Home

The Indian Air Force Act, 1932 (Act No. XIV of 1932)

Details
Category: Birth of an Air Force
Last Updated: Thursday, 08 October 2015 03:52
Written by Webmaster
Hits: 12083

Every history starts with the words "The Indian Air Force was officially established by the Indian Air Force Act as notified in the Gazette of India dated 8th October 1932...", but has anyone actually seen the IAF Act of 1932 that was passed by the Indian Legislature in April 1932? To which the Governor General of India gave his assent on 8th April 1932? .. the same act which was subsequently published in the Gazette on 8th October?

Well here it is --- as it was originally introduced and later passed by the Legislature into the "Indian Air Force Act, 1932" 

Read more ...

The Battle Axe who became a Sabre Slayer

Details
Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Friday, 18 September 2015 02:26
Written by Book Excerpt - The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965
Hits: 16125

Commemorating another 'Sabre Slayer' - then Flying Officer P S Pingale, who had to eject after being shot down on September 6th, took to the air ten days later and extracted his pound of flesh - by shooting down a PAF Sabre.  During this short but fierce encounter, Pingale also went head to head in air combat with the Pakistani ace M M Alam. 

Read more ...

The Night Raiders : Good Morning Peshawar

Details
Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 September 2015 03:27
Written by Gp Capt Amrik Singh Ahluwalia
Hits: 30938

On September 13th, 50 years back the greatest bomber operation against Pakistan was launched by the Indian Air Force. It had all the drama and melodrama, climax and anti-climax, it was a yes, yes, no, no and then YES! It was the operation with the greatest precision on the part of the Indian Air Force, a top-secret mission, known to very few on the top--the AOC-in-C of the Western Air Command, the then CAS (now Marshal of the Indian Air Force) and a few staff officers working on the planning and execution of the mission. These were the 4th and 5th Operational Missions for Gp Capt Amrik Ahluwalia, who narrated the story in Chapter 16 of his book Airborne to Chairborne. The article shares both his thoughts and the actual planning and execution of the mission and the top secrecy from India and a great surprise attack on Pakistan--never, ever, expected by them even in their dreams. 

Read more ...

Daylight Forays into Pakistan

Details
Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Saturday, 05 September 2015 05:32
Written by Book Excerpt
Hits: 19180

There was one aircrew in the Indian Air Force who could fly anywhere into Pakistan as they pleased at any time of the day! Whether it was Skardu or Karachi or Quetta, they would foray deep into Pakistan during day and come back with valuable intel and imagery. That aircraft crew was led by then Squadron Leader 'Jaggi Nath' MVC and Bar.

Read more ...

The First Air Battle - 3rd September 1965

Details
Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Thursday, 03 September 2015 04:20
Written by Gp Capt Mohan Murdeshwar
Hits: 19020

Gp Capt Mohan "Manna" Murdeshwar is one of the 'few' , who flew with the elite Gnat Units during the 1965 war. He had the privilege of participating in all of the air combats that No.23 Squadron was involved in, including the historic air battle on 3rd September 1965 when Squadron Leader Trevor Keelor scored the first aerial victory for the Indian Air Force. This is his side of the story.

Read more ...

220 Squadron, IAF - Unsung warriors of 1965

Details
Category: History
Last Updated: Tuesday, 01 September 2015 22:21
Written by Sandhya Janorkar
Hits: 7510

The events of September 1st, 1965 are seared into the minds of every Air Force veteran who fought in that conflict.  In no small measure to the sacrifice made by three pilots of No.45 and 220 Squadron, flying obsolete Vampire FB52s in the face of the overwhelming odds against the Pakistani offensive in Chamb. In this article Mrs. Sandhya Janorkhar writes about her one of the 'few' who didnt return that day. 

Read more ...