Himalayan Blunder – Book Review

More than 55 years ago – on 20 October 2015 – began the Sino Indian War – India's 1962 conflict with China.

Of all the books, references and literature on the 1962 India China War – I find the memoir of Brigadier JP Dalvi – HIMALAYAN BLUNDER – most engrossing. 

Here is a brief review of the book that I wrote 5 years ago in Oct 2012. 

Meanwhile – I shall re-read the other books and literature I have on this subject and tell you about them here in my blog.

HIMALAYAN BLUNDER

Book Review

By

VIKRAM KARVE

(This is an abridged re-post of my Book Review written in Oct 2012)

A months ago, while browsing through my bookcase I chanced upon one of my favourite military autobiographies – HIMALAYAN BLUNDER by Brig JP Dalvi 

Whenever I start reading Himalayan Blunder, leafing through the pages of the book, I am filled with a sense of déjà vu. 

And as I read on further, drawing parallels between what was written in the book and the intriguing happenings of recenti times, I wonder to myself: 

“Are we heading for another Himalayan Blunder...?” 

Is history going to repeat itself after 55 years...?

I have heard a saying: 

THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT  

That is why I feel that Himalayan Blunder is a must read for the “powers-that-be” – Political, Civil and Military. 

I am sure most politicians, bureaucrats, military officers, students of military history and the intelligentsia have read Himalayan Blunder – but – if you have not read the book – or even of you have read it – it would be worthwhile to read the book carefully once again – to draw parallels between what happened in 1962 – and what is happening now – and learn lessons – so that similar mistakes are not repeated again – and we do not have another “Himalayan Blunder” in the making.

Himalayan Blunder is a fascinating war memoir of the 1962 Conflict between India and China – in which India suffered a humiliating defeat. 

Brigadier Dalvi was the Commander of the Indian Army’s 7^th Infantry Brigade – which was annihilated by the Chinese Army. 

I feel that it always better to read history written by those who have actually lived it – rather than those who have recorded it – merely by academic research.

First person accounts have an air of authenticity about them – which lends them credibility. 

I have read 6 first-hand accounts of the 1962 India China War:

1. The Untold Story By BM Kaul

2. Himalayan Blunder by JP Dalvi

3. The Unfought War of 1962 By JR Saigal

4. The Fall of Towang By Niranjan Prasad

5. War in the High Himalaya by DK Palit 

6. Recollections of the Sela Bomdila Debacle 1962 by Jaidev Singh Datta

(Of course – I have also read many other books/articles on the 1962 India China War including India’s China War by Neville Maxwell and analyses/memoirs of battles in the USI Journal – but – like I said – First Hand Memoirs have a air of authenticity)

Out of all these autobiographical first-hand war memoirs – I found Dalvi’s Himalayan Blunder the most illuminating and enthralling. 

The writing style is articulate, reasoned, lucid, as well as most soul-searching and analytic, and the book is extremely readable.

In my opinion, Himalayan Blunder is a military masterpiece, arguably the best book by an Indian military author.

Himalayan Blunder tells you of the debacle that happened when ill-equipped, unprepared, confused and demoralized soldiers were rushed into battle against a strong adversary in an ad hoc manner because military decisions were influenced more by political prophecy rather than military strategy.

Dalvi tells his story with remarkable wit and exceptional candour. 

His candid storytelling style captivates you and once you start reading you get so engrossed that the book becomes unputdownable. 

There is no military jargon or gobbledygook. 

Dalvi writes straight from the heart and that is why this book will not only educate you but also will move you emotionally, strike a chord and get you thinking. 

From his easy writing style, and the way he narrates the story, it is evident that besides being a soldier, the author was a thinker and a scholar, and like most officers of his generation, he was extremely well-read and well-informed, and possessed a witty, yet biting, sense of humour.

He has interspersed his book with anecdotes, quotes and similes. 

Sample this – he  writes that a Corps Commander was sacked because: 

“He refused to be a dog in obedience and a lion in action...”  

Why did India suffer the ignominy of such a crushing defeat in the 1962 war with China...? 

It seems to be the same story we keep witnessing from time to time – the civil-military divide, the lack of appreciation of ground realities by the Delhi-Centric “powers-that-be” who call the shots, and the “trust deficit” between various stakeholders – like it is happening even till today. 

Books like the Himalayan Blunder will make us aware of our mistakes of the past – so that we don’t repeat them. 

That is why – we must read such books – and take cognizance of the message they try to convey.  

In such matters – let history not repeat itself. 

That is why we cannot to afford to ignore the lessons of history – if we do so – it will be to our own peril.

I am going to read HIMALAYAN BLUNDER once again – and – maybe – I will tell you more about this fascinating memoir. 

Dear Reader: 

Meanwhile – on the occasion of the 55^rd anniversary of the debacle – it may be a good idea for you to read this classic book too.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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This Book Review was written by me Vikram Karve in October 2012 and First Posted Online by me in my blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/10/1962-himalayan-blunder-never-again.html and revised/reposted an number of times at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/10/himalayan-blunder-book-review.html  and https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/08/let-us-not-repeat-another-himalayan.html etc

“Spoils” of War

“SPOILS” OF WAR 

A “tête-à-tête” between two War Veterans

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A TÊTE-À-TÊTE BETWEEN TWO WAR VETERANS – Story by Vikram Karve

Two old men – in their 70’s – they sit in the transit area of a famous international airport – waiting for their connecting flights.

The old men look at each other.

They notice that both of them have artificial limbs – prosthetic legs.

“How did you lose your leg…?” one old man asks the other old man.

“In war…” the other old man says.

“Oh – in war – I too lost my leg in war…”

“Really…? So – like me – you too are a “war veteran”…”

“Yes…”

“In which war did you lose your leg…?”

“Long ago – in the “Battle of Two Peaks”…”

“What…? Believe it or not – but – I too lost my leg in the “Battle of Two Peaks”…”

“What a coincidence…!!!”

“Yes…”

“But – how come I don’t know you…? I know almost everyone who was there…”

“Maybe – we were fighting on opposite sides…”

“Oh. Are you from “XXX” Army…?”

“Yes – I was in “XXX” Army – in that war – we were enemies – our countries were adversaries…”

“But now – our countries have a friendly relationship…”

“Yes – foes became friends – but – we lost our legs…”

“Politicians play jingoistic games using soldiers as “cannon fodder” – it is soldiers who lose their life and limb…”

“Yes – like we lost our limbs…”

“Luckily – we didn’t lose our lives…”

“Yes – it was terrible – the “Battle of Two Peaks” – a bloody battle…”  

“We lost more than 100 men – while capturing “Yellow Peak” from you…”

“We too had heavy casualties – while capturing “Green Peak” from you…”

“It all went waste…”

“Yes – immediately after we had captured each other’s peaks – there was a sudden ceasefire announcement from both sides – an armistice…”

“And then – hostilities between our countries ended – and – the war was over…”

“Then – politicians and diplomats sat across the negotiating table – and they agreed to return each other’s captured territories…”

“So – we returned “Yellow Peak” back to you…” 

“And – we returned “Green Peak” back to you…”

“Everything was back to normal after the war was over – status quo ante – except for one thing – the soldiers who got killed fighting in the war – the dead soldiers – they did not come back to life…”

“Yes – the dead soldiers did not come back to life…”

“And – we lost our legs…”

“Yes – we became “disabled” for life…”

“Maybe – it was you who planted the landmine which blew up my leg to smithereens…”

“And maybe – it was you who fired the shell whose shrapnel shattered my leg…”

“Ha Ha Ha – what an irony – we soldiers destroyed each other – and those wily politicians who made us destroy each other – they remained safe and sound…”

“Yes – politicians start wars – but  – politicians don’t die in wars – it is soldiers who die in wars – or get wounded and disabled for life – like us…”

“I think I will get moving and hobble along to the boarding gate…”

“Where are you going…?”

“San Francisco – my son has settled down there…”

“I am going to Melbourne – my daughter lives there…”

“I still have trouble while walking – do you…?”

“Yes – after all – an artificial leg can’t be as good as a real leg…”

“Every time I walk – with each painful step – I remember the “Battle of Two Peaks”…”

“Me too…” 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

 

Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/08/war-veterans-tete-tete.html

Military Metaphors in Civilian Management Jargon

MILITARY METAPHORS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT JARGON

Musings of a Navy Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

The Art and Science of Management owes its genesis and evolution to the Military.  

Modern Management theories, concepts, techniques and practices emerged in the 1950’s from the experiences and lessons learnt during World War 2. 

This was particularly so in The United States of America by organizations like the RAND Corporation.

For example – the concept of systems analysis – which involves looking at a particular problem not in isolation but rather in the context of the whole system of which it is a part and then explicitly examining the consequences of alternative courses of action – was developed at RAND in the 1950’s to address military challenges.

The revolutionary technological concepts of information technology like internet and software and hardware technologies on which today’s corporate world depend so extensively also emanated from the military. 

In fact – RAND was the birthplace of the Internet’s basic distributed network technology.

Isn’t it therefore ironic that the reverse is happening today...?

Yes – it was the military that gave modern management principles to the civilian corporate world.

And – today we see a paradoxical situation of Military Officers running to Civilian Business Schools and Management Institutes to “learn” management and acquire the coveted MBA degree which is the sine qua non and all important passport for entry into the corporate world.

It is also amusing to see so-called management experts from the corporate world – safely ensconced in the comfort of their air-conditioned offices – who are far removed from the experience of war and who have never seen a shot fired in anger – boast of using military strategy in boardrooms – and advocating the use of military tactics in sales and marketing.

These Management Gurus freely bandy about terms like “foot soldiers”, “generals”, “field experience” – and liberally quote from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and other military classics. 

It has become fashionable to call competitors as “enemies” and use terms like “battles” and “leading from the front” – little realizing that there is a vast difference between the rules of engagement pertaining to corporate “wars” and actual wars fought on real battlefields.

This metaphorical imagery may sound appealing to civilians – but – the stakes are vastly different.

If a Manager does not “win” – he risks losing his job – and he may cause a financial loss to his company.

If a Military Officer does not win – he risks losing his life (and those of his men) – and he can cause defeat in war to his country – which can have catastrophic consequences. 

Think about it.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
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Repost of my post MILITARY METAPHORS IN MANAGEMENT JARGON posted online earlier at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/03/military-metaphors-in-management-jargon.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/military-metaphors-in-business.html etc

Do We Have Military Strength...?

From time to time – jingoists and war-mongerers keep exhorting war. 

But – is war child’s play...? 

Before thinking of war – the first thing a nation has to assess – is its own “military strength” (and the military strength of the adversary)

How do you assess “military strength”...? 

I feel that Military Strength has 3 key determinants – as explained below – in a nutshell.

MILITARY STRENGTH 

“Hardware” – “Software” – “Skinware”

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

The Military Capability of a nation is dependent on 3 key ingredients:

1. “Hardware”

2. “Software”

3. “Skinware”

1. MILITARY HARDWARE comprises weapons, equipment, ordnance, platforms (ships/submarines/aircraft/space based platforms) etc – and is a Technology governed Qualitative and Quantitative component – depending on the “high-tech” Quality and Quantity of Military Equipment.

Military Hardware is a tangible factor – and – the Military Hardware and Technologies of a nation are well known.

2. MILITARY “SOFTWARE” refers to the War-Fighting “System” – the operational doctrine, strategy and tactics and the organizational management aspects like Rules/Regulations, HR and Training Policies etc.

Military “Software” comprises both tangible (documented) and intangible (experiential) aspects.

3. MILITARY “SKINWARE” comprises the Human Resource Element of the Defence Services.

Of course – Military “Skinware” includes the Military Men and Women in Uniform (Officers and Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen) 

Military “Skinware” also includes the Bureaucracy and various Civilians who provide support to the Armed Forces 

And – the most important component of “Skinware” is the Political Leadership – which governs the entire gamut of Defence Services and Security Machinery. 

“Skinware” comprises both quantitative and qualitative factors – tangible and intangible elements.

Of course – tangible “Skinware” numbers can be quantified – a nation may boast of the numerical strength of its Army, Navy and Air Force.

But – the vital characteristic of Military “Skinware” are intangible aspects – which comprise indefinable “hard to quantify” factors like morale, leadership quality, ideology, motivation, inspiration, welfare/care of servicemen and military veterans, respect given to the military by civil society, how civilian citizens treat soldiers etc. 

CONCLUSION

A nation must develop its Military Capability in a holistic manner – giving due importance to all 3 aspects – “Hardware” “Software” and “Skinware” – in a balanced and harmonious manner. 

High Technology but Low Morale – or – High Morale but Obsolete Technology – or a poorly managed military system – all result in sub-optimal military effectiveness. 

All 3 aspects (“Hardware” “Software” “Skinware”) – all 3 factors need to be well developed in a balanced manner. 

So – Dear Reader – before we think of war – let us introspect – and holisitically assess our “military strength” – all 3 factors – “Hardware” “Software” and “Skinware” – and see where we stand. 

Do we require to augment/optimise – any one – or two – or all the 3 constituents of “military strength”...? 

It is only when we are confident of our military preparedness and our superiority in all the 3 domains – “Hardware” “Software” and “Skinware” – should we start thinking of war – provided – our leaders have the “political will” – and our citizens have the national readiness – for war. 

Dear Reader: Do you agree...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
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This is a revised re-post of my article MILITARY PROWESS – Hardware “Software” and “Skinware” posted online by me earlier at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/04/military-capability-hardware-software.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/07/determinants-of-military-strength.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/what-is-military-strength.html