Biggest Bluff Ever Made in History

This bluff was played by a Jewish Army officer, on a much senior officer and a Military Cross winning, World War II veteran, representing the opposing forces.

Let us call them Mr. A and Mr. B respectively.

First, a little known side story:

A senior officer once presented Mr. A with a Partagas Piresidente, a special cuban cigar of ill-repute - it was a big deal in those days - still is.

He promised himself, only to smoke it on a special day - perhaps a day when he really felt, he deserved it.

Now back to the original story:

On that fateful day, Mr. A arrived in Mr. B’s office, armed with just a briefcase and a stick, in a car provided by Mr. B.

On reaching there, he kept his stick on Mr. B’s table, refused to sit or even accept a glass of water - took out a single page document from his briefcase - started reading it out aloud, to the utter amazement of everyone present in the room.

Mr. A had just typed this document himself, before coming here and hadn’t even shown it to his seniors. The document asked for Mr. B to surrender, in exchange of just Mr. A’s ‘assurance’ of security. That’s it.

After finishing the document and before walking out of the office. Mr. A threatened everyone present in the room with ‘dire consequences’ and gave Mr. B 30 minutes to make up his mind.

Mr. B was then, the all powerful governor of a province of 66 million people, and ruled over from the capital city, which had over 26,400 troops guarding it.

Mr. A had just around 3000 troops in the vicinity. If Mr. B had refused him that day - Mr. A had no Plan B in place.

This, was a bluff.

After the completion of the 30 minutes’ deadline - Mr. A walked back into the office and almost shouted at the top of his voice, thrice - “Do you accept this?”

There was no response. Mr. B had his head down - hands shivering - tears in his eyes.

Mr. A roared again with his false bravado - “I consider this as accepted. You will surrender tomorrow morning at the Racecourse Grounds - bring your pistol for the formalities.”

With this, Mr. A simply walked off.

Next day, on 16th December 1971, Mr. B or Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan “Tiger” Niazi, reached the venue as per schedule. He’s seen here walking alongside Mr. A, or Lieutenant General (then Major General) Jacob Farj Rafael "J. F. R." Jacob, PVSM.

Niazi signed the instrument of surrender - sealing the fate of over 93,000 soldiers under his command - The only unconditional public surrender of troops in history of warfare.

Niazi’s Aide-de-camp or ADC even gave a guard of honor for the Indians.

And here’s a picture of that moment, when his ‘bluff’ finally paid off (Do you notice something in Mr. A’s left hand? - Looks like he’s about to light it up).

Lieutenant General Jacob Farj Rafael "J. F. R." Jacob, PVSM, India’s Jewish war hero, was born in a Baghdadi Jew family in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and did his schooling in Darjeeling. Jacob joined the British Indian Army in 1942 and saw action in WWII, 1965 and 1971.

Jacob is known to be the strategic brains behind India’s tactic of not capturing any town or city in East Pakistan, but instead to race towards Dhaka from various directions- which brought the war to a closure within 13 days with a surrender by the Pak Army.

Hamidoor Rahman Commission report of Pakistan names him as one of the prime reasons for the fall of Dhaka.

He went on to serve India in various capacities even after his retirement from the Army.

Israel invited Jacob to become a citizen, but Jacob refused. He said and I quote:

“I am proud to be a Jew, but am Indian through and through. I was born in India and served her my whole life. This is where I want to die,”

Jacob died in New Delhi at the prime age of 92, on 13th January last year. He was laid to rest in a Jewish cemetery in Delhi with full state honors.