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1962: The War That Wasn't

The Definitive Account of the Clash Between India and China

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1962: The War That Wasn't

Written by: Shiv Kunal Verma
Narrated by: Manish Dongardive
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About this listen

On 20 October 1962, high in the Himalayas, on the banks of the fast-flowing Nam Ka Chu, over 400 Indian soldiers were massacred, and the valley was overrun by soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army. Over the course of the next month, nearly 4,000 soldiers were killed on both sides, and the Indian army experienced its worst defeat ever. The conflict (war was never formally declared) ended because China announced a unilateral ceasefire on 21 November and halted its hitherto unhindered advance across NEFA and Ladakh. To add to India's lasting shame, neither Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nor the Indian army was even aware that the 'war' had ended until they heard the announcement on the radio - despite the Indian embassy having been given the information two days earlier.

This conflict continues to be one of our least understood episodes. Many books have been written on the events of the time, usually by those who were involved in some way, anxious to provide justification for their actions. These accounts have succeeded only in muddying the picture further. What is clear is that 1962 was an unmitigated disaster. The terrain on which most of the battles were fought (or not fought) was remote and inaccessible; the troops were sorely underequipped, lacking even warm clothing; and the men and officers who tried to make a stand were repeatedly let down by their political and military superiors. Time and again, in Nam Ka Chu, Bum-la, Tawang, Se-la, Thembang, Bomdila - all in the Kameng Frontier Division of NEFA in the Eastern Sector - and in Ladakh and Chusul in the Western Sector, our forces were mismanaged, misdirected or left to fend for themselves. If the Chinese army hadn't decided to stop its victorious campaign, the damage would have been far worse.

In this definitive account of the conflict, based on dozens of interviews with soldiers and numerous others who had a firsthand view of what actually happened in 1962, Shiv Kunal Verma takes us on an uncomfortable journey through one of the most disastrous episodes of independent India's history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Shiv Kunal Verma (P)2016 Audible, Inc.
Asia Military & War Wars & Conflicts India World War

What listeners say about 1962: The War That Wasn't

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Must read book

Well researched book must have book if you are inrested to what happened in indo china war & then political and military leadership thoughts process.
Also learned lessons for further warfare in high altitude.

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fantastic

loved it. am excellent account of the various battles. good description of terrain. must read

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painful yet poignant account

struggled to finish the book as I have to relive the humiliating moment but I did

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Wealth of information

It's my first and so the only source so far on the topic, but the facts did add up and sound convincing to me as a reader. I'm likely to read the hard copy next to get a visual imprint of those.

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Great read on the darkest chapter in Indian Military history

A good factual, detailed and well paced assessment and review of a war, whose details have been kept under wraps for over 60 years. A must read

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A FRANK AND VIVID TALE OF A GRIPPING TALE

compelling tale with a lucid account with least distraction and coloring due to any personal bias. The author has still managed yo convey his opinions adhering to all the above restrictions. Only if he could adhere to unity of time while describing the events it would have been even better.

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Amazing Read!

Very well written and narrated. Has been a treat to have gone through such bonechilling saga of 1962. I don't think it could have been explained better than this.

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Why leadership is paramount for India's, defence.

This is an in-depth narration of Indian leadership' s sad capitulation in 1962 war and the bravery of the lower ranks of the armed forces.

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must read

writer has very strong views on the subject and gives a detailed justification for his views. It gives a complete account of 1962, any one interested in contemporary history should read this book. Refering maps will make it more interesting.

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A Masterpiece!

the book is an encyclopaedia on the disastrous events of the '62 war. incompetent Indian leadership and the perfidy of the Chinese led to hundreds of lives being lost. a cautionary tale of blind trust. brilliantly written and orated in a way that takes you to each battle of the saga.

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