While the dust settles after the IAF bombing display in Ex Vayu Shakti 2024, it is worth going back 82 years. As dawn broke on 3rd February 1942, the Indian Air Force stood on the precipice of a defining moment. Since Air Forces started flying in India in 1915, they had patrolled the skies of India yet never confronted an external aggressor.
This reality was altered when, in December 1941, Japan’s foray into Burma signalled a direct threat to India’s eastern borders. Years of preparation had done little to ready the Air Forces for such a contingency. The stage was set for a dramatic shift, propelled not by strategic foresight but by the resolve of Bombay’s citizens and the singular courage of a pilot from 1 Squadron. The fateful day would mark a historic turning point and is not celebrated as much as it should be.
WWII Air Force Plans in India
Before World War II, the Air Forces in India primarily engaged in army cooperation and limited bombing operations, focusing on deterrence rather than outright destruction. This approach did not necessitate most modern equipment. However, Russia’s annexation of part of Poland in September 1939 prompted Great Britain and the Indian government to reevaluate India’s military strategy. In response, India established its first Joint Planning Committee to develop a coordinated defence strategy that integrated the efforts of the army, navy, and air force. This committee was tasked with drafting a comprehensive defence plan for 1941.
For the Air Forces, the plan detailed six Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve Flights for the coastal defence at major ports, alongside twenty-one squadrons to enhance air defence and offensive capabilities across broader fronts from Assam to North West India, incorporating Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force units. The distribution of these squadrons was as follows: nine were designated as fighter squadrons, six as bomber squadrons, one as a bomber/transport squadron, and five for army cooperation.
Despite the grandeur of these plans, their fruition faced formidable challenges. By May 1940, the Indian government’s ambition to bolster the IAF to fifteen squadrons in pursuit of the overall twenty-one squadron objective was met with the harsh reality of resource constraints. This led to a revised, more realistic aim of establishing ten squadrons, comprising three for army cooperation, one Bomber, and six for coastal defence. In particular, expanding bomber squadrons presented the most considerable challenge in achieving these goals.
Search for a Bomber
In June 1939, the air force presence in India consisted of nine squadrons: eight from the Royal Air Force – Nos. 5, 11, 20, 27, 28, 31, 39, and 60 – and one from the Indian Air Force, No. 1 Squadron. A decision was made in July 1939 to enhance the bomber capabilities in India by acquiring Blenheim I aircraft. This led to the quick conversion of Nos. 11, 39, and 60 RAF Squadrons to operate these modern bombers. However, the initial bolstering was short-lived as Nos. 11 and 39 Squadrons were soon relocated to the Far East to meet urgent demands, leaving No. 60 Squadron as the only unit in India equipped with these advanced bombers at the beginning of the conflict.
The situation briefly looked promising when Nos. 11 and 39 Squadrons returned to India in April 1940, but their stay was fleeting; they were soon redeployed to Aden for pressing needs. This departure forced the conversion of the No. 5 Squadron from an army cooperation role to that of a bomber squadron, albeit with the significantly older Hart bombers.
Efforts in 1940 to modernise Air Forces in India faced severe challenges, primarily because of the British government’s inability to allocate new aircraft. American production was directed towards supporting the European conflict and fulfilling domestic needs. Despite these setbacks, a hopeful development occurred in June 1940 with negotiations to establish an aircraft manufacturing facility in India. With support from the Viceroy, an agreement was signed in December 1940 with the Hindustan Aircraft Company to produce aircraft in Bangalore, including twenty-four Vultee bombers. However, by early 1942, this ambitious project stumbled due to logistical issues and a need for more skilled workers, limiting the factory’s role to maintenance.
1941 continued to be plagued by challenges similar to the previous year, but the outlook was even bleaker. Despite promises of delivering Vengeance and Mohawk aircraft, none arrived, mainly due to prioritising the Far East in light of the Japanese threat and delays in American production. The transfer of No. 27 Squadron, RAF, to Singapore and No. 60 Squadron, RAF, to Burma at the start of the year further weakened India’s Bomber capabilities. Additionally, No. 31 RAF Squadron’s acquisition of D.C.2 aircraft was of little consolation as its operations were primarily overseas. In a critical move to protect the vital industrial regions of Bengal and Assam, No. 5 Squadron was converted from bombers to fighters.
By the summer of 1941, India had no dedicated bomber squadrons.
Citizens of Bombay and a Lysander
Blending public funds with private contributions to donate aircraft emerged during the First World War as a significant public relations tactic. However, these funds were pooled for general aircraft financing; a production aircraft would be randomly selected to bear the donor’s name. In this innovative fundraising effort, undivided India was the most significant contributor, supporting Royal Air Force squadrons through initiatives like the Bombay War Gifts funds. This tradition of generosity extended into the Second World War, culminating in the establishment of two dedicated RAF squadrons and facilitating the procurement of Westland Lysander aircraft for the air forces in India.
In August 1940, the India Command received a commitment for Westland Lysander aircraft, developed in response to the Air Ministry’s requirement for a two-seater Army Cooperation aircraft to succeed the Hawker Hector. With its high-wing monoplane design, the Lysander was distinguished by its capability for low-speed flight, short fuselage, radial engine, and two fixed undercarriage legs. August 1941 saw the arrival of the first batch of 48 Lysander IIs at the Aircraft Depot, Drigh Road. These aircraft were designated for No. 28 Squadron RAF and No. 1 Squadron IAF, earmarked for Army Cooperation roles. A ceremonial presentation of a Lysander to 1 Squadron by Sir Roger Lumley, the Governor of Bombay, on 7 November 1941, symbolised Bombay’s significant contribution.
However, the outbreak of war with Japan on 8 December 1941 dramatically shifted the strategic context. By 22 December, the Japanese 55th Division’s advancement into Burma towards Moulmein underscored the imminent threat to India. This exigency prompted the India Command to repurpose the recently equipped No. 1 Sqn IAF and No. 28 Sqn RAF for operations in Burma. The Lysander, primarily a reconnaissance aircraft lacking even a bomb sight, was ill-suited for the bomber role. Nonetheless, No. 1 Squadron, IAF, thus far trained for army cooperation, began preparations to relocate from Peshawar, flying their Lysanders across the country in late January. The shortage of Air Gunners for these missions led to a call for volunteers from among the aircraft’s fitters, riggers, and other ground personnel, highlighting the dire straits and improvisation required.
IAF delivers the first bomber mission in 25 years
On the 1st of February 1942, under the leadership of Squadron Leader K.K. “Jumbo” Majumdar, No. 1 Squadron landed at Toungoo, Burma. With remarkable resourcefulness, the squadron’s crew equipped the aircraft with pairs of 250-pound bombs, where they usually put small 20-pounder bombs, an adaptation that was soon put to the test. That very night, Japanese forces conducted two air raids on the Toungoo airfield. Miraculously, the squadron’s aircraft remained unscathed, a fortunate turn of events that set the stage for a bold response.
Upon discovering that the raids were launched from the Japanese air base at Mae-Haungsuan in Thailand, Majumdar devised a daring counter-attack for February 3rd. The solo Lysander, armed with two 250-pound bombs each, took to the skies, escorted by two Buffalos from 67 Sqn RAF. In his memoirs, Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh recounts this moment –
“All the pilots of our squadrons and 28 Squadron RAF turned out to wave him off. The aircraft headed east, and our hearts went with him. We prayed for him and kept a watch on the sky against his return.”
Majumdar’s low-altitude flight path to avoid detection culminated in a surprise assault on the enemy’s hangar, effectively destroying the aircraft housed within. Sgt Rustomjee, the gunner, and the escorting Buffalos engaged in ground strafing during the operation. Their swift and precise execution allowed them to exit the area before the Japanese could organise a retaliation.
Seargent Pilot Charles Victor Barg of New Zealand was flying one of the escorting Buffalos and notes in his logbook – “Jumbo dropped a couple of 250s on hangar – busted it. I strafed it”. He told Harjinder, “All our young pilots now want to emulate Jumbo. The news of his exploits has been flashed all over Burma, and he has become a hero overnight.”
The Impact
This mission marked a critical juncture for the Air Forces in India, representing their first offensive strike against an enemy base. Air Force had crossed the chasm of deterrence and Army cooperation to destruction and solo action. Majumdar’s audacious leadership and clever planning, despite the absence of bombing training or suitable aircraft, underscored his remarkable abilities and resolve.
In November 1942, to acknowledge his bravery and exemplary leadership, Majumdar was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), becoming the first Indian to receive this distinction since Indra Lal Roy in 1918. Additionally, the No. 1 Squadron was honoured with the Battle Honours for ‘The First Burma Campaign’ in recognition of their contributions.
The events of February 3 stand as a testament to the Indian Air Force’s emergence as a formidable force capable of executing strategic offensive operations. This date deserves recognition as a momentous occasion in the history of the IAF, potentially celebrated as “Air Power Day” to honour the day the Indian Air Force truly came into its own.
On April 5th, 1942, a formation of ten Lysanders from the squadron flew to Bombay, landing at Juhu and receiving a hero’s welcome. The Governor of Bombay, Sir Roger Lumley, inspected the aircraft, and the squadron members met with the war gifts committee, acknowledging the contributions that had funded their Lysanders. A formation flight over Bombay capped off this momentous occasion, symbolising the squadron’s successful campaign and the enduring support of their fellow citizens.
The quest for an effective bomber for the Indian Air Force continued for years, navigating through a saga as captivating and intricate as any Bollywood storyline—a narrative for another time.
Bibliography: This account draws upon the comprehensive research in Jagan Pillarisetti’s “Westland Lysander in Indian Air Force Service,” published in 2011, and the RAF’s official records of the Campaigns in the Far East.
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