It is rare to get a first-hand account of an Indian Army veteran who took an active part in the 2nd World War operations in North Africa, the Middle East and Italy. A General who did post-war General Staff assignments in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupational Forces (BCOF) and in the Headquarter of Supreme Commander Allied Forces (SCAP) commanded by General Douglas McArthur; with the British Commonwealth Division during the Korean War 1950-53; and fought in all the three India-Pakistan wars of 1948, 1965, 1971. The below write-up is to document the extraordinary career of Major General Premangsu Chowdry, PVSM, FRGS, MiD** in the Indian Army, and in the corporate sector after retirement from the Indian Army
The write-up on Major General Premangsu Chowdry, is from face-to-face interviews with the General in Sydney, Australia in 2019. I am fortunate, privileged and honoured to have had the opportunity to spend quality time with the 99 years young ‘fighting fit/fit to fight’ General and relate to his extensive 2nd World War operational experience.
He with his contemporaries shaped the Indian Army since Indian Independence in 1947, notably, General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa, OBE, the first Commander-in-Chief of Independent India; General KS Thimayya, DSO, Chief of Army Staff (1957-1961); General (later Field Marshal) Sam Bahadur Manekshaw, MC, Chief of Army Staff (1969-1973), a legend of the India-Pakistan war in 1971; Lieutenant General Srinivas Sinha, PVSM, ADC, 5th GORKHA RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE), Vice Chief of Army Staff, later Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and Assam states; and the legendary Major General Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM also from the 5th GORKHA RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE).
Major General Premangsu Chowdry is to be applauded for his amazing and sharp memory to recall dates/years, names and places from his military career since 1941, particularly from his 2nd World War deployments.
The General celebrated being 100 years young on 01 May 2020.
Early Life: 1920-1941:
The General (Prem) was born on 01 May 1920 and hailed from Barisal town on the banks of Kirtan Kola river, then in East Bengal, now in Bangladesh. The family were well known as the ‘Chowdrys from Loha Ghar’ in Comilla District having zamindar credentials in that era. The General’s grandfather was the Superintendent of Prisons in Dacca, Bengal, the first Indian to have held that post in the 19th century. His father was the Treasurer to the District Commissioner of Barisal in the early 1900s.
After completing schooling at Barisal, where he received the best student award and the Gold Medal for standing first in his matriculation exam, young Prem did his Bachelors and Masters at St Xaviers College, Calcutta University. Prem studied Arts with English Honours and was placed in the order of merit in the Bachelor’s programme.
The intention after graduation was to join the Indian Civil Services (ICS), however recruitment to the ICS had ceased due to the emerging World War in 1939. Prem instead opted for and joined the 1st batch of the Bangalore Cadet College, structured as a British Public School and which became the Officer Training Academy (OTA) for commissioning into the British Indian Army.
Army Career: 1941-1974:
On 21 December 1941, Prem was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the ‘Royal GARHWAL RIFLES’ and joined at the Garhwal Regimental Centre at Lansdowne, in current Uttarakhand State. Prem was one of the first commissioned Indian officer into the ‘Royal’ Regiment.
2nd World War Deployments: 1942-1945
After the initial training at the Regimental Centre, in 1942 Prem was posted to the 3rd Battalion GARHWAL RIFLES. Prem served with the Battalion in the Western Sahara desert, Egypt, Cyprus, Iraq, Syria, Palestine and finally in the Italian Campaign. In North Africa, the Battalion was part of the 5th Indian Division and took part in the ‘Battle of Tobruk’.
The fierce battle cost the Battalion dearly, having lost 12 officers and over 500 soldiers. The Battalion thereafter was withdrawn and moved to Cyprus to rest, recuperate and await reinforcements from the Garhwal Regimental Centre.
Prem was sent for a Weapons Course at the Military School at the Allies military base in Gaza, where he excelled and earned the first position in merit. After the course, Prem was ordered to transfer to the Gaza Military School as an Instructor, a rare accomplishment because he was one of the first officers of Indian origin to be posted as an Instructor to the School. However, the posting order was withdrawn at Prem’s request since he wished to remain with his troops involved in operations.
This set a pattern; sometime later Major General Dennis Reid, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 10 Indian Division wanted Prem to be his Aide-de-Camp (ADC). Prem turned down this prestigious officer, very clear in his mind that ‘duty comes first’ (as advised and nurtured by Prem’s father) and there was no desire to occupy a ‘khushy’ job when his battalion was in the thick of a world war deployment and operations.
After six months ‘Rest, Relief and Reinforcement’ in Cyprus, which included ‘Raid Operations’ in the Greek Islands, Prem, with his battalion 3 GARHWAL RIFLES was deployed for training under the 9th British Army in the Middle East. From 1943 the Battalion, as part of the 10th Indian Division was actively involved in the ‘Italian Campaign’, where the Division was part of the 8th British Army (commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, later Field Marshal, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC, DL).
Italian Campaign: 1943-1945:
Prem and the Battalion were actively involved in the Italian Campaign for almost two years until May 1945. The Battalion was deployed for operations in the Taranto Sector and in the Eastern and Sectors along the Apennine Mountains; they fought battles in ‘River Crossing’ operations at Sangro, Garigliano and Senio. Prem and the Battalion also took part in the battles of Monte Grande and Cassino.
During this deployment, Prem served as the Battalion Signals Officer, Support Platoon Commander, Assistant Adjutant, Rifle Company Commander and Headquarter Company Commander. Prem’s outstanding operational performance in the Italian Campaign earned him a recommendation for the ‘Military Cross’ – but the vagaries in the fog of war instead earned him the gallantry award ‘Mention-in-Dispatches’ (MiD) – his first of the three, two of which follow in the 1948 and the 1965 India-Pakistan wars.
Thereafter in 1944, Prem was promoted out of turn (a trend that was to continue until Prem attained the rank of a Brigadier) to the rank of a Major when he was just 24 years of age, the youngest officer to achieve the rank at that age. Prem was the first Indian origin Major in the ‘Royal Battalion’, superseding fellow British Officers in the Battalion, thereby exemplifying his high officer leadership quotient.
At the end of World War II, Prem was selected as one of the three officers, with 10 Battalion Commissioned Officers (BCO) and 25 Other Ranks to represent and lead the 10 Indian Division in the Allies Victory March in London in 1945.
The Battalion, having blazed a trail against the Italians, distinguished itself in the Italian Campaign and earned Battle Honours GALLABAT, BARENTU, MASSAWA, KEREN, AMBA ALAGI, CITTA DI CASTELLO, and Theatre Honours NORTH AFRICA 1940-43 and ITALY 1943-45.
Yugoslavia Assignment: 1945:
In mid-1945, along with his Battalion, Prem was sent to the Italian border on a three months assignment on behalf of the Allies to assist in preventing Yugoslavian partisans under Marshal Josef Tito entering the Italian-speaking province of Istria, currently in Croatia. Yugoslavia had laid claim to the Istria province at the end of World War I.
Being a politically sensitive assignment, Prem was able to justly accomplish the task without any political undertones or unfavorable outcomes to the agenda of the Allied powers. Later, in October 1966, when President Josef Tito of Yugoslavia visited India as part of the Tripartite meeting with President Abdul Nasser of Egypt and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister personally designated Brigadier Premangsu Chowdry to receive and be the Liaison Officer to President Tito on behalf of the Government of India.
At the end of World War II, Prem was selected as one of the three officers, with 10 Battalion Commissioned Officers (BCO) and 25 Other Ranks to represent and lead the 10 Indian Division in the Allies Victory March in London in 1945.
Return to India: 1945-1950:
India-Pakistan War 1948: Transfer to 3rd Battalion 5th GORKHA RIFLES and Command of Infantry Battalion:
In October 1945 Prem and his Battalion 3 GARHWAL RIFLES returned to Lansdowne. The Battalion was thereafter deployed in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP – currently in Pakistan) at Campbellpore forming part of an experimental Infantry Brigade responsible for testing new weapons and tactics in Waziristan and the Swat Valley.
The core task of the Battalion and the Brigade was to suppress the Hazara tribal uprising in NWFP region. During this deployment, Prem was selected to attend the Defence Services Staff College in Quetta, currently in Balochistan, Pakistan. The nomination was turned down by Prem due to his commitment to be with the battalion in an active operational area. At the end of the tenure, Prem was posted as the Training Commander at the Garhwal Regimental Centre at Lansdowne.
After the India-Pakistan partition, in 1948, Prem was posted back to his battalion 3 GARHWAL RIFLES deployed in the Kashmir region for the 1948 India-Pakistan war. The Battalion as part of the 160 Infantry Brigade was responsible to clear the Baramullah-Uri axis which they accomplished under heavy odds. Prem earned his second gallantry award ‘Mention-in-Dispatches’ in the Kashmir operations. After the war, Prem was posted as the Brigade Major of the Infantry Brigade.
Soon after the 1948 operations, Prem as a 28 years old Lieutenant Colonel was given the prestigious offer to command the 3rd Battalion the 5th GORKHA RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Prem’s parent regiment Royal GARHWAL RIFLES did not have a vacancy for command of any of the battalions, which compelled Prem to accept a transfer to the 5th GORKHA RIFLES Regiment for command.
In September 1948, Prem joined his new battalion in Hyderabad at the tail-end of Operation POLO. The Battalion provided support to the Hyderabad State police in their action against the Nizam-ruled princely Hyderabad State to ensure that the State remained in the Indian Union. Prem’s battalion thereafter provided administrative support to the Civil Administration with Prem acting as the Civil Administrator, controlling three districts in the region from the battalion base in Aurangabad.
Prem thereafter undertook the entrance exam for admission into the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) at Wellington, Tamil Nadu and was placed in the ‘Competitive Vacancy’, i.e., in the first 20 merit list. In 1949-50 Prem underwent the 3rd DSSC Course where he attained the second position in merit. Prem thereafter was posted as the General Staff Officer Grade 1 (GSO 1) to Headquarter East Punjab Area in Jullundur commanded then by Major General SPP Thorat (later Lieutenant General, KC, DSO).
Japan and Korea Deployments: 1950-1952
In December 1950, Prem was chosen by the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, General KM Cariappa (later Field Marshal, OBE) to take up the post of General Staff Officer Grade 1 (GSO 1) at the Headquarter British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan under the command of the Australian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) Lieutenant General Sir Horace Robertson, KBE, DSO. The appointment was another feather in the cap for Prem and his military career, and he was the first and only Indian origin officer to have been part of the BCOF.
The C-in-C clearly identified Prem’s exceptional work ethic and professional competence and appointed Prem also as the Liaison Officer from the BCOF with the Headquarter UN forces in Japan under the command of General Douglas McArthur who was the Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP). Prem’s position as the Liaison Officer at the Headquarter UN Forces enabled him regular professional interaction with General Douglas McArthur, an honour and privilege which Prem recalls with clarity and great pride.
In 1951 Prem was posted as GSO 1 to the 1st British Commonwealth Division in Korea, commanded by Major General James Cassels (later Field Marshal Sir, GCB, KBE, DSO). The Division was actively engaged in the ‘Korean War’ in the peninsula. Prem spent a year in the Division and excelled professionally.
Return to India: 1952-1954: Second Command of Infantry Battalion
In October 1952 Prem returned to India and was given his second command of an Infantry Battalion, the 2nd Battalion the 5th GORKHA RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE) at Ferozepur as part of the 43 Infantry Brigade (Lorried). The Brigade was commanded by Brigadier Hari Badhwar.
In 1953 Prem got married to Sheila Devichand in New Delhi. Sheila was visiting her aunt in Ferozepur, who was the spouse of Brigade Commander Hari Badhwar. The General won the heart and mind of Sheila, in fact, he was a dashing and suave gentleman able to leave a lasting impression on anyone who met with him. At 100 years Prem still carries that aura and gentry to win over people. The love of his life for 57 years, Sheila passed away to her heavenly abode in 2013.
Joint Services Staff College Course, United Kingdom: 1954
In recognition of Prem’s ability and potential for high-level command, Prem was selected to attend a 12 months course at the Joint Services Staff College (equivalent to the National Defence College) at Latimer in England. After this tenure, Prem was attached with the British Army deployed in the Rhine in Germany and later with the Royal Airforce and the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom.
Instructor Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, India: 1955-1958:
On return to India in 1955, Prem briefly resumed command of the same battalion, the 2nd Battalion the 5th GORKHA RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE) at Mathura. Prem and Sheila’s first son Rahoul was born in New Delhi that year. Shortly afterward Prem was posted as an Instructor to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
It was a honeymoon posting for Prem and Sheila. The salubrious climate and the heavenly environment of Coonoor, Wellington and Ooty were and still are appealing especially to any couple seeking romance. Prem and Sheila’s second Drone was born in this tenure.
Promotion to Colonel and Brigadier and Command of Infantry Brigade: 1958-1960
After DSSC, in 1958 Prem was posted to General Staff at Headquarter 4 Infantry Division at Ambala, commanded by Major General BM Kaul. In 1960 Prem was posted as Director Military Training at the Army Headquarter New Delhi.
Within a few months at the age of 40 Prem was promoted as a Brigadier and was posted to command 114 Infantry Brigade in Ladakh. The Brigade was newly raised and was airlifted to Ladakah. The area of responsibility of the Brigade then included the whole of Ladakh, Leh and Chishul regions.
Ethiopia Assignment: 1960-1963
At the end of 1960, after the successful command of a newly formed Brigade, Prem was appointed by General KS Thimayya, DSO, the Chief of Army Staff to be Commandant of the Ethiopian Military Academy in Harar, reporting directly to Emperor Haille Selassie of Ethiopia. Prem was also an unofficial Military Advisor to the Emperor.
This tenure over the next three years built a lasting and bonding association between the Emperor and Prem. In 1962 the Emperor was the subject of an internal coup organised by some of the military officials in Ethiopia. Prem’s counsel and advice to the Emperor contributed to the Emperor overcoming the coup.
Prem and Sheila’s third son Kunal was born in Harar.
Return to India: 1963-1974:
India Pakistan War 1971: Promotion to Major General: Command of Infantry Division and Area Headquarters
After the Ethiopian tenure, Prem was posted for the second time to command a brigade, the 120 Infantry Brigade at Gaulti, Rajouri, as part of 25 Infantry Division. Thereafter in 1965, Prem was posted as Brigadier General Staff (BGS) and acting Chief of Staff of 1 Corps at Mathura which took part in the second India-Pakistan war in the same year. Prem earned his third gallantry award ‘Mention-in-Dispatches’ in this war for his exemplary contribution to the war effort. In 1967, at the age of 47, Prem was posted as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Madhya Pradesh Area.
The following year Prem took command of the 3 Infantry Division at Leh which he commanded until 1970. Prem earned his Param Vishisht Seva Medal. during this command in relation to his overall meritorious service and the specific job of organising and personally directing the large earthquake relief programme for the local civilian population following a very large earthquake that claimed several lives and caused extensive property damage in the Ladakh region. Prem’s efforts saved many lives.
VV Giri, The President of India
In December 1970, Prem took over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Bengal Area. This was a vital responsibility since the Area was required to deal with the violent Naxalite problem in Bengal State. In order to do so, Prem was given significant responsibility and authority and had under direct and indirect command, the three Army divisions then based in Bengal, the entire Railway, State Police, CRPF, BSF and the Home Guards.
During the 1971 India-Pakistan war which led to the creation of Bangladesh, Bengal Area under Prem’s leadership provided vital support to Eastern Command. Leading into the war, the Bengal Area had the crucial responsibility of managing and attending to thousands of refugees pouring into India from East Pakistan. The Headquarter Bengal Area had to coordinate the entire logistics and movement of people and goods by rail and road in the region as part of the war effort.
Transition to Corporate and Public Sector: 1974-1983:
On 30 April 1974, after 33 years of meritorious service, Prem retired from the Army and pursued a successful career in the corporate world.
In civil life, initially in Calcutta, Prem held senior executive positions in the corporate and public sector including, Director of Shaw Wallace; Managing Director of Durgapore project, a public sector undertaking to which he was appointed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Chief Minister of West Bengal Siddhartha Shankar Ray; Managing Director of Sankey Wheels; and Chairman Consortium Industries. Prem’s contribution to the undertakings enabled them to turn around their losses and be profitable enterprises thereafter.
Of significance, in 1979 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi directly appointed Prem as the Chairman and Managing Director of Incheck Tyres & National Rubber. The position held equivalence to a Minister of Industries and was part of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet at the federal level.
Final Retirement in Dubai and Sydney:
In 1983 at 63 years Prem took permanent retirement. The General and Mrs Sheila Chowdry thereafter spent time with their three sons Rahoul, Drone and Kunal settled in Sydney and Dubai. The General currently resides in Sydney with his eldest son Rahoul.
An avid golfer into his mid-80s, Prem never missed a chance to swing his golf clubs at the Delhi Golf Club and the Manly Golf Club in Sydney. The Manly Club honoured the General over an evening sit-down dinner with all the members in 2010. Prem is associated with many charitable organisations and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society United Kingdom. The General was also an active member of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in Sydney.
