Rewind to 1933, a historical moment when the Indian Air Force first spread its wings. Imagine the sights and sounds of that era: the roar of early aircraft engines, the unwavering determination of pioneering aviators, and the vibrancy of an experimental force in its nascent stage. This is a journey through a mosaic of images and stories, where we uncover the early characters and gritty exploits that shaped the IAF’s inaugural year.
The Setting
To establish the context, the first group of Indian Air Force officers completed their education at RAF College Cranwell in July 1932. They spent a few months training in England with the 16 Squadron, RAF, and the Army Co-operation School. Subsequently, in April 1933, they returned to India to create the first flight of the No 1 Squadron, IAF.
Flight Lieutenant Cecil “Boy” Bouchier assumed command of this Flight. He had previously encountered the officers in England a couple of months prior. Boy Bouchier was a distinguished WWI veteran honoured with the DFC, AFC, and Polish and French Crosses. Notably, he volunteered for this role when no other British officer was prepared to lead the formation of the Indian Air Force’s inaugural squadron.
Bouchier chose Drigh Road in Karachi as the ideal location for initiating this experimental force. Karachi, the RAF’s Aircraft Depot site, was distant from the busy operations of active RAF squadrons in India. This choice was strategic, ensuring the Indian officers could manage the early stages of the setup without being overwhelmed by external pressures. Flying Officer Broad was the only RAF officer deputed to the squadron to assist Bouchier.
The first aircraft chosen for the Indian Air Force was the Westland Wapiti, already used by RAF Squadrons in India. Three aircraft, K1290, K1297, and K1260, were acquired from the Aircraft Depot. Notably, K1290 was Bouchier’s personal favourite.
Additionally, the Indian Air Force was provided with new living quarters at this location. A six-room barrack constructed from local Jungshahi stone was prepared for them. The first Indian officers arrived here on 10 May 1933 and named the site Gandhi Hill. This site was the home of A Flight of 1 Squadron until April 1936.
Regarding uniforms, the standard attire for the officers consisted of khaki shorts and shirts, tunics, breeches and puttees, and tropical pith hats for regular wear. For ceremonial occasions, the uniform included breeches and puttees up to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and long black boots for higher ranks.
Summer of 1933
In May 1933, a significant social event occurred at the officers’ mess, a dance. Despite the prevalent discrimination of that era, which initially led to the Indian officers being excluded, Bouchier intervened with the station’s senior officials, ensuring their invitation. Thereafter Indian officers were regularly invited to social events, integrating them into the social fabric of the time.
Another first in May 1933 was the modification of K1297 with dual controls, allowing the Indian officers to experience flying. Bouchier took each of the five Indian officers up in K1297, encouraging them to “Put your head out and smell the morning air.” This moment and K1297 itself would become iconic in the history of the Indian Air Force.
In terms of daily routine, a typical summer schedule involved flying between 7 and 9 am, followed by breakfast, groundwork, armament, lectures, signals, and photography classes.
Bhupindra Singh, one of the Indian officers, was known for his adventurous spirit. He had a history of daring flying manoeuvres, even during his training at Cranwell, where he once frightened a fellow trainee by spinning an Atlas aircraft. He continued to test limits with the Wapiti, spinning the aircraft and flying daringly close to the ground despite orders against such risky manoeuvres. His feats, such as spinning at 14,000 feet and emerging at much lower altitudes, showcased his skill and audacious nature.
In June 1933, a significant event marked another milestone for the Indian Air Force: its first formation display, coinciding with the King’s birthday. This display featured three Westland Wapiti aircraft, each from the T&D Squadron of the RAF and the No. 1 Squadron of the IAF.
The pilots selected for this prestigious event included Boy Bouchier Broad and Sircar. These aviators performed a Vic formation, a manoeuvre requiring precision and coordination. Flying at 2,000 feet, they maintained a mere six feet of wingtip distance between each aircraft executed at 120 miles per hour.
As the Indian Air Force officers continued their journey, they forged more robust relationships with their RAF counterparts. The shared experiences and informal activities typical at a flying station facilitated this camaraderie. Notably, hockey and tennis emerged as favourite sports among the Indian Air Force officers, with many excelling in these games.
Later half of 1933
In August 1933, the flight experienced its first military exercise, a significant step in their operational training. This exercise was conducted in Quetta under the Western Command of the Army. It was an Army co-operation exercise that included not only the Indian Air Force’s flight but also the No. 5 and No. 31 RAF Squadrons, working in collaboration with an Army Division. The exercise was challenging, incorporating a range of tasks that tested the pilots’ skills and adaptability. They included message pickup, mosaic photography, close reconnaissance, front gun attacks, and puff shots.
September 1933 marked a tragic period in the history of the Indian Air Force. On the 4th of September, a devastating accident occurred during a long-distance reconnaissance flight to Padidan in Hyderabad. The flight involved two aircraft, Broad and Awan in one and Bhupindra flying the other, accompanied by Amarjit in the rear seat.
Tragically, Bhupindra’s aircraft crashed three miles from the landing ground. The impact was catastrophic, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the fatal loss of both Bhupindra and Amarjit. The bodies and the aircraft were both shattered in the accident. It was suspected that the crash might have been caused by a spinning manoeuvre that went wrong.
As 1933 ended, a new development took place at Drigh Road. Aspy Engineer, a recent graduate from RAF College Cranwell in July 1933, joined the Indian Air Force, taking residence in the quarters vacated after the tragic losses earlier in the year. Aspy Engineer brought with him a notable reputation, having won the Aga Khan award for a cross-country race and the Grove Memorial trophy at RAF Cranwell. His accomplishments garnered considerable attention. However, Flight Lieutenant Cecil “Boy” Bouchier, the commanding officer, focused less on individual accolades. His primary concern was the overall development and success of the Indian Air Force.
In February 1934, three of the remaining officers from the initial group, Subroto, Awan, and Sircar, were promoted to Flying Officers. This marked the end of the first year of the Indian Air Force’s existence – a year filled with pride and significant challenges and sacrifice. The journey of the Indian Air Force in its inaugural year was one of resilience and determination.
The next year was not going to be any different!
This narrative would not have been feasible without the autobiography and pictures from the personal album of late Wing Commander AB Awan.
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