Shaurya Chakra | |||||
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Gp Capt | Tom Lionel Anderson 3126 GD(P) | Unit : No.44 Squadron | Award Date 19 Oct 56 | Announced 15 Sep 58 | |
Details : | During the operations in the Naga Hills in October, 1956, the I. A. F. was assigned the task of dropping supplies in the two zones of Zekwera and Dzulake which were not only extremely small but difficult to approach since flying in the area was full of hazards due to the treacherous air currents at the dropping zones. As the operations could not be put off, Sqn. Ldr. Anderson volunteered to carry out the task. He flew four sorties between 19th and 25th October, 1956 and dropped the necessary supplies. The hazardous task was a trial of both courage and skill. The fact that the dropping zone had to be subsequently abandoned as being too dangerous for airdrops goes to show the extent risk that the officer had accepted and the determination that he displayed. The gallant act of Sqn. Ldr. Anderson is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force. | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India , 15th September 1958 - No.25 - Pres/58 dated 20th September 1958 | ||||
Shaurya Chakra | |||||
Flt Lt | Prakashnarain Jainarain Mehra 4037 GD(P) | Unit : -N.A.- | Award Date 27 Mar 56 | Announced 15 Sep 58 | |
Details : | On 27th March, 1956, Naga hostiles overpowered a police outpost at Sathaka. The hostiles then attempted to take Sakahi – an Assam Rifles outpost – by capturing which they would have secured a chain of bases comprising of Sakhai, Khivi, Vishyepu and Kivikhu. They succeeded in putting a ring around Sakhai outpost and cutting off its sources of water supply. Late in the afternoon, the garrison asked for an emergency airdrop of water and warned that the pilot should be careful of heavy automatic fire from Sakahi, Khivi, Vishyepu and Kivikhu. Flt. Lt. Prakashanarain Jainarain Mehra volunteered for this airdrop which had to be made in the small fenced area of the Inspection Bungalow 40 yards by 20 yards. Completely disregarding the heavy automatic fire directed against the aircraft, Flt. Lt. Mehra flew dangerously low and delivered the water. The aircraft was hit in the petrol tank and in the starboard mainplane by the hostile fire, but Flt. Lt. Mehra brought it safely back. In carrying out this sortie successfully, Flt. Lt. Mehra displayed courage and skill. He risked his own life for reaching essential supplies to the garrison. The gallant action on the part of Flt. Lt. Mehra is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Air Force. | ||||
Reference: | Gazette of India , 15th September 1958 - No.25 - Pres/58 dated 20th September 1958 | ||||