Today, I want to settle a long standing debate amongst IAF history buffs. Who was the first Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force? Yes, there is such a debate, fuelled by ambiguous documents and sporadic references, including in sources like Wikipedia. With conflicting documents and elusive records, my investigation seeks to uncover the truth. It is also a cry for crowdsourcing of more definitive proof.
The Background
The Indian Air Force commissioned its first 18 officers from RAF Cranwell in England between 1932 and 1939. These officers came in seven groups or courses. It’s likely that the earliest Wing Commander was from one of the first courses, possibly even the first. The investigation here focuses on the first three courses, which graduated in July 1932, July 1933, and December 1933, producing nine pilots. By the end of 1935, four of these nine had either left the service or died. The focus narrows to Subroto Mukerjee (Service No. 1551) and AB Awan (1552) from the first course, Aspy Engineer (1554) from the second, and KK “Jumbo” Majumdar (1555) and Narendra (1556) from the third.
A brief explanation of the terms used follows: Officers initially assumed higher ranks in an “acting” capacity when approved. They would later receive official confirmation, making the rank “substantive” or permanent. Bureaucratic delays often prolonged the transition from acting to substantive ranks. In this investigation, the substantive rank serves as the definitive marker, though the acting rank provides a timeline. For instance, Subroto Mukerjee was a substantive Group Captain and an acting Air Vice Marshal when he served under CAS, Elmhirst, as SASO in 1947.
Why look beyond the first course
From 1933 to 1941, the Indian Air Force operated only one squadron, suggesting a maximum need for just one Squadron Leader. However, by December 1942, the formation of six additional squadrons expanded this need significantly. This expansion sped up promotions, bringing officers from courses other than the first into consideration for ranks of Squadron Leader sooner than expected.
Another factor contributing to the increased demand for Wing Commanders was the assignment of Indian Air Force officers to staff roles, often colloquially known as “flying a desk” jobs. Initially, RAF officers held these staff positions at the Wings, Groups, and Commands levels. But by 1941-42, with sufficient experience, IAF officers began filling these roles. This change created new promotion opportunities for them beyond the rank of Squadron Leader.
The field narrows
Narendra, an alumnus of the 3rd Cranwell course, met a tragic end in a 1951 air accident while serving as an Air Commodore. In 1941, he distinguished himself as the first IAF officer to qualify as a Parachutist, volunteering with the Parachute Regiment. His career then shifted predominantly to staff duties. Notably, he never led a flying squadron, a factor that likely delayed his promotion.
Awan and Subroto, the first batch’s only surviving pilots, shared equal experience. They both became substantive Flight Lieutenants on February 15, 1939. Awan’s command opportunity, however, did not arrive until April 1941 with the formation of the No. 2 Squadron. On February 15, 1942, they both advanced to substantive Squadron Leaders, the first in the Indian Air Force to do so.
In the following year, Awan’s career closely followed Subroto’s. Both attended Staff College in Quetta and alternated in various Air Staff roles. But in mid-1943, as Subroto neared his promotion to Wing Commander and a command position at RAF Kohat, the Indian officers’ only available command, Awan went on a “military goodwill mission” to the United States. He returned at the end of 1943 to a growing IAF, still a Squadron Leader. Disappointed by his stagnant rank, Awan resigned in June 1944.
Down to three
As Subroto Mukerjee, the only surviving officer from the first course, rose through the ranks in the Indian Air Force, Aspy Engineer and Jumbo Majumdar closely followed him. After Subroto and Awan commanded the IAF’s No. 1 and No. 2 Squadrons, Aspy and Jumbo ascended to Acting Squadron Leaders in June 1941. Aspy took over No. 2 Squadron and Jumbo assumed command of No. 1 Squadron. This made them the third and fourth Squadron Leaders in the force, with equal seniority. Their substantive ranks, awarded later, were dated identically to 30 April 1943.
Both Aspy and Jumbo had distinguished themselves before and during their squadron commands. Aspy received a Mention in Despatches and the Distinguished Flying Cross for Waziristan Operations. Jumbo also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while leading the No. 1 Squadron. Following their squadron commands, like Subroto and Awan, Aspy and Jumbo took staff roles at Air Headquarters.
By mid-1943, Subroto Mukerjee, Aspy Engineer, and Jumbo Majumdar were all notable figures in the Indian Air Force. Their achievements and standings were comparable. However, Jumbo eventually became known for his exceptional operational experience.
Jumbo gives up his rank
Jumbo Majumdar’s career trajectory and choices in 1944 played a significant role in creating historical ambiguities. Completing his tenure at Air Headquarters in March 1944, he seized a unique opportunity to join the European theatre of WWII with the 268 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. This move was exceptional for an Indian Air Force officer at the time.
The critical point of confusion arises from his rank during this period. Squadron Leaders typically commanded squadrons in those days. To join the 268 Squadron RAF as a supernumerary pilot, evidence suggests that Jumbo had to relinquish his rank of Wing Commander. This implies that he had been promoted to the acting rank of Wing Commander before his departure to Europe on 23 March 1944. For a historical analysis, it’s hypothesised that this date might represent when he would have officially been promoted had he not gone to Europe.
Upon returning to India in December 1944, after earning another Distinguished Flying Cross and becoming the first in the IAF to receive a Bar to the DFC, Jumbo resumed his acting rank of Wing Commander. He took command of the IAF Display Flight, the precursor to the modern-day Suryakirans. Tragically, Jumbo died in an air accident in February 1945 before receiving his substantive rank. This unfortunate event not only represented a significant loss to the force but also meant that his seniority as a Wing Commander was never officially recorded in the Gazette or any public document.
This gap in official documentation is at the heart of the confusion historians face trying to piece together and accurately represent Jumbo Majumdar’s seniority.
Subroto and Aspy to the rescue
The career progression of Subroto Mukerjee and Aspy Engineer, who went on to become the first and second chiefs of the Indian Air Force, respectively, offers valuable insights for resolving the ambiguity surrounding Jumbo Majumdar’s rank. The Air Force Lists and the Gazette of India from that era document the acting rank of Wing Commander for Subroto Mukerjee as 1 October 1943 and for Aspy Engineer as 1 April 1944, with their substantive ranks being dated 6 September 1946 and 2 May 1947, respectively. This confirms Subroto’s seniority over Aspy. Upon his promotion to Wing Commander, Subroto also became the Station Commander of RAF Kohat, marking the first time an Indian officer commanded a flying base.
Four critical pieces of evidence suggest that Jumbo Majumdar was also promoted to Wing Commander around the same time as Aspy Engineer, to hazard a guess – on or just before 1 April 1944. First, Jumbo Majumdar’s logbook, which he signed just before departing for Europe, lists his rank as a squadron leader on April 1, 1944. Second, Jumbo Majumdar’s continuous appointment at Air Headquarters from April 1942 to March 1944 typically indicates no change in rank during this period. Thirdly, the Air Force List for October 1943, updated biannually, only lists Subroto Mukerjee as an acting Wing Commander. Finally, the IAF’s promotion schedule at the time followed a six-monthly calendar, with promotions occurring in April and October. This pattern further supports the likelihood that Jumbo’s promotion to Wing Commander aligned with the April promotion cycle in 1944.
Summary
It is beyond doubt clear that Subroto Mukerjee was the first officer to attain the rank of Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force. His promotion occurred six months before that of Aspy Engineer and Jumbo Majumdar, who were closely aligned in their career advancements.
Evidence suggests that Jumbo Majumdar may have attained the Wing Commander rank before Aspy Engineer, thus the second officer at this rank. Awan’s autobiography supports this theory. Numerous historical records indicate that Majumdar possibly received the Wing Commander rank soon after his tenure as the commanding officer of 1 Squadron ended in April 1942. However, the Air Force list from October 1943, considered definitive proof, contradicts this.
Jumbo Majumdar’s distinguished service, exemplified by receiving a second Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944, invites thoughtful consideration of his potential career trajectory, had he not tragically passed away in 1945. His distinguished service and recognition might have placed him in a strong position for faster promotions, possibly surpassing Subroto Mukerjee when the rank of Group Captain became available. Furthermore, given his credentials and the trajectory of his career, Jumbo Majumdar could indeed have been a serious contender for the position of Chief of Air Staff, a role that Aspy Engineer eventually assumed too.
While these reflections are informed by his achievements and the typical patterns of military promotions, they are, at their core, speculative. Nonetheless, they underscore Jumbo Majumdar’s extraordinary talent and significant contributions to the Indian Air Force. His premature death represented not only a profound loss for the IAF but also left a series of hypothetical scenarios in its historical record. Although this story might not resonate widely, it is still a narrative worth sharing, and I welcome any further information or insights on the matter.
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