Thread by @sharrmasumann

On 22nd July, 1947. A former Commander of the then Royal Air Force was having dinner with his wife at his residence. At about 10pm the phone rang.
Within minutes after lifting the phone, he could well understand that the call was from none other than the PM designate

Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru. Nehru, who incidentally was one of his close friends &well wishers too. After talking to him for few minutes he returned to the dining table visibly extremely disturbed.

Finding him in a state of absent mindedness, his wife asked him " What is the matter? Why you appear to be so tense ? Whose phone call was it ? "The officer replied: " I have to immediately rush to Indonesia with my personal plane.

I have to rescue a VIP secretly from the Dutch Army&fly back with him.When the directive is from Nehruji,I consider it of utmost importance&necessity. In that case,a Co-Pilot has to accompany me but how do I involve a person knowing about the risks associated with this secret Op?

Smilingly his wife replied:  Darling,  do you not consider me who has a license of flying 900 hours as a Pilot worthy of accompanying you? Don't worry, I shall accompany you in the operation.”
The Officer became dumbfounded at this proposal coming from his wife

He asked her how could they proceed leaving their nine month old baby? The wife replied : “Oh, don't worry. It is a matter of few hours only. The Nanny shall look after the baby till the time we return. She said it confidently as if they were out for a night party !

What happened thereafter has become history.They left their residence for Palam Airport where his personal Dakota plane awaited their arrival.ATC granted clearance for flying on special instruction from higher authority&the Wing Commander flew to Djakarta with his wife beside him

Indonesia, a county of islands,under the clutches of the Dutch since 1816. Japan captured the country during WW-2. When the Dutch surrendered, Sukarno of the Nationalist Party of Indonesia declared independence though in majority islands the Dutch kept their control.

However, under pressure from various parts, they agreed for total independence of Indonesia effective 25th March,1947 but delayed their tactics under various pretexts. Ultimately the Dutch forces gheraoed the Mardeka Palace on 21st July and imprisoned all ministers.

Sukorno and the Prime Minister Sultan Jahirir though went underground but could not leave the country as they were under strong vigil of the Dutch Army. Jaharir's release were of utmost
importance for the UN & the world and to ascertain the exact situation in Indonesia.

It was under such a prevalent situation Nehru’s help was sought for and hence this operation. On 24th July, the Dakota landed at the Palam Airport with a lone passenger Sultan Jahirir &thus ended the spine chilling mission.

After receiving independence from Holland, as a symbol of gratitude, love and affection, Indonesia conferred the highest civilian award of their country " Son of the Soil " to the Wing Commander which so far has not been awarded to anybody.

After Indian independence in 1947, the said Wing Commander cum Pilot was inducted in the cabinet of ministers to look after the Steel and Mines ministry and later on served as the Chief Minister of Odisha.

The Pilot was Shri Biju Patnaik and the co- pilot his Punjabi wife from Lahore Jnan Sethi who was incidentally the first commercial lady pilot of the country.
And the nine month baby:
Shri Naveen Patnaik , present Chief Minister of Odisha !