An Incredible War: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948KW Publishers Pvt Ltd, Oct 15, 2013 - 446 pages If the Indian Air Force had not put our troops airlifted in the early hours of 27th October, 1947 from Delhi on the ground at Srinagar which was menacingly threatened by Pakistan forces, the history and map of India might well have been quite different. In those momentous hours the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, in a heroic joint operation, began to roll back the blatant aggression of Pakistani military and save Jammu & Kashmir from the marauders. Independent India’s first war started with no other means available to assist the beleaguered local forces; and Indian Army troops were moved by air under grave emergency conditions from Delhi to stem the enemy’s advance. From this point started the saga of the an almost forgotten war: the first and the longest war independent India was forced to fight, and where the fledgling air force, emaciated by partition, and preoccupied with relief and rescue operations following massive riots and demographic movements played a crucial role in India’s defence. Indian Air Force continued to play a vital role during that most incredible war; and this book chronicles the history of its role, where all the bits and pieces have been brought together by the painstaking persistence of the author to share the glorious record of the Indian Air Force. The men in blue, knowing the challenges of an aggressive military, the weather and terrain of high altitude, and the difficulties of supplying our troops, working closely with the army knew that it executed one of most brilliant military campaigns in its history under the most daunting circumstances — feats that it has continued to repeat ever since then. But time and again the air force moved troops into critical battles and provided extensive combat support in uncharted areas to turn the tide. Within the IAF; the deeds of pilots, engineers, technicians and other personnel during that war became legend and inspired succeeding generations. But little has been written or known in and outside the service about how our inheritance was shaped by so few. This volume tells the story for the first time, painstakingly put together from extensive research and interviews by the author. |
Contents
The Background | |
Kashmir Invaded and Saved | |
Fall of Gilgit and Siege of Skardu | |
Securing | |
Jammu Rajouri and Poonch | |
An Analysis of the Jammu and Kashmir | |
Honours and Awards and Roll of Honour | |
The Lynchpins of the Royal Indian Air Force | |
An Incredible and Unique | |
Other editions - View all
An Incredible War: Iaf in Kashmir War 1947-1948 (Second Edition) Bharat Kumar No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
12 Squadron Air Commodore Mehar Air Headquarters Air Marshal Air Marshal Elmhirst air support Air Vice Marshal airborne aircrew airlift airstrip Ambala ammunition Amritsar antiaircraft Baramula bridge Brigadier British carried casualties Commodore Mehar Singh Dakota aircraft dated 26th January December Delhi Dogra enemy positions engine evacuation fighter fire flew Flight Lieutenant flown Flying Officer Gilgit ground Group Captain guns Harvard aircraft Indian Air Force Indian Army Jammu and Kashmir Jhangar Kargil Kashmir Operations Kohala Kotli Ladakh landing lb bombs Major Masillamani Mirpur mission Moolgavkar Mountbatten Naushahra November October October 27 offensive reconnaissance Operational Record Book Pakistan Air Force Pakistan Army Palam personnel Pilot Officer Poonch Prime Minister raiders Rajouri refugees RIAF Squadron rockets sector situation Skardu sorties Spitfires Squadron Leader Srinagar Srinagar airfield strafed supply dropping targets task Tempest aircraft Tithwal transport troops Valley Vir Chakra weather Wing Commander Zoji