Peter Christy: Difference between revisions

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{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Short description|Pakistani B-57 WSO who disappeared}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}


{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
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| rank          = [[Squadron Leader]]
| rank          = [[Squadron Leader]]
| servicenumber =  
| servicenumber =  
| unit          = [[List of Pakistan Air Force aircraft squadrons|No. 7 Squadron Bandits]]
| unit          = [[No. 7 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 7 Squadron ''Bandits'']]
| commands      =  
| commands      =  
| battles      = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]<br>[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
| battles      = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]<br>[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
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==Education==
==Education==
Christy was born in [[Karachi]] then-[[British India]] in 1937. The son of Maola Bakhsh Christy, a fire fighter in the Air Force who belonged to Multan.{{clarify|date=December 2017|reason=What does "belonged to Multan" mean?}} He initially completed his secondary school education at [[St Patrick's High School, Karachi]] and [[Matriculation|matriculated]] with good marks.<ref>{{cite web
Christy was born in [[Karachi]] then-[[British India]] in 1937. The son of Maula Bakhsh Christy, a fire fighter in the Air Force who belonged to Multan.{{clarify|date=December 2017|reason=What does "belonged to Multan" mean?}} He initially completed his secondary school education at [[St Patrick's High School, Karachi]] and [[Matriculation|matriculated]] with good marks.<ref>{{cite web
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   | last =Javed
   | first =Nabeel
   | first =Nabeel
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   | doi =
   | doi =
   | accessdate = }}
   | accessdate = }}
</ref> According to Christy's teachers, he had been a very intelligent student who always performed very well in sports as well.
</ref> According to Christy's teachers, he had been a very intelligent student who always performed very well in sports as well. He was known to have a keen sense of humor.


==Air Force career==
==Air Force career==
Christy entered the [[Pakistan Air Force Academy]] in 1955 and graduated from a basic flying training program in 1958. The same year he was sent to the [[PAF Base Rafiqui|Commanders and Combat Flight School]] at [[Shorkot]]. He graduated from there with a specialisation in air weapons system and gained a commission in the air force. Christy began his career in 1962 as a [[flying officer]]. In 1964, Christy was promoted to flight lieutenant.<ref>[http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=1889 Ibid of Pakistan Christian Post]</ref>
Christy entered the [[Pakistan Air Force Academy]] in 1955 and graduated from a basic flying training program in 1958. The same year he was sent to the [[PAF Base Rafiqui|Commanders and Combat Flight School]] at [[Shorkot]]. He graduated from there with a specialisation in air weapons system and gained a commission in the Pakistan Air Force. Christy began his career in 1962 as a [[flying officer]]. In 1964, Christy was promoted to flight lieutenant.<ref>[http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=1889 Ibid of Pakistan Christian Post]</ref>


Christy served as a B-57 Canberra [[navigator]] pilot and flew a number of [[Aerial warfare in 1965 India Pakistan War|successful operational missions]] in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 war]]. His efforts gained him praise and he was conferred with [[Tamgha-i-Jurat]] by the [[Government of Pakistan]] in 1965 at a public ceremony. In 1968, he was promoted to the rank of [[squadron leader]] in the Air Force.
Christy served as a B-57 Canberra [[navigator]] pilot and flew a number of [[Aerial warfare in 1965 India Pakistan War|successful operational missions]] in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 war]]. His bravery and eagerness to serve gained him praise and he was conferred with [[Tamgha-i-Jurat]] by the [[Government of Pakistan]] in 1965 at a public ceremony. In 1968, he was promoted to the rank of [[squadron leader]] in the Pakistan Air Force.


Christy subsequently ceased active service and began working for [[Pakistan International Airlines]] (PIA). He was abroad working with PIA when the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] broke out. Christy volunteered for war service with the PAF in December 1971.<ref>{{cite web
Christy subsequently ceased active service and began working for [[Pakistan International Airlines]] (PIA). He was abroad working with PIA when the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] broke out. Christy volunteered for war service with the PAF in December 1971.<ref>{{cite web
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   | doi =
   | doi =
   <!-- | accessdate = 2010 --> }}
   <!-- | accessdate = 2010 --> }}
</ref> Christy was selected for bomber operations and reported to [[Group Captain]] [[Cecil Chaudhry]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://defencejournal.com/dec98/christian.htm|title=PAF’S GALLANT CHRISTIAN HEROES CARRY QUAID’S MESSAGE|website=defencejournal.com}}</ref>
</ref> Christy was selected for bomber operations.


On 4 December 1971 at [[GMT-4:00|4:00 o'clock]] in the evening from [[PAF Base Faisal]], he was given a special mission to destroy an [[Indian Air Force]] special [[Military airbase|air station]] located at [[Jamnagar]] because missile attacks had increased from the Indian side and their fighter planes were continuously targeting the PAF flying bases in Karachi.
On 4 December 1971 at [[GMT-4:00|4:00 o'clock]] in the evening from [[PAF Base Faisal]], he was given a special mission to destroy an [[Indian Air Force]] special [[Military airbase|air station]] located at [[Jamnagar]] because missile attacks had increased from the Indian side and their fighter planes were continuously targeting the PAF flying bases in Karachi.


After attending continuous briefing sessions with his commanders, he, as a [[weapon systems officer]] (WSO) and navigator, along with [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] [[Stephen Israel]] prepared for the mission. The mission codename was "Do-or-Die (DoD)". On 6 December 1971, Christy was detailed as navigator for a bombing mission to Jamnagar. The mission was completed successfully and the Indian Air Force's air station was completed destroyed, but Christy failed to return to base.<ref>{{cite web
After attending continuous briefing sessions with his commanders, he, as a [[weapon systems officer]] (WSO) and navigator, along with [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] [[Stephen Israel]] prepared for the mission. The mission codename was "Do-or-Die (DoD)". On 6 December 1971, Christy was detailed as navigator for a bombing mission to Jamnagar. The mission was completed successfully and the Indian Air Force's air station was completed destroyed. The plane was shot down during their return and Peter Christy was captured by the Indians. Christy failed to return to base.<ref>{{cite web
   | last =Pakistan Tribute
   | last =Pakistan Tribute
   | first =
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of people who disappeared mysteriously: post-1970|List of people who disappeared]]
* [[List of people who disappeared mysteriously: 1910–1990|List of people who disappeared]]
* [[8-Pass Charlie]]
* Group Captain [[Saiful Azam]]
* [[Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui]]
* [[Mervyn Middlecoat]]
* [[Muhammad Mahmood Alam]]
* [[Marium Mukhtiar]]
* [[Ayesha Farooq]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:1970s missing person cases]]
[[Category:1970s missing person cases]]
[[Category:1971 deaths]]
[[Category:Aerial disappearances of military personnel in action]]
[[Category:Aerial disappearances of military personnel in action]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Karachi]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Karachi]]
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[[Category:Shot-down aviators]]
[[Category:Shot-down aviators]]
[[Category:St. Patrick's High School, Karachi alumni]]
[[Category:St. Patrick's High School, Karachi alumni]]
[[Category:1971 deaths]]

Latest revision as of 21:47, 8 August 2022



Peter Christy
File:Sqn.Ldr.Peter Christy.jpg
Squadron Leader Peter Christy, 1965.
Nickname(s)Fire Master
Born1937
Died6 December 1971 (Death unconfirmed officially)
60 km away from Jamnagar, India (Assumed dead)
Allegiance Pakistan
Service/branch Pakistan Air Force
Years of service1958–1971
RankSquadron Leader
UnitNo. 7 Squadron Bandits
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
AwardsTamgha-i-Jurat (1965)
PAK Sitara-i-Juraat ribbon.svg Sitara-i-Jurat (1971)

Squadron Leader Peter Christy (1937 – 6 December 1971), SJ, was a PAF bomber pilot and weapon systems officer (WSO). A B-57 Canberra navigator, Squadron Leader Christy was officially declared "missing in action" since December 1971, but widely presumed dead by the Pakistan Armed Forces as of 2004.

Education[edit]

Christy was born in Karachi then-British India in 1937. The son of Maula Bakhsh Christy, a fire fighter in the Air Force who belonged to Multan.[clarification needed] He initially completed his secondary school education at St Patrick's High School, Karachi and matriculated with good marks.[1] According to Christy's teachers, he had been a very intelligent student who always performed very well in sports as well. He was known to have a keen sense of humor.

Air Force career[edit]

Christy entered the Pakistan Air Force Academy in 1955 and graduated from a basic flying training program in 1958. The same year he was sent to the Commanders and Combat Flight School at Shorkot. He graduated from there with a specialisation in air weapons system and gained a commission in the Pakistan Air Force. Christy began his career in 1962 as a flying officer. In 1964, Christy was promoted to flight lieutenant.[2]

Christy served as a B-57 Canberra navigator pilot and flew a number of successful operational missions in the 1965 war. His bravery and eagerness to serve gained him praise and he was conferred with Tamgha-i-Jurat by the Government of Pakistan in 1965 at a public ceremony. In 1968, he was promoted to the rank of squadron leader in the Pakistan Air Force.

Christy subsequently ceased active service and began working for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He was abroad working with PIA when the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 broke out. Christy volunteered for war service with the PAF in December 1971.[3] Christy was selected for bomber operations.

On 4 December 1971 at 4:00 o'clock in the evening from PAF Base Faisal, he was given a special mission to destroy an Indian Air Force special air station located at Jamnagar because missile attacks had increased from the Indian side and their fighter planes were continuously targeting the PAF flying bases in Karachi.

After attending continuous briefing sessions with his commanders, he, as a weapon systems officer (WSO) and navigator, along with Wing Commander Stephen Israel prepared for the mission. The mission codename was "Do-or-Die (DoD)". On 6 December 1971, Christy was detailed as navigator for a bombing mission to Jamnagar. The mission was completed successfully and the Indian Air Force's air station was completed destroyed. The plane was shot down during their return and Peter Christy was captured by the Indians. Christy failed to return to base.[4]

Disappearance and aftermath[edit]

It was widely speculated that his aircraft was shot down by an Indian surface-to-air missile and that he had been captured. However, after the war, India denied shooting down such an aircraft on 6 December and was unable to track down the pilot. On 8 December, he was officially declared as "missing in action".[5] The Government of Pakistan posthumously awarded him the third highest military award, the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage), in 1971. On 6 September 2006, independent analyst B. Harry published the war study report IAF Combat Kills- 1971 Indo-Pak Air War, claiming that Christy had died while returning to Pakistan when the IAF's anti-aircraft artillery shot down Christy's plane, and that he had died before capture.[6] However, India's Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment. On 6 September 2004, Squadron Leader Peter Christy was honoured by the Pakistan Television (PTV) in a program sponsored by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Javed, Nabeel (25 June 2010). "We pays tribute to Peter Christy, a Pakistani Christian war hero of 1965". Air Commodore Nabeel Javed. Pakistan Christian Post.
  2. ↑ Ibid of Pakistan Christian Post
  3. ↑ Hali, Group Captain Sultan M. (December 1998). "PAF's Gallant Christian Heroes Carry Qauid's Message (See:Squadron Leader Peter Christy)". Pakistan Defence Journal.
  4. ↑ Pakistan Tribute. "Pakistan Air Force: Prides of Nation (See:Sqn Ldr Peter Christy)". Pakistan Tribute Foundation.
  5. ↑ PAF, Pakistan Air Force. "Chronological Listing of Pakistani Air Force:Martin B-57 Losses and Ejections". Pakistan Air Force. Aviation History of Pakistan Air Force. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008.
  6. ↑ Harry, B. (6 September 2006). "IAF Combat Kills- 1971 Indo-Pak Air War (See:TABLE 2.1- PAF AAA and Ground Fire Losses" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Khan, Air Commodore Sarfaraz A. (6 September 2004). "Forgotten PAF officers". Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). Jang Group of Newspapers.

External links[edit]

Template:Recipients of Sitara-e-Jurat Template:Military of Pakistan

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