The POW Who Saved Kashmir: Unsung Saga of Sher Bachha Brig Pritam Singh, MC by Brig Jasbir Singh (Author), Pankaj P Singh.

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The POW Who Saved Kashmir:

Unsung Saga of Sher Bachha Brig Pritam Singh, MC

by Brig Jasbir Singh (Author), Pankaj P Singh (Author)

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First and foremost, the publishers have rendered it impossible to quote from the book, unless one types it in; one is therefore tempted to simply read through and do a one word review, good or otherwise.

One expects to say, good. So one wishes one could say more.

In short, its history of 1948, of India defending Kashmir against Pakistan attack, and the role played by Brigadier Pritam Singh, who's locally remembered as Lion.

Author repeatedly mentions names of Mirpur and Kotli, before it sinks in, that the horrors perpetrated in those places by the so called raiders - sponsored, of course, by Pakistan - were so horrendous as to produce a dread through the neighborhood, and hence the then local and refugees support for the Indian military, and leaders thereof who were the people's only defence against the loot, massacres and rapes by the said 'raiders'.

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Even before one has gone as far as 9% in the book, there's much worth quoting, astounding as it is, about lives of three WWII POW escapees who walked and otherwise traveled up from the then Malaya through Burma into India, before the main character in this tale of valour - Pritam Singh - joined Indian military defending in Poonch, managing against the siege for a year.

It's almost sad when the book is finished. And not just because of the injustice of how this hero was treated, but because the story has become part of one, as if one lived it!

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Fortunately one can quote one small excerpt, because of its source, quoted by the author.

""Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

"Robert F. Kennedy "

Tale of Pritam Singh is in the two parts mentioned, the escape from a POW camp and walk up to India through Malaya and Burma, and later, defense of Poonch.

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"The personality of the general is indispensable; he is the head, he is the all, of an army. The Gauls were not conquered by the Roman Legion, but by Caesar. It was not before the Carthagenian soldiers that Rome was made to tremble, but before Hannibal. It was not the Macedonian phalanx which penetrated into India, but Alexander.

"- Napoleon"

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" ... There was a concerted effort to tarnish the image of the patriot and hero who had been solely responsible for many spectacular victories."

There were false reports, and a move to send Pritam to Kashmir valley, still in need of defence.

" ... Thimayya was getting an excellent soldier, and warmly welcomed ... But Thimayya warned the armycommander that if after Pritam's move a disaster befell poonch, then he wouldnot like to be associated with it. Thereafter, nothing more was ever heard regarding the proposal about moving Pritam out of Poonch."

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Author now recounts at brief length an account of a court of inquiry set up against pritam after General Cariappa had assured him to the contrary, and the various impropriety carried out during conduct of this court, legally and procedurally; he almost directly points at BM Kaul, close to the then PM Nehru, as responsible for most of those improprieties, and reminds the readers that the same BM Kaul was responsible for disaster at NEFA in 1962 " ... by proving to be thoroughly incompetent."

" ... There was ample reason to believe that a forged document and false evidence had been surreptitiously introduced by motivated members of the Court to provide false evidence against Pritam ... "

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Author delineates flaws and falsehoods in the charges against Pritam Singh, in brief but complete detail, leaving no doubts as to there bring some personal ill will against him involved in the matter.

But at some point, one must ask, was this really all about immediate colleagues? It would seem not so, because as per details provided by author, orders csme from way above, close to and above level of the then PM of India, Nehru.

Was this about British in general - and the British personnel involved in the then government of India in particular - bring keen to have Pakistan capture and occupy Kashmir at all costs, and doing various, underhand as well as obvious, machinations in the process?

We know, from at least one source involving biography of Sardar Patel, that the corresponding British chiefs of the two armies - India and Pakistan - were not only in touch via telephone, but the former had been caught informing the paki counterpart of decisions and movements of Indian military, and had done so in French, not expecting to be understood by Indians. He was taken aback when caught, denied, gone white when presented with a recording, and pleaded to be not dragged further as he deserved to be.

What's more, Mountbatten had manipulated Nehru by going to Gandhi to pressure Nehru through the latter, when his own persuasions failed.

So - author having given details about Nehru on one side and Mountbatten on opposite, regarding poonch - was Pritam Singh blackened by British displeased at poonch being defended, and this was supposed to be not only punishment but a caution and warning to other military officers who might have taken initiative to do do elsewhere in Kashmir?

Was BM Kaul involved, just so Nehru couldn't oppose the court of inquiry procedure, since he'd opined for defense of Poonch? If Kaul had been pressured by his British bosses, perhaps he lacked spine enough to stand by India? Because he did go against Cariappa, which would be strange - at the very least.

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Author recounts Swaran Singh, later minister in government of India, had testified and reasoned in vourt against those accusing Pritam Singh.

That alone should tell any reader familiar with general personae involved, that the accusations and case against Pritam Singh were far from kosher, and that in fact they were completely fraudulent.

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Meanwhile Pritam Singh was dealing with the continuing siege. He had to provide food and other essentials for people of poonch, and battle the Pakistani sponsored raiders surrounding the town and hills. He raised two battalions from locals to add to the Indian army and J&K State Forces to fight back in defense.

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"Sardar Swaran Singh could not recall all the details after a lapse of nearly forty-three years but remembered Pritam as an honourable and courageous man. He maintained there was no case against Pritam. His conviction was political vendetta, where Sheikh Abdullah and others had used their clout at Delhi to obtain a verdict of guilty."

"Major General Virendra Singh, another contemporary of Pritam, said "It was Bijjee Kaul (BM Kaul) who was working overtime, along with others in Delhi, to hunt down Pritam. ""

Author quotes several other sources pointing out that the whole thing was absurd at best and conspiracy to blacken a hero in reality.

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" ... The detractors not only maligned and sullied Pritam's reputation but also buried the great story of the year-long heroic siege of Poonch. It was a complete sacrilege, as the year-long siege had been unique in itself and worthy to rank among the great sieges in the history of warfare. If it had not been burned, it would have become a subject of study in military institutions all over the world. "

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Author quotes from memoirs of General DK Palit.

One can only hope to find the quotes elsewhere. Here, one can read, but not quote easily. And this part is more than worthy in its totality of being quoted.

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"I suspected that the anti-Indian propaganda spread by the departing British officers was the root cause of the low morale of the men. ... "

Pritam agreed when another colleague advised Palit to go with the men in action instead of carrying on exercises.

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Author quotes extensively from the memoirs of Palit here, the part focused on Pritam Singh, giving reference "Pages 255-280", "Pritam Singh and the defence of Poonch, 1947-48".

And as for Palit on Pritam Singh, he's clearly laudatory.

Again, one wishes one could quote all of that.

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Author quotes from Palit.

"" ... The British CO ... and one or two other British officers did everything they could to undermine the standing of incoming Indian officers. ... ""

That wasn't merely racism, but a specific anti-Indian, anti-Hindu policy set up by Macaulay and applied in general by British in dealing with India.

Perhaps that, alone, is enough to explain the persecution of Pritam Singh, in that, obviously he had to be so thoroughly blackballed after being a hero saving Poonch from muslim raiders from Pakistan, because Mountbatten and British government wanted pakistan to have Kashmir, and were doing everything possible from pressuring Nehru to informing Pakistan of Indian military movements, inn that effort.

Naturally they were furious at Pritam Singh and wanted him destroyed, but at hands seemingly of his own compatriots. As Author points out earlier, this had an effect of discouraging such leadership when it was needed desperately, in 1962, however bravely the men fought; and whatever the truth of that, certainly such an effect would be only natural, if author were correct in this conclusion.

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Quite an eye-opener, reading through the words of Palit.

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Author points out the unfairness and injustice of the treatment received by the saviour of Poonch, and appeals for rectification thereof.

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Author gives excerpts from 'Operation Poonching' by Shiv Kunal Verma.

Most thrilling accounts of how Poonching began and went on, in face of enemy fire.

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Author gives detailed conversation from an incredible interview with someone who'd fought at Poonch under Pritam Singh, apart from WWII in both east and west theatres against Japan and Germany respectively.

The interview consists of personal memories and relevant details of the battles fought under Pritam Singh’s command, beginning with Shalateng.

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It's almost sad when the book is finished. And not just because of the injustice of how this hero was treated, but because the story has become part of one, as if one lived it!

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"One of the mainstays of an army is its esprit de corps, that spirit which gives a soldier purpose and the endurance to carry on where others might give up.

"Anonymous"

Author begins with history of the regiment since before it was renamed, with its rescue of earthquake victims in Quetta in 1935, and thence forth.

The chapter closes with the battalion proceeding out of Madras on ship, and cheering after opening envelope giving the battalion's destination, Singapore, which was done only once on high seas, as per system.

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Author describes arrival and settling of the battalion in Singapore and proceeds to list various members who went on to have illustrious careers, in India or other oarts after partition.

" ... Major KS Thimayya (later General) was one of the company commanders. ... "

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Description here gives an impression that the then British government of India gave importance to European theater of war during WWII, sending experienced personnel to Egypt, including from Singapore; while replacement crew in Singapore were not only fresh recruits, but were sent without equipment.

Was this due to a racist viewpoint denigrating Japan as a threat, or India as of less importance?

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Author describes terrain and vegetation, troop training and movement.

Author describes the Japanese attack from North through thick jungles of Malaya, contrary to British expectations, and the woefully short equipment of British troops fighting modern, well equipped Japanese.

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Author begins with February 1942 bombing of Singapore.

Author's description of the fall of Singapore is succinct and yet graphic, bringing it all alive.

Author describes INA personnel in charge, their conduct, and asserts that they did not carry out any propaganda, but were generally responsible for improving the conditions for Indian POW camps.

The descriptions of situation in general are quite horrendous, but a holiday compared with German camps at the time.

" ... For whatever reason, the Japanese frowned upon Indian and Australian officers talking to each other." !!!!

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Author's description of prisoners building the Tengah Airfield and doing other construction work is a tad reminiscent of early scenes of Bridge On The River Kwai, but differ in the way the prisoners dealt either it, apart from perhaps the Japanese bring not as harsh with Indians as - or as they were depicted in the film - with British.

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Author describes how the other two escapees, Balbir Singh and Parab, had been planning escape, hoping to find a boat and escape via sea. But being caught would be punished by execution.

Due to shortage of food, Japanese allowed people to return to mainland.

" ... in preparation for their escape, they changed their names and posed as clerks from a rubber estate."

They had white clothes tailored by someone in camp, and a map torn from a school book hidden in a civilian outlandish hat, showing region upto India, birders and terrain, which proved invaluable.

Various people helped with money.

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Surprises don't cease.

Author describes Niranjan Gill of INA responding positively to the escapees asking him to intercede with Japanese to cancel the then proposed transfer of POW prisoners to Andaman, and Gill responding by suggesting they escape from Andaman via boat; they said they were lacking in the required expertise to navigate and more, and Gill agreed to try intercession.

All this electrifying history ought to have been made known to school children as soon as India had independence.

Instead, INA personnel were treated as almost criminals, and what's worse, this book is about how shabbily the subject of this biography was treated, despite his part in defending Kashmir against Pakistan.

It's only now that we get to read about the heros, post 2014!

Reminiscent of The Great Escape and Stalag 17, the escape story next ought to have been not only taught in school curriculum, but deserved yo have had films based on it and as close to facts as can get, not forgotten the way it was due to seven decades of governments that drifted two names and relegated rest of freedom warriors to a sentence here or there, not even a sentence each!

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Description of their escape at night, through a hole in fence, and thence by tram to Singapore railway station, is only surpassed in its suspense and thrill by their catching a train to Alor Setar, near Thai border, through Malaya.

The chapter gives their travails crossing border, but once done, they proceeded by train to Bangkok.

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In Thailand they were helped by a fugitive from India who had settled locally, and helped them by suggesting jungle trails to Burma, but advising against traveling those. When they refused his offer to settle locally, he helped them onwards, with food and guides.

They managed, after exhausting adventures including being lost, set upon by cattle smugglers and being swept away by a fast flowing torrent, to arrive in Burma, where they were now closer to and on the way to India, but Burma was beset by war.

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"As they walked into Rangoon on 4 July 1942, a flight of US bombers droned towards the city in broad daylight. ... "

And US wonders why Asia isn't friendly?

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In Rangoon, too, they met INA, and a Sindhi helped them with money to proceed further. They bought tickets to Mandalay.

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In Monywa, they were betrayed by a Thakur Singh under pretext of help, and caught by Japanese.

But, as it transpired, the Japanese weren't interested in escapees attempting to return home, only in possible spies.

" ... their joy knew no bounds when they saw Thakur Singh rudely sent on his way from the police station with a well directed kick in his pants!"

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After a fortnight of interrogation, they were told they were being sent back to Pegu, where they had claimed they lived.

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The trio jumped off the train to Pegu and decided to proceed to India by routes other than through Monywa, splitting in two - Pritam Singh went alone while other two took northern route.

Pritam met an INA officer in Chhangu on his way to India, and joined him. They arrived on 25 October 1942, and were helped by an Indian army garrison. He was one of the first arrivals from Singapore, and provided valuable information. He was sent to be nursed to Calcutta by train from Dimapur and relaxed in his first class compartment.

Other two arrived in due course, and after being convinced that they were genuine, were awarded military crosses in 1943, given by the then viceroy Linlithgow.

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October 30, 1947, visiting army HQ, he found out about Kashmir being attacked, and was given charge of his own unit - now trained as paratroopers - 1st Kumaon (Para).

"As there were few transport planes with the then Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), civil aviation companies like Kalinga Airways of Biju Patnaik were requested to provide DC-3 (Dakota) aircraft to ferry troops and their stores to Srinagar.

Author briefly describes - the brave pilots having used the airstrip at Srinagar despite no navigational aids and no air traffic controllers, delivering troops and stores, landing and taking off in rapid succession - bringing it all to life for readers.

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Author gives brief account of historic message and battle at Badgam by Major Somnath Sharma, who was awarded, 'India's first Paramvir Chakra', posthumously for for his defense against heavy odds.

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" ... the tribals were routed in the ploughed fields of Shalateng. "

" ... the terrified tribal survivors ran pell-mell towards Baramulla and Uri to save their lives ... "

" ... the road to Baramulla was soon littered with Oathani sandals ... "

" ... The battle was a turning point in the Pakistan-sponsored tribal invasion of Kashmir. ... "

"It is worth recording that Pritam was the chief architect of Pakistan's overall defeat during operations in J&K (1947-48). ... "

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" ... Pritam saved the power station at Mahura. ... "

Pritam was thereafter sent to defend Poonch. Tribals caught the rear.

"Despite thirty casualties that his unit suffered, Pritam resolutely broke through the raiders' cordon and pushed on to Poonch."

" ... 1 Kumaon (Para) was able to advance and enter Poonch on 21 November 1947 ... "

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" ... Besides the native population of the town, there were over 40,000 ill-clad, starving and panic stricken refugees, many of whom were sick and wounded. ... "

" ... With the increased population, the available food stocks were estimated to last barely a week. ... "

" ... The enemy held all the cards, and the dice were heavily loaded against the defenders. All set to descend on the town of Poonch, the raiders wanted to loot, rape and massacre. ... "

As they'd been doing all along the way.

" ... Pritam immediately cancelled the orders for withdrawal of J&K State Forces and took charge of the defense. ... "

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" ... Pritam commenced assaulting the hills above Poonch ... so completely unnerved the raiders that they fled away in panic, leaving behind weapons and ammunition scattered all over the hills, and allowed townspeople to get supplies in. ... "

Author recounts that the siege was to last a year, and raiders repeatedly occupied hills, with Pritam conducting sorties, but now HQ ordered troops to retreat. Sensing the gloom that pervaded Poonch when news of withdrawal leaked out, because fate of people in hands of raiders was well known, Pritam responded to HQ to the effect that the garrison would prefer to go down fighting than see India's flag lowered.

Pritam organised various things, including building an airstrip, vital for supplies. Civilians responded by volunteering by thousands - men, women and even children, author reports.

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"On 6 December 1947, Pritam was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. ... "

"After that, the fledgling RIAF began what they called Poonching ... the airbridge using Dakotas was created ... first by day, and later on, even by night ... flew-in supplies and flew-out refugees ... "

Pritam raised local militia, who knew the terrain and were able to fight back raiders.

Later he was sent a new boss whose wrong decisions cost a great deal, to Poonch and to India.