Gen. Kumaramangalam (retd), Tamil Nadu
1 August 1978
In regard to what you did for the army, this I hope will be written down in history. You were kind enough the give me an idea of what your plans were and the speed of the operations in Bangladesh was entirely due to your imaginative plans. Speed was essential then and you did this in spite of orders otherwise from above. I hope from the lessons of the operations, the army will understand that mobility is an important principle of war - I always felt that Monty was wrong ... substitution of flexibility for mobility as a principle of war. Certainly the Indian Army should give more attention to mobility.
Governor, Assam, Raj Bahavan, Shillong
10 August 1978
In your retirement, you are entitled to have the feeling that you had made outstanding contributions, first to restoration, and then to maintenance of peace, in the parts of the north-eastern region which had suffered from insurgency for long periods. This could be possible only by an extraordinary combination of knowledge, high competence, and identification with the larger interests of the country. so many holders of high offices, in the armed forces, or civil administration, tend to keep things going somehow rather than show any initiative or take risks.
Rano Shaiza, Member of Parliament
Lok Sabha
New Delhi 30 December 1977
I would like to mention on behalf of the Naga people, whom I represent in Parliament, our appreciation of the change in attitude that you were able to bring about in the army in Nagaland. I know that you, more than anyone else, have done your best to truly project the security forces as the champions of peace who are also interested in the welfare of the people of the state in which they are stationed. So, you will now find the Nagas thinking less and less in terms of blame and more in appreciation of your efforts. May I thank you once again for the goodness you have been generating in this small corner of the country.
Maj. Gen. D.K. Palit, VrC,
New Delhi, 5 May 2007
The general impression in Delhi (probably influenced by what Army HQ under Sam's influence was putting out) was that it was Sam who had resisted pressures from Mrs Gandhi and the ministry to go into the offensive in Bangladesh immediately. I see from the Hindu interview that on the contrary Sam wanted a premature offensive with limited aims - and it was you who held out for restraint and to wait to attack only when the strategic, tactical, and logistical factors (and the international climate) offered the Indians optimum conditions. To one who had the opportunity of sizing up sam's pro-British and anti-Indian shallow character, that sounds entirely in accordance. (Just to give one example: he gave himself the sobriquet of 'Sam Bahadur', talked endlessly about the Gorkhas - but in fact never served in any Gorkha Regiment)....
During my DMO-ship, Manekshaw was commandant, staff College. He was sent for by Army HQ to face a Court of inquiry for anti-Indian statements he made to British and other foreign students at the college. Lt Gen. Daulat Singh was the chairman and he let him off lightly - Bijji Kaul was the CGS who had instituted the inquiry (and Daulat was not exactly a fan of Bijji Kaul!).
Do keep in touch
Yours sincerely,
D.K. Palit
General K.V. Krishna Rao, PVSM (retd)
Secunderabad 500094
July 2005
I have now read your book from cover to cover and I feel compelled to write to you.
I personally feel that it is a comprehensive, candid, and truthful account of the war, as you saw it. There were many things that we did not know about, particularly the firm and tactful way you handled Niazi before the surrender ceremony. The manner in which you dealt with extremely difficult situations before and during the war, brings out the originality, moral courage and sense of national strategic commitment that you displayed. My heartiest congratulations to you on this excellent effort.
I consider that you played a very significant role in the achievement of our glorious victory in the 1971 war. You have indeed gone up in the esteem and respect that I have for you.
With warm regards and God be with you,
Krishna Rao
Lt Gen. Moti Sagar, PVSM
Director General, Civil Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs
17 December 1971
My dear Jake,
The enemy has been defeated in battle and has surrendered; that our forces moved so rapidly and so completely enveloped and surrounded the enemy with such speed is in a very great measure due to your brilliant planning and excellent staff work. You have worked patiently, calmly, and incessantly to make the operation a success. In spite of many handicaps, you gave much encouragement to the formation commanders and others with your quiet but unchallenged efficiency and were a source of inspiration to them.
Yours sincerely,
Moti Sagar
Signal from Gen. Candeth addressed to me and not Aurora
Gen. Candeth was Western Army Commander and was in close touch with events
Personal
ForMaj. Gen.Jacob from Candeth...
'Congratulations on your victory and your part in negotiating enemy's surrender.'
Lt Gen. I.S. Gill (Retd.)
South Bank Road, Madras-800028, 18 May 1997
My Dear Jake,
When I read of your first interview for a commission by a board of officers clad in gabardine I chuckled as I thought back to the Middle East during the war when we called the regulars on the staff of GHQ the 'Gabardine Swine'.
Congratulations, Jake. You have written a very good and readable book (very important for the general public) which adequately emphasizes all the points you consider need emphasis. I think you have filled in all the blanks, without fear or favour.
Yours Sincerely
I.S. Gill