K. S. Thimayya vs Oswaldo Lopez Arellano

K. S. Thimayya was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Indian Army. He served in the 19th Hyderabad Regiment, beginning a military career that would see him rise to Army Chief.

Thimayya served in the Burma Campaign during World War II, commanding the 8th Indian Infantry Brigade. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership in the Battle of Imphal.

Thimayya was appointed as the 4th Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army in May 1957. He served during a period of tension with Pakistan and China.

Thimayya resigned as Army Chief in 1961 after a dispute with Defence Minister V. K. Krishna Menon over military appointments and defense policy. His resignation was seen as a principled stand against political interference.

After retirement, Thimayya served as the commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) from 1964 until his death in 1965. He worked to maintain peace between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

López Arellano led a military coup that overthrew President Ramón Villeda Morales, suspending the constitution and banning political parties. He established a military junta, beginning a period of direct military rule in Honduras.

López Arellano staged a second coup, overthrowing President Ramón Ernesto Cruz, who had been elected in 1971. He justified the coup by citing corruption and inefficiency, and then implemented land reform and economic nationalism policies.

López Arellano's government nationalized the banana industry, creating the Honduran Banana Corporation (COHBANA) to compete with foreign companies like United Fruit. This move was popular domestically but led to tensions with the U.S. and multinational corporations.