In 1940, 24 Indian pilots, also known as the X-squad, were sent to the UK for operational training and squadron service with the
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR).[1][2]
Eight were killed during training or in action. Some of those who survived became Air Marshalls in the
Indian Air Force (IAF) after independence.
Recruitment
In 1940, the
Air Ministry requested the
British Government in India to send Indian pilots for further training in England.[3][a] On 8 August 1940, 24 mostly newly qualified Indian pilots were recruited from Lahore and Ambala to join the RAFVR.[2][3] They left Lahore for Bombay (now Mumbai) on 3 September 1940,[5] and departed India as one group at the end of September 1940.[1][2][b]
UK
The group arrived in England on the
P&O liner SS Strathallan on 6 October 1940 and headed for
RAF Uxbridge on 8 October.[6][c] Their arrival was given widespread media coverage.[1] When they reached a London train station, they were greeted by
Sir Louis Leisler Greig and the photographer
William G. Vanderson.[7][8] Each were also individually welcomed by the Air Minister,
Sir Archibald Sinclair, who handed each a note concluding "We shall be proud to have you fighting by our side".[9] They were conducted by
J. M. R. Jayakar.[10]
After a month the group had tea with the
King before being divided in two.[10][11][d] Most were posted to No. 12 Elementary Flying Training School
RAF at Prestwick to train on
Tiger Moths.[1][2] Advanced training was completed at No. 9 Service Flying Training School at
RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire, and they received their
wings on 16 April 1941.[1] Of the 24, six were posted to non-flying duties.[2] Eight had qualified for fighter training at No. 56 OTU at
RAF Sutton Bridge.[1] They included Dutt, Pujji, Mehta, Gnanamuthu and Nazirullah.[1] They mostly served in RAF squadrons after the
Battle of Britain for around three months in 1941.[1][12][13] Others were selected for
Bomber/
Coastal Command.[2]
At first they received 425 rupees per month and an annual oversees allowance of £25, which was raised to £100.[14]
Deaths and legacy
Eight were killed during training or in action.[15] Dewan, Pinto, Shivdev Singh and Dutt later became Air Marshalls in the Indian Air Force after independence.[1]
Born to Nariman Pestonji Dastur and Hoiabai Nariman Dastur, of Bandra, Bombay, India. Killed in action at age 22 years on 31 August 1941. He is buried at
Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery.
Arrived in England at age 20 years. He made 22 operational flights over Germany occupied territory. Later became Air Marshal and then Vice of Air Staff in post-independent India. Credited his fame to looking like Man Mohan Singh.
^A twenty fifth pilot,
Dattatreya Anant Samant, not part of the group but travelled on the same liner to the UK and may have passed security as he appeared like the others.[1] He gained a place at the RAFVR and later served No.263. Squadron RAF.[1]
^The IAF Act was passed on 8 October 1932 and in the late 1970s the date became
Air Force Day in India.[1]
^K.S. Nair cites the location as Windsor Castle, while newspapers of the time say it was at Buckingham Palace.[1][10]
^Singh, Jasjit (2013).
"2. War from the east". Defence from the Skies: 80 Years of the Indian Air Force: 80 Years of the Indian Air Force. New Delhi: KW Publishers Pvt Ltd. p. 39.
ISBN978-93-81904-53-4.
^
abMohan, PVS Jagan (2010).
"No.4 Squadron (Feb 1942-June 1943)". The Westland Lysander in Indian Air Force Service. Hydrabad: Jagan Pillarisetti. pp. 21–32.