Regarding Message 1 below and the comments of FN, there was never a
scotched earth order from Dr. Salazar to Gemeral Vassalo e Silva but 2
telegrams dated December 14, 1961 from him (1) to delay the advance of
the Indian army in case foreign intervention by friendly powers was a
possibility, and (2) to fight to the last man. The order was implemented
by Governor Costa Pinto in Damao only through resistance which was so
effective that there were 6 IAF bombardments on December 18, 1961 as the
Indian army was unable to penetrate the territory, and only after the
seventh and massive bombardment at 7.00 am on December 19, 1961 did he
decide to surrender. The destruction of government property was effected
by the IAF.
The Overseas Ministry did separately order Gen. Vassalo e Silva to
destroy 3 buildings in Panjim: the Secretariat, Junta House, and the
office of Banco Nacional Ultramarino, and the oil tanks in Mormugao, an
order which was not carried out but that order could not be construed as
a scotched earth order.
John Menezes
