AFVOA Newsletter 03 of 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 03 / 2020 Page 91 of 167 There was a torrential downpour on that day. Madras was severely flooded, so much so, it was difficult to distinguish Cooum from Adyar river. On the night of 11 Oct 43, it was just a single Japanese reconnaissance plane, which dropped a few bombs over, killing ten people. Due to rain disruption, power and communication lines were down in Madras. The newspapers could not reach homes. The ARP warnings could not be sounded due to power shut down. Thus, the nervous Madras public was blissfully unaware of the bombing for the next ten days! That had saved a lot of convulsions and knee jerk reactions. However, when once the city dwellers knew belatedly of the bomb attack, the grist mills started working overtime - even claiming that the flooding of Madras was less because of rains ; but more due to the Japanese bombing the city's water reservoirs, thereby causing deliberate floods !! Every misery has to end someday (even Corona.) The end of the tension caused by Second World War to the city of Madras finally ended with the surrender of Japanese in 1945. The then Governor Hope took the salute at the Monroe statue with a victory march past. Soldiers danced on the Agra’s streets. The people were so relieved that they organized thanks giving special pujas and abisekams in many temples of Madras for the health of the king emperor. Before we part company, here is the latest nagging doubt in every one’s mind. Will there be a Third World War and will Chennai have to go through all these agonies once again? Ask the Chinese. They know the answers. About the Author At 81 years of age, Brig N B Subramanian is a super senior, progressively slowing down in taking life’s ebbs and flows. He has been an integral part of AFVOA for the last 23 years. He was an active member of the Management Committee and Executive Committee of AFVOA for many years. Brig N B Subramanian was commissioned into Army from 18th Technical Graduate course on 30 Jun 1963. As a RVFC Officer, he served in many animal holding units of the Army and was the recipient of Chief of Army Staff Commendation twice. After serving Army for 34 long years, Brig N B Subramanian retired as Director General of Military Farms, in the year 1997. Mrs Vathsala Subramanian and Brig N B Subramanian have settled in their home at Besant Nagar, leading a quiet life.