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Indian Air Force has many such unnamed heroes and fighters that are still not recognized but have sacrificed their lives all for the nation and its security. We salute all the heroes who have given their lives to protect the nation. There are an uncountable number of soldiers on the list, and it will take days to mention them all. So, for today we will be sharing one such name that should be remembered: Subroto Mukherjee.
Who is Subroto Mukherjee?
Subroto Mukherjee was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a pilot in 1932. He was one of those six Indians selected for training at the Royal Air Force (RAF) College at Cranwell, Lincolnshire, England.
Being the first Indian to command a flight along with a squadron, a station, and eventually, the station service. In 1954, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force. Later on, Subroto got promoted to Squadron leader and with that, he became the first Indian soldier to get such a command.Â
The Kashmir Incident
Pakistan attacked Kashmir! The whole place was invaded, and the road link was under attack. Airdropping was the only hope for the Indian people. The airstrip was constructed at Poonch, and the first Aircraft landed on the airstrip on 8th December. Subroto landed at the Poonch along with Air Commodore Mehar Singh. And with Subroto and Mehar Singh, the IAF turned the situation upside down. The force rescued thousands of people, army reinforcements, and food as they were airdropped.Â
In 1954, on 1st April, Subroto was promoted and took over the command of the IAF as Indian Commander in Chief. Later, Subroto became the Deputy Chief of Air Staff in November 1947 and became the first Indian to get the position. In 1955, he became the Chairman of the Chief of Staff and then Second term as Chief of the Air Staff.
Other Important Facts About Subroto Mukherjee
- In 1936–37, Subroto served northern Waziristan in the North-West Frontier Province. And in 1939, he became the first Squadron Leader who had received such command in the nation.
- In 1945, he became an officer of the Order of the British Empire.
- During the Independence time of India in 1947, Subroto was the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Air Force. Further, he was promoted as Air Vice Marshal and posted to Air Staff as the Deputy Chief.
- Under the leadership of Mukherjee, the country’s Air Force got entirely transformed into an all-jet force.
Subroto Mukherjee took his last breath in Tokyo on 8th November 1960. He was cremated with full honor in New Delhi.