A tribute to those B-57s pilots & navigators, Who executed night bombing missions flying at tree top level on pitch dark nights, carried the war deep into the enemy's heartland, few lionhearted could not return to motherland and embraced shahadat in the line of duty leaving behind a supreme tradition alive “Mission First.’
Preamble:-
Its an untold story of Pakistan Air Force s’ No 31 Bomber Wing of B-57s comprising No 7th & 8th Squadrons during 1965 & 1971 Indo-Pak Wars. Although long before the outbreak of hostilities in 1971, No 31 Bomber Wing was non existent and the valiant No 8th Squadron had also been number plated because of US Government embargo on military hardware and supplies, but its pilots & navigators took active part by joining No 7th Squadron in the war of 1971, operating from Masroor and Mianwali air bases.
In August 1982, finally all the remaining B-57s of No 7th Squadron were transferred to No 2 Squadron, adding yet role of night interdiction and special missions to unit s’ assignment until retirement this reliable workhorse B-57 from meritorious service from PAF. Another chapter has been added to highlight the commendable performance and missions of low profile, stealth unit of PAF s’ No 24th Elint Squadron operating RB-57Fs & RB-57Bs during and after war of 1965.
The B-57 Bomber nicknamed “Baba” has been serving the Pakistan Air Force for more than 25 years as a weapons delivery platform, conventional weapons bomber, high altitude aerial reconnaissance, electronic counter & support measures and tow target aircraft as well as being the mainstay for the Air Force. This story is dedicated to the bold and devoted aircrew, maintenance and support personnel of the bomber wing who knew the dream workhorse B-57 and were part of its sorties and missions during peace and wars of 1965 and 1971. It is a beginning with the hope that those who were a part of the Bomber Wing will contribute to the growth of this effort by providing original photos and record of the missions. Since another chapter about the Indo-Pak war of 1971 is under process.
USAF & Operational Background of Martin B-57Bs:-
The Pakistan Air Force was one of the major users of the B-57s except USAF,NASA and National Republic of China Air Force.(Taiwan) The US Air Force considered the B-57B inadequate for the night intruder role and Martin puting all aircraft through an extensive avionics upgrade. Regardless, by the end of 1957 the USAF tactical squadrons were being re-equipped with supersonic F-100 Super Sabres. The complete retirement was delayed, however, by the start of the Vietnam War.The deployment of B-57Bs from 8th and 13th Bomb Squadrons to Bien Hoa began with three aircraft lost in collisions on arrival. An additional five aircraft were destroyed with another 15 damaged by a Viet Cong mortar attack in November 1964. The first combat mission by the US Air Force s’ B-57Bs was not flown until 19 February 1965, with the first excursion into North Vietnam taking place on 2 March as part of Operation Rolling Thunder.
The aircraft typically carried 9 x 500 lb (227 kg) bombs in the bomb bay and 4 x 750 lb (340 kg) bombs under the wings. In April 1965, B-57Bs began flying night intruder missions supported by C-123 Provider or C-130 Hercules flare ships and EF-10B Skyknight electronic warfare aircraft. On missions extending into North Vietnam, B-57Bs carried their own flares. On 16 May 1965, an armed B-57B exploded on the runway at Bien Hoa setting off a chain reaction that destroyed ten other aircraft, eleven A-1 Skyraiders, and one F-8 Crusader. Due to combat attrition, in October 1966 B-57Bs were transferred to Phan Rang where they supported operations in the Iron Triangle along with Australian Canberra B.20s. The aircraft also continued to fly night interdiction missions against the Ho Chi Minh trail. Of the USAF s’ 94 B-57Bs deployed to Southeast Asia, 51 were lost in combat and only 9 were still flying by 1969. As the result, the all B-57Bs were withdrawn from USAF s’service.
Two RB-57As were used by the National Republic of China Air Force for reconnaissance missions over People's Republic of China. One of these was shot down by a Chinese Air Force MiG-19 on 18th February1958. Two other RB-57As were used by the Federal Aviation Administration to plan high-altitude airways for the upcoming jet passenger aircraft.
US Military Aid Package:-
During a visit to Pakistan, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower promised to provide the government of Pakistan with modern jet bombers under US Military Aid Package.
The No 31st Bomber Wing to formed 7th & 8th Bomber Squadrons:-
PAF s’ B-57 Bombers force began its maiden flight joining Air Force inventory since 27th November,1959. Whereas, twenty four B-57Bs and two B-57Cs inactivated from US Air Force 345th Tactical Bomber Group at Langley AFB in Virginia were ferried to Mauripur air base in Karachi, Pakistan to form the 7th & 8th Bomber Squadrons of the 31st Bomber Wing of the Pakistan Air Force on 11th May 1960.
Our Air Force made very extensive operational use of the B-57B bomber in two wars with India. In the Indo-Pak War of 1965,B-57s force logged 195 operational sorties, dropping over 600 tons of bombs against IAF air bases,radar stations and military targets. Three B-57s of the Bomber Wing were lost in action but out of these, only one due to enemy action. First B-57 s’piloted by Squadron Leader Alam Siddiqui & navigator Squadron Leader Aslam Qureshi dived into the sea over IAF air base Jamnagar misjudging the height through the thin layers of clouds or getting spatially disoriented, on the early night of 7th September. The 2nd B-57 was shot down over IAF air base Adampur piloted by Flt.Lt.Altaf Sheikh & navigator Flt. Lt. Bashir Chaudhy through enemy ack ack batteries on 14th September .The 3rd B-57 piloted by Flt.Lt Mehmood Butt & navigator Flt. L.t Khalid crashed on the Risalpur air base runway because of bad weather on 17th September.
Whereas one RB-57B electronics intelligence aircraft piloted by Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal OC of No 24th Elint Squadron was shot down by Pakistan Army s’ ack ack battery during a bombing practice mission on a PAF s’ radar unit near Rahwali,Gujranwala. In the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, There was a higher attrition rate with at least five B-57s being put out of service by the end of the war.
“Martin B-57B in PAF ”
The US Glenn. L. Martin B-57B a first generation of jet bomber was a tandem 2 seat, twin engines, night intruder or tactical, all weather long-range bomber, its crew consisted of a pilot and a navigator, carrying a payload of 56 rockets, 4 x 20mm cannons and 8000 lbs. of bombs, 2 turbo jets engines, fired by cartridge starters powered the aircraft. It was very large in size, having a length and wingspan of 65 feet, which meant virtually no maneuverability. Its speed was 570 mph, ceiling height 45,000 feet and ferry range 2656 miles with max load. The PAF B-57s pilots prefer to fly hardly above 200-500 feet in order to avoid enemy radar detection during wars of 1965 and 1971.
However, once over the IAF targets they would pull up to about 7000-8000 feet to make an accurate dive position on targets, from where they would release bombs over the targets with pin point accuracy and precision.
RB-1A all-weather bombing system for PAF s’B-57s:-
At first, these bombers were not equipped with an all-weather bombing system as had been originally planned. From 1963, all of the PAF s’ B-57Bs were retrofitted with the RB-1A all-weather bombing system which gave them a somewhat longer nose shape than that of standard USAF B-57Bs. Some of the B-57s were also fitted with under wing points for the carriage of four extra fuel tanks, which gave them sufficient range to reach distant military targets well inside India.
The No 24th Electronic Intelligence Squadron:-
In addition, two General Dynamics/Martin-RB-57Fs ultra-high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft were also supplied to Pakistan Air Force in the early 1960s. The RB-57Fs was known as droopy because of enormous 122 ft wingspan and capable to fly at the cruising height of 80,000 ft beyond the range of enemy interceptors and SAMs of that period. This was state of art highly specialized aircraft for ECM/ESM missions. The No 24th Elint squadron operated the RB-57Fs along with two RB-57Bs for electronic counter & support measures missions and photographic surveillance missions against IAF during and after the war of 1965.These aircraft extensively over flew most of the IAF air bases up to Ambala at the height of 67000ft or more to carry out monitoring/ reconnaissance missions. The following missions were assigned to the No 24 Elint squadron deployed at Peshawar air base:-
Operational Missions Profile:-
1. Low level homing on to enemy radars.
2. Monitoring of enemy radars for which daily surveillance was kept up to locate their grid reference as well as any change.
3. Monitoring & Jamming of enemy radio channels particularly for GCI transmissions.
Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal SJ was the first OC, who later embraced shahadat being Officer Commanding of No 24 Elint Squadron along with his navigator Saifullah Lodhi SJ during a bombing practice mission on a PAF s’radar unit near Rahwali in the 1965 War.
Since the start of the 1965 war. The PAF s’ F-86s Sabre wing operating from Sargodha air base tried to neutralize the IAF Amritsar radar, but could not deliver accurate attacks due to difficulty experienced in triangulating the exact location of the radar system. Squadron Leader Iqbal floated a novel idea of locating the enemy radar by utilizing the electronic devices fitted RB-57 aircraft. He led in his electronic intelligence RB-57 as a pathfinder, a formation of four B-57s to Amritsar radar on a daylight bombing mission and did not seem to be satisfied with the practical results.
He, therefore, decided to make some practice attacks on a PAF s’ radar station deployed at Rahwali, near Gujranwala. Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal OC of No 24 Elint Squadron and his navigator Flt.Lt.Saifullah Lodhi were busy in making low dive bombing practice on radar station. The Army ack ack unit deployed around radar station opened fire on diving B-57 and shot it down, killing both the pilot and navigator. A first rate thorough professional, dedicated and lion hearted pioneer OC of No 24 Elint Squadron along with his outstanding professional navigator Saifullah Lodhi embraced shahadat during mid stream of the war. Both were awarded well deserved Sitara-e-Jurat posthumously. A very tragic loss of invaluable lives of pilot and navigator along with a specilized RB-57 aircraft and an incident that could have been avoided through timely liasion with Air Force and Army ack ack regiment.
If wing operation officer Squadron Leader Munir Ahmed SJ of F-86 Sabre wing would shed his blood for his noble air strike mission to destroy IAF radar station at Amritsar, Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal SJ OC of No 24 Elint Squadron and his navigator Flt.Lt.Saifullah Lodhi SJ were also there to shed their blood in the line of the duty.
Nest of the Eagles:-
Since its maiden flight, the No 31 Bomber Wing of B-57s along with its No 7 & 8 Squadrons was deployed at Mauripur air base, Karachi and was assigned the strategic role of airfield night bombing strikes and deep interdiction night missions against numerically superior Indian Air Force bases and military installations during war with India.
Mission & Scope of the B-57s Bomber Wing:-
The paramount mission of the B-57s Bomber Wing night bombing operations was to deny the numerically superior Indian Air Force, the operational utilization of its massive potential air power destroying air bases, runways, hangars, fuel and ammunition dumps and radar installations from where IAF was supposed to streamline air war efforts by launching fighter and bomber aircraft during eventual war with Pakistan. Since IAF maintained a very vast network of major airbases integrated with Russian state of art P-35 three dimension radar systems with Early Warning & GCI facilities along with the adjoining borders with enemy and was quite capable to extend its war efforts through flexible mode by virtue its geographical depth and large airfields infrastructure. A bold and offensive meticulous operational doctrine under The PAF Air War Plan of June 1962 for bomber wing was worked out by the Air Headquarters to counter the numerically superior IAF to fight the air war of Pakistan, keeping in the mind to take bold initiative on the outbreak of Indo-Pak war by launching sustained and wide spread night bombing sorties after sorties over the enemy air bases and military targets, would ultimately bottle up major portion of the Indian Air Force in defensive deployment. It was a strategic offensive plan of PAF s’ Commander-in-Chief Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan, when numerical superiority was heavily tilted in favour of the enemy. The No 31 Bomber Wing being strategic wing of PAF, raised and trained for ultimate war with India during sixties under the dynamic and visionary leadership of its then Commander-in-Chief Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan. As an Air Chief Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan, whose sterling credentials and brand name has been marked on the PAF since August 15, 1947. A youngest inspiring air force commander with strategic vision and a distinguished jet fighter pilot for newly born Air Force.
Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan a chief architect of Pakistan Air Force:-
Air Marshal Muhammad Asghar Khan has been chief architect of our modern fighter jet Air Force from teeth, to tail. Since July 1957 during his tenure, The air force inducted Korean battle tested fighter bomber F-86s, Martin B-57s bombers, supersonic F-104s star fighter, Hercules C-130s, advanced training jets T-33s and basic training jets T-37s, for search and rescue operations Sikorsky H-19D helicopters and SA-16 Albatross as well modern & state of art high powered early warning and surveillance radar systems of FPS-6 (height finder) & FPS-20 (surveillance).
PAF on the path of Jet technology transformation:-
The Air Force had also begun inducting sidewinder air-to-air missiles (GAR-8 series) to its jet interceptor-fighters force. The entire infrastructure of the Air Force was planned to transforming from propeller aircraft force to jet aircraft force, an advanced technology transformation ahead of its time in the Indo-Pak Sub-Continent.
Apart from induction of the US origin hi-tech military hardware in the Air Force, The Air Chief and his Air Staff undertook the uphill task to transforming PAF s’ propeller aircraft force into a technologically advanced fighter jet air force in accordance with professional and operational training standards of the US Air Force on war footings. The US Air Force also provided its F-86 Sabre jets Vs MIGs air combat tactics/strategy profiles during Korean War of 1950-53 through bilateral training programs held in USA, West Germany and Pakistan. The key factor of this gigantic transformation program for the PAF was professional excellence through logging of highest jet flying hours by the fighter-bomber pilots, while maintaining highest degree of flight safety.
Operational Standards for the Air Force:-
Air Marshal Asghar Khan himself played the role model of the fighter pilot by flying/checking out each and every aircraft including B-57 under his command setting finest operational standards for the air force. Thereby raising Squadrons after Squadron, as well imparting rigorous and perpetual professional gigantic training program for this newly advanced fighter jet air force in line with USAF ‘s standards. The ultimate milestone worked out by Air Headquarters, getting its air force ever ready for eventual war on Kashmir with numerically superior Indian Air Force. The professional excellence in fighter flying of the PAF was duly acknowledged by the USAF, when state of art mach- 2 air superiority fighter F-104 were provided to PAF, although our air force was the only non NATO Air Force declared qualified to operate these advanced hi-tech fighter aircraft.
The PAF had become razor sharp air war machine, ever ready to face any eventuality during war and peace, long before Air Marshal Asghar Khan got retired from Air Force in July 1965 handing over his command to another accomplished air warrior and bomber pilot of No 7th dive bomber Squadron Burma front bombing missions famed Air Marshal M Nur Khan.
As Commander in Chief Air Marshal Nur Khan would command this highly trained, highly disciplined, and motivated professional air force during Indo-Pak war of 1965.
The ambitious night bombing training program of No 31 Bomber wing was remained under specific and direct supervision of Air Marshal Asghar Khan and his air staff. The selection criteria entailed hand picked and hard task commanding officers of the Air Force for this premiere wing.
Gallery of Wing OCs:-
An Orion of star pilots detailed by the Air Headquarters for wing ever ready to go for action, beyond the call of the duty during war and peace, providing a dynamic leadership nucleus for professional and purpose built bomber wing training. The leaders No 31 Bomber Wing included Air Commodore Khaqan Abbasi, Air Commodore Nazir Latif, Air Vice Marshal A.H.Qureshi, Group Captain M.A. Dogar, Air Chief Marshal Zulfiqar A. Khan, Air Vice Marshal Mehmood Akhtar Bokhari and Air Commodore Rais A. Rafi.
Gallery of Pilots & Navigators:-
The Bomber Wing s’ No 7 & 8 Squadrons were commanded by including Squadron Leaders of 7th Squadron Ayaz A. Khan (being the first OC), A.M.Lodhie, A. Shamim, Najeeb A. Khan, M.Akhtar, S.A.Rahman, Wing Commanders S.A.Ansari and M.Yunis and Squadron Leaders of 8th Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal (being the first OC), who later embraced shahadat being Officer Commanding of No 24 Elint Squadron in the 1965 War, S.A.Ansari, Rais A. Rafi, M.Zaman, M.K.Bashar as well as with a large number of Akhtars, Altafs, Alams, Aslams, Bashirs, Bashars, Basits, Bukharis, Butts, Ghauris, Harneys, Iftikhars, Irfans. Khalids, Khans, Khusros, Kamals Mehmoods, Osmans, Peters, Qureshis, Shabbirs, Shams, Shoaibs, and Sikandar, etc. These brave and dedicated bomber pilots were commanding the wing and its squadrons through cockpit, following the first flying tradition of the PAF “The Commander is up front”!
Bomber Wing Training Profiles:-
The professional excellence and rigorous flying training profiles during day and night by The No 31 Bomber Wing and its crew culminated in the shape of undertaking of maximum number of night bombing sorties/missions after mission against heavily defended air bases of IAF and other military installations during the wars of 1965 and 1971.
The extensive night low –level flying and weapons delivery training involved low level strikes from 1000ft above the ground level and dive bombing attacks from 8000 ft, releasing weapons at 4000ft and recovery at 2000ft. The night training program entailed through out night achieving 50% of the monthly flying hours done at night. The extensive day and night training profiles transformed B-57s a formidable force for its operational missions. Thereby maintaining its best turn around time by two B-57 bomber squadrons.
Highest Degree of Turn Around:
To achieve the highest degree of turn around by a heavy bomber B-57 in a couple of hours and to keep the bomber wing of 22 aircraft that was flying more than 2-3 sorties per aircraft per night in the air field strike missions, required tremendous technical skills and best coordinated war efforts by the bomber personnel as well the technical & logistics ground personnel of the wing deployed around the country on distant air bases of PAF. i.e. at Peshawar, Mauripur, Samungli, Risalpur and Sargodha etc.
Operational Methodology:-
As major night operations program by the B-57s was conducted through Peshawar air base since 6th September, every bomber formation leaving for bombing mission against IAF air bases was suppose to return to alternate air base to ensure safety to rearm and refuel, and then to strike again before returning to base or to another safe air base. The standard operational procedure enabled B-57s force to be prepared to attack their targets night after night creating dynamic approach through flexible mode. By arriving over their targets in a stream at intervals of about 15-20 minutes, the B-57s certainly succeeded in hitting hard the IAF air bases again and again. As Peshawar and Risalpur air bases were also considered too vulnerable to IAF attacks during the nights. Therefore, Samungali and Mauripur air bases were also utilized for turn around.
A successful and accurate night bombing mission is a reflection of overall bomber wing service efficiency-direct or in-direct flying up to targets through ever-vigilant enemy ack ack guns and missiles and fine blend of integration with friendly GCI radar system, navigation, communication, maintenance & technical personnel and bomber pilots & navigators etc.
Serviceability of Bomber Wing:-
At 1800 hours evening of the 6th September 1965,when first formation of six B-57s fully armed with 4x1000lb bombs, 56x2.75” rockets and full load of 4x20 mm cannons took off from air force base Mauripur setting its course for IAF base Jamnagar to undertake the first bombing mission against enemy. The serviceability of our bomber wing was around 99% and technical & logistics ground personnel of the wing maintained it through out the war. An engineering magic by those unsung heroes of the bomber wing under the command of Squadron Leader Aurangzeb Malik. Although it might have taken a couple of hours to patch up the holes in one or two of aircraft, at no stage was any of the B-57 aircraft was unserviceable. Excluding the aircraft losses and damages due to enemy or friendly ack ack fire or crashes. Never did the wing had the situation of bomber pilots waiting for the B-57s for next due operational sortie against enemy targets. A commendable chapter recorded by the wing and its technical & logistics personnel in the annals of air warfare.
Battle for Lahore and The F-86s Force strikes back:-
When the Indian Army launched multiple ground attacks on Lahore in the early hours of 6th September 1965.The war was declared and Government of Pakistan ordered PAF s’ High Command to carry out air war operations accordingly. The PAF s’ F-86s Force operating from Peshawar and Sargodha air bases responded swiftly by strafing and rocketing against advancing columns of Indian army s’ armor, artillery and infantry units from Batapur- Wagah-Atari axis. Since morning till evening containing enemy surprise offensive operations against Lahore, while Pakistan Army deployed in strength on BRB canal banks.
The No 31 Bomber Wing & Night Bombing Missions Profile:-
Now The No 31 Bomber Wing along with its No 7 & 8 Squadrons rose to the occasion in accordance with its pre defined bombing operational doctrine worked out under the PAF Air War Plan of June 1965 with imaginative vision and intricate planning. The Wing operated as an independent and self-supporting arm of the air force undertaking night bombing missions after mission against IAF base Jamnagar to Jodhpur, Adampur, Halwara, Pathankot, Sirsa, Srinagar and Ambala, from the shores of the Arabian Sea to the foothills of the Himalayas.
The night bombing campaign started by the wing on the dusk of 6th September by a formation of six B-57s dropping 24,000 lbs. of bombs and rockets on the IAF airbase Jamnagar and followed by IAF air base Adampur lasted till the last close support bombing mission undertaken by The Bomber Wing against Indian Army at Wagah-Atari axis on 22nd September 1965. B-57Bs force of 22 aircraft undertook a total 195 missions of day and night dropping more than 600 tons of bombs against IAF targets as compared to an estimated 92 night bombing sorties against PAF targets by more than 60 IAF Canberras.
The First Bombing Mission against Indian Air Force:-
Although a major portion of the Bomber Wing was already shifted to Peshawar as per operational doctrine. The remaining six aircraft were waiting at Mauripur air base, then an order received to launch attacks against Jamnagar at 1800 hours on 6th September 1965. The Wing Commander A.H.Qureshi led his bomber force of six B-57s along with Squadron Leader Rasi A. Rafi, Squadron Leader Alam Siddiqui , Squadron Leader Ansari, Flt Lt Rashid & Flt Lt Amin Khalil from air force base Mauripur in southern sector by launching bombing mission against IAF base Jamnagar. They carried out the first bombing attack of the war against IAF by opening bombing account of the PAF, extensively damaging runways and hangars. Rockets were also fired to hit hangars and buildings. The formation returned successfully with out encountering enemy ack ack firing and any loss. The lone B-57 would repeat air strike mission one after another until morning against IAF Jamnagar. “A milkman shuttle service.”
“Catch Me if you can”
The Wing Operations Officer Squadron Leader M.Akhtar Bukhari apart from engagement with operational and administrative matters at the air base also undertook the highly dangerous night flying mission over Indian air space to test and monitor the night interception capability of the Indian Air Force.
After the start of the war with India, the PAF high command decided to check the night interception capability of the enemy air force during mid stream of the air battle by detailing lone B-57 flying over the Indian air space during the mid night. Valiant Sqn Ldr M.Akhtar Bukhari along with Flt Lt Basit volunteered to fly the mission impossible on the night of 8th September at high twelve hours.
The B-57 No 885 piloted by him took off from Mauripur air base around mid night @ high 12 hours and after attaining cruising height of 35,000 ft headed its course @ 400 knots /hour towards enemy borders for IAF s’ Jodhpur air base, then reaching the target orbited the enemy air base for few minutes and finally turning its direction to wards north over enemy territory over flying one enemy air base including Amritsar and Pathankot after another.The aircraft took 2 hours & 40 minutes from take off till landing.
The enemy air force through its high powered P-35 three dimension radar system with Early Warning & GCI facilities monitored the B-57 taking off from air force base Mauripur in the middle of the night over flying Indian air space for unknown mission from Jodhpur up to Pathankot and then heading for Peshawar. No enemy interceptor scrambled to check the B-57 in the mid stream of the night flying mission.
An open challenge was thrown to the trigger-happy interceptor-fighter pilots of the enemy for easy target, but enemy would not dare to intercept the highflying Eagle in the mid stream. Daredevil Sqn Ldr M.Akhtar Bukhari along with navigator Flt Lt Basit flew his assigned route/mission cool headedly over Indian air space and landed safely at air force base Peshawar, reporting back all clear. “ A night mission impossible.“
First Shaheeds of Bomber Wing:-
The Lionhearted Squadron Leader Shabir Alam Siddiqui & Squadron Leader Aslam Qureshi would undertake bombing missions after mission with in first night against IAF base Jamnagar, to inflict maximum damages to the enemy ultimately embraced Shahadat during their 3rd sortie on the night of 6-7th September, by following the finest tradition of fighting falcons of PAF, serving air force and the motherland beyond the call of the duty. The first shaheeds of bomber wing in the line of the duty after F-86 Sabre wing first Shaheeds Squadron Leader Sarfraz Rafique HJ along with Flt Lt. Yunas Hussain SJ in Halwara aerial combat!
Peshawar air base A Bomber Wing Nucleolus:-
The Wing Commander Nazir Latif was also leading his bomber force of sixteen B-57s along with Squadron Leader M.Akhtar and Squadron Leader Najeeb A. Khan from air force base Peshawar in northern sector. Which remained a bomber wing operational nucleolus through out the war. Thereby launching bombing missions after mission against IAF bases Adampur, Halwara, Pathankot, Sirsa, Srinagar and finally hard hitting night bombing mission Ambala would be undertaken by them.
“Najeeb hits hard IAF air base Adampur”
Squadron Leader Najeeb Khan led a formation of four B-57s taking off from air force base Peshawar in northern sector by launching first bombing mission against IAF Adampur. The enemy welcomed B-57 bomber force with illuminating runways ‘s lights. Leader Najeeb and his formation responded delivering bombs over the targets with pinpoint accuracy shocking the enemy with surprise, leaving behind a trail of smoke and fire engulfed Adampur air base.
As soon the Squadron Leader Najeeb s B-57s were returning to land at Peshawar, another B-57s formation led by Squadron Leader M.Akhtar was setting its course for IAF Pathankot. The formation flew at tree top level to evade enemy radar detection and pulled up 8000ft through the massive ack ack barrage. The airfield beacons were blinking to highlight its location.
The leader dropped bombs over runways and hangars and formation followed the action, extensively damaging runways and hangars. An enemy radio message was intercepted by the Pakistan Army signal intelligence “IAF air base Pathankot is burning, Please advance relief.”
Soon after arrival from IAF Adampur, another night bombing mission was assigned to Squadron Leader Najeeb Khan and his formation of four B-57s to hit hard Beas river bridge to disrupt an important military supply link for Indian Army and the formation pressed for the mission then and there. Although, bridge proved to be a futile night bombing target. No damage was reported.
A large scale night bombing mission program launched by the B-57 bomber wing originating from Peshawar and Mauripur airbases since 6th September, was getting its momentum through its head start from Jamnagar and Adampur air bases, moving up to Pathankot, Halwara and Jodhpur, carrying the war deep into the enemy's major airfields.
The frequency of the night bombing sorties was in progress with the passage of the time. Sooner, its scope and operational methodology will widen according to the rapidly changing scenario of the air war in favour of Pakistan Air Force.
Chawinda Tank Battle & B-57s Night Mission Samba:-
The Indian Army launched another Major ground offensive from Samba in Sialkot sector after Lahore front through Charwa-Gadgor-Chawinda Axis on 8th September 1965. Major attack was spearhead by leading Indian Army s’ pride 1st Armoured division along with two Motorized Infantry and one Mountain divisions backing up by massive Corps Artillery s’ shelling with ultimate mission to reach G.T. Road at Gujranwala cutting main railway lines and roads encircling Lahore front from northern access by passing Pakistan s’ 6th Armoured division, 24th Infantry brigade along with 4th Corps Artillery units deployed around Chawinda-Daska axis. Another diversionary ground attack was launched against Sialkot by 26th Indian Infantry division to engage 15th Infantry division defending Sialkot-Jammu main axis. Indian army units had also brought road & bridge construction equipments and specialized vehicles & boats to negotiate water obstacles, rivers and canals in the area. The enemy war plan, if that could have been operationally implemented in accordance to its strategic milestone, would have defeat the Pakistan Army in the ground battle.
The 25th Cavalry a premiere regiment of Patton (M-47) tanks under the command of Col. Nisar A.Khan SJ took the lead to bear the major brunt of enemy First Armoured Division along with 24th infantry brigade under the command of Brig. Abdul Ali Malik HJ and 4th corps artillery under the command of Brig. Amjad Ali Chaudhri HJ engaged advancing columns of vanguard armor units of the enemy with in 7-8 miles from border.
A major tank and artillery duel began and lasted day and night. A large number of enemy Centurion and Sherman tanks were destroyed and eight Centurion tanks captured in running condition by the 25th Cavalry during the first round of Chawinda battle. From one of the Indian tanks, A copy of operational plan for 16th Cavalry recovered. Heavy, medium and field guns & howitzers regiments of 4th Corps artillery deployed around Chawinda, Pasrur and Sialkot were delivering accurate shelling on advancing enemy tanks and infantry units thus containing them for further move. Our artillery engaged enemy targets from the battle field of Chawinda up to border and beyond visual range hitting hard enemy units deployed around Sialkot –Samba axis with dropping the shells of 200 lbs, 90 lbs, 80 lbs & 25 lbs in a very substantial and effective style.
The Indian Army 1st Corps Headquarters located at Samba 7 miles distance from Indo-Pak border, was controlling entire military operations for Chawinda battle. A large number of tanks, artillery and infantry units were assembled there to be launched for battle from Samba, a battle nucleolus point.
In the wake of the mounting pressure from Indian Army s’ large scale offensive operations against Sialkot and Chawinda sectors, Pakistan Army sought immediate air support missions from PAF high command against enemy concentrations around Samba. The bomber wing was tasked to carry out night bombing missions against Indian Army units deployed there on the night of 10th September 1965.
A B-57 s’ formation led by Squadron Leader Rasi A. Rafi & navigator Flt Lt. Akhtar took off to undertake the night close –support bombing mission around Samba to harass the enemy army throughout the night. Although, it was bright moon lit night, B-57s dropped flares from 5000ft altitude, maintaining R/T liaison with army ground liaison officer to identify the target areas.
The flares hit the mark reported by the GLO. Now, Squadron Leader Rasi A. Rafi & navigator Flt Lt. Akhtar responded with lightning speed by dropping bombs over the target and repeated the action up to 20 minutes, before B-57 exited the area. Another B-57 aircraft reached the scene and undertook the bombing mission over enemy concentrations. The B-57 bombing missions after mission continued the whole night of 10th/11th September, disturbing and harassing the Indian army units and thus preventing them from joining the battle of Chawinda.
In the morning valiant 17th,18th & 19th Squadrons of F-86s from Sargodha ans Peshawar would come to settle their balance with depleted units of enemy by strafing and rocketing through out the day. Advancing Indian Centurion & Sherman tanks were proved to be hot favorite shooting ground of the hovering F-86s at tree top level from dawn to dusk. The F-86s formations after formation remained there to take its due share of enemy ground targets under its dynamic Squadron Leader Butch Ahmed SJ who later embraced Shahadat during another ground attack mission against an ammunition carrying train at Gurdaspur railway station and Squadron Leader Azim Doudpota SJ from No 32 fighter wing operating from Sargodha air base.
Therefore, PAF s’ bomber wing B-57s along with its brother fighter bomber wings of F-86s played decisive role to contain the enemy army advance through Chawinda battle by effectively knocking out a large number of Tanks, Artillery guns and Infantry vehicles particularly 14th mountain division which was prepared to join the battle royal of Chawinda along with 1st Armoured division. The PAF s’ aircraft knocked out its fighting potential destroying vehicles, guns and fighting arms leaving in a very depleted condition not fit for any battle.
“Target Alpha”
IAF s’ high powered P-35 three dimension radar systems with Early warning & GCI facilities at Amritsar was a prime target for PAF, because of its strategic location on border near Lahore. Its call sign “Fish oil” The radar was posing direct threat to PAF air operations directing IAF air operations over West Pakistan.
Since the outbreak of Indo-Pak war, F-86s fight bomber wing from Sargodha air base operating along with No 24 Elint Squadron s’ RB-57s as pathfinder escorted by No 9 Squadron F-104s as top cover launched sustained air strikes to neutralize this target.
Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal OC of No 24 Elint Squadron along with his navigator Flt.Lt.Saifullah Lodhi embraced Shahadat during a practice mission for this vital target, his RB-57B was hit by friendly ack ack fire.
During a successful air strike undertaken by the F-86s on radar station, its wing operation officer Squadron Leader Munir Ahmed embraced shahadat and radar was extensively damaged for effective air operations on 11th September. However after some interval, Fish oil again back on the air to streamline Indian Air Force operations over West Pakistan. Meanwhile, the mission to destroy this radar was detailed to bomber wing. The C-in-C Air Marshal Nur Khan himself briefed pilots and navigators for the bombing mission against IAF radar station at Amritsar code named “Target Alpha”. The B-57s bombers struck successfully to the radar station. A formation of four B-57s led by Wing Commander Nazir Latif , dropped 28,000 lbs. of bombs on Amritsar Radar station with pin point accuracy and precision completely damaged the target on 12th September, leaving Indian Air Force with out any Early warning & GCI radar coverage for air operations.
First B-57 shot down by the IAF over Adampur air base:-
The daredevil Flt Lt Altaf Sheikh & Flt Lt Bashir Chaudhy would undertake bombing missions after mission since the first night of 6th September against heavily defended IAF bases, making two or three bombing runs to achieve accurate target hits but against the laid down procedure of single attack and quick egress. During his 13th bombing mission against Adampur, B-57 s’ bomb release system malfunctioned and bombs did not release, after many aborted attempts, Altaf decided to jettison the bombs en route to its air base. But he then again tried his luck to bomb IAF base Adampur, while in the dive, enemy ack ack shells hit the B-57. However Flt Lt Altaf & Flt Lt Bashir Chaudhy bailed out safely from downing aircraft and became POWs. The war history is made of those patriot air boys who rose to serve the air force and the motherland beyond the call of the duty, with out caring their personal safety and life. This was the first B-57 casualty claimed by the IAF on 14th September 1965.
“Mission Ambala”
IAF air base Ambala, which was among major operational bases of Canberra bomber force heavily defended with heavy and medium ack ack batteries and SAM-II missiles located an aerial distance of about 400 miles from Peshawar air base. It remained on top priority of the bombing target list by the B-57 bomber wing. A night bombing mission undertaken by Wing Commander Nazir Latif on 8th September aborted, The formation could not locate the target returned safely to the air base with out dropping bombs. Another night bombing mission against IAF air base Ambala renewed by highly experienced crews B-57s led by Squadron Leader Najeeb A. Khan with navigator Flt.Lt. William D. Harney and Wing Commander Nazir Latif with navigator Squadron Leader Auranzeb.
The B-57s formation delivered delay fuse bombs extensively damaging runways, hangars and airfield infrastructure on the night of 18th September. When B-57s were exiting from mission, Ambala airfield was ablaz through chain reaction of firework and blistering barrage of ack ack batteries.
“B-57 Bombing with Allah-o-Akbar”
Finally another highly dangerous night bombing mission against IAF Ambala was planned by the bomber wing and undertaken by B-57s highly experienced crews team led by Squadron Leader Najeeb OC No 7th Squadron & navigator Flg Officer Kamal, Squadron Leader Rafi OC No 8th Squadron & navigator Flt Lt. Akhtar and Squadron Leader Feroz & navigator Squadron Leader Aurangzeb on the night of 21st September 1965.
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Commodore Rahim Khan was himself there to brief the mission Ambala to B-57s crew in detailed because of its prime significance. The low level dive-bombing angles, a safety insurance from radar controlled SAMs-II, but offered an acute risk to the bomber aircraft and pilots from blistering anti aircraft guns and heavy machine gun batteries deployed in and around Ambala air base.
But pilots and navigators of B-57s pressed for the mission flying with 360 nautical miles speed at 500ft above ground level in the moon light keeping total radio silence up to the target. While complete surprise was achieved by the leading B-57 piloted by Squadron Leader Najeeb & navigator Flg Officer Kamal, encountered no enemy ack ack shells from Ambala. In the bright moon light, IAF air base lay clearly visible before the B-57s crew, who could see the cars with their headlights on streaming along the road past the air base. A bomber pilot ‘s dream emerged true, the target was in sight offering perfect view and accurate delivery of bombs.
The B-57s formation struck the Ambala with lightning action delivering bombs with delay fuses through low level skip technique in the face of massive ack ack barrage and returned with flying colors. Squadron Leader Najeeb & Flg Officer Kamal, were first to hit the target blowing fuel dumps which illuminated the burning target from miles to mile, Squadron Leader Rais Rafi & Flt Lt. Akhtar ventured to hit hard the runways by accurate low level bombing. Squadron Leader Rafi while delivering bombs on runways kept the piper right on the targets raised “Allah-o-Akbar” and also pressed machine guns to hit some buildings on the runway and subsequently Squadron Leader Feroz & Squadron Leader Aurangzeb delivered another bomb load on the targets with devastating impact,leaving behind enemy Air Force in shock and surprise. A veritable inferno of fire and smoke engulfed the airfield. Enemy ack ack guns were firing at full fury also hit its own buildings during the air strike.
While on their way back, flying at full throttle en route to air base Squadron Leader Rais A. Rafi & Flt Lt. Akhtar were very apprehensive about their comrades Squadron Leader Feroz & Squadron Leader Aurangzeb. Both prayed humbly ”May God protect Feroz & Auranzeb” Meanwhile Squadron Leader Feroz voiced through R/T ”DCO” (duty carried out). A jubiliant mood prevailed among B-57 ‘s formation flying over Bhatinda. An enemy transport vehicles convoy became the target of trigger happy Squadron Leader Rais A. Rafi using cannons of the bomber. The exploding vehicles created another sensation and remaining rounds of the cannons were expended on Bhatinda railway station.
An intricate planning and skillful execution in flying and navigation as well as daredevil approach with surprise and professionalism were the keys to successful night bombing missions of the bomber wing through out the war.
An American magazine published a story that the Indian Air Force had lost 25 aircraft as a result of the PAF night bombing sorties against Ambala. However a clear message was given to the Indian leadership and IAF ‘s high command that PAF bomber wing was quite capable of delivering bombing missions at will any where against IAF and military targets around the country.
“B-57s for close support mission Wagah Atari”
Before the cease fire announcement with India on 22nd September 1965. Indian Army was concentrating its Armour, Artillery and Infantry units for a possible assault on the salient to consolidate its positions on the eastern bank of the BRB Canal. A task was assigned to Bomber Wing to prevent Indian Army reinforcements from reaching their targets. A formation of four B-57s, which dropped 28,000 lbs. of bombs on Indian Army artillery pieces and tanks deployment near Wagah-Atari axis. The bombs from the B-57s dropped 'in train' engulfed the enemy tanks, artillery guns and support vehicles camouflaged under the trees and in the bushes. Very few enemy officers and soldiers survived to escape Atari. This was the last bombing mission carried out by the bomber wing before the cease fire with India on 23rd September 1965.
Operational losses during the war of 1965:-
Three B-57s of the No 31st Bomber Wing were lost in action but out of these, only one due to enemy action. One RB-57B electronics intelligence aircraft of No 24th Elint was lost due to friendly ack ack fire.
Shaheeds Gallery:-
No 31st Bomber Wing:-
1. Squadron Leader Shabbir Alam Siddiqui (Pilot)
2. Squadron Leader Aslam Qureshi (Navigator)
3. Flt. Lt. Mehmood Butt (Pilot)
4. Flt.Lt.A.S.Z.Khalid (Navigator)
No 24th Elint Squadron:-
1. Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal (Pilot)
2. Flt.Lt. Saifullah Lodhi (Navigator)
Gallantry Awards:-
The Government of Pakistan gallantry awards to the Bomber Wing & 24th Squadron for outstanding perforce in line of the duty.
No 31ST Bomber Wing:-
1. Squadron Leader Najeeb A.Khan OC No 7th Squadron (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
2. Squadron Leader Rais A.Rafi OC No 8th Squadron (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
3. Wing Commander Nazir Latif (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
4. Flt.Lt.Sikander M.Khan (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
5. Flt.Lt.Altaf Sheikh (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
7. Flt.Lt. Shams Ahmed (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
8. Squadron Leader Shuaib A.Khan (Navigator) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ
9. Flt.Lt. William D.Harney (Navigator) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
10. Flt.Lt.S.M.Akhtar (Navigator) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
11. Flt.Lt. Iftikhar A. Ghori (Navigator) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
12. Wing Commander Ayaz A, Khan (Pilot) Sitara-e-Basalat (SB)
13. Squadron Leader Aurangzeb Malik (Engg) Sitara-e-Basalat (SB)
No 24th Elint Squadron:-
1. Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal OC (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
2. Flt.Lt. Saifullah Lodhi (Navigator) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
3. Squadron Leader Mir Abdul Rashid OC (Pilot) Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ)
Strategic Victory:-
The strategic material out come of these night bombing missions carried out by the bomber wing made nerve shattering shock impact on IAF High Command moral, which was forced to retreat from major air force bases of Pathankot, Halwara, Jodhpur, Jamnagar, Sirsa, Srinagar and Adampur to rear air bases i.e Agra, Ambala and Hindon. The IAF High Command compelled to shift its priority offensive air operations to defensive air operations nevertheless its larger size and very big air defense infrastructure. The IAF could not launch massive night bomber operations by its larger Canberra bombers force against few PAF bases during the war and also failed to provide effective interdiction/air support missions to Indian Army at battlefields as acknowledged by the Indian Army Generals serving in Western Army Command during Indo-Pak war of 1965. The perpetual night bombing campaign exerted devastating effect on the morale of the IAF personnel. The material effect of fatigue caused to them was most pronounced on their air and ground crew while they were forced to keep shuttling in and out of air raid shelters and trenches.
Enemy s’ Acknowledgement:-
As Indian Army Lt. General Harbaksh Singh has mentioned in his book “War despatches Indo-Pak Conflict 1965.” There was no air support available from IAF during field battles with enemy on western front and IAF was forced to exit from its main and forward air bases for reasons best known to IAF s ‘ High Command. Our officers and jawans were witnessing PAF s’ fighter bombers commanding the skies from dawn to dusk for shelling and bombing around thirty minutes or more over the battle fields under the Indian Army Western Command areas.
The Indian Navy ‘s Vice Admiral Mihir Roy has also acknowledged in his book “War in the Indian Ocean” Perpetual bombing raids reported against IAF base Jamnagar by the PAF s’B-57s bombers since the evening of 6th September 1965.
An Overview of Balance Sheet:-
The numerically superior IAF Canberra Bomber Force was completely knocked out in all instruments of its war machine without registering any major breakthrough for the war of 1965.
The PAF bomber s’ Pilot/Navigator Vs IAF bomber s’ Pilot/Navigator.
Martin B-57 Bomber Force of 22 aircraft Vs English Electric Canberra B-58 Bomber Force of more than 60 aircraft.
No of Bombing Mission/Sorties -195 Vs No of Bombing Mission/Sorties –92.
PAF Bomber Command Vs IAF Bomber Command.
The PAF Bomber Wing of B-57s emerged victorious with flying colours during day and night bombing missions assigned by the Air Force and the Country by keeping the numerically superior enemy Air Force at bay. The Wing performed bigger assignments, not only holding its own, made concerted night and day air strikes deep into the enemy territory as well performing close support missions for Pakistan Army engaged in the field battles.
Qualitative Edge & Factors:-
The qualitative edge and factors enabled B-57 bomber wing to produced remarkable performance during the war:
1. The meticulous war planning contemplated over several years, operational readiness and periodic operational exercises at Squadron, Wing, Base and Air Force levels masterminded by the C-in-C PAF Air Marshal Asghar Khan.
2. The selection of best pilots to command combat Squadrons & Wing, uncompromising standard and merit criteria.
3. Years of perpetual and rigorous night & day operational training-in flying, navigation and bombing precision, proved to be a very vital link in the chain of success. During the war, as it turned out the bombing results were even better than in peacetime practice exercises. This was perhaps because the pilots & navigators were so proficient and concentrated all their flying efforts on achieving the maximum pinpoint accuracy and precision.
4. Martin B-57 one of the most versatile and reliable bomber of the time and being the only type of that category in the Air Force s’ inventory, the bomber pilots and navigators were able to fly it extensively day and nights and learned to exploit its capabilities up to the limits.
5. The Engineers & engineering staff were able to achieve high aircraft serviceability and reliability, to sustain healthy rates of highest flying hours in the Squadrons and Wing level.
6. The Maintenance chiefs and maintenance staff s’ commendable performance during the war operations was a prime factor as described in detailed earlier.
7. The B-57 s’ pilots and navigators young, dedicated, bold and hard taskmasters, a fine blend of national spirit with unparallel professionalism, their heroic performance during the battle week was above the board. Enemy s’ massive ack ack batteries, fighter interceptors and SAMs-II could not deter them to carry out their bombing missions after mission. They wrought such havoc in the numerically superior IAF s’ ranks that they had no stomach left for air battle.
8. As Air Marshal Nur Khan being the bomber pilot was fully aware about operational potential of the bomber wing. Therefore, the B-57 s’ bomber wing being the strategic arm of the PAF was remained under specific and direct supervision of Commander in Chief PAF and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) during Indo-Pak war of 1965.A number of bombing missions were briefed to aircrews by the Air Marshal Nur Khan and Air Commodore Rahim Khan. Air Chief and his air staff presence during operational brief proved to be, a true source of inspiration and motivation during the week of the war for pilots and navigators leaving for the highly dangerous bombing missions.
In a modern jet age war, Bomber Wing s’ strategic breakthrough during the Indo-Pak War 1965, Which PAF capitalized and enjoyed was the result of bold and skillful tactical actions of its highly trained, motivated and disciplined air and ground crew possessing highest degree of professionalism and patriotism. The crew executed every dangerous mission believing in the uprightness of the National Cause and felt no Sacrifice too great for it.
Bibliography
1.”PAF BOMBER OPERATIONS 1965 & 1971 WARS” by Rais A. Rafi, Air Commodore SJ, a B-57 bomber pilot & decorated star of Indo-Pak Wars
2.“The Story of the Pakistan Air Force 1988.”
3.” Battle for Pakistan” The Air War of 1965. by John Fricker
4.“B-57 THE INTREPID BOMBER OF PAF.”Defence Journal, Karachi by Hali Sultan M. Group Captain
5.Martin B-57 Canberra--The Complete Record, Robert C. Mikesh, Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1995.
6.Canberra: The Operational Record, Robert Jackson, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.
7.The English Electric Canberra Mk.1 and IV, K. Munson, Aircraft In Profile, Doubleday, 1969
8.United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.
9.Library of Congress Country Study--Pakistan
10.“War despatches Indo-Pak Conflict 1965” by: Lt. General Harbaksh Singh Indian Army
11. “War in the Indian Ocean” by: Vice Admiral Mihir Roy Indian Navy
Copyright © Arshad Hussain. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Arshad Hussain is prohibited.
