Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Personal attacks

The interview with Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob (May 4) in the context of the 1971 war with Pakistan made sad reading, especially the personal attacks made. In a military hierarchy, field commanders are consulted, advice taken, and orders given by superiors. There is a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the helm of affairs of each Command; in this case Lt. Gen. J.S. Aurora was the operational head of the Eastern Command. In a democratic country like ours, the will of the elected government prevails and as Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw did a commendable job in liasing with the government of the day during the war. Probably, the award of back pay to Field Marshal Manekshaw prompted the revelations.

Wg. Cdr. O.V. Rajmohan (retd.),
Coimbatore

* * *

Field Marshal Manekshaw, as the Chief of the Army Staff, had a number of officers at the Army HQ such as the Director-General of Military Intelligence and the Director-General of Military Operations whose advice he would have surely taken in formulating the war plan. He would certainly have sought the advice of the Eastern Command as well. Finally, it is the job of the Army Chief to take the decisions that matter; all the others are supposed to meticulously carry out the orders. It would be highly dangerous in a war-like situation if senior officers at different levels take their own decisions and act accordingly. Field Marshal Manekshaw has been always considered an upright officer and a typical example of an officer and a gentleman.

Capt. R. Ramakrishnan (retd.),
Madurai

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