Released from arrest in India. 9th December 1971. Photo: Robert Whitaker.
Location of the Photograph
This photograph was taken beside the quadrangle swimming pool in the inner courtyard of The Oberoi Grand Hotel(commonly known as the Grand Hotel) in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, foreign press corps covering the conflict were largely headquartered at the Oberoi Grand, making its courtyard and pool deck a primary gathering spot for journalists.
The People in the Photo
The five figures pictured were foreign journalists and news personnel covering the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War and the Bangladesh Liberation War. They were detained by Indian authorities for four days after entering or reporting in restricted border zones without clearance before being released back to Calcutta.
From left to right:
- Simon Dring (1945–2021)
- Role: Foreign correspondent for The Daily Telegraph (later BBC reporter and television producer).Arrested in India 5.jpg
- Background: Famous for being one of the few international journalists who evaded West Pakistani army expulsion from Dhaka in March 1971. He hid in the InterContinental Hotel to report the first eyewitness accounts of “Operation Searchlight” to the outside world, earning international accolades. He spent much of his later career in broadcast media and media development in Bangladesh.
- Philip Jacobson (1938–2018)
- Role: War correspondent for The Sunday Times.Arrested in India 5.jpg
- Background: An acclaimed British investigative journalist and war reporter who covered numerous conflicts across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, including the Vietnam War and the 1971 war in South Asia.
- Denny TweedeArrested in India 5.jpg
- Role: Media crew / researcher / journalist associated with The Sunday Times reporting team.Arrested in India 5.jpg
- Bob (Robert) Whitaker (1939–2011)(also took the photograph via timer/setup)
- Role: Renowned British photographer working for The Observer and Newsweek.Arrested in India 5.jpg
- Background: Best known for his iconic 1960s pop culture photography—most notably as the Beatles’ official photographer (shooting the infamous Yesterday and Today “Butcher” cover)—he transitioned into photojournalism, capturing conflicts in Vietnam, India, and the Middle East.
- Peter HillArrested in India 5.jpg
- Role: Foreign correspondent for The Daily Telegraph.
- Background: Experienced British foreign correspondent who covered major international conflicts and political developments across South Asia during the 1960s and 1970s.