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Air Marshal Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen (2 August 1928 – 23 May 2013), PVSM, VrC, was an Indian Air Force officer who served as the Commanding Officer of the Guwahati Air Force base in Assam during the 1971 Indo Pak War. He later served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command. ^[1] He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal on 26th January, 1968. He was later bestowed with the Vir Chakra and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) on 26 January, 1972 for his exceptional skill and devotion to duty during the Indo Pak War of 1971.

Early life and education

He was born on 2nd August, 1928. He was educated at Bishop Cotton Boys' School, Bangalore. ^[2] He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1947 and was awarded the Sword of Honour, the Flying Trophy, and the President's plaque in September, 1949 while commissioning.

The Indo Pak War, 1971

Then Group Captain Wollen, was the Commanding Officer of a major Air Force base in Assam. On the outbreak of hostilities with Pakistan in Dec. 1971, he was placed in operational control of two MiG-21 Squadrons at a forward airfield. The task of these Squadrons was to neutralise the Pakistani Air Force in Bangladesh and to give close support to the Indian Army in that area. The sum of all these tasks was very large in relation to the forces under his control. The special tasks given to him included such missions as the destruction of certain selected buildings occupied by the West Pakistani forces and their Governor in Dacca city, the elimination of radio transmitting stations and the day and night bombing of certain air-fields in enemy hands. Group Captain Wollen planned, organised and conducted these operations personally, and himself gave the briefings on the tactics which the aircraft were to adopt. The success of these operations contributed directly to the neutralisation of Pakistani air strength in Bangladesh and the eventual surrender of the Pakistani forces in that Sector. ^[3]

He was bestowed with the Vir chakra and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) on 26 January, 1972 for his exceptional skill and devotion to duty.

Post-retirement

Air Marshall Wollen retired on 4th September, 1984 and went on to serve as the Chairman of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited between 1984 and 1988. During his tenure as the Chairman of HAL, the design and development of the Advanced Light Helicopter and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was undertaken. ^[4] He was also the former president of the Aeronautical Society of India. He died on 23rd May 2013, aged 84 in Bengaluru, Karnataka

References

• bharat-rakshak.com - Air Marshal Malcolm Shirley Dundas Wollen