The expanse of Probal Dasgupta’s ‘Camouflaged’ is vast as the stories span over a century, from World War I to the 26/11 terrorist strike in Mumbai.
Probal Dasgupta’s first book, “Watershed 1967; India’s Forgotten Victory Over China” gave rare granularity into the clashes that were central to India regaining control of strategically significant border areas in Sikkim. His latest offering “Camouflaged” is another masterpiece in which he has brought to the fore ten forgotten stories from battlefields in which Indian soldiers have proved themselves across the globe and across times.
The expanse of the book is vast as the stories span over a century, from World War I to the 26/11 terrorist strike in Mumbai. From the ground to the air, battlefields far and near, from dense jungles to desolate mountains and to densely populated urban areas, the setting of each tale varies, but what stands out is the character of these ordinary men who delivered extraordinary results when confronted with extreme challenges. The book also gives a rare insight into the unique camaraderie and ethos of units, family traditions of military service and, more importantly, covers an aspect that is not written about often, the trauma faced by their families.
Arthur Conan Doyle bowling off-spin in Eastbourne to a stylish turbaned Indian batsman is an unusual way to start a story about war and glory. From the grassy fields of England to the skies above France and air combat “Sultans of the Skies” is an incredible story in many ways. Hardit Malik, studying in Oxford when the First World War broke out, was rejected by the British Air Force. He went on to be an ambulance driver in France and applied for the French Air Force, which accepted him. His tutor in Oxford then shot off a letter to General Henderson, the head of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and soon he joined the RFC and was even given a “special helmet to fit over his turban”. He went on to join 28 Squadron, and “determined to stamp his country’s presence in the war despite officially representing Britain”, had India painted on the side of his aircraft. He became an ace pilot but ended the war with a bullet lodged in his thigh while engaging in an air duel with Paul Strahle, a legendary German pilot. He later went on to become India’s ambassador to Canada and France.
Laddie Roy, the other pilot covered in this story, also came from a privileged background and did his schooling in England. Lying about his age he joined the RFC. He was told he had to “survive and fight and then survive again”. He did survive his first crash and after he recuperated he “persuaded the medics to pass him fit for flying duties”. He became a “war veteran and teen sensation” and took down nine German planes between 9 and 19 July 1918. Unfortunately, on 22 July 1918, the prodigy was shot down in a skirmish but this was after taking down two German aircraft. He was a trailblazer in combat flying in India and in 1998 a stamp was released in his honour.
“Message In A Battle” is the story of Gobind Singh of 2nd Lancers, a renowned cavalry regiment, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Belonging to Damoi in Nagaur district of Rajasthan, he was fearless. This was the battle where tanks were introduced on the battlefield for the first time, but after they had achieved the breakthrough, additional troops in the form of infantry and cavalry were required to follow on and capture the ground. Indian soldiers of the regiment with lances had charged ferociously at German machine guns—“raw courage against steel”. Though they had been successful they were soon surrounded by the Germans and an urgent message was needed to be sent to the brigade headquarters. Sowar Jot Ram and Lance Daffadar Gobind Singh volunteered. Losing his horse, dodging bullets and feigning death he displayed unshakeable composure and resilience. He repeated this feat thrice and this act of “conspicuous bravery” thwarted a major enemy breakthrough and he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
His son and grandson went on to serve in the Second Lancers.
The story of Chanan Singh Dhillon, “Three Lives in War”, can be summed up in the words “believe it or not”. A farmer’s son from Punjab who was keen to join the Army, he fell short of English proficiency to join as an officer. Nevertheless, he joined as a soldier and set off to fight in the World War II with his Engineer Regiment, initially in Basra, Iraq and later in North Africa where he became a prisoner of war (PoW). This was in June 1942, a week before he was to return to India as he had been selected as an officer. Facing an Italian execution squad for complaining against the inhuman work conditions, he was saved by the Germans. While being transported to a PoW Camp in Italy, their ship was hit by a British submarine, ironically killing many British prisoners. He survived the boiling waters as SS Loretto went down in the Tyrrhenian Sea by clinging to a plank of wood. Later, while in Stalag 12A, a PoW camp in Limburg Germany, he was nearly killed by an Allied air attack. He returned and became an officer and his children then helped put together the story of his remarkable ordeal based on his diary and letters which were written in Punjabi. Ironically, it all started the day he received the letter offering him the opportunity of his dreams.
Part III of the book covers the “Modern Era”—the Kargil War, insurgency and terrorism, all complex modern-day issues. Some stories are still classified in the sense that the names of the people can’t be revealed but their actions and reactions are fact and not fiction. How do you deal with a militant who admits he has been led astray, wants to make amends and is willing to help you? How do families support each other in times of crisis knowing fully well that their husbands could be the next victims?
The dilemmas men face in battling these insurgencies, the effect of intense operations on soldiers, society and people living in insurgency prone areas as well as on the families of those combating it are vividly covered. There is no doubt that we need to preserve the perspectives of the protagonists so that they don’t get obliterated by the passage of time. Books like these need to be read as they not only serve as an inspiration for the future generations but also build a sense of patriotism and pride in our armed forces.
While the legacy of these brave men is well recorded in their units and by their families but the candid and intuitive manner in which Probal Dasgupta has weaved these tales by infusing life into them needs to be admired. Dasgupta’s gripping narrative, brilliantly matched by his eloquent prose while revealing what was hidden—the “camouflage”—must be admired.
Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh, VSM retired from the Indian Army.