantly and destroyed myth of superiority of the Pattons.

Book Contents

SECTION I1. A Momentous Decision; 2. Backdrop to Operation Gibraltar; 3. Geographical Features and Indian Armys Appreciation; 4. The Attack; 5. A Defence Ministers DiarySECTION IIPART - I MILITARY OPERATIONS6. Surprise Pak Offensive; 7. Operation Riddle Counter Offensive; 8. Of Cowardice and Panic; 9. Turning the Corner; 10. The Stupid Incident; 11. Stepping Up of Pressure; 12. Retreat to the Beas; 13. The Chinese CheckersPART - II UN & OTHER DIPLOMATIC INTERVENTIONS14. Last Phase; 15. War & Diplomacy; 16. U Thants Diplomacy; 17. Ceasefire DramaSECTION III18. Preparation for Role; 19. Defence Minister and the Chiefs; 20. Higher Direction of War; 21. A Futile War; 22. Future of India-Pakistan Relations Chavans Reflections; Annexure Statement by the Defence Minister Regarding the NEFA Enquiry; Index; LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS; Captured weapons and ammunitions being shown to Defence Minister; Captured weapons and ammunitions being shown to Defence Minister; Defence Minister with Air Officers and Gnat that shot down Pakistans F-104; Y.B. Chavan addressing Army Officers and Jawans; Defence Minister visiting Front with COAS; Y.B. Chavan with Jawans; Paks Patton Tanks captured in Khemkaran Sector; At dinner hosted for the Chiefs (left to right) Air-Marshal Arjan Singh, Gen. J.N. Chaudhuri, C. Subramaniam, Admiral D.S. Soman; President Ayub greeting PM Lal Bahadur Shastri; Tashkent Conference in session; PM Lal Bahadur Shastri with President Ayub, Kosygin and others; PM Lal Bahadur Shastri signing the Agreement with Y.B. Chavan by his side; LIST OF MAPS; The Chhamb Sector; Pakistani Thrust and Indias Counter-thrust (Western Sector) The Western Front; Pak Offensive PlanKhemkaran Sector