Pratap Chandra Lal
7th Chief of the Air Staff | |
---|---|
In office 16 July 1969 – 15 January 1973 | |
President | V. V. Giri |
Prime Minister | Indira Gandhi |
Preceded by | Arjan Singh |
Succeeded by | Om Prakash Mehra |
3rd Vice Chief of the Air Staff | |
In office 1 October 1964 – 1 September 1966 | |
Preceded by | Arjan Singh |
Succeeded by | Ramaswamy Rajaram |
2nd Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command | |
In office 24 November 1963 – 30 September 1964 | |
Preceded by | Erlic Pinto |
Succeeded by | Ramaswamy Rajaram |
3rd Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command | |
In office 11 January 1956 – 19 November 1957 | |
Preceded by | S N Goyal |
Succeeded by | Kanwar Jaswant Singh |
Personal details | |
Born | British India | 6 December 1916
Died | 13 August 1982 London, England | (aged 65)
Awards | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Indo-Pakistani War (1971) |
Slated to study law in
After commanding
Lal took over as the seventh Chief of the Air Staff in 1969. Under his command, the IAF scored a decisive victory against
Early life and education
Lal was born on 6 December 1916 in Ludhiana. He attended the Modern School and the Bishop Cotton School, Shimla.[1][2] Having qualified for a diploma in journalism at King's College, London in 1938, Lal expected to return to full-time study of law at the Inns of Court in the fall of 1939.[3] With the outbreak of World War II, his plans were shelved.
Since he held a civilian pilot license, Lal was invited to join the Air Force Volunteer reserve. After appearing before the Selection Board at
Since there was a shortage of navigators, Lal was recruited as a navigator to begin with and would be trained as a pilot later.Military career
World War II
Lal was commissioned in November 1939 as a
In 1943, Flight Lieutenant Lal joined, as a combat pilot, No. 7 Squadron, commanded by Squadron Leader Hem Chaudhuri. The squadron was equipped with Vultee A-31 Vengeance dive bombers and supported the Chindits. The squadron also helped in relieving the Siege of Imphal.
In June 1944, Lal was promoted to the acting rank of squadron leader and took command of No. 7 Squadron. Under him, the squadron converted to fighters. From early 1944 to March 1945, the squadron was very active in the
The citation for his DFC reads as follows:[7]
CITATION
Acting Squadron Leader Pratap Chandra Lal
(IND.1567), 7 (RIAF) SquadronSqn Ldr Lal has completed a considerable number of operational sorties, He is the Commanding Officer of a squadron which has been employed on photographic reconnaissance in support of the Fourteenth Army in the Irrawaddy Valley. He has shown exceptional qualities and keenness and has completed many hazardous sorties in the wake of strong enemy opposition. He has frequently penetrated deep into enemy territory in search of important information. By his coolness and determination, Sqn Ldr Lal has set a fine example to all his pilots.
After the war, Lal was absorbed into the permanent cadre of the IAF. He moved to the Manning department at Air Headquarters. In August 1946, he took over the inter-service recruiting centre at
Post-Independence
On 15 August 1947, with the Partition of India, a new Air Headquarters of the Dominion of India was formed.[9] Lal was appointed the Director of Planning and Training at Air HQ. In November 1947, he was promoted to the acting rank of group captain. Realising that the planning and training were vast responsibilities, it was divided into two departments. In late 1948, Group Captain Arjan Singh took over as Director of Training, while Lal continued as Director of Planning.[10]
Along with Group Captain Minoo Merwan Engineer, Lal embarked for United Kingdom, having been selected to attend the RAF Staff College, Andover in May 1949.[11][12] After completing the year-long course, he returned to India and was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of No. 1 Operational Command (later Western Air Command),[13] serving in that capacity for three years.
In November 1950, there were tensions in the
Indian Airlines Corporation
In November 1957, Lal's services were loaned to the
In November 1960,
The falling out with Menon led to Lal being informed that his services were no longer required by the IAF at the end of his term with IAC in September 1962.[19][3] His services were not required by the Ministry of Civil Aviation either. The prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, offered him a job in a public sector steel mill but Lal refused. On 30 September 1962, he was paid out provident fund, pension and gratuity and left the service.[19]
Return to IAF
In October 1962, the
During the
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
In September 1966, Lal was deputed to the
Chief of Air Staff
On 16 July 1969, Lal was promoted to the rank of air chief marshal, the second Indian officer to hold the rank, and assumed the office of Chief of the Air Staff.[25]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was sparked by the Bangladesh Liberation War, a conflict between the traditionally dominant West Pakistanis and the majority East Pakistanis. In 1970, East Pakistanis demanded autonomy for the state, but the Pakistani government failed to satisfy these demands and, in early 1971, a demand for secession took root in East Pakistan. In March, the Pakistan Armed Forces launched a fierce campaign to curb the secessionists, the latter including soldiers and police from East Pakistan. Thousands of East Pakistanis died, and nearly ten million refugees fled to West Bengal, a neighbouring Indian state. In April, India decided to assist in the formation of the new nation of Bangladesh.[26]
The war started on 3 December 1971 with
Lal ensured that the
The war lasted less than a fortnight and saw more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers taken prisoner. It ended with the unconditional surrender of Pakistan's eastern half and resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation.[32] The IAF flew over 7300 sorties in 14 days, an average of about 500 sorties per day. About 86 PAF aircraft were downed, at the cost of 42 IAF aircraft.[33]
For his services to the nation, Lal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in January 1972.[34] Lal retired from service on 16 January 1973 after serving for over 33 years. He handed over charge to Air Chief Marshal Om Prakash Mehra.[35]
Post-retirement
In April 1973, Lal was appointed full-time chairman and managing director (CMD) of the Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC). With the IAC increasing in magnitude and complexity, a need for appointing a full-time CMD was felt.[36] Lal was also a part of the 21-member apex body constituted by the Ministry of Labour to delve into the problems of industrial relations for industries in the private sector.[37] In August 1976, he was removed from the chairmanship after a falling out with Sanjay Gandhi.[38] With the new government being formed in March 1977, Lal was appointed part-time Chairman of Indian Airlines in July.[39] Lal also served as the chairman of the Indian Tube Company, a part of the Tata Group.[38][40]
In February 1978, J. R. D. Tata, the founder and long-time chairman of Air India was unceremoniously dropped from the board by Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Lal, who was the chairman of Indian Airlines was appointed chairman of Air India as well. Two senior executives, Managing Director K G Appusamy and Deputy Managing Director Nari Dastur, resigned in protest.[38][41][42]
Death and legacy
Lal died of a heart attack while visiting London on 13 August 1982. His body was brought back on an Air India flight. He was cremated with full military honours. Among the pall bearers were the former chief ACM, Arjan Singh, and the serving chief, ACM Dilbagh Singh. Wreaths were laid by the Minister of Defence R Venkataraman and the chiefs of the three service – COAS General K. V. Krishna Rao, CNS Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson and CAS ACM Dilbagh Singh[43]
Lal was working on his memoirs and the history of the IAF when he died. His wife, Ela Lal edited and completed the book and My years with the IAF was published in 1986.[3]
The Indian Air Force won its most decisive victory under the leadership of Lal.[44] He was regarded as an exemplary aviator and administrator.[45] Unlike earlier Chiefs, he was not a fighter jock, but an instructor and manager.[44] The Air Force organises an annual 'Air Chief Marshal P C Lal Memorial lecture'.[46]
Awards and decorations
Padma Vibhushan | Padma Bhushan | ||
Samar Seva Star
|
Poorvi Star | Paschimi Star | |
Raksha Medal | Sangram Medal | Sainya Seva Medal
|
Indian Independence Medal |
25th Independence Anniversary Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal | 9 Years Long Service Medal
|
Distinguished Flying Cross |
1939–45 Star
|
Burma Star | War Medal 1939-1945 oak leaf)
(with MID |
India Service Medal |
- Source:[47]
Dates of rank
Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
---|---|---|---|
Pilot Officer |
Royal Indian Air Force | 14 November 1939[48] | |
Flying Officer |
Royal Indian Air Force | 14 May 1941[13] | |
Flight Lieutenant |
Royal Indian Air Force | 15 May 1942 (acting)[13] 21 September 1944 (substantive)[13] | |
Squadron Leader |
Royal Indian Air Force | 1 October 1944 (acting)[13] 1 November 1946 (substantive)[13] | |
Wing Commander |
Indian Air Force | 15 August 1948[13] | |
Group Captain |
Indian Air Force | 4 November 1947 (acting)[13] | |
Group Captain | Indian Air Force | 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)[49] 15 September 1952 (substantive) | |
Air Commodore | Indian Air Force | 28 January 1953 (acting)[3] 1 October 1958 (substantive)[13] | |
Air Vice Marshal | Indian Air Force | 14 November 1959 (acting)[13] 1 October 1961 (substantive)[13] | |
Air Marshal |
Indian Air Force | 15 January 1966[50] | |
Air Chief Marshal (CAS) |
Indian Air Force | 16 July 1969[25] |
See also
References
- ^ "Famous Alumni". Modern School. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Ghuman, Jagmeet Y. (7 October 2009). "Bishop Cotton School Celebrates Sesquicentennial Amidst Much Fanfare". Hill Post. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Pratap Chandra Lal Padam Vibhushan, Padam Bhushan, DFC CAS | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ISBN 8170620082.
- ^ "No. 36866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1944. p. 104.
- ^ "No. 37313". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1945. p. 5123.
- ISBN 8170620082.
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 52.
- ^ "RIAF Appointments" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India – Archive. 14 August 1947. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 69.
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 71.
- ^ a b "IAF Officer for Cabinet Secretariat" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. 21 January 1953.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Service Record for Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal 1567 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak.
- ISBN 978-1136197154.
- ^ Lal 1986, pp. 77–79.
- ^ a b c "Air Marshal Lal New HAL Chief" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 1 September 1966. [dead link]
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 81.
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 85.
- ^ a b Lal 1986, p. 82.
- ^ "India's Krishna Menon Resigns From Cabinet After Border attack". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 November 1962. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 117.
- ^ "Press Note" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 9 November 1965.
- ^ "Higher Rank for Air Chief" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 20 January 1966.
- ^ Lal 1986, pp. 145–147.
- ^ a b "NEW AIR CHIEF TAKES OVER TOMORROW" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 July 1969.
- ^ "Indo-Pakistani War of 1971". Global Security. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ Lal 1986, pp. 154–155.
- ^ Tom Cooper, with Syed Shaiz Ali. "India – Pakistan War, 1971; Western Front, part I". Air Combat Information Group. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
- ^ Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
- ^ "Bangladesh: Out of War, a Nation Is Born". Time (magazine)Time. Vol. 98, no. 25. 20 December 1971. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
- ^ Lal 1986, p. 175.
- ^ Singh 2005, pp. 210–211.
- ^ Lal 1986, pp. 319–321.
- ^ "Press Communique" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 January 1972.
- ^ "AIR CHIEF MARSHAL LAL'S FAREWELL MESSAGE" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 January 1973.
- ^ "Chairman-Cum-Managing Director of Indian Airlines" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in.
- ^ "National Apex Body for Private Sector Constituted" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 23 July 1975.
- ^ a b c April 28, Chhotu Karadia; February 28, Chhotu Karadia; February 10, Chhotu Karadia; Ist, Chhotu Karadia. "Two Air-India top men resign in protest against appointment of Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal as chairman". India Today.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal Appointed Ia Chairman" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 21 July 1977.
- ^ "Public Enterprises Selection Board Reconstituted" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 15 May 1977.
- ^ Wadhwaney 2004, p. 218.
- ^ Lala 1993.
- ^ "Air Marshal Lal Cremated" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India – Archive. 30 January 1982. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Air Chief Marshal PC Lal | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ^ "Air Force Pays Tribute to Founder of Cheshire Home" (PDF). 8 September 1982.
- ^ "No change in attitude of ISI, attacks likely to continue: Narayanan". The Economic Times. 27 March 2008.
- ^ "Indian Air Force Gallery :: Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal DFC". Bharat Rakshak.
- ^ The Air Force List: October 1940. HM Stationery Office. 1940. p. 702.
- ^ "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India – Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 August 2017.
- ^ "HIGHER RANK FOR AIR CHIEF" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 20 January 1966.
Bibliography
- Lal, P.C. (1986), My years with the IAF, Lancer Publishers, ISBN 8170620082
- Wadhwaney, Kishin (2004), Indian Airports (Shocking Ground Realities), Ajanta Publications, ISBN 978-8120205932
- Lala, R.M. (1993), Beyond the Last Blue Mountain, Penguin Books Ltd., ISBN 9780140169010
- Singh, Vijay Kumar (2005), Leadership in the Indian Army: Biographies of Twelve Soldiers, ISBN 978-0-7619-3322-9