A Legend, he will always be!
Air Vice Marshall Chandan Singh MVC, AVSM, VrC, VSM
A Indian Air Force officer with 35 years of outstanding service.
Among the most highly decorated officers in the Indian Air Force.
Air Vice Marshall Chandan Singh Rathore showed exemplary courage during the wars of 1962 and 1971.
He undertook many operations that were thought to be impossible before him.
AVM Chandan Singh is no more. Landed AMX tanks in Chushul in 62 at the height of the Chinese Ops. Flew the first AN12 & showed the way.
The officer who was the brains behind all the helicopter and transport ops in '71:war in Bangladesh.
Most important was jointmanship with Lt Gen Sagat Singh.
Including setting up the fledgling Bangladesh Air Force with one ARMED Chetak and an Otter.
And the helilifts! He was also behind the Narsingdi helilift after the Ashuganj battle that opened the doors to Dacca.
Family Backgrond:
Born on 18th Aug 1925 in erstwhile Jodhpur State, to Col Bahadur Singh | OBI who commanded the famous Jodhpur Lancers
AVM Chandan Singh is married to Junu Kumari, daughter of Raja Bhom Singhji of Umaidnagar, who was one of the four hereditary Rajas of the Marwar(Jodhpur)Kingdom and brother in law of Late His Highness Maharaja Umaid Singhji. She has studied in Jodhpur and Ajmer. Their son, Sajjan Singh did his early schooling in convent schools and later in England. He is a post-graduate in English and American Literature from the University of Jodhpur. He is married to Mumal Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Ranvijay Singhji of Sohangadh (in Punjab), who is a graduate in Home Sciences. They have two sons, Harshveer and Divyveer, currently studying at the prestigious Mayo College, Ajmer.
Some of his Career Highlights:
At a tender age of 17 Chandan Singh Rathore began his carrier in 1941 as a 2nd Lieutenant of the famous Jodhpur Lancers, which his Father Col.Bahadur Singhji OBI had commanded. The “Lancers” had earlier won world recognition for the last and successful Cavalry Charge at the Battle of Haifa.On independence, the “Lancers” were merged with The President’s Body Guard, 20 Lancers and 61ST Cavalry of the Indian Army.
The Air Vice-Marshal, then a Captain joined the Indian Air Force, in 1947.
Then a Captain, Chandan Singh was serving in the No.43 squadron IAF, when he was awarded with AVSM for "devising new procedures for training n selecting new safe routes"
1962 War
As a pilot of No.44 squadron, his gallantry earned him VIR CHAKRA.
Where he as a Sqn Ldr, flew in BRAVO Sqn 20 LANCERS to Chushul, in Oct 1962.
His AN-12 was punctured by Chinese bullets, he bashed on.
Citation For Vir Chakra:
On 20th October 1962, Squadron Leader Chandan Singh was detailed to carry out supply dropping in the Chip Chap area in Ladakh. On reaching the dropping zone, he noticed that the outposts were under heavy fire from the Chinese forces. He successfully dropped vital supplies to our garrison although his aircraft was hit 19 times by enemy ground fire, Squadron Leader Chandan Singh displayed courage and devotion to duty in carrying out the task in complete disregard of his personal safety. He was awarded Vir Chakra for this.
Captain Chandan Singh's bravery earned him the Vir Chakra, but it was not to be the last time the IAF would be witness to it.
Chandan Singh who was a Sq.Ldr during Sino Indian War if 1962 was promoted to rank of Group Captain in 1969
He took command of Jorhat Air Force Station n commanded the base through Indo-Pak War, 1971
Rathore's inspirational leadership during the India-Pakistan War, 1971:
Ah! Meghna 1971 ..Two great Rathore Warriors..operating in perfect sync..often without official sanction..
Lt. Gen. Sagat Singh
AVM Chandan Singh
The rest is history…
(RanBanka Rathore)
During the war of 1971, Group Captain Chandan Singh Rathore was commanding the Air Force Station in Jorhat. Under the leadership of Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Rathore, Chandan Singh successfully planned & executed the airlifting of 2 Army companies from the Sylhet area. In early December, when India conceived to conquer Dhaka, the capital, Singh oversaw the advancement of approximately 3,000 troops and40 tons of equipment (including heavy guns)via a strained helicopter arsenal.
The missions Group Captain Chandan Singh undertook required meticulous planning & forethought, and guided by LG Sagat Singh, Chandan Singh would personally carry out dangerous reconnaissance that consistently put his life in jeopardy, to identify where he could gainan advantage over the Pakistan forces.
SYLHET AIR LIFT
On 7th December at this time of the night the 110 Helicopter Unit commanded by Sqn Ldr CS Sandhu VrC, his Flight Commander Sqn Ldr Pusph Vaid VrC under Gp Capt Chandan Singh MVC, VrC carried out the very first Special Heliborne Operation to Sylhet.
They dropped a depleted battalion of 4/5 Gorkha Rifle FF commanded by the brave Lt Col Arun Harolikar behind enemy lines.
It’s one of the most audacious helilifts carried out by a squadron of MI4 helicopters attached to Lt General Sagat Singh in 4 Corps for rescue and evacuation.
Group Captain Chandan Singh conducted eight helicopter airlift operations deep in enemy territory, believed to have been critical to the success of India's campaign. Following the events of 7 December, he went on to undertake additional 18 missions, Each time allowing India's ground forces to advance closer. On 26 Jan, 1972, Group Captain Chandan Singh Rathore was awarded The Maha Vir Chakra, for his gallantry and leadership.
Brilliant, unconventional, fearless, Group Captain Chandan Singh, seniormost IAF officer to be awarded MVC
Citation For Mahavir Chakra :
During 1971 war Group Captain Chandan Singh, AVSM. VRC was the officer commanding of an Air Force Station in the East [Air Force Station, Jorhat]. During the war with Pakistan, he was at the forefront of the air operations conducted for the liberation of Bangla Desh. Group Captain Chandan Singh was also responsible for the planning and execution of the special helicopter operations to airlift two companies of troops of the Sylhet area. When it became necessary to overcome the obstacles in the advance of the army towards Dacca, he planned and executed the move of nearly 3,000 troops and 40 tons of equipment and heavy guns with the extremely limited helicopter force at his disposal. This operation entailed landing the troops and equipment near heavily defended areas by night. Prior to each mission he personally carried out reconnaissance in the face of heavy enemy fire. On the night of December 7/8 he flew eight missions, deep into enemy territory to supervise the progress of the helicopter airlift and to guide and inspire his pilots who were facing heavy opposition from ground tire. Later he undertook a further 18 missions in the same operation, always leading the landings at new places. On many occasions, his helicopter was hit by ground fire, but this did not deter him from further missions. The success of this major airborne operation contributed significantly to the fall of Dacca and the capitulation of the Pakistan armed forces, in Bangla Desh. He was awarded Mahavir Chakra for his gallant performance during the war where he For planned and executed air lift of Two companies of troops of the IV Corps..
He was promoted as AIR COMMODORE in 1973 and to the rank of AIR VICE MARSHAL in 1977
He took over as SASO -Senior Air Staff Officer of the Central Command, Allahabad n retired in 1980.
He breathe his last at the age of 95, at his Residence in Jodhpur.We will forever be indebted by your services.
We mourn on the sad demise of our great Warrior, Mahavir, FORMER VICE AIR MARSHALL Chandan Singh Rathore ji..
Om Shanti 🙏
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