Page 110 - The English Carnival 7

Australia in 1946, and after his return was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel,
serving as a first grade staff officer in the Military Operations Directorate.

Upon the Partition of India in 1947, his parent unit – 12th Frontier Force Regiment – became
part of the Pakistan Army (rechristened Frontier Force Regiment), and so Manekshaw

was reassigned to the 16th Punjab Regiment, before being posted to the 3rd Battalion, 5th
Gorkha Rifles, which he was detailed to command. The tumultuous events of partition
required Manekshaw’s retention in army headquarters as a lieutenant colonel in the
Military Operations Directorate, though, and because of this he subsequently missed his
chance to command an infantry battalion as he was later promoted to brigadier, becoming

the first Indian Director of Military Operations. The appointment of Director of Military
Operations was upgraded first to major general and later to lieutenant general and is
now termed Director General Military Operations (DGMO).

While handling the issues relating to Partition in 1947, Manekshaw demonstrated his
acumen for planning and administration, and later was able put his battle skills to use

during operations in Jammu & Kashmir in 1947–48. After commanding an infantry brigade,

he was posted to the Infantry School at Mhow as the school’s commandant and also
became the colonel of 8 Gorkha Rifles (which became his new regiment, since his original
parent regiment, the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, had become part of the new Pakistan
Army at partition) and 61st Cavalry. Manekshaw then commanded a division in Jammu
and Kashmir. A stint at the Defence Services Staff College followed where he served as

the commandant. It was here that his outspoken frankness got him into trouble with the
then Defence Minister, V. K. Krishna Menon. A court of inquiry was ordered against him.
The court, presided over by the then-Western Army Commander, Lieutenant General

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