Art of Generalship

By K K Khanna

History has thrilling accounts of brilliant Generals leading small armies to defeat huge forces of their opponents. Better the Generalship, greater the victories.

The Indian Army too has produced many great Generals, who have defeated evil designs of adversaries. Yet they have produced none like Rommel, Manstein, Model, or even like some old Indian warriors like Maharana Pratap, Hari Singh Nalwa, or Zorawar Singh.

India can and must produce Generals of that calibre; Generals who don’t just defend territory or restore status quo, but those who annihilate aggressors, to teach memorable lessons to adversaries who transgress, who initiate punitive actions for conventional and nuclear deterrence to be effective.

To produce Generals of such calibre, the first step is to understand what is good a Generalship. Then study Generalship in previous conflicts to appreciate achievements and also learn lessons from opportunities missed. Only then the Armed Forces can institute measures to improve the quality of Generalship for the future. This book is written to facilitate such study, in that order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vij Books India Private Limited
• Release date: May 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9789382652939

K K Khanna

Lt Gen K K Khanna (Retd), An infantry officer who has the unique distinction of serving in disturbed areas in every rank from 2/Lt to Lt Gen (except one). He sustained critical injuries in an encounter in J&K. Gen Khanna commanded his battalion, 16 JAT, and an RR Sector (Brigade) in J&K. With carefully conducted intelligence based operations his formation neutralised about 700 terrorists losing only four men, for which he was awarded AVSM. Later he commanded an infantry division (RAPID) part of a strike Corps. The officer has taught at the CIJW School, at IMTRAT Bhutan, at DSSC and at the Senior Command Wing of the Army War College. He was elected Colonel of the Jat Regiment.