Autographed Cover-Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh
Jun 24th, 2009 by IndianStampGhar.com
Autographed Cover- Marshal Arjan Singh
Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC is the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to five star rank, equal to a Field Marshal, to which he was promoted in 2002
Arjan Singh’s two operational tenures on the Burma Front during World War II—the first as a Pilot Officer with No.1 Squadron (“Tigers”) and subsequently in 1944, as Commander of the same Squadron, are outstanding landmarks of his enviable flying career. In the first, he assiduously learnt the techniques of air warfare in the thick of battle, during ceaseless sorties that he flew day in and day out. During the second, as a consummate Squadron Commander, he displayed masterly leadership to the maximum advantage of the IAF during the seige of Imphal. In recognition of his leadership and gallantry in the air, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on the spot, the first Indian pilot to be so honoured by the Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia.
In 1949, after being promoted as Air Commodore, Arjan Singh took over as Air Officer Commanding of Operational Command, which became known as Western Air Command. He took over as Chief of Air Staff on 1 August 1964. When war broke out between India and Pakistan in September 1965, Arjan Singh effectively led the Indian Air Force in thwarting the Pakistani offensive. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and his rank was upgraded to Air Chief Marshal. He became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in August 1969, he became India’s ambassador to Switzerland.
