Writer Mod Date & Time PARTITION: Tape 36 255MODEM 255MODEM Mar 06 09:33 TAPE 36 Lt Genl (rtd) HARBAHKSH SINGH int'd at his Delhi home, 6 March 1997 Indian army Acting Brigade Commander in Kashmir, travelling there on 1 November 1947; Commander, Western Army in 1965 war. Has brief typescript reminiscence re Kashmir in 1947. Born in a village in a princely state, now in Indian Punjab, on 1 October 1913. Went to Indian Military Academy in Dehra Dun in 1933. Fought in Malaya in WW2, Japanese PoW but refused to join INA. Came back to India in Sept 1945 suffering from beri-beri. In summer 1947 was at the military academy in Quetta. On 1st Nov 1947 flew in a civilian plane from Delhi to Srinagar as acting Brigade Commander - was there for seevral months. In 1965, was Commander, Western Army, and crossed 15 miles into Pakistan. In Feb 1966, met his Pak opposite number (whome he knew well) at UN-convened talks in Lahore. Retired with the rank of Lt-General. A tall, turbanned Sikh - once impressively handsome: says the diminutive Shastri once looked up at him and said, "I'm certainly frightened of you". Has photo of himself with Shastri; silver framed photo of shaking hands with opposite number in Lahore in Feb 66; many other photos on walls; and military and hockey trophies on shelves. Has kept copious archives and cuttings. Eager to reminisce. Knew many of most seniors figures in Pakistan military - and still in touch with some. Just a day or two after interview, was hosting a Pak friend who had come across for a regular IMA reunion at Dehra Dun. Side A 2 - in 47 a Major; when went to Kashmir as a Lt Col 37 - read about death of Ranjit Rai of First Sikhs in Srinagar while in hospital; was next most senior in batallion 73 - went to Srinagar as deputy brigade commander; flew from Sardarjung - told at airfield that brigade commander had been injured and so wd be in command; flew in on a civilian aircraft on 1st Nov 88 - approaching Srinagar by air, 'I saw all the villages were burning, smoke was coming from all directions, and I was not sure whether the airfield was in our hands or not ... I was told to make sure before landing whether the airfield was in our hands or in the enemy hands ... I sd [to the pilot} first of all do a dummy run, don't land ... so we went, one man appeared from a hut, he just waved at us, didn't fire, so I sd now e can land' 105 - told on landing: 'the enemy about 2,000 strong are in Ilgaum ?? about 500 yds from airfiled, and they are getting out in the morning to attack' 120 > anecdote re mountain guns landed belonging to Patiala state forces - commandeered to help defend the airfield; the Patiala detahcmnet commanded by his nephew (told in some detail); as filed gun started, 'the raiders ran in every direction, (the gunners) were v happy,