VP905 flip book

THE DAKOTAS OF No.12 SQN
1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations
No.12 Squadron, RIAF was the only Squadron at the time of Independence
operating transport aircraft. Equipped with the venerable Dakota, the
Squadron had the distinction of flying many of the legendary flights that saved
Kashmir for India. The Squadron was initially under the command of Wg Cdr K
L Bhatia. From April 1948 onwards, Wg Cdr J D Acquino was the CO of the
unit. Additionally, several Dakotas of civil operators also helped in the war
effort
NO.12 SQUADRON, RIAF the Squadron was the only one from the start to
have its full complement of aircraft at 10 Dakotas. It lost at least two aircraft
during the course of operations.
THE AIRLIFT THAT SAVED KASHMIR
A timeline of events involving Dakotas in the 1947-48 War
27 Oct 47 Three Dakotas of 12 Sqn took off from Wellingdon airfield (Safdarjung) at
0500 hours for Srinagar signalling start of the IAF operations in the 1947-
48 War. Before the end of the day, 28 Dakota sorties are flown (including
6 civilian sorties).
‣ Operational Order issued to 1 Sikh:
Flight A from Wellingdon, due to take off at 0500 hrs, included 6
civil Dakotas (to transport a Coy of 1 Sikh).
Flight B from Palam would also leave at 0500 hrs, comprising 3
RIAF Dakotas (ferrying the 1 Sikh's Tac HQ).
Flight C from Palam was scheduled for 1100 hrs comprising 8
Dakotas (Patiala Mountain Battery)
Flight D also from Palam would follow at 1300 hrs comprising 11
Dakotas (second coy of 1 Sikh).
The civil Dakotas were to carry 15 men plus 500 lbs while the RIAF
Dakotas had a capacity of 17 men along with the additional 500
lbs. 'Men' included personal arms, equipment and bedrolls.
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