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Minoo Merwan Engineer: Difference between revisions
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox military person | {{Infobox military person | ||
| honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] | | honorific_prefix = [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] | ||
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| other_name = | | other_name = | ||
| nickname = | | nickname = | ||
| birth_date = | | birth_date = 15 December 1912 | ||
| birth_place = | | birth_place = | ||
| death_date = 1997 | | death_date = 1997 | ||
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| placeofburial = | | placeofburial = | ||
| placeofburial_coordinates = | | placeofburial_coordinates = | ||
| allegiance = {{flag|British India}} ( | | allegiance = {{flag|British India}} (1940–1947)<br/>{{flag|India}} (1947–1973) | ||
| branch = {{air force| | | branch = {{air force|British India}}<br/>{{air force|India}} | ||
| serviceyears = | | serviceyears = 1940–1973 | ||
| serviceyears_label = | | serviceyears_label = | ||
| rank = [[File:Air Marshal of IAF.png|15px]] [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] | | rank = [[File:Air Marshal of IAF.png|15px]] [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] | ||
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}} | }} | ||
[[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] '''Minoo Merwan Engineer''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] ( | [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] '''Minoo Merwan Engineer''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] (15 December 1912 – 1997) was a former [[Air Officer]] in the [[Indian Air Force]]. He is one of the most decorated officers in the Indian Air Force, with the second-highest civil decoration - the [[Padma Bhushan]], two gallantry awards - the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] and the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]], and the highest peace-time distinguished service award - the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]. | ||
His elder brother, [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Aspy Engineer]] served as the 4th [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]]. | His elder brother, [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Aspy Engineer]] served as the 4th [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]]. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Engineer was born Aspy Merwan Irani on 15 December 1912 in [[Lahore#British|Lahore]], [[British India]]<ref name=spsAviation/> to Meherwan Irani and Maneckbai. Meherwan was a Divisional Engineer for the [[North Western Railway (British India)|North Western Railway]],.<ref name=BharatBrothers/> His interest in mechanics led his friends to rename him Engineer.<ref name=spsAviation>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=578|title=Aspy Engineer (1912 - 2002) - SP's Aviation|website=www.sps-aviation.com|access-date=16 February | Engineer was born Aspy Merwan Irani on 15 December 1912 in [[Lahore#British|Lahore]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British India]]<ref name=spsAviation/> to Meherwan Irani and Maneckbai. Meherwan was a Divisional Engineer for the [[North Western Railway (British India)|North Western Railway]],.<ref name=BharatBrothers/> His interest in mechanics led his friends to rename him Engineer.<ref name=spsAviation>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=578|title=Aspy Engineer (1912 - 2002) - SP's Aviation|website=www.sps-aviation.com|access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Air-Chiefs/Chiefs-Air-5.html|title=Air Marshal Aspy Merwan Engineer DFC [Air Chiefs Since 1947]|last=Pillaristetti|first=Jagan|date=6 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206050217/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Air-Chiefs/Chiefs-Air-5.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-02-06|access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=Sorabji2012>{{Cite journal|last=Sorabji|first=Rusi|date=2012|title=The First historical landmark in the annals of Aviation, both Civil or Military in the Sub-Continent, the Aga Khan Race 1930|url=https://zoroastriansnet.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/aspy-engineer.pdf|journal=Hamazor|issue=2|pages=47–53}}</ref><ref name=Sapru>{{cite book |title=Combat lore : Indian Air Force 1930-1945 |isbn=978-9383649259|last1=Sapru|first1=S.|year=2022}}</ref> He was the sixth amongst eight siblings - two girls and six boys. His brothers, [[Aspy Engineer|Aspy]], Jungoo and [[Rointon Engineer|Ronnie]], also joined the Indian Air Force, while another brother, Homi, joined the Indian Army. Aspy, Minoo and Ronnie were recipients of the DFC, a unique feat where three brothers were decorated with gallantry awards.<ref name=Sorabji2012/><ref name=BharatBrothers>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Tributes/1074-Engineers.html|title=Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers|last=Singh|first=Farida|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-02-19}}</ref> | ||
==Military career== | ==Military career== | ||
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In March 1948, Engineer took command of [[Srinagar Air Force Station|Air Force Station Srinagar]]. As Station Commander at Srinagar, he was responsible for all air force operations in Jammu and Kashmir. For this operation, he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], the second-highest war-time gallantry award.<ref name="PIB Bio"/> | In March 1948, Engineer took command of [[Srinagar Air Force Station|Air Force Station Srinagar]]. As Station Commander at Srinagar, he was responsible for all air force operations in Jammu and Kashmir. For this operation, he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], the second-highest war-time gallantry award.<ref name="PIB Bio"/> | ||
The citation for the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] reads as follows:<ref name=Gallantry>{{Cite web|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/wg-cdr-minoo-merwan-engineer|title=WG CDR MINOO MERWAN ENGINEER {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=18 February | The citation for the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] reads as follows:<ref name=Gallantry>{{Cite web|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/wg-cdr-minoo-merwan-engineer|title=WG CDR MINOO MERWAN ENGINEER {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref> | ||
{{Quotation|Gazette Notification: 2Pres/50, 26-1-50 | {{Quotation|Gazette Notification: 2Pres/50, 26-1-50 | ||
Operation: 1948 | Operation: 1948 | ||
Effective Date of Award: 06 November 1948 | Effective Date of Award: 06 November 1948 | ||
{{center|'''CITATION'''<br> | |||
'''WING COMMANDER MINOO MERWAN ENGINEER, DFC'''<br> | '''WING COMMANDER MINOO MERWAN ENGINEER, DFC'''<br> | ||
''' (1614) GD(P)''' | ''' (1614) GD(P)'''}} | ||
Wing Commander Engineer was in charge of the Kashmir operations for nearly a year. Under his able guidance and leadership the enemy has been hit hard and effectively on a number occasions. e.g. KISHEN GANGA BRIDGE, SKARDU AND GILGIT besides the normal close support sorties. The most effective support by the IAF to our land forces in the capture of GURAIS was largely attributable to the planning and drive shown by this officer in personally directing the air operations. Throughout he has set a fine example of leadership.|sign=|source=}} | Wing Commander Engineer was in charge of the Kashmir operations for nearly a year. Under his able guidance and leadership the enemy has been hit hard and effectively on a number occasions. e.g. KISHEN GANGA BRIDGE, SKARDU AND GILGIT besides the normal close support sorties. The most effective support by the IAF to our land forces in the capture of GURAIS was largely attributable to the planning and drive shown by this officer in personally directing the air operations. Throughout he has set a fine example of leadership.|sign=|source=}} | ||
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During the [[Sino-Indian War]] in 1962, he was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding]] (AOC) of the No. 1 Operational Group based at [[Tezpur]]. For his services in the Eastern sector, he was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FORTY ONE AWARDS FOR AIR FORCE PERSONNEL |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1964-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1964-01-24_064.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=24 January 1964}}</ref> | During the [[Sino-Indian War]] in 1962, he was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding]] (AOC) of the No. 1 Operational Group based at [[Tezpur]]. For his services in the Eastern sector, he was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FORTY ONE AWARDS FOR AIR FORCE PERSONNEL |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1964-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1964-01-24_064.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=24 January 1964}}</ref> | ||
On 5 August 1963, Engineer was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] and appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]]. After a little over an year, he moved to Air HQ in October 1964 as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS).<ref name="PIB Bio"/> On 1 March 1968, the appointment of DCAS was upgraded to the rank of [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] and Engineer was promoted to the rank.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPGRADATIONS IN DEFENCE SERVICES APPOINTMENTS |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1968-JAN-APR-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1968-03-01_081.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=1 March 1968}}</ref> | On 5 August 1963, Engineer was promoted to the rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] and appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]]. After a little over an year, he moved to Air HQ in October 1964 as [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] (DCAS).<ref name="PIB Bio"/> On 1 March 1968, the appointment of DCAS was upgraded to the rank of [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] and Engineer was promoted to the rank.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPGRADATIONS IN DEFENCE SERVICES APPOINTMENTS |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1968-JAN-APR-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1968-03-01_081.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=1 March 1968}}</ref> | ||
====Indo-Pakistani War of 1971==== | ====Indo-Pakistani War of 1971==== | ||
At the time of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], he was [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] of [[Western Air Command]]. For his part in the war, Engineer was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]] for his leadership and services.<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/1971/Dec03/Art03.htm News Article in Depth] {{webarchive |url=https:// | At the time of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], he was [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] of [[Western Air Command]]. For his part in the war, Engineer was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]] for his leadership and services.<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/1971/Dec03/Art03.htm News Article in Depth] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523043221/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/1971/Dec03/Art03.htm |date=23 May 2012 }}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command]] |years=1969–1973}} | {{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command]] |years=1969–1973}} | ||
{{s-aft|after=[[Hrushikesh Moolgavkar]]}} | {{s-aft|after=[[Hrushikesh Moolgavkar]]}} | ||
{{s-bef|before=[[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]}} | {{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]}} | ||
{{s-ttl| title = [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]]| years = 1964–1969}} | |||
{{s-aft| after = [[Om Prakash Mehra]]}} | |||
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] |years=1963–1964}} | {{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] |years=1963–1964}} | ||
{{s-aft|after=Y V Malse}} | {{s-aft|after=Y V Malse}} | ||
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[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]] | [[Category:Indian Air Force officers]] | ||
[[Category:Indian military personnel of World War II]] | [[Category:Indian military personnel of World War II]] | ||
[[Category:Indian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]] | |||