Tales of Honour and Uniform-2

By Col TN Raman (retd.)

1964-65

The role of the Commanding Officer (CO) in moulding the psyche of Young Officers (YO) in a unit is extremely important. After they are commissioned, the young lads replace their own fathers in their mind set, to that of their CO. In their subsequent career, these Officers often replicate the behaviour, style & man management techniques adopted by their COs. No wonder, the CO is always referred to as the old man. Not to ridicule him, but an honest expression of the void filled in their young lives by the absence of their own fathers. They trust their CO. If the CO reciprocates that trust, the unit does wonders. That is the essential difference between the regiments or the battalions, when we categorise them as good, bad or ugly.

Sarma had the good fortune of serving under some great COs, none of them made to the rank beyond that of a brigadier (in those days the rank to a Lt Col was a brigadier), barring only one. When Sarma joined one of the Artillery’s elite units, the CO looked like a constipated chap. But the lessons he taught them during the informal interactions like the mess parties or briefings before an exercise, were worth their weight in Gold.

He used to say, “Well boys, tomorrow we are leaving for Babina for our Annual Training Camp. The road journey is more than 8 hours. While you are sitting in your jeep, keep talking to the driver as well as the members of your detachment. You will develop an intimacy with them by knowing their back ground, about their village, about their family and above all their personal problems. This simple act will go a long way in telling them that you really care for them”.

On another occasion he advised the YOs to care for their sahayaks (orderlies). “You need not tip him every day with a peg of rum. Just present him with a shirt or a sweater when he goes home on annual leave. If he has children, buy suitable presents for them also; if nothing else a box of sweets. Make him realize that your gifts are in appreciation of his care for you and how grateful you are for his indulgence.”

In 1964, Sarma’s regiment had some veterans of Second World War also. Out of them, two were unforgettable. The first was, Nb Sub Chhotelal. He always boasted that he was the second driver of Field Marshal (FM) Slim, during the Burma Campaign. One evening the YOs were just making jovial comments about his boasts in the field mess during an exercise. The CO present was also laughing. After some time, he asked the youngsters, “How many of you are confident in getting selected as ADCs to Generals or the President. Here is a JCO who as a Havildar was selected to be FM Slim’s driver. Just imagine. The Army would have called for suitable candidates from more than 15 divisions. Each divisional commander would have personally interviewed the selected candidates of their own division. Finally at the Army level the Chief of Staff (COS) would have interviewed the few whetted ones. Chhotelal had crossed all these obstacles and became the driver. Is it not a credit worthy achievement for a NCO?” If he boasts about it is there any thing wrong”.

There was a pin drop silence. But the CO did not want to leave the youngsters in a sullen mood. “Boys, cheer up. The next drink is on me. By the way, if any of you volunteer to become my ADC, you will have just one hurdle. That is your 2 IC (second in command).”

The next Character was Subedar Kashmira Singh. He always used to wear a pair of leather glows during winter. Sarma asked him about it. His story was unique.

“Sahib, in 1939 I was part of the British Indian Army. In 1941, I was part of a Line Laying Party, in Burma. The Japanese surrounded us suddenly. None of us knew as to where from they came. They took us to a camp, where Netaji Subash Chandra Bose addressed all the Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army. He exalted us to join the INA (Indian National Army). There was no choice. The Japanese soldiers were there and were looking menacing.

"We were marched to some camp on the shores of Irrawaddy River, and were given ill fitting uniforms of the INA. While we were preparing for an assault on a British company position, the British troops surprised us in an ambush. There was some gas attack and my eyes got affected. We were taken to a British PW (prisoner of war) Camp. While in British PW Camp, some International Red Cross volunteers saw my condition and evacuated me to France by a ship. I was given treatment and luckily my eyes were cured. Unfortunately, by that time France was over run by Germany and once again I was taken as PW by the Germans. But my ID from INA saved me further harassment by the Germans. In the hospital I was presented with these gloves. In 1944, after the end of the War, I was repatriated to India, again to become a PW of the British.

"In 1946, a team of lawyers under Jawaharlal Nehru pleaded for amnesty to all the former INA soldiers. I was one of the lucky ones to be released.
In1947, when India got its Independence, I joined the Army again. And I am Sub (Assistant Inspector of Gunnery) now. Sir, I may be the only soldier to have been taken as PW by all the three warring parties. First the Japanese, second the British and the third time by the Germans."

Sarma’s head was already reeling with so much of military history. Finally, he asked Kashmira Singh, “ Sab, you must be happy to have joined our Army again”.

He said: “Yes Sir, but a lot of injustice had been done to me. Mind you in all the four years of war, I never fired a single round from my rifle. Still, I had to see three PW Camps!!”