Page 106 - Leadership in the Indian Army

1965, had been extended by three months just a few hours before he died.
His death came as a shock to everyone in Cyprus, as well as in India. For a
day, his body lay in state at the HQ of the United Nations Force at Nicosia,

where wreaths were placed by Archbishop Makarios and his cabinet
colleagues, as well as representatives of many nations. His body, along with
a 10-man guard of honour drawn from the UN troops, was flown in a
special UN aircraft from Nicosia to Beirut, where the Indian ambassador
formally took charge of it. From Beirut, the body was flown to Bombay in
an Air India plane, where it was received with due ceremony before being
transferred to an Indian Air Force aircraft for its final journey to Bangalore.

It was received at Bangalore by Thimayya’s wife and daughter, together
with a large crowd of mourners, which included General Cariappa. It was
buried at the Lal Bagh gardens with full military honours, accompanied by
a 17-gun salute.
Over six feet tall, Thimayya had a magnetic personality and, as one writer
said: ‘Moved as gracefully as a cheetah, despite his 200 pounds’. Tough and

flamboyant, he reminded Americans of the Wild West, and his career could
well have been the subject of a Hollywood film. Full of fun and humour, he
was always the soul of every party. But he was also strict and
straightforward, and never hesitated to take a stand. Above all, he was a
soldier who always did what he thought was right. It is a pity that he had to
suffer underserved humiliation just when he was at the pinnacle of his
profession. There were aspersions cast on Thimayya’s loyalty, and some

said that he was planning a coup. Soon after the resignation incident, when
Nehru spoke to Mountbatten about Thimayya, the latter told him that he
could count on Thimayya’s complete loyalty. He assured Nehru that
Thimayya would never abuse his position or even consider anything like a
coup. In fact, Mountbatten told Nehru that he could not possibly get a better
man than Thimayya, not only as Chief of Army Staff but later on, as Chief

of Defence Staff, a position which he thought Nehru should create.
Timmy is no more, but he has not been forgotten by his countrymen.
Along with Cariappa and Manekshaw, he remains one of the most popular
military leaders of India. His no-nonsense approach, sense of humour and
moral courage had earned him the love and respect of the Indian jawan. To
them, he was always ‘Timmy Sahib’, whom they loved and respected like
an elder brother. With him in charge, they knew that success was ensured,

and that he would never expose them to risks or hardship which he would