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>MBlaze Lightning (second look at the source showed 16 sabres lost) |
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3 Flights [[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] | 3 Flights [[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] | ||
3 Flights [[Alouette III]] Helicopters | 3 Flights [[Alouette III]] Helicopters | ||
| strength2 = '''Pakistan Air Force''': | | strength2 = '''Pakistan Air Force''': | ||
16 [[Canadair Sabre]] | |||
*[[No. 14 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|'''''No.14 Squadron''''']] | |||
16 [[Canadair Sabre]]<br /> | |||
2 T-33 Trainer<br /> | |||
8 Helicopters<br /> | |||
| casualties1 = 17 aircraft and 2 helicopters lost by IAF to various causes.<ref name=brloss1971>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Misc/Loss1971.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609141826/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Misc/Loss1971.html |date=9 June 2011 }} IAF 1971 Losses</ref> | | casualties1 = 17 aircraft and 2 helicopters lost by IAF to various causes.<ref name=brloss1971>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Misc/Loss1971.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609141826/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Misc/Loss1971.html |date=9 June 2011 }} IAF 1971 Losses</ref> | ||
| casualties2 = 23 aircraft, including 16 Sabres lost altogether,<ref name="bharat-rakshak1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |title= | | casualties2 = 23 aircraft, including 16 Sabres lost altogether,<ref name="bharat-rakshak1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |title=Aircraft Losses in Pakistan -1971 War |access-date=24 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501082102/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |archive-date=1 May 2009}} IAF claim of PAF Losses</ref> <br />1 helicopter shot down or abandoned<ref name=brloss1971/>{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} | ||
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Bangladesh Liberation War}} | | campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Bangladesh Liberation War}} | ||
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}} | {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}} | ||
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Indian civilian authorities and the IAF donated 1 [[DC-3 Dakota]] (given by the Maharaja of [[Jodhpor]]), 1 [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otter]] plane, and 1 [[Alouette III]] helicopter for the newborn Bangladesh Air Force, which was to take advantage of the lack of night-fighting capability of the PAF to launch hit-and-run attacks on sensitive targets inside Bangladesh from the air. The Bengali rank and file fixed up the World War II vintage runway at Dimapur, then began rigging the aircraft for combat duty. The Dakota was modified to carry 500 pound bombs, but for technical reasons it was only used to ferry Bangladesh government personnel. Captain Abdul Khalque, Captain Alamgir Satter, and Captain Abdul Mukit, all destined to earn the ''Bir Pratik'' award, piloted the Dakota. | Indian civilian authorities and the IAF donated 1 [[DC-3 Dakota]] (given by the Maharaja of [[Jodhpor]]), 1 [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otter]] plane, and 1 [[Alouette III]] helicopter for the newborn Bangladesh Air Force, which was to take advantage of the lack of night-fighting capability of the PAF to launch hit-and-run attacks on sensitive targets inside Bangladesh from the air. The Bengali rank and file fixed up the World War II vintage runway at Dimapur, then began rigging the aircraft for combat duty. The Dakota was modified to carry 500 pound bombs, but for technical reasons it was only used to ferry Bangladesh government personnel. Captain Abdul Khalque, Captain Alamgir Satter, and Captain Abdul Mukit, all destined to earn the ''Bir Pratik'' award, piloted the Dakota. | ||
The helicopter was rigged to fire 14 rockets from pylons attached to its side and had .303 Browning machine guns installed, in addition to having {{convert|1|in|mm|adj=on}} steel plate welded to its floor for extra protection. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmood, Flight Lieutenant Bodiul Alam, and Captain Shahabuddin, all of whom later won the ''Bir Uttam'' award, operated the helicopter. The Otter boasted 7 rockets under each of its wings and could deliver ten 25 pound bombs, which were rolled out of the aircraft by hand through a makeshift door. Flight Lt. Shamsul Alam, along with Captains Akram Ahmed and Sharfuddin Ahmad, flew the Otter - all three were later awarded ''Bir Uttam'' for their service in 1971. This tiny force was dubbed ''Kilo Flight'', the first fighting formation of the nascent Bangladesh Air force.<ref>Khandker, Air Vice Marshal (ret.) A.K, ''1971 Bhetore Baire'' p176, {{ISBN|978-984-90747-4-8}}</ref><ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p49</ref> | The helicopter was rigged to fire 14 rockets from pylons attached to its side and had .303 Browning machine guns installed, in addition to having {{convert|1|in|mm|adj=on}} steel plate welded to its floor for extra protection. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmood, Flight Lieutenant Bodiul Alam, and Captain Shahabuddin, all of whom later won the ''Bir Uttam'' award, operated the helicopter. The Otter boasted 7 rockets under each of its wings and could deliver ten 25 pound bombs, which were rolled out of the aircraft by hand through a makeshift door. Flight Lt. Shamsul Alam, along with Captains [[Akram Ahmed]] and Sharfuddin Ahmad, flew the Otter - all three were later awarded ''Bir Uttam'' for their service in 1971. This tiny force was dubbed ''Kilo Flight'', the first fighting formation of the nascent Bangladesh Air force.<ref>Khandker, Air Vice Marshal (ret.) A.K, ''1971 Bhetore Baire'' p176, {{ISBN|978-984-90747-4-8}}</ref><ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p49</ref> | ||
Under the command of [[Group Captain]] A.K. Khandkar and Flight Lieutenant [[Sultan Mahmud (Bir Uttom)|Sultan Mahmud]], intense training took place in night flying and instrumental navigation. After 2 months of training, the formation was activated for combat. The first sortie was scheduled to take place on 28 November, but was moved back 6 days, to 2 December 1971.<ref>Khandker, Air Vice Marshal (ret.) A.K, ''1971 Bhetore Baire'' p180, {{ISBN|978-984-90747-4-8}}</ref> The Otter - flown by Flight Lt. Shamsul Alam, with co-pilot F.L. Akram - was moved to Kailashsahar, and was prepared for a mission against targets in Chittagong. The helicopter, piloted by Flight Lt. Sultan Mahmood and Flight Lt. Bodiul Alam, was to hit Narayangang, flying from Teliamura.<ref>Khandker, Air Vice Marshal (ret.) A.K, ''1971 Bhetore Baire'' p181, {{ISBN|978-984-90747-4-8}}</ref><ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p95, p106-107</ref> | Under the command of [[Group Captain]] A.K. Khandkar and Flight Lieutenant [[Sultan Mahmud (Bir Uttom)|Sultan Mahmud]], intense training took place in night flying and instrumental navigation. After 2 months of training, the formation was activated for combat. The first sortie was scheduled to take place on 28 November, but was moved back 6 days, to 2 December 1971.<ref>Khandker, Air Vice Marshal (ret.) A.K, ''1971 Bhetore Baire'' p180, {{ISBN|978-984-90747-4-8}}</ref> The Otter - flown by Flight Lt. Shamsul Alam, with co-pilot F.L. Akram - was moved to Kailashsahar, and was prepared for a mission against targets in Chittagong. The helicopter, piloted by Flight Lt. Sultan Mahmood and Flight Lt. Bodiul Alam, was to hit Narayangang, flying from Teliamura.<ref>Khandker, Air Vice Marshal (ret.) A.K, ''1971 Bhetore Baire'' p181, {{ISBN|978-984-90747-4-8}}</ref><ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p95, p106-107</ref> | ||
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==IAF Activity until 16 December 1971== | ==IAF Activity until 16 December 1971== | ||
[[File:Dacca Govt House.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Dacca Govt. House, seat of the East Pakistan Civilian administration, after a strike by Mig 21s of No. 28 Sqn on the morning of 14 December.]] <!-- FAIR USE of Dacca_Govt_House.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dacca_Govt_House.jpg for rationale --> | [[File:Dacca Govt House.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Dacca Govt. House, seat of the East Pakistan Civilian administration, after a strike by Mig 21s of No. 28 Sqn on the morning of 14 December.]] <!-- FAIR USE of Dacca_Govt_House.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dacca_Govt_House.jpg for rationale --> | ||
IAF focus shifted on supporting the Mitro Bahini advance following the grounding of PAF | IAF focus shifted on supporting the Mitro Bahini advance following the grounding of PAF after 7 December 1971. [[Folland Gnat|Gnat]] squadrons, previously employed in flying combat air patrols over IAF bases, now began attacking targets inside Pakistani territory along other IAF squadrons. The IAF flew interdiction missions for the remainder of the war, shooting up ammunition dumps and other fixed installations. Gnats and Sukhoi Su-7s flew many missions in support of army units as they moved swiftly towards Dhaka, delivering ordnance (such as iron bombs) to take out enemy bunkers which occasionally posed an obstacle to the advancing infantry. Canberras repeatedly struck Jessore, forcing the enemy to abandon this strategic city. The IAF also bombed other airfields, including the abandoned World War II airfields of [[Comilla]], [[Lal Munir Hat]], and [[Shamsher Nagar]] throughout the war, denying their use to PAF planes that may be moved by road, as well as to any external aerial reinforcement. {{INS|Vikrant|R11|6}}, the [[Indian Navy|Navy's]] sole aircraft carrier, periodically sent [[Hawker Sea Hawk|Sea Hawks]] to bomb the [[Chittagong]] harbor and airport throughout the war, while also sent bombing missions to [[Cox's Bazar]], [[Barisal]], Khulna and Mongla ports, and to Chandpur and other Pakistani positions between 7–14 December 1971. | ||
Anti shipping missions struck ships and ferries, while ferry ghats, bridges, army positions, troop convoys and ports were also bombed. Ferries across major river crossings were sunk by the IAF, thus denying the Pakistani army its line of retreat to Dhaka. Tejgaon was daily bombed to keep the PAF from repairing the runway<ref>Salik, Siddiq, ''Witness To Surrender'', p195</ref> along with other airfields. On 10 December, IAF heli-lifted troops of the IV Corps from [[Ashuganj]] to Raipura and Narsingi in what came to be termed ''[[Operation Cactus-Lilly]]'' (also known as the ''[[Helibridge over Meghna]]''). Four infantry battalions and several light [[PT-76]] tanks crossed the [[Meghna River|River Meghna]], after Pakistan Army had blown up the Bhairab Bridge, allowing the Indian Army to continue their advance in the face of stiff resistance at the [[Battle of Ashuganj|Ashuganj]].<ref>Islam, Major Rafiqul, ''A Tale of Millions'', p. 461</ref><ref>Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp278</ref> Kilo flight crafts were part of the air cover, attacking Pakistani positions near Narshigndi, while Mukti Bahini organized about 300 local boats to ferry soldiers, cannons and munitions to augment the heli-borne operation.<ref>Rahman, Matiur, SommukhJuddho 1971, pp189, {{ISBN|978-984-91202-1-6}}</ref><ref>Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp293</ref> 10 and 11 December Su-7 dropped Napalm on Bhairab twice.<ref>Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp292, pp295</ref> Three converted An-12s from the No. 44 Squadron struck the Jaydebpur Ordnance factory in East Pakistan on 13 December,<ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p318</ref> while the Caribous carried out regular night raids on Tejgaon, mistakenly hitting an orphanage on the night of | Anti shipping missions struck ships and ferries, while ferry ghats, bridges, army positions, troop convoys and ports were also bombed. Ferries across major river crossings were sunk by the IAF, thus denying the Pakistani army its line of retreat to Dhaka. Tejgaon was daily bombed to keep the PAF from repairing the runway<ref>Salik, Siddiq, ''Witness To Surrender'', p195</ref> along with other airfields. On 10 December, IAF heli-lifted troops of the IV Corps from [[Ashuganj]] to Raipura and Narsingi in what came to be termed ''[[Operation Cactus-Lilly]]'' (also known as the ''[[Helibridge over Meghna]]''). Four infantry battalions and several light [[PT-76]] tanks crossed the [[Meghna River|River Meghna]], after Pakistan Army had blown up the Bhairab Bridge, allowing the Indian Army to continue their advance in the face of stiff resistance at the [[Battle of Ashuganj|Ashuganj]].<ref>Islam, Major Rafiqul, ''A Tale of Millions'', p. 461</ref><ref>Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp278</ref> Kilo flight crafts were part of the air cover, attacking Pakistani positions near Narshigndi, while Mukti Bahini organized about 300 local boats to ferry soldiers, cannons and munitions to augment the heli-borne operation.<ref>Rahman, Matiur, SommukhJuddho 1971, pp189, {{ISBN|978-984-91202-1-6}}</ref><ref>Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp293</ref> 10 and 11 December Su-7 dropped Napalm on Bhairab twice.<ref>Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp292, pp295</ref> Three converted An-12s from the No. 44 Squadron struck the Jaydebpur Ordnance factory in East Pakistan on 13 December,<ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p318</ref> while the Caribous carried out regular night raids on Tejgaon, mistakenly hitting an orphanage on the night of | ||
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==Kilo Flight becomes Bangladesh Air Force== | ==Kilo Flight becomes Bangladesh Air Force== | ||
[[File:F-86 Fighter Aircraft at BAF Museum (2).jpg|160px|thumb|11 F-86 Sabres were scuttled by [[Pakistan Air Force]] in December 1971 before their surrender, 5 were returned to service in March 1972 by [[Bangladesh Air Force]]]] | [[File:F-86 Fighter Aircraft at BAF Museum (2).jpg|160px|thumb|11 F-86 Sabres were scuttled by [[Pakistan Air Force]] in December 1971 before their surrender, 5 were returned to service in March 1972 by [[Bangladesh Air Force]]]] | ||
Under the leadership of [[Air Commodore]] A. K. Khandker, the newly formed Bangladesh Air Force began to organize itself. The DC-3 was given to [[Bangladesh Biman]], but it crashed during a test flight, claiming the life of Kilo flight members Captain Khaleque and Sharafuddin.<ref name="ASN2">{{ASN accident|id= 19720210-1}}</ref> Former PAF personnel and officers were requested to muster in Dhaka over radio and the personnel were grouped into three squadrons under one operational wing under Squadron Leader Manjoor. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud commanded Squadron no 501, Squadron Leader Sadruddin Squadron no 507 and Wahidur Rahman commended the third squadron.<ref name="Islam, Major p574"/> | Under the leadership of [[Air Commodore]] A. K. Khandker, the newly formed Bangladesh Air Force began to organize itself. The DC-3 was given to [[Bangladesh Biman]], but it crashed during a test flight, claiming the life of Kilo flight members Captain Khaleque and Sharafuddin.<ref name="ASN2">{{ASN accident|id= 19720210-1}}</ref> Former PAF personnel and officers were requested to muster in Dhaka over radio and the personnel were grouped into three squadrons under one operational wing under Squadron Leader Manjoor. Squadron Leader [[Sultan Mahmud (officer)|Sultan Mahmud]] commanded Squadron no 501, Squadron Leader [[Sadruddin Mohammad Hossain|Sadruddin]] Squadron no 507 and Wahidur Rahman commended the third squadron.<ref name="Islam, Major p574"/> | ||
Pakistan forces had abandoned eleven [[Canadair]] F-86 Sabre jets, two [[T-33]] Shooting Stars, one Alouette III and one Hiller UH-12E4 helicopter in Dhaka.<ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p391</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |title=IAF Claims vs. Official List of Pakistani Losses |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |access-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501082102/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |archive-date=1 May 2009 }}</ref> Eight Sabres were made operational later by Bengali technicians by March 1972.<ref name="Experiencefestival.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Bangladesh_Air_Force_-_History/id/4829734 |title=Bangladesh Air Force: Encyclopedia II - Bangladesh Air Force - History |publisher=Experiencefestival.com |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717140810/http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Bangladesh_Air_Force_-_History/id/4829734 |archive-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | Pakistan forces had abandoned eleven [[Canadair]] F-86 Sabre jets, two [[T-33]] Shooting Stars, one Alouette III and one Hiller UH-12E4 helicopter in Dhaka.<ref>Mohan, P.V.S. Jagan and Chopra, Samir, ''Eagles Over Bangladesh'', p391</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |title=IAF Claims vs. Official List of Pakistani Losses |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |access-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501082102/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix3.html |archive-date=1 May 2009 }}</ref> Eight Sabres were made operational later by Bengali technicians by March 1972.<ref name="Experiencefestival.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Bangladesh_Air_Force_-_History/id/4829734 |title=Bangladesh Air Force: Encyclopedia II - Bangladesh Air Force - History |publisher=Experiencefestival.com |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717140810/http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Bangladesh_Air_Force_-_History/id/4829734 |archive-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
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===Deciding factors of the East Pakistan defense plan=== | ===Deciding factors of the East Pakistan defense plan=== | ||
[[File:Ban71nov.PNG|thumb|325px|right|Pakistani deployment and final plan of defence after 19 November 1971, incorporating Pakistan Army GHQ suggestions (generic representation—some unit locations not shown|alt=Military map of Bangladesh from November 1971]] | [[File:Ban71nov.PNG|thumb|325px|right|Pakistani deployment and final plan of defence after 19 November 1971, incorporating Pakistan Army GHQ suggestions (generic representation—some unit locations not shown)|alt=Military map of Bangladesh from November 1971]] | ||
The Pakistan army 1971 military strategy depended on winning an overwhelming, decisive victory over Indian forces in the Western Front, while the contingent in occupied Bangladesh needed only to hold out until the issue was decided in the West.<ref name="Salik, Siddiq pp124">Salik, Siddiq, Witness to Surrender, pp124</ref><ref>Islam, Major Rafiqul, ''A Tale of Millions'', p. 398</ref><ref name="Major Nasir Uddin pp240">Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp240- pp241</ref> [[Pakistan Armed Forces Eastern Command|Eastern Command]] devised four strategic concepts for the defense of East Pakistan, and when the final course of action was adopted, Mukti Bahini achievements and the assumed IAF dominance of the skies influenced their decision. The strategic plans were:<ref name="Salik, Siddiq pp124"/> | The Pakistan army 1971 military strategy depended on winning an overwhelming, decisive victory over Indian forces in the Western Front, while the contingent in occupied Bangladesh needed only to hold out until the issue was decided in the West.<ref name="Salik, Siddiq pp124">Salik, Siddiq, Witness to Surrender, pp124</ref><ref>Islam, Major Rafiqul, ''A Tale of Millions'', p. 398</ref><ref name="Major Nasir Uddin pp240">Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp240- pp241</ref> [[Pakistan Armed Forces Eastern Command|Eastern Command]] devised four strategic concepts for the defense of East Pakistan, and when the final course of action was adopted, Mukti Bahini achievements and the assumed IAF dominance of the skies influenced their decision. The strategic plans were:<ref name="Salik, Siddiq pp124"/> | ||
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* {{Cite book| title = A Tale of Millions | year = 2006 | author = Islam, Major Rafiqul | publisher = Ananna | isbn = 984-412-033-0 }} | * {{Cite book| title = A Tale of Millions | year = 2006 | author = Islam, Major Rafiqul | publisher = Ananna | isbn = 984-412-033-0 }} | ||
*{{cite book | title = How Pakistan Got Divided | year = 1992 | author = Ali Khan, Maj. Gen Rao Farman | author-link =Rao Farman Ali| publisher = Jung Publishers }} Bengali Translation: ''Bangladesher Janmo'', University Press Ltd. 2003 {{ISBN|984-05-0157-7}} | *{{cite book | title = How Pakistan Got Divided | year = 1992 | author = Ali Khan, Maj. Gen Rao Farman | author-link =Rao Farman Ali| publisher = Jung Publishers }} Bengali Translation: ''Bangladesher Janmo'', University Press Ltd. 2003 {{ISBN|984-05-0157-7}} | ||
*{{Cite book| title = Eagles over Bangladesh: The Indian Air Force in the 1971 Liberation War| year = 2013 | | *{{Cite book |title=Eagles over Bangladesh: The Indian Air Force in the 1971 Liberation War |year=2013 |last1=Mohan |first1=P V S Jagan |last2=Chopra |first2=Samir |publisher=Harper Collins India |isbn=9789351361633}} | ||
{{Refend}} | {{Refend}} | ||