Himalayan Blunder: The Angry Truth About India's Most Crushing Military Disaster (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
The book is unique in a sense that it is written by the Brigadier who actually led the force in NEFA. The book is well written and provides an indepth analysis of India's Chinese Policies, its apathy towards its army and most importantly how Mr. Nehru, Mr. Menon and Mr. Kaul created an environment of self deception for them, the parliament and the Indian public which ultimately led to India's defeat... I would have rated it 5 star had it not been repetitive. Everything except the fighting spirit of the Indian soldier failed in the events leading up to the brief Sino-Indian War of 1962 in which our country were over run by the mighty Chinese. It's a classic case of lack of foresight, planning, co-ordination between the babus and the military brass, tattered infrastructure, abysmal condition of the Indian soldier (lack of woolen clothes, limited food supplies, old WW II era guns, limited ammunition and mortar) and the lack of willingness of the civilian government to accept the Chinese as a much powerful opponent and remove the veil of friendship with them while they were amassing troops on the borders. In short the events leading unto 1962 were a recipe for a disaster. The book is written by a Brigadier who was in action and was held prisoner by the Chinese for a short duration after the war. It's a must read book for anyone interested in understanding India better.
What do You think about Himalayan Blunder: The Angry Truth About India's Most Crushing Military Disaster (2000)?
HIstorical description from the point of view of a army personal.
—gmoney
