CHIEFS OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE

1931 - 1947

The Air Officers Commanding of the IAF prior to partition are commemorated with their pictures
and details displayed in a special gallery in the IAF Museum at Palam, New Delhi.

AIR OFFICERS COMMANDING INDIAN AIR FORCE BEFORE 1947

Air Marshal Sir John M Steel, KBC.CB. CMG.
Air Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force
February 1931 to March 1935

Air Marshal Sir Edgar L Ludlow-Hewitt, KCB. CMG. DSO. MC
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
March 1935 to September 1937

Air Marshal Sir Philip B Joubert De la Ferte, KCB. CMG. DSO
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
September 1937 to October 1939

Air Marshal Sir John F A Higgens, KCB. KBE. DSO. AFC
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
October 1939 to September 1940

Air Marshal Sir Patrick M L Playfair, KCB. CB. CVO. MC
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
September 1940 to March 1942

Air Marshal Sir Richard E C Pierse, KCB. DSO.
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
March 1942 to April 1943

Air Marshal Sir Guy A R Garrod, GBE. KCB. MC. DFL
Deputy Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Air Forces in India.
April 1943 to March 1944

Air Vice Marshal M Thomas, CSI. DFC. AFC.
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
March 1944 to January 1946

Air Marshal Sir Roderick Carr, KBE. CB. DFC. AFC.
Air Officer Commanding, India Command
January 1946 to October 1946

Air Marshal Sir Hugh S P Walmseley, CB. CBE. MC. DFC.
AOC-in-C/Deputy Supreme Commander Indian Air Force & RAF Units in India and Pakistan.
October 1946 to August 1947