Book Review | Who Dares Wins: Feats of Courage Difficult to Comprehend

The books opening Chapters reveal how a young boy, the first from his family to join the Army is shaped by his time in the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun ‘is a changed man after his passing out parade with a new sense of confidence, purpose and disciplined professionalism’.

By Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh, VSM (Retd),

Who Dares Wins is not just the story of Lieutenant general YK Joshi but a culmination of his experiences shared with remarkable officers and soldiers who shaped his life and career. The high point of course being the outstanding achievements by his Battalion under his command during Operation Vijay and he unhesitatingly states that ‘13 JAK RIF whose loyalty and bravery are quintessential has been the wind beneath his wings ‘. But while helping him soar it was also ‘the cushion which broke his fall whenever he fell’.

Writing an autobiography comes with its huge challenges. The principle being that the events covered have had an impact on the author in a manner which they are unaware of and hence shape their perspective and perceptions. But Joe, as General Joshi is called, has displayed rare clarity while simultaneously giving an intimate glimpse of his thoughts and experiences as well insight into the various genres of conflict.

  The books opening Chapters reveal how a young boy, the first from his family to join the Army is shaped by his time in the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun ‘is a changed man after his passing out parade with a new sense of confidence, purpose and disciplined professionalism’.  On joining his Battalion in Nagaland his Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Kulbir Singh Jamwal ensured he was groomed in a manner that he had strong foundation and thereafter he excelled in whatever assignment he held.

About the Book Author

Lieutenant General YK Joshi was the Northern Army Commander, during Operation Snow Leopard.  He had the distinction of commanding his Brigade in Eastern Ladakh and also the Division in the same area, as well as 14 Corps. He also served as the Additional Director General of Military Operations Branch in the Army HQ during the critical period of Surgical Strikes against Pakistan in 2016 and was responsible for the planning of the operations. Fluent in mandarin he has been India’s Defence Attache in China and can rightfully be called one of the Armies finest minds on China.

During the Kargil War as the Officiating Commanding Officer of 13 JAK RIFLES he was awarded the Vir Chakra for his courage and leadership and the Battalion launched four attacks, most successful of which was on Pt 4875 which is now called Batra Top. The Battalion was conferred with the title of the ‘Bravest of the Brave’and awarded with two Param Vir Chakras.

The Book

 There are many aspects to the book as General Joshi’s career in the Army covered a period of over forty years. He served in varied terrains across the spectrum of the country and tenanted some of the most prestigious appointments. He was also witness to the transformation of India’s security environment during this period and hence the reader is given an insight not only to his unique leadership qualities but also the inner workings and ethos of the Indian Army as it met multiple challenges. But the heart of the memoir lies in his account of the Kargil War.

 Consider this, having been part of a challenging assignment with his Battalion in Counter Insurgency Operations in Sopore, Jammu & Kashmir, he is sent as the Officer Commanding the Advance Party to Shahjehanpur in the summer of 1999. Focused now on administrative matters of handing taking over, he is shortlisted along with two other course mates for an interview as the Adjutant of the Indian Military Academy a coveted appointment. Unfortunately, he is not selected and returns ‘crestfallen’ to his duties of taking over equipment and assets in Shahjehanpur, swimming in the evenings and setting up his house.  

      But the events in Kargil soon changed everything as within a week he and his men were asked to report to Dras, that was the day Lieutenant Colonel Vishwanathan of 18 GRENARIERS had made the supreme sacrifice at Tololing.   Within days on 10 June 1999 he was taking the convoy from Srinagar to Ladakh; ‘his first visit to an area which would become his karambhoomi’. On 12 June he got a ringside view of the attacks on Tololing by 2 RAJ RIF and on 13 June found himself climbing up to the heights, reaching Tololing at 0230 hours on 14 June after negotiating enemy minefields and being subjected to their fire.  Early morning, he was told that the GOC Major General Mohinder Puri wanted to speak to him on the radio set. It was crisp message Joe was now to take over command of the Battalion as his CO had fallen ill. Five days had changed everything.  

  That the Battalion performed incredibly under him is a matter of fact, the capture of the strategically important features of Point 5140 and Point 4875 and being awarded two Param Vir Chakras is well documented. What is important in his account is the rare granularity on how the ‘impossible had been made possible’ and his leadership stood out in the most adverse situations.  There was an enormity in what the Battalion had achieved.    

   Through a gripping narrative of decisive moments on the battlefield, and the responsibilities of leadership, he gives an insight into the emotions, resilience, discipline, determination and innovations demonstrated which included using the Bofors in a direct firing role by the Indian Army in the conflict.  He also states that the ‘media played a very important role during the war ‘and drummed up nationalist feelings amongst the youth of the nation’.

But ‘adjusting to normal life after experiencing the trauma of war was a challenging journey’. The loss of colleagues no doubt is a heavy burden and the emotions even affect the reader but as he says while referring to Major Vikram Batra; ‘his infectious enthusiasm and never say die spirit live on with each one of us who had the privilege and honour of serving with him’. He also states how ‘the Indian Army out of professional courtesy and respect gave a befitting burial to enemy soldiers in accordance with their religious customs while their own country had disowned them’.

 In keeping with the traditions of the Indian Army he along with his wife Ina and the Subedar Major visited the families of all those from his Battalion who had laid down their lives for the nation. The bonds remain and even as the Northern Army Commander he and his wife would visit these families.  

 There is a lot more covered in this book, his tenure in China at a time when the focus was on building up peace and tranquility and not changing status quo on the borders. Unfortunately, the aggression of China in recent years has broken the trust. There are insights into the Chinese military mind and their ‘psychological operations’.  His experience as a UN Military Observer in Angola caught in the middle of the conflict between the Angolan Army and UNITA have also been well recorded as has his multiple tenures in the Military Operations Branch of the Indian Army; the ‘Cage’ remains the nerve centre of the Army.

The book also gives an insight into those he had served under such as Lieutenant General Mohinder Puri, ‘ the fleeting encounter over a while would become something so sacred as he became his ‘mentor and guide’;  General Bikram Singh whom he served under in the Military Operations Branch and thereafter  states that his frequent interactions along with his colleague Brigadier ( later Lieutenant General) Arvind Datta  when he was the Chief  made him realise ‘ that a military leader must ride the knowledge wave or else would get overwhelmed’ .

    He states that Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh whom he took over from as a Brigadier in Military Operations Directorate and later as the Northern Army Commander was ‘a thorough professional with whom he shared a phenomenal working relationship’.  There are also insights into his colleagues and subordinates such as Major General Alok Kacker who as a Captain in Infantry School, Mhow had taught him how to fire an anti-tank missile; ’years later firing the missile on an enemy bunker at Point 4875 became a battle winning factor’; Major General Pratik Sharma ‘ who was the most stoic and balanced GOC’.  As well as his Staff Officers Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Vardhan who always offered ‘blunt yet sane advice’ and Colonel Munish Tamang “whose industriousness and dedication stood out in the most stressful conditions’.  

 What of course has not been covered is Operation Snow Leopard which took place when he was the Northern Army Commander. We now await the sequel to this book with the lens on Operation Snow Leopard.

Conclusion

 There is no doubt that this is a wonderfully written memoir which is rich in facts and covers India’s contemporary military history from the sharp look of a professional and practitioner. The book has relevant lessons about leadership across all domains and gives a rare insight into not only the ethos of the Indian Army but also the complexities of challenges faced by those who don its uniform.

  A book that is difficult to put down once you have picked it up. It is an easy to read yet the canvas covered by the lens of General YK Joshi is immense as he delves into several aspects of the contemporary avatars of warfare from various levels from Counter Insurgency to conventional operations in the myriad terrains of India with a special focus on our Northern borders.

  The book must not only be part of essential reading by those who are students of India’s security environment but also holds valuable insights for the decision makers as well as those interested in India’s military history.

     Weaving personal anecdotes with military events and actions, “ Who Dares Wins’  deserves broader reading as it opens a window into the values, leadership and life of those who serve with courage, commitment and purpose.

The book reviewer is an Indian Army Veteran

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