Also Published@ https://thedailyguardian.com/e-paper/tdg-epaper/19-september-2020/
and CEJOWS @ https://www.cenjows.in/article-detail?id=402
An officer on the LAC recently celebrated his birth day. When asked what was on the menu for his birthday party , he replied ‘Chinese’ and lots of them. Attaboy. That’s called morale.
…. An Abridged Tweet.
Earlier Articles In Series
Sino Indian Logjam – A Review
@ https://www.gunnersshot.com/2020/08/sino-indian-logjam-review-by-lt-gen-p-r.html
No Go For China in the Logjam
@ https://www.gunnersshot.com/2020/09/no-go-for-china-in-logjam-by-lt-gen-p-r.html
Sino Indian Logjam : Aim, Capability and Environmental Analysis
@ https://www.gunnersshot.com/2020/09/sino-indian-logjam-aim-capability-and.html
Battle Indicators.‘ Global Times’ videos indicate that PLA is rehearsing for an offensive. Air Defence drills around Lhasa. Fibre optic cables being laid in Spangur. Early battle indicators. The real indicator will be dumping Artillery ammunition and build up. When that happens - real business is afoot. Till then relax or chew your nails. Notwithstanding, since the Chinese are chafing to teach us a lesson. So what is in the offing?
Hardening Defences. Indian Infantry has dug in at the heights since two weeks. The defences are hardening and getting coordinated. It means overhead protection, stocking and obstacle laying. A defensive fire plan is evolving with IAF, Artillery, Tanks and Infantry Mortars in the mix. Selected and surveyed targets would be Chinese assembly areas, routes of ingress, forming up places(FUP) for assault, enemy gun areas, hqs and more. Suffice to say that the Chinese will get a hell of a whack. The Chinese have focussed on mechanisation by rote. That is contained in their White Paper as a doctrine. They did not realise that High Altitude warfare is vastly different. Why? Simple. Difference between political and professional armies. I hope that ‘Global Times’ editor is around to photograph hilarious Chinese sergeant majors blowing whistles and trumpets to commence ferocious attacks. His story will be different now – how drones used for food are being multitasked for body bag delivery. Everyone says that China will attack and teach India a lesson. Good. Let’s do some honest analysis.
Isolation Reinforced. After Wang Yi’s visit to EU states, Germany has opted on the side of democracies in the Indo Pacific region. That was inevitable. Indonesia refused to provide any bases for the Chinese. They are now objecting to Chinese transgressions in the Natuna Seas. The spat with Australia is worsening. India and Japan have signed a defence pact. The Taiwanese have warned that any more violation of their airspace will invite retaliatory action. There are reports which say that a Sino-US armed conflict is getting more real. China is more isolated than ever. Internally , Inner Mongolia continues to fester. Tibet is getting revived. Xinjiang issue is on the verge of revival. India can help both along. Hong Kong is not out of the news. The right time to ramp up the conflict with another Nuclear Power? Great Chinese strategic thinking.
Lebensraum and Persecuted Victimhood. Before Nazi offensives and pogroms, Hitler sold the ‘Lebensraum Dream’ and the ‘Persecuted Victimhood Complex’ to Germany. Something similar is happening in China. Initially Xi Jinping sold the ‘China Dream’, pronounced a period of great strategic opportunity and started building the greatest military on earth. He brainwashed Chinese that the CCP way was the best during the Wuhan Virus crisis. Pogroms against the Uighurs are well documented. He has spoken of solidifying Tibet security and communising religion. Wayward Hong Kongers are brought in line. He pronounces that China will follow the Communist economic model come what may. He popularises himself with people by visiting them during floods. He is invoking people to overcome hardships due to denial of technologies - imported seeds for agriculture, critical components in manufacturing, dependence on oil imports, distribution of water resources and pharmaceuticals and medical equipment for an ageing population. The position of the CCP inside China is being constantly consolidated. The emerging picture - ‘Persecuted Victimhood Complex’ of China being denied and pushed into a corner by a disintegrating and inimically jealous world. External picture. China is ordained to rule the world. Only China can win - at any cost. Every one falls in line. Political, economic, diplomatic or military coercion works, always and every time. China will expand based on some mythological irredentism. ‘Aggressive Lebensraum’. The world, ravaged by the Virus from China is being herded into a corner to establish Chinese supremacy. Everything is Xi centric to rule the world. A bipolarity is emerging. Internal portrayal of being unfairly cornered and an external reality of coercively cornering everyone. Such a diabolic schism was last seen in Hitler’s Germany. Nitin Gokhale was right. The transformation to Xitler is complete. We should know who we are dealing with. “The Man Who Would Be King” not by Rudyard Kipling!
Xitlerian Concept. In the Xitlerian concept, India has no right to defend itself. It must subjugate itself to the lord and emperor of the great Chinese people. If not, be prepared for punishment. The great PLA will defend every inch of Chinese territory recently usurped from India by attacking and punishing India for India asking vacation of its territory. The Idea is to take what it wants. Force an unequal peace. Afterall, China is the greatest. Are there risks and options in this new one sided game?
Risks. There are four risks in this attempt to teach India a lesson. Firstly. With the available troops India cannot be taught a lesson. The fight will be long, hard and bloody. Everything will be at a cost. That cost will be collected by USA in the South China Sea who will not miss the opportunity. A firefight starts there. Taiwan could declare Independence. End of superpower China. Secondly, after the bloody battle, even if India is defeated, the long guerrilla campaign will start. Tibet and Xinjiang will be in flames. Srinagar Valley is only 15948 sq km. Tibet is 1.22 million sq km and Xinjiang is 1.6 million sq km. See the difference? China, of the nose bloodied, will have to commit a lot more of PLA to handle the situation on a real long term basis. Its entire global plans go for a toss. Thirdly, there are very good chances that China will be taught a lesson. In fact I am sure of it. If they start a shooting match and India finishes it, the next stop could be Rudok. That will automatically put Tibet and Xinjiang on flame. Fourthly. What happens if China cannot force victory? The saga of defeat continues. Pakistan has the best Army never to have won a war. China will compete for that honour with its rusty iron brother. Whichever way it goes, China’s dream will evaporate. Guaranteed. Risk a war? Go ahead China. BTW. When does the N factor kick in?
Options. China is reinforcing Eastern Ladakh with additional troops. The area can hold that many troops only. Any further increase will diminish returns. Secondly, mountains are good for defenders. It is difficult to dislodge entrenched defenders unless there are repeated headlong attacks. China has to also decide where to attack. North of Pangong Tso or South of it. (see picture) North of Pangong Tso offers some scope for employment of armour in the Depsang Plains. However it is a shooting match without manoeuvre space. There is a fair bit of mountainous area North of Pangong Tso also. India can play some tricks, infiltrate and reverse the situation. While it may be feasible to get hold of some territory there is a good chance of losing it too for the Chinese. The key to the whole affair will be the Chusul Gateway , South of Pangong Tso. Can China dislodge us from the strategically important Kailash Range? In an area devoid of cover and a single avenue of approach the attacker is exposed (see picture – 3d view of area beyond Spangur). Headbutting will be very costly. Results will be minimal. Of course, China can expand into other sectors further South. In which case its commitment and imbalance will expand. It will slowly be sucked in and stretched to a point when a counter offensive will happen. Where? Has to be decided between USA and India. The short point is that China is already in a trap of its own making. So far China has used Sun Tsu’s maxim of winning wars without fighting. This is one war they will have to fight to win but will lose. Want to be a superpower? Bleed a little on the battlefield.
Own Option. What should we do? Hold tight. Till winter sets in maintain a low profile. Stay vigilant. Do not get complacent. The enemy is desperate. Do some talking. Stall for time. Play the Chinese game. Two steps forward and no step back - on ground. Once winter sets in, start harassing the Chinese in the rear and spook them in the front. Imbalances and opportunities will surface. It is the first high altitude winter for his mainline force. He will suffer environmental casualties. His morale will be low. his troops will suffer disorientation. Rub it in. Incremental actions to attain tactical and strategic significance or opening up offensive options will be of great value. Create small criticalities. Change 'Status quo' in baby steps. No Hurry. Patience. Vigilance. Go for the kill. A discredited PLA will do greater damage to China. 'Soft' frontline PLA troops should be targeted. They are our 'Centre of Gravity'. Up front within reach. Mountains offer great manoeuvre space. Develop offensive options. Beyond the Kailash range there are no great obstacles or ridge lines till Rudok and the Western Highway. The Pangong Tso gives a secure flank. At some point we must go on the counter offensive. We need to generate some options to force a recoil. I might sound outlandish. However think coolly. We have their measure. Occupation of the Kailash range has opened up options. Hats off guys. Well done.
The Sum of All Fears. Indian mothers will send their sons to war as a matter of IZZAT and desh ka Raksha irrespective of caste, creed, Arm or unit. Phillip Mason called it a ‘Matter of Honour’. This spirit of sacrifice is deeply ingrained in Indian blood streams even now. It was on display in Galwan. A country which has such deep rooted patriotism cannot be defeated by some soft ‘one child Chinese’. Why am I recounting this story? Have faith in our men they will deliver. The sum of all my fears is that some weak bellied and ill-informed politician or diplomat will develop cold feet and fritter away the gains during negotiation. That is our history. We felt diplomacy and international stature will guard the Sino Indian border in 1962. We gave back Haji Pir in 1965. We gave back 93000 prisoners in 1971. We even went about saving Chinese ‘face’ during Doklam despite stopping them in their tracks. How wrong were we? Totally. There is a palpable fear swirling around that some jittery character will give away everything we have gained by blood sweat and tears. ‘Status Quo Ante’ of April has lost value. The Kailash Range should not be traded at any cost. It is ‘off table’ in all negotiations. We need to look at a new status post ante. That could be Northwards into Aksai Chin! Stay tight. This is a defining fight for India. There is more on the cards. The Chinese need a lesson and we will give it to them. Rub their ‘face’ in.
Paki Preoccupation. Where are the Pakis? Aah! Paki Generals…lost half their country. Partnering with them , The USA lost its war on terror. Their advice cost the Saudis two oilfields. They are now advising Chinese. Any guesses…..? ha ha. Well these deep state worthies of the frontline nation are at their frontline at Papa John’s having a board meeting of their remunerative businesses with Dawood as special consultant. What is on their menu? Chinese! What about war fighting? That is for idiots.
Exciting analysis sir, the Xitler is going to defy all logics; so, preparing for the worst and having faith in ourselves to fire the last shot is the key.
ReplyDeleteAwesome write up. Loved it. Jai Hind.
ReplyDeleteShankar.Spot On.Nostalgic Remembrances of Eastern Ladakh.
ReplyDeleteGreat reading
ReplyDeleteFabbbbbbb!
ReplyDeleteGrt insight sir, but think on these, the chinese will not be able to pudsh us in laddakh region, but we need to be prep for an event in Arunnanchal, chinese take some in Arunanchal, they will trade it for losses in laddhak and it will happen wen we are least expecting. I hope we are ready for it. We must plan a counter offn if the war breaks out which it will sioner or later.
ReplyDeleteVery well analyzed sir.
ReplyDeleteGreat writeup, enjoyed reading it. Awesome.👌🎯🇮🇳 Jai Hind
ReplyDeleteI am sure this has gone through some rigorous analysis so this could be it. Well researched sir.
ReplyDeleteExcellent and clear cut analysts.
ReplyDeleteयुद्ध कहाँ ं तक टाला जाये, द्वंद्व कहाँ तक पाला जाये;
तू भी है राणा का वंशज, फेंक जहाँ तक भाला जाये;
हो दोनों तरफ़ भारत जिसके, सिक्का वही उछाला जाये॥
*analysis
DeleteOutstanding Sir.
ReplyDeleteWoooow
ReplyDeleteAs a layman, I am proud of my Armed Forces... True sons of the soil... Bharat Mata ki Jai.... Long live Mother India
Excellent article. I was wishing that it never ended.
ReplyDeleteAnalysis from a war veteran is more real than journalists report. Great one sir.
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece and hilarious too. My compliments
ReplyDeleteRavi....one of your best write ups.....you have spelt out everything Very clearly.....win or loose on the battlefield, loose... I doubt, we will deal with the chinks on our own terms
ReplyDeleteExcellent take.With more than 4 decades of Siachen heights experience Indian Army can tide the winter.Should we not rather take advantage of weather and gain more strategic heights?Again making sure supply lines for those are accessible and available for sustained gains.Army should not let politicians to dictate terms here.I think with Gen Rawat and Naravane at helm we should not fear any foolish political move
ReplyDeleteChinese diplomacy was excellent before. Now the world is not ready to trust them. The PSYOPs tactis of Acharya Sun Tzu is their greatest asset. Mao says - When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue. Just attack, the Chinis will run away. Just declare a war, then the Money Lenders will negotiate for a peaceful settlement.
ReplyDeletehttps://exitdragon.blogspot.com/2020/06/chinese-deceptive-strategies.html
Excellent writeup!I also share the apprehension of the General that any politician or diplomat cave in at the negotiating table sacrificing our hard fought advantage!
ReplyDeleteIt was a treat to read this, thank you!
ReplyDeleteWill it be prudent at this juncture: (1) Winter setting (2) China still learning winter warfare the hard way.... Take Pakistan out of the equation, militarily. Come summer 2021, even though we'll have a ready China in the east, our western border will be silent...I understand that its easier said than done 'cause Pakistan has had enough run ins with us...the Saudi's and the Americans can certainly help things along.
ReplyDeleteWith tactical battles settled in the minds, time now to go on an offensive on the sphere of hybrid warfare, and the Chinese concept of unrestricted warfare. Yes India can't beat the Chinese strategy in lies, propaganda, rumourmongering, deceit and suppression of facts. But plain speaking with hard facts is the best strategy of psyops, India must adopt. Going all-out to expose the biological warfare unleased by China in their grand design, exposing the Chinese intent on establishing Han supremacy, would make the non-Han world the adversary of China. Otherwise, expecting a bipolar world or Tibet & Xinjiang rising up would be only wishful thinking....
ReplyDeleteSir, very well written as usual. "Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for
ReplyDeletemountain warfare." says Sun Tzu. The idiots have not read their Sun Tzu. As regards
Global Times editor, he in a nincompoop who is overrated. Clobber him on twitter. read my comments @ceveyes.
Excellent 👌
ReplyDeleteHi Ravi
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS! As ever. Keep the onslaught on.
Hope our hierarchy understand it well and live up to the mark?
We ought to make it cost prohibitive for the Chinks so that the issue is settled once for all.
excellent write up ....col sudame. retd
ReplyDeleteIsn't it totally one sided? Chinese have immense technological and logistical advantages... why has this not been brought out? They have 6 Lane roads all across Tibet and also installed Surface to Air missiles. Communication is key in any warfare. They have that advantage too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an article more to boost our morale than to critically analyse our strengths and weaknesses.
Excellent analysis and suggestions. The fear of a weakling politico giving away the gains is real. The significant suggestion "The Kailash Range should not be traded at any cost. It is ‘off table’ in all negotiations. We need to look at a new status post ante." is the most significant one. One would hope that the powers that be, are reading these valuable suggestions and bettering on them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this splendid write up.
Excellent analysis. Its great to read the same. Keep going India and the Indian army
ReplyDeleteBeautifully analysed and written sir. We have to also be careful along the Sikkim border especially the areas bordering with Nepal and Bhutan. Nepal cannot be trusted in this.
ReplyDeleteSir I find your article well appreciated but for a war game,we forgot basic teaching of not to consider the enemy weak and unprepared.indians are brave,well prepared,better expirienced is agreed but the supiriority of communication,firepower,air defence assets,missiles and logistics on Chinese side is overwhelming.China fights only for strategic political gains and not to hold ground.their design of battle and vision of its outcome is quite at variance with India and its think tanks.War will be,if then fought till a point of Chinese retaining the initiative,and UNSC would press for ceasefire if they are at advantage or at a gross disadvantage
ReplyDeleteThe Indian army is still living in the 1980s, vainly trying to counter the high technology of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) with man-to-man tactics, and will be slaughtered in front of advanced weapons
ReplyDeleteYou are living in dreamland my commie! Your pansies are wheezing due to lack of breath in Ladakh. We have you exactly where you need to be! Anyway thank you for reading. Convey it to your froiendx also. We are coming after you!
DeleteTESTIMONY ON HOW I GOT MY LOAN AMOUNT FROM A RELIABLE AND TRUSTED LOAN COMPANY LAST WEEK. Email for immediate response drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHello everyone, My name is Mrs. Carolin Glowski, I'm from Europe, am here to testify of how i got my loan from BENJAMIN LOAN FINANCE after i applied Two times from various loan lenders who claimed to be lenders right here this forum, i thought their lending where real and i applied but they never gave me loan until a friend of mine introduce me to {Dr. Benjamin Scarlet Owen} the C.E.O of BENJAMIN LOAN FINANCE who promised to help me with a loan of my desire and he really did as he promised without any form of delay, I never thought there are still reliable loan lenders until i met {Dr. Benjamin Scarlet Owen} who really helped me with my loan and changed my life for the better. I don't know if you are in need of an urgent loan also, So feel free to contact Dr. Benjamin Scarlet Owen on his email address drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com
THANKS