This book profiles the life and times of Marshal Arjan Singh, DFC, who was made the first ever Marshal of the Indian Air Force in recognition to his extraordinary services, on January 25, 2002.
The first four chapters give an insight into the life of the Marshal who, inspite of having been a high profile public figure, yet has been a very very private person. He has always let his performance speak for him.
The fifth chapter records Marshal Arjan Singh's reminiscences and his candid views on a wide range of subjects.
The next nine chapters are devoted to his life with No. 1 Squadron, and their exploits, followed by the major operations during his times—the 1962 and the 1965 Wars. The last three chapters cover some historical themes which are of contemporary relevance— Appeasement and Complacency, our indifferent approach to history, and the turns we have taken at the crucial crossroads.
The book has been written in an easy and fluid style which makes it immensely readable, and the simple language, though with a defence flavour, should find favour with men-in-uniform as well as civilians.
It is a welcome addition to the books on defence themes of which there is an acute dearth. It is hoped that with the present trend of greater transparency in Defence Forces, increasing number of defence personnel will share their experiences before they undeservedly get lost in the shifting sands of time.

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Contents

Preface — Pgs. 7

1. Great Honour to the Iaf — Pgs. 9

2. Past Perfect: A Biographical Sketch — Pgs. 23

3. The Airborne Chiefs Marshal’s Reminiscences — Pgs. 39

4. The Number One—as I Knew it — Pgs. 41

5. Leadership in the Air Force — Pgs. 47

6. While on the Wings: From Marshal’s Album of Evergreen Memories — Pgs. 53

7. His Candid Views — Pgs. 59

8. Would You Do It Again? — Pgs. 61

9. Iaf Takes-Off with Tigers:Beginning of an Exciting Odyssey — Pgs. 65

10. Burmese Experience — Pgs. 71

11. Tigers After 1947 — Pgs. 87

12. Lest We Forget — Pgs. 103

13. Division of Armed Forces — Pgs. 109

14. The Days After Independence — Pgs. 115

15. Indian Defence Forces — Pgs. 117

16. The Himalayan Blunder: The Unfought War of 1962 — Pgs. 123

17. Operation Desert Hawk — Pgs. 145

18. Operation Grand Slam Twenty Two Days War (September 1 To 22, 1965) Some Exciting Air Battles: September, 1965 War — Pgs. 167

19. Our First Air Kill — Pgs. 169

20. Air Battle Over Halwara — Pgs. 171

21. The Burning Train — Pgs. 179

22. The Fighting Five Raid Peshawar — Pgs. 187

23. Kaps You Got Him — Pgs. 191

24. Mazi Shoots Down F-86 — Pgs. 197

25. Appeasement and Complacency:Some Leaves from History — Pgs. 203

26. A Brief History of Our Unwritten War Histories — Pgs. 211

27. Turns Taken at the Crossroads:Some Common Denominators — Pgs. 227

Group Captain Ranbir Singh (Retd), born in 1935, was commissioned in the Transport Stream of the Flying Branch of Indian Air Force in January, 1956. During his service career spanning over three decades, he has logged more than 5000 hours of flying in different types of aircraft, and had extensively travelled in India and abroad. He was in active flying service during all the major operations since mid-Fifties. He is a graduate from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.He was the Chief Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Defence for the entire Eastern Sector from 1975 to 1980. He is a freelance writer who writes for various newspapers and magazines covering a variety of subjects ranging from war and human angle stories, to features on social and economic issues. He is also a book-reviewer, besides, he has scripted a number of television features.
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