1962 War : Supplying from the Air
Author | : | M Sadatulla |
Year of Publication | : | 2012 |
Publisher | : | KW Publishers Pvt Ltd |
ISBN - 13 | : | 9789381904299 |
Edition | : | First |
Language | : | English |
Binding | : | Hardcover |
Subject | : | Aviation |
About the Book :
There was a time, when the high and mighty Himalayas all
along our northern borders were considered to be impregnable, making India safe
from any aggression from the north. But, unfortunately, the myth of the Himalayan
infallibility was shattered by the late Fifties, when the Chinese started
making aggressive moves all along our Himalayan border and the threat from the
north was looming large, from Ladakh in the west to the North-East Frontier
Agency (NEFA) in the east.
Thus, the Army had to spread out and deploy all over one of the highest, most
inhospitable and desolate places on earth necessitating the stupendous task of
airlift to provide it logistic support. A task that becomes even more
commendable when we consider that this was done half a century ago when the Air
Force was smaller, resources were meagre and the biggest aircraft available for
the task was the Packet, a twin-piston engine aircraft with a limited ceiling.
Much of the credit for the airlift operations under such difficult conditions
goes to the late Air Marshal L.S. Grewal, then a Wing Commander, who led the
operations from the front with his dedication, courage and flying ability.
But, unfortunately, before the Army could fully prepare the defences along the
border, in October 1962, the Chinese, crossed our eastern border in NEFA and
took the Indian Army by surprise. Though the Air Force responded to the Army’s
request promptly and dropped tons of equipment and rations, the Chinese thrust
was so sudden and overwhelming that the Army had to retreat in terrible haste
and total chaos, and having no time to pick up the supplies from the dropping
zones, had to abandon them where they were.
About Author :
M Sadatulla: Wing Commander M Sadatulla joined the Air Force at No.I Air Force Academy at Begumpet, Hyderabad, towards the end of 1951. An unusual, chronic and incurable case of air sickness nearly terminated his training half way through the course, but, in view of his being good in general flying, he was given a chance to complete his training and passed out on April 1, 1953, and hoped to become a good transport pilot. He long had a rewarding innings with the transport squadrons of the Air Force: First the Paratroopers Training School, then flying the good old Dakotas, and 12 and 48 Transport Squadrons, followed by No.6 Maritime and Transport Squadron, the first two flying Fairchild Packet aircraft and the second modified Super Constellations. He flew on landing and air-dropping sorties in the forward areas of Ladakh and the NEFA, as well, internationally, from Singapore to London and from Paris to Central Africa. After a stint at commanding a signals (radar) unit, his last flying assignment was as Commanding Officer of No.6 Squadron.