Just and Unjust Wars, 1971 | Lt.Gen Shamsher Singh Mehta| @BrainsTrustIndia

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Serial No. 95 Season 5 Episode No. 28

Lt. Gen Shamsher Mehta

Just and Unjust Wars Indian Military 1971 Operations

Lt. Gen. Shammi Mehta retired as the Army Commander - Western Command. He is widely regarded as one of Indian Army's foremost thinkers.

During 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, as a young major he commanded an independent squadron of PT76 tanks as a part of 4 Corps commanded by the legendary Lt. Gen. Sagat Singh.

He was tasked with a near impossible mission of floating his squadron of tanks across the mighty river Meghna in Bangladesh on the 9th of December 1971, he accomplished this and joined up with his infantry and artillery units on the 14th of December and raced to Dacca.

In this masterful presentation, Gen Mehta lays out difficult choices leadership has to contend with in battle, concepts of strategy, attributes of leadership, the core philosophies that forms the framework within which Indian Military performs and the need for all arms of the state to deliver seamlessly (in concert) in order to achieve a terminal objective.

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[meghnasingh]

My Dear Shammi Uncle

Beta “ lead by example “ this was something my grandfather Gen. Sagat often repeated . Thoughtfulness and Through preparedness were his other names .

“ we were Liberating army not occupational army “ 👏👏👏 excellently explained.

Delegating of responsibilities. Recognition of leadership qualities.
Such clear and detailed explanation.

Every word you spoke I could visualise .

Looking forward to your motivational talk and hearing more about Team India’s Victory .

Much Regard
Meghna Singh ( Sagat )

[naresh]

A brilliant presentation. We all soldiers, especially those who participated in the War Of Liberation, are proud of him and of our Army.

[majormohommedalishahveteran]

Gen. Shammi Mehta is a legend...I feel priveleged to know such a legend personally...My father, Lt. Gen. Z.U. Shah has very high regards for Gen. Shammi Mehta.

[nirbhaysharma]

Brilliant disposition and a very comprehensive narrative of 71 War. My heartfelt compliments to Gen Shammi Mehta, one of the sharpest military mind of my generation. His message to Team India of present generation is not to be forgotten. Bravo Sir 👍

[rajdeepdhawan]

Thanks Rebecca For Such A Great Knowledge Of 1971 War Really Great Soldgers Of India Jai Hind

[BrigKSSaini]

Gen Shami Mehta is one of the finest Officers, I have come across in my career. Having been on his Staff, I can say with pride that he is an outstanding Gen Offr whose knowledge, professionalism, dedication, honesty are par excellence and un matchable. Sad we only had a limited edition of his type of models. May God Bless him.
Khushwant Saini

[amitavaguharay]

No wonder how India won a decisive victory because of people like you, you are a generation of Indian army who are not only honest, dutiful to the mother country but sharp in mind.

[prithvibrar]

Historic victory brilliantly explained.

[surindermehta]

Penetrating, concise, cogent, Gen. Shammi Mehta's assessment of India's 'Just, humanitarian' war of 1971 captures the essence of India's brilliantly conceived and executed war strategy, (through uncommon leadership), outstanding soldiery, synergistic coordination of the three arms, political leadership and diplomacy, and the invaluable support of the Mukti Bahini.
The resilience and confidence of the Indian soldier, his unwillingness to settle for 'Runner up', and his celebration of camaraderie - inspite of many diversities - provides a good insight into the Indian soldier's psyche.
The crowning legacy of this war, 'The INVINCIBILITY OF TEAM INDIA' has a clear message for India's Gen Next, as also for her adversaries !!

[BhadranRP]

Thank you Sir. Very incisively articulated. I haven’t ever heard or read a better account of the operation. It touches on every aspect of warfare and soldiering

[thakurvk]

Satyadev Jayate !!! Victory of just over unjust has shaken up hearts and minds of Bharat and still continues. That indeed was blessings of heavens in the form of General Sagat Singh’s thoughts.

[surrinderjaswal]

A presentation par excellence as only Gen Shami Mehta can do. I was his Addl CE (Wks) when he was Western Army Cdr in 2003-04. His first direction to me was, " I want you to make the Jawan more comfortable in his barracks ". It is rare to get a Shabash on works matters, but he did it on a couple of occasions. The Main Gate at Tank Chowk at Chandimandir was his idea, besides many other projects, like the Army Institute of Law, Mohali, which was inaugurated by the President of India, Late Shri Abdul Kalam Azad - it was a "race against time". Veteran Brig SS Jaswal, Panchkula.

[gurdipsingh]

Brilliant narration of 1971 war in East Pakistan, resulting in creation of Bangla Desh
Gen Mehta, is the finest military mind / mil intellectual of our generation!

[bhuppipammi]

Sir jai hind,
The clarity of thought is phenomenal and I am sure that right from Gen Sagat down to you, the team baffled the adversary at every level and on different occasions.
And the requirement of nation to be one as political, militarily and the backing of the people cannot be more beautifully explained.

Honoured to know you in person.
Warm Regards

[virendrapalsingh]

Very impressive account narrated by Gen Mehta

[surendraprataprai]

Gen Shammi Mehta is brilliant.Had the distinction to serve in Western Command when he was the Army Cdr during Op Prakaram.He gave his Cdrs freedom and dared them to act.Wonderful

[shriniwasambike]

Sir, a very just presentation in which for the first time the Credit has been given to Lt Gen Sagat Singh, the architect of victory in E Pak, now BD.

[SudhirSharma-yijk]

Sir nice to hear you after a long time. As always lucid and brilliant! A very riveting presentation. I wish we continue to plan our future operations with the same audacity and remember the principles of manoeurvre warfare.

[theindianhistorian]

Easily the best exposition I have heard on the Bangladesh Campaign. Thank you for sharing, Sir.

[rajendrajamwal]

Gen Shammi Mehta is a brilliant Officer of the Indian Army & the Armoured Corps.
I have heard the inspiring lectures given by him to different forums .
We need Generals like him & we will always have victory