Page 367 - Leadership in the Indian Army

him to see and assess the action as it developed, and issue orders according
to the exigencies of the situation. He did not like to look back over his
shoulder, and strongly rebuffed attempts at backseat driving by his

superiors. He found it distracting to have to answer meaningless queries
from staff officers at higher HQ, and frequently switched off his rearward
radio, leaving the second-in-command or Adjutant to deal with them. This
allowed him to concentrate on his command and conduct the battle without
interference.
After two years as Commandant of the Poona Horse, Hanut was posted as
GSO 1, HQ 31 Armoured Division in September 1973. Two years later he

was promoted brigadier, and appointed Commander 14 (Independent)
Armoured Brigade, which he commanded with distinction. Shortly after he
assumed command, a discussion was held at the Corps HQ to evaluate the
concept of the crossing of a water obstacle by an armoured division and the
subsequent breakout. This concept had been worked out by the Armoured
Division, and after endorsement by the Command and Corps HQ, had been

forwarded to Army HQ for approval. The Military Training Directorate had
come up with a draft training note, which was sent to the Corps HQ for
comments and approval before it was issued. At this time, Lieutenant
General Z.C. ‘Zoru’ Bakshi was the Corps Commander, and Lieutenant
General I.S. Gill was the Army Commander. Bakshi wanted the concept to
be discussed and evaluated before any decision was taken. It was a high-
level discussion, in which almost all senior formation commanders of

Western Command participated or attended as observers. The Army
Commander was also present.
When Hanut read through the paper, he found that the concept was totally
impractical. He felt that it had been conceived by some armchair tactician,
and was surprised that it had been accepted all the way upto Army HQ
without anyone questioning its basic assumptions. When he tried to raise

the issue within his syndicate, he was overruled by his syndicate leader on
the grounds that it had already been approved. When the discussion got
under way, almost everyone lauded the concept as brilliant. During tea-
break, Hanut spoke to the Chief of Staff HQ 2 Corps, who was conducting
the discussion, and told him that he wished to express a personal opinion on
the issue, as his syndicate was not in agreement with his views. When the
discussion was resumed, Hanut was invited to give his comments. He began

by saying: ‘Though I find myself in the position of being one man against