Surrender at Dacca: Birth of a NationThis is one of the best accounts of the historic Indian campaign to liberate Bangladesh. . . . Biblio. The campaign for the liberation of Bangladesh was short and swift, spread over some thirteen campaign days, conducted in riverine terrain highly suitable for defence. "The author describes events leading to the creation of Bangladesh, beginning with the Pakistan Army's crackdown in East Pakistan on 26 March 1971, to the outbreak of full scale war following the Pakistani bombing of Indian airfields in the west on the evening of 3 December 1971 and the subsequent military operations leading to the surrender of Pakistan Eastern Command. "Outlining the evolution of the strategy for the campaign, he details the selection of thrust lines using subsidiary dirt tracks that bypassed centres of resistance and opened up axes of maintenance later. The objectives selected were communication centres in relation to the geopolitical heart -- Dacca. A concise account of the execution of the campaign is given. He highlights the role of the Mukti Bahini and the great contribution they made towards the liberation of their country. He describes the pressures exerted at the Security Council and the pro-Pakistani stance of China and the United States as well as giving a first hand account of the negotiations and the signing of the Instrument of Surrender. The author draws lessons from the political and military aspects of the campaign and highlights the lack of clear directives both political and military and the ad-hoc higher command set up for war. The lessons of 1971 have yet to be learnt. This book will be of interest to general public, armed forces, staff and war colleges and all those concerned with the business of war. |
Contents
Early Years | 12 |
Prelude to War | 30 |
Political Developments | 40 |
Copyright | |
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13 December 23 Mountain Division 9 Infantry Affairs Air Force aircraft airfield allotted Ambassador Army Commander Army Headquarters artillery Ashuganj attack axis Bangladesh Bazar Bogra Brig Calcutta capture cease fire Chiefs of Staff Chinese Chittagong Comilla Command Headquarters Dacca December defence Delhi Dr Kissinger asked East Pakistan Eastern Command enemy Engr Regt equipment Faridpur Fort William Gen Manekshaw guerrilla Hardinge Bridge helicopters High Contracting Parties hostilities Inder Gill India Indian Army Inf Bde Brig Infantry Brigade Infantry Division intelligence IV Corps JAGJIT SINGH AURORA Jessore Khulna large number later Lt Gen Maj Gen Meghna move Mtn Bde Brig Mtn Regt Mujib Mukti Bahini naval Niazi officer Pakistani Army Paks political President problem Punjab Rangpur refugees Regiment river road Sam Manekshaw SECTOR Security Council Siddiqui Sisco situation Soviet surrender Sylhet Tangail tanks thrust line told troops United Nations West William Wing Yahya Khan