Thread by @IAF_MCC

The IAF’s No 1 Sqn was raised 90 years ago, on 01 Apr 33. No 2 Sqn followed eight years later, on 01 Apr 41. This thread attempts to unravel the events that led to the raising of the subsequent IAF sqns. #IAFHistory

With War clouds looming on the horizon, the Chatfield Committee recommended that non-regular IAF Coastal Defence Flights (CDFs) be raised for the coastal defence of India. These flights were to be raised at Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi & Cochin, sequentially numbered 1 to 5.

The plan entailed their being manned by an IAF Volunteer Reserve (IAFVR), akin to the Territorial Army - supported by some AF regular personnel. The CDFs were to operate under the Coastal Defence Wing at Bombay & fly Audax or Wapiti aircraft, drawn from Air Force stocks.

Indians selected for the CDFs were trained at an RAF Sqn in Risalpur, with the first course ending in Oct 40. The CDFs were commanded by British offrs, except No 3 at Calcutta which was commanded by Flt Lt Hem Chaudhury, brother of Gen JN Chaudhuri, later #COAS of Indian Army.

But Indians wanted their own regular Air Force, operated solely by their own. This growing demand led to a resolution being moved in the Legislative Assembly on 08 Feb 40. It asked for an increase in the No of regular sqns & training establishments for the same.

But equipping a sqn cost Rs 80 Lakh & a recurring expense of Rs 20-25 Lakh. A large Flying Training School, as was required, was also deemed a “very expensive proposition” & thus deferred. The 1940 ‘Plan A’ recommended a sqn strength of 21 Sqns & 5 CDFs, totalling 282 aircraft.

In Mar 41 the Japan threat increased this to 21 Sqns & 6 CDFs, now totalling 394 aircraft. The Govt also decreed that of the 21 Sqns required, the IAF would provide 10. But India only had 1 IAF Sqn, 2 from the RAF & 5 IAFVR CDFs.

A year later, the sixth CDF was raised at Vizagapatanam with 2 Wapitis-the standard CDF aircraft. The Bombay CDF however also operated the Gordon Rapides & Dominies, later also flying the DH 86 & Atlantas. The Calcutta & Madras CDFs were also equipped with the Atlantas.

While the CDFs flew many types- some within the same Flight- the centenarian, Sqn Ldr DS Majithia recalled the Atlantas with a wry smile. He distinctly remembered the smell of homing pigeons that they had to carry while flying long distance sorties over the Bay of Bengal!

Though flying old aircraft, CDFs also saw some action. In Dec 41, 3 CDF converted to Blenheim-Is, before moving to Burma in Jan 42, replacing 4 CDF which had been in theatre since Dec 41. Back home, a Wapiti of 6 CDF picked up a Japanese flotilla & even attempted to bomb it!

CDF aircraft types were progressively varied since their Wapitis were used to raise IAF sqns. For instance, in Mar 41, Nos 1 & 3 CDFs transferred their Wapitis to raise the IAF’s second sqn in Apr 41. IAFVR officers too began to follow suit, including a certain Plt Offr PC Lal.

With the IAF raising new Sqns, the days of the CDFs were numbered, being finally disbanded on 30 Nov 42. Before this death knell however, their dwindling numbers were reorganised for some time as Flights- Nos 101 (Madras), 102 (Juhu), 103 (att to 353 RAF Sqn) & 104 (Vizag).

Of the promised 10, No 3 Sqn was raised in Oct 41, 4 Sqn in Feb 42 & 6, 7 & 8 Sqn in Dec 42. Paucity of pilots delayed No 9 Sqn’s raising to Jan 44, 10 Sqn to Feb 44 & 12 Sqn to Dec 45. 5 & 11 Sqns were raised post-indep to avoid confusion with the locally-based 5 & 11 RAF Sqns.