REMINISCENCES OF A SOLDIER: 96 NOT OUT

LEST I FORGET ; I WISH TO REVEAL MY DAYS OF FAMAGUSTA-CYPRUS

(And the Veteran revealed a story that he

 had kept close to his chest  for 74 Years ! )

It was March 1942.

Past last light, on one fine evening,we were ordered to embark upon four Frigates of the Royal Navy at Alexandria ; round about   midnight ,we left for Cyprus.The island of Crete had been captured by the Axis Powers & the British did not want Cyprus to go the same way.

We were part of 10 Infantry Brigade of 5 Indian Infantry Division (Fire Ball) - that had already carved  a niche for itself. If I recall correctly, the Brigade consisted of Third Battalion /18 Royal Garhwal Rifles, Fourth Battalion / 10 BALUCH & a Black Watch Battalion.

We disembarked in the Northern Cyprus as per schedule & my Unit was given the task to prepare defences at Famagusta.

(FAMAGUSTA CITY IN 1940)

A word about Famagusta & its people.The place was simply beyond compare; miles & miles of yellow sand beaches glittering day & night & its virgin blue beaches.It was a small town having very kind & warm people.The inhabitants had vacated top floors of their respective homes to accommodate us,  they had shifted to the ground floors.They were mostly Jews who did not like the British but had special liking for Indians,so much so,that they wanted to get their daughters married to Indian Soldiers.I recall that a Sikh colleague of mine had married a local girl & had taken her to Punjab after having taken due permission.

(FAMAGUSTA HARBOUR-1941)

(GREAT PEOPLE OF FAMAGUSTA)

Their nature & demeanour was a class in itself. They were  well to do farmers who grew a lot of fruits.How fondly I recall enjoying grapes, oranges , peaches,pears etc.They used to employ huge horses to till their fertile land where they grew varieties of crops & vegetables round the year.

They had a unique system.They did not prepare food at home.There were cooperative Bakeries & Cooked Food Stores from where they collected their daily cooked food, other items &  necessities.This system gave them enough time to devote to farming & attend to their rich cultural traditions.After a solid breakfast at about 8 AM , they had their Dinner at about 11 PM ,& thereafter, the entire household sang & danced. The lunch was frugal.

The entire Famagusta sang & danced after Dinner.They were social drinkers & they enjoyed it.They made excellent wine at home with Coniac as their speciality.While the menfolk devoted themselves to farming, the young girls helped us in digging trenches & preparing defences. They were a hardy lot.

The ladies of the houses attended to their household chores & looked after their children.They were extremely religious,God fearing &  courteous.Initially we had a lot of problem in interacting with them, but after a few weeks - both sides learnt quite a few words/sentences & we were totally at ease with each other. I have not seen such dignified people. They were a class in themselves-brave yet gentle,chivalrous & extremely hospitable.

I was barely 22 years old then.

I along with two other colleagues were staying with one Jew Family.The illustrious couple were homely,warm & affectionate.They had two children .A son & a daughter.The elder was Philips. Sahitu was his sister who was about 21 years old.

(FAMAGUSTA-OLD CITY 1941)

During my stay at Famagusta, Sahitu had taken a liking for me-a fact that I came to know very,very late. While she did not express her feelings openly but I recall that once she heard that we were leaving Famagusta, she did not eat food for full three days.In those days, our contractual period of stay overseas was for four years.I told her that once I complete my overseas tenure,I shall return to her. I cannot say whether her father knew that his daughter had developed a liking for me ! Somehow I feel  that her mother knew about it but they never told me anything.

They were impeccable in every way & I remember them even today so very fondly & with great reverence.

Our Brigade embarked ships destined for Alexandria . I still remember the teary farewell to me by the family especially from Sahitu -who continued to waive till our trucks disappeared from sight.

We landed at Alexandria & drove over nights to take part in the Battle of El Alamein .Field Marshall Montgomery was our Eighth Army Commander.One day his small plane landed next to our defences. He walked up to me & asked for a mug of Tea !

When asked whether he would like to go to Famagusta, I saw a spark of gratitude in his eyes.He said,Quote,"I wish I could do that.I do not know whether any member of that illustrious family would still be surviving !".

When asked whether he would have gone back to Sahetu after his overseas tenure was over & followed on the footsteps of his Sikh comrade, he merely smiled - but confessed ,"I did not keep my word".

After saying this , he remained quiet.

( Folks,I recall a famous line of my friend late Kamaleshwar's poem in Hindi , Quote," KHAMOSHI KI GAHRAI BANI LAGAO KA PAIMANA",Unquote.

(THE YELLOW SAND)

(GIVE ME A MUG OF TEA-SAID MY ARMY COMMANDER)