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History Of The Indian Air Force

发布时间:2018-02-14
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The coffee table book bears the testimony of the glorious history of the Indian Air Force (IAF) written in three separate volumes. It was published on the 75th Anniversary of the IAF's raising. The author, Pushinder Singh is an enthusiastic raconteur of the IAF. Being the son of a military officer, the author has an experience of interacting with the pioneers of the IAF or their descendants for many years. His research on the history of IAF began more than 40 years ago.

Each of the three volumes is separated from the other based on the time line with special historic events complemented by paintings and drawings, rare and unpublished photographs of the IAF. The volumes are chronologically arranged to keep the flow of the events and be able to attract the reader from shifting focus between the volumes.

GIST OF THE BOOK

Volume I of the book is the part that focuses on the foundation of the IAF and covers the story from the time the first aircraft arrived in India during 1910 till India's Independence from colonial rule in August 1947. The second volume focuses on the consolidation and expansion of IAF covering the period between 1947 and 1971. The third volume takes the reader from 1971 to the present time marking its platinum jubilee in 2007.

In the first volume, the author was very neat in describing the great contribution made by the first Indian pilots fighting against the Red Baron's flying circus in the WWI and also in the WWII against the Japanese. The author was successful in highlighting the initiative, courage and competencies of the IAF personnel which made the Royal Air Force (RAF) to include these men in their renowned squadrons and delegate responsibilities for higher operational tasks which ultimately lead to an independent air force. Most of the facts are aptly supported by old photographs which have enhanced the gravity of the written descriptions. The volume ended with the sad division of the fledgling but efficient air force by the traumatic partition that depleted IAF in terms of assets, stations, support facilities, trained personnel and most importantly friends and colleagues who soon turn out to be foes and antagonists.

The second volume covered some important events in the IAF history that resulted from the partition. The Indo-Pak war of 1947-48, 1965 and 1971, Indo-China conflict of 1962 were the major events while smaller but worth mentioning was the IAF's mission in Congo and Operation Vijay-the liberation of Goa. The volume also highlighted how IAF command had shifted to the Indians from the British. The author was vivid in explaining the vision of the IAF leaders in self reliance, modernization of IAF with quality of men, material including its stepping into the jet age.

The third volume explained the paradigm transformation of IAF with technological edge. The volume was candid about a number of small but well reputed operations conducted by the IAF such as Operation Powen in Srilanka, Operation Meghdoot at J&K, Operation Cactus at Maldives, UN peace keeping operations and its role during internal security, support to its sister services, national disaster reliefs and support to people living in inhospitable terrain. However, the volume's major focus was the IAF's involvement with its long term foe "Pakistan" in Operation Safed Sagar at Kargil. The author was successful in illustrating all such events with colourful photographs.

The author has a good hold on the entire subject and was able to combine the historical facts and figures with medley of individual achievements making the book immensely readable. The most appealing portion of the book is perhaps the part that dealt with the creation of IAF in the first volume and 1971 war in the second volume. Several pictorial illustration guided by vivid writing is sure to touch any reader and glue him in-between the lines. The author, however, was lucid and facile in illustrating other facts as well. The book would remain to be a pleasing possession to any reader who has interest in IAF history. However, the price of the book appears to be expensive and perhaps the only reason why it might not attract the general mass.

CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, the book is a complete and comprehensive history of the IAF. The progression is logical and relevant. The presentation is all encompassing but simple. The book would remain as a document of achievement and inspiration to all IAF personnel who should be proud of their glorious past.

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