Mehar Singh (commodore)

Mehar Singh was born on 20 March 1915 at Lyallpur (now Faisalabad in Pakistan). He was selected for the Royal Air Force College Cranwell (RAFC), England in 1933 while he was in the final year of Bachelor of Science and joined in 1934. He performed exceedingly well at Cranwell, which impressed college authorities.

Air Vice Marshall H. M. Grave, commandant, RAFC wrote of Singh: {{cquote|Keen, cheerful, hardworking and popular. His work compares favourably with that of English cadets. A creditable effort! An exceptionally good pilot, keen on games and has represented the college at hockey of which he is an excellent player.{{Cite web |url=http://saisaonline.org/uncategorized/beyond-the-last-blue-mountain/# |title=Beyond The Last Blue Mountain |access-date=2014-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326023456/http://saisaonline.org/uncategorized/beyond-the-last-blue-mountain/# |archive-date=2015-03-26 |url-status=dead }}}}

Singh was commissioned as a pilot officer in August 1936 and posted to No. 1 Squadron, then the only squadron in RAF India. It was raised on 1 April 1933 at Karachi with four Westland Wapiti aircraft. The Indian element consisted of six officers and nine technicians then known as Hawai Sepoys. Singh was amongst the first six pioneering officers who joined the squadron. Flight Lieutenant C. A. Bouchier, DFC, an officer of the Royal Air Force (RAF) was the first commanding officer of the squadron.

{{Quote box|width=300px|bgcolor=#E0E6F8|align=right|quote="I was particularly impressed with the conduct of the Squadron led by a young Sikh Squadron Leader (Mehar Singh). They were a happy and efficient unit."|source={{cite book |last1=Slim |first1=Field-Marshal Viscount William |title=Defeat into victory : battling Japan in Burma and India, 1942-1945; with a new introduction by David W. Hogan Jr. |year=2000 |isbn=978-0815410225 |page=234 |publisher=Cooper Square Press |edition=1stition}}|title=General William Slim about Mehar Singh and his squadron |title_fnt = Arial |tstyle = font size="25";}}

Under the leadership of Singh, No. 6 Squadron IAF with its Hawker Hurricane aircraft, came to be known as 'The Eyes of the 14th Army', which was commanded by General William Slim.

On 14 May 1947, he was promoted to the acting rank of Group Captain and was appointed Group Captain in charge of Flying Training at Air headquarters. He was promoted to the rank along with Wing Commander Narendra.{{cite web |title=TWO NEW GROUP CAPTAINS FOR RIAF |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-05-15_235.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |access-date=19 December 2022}}

After the accession of Jammu and Kashmir on 26 October 1947, the first Indian Army units were airlifted to Srinagar, starting with the 1st battalion Sikh Regiment (1 Sikh) led by Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai. An entire infantry brigade was to be airlifted. Mehar Singh was the first pilot to land at Srinagar and as the AOC No. 1 Operational Group, he inducted the troops in just five days. Lord Mountbatten lauded this feat, saying that he didn't know of an instance of an airlift being effected in such a short time.{{cite web |last1=Service |first1=Tribune News |title=A giant leap that saved Srinagar in 1947 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/a-giant-leap-that-saved-srinagar-in-1947-10123 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213234648/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/a-giant-leap-that-saved-srinagar-in-1947-10123 |url-status=live }}

Singh then established an air bridge to Poonch. He personally piloted the first aircraft and landed at Poonch Airport. The airstrip was surrounded by streams on three sides and has a steep approach. Against heavy odds, he landed a Douglas with three tons of load against normal rated load of one ton. Moreover, he did so without any landing aids, the airstrip being lit with the help of oil lamps.{{cite web |title=1948 OPS {{!}} Indian Air Force {{!}} Government of India |url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/1948-ops |website=indianairforce.nic.in |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513063756/https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/1948-ops |url-status=live }}

Singh was also the first pilot to land in Leh in Ladakh.{{cite web |title=PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU(DEFENCE WING) |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JAN-JUNE-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-06-07_270.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319061023/http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JAN-JUNE-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-06-07_270.pdf |url-status=live }} Along with Major General K S Thimayya as passenger, led a flight of Six Dakotas of No. 12 Squadron IAF across the Himalayas, towering up to 24000 feet negotiating the Zoji La and Fotu La passes and landed at an improvised sandy airstrip next to the Indus River at a height of 11540 feet. Singh did this without de-icing equipment, cabin pressurisation or route maps.{{cite web |title=1948 OPS {{!}} Indian Air Force {{!}} Government of India |url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/1948-ops |website=indianairforce.nic.in |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513063756/https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/1948-ops |url-status=live }}

In March 1944, then Acting Squadron Leader Mehar Singh was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the only officer of the Indian Air Force to have won this award.

The citation of the DSO reads as follows:{{cite web |title=the London Gazette |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36443/supplement/1443 |website=thegazette.co.uk |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=8 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208024314/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36443/supplement/1443 |url-status=live }}

{{Blockquote|{{center|CITATION

ACTING SQUADRON LEADER MEHAR SINGH

(Ind. 1559), Indian Air Force, No. 6 (I.A.F.) Squadron}}

This officer has completed a very large number of operations, and has displayed great skill, courage and determination. He is a most inspiring leader, whose example has been reflected in the fine fighting spirit of the squadron. This officer has rendered most valuable service.|sign=|source=}}

On 26 January 1950, when the Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces were established, Air Commodore Mehar Singh was awarded the second-highest war-time military decoration, the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC).

The citation of the MVC reads as follows:{{cite web |title=MAHA VIR CHAKRA FOR AIR COMMODORE MEHAR SINGH |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1950-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1950-02-01_051.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319061151/http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1950-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1950-02-01_051.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=AIR CMDE MEHAR SINGH {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/air-cmde-mehar-singh |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711102441/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/air-cmde-mehar-singh |url-status=live }}

{{Blockquote|{{center|CITATION

AIR COMMODORE MEHAR SINGH, DSO

(1559), GD(P)}}

Throughout his tenure as AOC No. 1 Group controlling operations in Jammu & Kashmir, Air Commodore Mehar Singh displayed great devotion to duty at personal risks and set an example to those serving under him. He was the first pilot to land an aircraft at the emergency landing ground at Poonch and at Leh. These tasks were not part of his duty but since these were hazardous tasks he was first to carry them out to give confidence to his junior pilots.|sign=|source=}}

Singh resigned from the IAF on 27 September 1948, over differences with some senior officers on service matters, instead of getting involved in controversy.{{cite web |title=PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING) |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-09-25_233.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319061310/http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-09-25_233.pdf |url-status=live }}

After his retirement, Singh served as the personal adviser to the Maharaja of Patiala Yadavindra Singh, the Rajpramukh of Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).{{cite web |title=Remembering the air fighter who knew no fear. |url=https://ehmerapunjab.tumblr.com/post/53353813348/remembering-the-air-fighter-who-knew-no-fear |website=Eh Mera Punjab |language=en |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319061308/https://ehmerapunjab.tumblr.com/post/53353813348/remembering-the-air-fighter-who-knew-no-fear |url-status=live }}

On the night of 16 March 1952, Singh was flying from Jammu to New Delhi and was caught in a storm, killing him.{{Cite web |url=http://ehmerapunjab.tumblr.com/post/53353813348/remembering-the-air-fighter-who-knew-no-fear |title=Remembering the air fighter who knew no fear |access-date=22 October 2014 |archive-date=2 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102105029/http://ehmerapunjab.tumblr.com/post/53353813348/remembering-the-air-fighter-who-knew-no-fear |url-status=live }}

Singh was considered to be a legendary pilot and a flying prodigy.{{cite web |title=Air CMDE Mehar Singh {{!}} Indian Air Force {{!}} Government of India |url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/air-cmde-mehar-singh |website=indianairforce.nic.in |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827130037/http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/air-cmde-mehar-singh |url-status=live }} He was the first pilot to land in Srinagar, Poonch, Leh and Daulat Beg Oldi. In a relatively short career of 12 years, he rose to the rank of air commodore and was decorated with two war-time gallantry awards.

In 2018, the Indian Air Force constituted the Meher Baba Prize in the honour of Air Commodore Mehar Singh for drones development.{{cite web |title=IAF announces 'Mehar Baba Prize' for drones development |url=http://www.uniindia.com/iaf-announces-mehar-baba-prize-for-drones-development/india/news/1380330.html |website=uniindia.com |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=17 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917065911/http://www.uniindia.com/iaf-announces-mehar-baba-prize-for-drones-development/india/news/1380330.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Legends/312-Mehar-Singh.html |title=Air Commodore Mehar Singh |access-date=22 October 2014 |archive-date=10 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010184134/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Legends/312-Mehar-Singh.html |url-status=live }}

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{{s-bef| before = Aspy Engineer}}

{{s-ttl| title = Commanding Officer, RAF Station Kohat| years = 1946–1947}}

{{s-aft| after = Arjan Singh}}

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{{s-new| reason = First Holder}}

{{s-ttl| title = Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Operational Group| years = 1947–1948}}

{{s-aft| after = Aspy Engineer}}

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Category:1915 births

Category:1952 deaths

Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in India

Category:Indian Air Force air commodores

Category:People from Faisalabad

Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1952

Category:Indian Companions of the Distinguished Service Order

Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra

Category:People from Punjab Province (British India)