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With the Indian Air Force Act being passed by the [[Central Legislative Assembly]], the IAF was established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary force of the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref name="clause4">{{cite web|title=HC Deb 3 April 1933 vol 276 cc1473-501|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1933/apr/03/clause-4-relations-between-royal-air|work=[[Hansard]]|publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]|access-date=8 April 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503154955/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1933/apr/03/clause-4-relations-between-royal-air|archive-date=3 May | With the Indian Air Force Act being passed by the [[Central Legislative Assembly]], the IAF was established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary force of the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref name="clause4">{{cite web|title=HC Deb 3 April 1933 vol 276 cc1473-501|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1933/apr/03/clause-4-relations-between-royal-air|work=[[Hansard]]|publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]|access-date=8 April 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503154955/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1933/apr/03/clause-4-relations-between-royal-air|archive-date=3 May 2009}}</ref> Mukerjee was commissioned as a [[Pilot Officer|pilot officer]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1932: Birth of IAF|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2009/jan15-09/h18.html |website=sainiksamachar.nic.in |access-date=15 January 2009}}</ref> After completing their training at Cranwell, the Indian pilots received further training at the [[School of Land/Air Warfare|Army Cooperation School]] at [[Old Sarum Airfield]] in [[Wiltshire]]. Mukerjee served with the [[No. 16 Squadron RAF]] for about a year before returning to India.<ref name="chhina" /> | ||
On 1 April 1933, "A" Flight of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] was formed at [[PAF Base Faisal|Drigh Road]] in [[Karachi]] with Flight Lieutenant [[Cecil Bouchier]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] in command. Mukerjee was one of the five Indian pilots who made up the flight. The flight was equipped with four [[Westland Wapiti]]s. On 15 February 1934, Mukerjee was promoted to the rank of [[Flying Officer]].<ref name="Air_Force_List_Jan38">{{cite book|pages=1275–1276|title=The Air Force List: January 1938|url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/95935910|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1938}}</ref> | On 1 April 1933, "A" Flight of the [[No. 1 Squadron IAF]] was formed at [[PAF Base Faisal|Drigh Road]] in [[Karachi]] with Flight Lieutenant [[Cecil Bouchier]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] in command. Mukerjee was one of the five Indian pilots who made up the flight. The flight was equipped with four [[Westland Wapiti]]s. On 15 February 1934, Mukerjee was promoted to the rank of [[Flying Officer]].<ref name="Air_Force_List_Jan38">{{cite book|pages=1275–1276|title=The Air Force List: January 1938|url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/95935910|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1938}}</ref> | ||
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In 1936, a rebellion erupted in [[North-West Frontier Province]] (NWFP), led by the [[Pukhtoon]] tribes. The Indian Air Force were forced to play a major role in containing the rebellion, due to the harsh terrains of the region. Mukerjee was awarded the [[India General Service Medal (1936)|India General Service Medal]] with the clasps 'North West Frontier 1936–37', and 'North West Frontier 1937–39'.<ref name="chhina" /> | In 1936, a rebellion erupted in [[North-West Frontier Province]] (NWFP), led by the [[Pukhtoon]] tribes. The Indian Air Force were forced to play a major role in containing the rebellion, due to the harsh terrains of the region. Mukerjee was awarded the [[India General Service Medal (1936)|India General Service Medal]] with the clasps 'North West Frontier 1936–37', and 'North West Frontier 1937–39'.<ref name="chhina" /> | ||
In July 1938, 'B' flight of the No. 1 Squadron IAF was formed and Mukerjee took command of the flight. He was one of the three flying officers of the three flights of No. 1 Squadron.{{sfn|Abidi|Sharma|2007|p=151}} On 15 February 1939, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.<ref>{{cite web |title=(400) – Air Force lists > Air Force list > Monthly > 1940 > May – British Military lists – National Library of Scotland |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/96062722 |website=digital.nls.uk}}</ref> He took command of the No. 1 Squadron on 16 March 1939, the first Indian officer to command a squadron. In June 1939, under Mukerjee, the squadron converted to [[Hawker Hart]] aircraft with a few [[Hawker Audax]] aircraft on its inventory.{{sfn|Singh| | In July 1938, 'B' flight of the No. 1 Squadron IAF was formed and Mukerjee took command of the flight. He was one of the three flying officers of the three flights of No. 1 Squadron.{{sfn|Abidi|Sharma|2007|p=151}} On 15 February 1939, he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.<ref>{{cite web |title=(400) – Air Force lists > Air Force list > Monthly > 1940 > May – British Military lists – National Library of Scotland |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/96062722 |website=digital.nls.uk}}</ref> He took command of the No. 1 Squadron on 16 March 1939, the first Indian officer to command a squadron. In June 1939, under Mukerjee, the squadron converted to [[Hawker Hart]] aircraft with a few [[Hawker Audax]] aircraft on its inventory.{{sfn|Singh|2002}} He led the squadron into action at [[Miramshah]] in NWFP.{{sfn|Abidi|Sharma|2007|p=151}} | ||
===World War II=== | ===World War II=== | ||
At the outbreak of [[World War II]], Coastal Defence Flights (CDFs) of the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (IAFVR) were formed. Mukerjee was the senior-most Indian commissioned officer in the IAF. He was promoted to the acting rank of [[Squadron Leader]] on 25 August 1939.<ref name="Air_Force_List_Jun40">{{cite book|pages=702|title=The Air Force List: June 1940|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1940}}</ref> | At the outbreak of [[World War II]], Coastal Defence Flights (CDFs) of the Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (IAFVR) were formed. Mukerjee was the senior-most Indian commissioned officer in the IAF. He was promoted to the acting rank of [[Squadron Leader]] on 25 August 1939.<ref name="Air_Force_List_Jun40">{{cite book|pages=702|title=The Air Force List: June 1940|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1940}}</ref> | ||
On 7 August 1940, he observed a beleaguered army [[Picket (military)|picket]], with the troops indicating that they were running out of ammunition. Mukerjee and his gunner removed ammunition from the rear cockpit-mounted [[Lewis machine gun]] and stuffed it into pairs of socks. The ammunition was dropped to the troops in a low-pass, under concentrated fire. The picket held out until another aircraft air-dropped a large cache of ammunition.{{sfn|Singh| | On 7 August 1940, he observed a beleaguered army [[Picket (military)|picket]], with the troops indicating that they were running out of ammunition. Mukerjee and his gunner removed ammunition from the rear cockpit-mounted [[Lewis machine gun]] and stuffed it into pairs of socks. The ammunition was dropped to the troops in a low-pass, under concentrated fire. The picket held out until another aircraft air-dropped a large cache of ammunition.{{sfn|Singh|2002}} | ||
In June 1941, Mukerjee relinquished command of No. 1 Squadron, handing over to [[squadron leader]] [[Karun Krishna Majumdar]]. He was selected to attend the [[Staff College, Quetta]]. Due to the war, the staff course was reduced to a duration of six months.{{sfn|Sapru| | In June 1941, Mukerjee relinquished command of No. 1 Squadron, handing over to [[squadron leader]] [[Karun Krishna Majumdar]]. He was selected to attend the [[Staff College, Quetta]]. Due to the war, the staff course was reduced to a duration of six months.{{sfn|Sapru|2014}} By this time, the No. 1 Squadron had moved to [[Secunderabad]] and was re-equipped with the [[Westland Lysander]].{{sfn|Jagan Mohan|2011|p=13}} In March 1942, Mukerjee took command of the squadron for the second time.{{sfn|Jagan Mohan|2011|p=23}} | ||
In December 1942, Mukerjee was [[mentioned in dispatches]] for his distinguished service during the operations in the NWFP.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35825 |supp=y|page=5497|date=15 December 1942}}</ref> He commanded [[PAF Base Kohat|RAF Station Kohat]] from 28 August 1943 to December 1944, becoming at that time the first Indian officer to command an airbase. During this time, the British Indian Army officer and author, [[Major]] [[Francis Yeats-Brown]], DFC, praised the professionalism and the efficiency of the IAF, based on his experience at the Kohat airbase.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yeats-Brown |first1=Francis |title=Martial India |date=March 2007 |isbn=978-1406733976}}</ref> | In December 1942, Mukerjee was [[mentioned in dispatches]] for his distinguished service during the operations in the NWFP.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35825 |supp=y|page=5497|date=15 December 1942}}</ref> He commanded [[PAF Base Kohat|RAF Station Kohat]] from 28 August 1943 to December 1944, becoming at that time the first Indian officer to command an airbase. During this time, the British Indian Army officer and author, [[Major]] [[Francis Yeats-Brown]], DFC, praised the professionalism and the efficiency of the IAF, based on his experience at the Kohat airbase.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yeats-Brown |first1=Francis |title=Martial India |date=March 2007 |isbn=978-1406733976}}</ref> | ||
After handing over command to [[Aspy Engineer]], Mukerjee subsequently moved to Air Headquarters, having been appointed director of flying training. In June 1945, he was awarded the [[Order of the British Empire]] (OBE).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37119 |supp=y|page=2948|date=8 June 1945}}</ref> As the most senior Indian officer in the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), on 15 May 1947, Mukerjee was promoted to the acting rank of [[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]] and became the first Indian [[air officer]]. He was appointed the Deputy Assistant to the Air Officer-in-charge Administration at Air headquarters.<ref name="Actg_A/C">{{cite web|title=First Indian Air Commodore|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-05-09_227.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=9 May 1947|access-date=26 January | After handing over command to [[Aspy Engineer]], Mukerjee subsequently moved to Air Headquarters, having been appointed director of flying training. In June 1945, he was awarded the [[Order of the British Empire]] (OBE).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37119 |supp=y|page=2948|date=8 June 1945}}</ref> As the most senior Indian officer in the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), on 15 May 1947, Mukerjee was promoted to the acting rank of [[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]] and became the first Indian [[air officer]]. He was appointed the Deputy Assistant to the Air Officer-in-charge Administration at Air headquarters.<ref name="Actg_A/C">{{cite web|title=First Indian Air Commodore|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-05-09_227.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=9 May 1947|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> | ||
===Post-independence=== | ===Post-independence=== | ||
On 15 August 1947, with the [[partition of India]], a new Air Headquarters of the [[Dominion of India]] was formed. Mukerjee was appointed the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), in addition to being appointed Deputy Air Commander, RIAF.<ref>{{cite web|title=RIAF Appointments|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-08-14_355.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=14 August 1947|access-date=26 January | On 15 August 1947, with the [[partition of India]], a new Air Headquarters of the [[Dominion of India]] was formed. Mukerjee was appointed the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), in addition to being appointed Deputy Air Commander, RIAF.<ref>{{cite web|title=RIAF Appointments|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-08-14_355.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=14 August 1947|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> The assets of the Indian Air Force (like other branches of the military) had to be divided between the Dominions of India and Pakistan. Mukerjee led the air force part of this committee.{{sfn|Sapru|2014}} | ||
[[File:President Rajendra Prasad presenting the colours 1954.jpg|thumb|right|Air Marshal Mukerjee saluting as the [[President of India]], [[Rajendra Prasad]], presents the colours to the [[Indian Air Force]] in 1954]] | [[File:President Rajendra Prasad presenting the colours 1954.jpg|thumb|right|Air Marshal Mukerjee saluting as the [[President of India]], [[Rajendra Prasad]], presents the colours to the [[Indian Air Force]] in 1954]] | ||
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==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
In 1939, Mukerjee married [[Sharda Mukherjee]] (née Pandit), who was from a prominent [[Marathi people|Maharashtrian]] family. They had one son. Sharda was active in social work, and after her husband's death, she became active in public affairs. She was elected to Lok Sabha twice. In 1977, she was appointed as the [[List of governors of Andhra Pradesh|governor of Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Cecil |title=Gubernatorial grace |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/Gubernatorial-grace/article12548917.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=7 October | In 1939, Mukerjee married [[Sharda Mukherjee]] (née Pandit), who was from a prominent [[Marathi people|Maharashtrian]] family. They had one son. Sharda was active in social work, and after her husband's death, she became active in public affairs. She was elected to Lok Sabha twice. In 1977, she was appointed as the [[List of governors of Andhra Pradesh|governor of Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Cecil |title=Gubernatorial grace |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/Gubernatorial-grace/article12548917.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=7 October 2012}}</ref> She was subsequently appointed the [[List of governors of Gujarat|governor of Gujarat]]. She was the first woman governor of both states.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Governors |url=https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=241 |website=ap.gov.in}}</ref> | ||
==Death== | ==Death== | ||
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Mukerjee, an eminent [[Association football|football]] lover and a regular member of [[Mohun Bagan Athletic Club]], had conceived the idea of an inter-school all-India football tournament. This was implemented after his death. The [[Subroto Cup Football Tournament]] still helps find talented players from Indian schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=Durand Schools Tournament Opens Tomorrow – Army Chief to Inaugurate |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1960-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1960-11-14_182.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=14 November 1960}}</ref> In July 1949, the RIAF introduced the Mukerjee Trophy for the 'Airmen's Mess and Dining Competition', in order for units to further improve [[mess]]ing conditions and amenities of airmen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mukerjee Trophy for Best Airmen Mess and Dining Hall |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-07-05_227.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=6 July 1949}}</ref> | Mukerjee, an eminent [[Association football|football]] lover and a regular member of [[Mohun Bagan Athletic Club]], had conceived the idea of an inter-school all-India football tournament. This was implemented after his death. The [[Subroto Cup Football Tournament]] still helps find talented players from Indian schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=Durand Schools Tournament Opens Tomorrow – Army Chief to Inaugurate |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1960-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1960-11-14_182.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=14 November 1960}}</ref> In July 1949, the RIAF introduced the Mukerjee Trophy for the 'Airmen's Mess and Dining Competition', in order for units to further improve [[mess]]ing conditions and amenities of airmen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mukerjee Trophy for Best Airmen Mess and Dining Hall |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1949-JAN-DEC-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1949-07-05_227.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=6 July 1949}}</ref> | ||
Subroto Park in the [[Delhi Cantonment]] is named after Mukerjee. [[The Air Force School]], the headquarters of the [[Western Air Command]], and the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) are all located here.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Marshal Engineer's Press Briefing |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1973-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1973-01-17_034.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=17 January 1973}}</ref> The [[Centre for Air Power Studies (India)|Centre for Air Power Studies]] organises the Subroto Mukerjee International Seminar annually.<ref>{{cite web |title=13th Subroto Mukherjee Seminar |url=http://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Event_Rep_38.pdf |website=capsindia.org |access-date=20 April | Subroto Park in the [[Delhi Cantonment]] is named after Mukerjee. [[The Air Force School]], the headquarters of the [[Western Air Command]], and the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) are all located here.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Marshal Engineer's Press Briefing |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1973-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1973-01-17_034.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=17 January 1973}}</ref> The [[Centre for Air Power Studies (India)|Centre for Air Power Studies]] organises the Subroto Mukerjee International Seminar annually.<ref>{{cite web |title=13th Subroto Mukherjee Seminar |url=http://capsindia.org/files/documents/CAPS_Event_Rep_38.pdf |website=capsindia.org |access-date=20 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=15th Subroto Mukerjee Seminar |url=http://capsindia.org/files/documents/7ebe1bed-60fd-4f36-8614-ca600307aa45.pdf |website=capsindia.org |access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||