MORE ON GENERAL K.S. THIMAYYA

Sir,

A few readers have written about General K.S. Thimayya in these columns with reference to your Abracadabra dated May 28. May I add further to some already written.

In 1957, Gen. Thimayya became COAS (Chief of Army Staff) superseding two of his seniors. V.K. Krishna Menon was the Defence Minister, had made a name in UN and other international forums, with high calibre and intelligence. Thimayya’s tiff with Menon was not personal. Whenever Menon visited Army units and interacted with Jawans (soldiers), he used to ask pointed questions on their grouse against any of their officers. It is something not liked by the senior officers who were accompanying the Defence Minister.

It was a question of discipline in the Army. Gen. Thimayya sent his resignation letter to Prime Minister; the rumour was that the other Chiefs were to follow if the resignation was accepted. Prime Minister Nehru tactfully handled the situation; General withdrew the resignation.

Gen. Thimayya wanted to write a book about his experiences in war fronts but the Government did not permit as he was in the service. Thimayya happened to meet one American writer Humpry Evans, who stayed with the General for sometime, made notes and got it published in US. The book “Thimayya of India” having a glossy wrapper on the cover with an impressive photograph of the General reviewing a Guard of Honour presented to him at West Point ( US Academy to train Defence officers).

Though he retired in 1961, his services were requisitioned directly by UN, to head a Peace Keeping Force at Cyprus — a small Island in Mediterranean, off the coast of Turkey and Greek, which had won Independence under Archbishop Makarios from Britain. However, it had to face a civil war between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot (mostly Muslims). Gen. Thimayya as head of the Peace Keeping Force did very well in separating the warring factions and brought peace.

Gen. Thimayya died in Nicosia (Cyprus) in Dec.1965. His body was brought to Bangalore; his wife and only daughter were there. Last rites were performed and the body was buried with all military honours and 17 gun salute. The Government of Cyprus honoured him by issuing a commemorative stamp and naming a street after him.

Gen. Thimayya was an alumnus of the Bishop Cotton Boys School, Bangalore. The alumni of the school celebrate “Gen. Thimayya Day” every year by arranging lectures by senior Army Officers and other dignitaries.

— Capt. (Retd.) A.K.Char / V.V.Mohalla, 28.6.2015

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / Sunday – July 05th, 2015