Diary of an Infantryman Brig. Ian da Costa (Retd.

), 2013

Published in 2013 by

Saligo 403511 Goa, India http://goa1556.goa-india.org goa1556@gmail.com M: +91-9822122436 P: +91-832-2409490 Publishing Goa... not by accident

Project co-ordinated by Frederick Noronha Copy editing by Pamela DMello Cover design by Bina Nayak http://www.binanayak.com Typeset using LYX, http://www.lyx.org Text set in Palatino Printed by Brilliant Printers Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore http://www.brilliantprinters.com/

Published with nancial assistance from the Directorate of Art & Culture (Government of Goa) scheme for Goan authors. See Goa,1556s complete online catalogue at http://bit.ly/Goa1556Books2

ISBN 978-93-80739-48-9

Rs 300

Contents
Foreword | Lt. General DD Saklani (Retd) Acknowledgements 1 A Goan Family Away From Home 2 The Doctor and his Garden 3 A Goan Village... in Nagpur 4 Marriages... and School 5 On a Maiden Voyage 6 Beyond the Adolescent Years 7 The Best Days, at the NDA 8 Zojila Company, IMA 9 A Young Ofcer in JK 10 Starting Life with 14 Kumaon 11 First Major Skirmish 12 Two Steps Up 13 The 1965 War and the Battle for O P Hill 8 10 13 21 29 42 48 53 56 64 68 72 78 84 90

C ONTENTS 14 Getting Married... and Goa 15 Pathankot, Poonch and Thereabouts 16 Srinagar Then 17 End of an Era 18 Peace Station: Madras 19 Raising the Naga Regiment 20 1971 and Bangladesh 21 The Battle of Dharmadaha 22 At Wellington 23 Back to 14 Kumaon 24 The Mountain Brigade and a mad river 25 Life at Mhow 26 The Low, Picturesque Clouds of Nagaland 27 In the Desert, Moving Stealthily by Night 28 Mhow, Seat of Military Education 29 Life At Kumaon House 30 A Visit to Gangolihat 31 An Old Army Club 32 Of Holiday-Homes and Memorials 33 Calling it a Day 34 Setting Out, to the Plains 115 121 124 131 135 138 145 149 164 168 176 184 190 196 214 216 227 232 242 250 258

Contents 35 A Battle on Goas Roads 36 The Evening of Life... In Saligo 263 270

Foreword

The rst time I met Ian was in the early sixties. He had been recently posted to 14 Kumaon1 , which was stationed at Mahura in the Uri Sector of Jammu & Kashmir. At that time I was in 13 Kumaon, in the adjoining district of Baramulla. It was during a dinner hosted by my Battalion that I came across him. I have a vivid memory of meeting a young ofcer just commissioned from the IMA (Indian Military Academy, Dehradun); a tall well-built man, full of spirit, fond of music and dance. But what perhaps made an impact on my mind was that I was meeting a pure, powerful, loving and Godfearing young ofcer! That image of him stays with me even today. In this book, I believe he has presented a very vivid account of his life; both positive and negative experiences of his career, though
1

The Kumaon Regiment is the most decorated regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars. Kumaon gets its recruits from the Kumaonis of Kumaon division and the Ahir from the plains.

Foreword | Lt. General DD Saklani (Retd) the positives weigh heavily against the negatives. Ian recollects his memories right from his childhood days to schooling, regimental and Army life of 37 long years to his current social commitments in Goa. He vividly describes his kith and kin, near and dear ones and fellow comrades in service. This is the story of Brigadier (Retired) Ian da Costa, VSM. His memoirs will be a source of immense joy and inspiration to his children, grand children and future generations of his family. I must congratulate the author for his great service to the regiment and the Army. His simple style and moving narration of experiences has made the book an enchanting voyage of his seless style. As for myself, I count it a great honour to have been asked to write the foreword. I wish Ian, his wife Gladys Lisboa da Costa and their children a very good, healthy and joyful life.

Lieutenant General D.D Saklani, PVSM, AVSM (Retd) Mhow (MP)

The Best Days, at the NDA

I joined the National Defence Academy (NDA), I was the only cadet in the course who had service NYA (Not Yet Allotted). Later I was allotted the Army as my service. Daddy wanted me to join the Navy but I preferred the Air Force, so the Army seemed to be a just solution and neither of us could crib. My friends at the NDA were from my 12 Division of Dog Squadron. 2986 Ajit Singh Chaudhry, 2988 Martin Fernandes and 2990 Chuhar Singh Kanwar remained always together in one group. Martin, Ashok Sarin and Kanwar were Air Force cadets and gradually got segregated when the fth term began. Chaudhry and I gravitated to each other. Others were 2987 Harbir Singh Sirohi, a Naval cadet, and 2989 A.K. Sarin, an Air Force cadet. At the NDA I played a lot of games. I ended up as football captain, but I also was a member of the squadron basketball, hockey, volleyball, cross country, athletics and boxing teams. I remember the bout with SCC (Squadron Cadet Captain) N.B. Singh (an ex-cadet of Lawrence Military School, Sanawar) of George Squadron in October 1959. We hammered each other mercilessly. He was undefeated all through his Academy career. The referees verdict was, A very close, clean and hard hitting bout, a special clap for the loser, Blue the winner. I was in the fourth term at that time and N.B. Singh was in his Passing out or sixth term. I had bruises all over my chest, face and left shoulder as N.B. Singhs jab was actually foul and left the imprint of the seam of his left glove whenever he jabbed at me.

HEN

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However his appointment, stature, seniority and fame got him a favourable verdict.

As an NDA cadet (left), and as an Instruction in Mhow.

I was good at games but soon learnt that I could not neglect my studies. I was good in PT and passed my Second Class and also passed First Class in swimming. This was a record that still holds! I did my basic, Third Class, Second Class and First Class swimming tests, all in one evening. This brought me a special applause during the ante room procedure. My Divisional Ofcer, Capt R.R. Chatterjee of Signals, had warned me many a time that I would be relegated! Such behaviour from an instructor in an Academy was unfortunate, but who would do anything about it? I decided there and then that if I ever became an instructor I would help all students, especially the weaker ones, to become better ofcers. I stuck to my ideals when I was posted as Instructor to the Ofcers Training School, Madras and later twice to the College of Combat, Mhow. Instructors are meant to help students and not to harass or frighten them. My fth term was very smooth. My academic results had improved considerably and I stood joint rst in Service subjects. Capt R.R. Chatterjee could not bully me any more as he was posted out and Capt Nautiyal, also from the Signals, took over.

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At the NDA, the author (extreme left), leads the eld in the 800m. 1958.

Vipin, Chaudhury, the author and his brother Emil in the D-Squadron ante-room.

Passing out from NDA was a great event, especially after I had climbed up the ladder in the Order of Merit. I stood jointly rst in Service subjects along with K.D. Singh, who later got the gold medal. In academics, I enjoyed French (my foreign language) which was allotted to me in my fourth term as I only passed my Compulsory Hindi test in my third term instead of in my second term. I owe a lot to Mon-

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The Best Days, at the NDA sieur Pal, my French teacher, who encouraged me to catch up with the rest of the class and I did not disappoint him. I also did well in History, Political Science and Science. Emile joined the NDA in my sixth term. He was in Bravo Squadron and I did look after him through my other course mates and friends. I also did have a little fun by giving the squad he was marching in simple punishments like picking up their cycles and running. I was also the Honour Code member of my squadron in my nal term.

Ian and Emile, in mufti, at the Sudan Block, the iconic symbol of this tri-services academy. The NDA administrative headquarters was named in honour of the sacrices of Indian soldiers in the Sudan theatre during the East African Campaign.

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I still remember all the squadron mates of my course. No. 2973 was R.K. Batra (Ordnance); 2974 was S.K. Dutta who got relegated after the rst term; 2975 was Surender Kumar (Engineers); 2976 was R.K. Dhir (Noni) who went to 3 Sikhs; 2977 was U.B.S. Sidhu or Bhaia as he was earlier called, who went to J&K Ries; 2978 was S.K. Dhawan (Daddy) who went to 5 Sikhs; 2979 was H.S. Bawa and 2980 was P.K. Venugopal both were relegated; 2981 was the controversial R.K. Joshi, from Jai Hind College, Matunga in Bombay, who went to the Navy and was ultimately faced a court-martial and was dismissed from service. Then we had 2982 D.N. Das (ASC) who also was relegated; 2983 H.C. Gujral of 5th Battalion, the Jat Regiment (5 Jat), who was awarded a Vir Chakra (Vr.C) for action in Jip Jaap and Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1962 and died in a Pak air raid in the Sialkot Sector in the 1965 war; 2984 J.L. Mahan from King Georges Medical College (KGMC) in Ajmer, EME died of natural causes as a Major; 2985 H.S. Chathrath (Arty) was also relegated; 2986 A.S. Chaudhry (Arty) my close friend, he later dropped the Chaudhry and is now known only as Ajit Singh; 2987 H.S. Sirohi, also called Jat Bhai, was a spotter on the Alize aircraft on INS Vikrant and was shot down and died in the 1971 war; 2988 Martin Fernandes, 2989 A.K. Sarin (Makhan) and 2990 C.S. Kanwar were from the Air Force. Martin became a navigator and retired as a Wing Commander and is still ne in Calcutta, and is in touch with me. Sarin and Kanwar were both pilots helicopter and ghters. Both crashed and died early in service. Unfortunately for me, the nal results at NDA were calculated on the basis of average marks scored over all six terms. This did not allow me to climb up the ladder fast enough. In my sixth term I was appointed CQMS (Company Quarter Master Sergeant) which was the third highest permanent appointment in the squadron. The football I had learnt at Nagpur, stood me in good stead when I joined the NDA. Because of this, I went with the Dog Squadron Team to Belgaum in 1958 to play a match against King Georges Military School. It was a good outing. The next year KGMC football team came to NDA to return the visit and we beat them 3-0. I scored one of the goals! S.K. (Stony) Sonpar who was our SCC (Squadron Cadet Captain) in 17th Course and S.C. Chopra the CQMH (Company Quarter Master Sergeant) scored the other two. I ended up, being the captain of the squadron team in my sixth term and we

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were rated third on the academy championship during my nal term. That was the best that the squadron did in the six terms that I spent there.

With Dad and brother Emile (right), 1961.

I could have played for the NDA team, but a new rule did not permit NDA team members to represent their squadrons. I chose to remain in the squadron and try and win the Championship Trophy. We could have done better, but I was unwell with a heavy cold during the championship matches. In the playoff for third position, we drew 1-1 in the rst match with the new King Squadron. Dodamani was the Squadron Cadet Captain of King Squadron. I was XOW (Excused Outdoor Work and Games) by the Regimental Medical Ofcer, as I was NDA main (Sudan) block. unwell. However, Dodamani like

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a gentleman allowed me, on my request, to play when I should have been resting. He must have regretted it later, we won 4-1, by scoring two of the goals myself! One of these was called the Nagpur goal. This was because the ball only passed between me (centre forward) and Man Mohan Burman (right out) of the 23rd Course, who was also from SFS High School, Nagpur, and two years my junior. Finally I headed his centre into the net in a diving nish.

With Commandant Rear Admiral B.A. Samson and cadet J.L. Mohan.

I received many chits for the canteen for milk, sweets and samosas with love and admiration from the other cadets of the squadron. This was their way of saying, Thank You Sir. I bumped into Burman and his wife in the Calcutta-based Defence Services Ofcers Institute (DSOI) during a dinner in 1984. After a short break in Mhow with my family, I was on my way back to Nagaland where I was Colonel In-charge of Administration of 8 Mountain Division. It was nice meeting them. Burman had taken premature retirement and joined the Dabur Pharmaceutical Company as an executive. (Dabur, incidentally, had its name derived from Daktar Burman and is Indias leading ayurvedic medicine manufacturer, named after the physician who founded it.) We met and chatted and parted never to meet again since then. Football has been and still is

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The Best Days, at the NDA my favourite game. These games and matches brought out the best in us and made us strain every nerve and muscle to do well. But the spirit of the game was never forgotten and no unfair means were ever used to gain a victory.

Musical moments. A music club performance at 1960. The author is second from right, playing the accordion.

Daddy, Marie Mignon, Olaf, Alfred and Cherie DSouza, their friend, attended my NDA Passing Out Parade. They all stayed in old H Squadron along with the other guests. It was a happy occasion. Two hundred and seventy six cadets passed out from the NDA that term. All said and done, I still think that the cadet days were the best days in my life.

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Zojila Company, IMA

was posted to Zojila Company1 on reaching IMA, the Indian Military Academy which is the ofcer training academy of the Indian Army established in 1932 in the run-up to Independence. Corporal Winston Peter Mascarenhas from Bangalore was my course incharge for the rst month. He was called Peter by the cadets, as it was easier to remember. Winston Churchill was perhaps not so well known as our Winston Peter! Peter was a great help and also guided me. Seniors often asked me to sing a song. Diana was my favorite in those days and all liked it. From the Academy in Dehradun, we could see the white snows of Mussoorie and its lights at night. We made a cycling excursion to Mussoorie and walked up part of the way. Half way through my third term at IMA, I was appointed a permanent Lance Corporal. Then, because I was able to maintain discipline amongst my course mates, I was appointed Staff Sergeant of Zojila Company during the fourth term. This entailed ensuring discipline of the company, making parade states, overlooking punishment parades, conducting the Orderly Room Procedure for passing orders every evening before dinner. It entailed harder and more dirty work than others of my course had to do. Capt Y.R. Bahl of 15 Kumaon was my Platoon Commander. Capt P.N. Kathpalia of 4 Kumaon was the senior most Kumaoni ofcer posted as instruc-

IMA cadets are organized as a Regiment with four training battalions, of four companies each. There were sixteen companies in 2013. Battalions are named for generals of the Indian Army, and companies after Army battles.

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Zojila Company, IMA

tor. Later, Colonel N.K. Sinha, ex-Commandant of the Kumaon Regimental Centre, was posted as the Deputy Commandant. He could not be of much help but it raised my morale.

At IMA (standing from L): Alhawat, Dad, Capt Y.R.Bahl, Col N.K. Sinha, the author and Capt P.N. Kathpalia (later COR). Kneeling, B.S. Yadav and Y.S. Bisht.

Gentleman Cadet (GC) Godfrey T. Lobo from Mangalore became my good friend. He was six months junior to me, belonged to Naushera Company and we often went to church and spent Sundays together. We were in opposite camps. Initially he was in the Clement Town Wing, while I was in the Premnagar Wing and visa versa in my nal term. He had come through the Services stream and had had a tough childhood. I had been very strict with Zojila Company GCs and my own course mates. At the end of the term and just before passing out, I was ragged like hell by the juniors. It was a tradition that passingout seniors would voluntarily submit themselves to ragging and do the punishment given by the juniors. It was tough, but I complied even though I was ill with a bad winter cold. Besides being the Staff Sergeant of Zojila Company, the Parade had to do a turn and dress up on my Command as we were the last Company on parade. I had to be perfect in all my drill movements. I had opted for the Kumaon Regiment as my rst choice and there was a rumour that I would be posted to 4 Kumaon. The

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NCO in the Mess was from that battalion and looked after me very specially. He also gave me regular news about the battalion. I always got a double helping of chicken because of that. The Colonel of the Regiment was Lt Gen Kunwar Bahadur Singh who was also the Adjutant General of the Army. He would personally come to Dehradun to interview the Gentleman Cadets and selected the best from them for 4 Kumaon to which he earlier belonged. But Lt Col T.N. Raina was smarter than him. He was a General Martin Fernandes, my course-mate from Lucknow, Staff Ofcer Grade and friend at D-Squadron, NDA. Retired as a Wing I at the Army HeadCommander, and settled in Kolkata. quarters. He put a stroke before 4 and I was bound for 14 Kumaon. Daddy and Olaf came for my Passing Out Parade at Dehradun. They stayed with Captain Willie Dias and his charming wife Barbara. Capt Willie Dias, from the Army Supply Corps (ASC), was the MTO (Mechanical Transport Ofcer) of the IMA. He was a great sportsman (athlete and hockey player). A very nice, kind and everhelpful ofcer, he was liked by all. I again passed out thirty-third in order of merit. coincidently repeating my performance at the NDA! My Indian Commission (IC) Number was 12833 and K.D. Singh was 12801 as he was rst in order of merit. I could have done better, but the duties of my appointment took much of my time that I could have spent on studies.

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Zojila Company, IMA I asked Mrs. Barbara Dias to put on my pips2 as Second Lieutenant at midnight of December 17, 1961, as this was done during a dance. Daddy had put on his white bund-gala suit and Gandhi cap and also his World War I medals, which made him the centre of attraction. It was a nice enjoyable night at Chetwode Hall. celebrated as a dinner dance. I had been transformed from a cadet to a young ofcer. Over 350 Gentleman Cadets passed out along with me, as the Direct Entry Course, Service Cadets, NCC Course and Technical Graduates Course also passed out together with the 19th NDA Course. There was no looking back thereafter. My quest for learning was as keen as anyone elses, but the environment had hitherto not been up to the mark. Later, when the environment was without bias, I did better than my colleagues H.C. Gujral and R.K. Dhir, who were Squadron Cadet Captain and Cadet Sergeant Major respectively of the same Fox Squadron at NDA. Again, we were in the same Company and I had proved my mettle and continued to do so. I owe a lot of my success to my sister Gilda and partly to my Mum who encouraged me. The silver lining was that it left me stronger and more condent than ever. My university that was my home readied me to face the world and overcome even the sternest of tests. That is why a home is considered the nursery of all men and women, great and small. Whatever I achieved in life was due to their teachings and personal example. I therefore consider myself very fortunate indeed, that I had parents who showed me the way to success in lifes struggle.

Badges for ofcers were rst introduced in 1810. These badges consisted of (and still consist of) crowns and stars, the latter being more likely to be called pips today. These rank insignia were worn on shoulder epaulettes. After Independence, the crown was replaced by the Ashoka lions.

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