Awards
Innovation in the Skies Air Commodore Mehar SinghPeriod : 1947 Indo-Pakistan WarCommisioned in the Royal Indian Air Force in 1936, Air Commodore Mehar Singh was the Air Officer Commanding No.1 Group of the RIAF during 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations. Mehar Singh had the novel idea of arming the Dakota aircraft, deployed in supply missions. He carried out a bombing -cum supply mission in a Dakota with great effectiveness. The innovation enabled the RIAF to send supplies to the Poonch, in its armed Dakotas. In may 1948, a besieged Leh was desperately in need of reinforcements. But by Flying a Dakota to the Leh airstrip, the Air Commodore accomplished a mission till then considered impossible. Inspired by Mehar Singh's extraordinary flight, the RIAF now began regular supplies to Leh, saving it from capitulation. Air Commodore Mehar Singh was awarded the Mahavir Chakra. He died soon after a tragic flying accident. | Other CategoriesHero of Phir Thil Major Satyapal ChopraHavildar Fateh Singh Lone Gunner Sepoy Dewan Singh The Gallant Havildar Lance Havildar Daya Ram The Unstoppable Chuna Ram Havildar Chuna Ram Major Hari Chand Blood in the Snow Sepoy Amar Singh Hero in Civies civilian labourer, Ismail Mohammad Rifleman Dhonkal Singh Master Strategist Lt.Colonel Khanna Main CategoriesParam Vir ChakraAshoka Chakra Maha Vir Chakra Kirti Chakra Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vir Chakra Shaurya Chakra President's Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry Sena Medal |