December 1971

1971 war is oftened referred to as a 'Defeat' for Pakistan and 'Victory' for India. The fact is that Pakistan 'proper' stands undefeated and unconqured since its creation. What happened in Bengal was a seige of an army surrounded by sea and enemy externally and a hostile population fighting for independence internally. No army could have averted the inevitable. But this certainly eclipsed the performance of PAF in 1971 after the scintilating performance of 1965. But as discovered by the 'Air International' in its 'Post martem of an air war' analysis, PAF gave an accoount of itself, which has very much become a trademark of it's own

 

1965 revisited - the familiar scenario of September 65 is repeated here - Saber shoots down the Hunter

 

............... and Saber downs a Gnat. This one by Salim Baig Mirza from no 26 Squadron - he was to score more.....

 

This incredibly low level encounter with the Hunter resulted in Hunter 'driven' to the ground by Mirza. Flt Lt K P Muralidharan's Hunter A462 of No.20 IAF Squadron exploded into a fireball.

 

A trio of F-86 Sabers of the no. 19 Squadron patroling the sea coast

 

Out numbered 1 to 10, this was the last combat for this Saber of no 14 Squadron before the airfield at Dacca became inoperational by waves of IAF jets.

 

................ But not all of them went back after attacking the solitary air base in the East.The Hunter was too busy attacking the airfield.

 

Trusty old 'Baba' (B-57) postponed its retirement plans to add more chapters to its illustrious history - this one re-arranging things at Okha naval base.

 

Yet another Ghazi from '65' was the Starfighter - no longer the terror weapon it was during that conflict, still found targets - in this case a Marut F-24.

 

The terror weapon of 1971 was the Mirage III. A single squadron carried the attack to IAF. This one showing off its Matra 530 air to air missile. However the aircraft was to make its mark for its devastating ground attacks. (see below)

 

The other debutant was the F-6 (Mig-19) Its victim in the background is a Hunter. Both new types were primarily intercepters, but due to the reluctance of IAF to dog fight (learning through experience?) both were extensively used in strike role.(see below)

 

This Mirage has just altered the layout of Muckhrian Rail yard which was crowded with supply trains.

 

F-6 with its powerful 30 mm cannons, was very effective against armour. Can you imagine what happened to an aircraft which took a hit from it.

 

C-130 delivering a commando assault

 

This F-6 has just scored a hit on the escaping Hunter with a sidewinder missile.

 

This Armed reconnaissance version of the Mirage III is taking sovenire photos for his pals who paid this base visit earlier in the day.

 

F-6 scoring a hit on one of several SU-7s shot down within Pakistani territory.

 

This Mirage releases a pair of cluster bombs. (This ground attack variant, Mirage 5PA entered service after 71 war)

 

Although these F-5 did not play astretegic role in the conflict, they came to Pakistan as a jesture from Jordanian Air Force for it's close ties with PAF.

 Back to Paintings

 Back to PAF Page