Karun Krishna Majumdar
Wing commander | |
---|---|
Unit | No. 1 Squadron IAF |
Commands held | No. 1 Squadron IAF |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Flying Cross |
Wing Commander Karun Krishna 'Jumbo' Majumdar, DFC & bar (6 September 1913 – 17 February 1945) was an officer in the Indian Air Force. He was the first Indian to reach the rank of wing commander.
Early life
Majumdar was born in Kolkata on 6 September 1913.[1] His maternal grandfather was Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, the first president of the Indian National Congress.[1]
Because he was over six feet tall and well-built, he acquired the nickname 'Jumbo' (probably derived from Majumdar). He attended St. Paul's School, Darjeeling. In 1932, Majumdar travelled to England and enrolled in Royal Air Force College Cranwell. This was the third batch of Indian pilots at Cranwell and he was one of three Indian pilots in the batch, which included Air Commodore Narendra.[1] In 1934, he returned to India as a trained pilot.[2]: 63
He and his elder brother, Jai Krishna Majumdar, had taken entrance exams together, with Jai opting for Sandhurst, while Karun opted for Cranwell. His brother was commissioned into the 16th Light Cavalry in 1933 and was a pilot as well. He would later be killed in a training flight crash in October 1942.[2]: 65 His cousins Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri and Hem Chaudhuri also joined the Indian Armed Forces; the former joined the Indian Army and rose to become the 6th Chief of the Army Staff, while the latter followed Majumdar into the Air Force.
Career
Majumdar joined
World War II
In 1942, the
Majumdar immediately planned retaliatory action, even though the Westland Lysander was an army co-operation aircraft not meant to serve either as a fighter or as a bomber. Slinging two 250-pound bombs on the stub wings of a Lysander, he set off solo on 2 February 1942 towards the Japanese airbase at Mae Hong Son. The New Zealanders of No. 67 Squadron of
After returning from Burma, Majumdar spent the next two years in staff and flying assignments. He was promoted to wing commander, the first Indian to reach this rank.[2]
In 1943, Majumdar volunteered for a role in the
In his first operational flight on 10 June 1944, he made a reconnaissance of the Seine River and carried out ground-strafing of enemy targets. His operational tour ended on 20 September. During this period of 100 days, Majumdar flew 65 sorties in Mustangs and
Because of his superb piloting skills and indomitable spirit, Life magazine featured him in its issue of 15 May 1944 among twelve of the world's most outstanding airmen.[2]: 61 His portrait was painted by the artist William Dring, Royal Academy.[2]
Death
On the afternoon of 17 February 1945, Majumdar took part in a flying display at Walton, near Lahore in a Hawker Hurricane.[2][3] The aircraft he chose had a history of snags and malfunctions, and he was warned by Flying Officer Harjinder Singh. During a dive in the aerobatic routine, the aircraft developed a problem and crashed headlong into the ground. Majumdar died instantly. He was 31.[3]
The following epitaph appears on the marble headstone of his grave at Lahore:
"Go, passers-by And do if you can as he did A Man's part In defence of liberty."[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Roy, Amit (23 November 2014). "Bengal's top gun makes London bow". The Telegraph. Kolkata. Archived from the original on 12 December 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-93-83649-25-9.
- ^ a b c Pilarisetti, Jagan (15 June 2009). "Wing Commander Karun Krishna Majumdar". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ a b Bhatia, Shyam (December 2014). "An Asian hero". Asian Affairs. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2015.