![]() ![]() Similarly,a copy Kauls letter to Nehru at the height of the conflict,urging him to approach the Americans for assistance,has been mentioned and included in the annexures to underscore the loss of nerves among senior officers. These have all been cited as examples of poor generalship. The report records him dashing in and out of his York Road (now Motilal Nehru Marg) residence, issuing orders from his bed,and the top brass letting him do so instead of finding a successor. He was based out of Tezpur,but was evacuated to Delhi on account of illness just as hostilities broke out in what was then called NEFA. Coming down heavily on the military leadership,the report is particularly critical of the then Chief of General Staff Lt Gen B M Kaul,who was made GOC of the newly created 4 Corps just before the war. The language of the report reflects the strong emotional fervour of the moment,especially the anger and frustration. Instead,they have identified poor military leadership as the main reason for the Army not having fought better than it did. The authors have put on record that in their considered view the levels of stores and equipment didnt constitute a significant handicap. In fact,the report,sources said,makes it clear that much has been stated about the poor quality of equipment and weapons making the Army unfit for battle. The important revelatory aspect of the Brooks-Bhagat report is its conclusion that shortages in ammunition and equipment were not among the primary reasons for the defeat. There is no direct comment on then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru anywhere in the letter or in the report,which confines itself to the conduct of military operations. The covering note,according to sources aware of the contents of the report,is the only place where there is a comment on the political leadership of the Defence Ministry. The Sunday Express has learnt that around four pages of this covering note focus on wartime Defence Minister V K Krishna Menons interference in military matters,particularly on the shuffling of senior generals in the run-up to the month-long war.
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