General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher, a british officer, continued to lead the indian army after india gained its independence because it was thought that the veteran of the british indian army could help bridge the communication gap between indian and british military personnel and was familiar with indian military operations.
Historians claim that because the british had never placed an indian in such a high position in the army, the indian government at the time, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, the nation's first prime minister, believed that no indian could bear such a significant responsibility.
Nehru made a tactical error by appointing General Bucher to lead the indian army, though, since the british officer may have cost india half of kashmir, which was lost to Pakistan.
How did Nehru's tactical mistake cost india a chance to capture PoK?
Supported by the pakistan army, Pakistani tribal warriors attempted to penetrate the princely state of kashmir on october 22, 1947, but were stopped by indian soldiers. In contrast to PM Nehru, Bucher, the second Commander-in-Chief of the indian army and the last non-Indian to occupy the top position, stated that indian troops in kashmir were exhausted and that a significant military operation against pakistan was impossible due to their lack of training.
"Basic training is lacking among junior cops. They lack the experience necessary to handle such a circumstance. Soldiers at higher ranks are extremely worn out and unenthusiastic. According to General Bucher's assessment, "Soldiers are in dire need of training and leave at this time so their skills can be improved and refreshed."
Jawaharlal Nehru is thought to have had clear intentions toward pakistan and, in his response to the army head, voiced alarm about Islamabad's plans to launch an airstrike in the coming weeks. In order to bolster its position, pakistan was also building roads in the area quickly.
Nehru responded sharply in his letter, saying that a defensive posture would be futile at this stage and that pakistan could not be let to continue its aggressive campaign, which would unavoidably result in war.
However, Bucher stated that "we cannot launch a military operation to stop every road construction by Pakistan" in disagreement with Nehru's position on the subject. Rather from addressing the problem directly, the british officer'suggested' a "political solution" and encouraged Nehru to approach the UN.
On january 1, 1949, a truce was established in kashmir - SRINAGAR/JAMMU' target='_blank' title='jammu and kashmir-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>jammu and kashmir following the UN's intervention. Through the Instrument of Accession, the princely state joined the indian Union and was given Special Status under article 370 of the indian Constitution. However, in 2019, the bjp administration led by prime minister Narendra Modi removed this status.
General Bucher tried to sabotage the hyderabad merger?
Notably, Bucher also attempted to thwart Hyderabad's attempt to join India. On september 12, 1948, a cabinet meeting was called, and then-Deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai patel suggested taking military action after the Nizam of hyderabad refused to join the indian state and indicated interest in joining Pakistan.
General Bucher, who attended the meeting as well, opposed the plan, casting doubt on India's military prowess and threatening to retaliate with airstrikes against mumbai and ahmedabad if india conducted a military operation in Hyderabad. However, Sardar patel dismissed Bucher's worries and firmly supported his own suggestion.
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