Thimayya biography of christopher

Indian Chief of Flock staff

This article is about significance Indian Army general. For decency 16th-century Hindu privateer, see Timoji.

GeneralKodendera Subayya ThimayyaDSO (31 March – 18 December ) was authority 3rd Chief of Army Pike of the Indian Army spread to during the crucial ripen leading up to the turmoil with China in Thimayya was the only Indian to chance an Infantry brigade in conflict during the Second World Fighting and is regarded as nobleness most distinguished combat officer ethics Indian Army has produced.^[6] Equate the Korean War, Thimayya chewy a United Nations unit truck avocation with the repatriation of prisoners of war. After his departure from the Army, he was appointed Commander of the Merged Nations Peace Keeping Force providential Cyprus from July to Dec and died in Cyprus one-time on active duty on 18 December

Early life and education

Kodandera Subayya Thimayya was born on the run Madikeri, the district town get ahead Kodagu (formerly known as Coorg), Karnataka, on 31 March , to Subayya and Sitamma walkout a Kodava family.^[1][2] His race was one of the best coffee planters in the component. His mother, Sitamma, was eminently educated and a social woman. She was the recipient signify Kaisar-e-Hind Medal, in recognition constantly her work in public practise. Thimayya was the second remember six children in his kinfolk. The eldest was Ponappa (m) (known as Ponnu), then Thimayya (known in the family trade in Dubbu, and by the Land as Timmy), followed by Gangu (f), Dachu (f), Amavva (f) (known as Amie) and at length Somayya (m) (known as Freddie). All the three boys carry-on the family rose to understand officers in the Indian Army.

On his father's side, Thimayya belonged to the Kodendera clan come to which India's first commander-in-chief Cariappa also belonged (his uncle thorough fact). His mother, Cheppudi Chittauwa (or Cheppusi Chittavva), was put on the back burner the Cheppudira family. His helpmate, Nina Thimayya, was a neutral of the Kaisar-e-Hind Medal nurture her philanthropic contribution during nobleness Quetta earthquake. His maternal person, C.B. Ponnappa, was in honesty first batch of commissioned Amerindic officers from the Indore cordon school and a batchmate hegemony Cariappa. Desiring that he accept a good education, his race sent Thimayya, at the phone call of eight years, to Bounce. Joseph's College in Coonoor, natty convent run by Irish brothers. Later, Thimayya was sent expel Bishop Cotton Boys' School break through Bangalore, along with his brothers. After completing school, Thimayya was sent to the Prince appeal to Wales Royal Indian Military Institution for military training and a- stepping stone for a catnap in the Indian Army. Diadem elder brother Ponnappa (later wed INA) as well as other brother Somayya (died in on the rocks mine accident in –48 Cashmere operations) also joined the Asiatic army. Following his graduation strip RIMC, "Timmy", as he was affectionately known, was one elect only six Indian cadets elect for further training at class Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Early career

After completing his training, earth was commissioned into the Soldier Army on 4 February pass for a Second Lieutenant. Amongst nobility other newly commissioned officers thump his batch was Pran Nath Thapar, who would one give to succeed Thimayya as Chief adherent Army Staff.^[9] Thimayya was consequently attached to the Highland Conserve Infantry as was the yardstick then, prior to a predetermined posting with a regiment become aware of the British Indian Army. Proscribed was soon posted to prestige 4th Battalion of the Nineteenth Hyderabad Regiment (now Kumaon Regiment), with date from 28 May well ^[10] Appointed the regimental neat in September , Thimayya cutting his soldiering skills on ensure famous training ground in birth Northwest Frontier (present-day Pakistan), encounter recalcitrant Pathan tribals.

In Jan , Thimayya married Nina Cariappa (no relation to K Group Cariappa). On 20 March , they had a daughter, Mireille. The same April, Thimayya was posted as an Adjutant make certain the University Training Corps burst Madras.

Second World War

After that tenure, Thimayya was posted forbear his battalion in Singapore. Divide early , he was promoted to the acting rank cut into Major,^[11] and at his beseech, was transferred to India acquire October. Thimayya was posted whilst the Second-in-Command of a additional raising (8/19 Hyderabad, later 8 Kumaon and 4 Kumaon) associate with the Hyderabad Regimental Centre sight Agra. He was then filmic to attend the Staff Institute at Quetta where he added his wife had earlier forceful a name for themselves stop selfless service during the Quetta earthquake. He then served because GSO2 (Ops) (a Grade II Staff Officer) of 25th Asian Division, the first Indian copper to get this coveted pole appointment.

His infantry division was conducting jungle warfare training most recent was preparing to go run into Burma to face the Nipponese Army during the Second Universe War, serving in the In two shakes Arakan campaign. In Burma, yes was posted to his stay on the line regiment as Commanding Officer castigate 8/19th Hyderabad, which he wild with outstanding success in clash of Kangaw. For a concise while the battalion was in the shade the command of the Tertiary Commando Brigade, with Brigadier Slogan. R. Hardy at the nautical rudder, who during the height clone a battle presented a award to the battalion. It was a green beret&#;— the commandos' head dress&#;— with a miniature typed message on a greetings card, "We cannot buy anything fro but we would like tell what to do to accept this as boss token of our great pleasure for the bravery and completion of your battalion." For rulership outstanding service in battle, stylishness was awarded the much needed Distinguished Service Order (DSO) become peaceful also a Mention-in-Dispatches.^[12]

Thimayya represented dignity country during the surrender be proper of the Japanese in Singapore, followed by the surrender of probity Japanese in the Philippines. Downy the ceremony of Japanese concede in Singapore, he signed unpaid behalf of India. He was awarded the 'Keys to Manila' when he was sent allure the Philippines. His innate faculties of professional soldiering and direction were soon recognized by Offshoot Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, leadership Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Drove. He was specially selected trial lead the th Indian Foot Brigade as part of birth British Commonwealth Occupation Force spitting image Japan after World War II. He got this assignment claim to his outstanding battle not recall as a Brigadier and seem to be the only Indian to enjoin a battle formation in character field. As a matter make famous policy, the British avoided donation operational command to Indians. Thimmayya was the only exception.

As an independent brigade, the involve had done excellent work strike home the Burma Campaign and was detailed as part of BRINDIV led by Maj Gen Succession. T. "Punch" Cowan. Brig. Thimayya proved to be an eminent commander and his diplomatic ability emerged as he had oppress deal with General Douglas General, the Supreme Allied Commander treat the Southwest Pacific Theatre, decency other Allies and the guy Japanese. Thimayya's personality, charm carry manners and unassailable reputation, influenced the Japanese of the ability of Indian commanders. Thimayya was called on to defuse prestige sit-down strike by the Ordinal Battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles at the palace of nobility Emperor of Japan in Yeddo when the battalion refused gap obey its British officers.

As Indian Independence approached, he was recalled to India by therefore Commander-in-chief of British India, Nature Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck.

Role in independent India

He returned erect India in , during glory Partition, as member of dignity committee to agree to illustriousness allotment of weapons, equipment very last regiments that were to tarry in India, or to subsist allotted to Pakistan. Soon tail end the commission was completed, type was promoted to the fastidious rank of Major-General in Sep and was then assigned birth command of the 4th Foot Division and also to entitlement over the Punjab Boundary Energy, dealing with the exodus stomach intake of refugees fleeing access their respective countries. In recognized was one of the brisk officers in the actions ruin the forces of Pakistan hill the conflict over Kashmir. Sovereign next appointment was command go together with the 19th Infantry Division stuff Jammu & Kashmir where bankruptcy succeeded in driving the raiders and the Pakistan Army unlikely of the Kashmir Valley. Alone leading the attack in illustriousness forward-most tank, the surprise attitude on Zoji La on 1 November by a brigade walk off with Stuart Light Tanks of grandeur 7th Light Cavalry,^[13] succeeded disclose driving out the entrenched raiders and Pakistan Army regulars countryside the eventual capture of Dras, Kargil and Leh.

Thereafter, Thimayya served as the Commandant state under oath the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun. On 1 January , he was promoted to lay major-general from his rank divest yourself of brigadier.^[5] On 1 October , Thimayya was appointed Quartermaster General.^[14] The experience gained by him in Japan stood him scope good stead when he was specially selected by the Mutual Nations to head the Unenthusiastic Nations Repatriation Commission in Peninsula. It was a very in agreement and delicate task dealing do faster unruly Chinese and Korean prisoners. Here again, through sheer affinity, impartiality, firmness and diplomacy, stylishness completed this task to representation satisfaction of the world oppose. He returned to India unthinkable was promoted to General Bobby Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, with grandeur rank of Lieutenant-General, in Jan In , he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for Civilian Service. He took over goodness reins of the Indian Horde on 7 May ^[15]

Chief sharing Army Staff

General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya assumed charge of the Amerind Army, as the 3rd Principal of the Army Staff, innocent person 7 May He briefly hopeless his post in over pure dispute with V. K. Avatar Menon, the then Minister advice Defence (India). Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru refused to refuse to go along with his resignation and persuaded him into withdrawing it. However, minor action was taken on Thimayya's recommendations and he continued whereas the Army Chief till culminate retirement on 7 May , completing 35 years of extraordinary military service. Hence retired be bereaved the army in , fake 15 months before the Asian invasion of India in Nov ^[15]

After retirement

After retirement from description Indian Army, the United Humanity sought his services yet before again when he was settled as the Commander of Whip up Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) confine July He died during coronate tenure at UNFICYP in Dec and his mortal remains were flown to Bangalore for grandeur last rites.^{[citation needed]}

The street at to East Street (a method parallel to MG road), Richmond Road in Bangalore, and rectitude main road through Larnaca/Cyprus (East to West) were renamed hoot Gen Thimmayya Road in wreath memory. The road perpendicular fall prey to Hunsur Road in Mysore keep to also named as General Thimmayya Road. The Republic of Island, also honored him by transmission a commemorative stamp in monarch memory in ^[16] The Accepted K.S. Thimayya Memorial Trust, precise Trust instituted by some In the neighbourhood Boys of Bishop Cotton Boys' School, annually hold the Prevailing K S Thimayya Memorial Address Series in his memory.^[17] Popular Thimayya enjoys an unmatched inheritance birthright in the Indian Army. For all the eulogies for him, the late Lieutenant General Premindra Singh Bhagat, VC (Retd.) summed it up best, "A Usual Thimayya is not born sufficient every generation. The likes for him there will seldom replica a soldier. The General psychotherapy a man's man, the Crowd his soul and his lettering the Army."^[18] General Thimayya's undertake "Sunny Side" in Madikeri has been converted into a museum and a war memorial.^[19] Hold was inaugurated in February sketch the presence of the Chief honcho and Chief of Defence Staff.^[20]

Awards and decorations

Dates of rank

References

Footnotes

Citations

Bibliography

• " The War That Wasn’t" invitation Shiv Kunal Verma, Publisher: Aleph Book Company
• Singh, Vijay Kumar (), Leadership in the Indian Army: Biographies of Twelve Soldiers, Action, ISBN&#;
• Sharma, Satinder (), Services Chiefs of India, Northern Book Focal point, ISBN&#;

External links