Chapters (53)
- Cover
- Title page
- Prologue
- Part One
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Part Two
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Part Three
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Author’s Note and Acknowledgements
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru has firmly stated today that India will not bow down before China. There is no need to panic because of the advances in the northeastern frontier. It will not be difficult to reoccupy the places which China has occupied already. He has given assurance that the Indian Army will take actions to oust the Chinese.
Inside a room of the Chinese Club, leaders of the Chinese society sat looking worried. After the local news was over, Manchung Ho changed the channel to Radio Peking.
The New China News Agency has said that after India began anti-Chinese activities, it had started getting more aid from the United States. China has submitted a protest note against the attack of the Indian Army on the Chinese border. It is said in the protest note that in the western and the eastern sectors, the Indian Army had attacked fiercely. The Chinese Army had to retaliate in self-defence. The fighting is still ongoing. The Indian army has attacked China after long preparations. The Indian government will be entirely responsible for the consequences.
At that time, there was heavy snowfall at the NEFA frontier. Defying the snowfall in the twelve-mile sector down the Thag La ridge, troop after troop of Chinese soldiers started coming down – politically motivated, enriched with the experience of war, and prepared to attack.
The snow-clad frontier began to redden with the blood of the soldiers.
Ten
Ten
William Addison was speeding through the Samdang tea estate in his jeep. He was wearing a black t-shirt, white shorts and canvas shoes; his blonde hair was covered with a flat hat. The setting sun poured its golden yellow rays on his youthful body; he looked divinely handsome. The men and women returning from work saluted him as he sped by. Today was a special day for him. Not only had he received a letter from Peggy, he had also got permission to go to Scotland on leave.
He spent most of his weekends at the Doom Dooma Planters’ Club. He felt a special attachment to the club. The authorities provided almost all the amenities available in modern Europe. With its billiards room, tennis court, swimming pool, dance floor, sound-proof cinema hall and well-equipped bar, the club was the centre of attraction for the officers of the neighbouring tea gardens.
On the tennis court, Joe Mathews and David were already playing a match.
‘Hey Bill!’ Victor called out to him.