India. Army - Guns, guts and glory: stories from the battlefield

I would like to thank:

All the war veteransofficers and menwho dipped into their memories and helped me time travel back fifty years to the battlefields of 1965.

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) for giving me this opportunity to write the amazing stories of the brave men of the Indian Army. The team ADGPI provided unstinted support and assistance in putting this project together. The editing officer of ADGPI, the books first reader and critic, for painstakingly checking the manuscript for factual correctness.

Noted military historian and author of five books, Squadron Leader Rana Chinna (Retd), secretary of the United Service Institution of India: Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, New Delhi, for his guidance and permission to use the library. Whenever I was plagued by doubts, not only did he make time for me and dip into his phenomenal memory for information and contacts, he also let me borrow books on his card and literally live on the USI campus while I was researching the 1965 war.

Renu Agal, my old friend, for introducing me to Penguin.

Arpita Basu, my book editor, for her tireless editing and those post-midnight and Sunday mails that assured me I was not the only one putting my life on hold to meet deadlines.

My childhood friend Renee Grewal for correcting the Punjabi used in Dfr Vir Singhs quotes and battle descriptions.

Lt Col Manoj Rawat, my husband, for dropping me off at railway stations and airports, for flexing his muscles and growling at cab drivers to ensure I got back home safely. And for (un)complainingly driving me down to destinations where none of the above wanted to go. Also for putting a pillow over his head and going off to sleep while I typed on my laptop into the wee hours.

My son, Saransh the Wise, for learning to fix his own cup noodles and salami sandwiches when I couldnt be around for him.

My mom, Sushila Bisht, for the unconditional love she has always given me and my dad, Brig B.S. Bisht, SM, VSM, for reading the 11-point-size Arial printouts, and for occasionally telling me, Accha likha hai. Shabaash!

The Battle of Haji Pir was recreated from interviews with Brig Arvinder Singh (Retd) and Col J.S. Bindra (Retd). The profile of Lt Gen R.S. Dyal, MVC, was drawn from interviews with Mrs Birender Dyal and Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, MVC.

The Battle of Asal Uttar was recreated from narratives by Lt Col H.R. Janu (Retd), SM, of 4 Grenadiers; Lt Gen Jimmy Vohra (Retd), PVSM, SM, of 9 Horse, and Lt Col Ram Prakash Joshi (Retd) of 3 Cavalry. The tank fight was recreated from an interview with Ris Maj Daya Chand Rathi (Retd), SM, from 3 Cavalry; and CQMH Abdul Hamids profile from interviews with his wife, Rasoolan Bibi, his grandson Jameel Alam and his driver, Grenadier Mohammad Naseem.

The Battle of Phillora, the largest tank battle fought after World War II, was recreated from a long conversation with Brig Jasbir Singh (Retd) and Dfr Vir Singh of 4 Horse and Maj Gen Kartick Ganguly (Retd) from 5/9 Gorkha Rifles.

The account of the Battle of Barki and the profile of late Sub Ajit Singh were based on interviews with Col Manmohan Singh (Retd) from 16 Punjab, and Brig Kanwaljit Singh (Retd) and Col Baldev Singh Chahal (Retd) from 4 Sikh.

The account of the Battle of Dograi was written from interviews with Maj Gen B.R. Varma (Retd), AVSM, who was 3 Jat Adjutant in 1965; and Col Durjan Singh Shekhawat (Retd), who was battalion 2IC. Personal touches were added to the profile of Brig Desmond E. Hayde, MVC, after conversations with Lt Col Kunwar Ajay Singh (Retd), who runs the late Brigadiers dream project, Heritage Academy, in Kotdwar.