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The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965
Major contribution to Indian military history, and an important work on the Indian Air Force. a carefully crafted story based on documents and personal accounts, some illus.
390 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 2, 2014
This is one well researched and beautifully penned account of the 1965 Ino-Pak war.
The narrative starts with a brief chapter on the evolution of jet-age Indian and Pakistani air force followed by a very brief description of the ground offensive (and geo-polity). Then on, the books takes the reader into cockpit of hunters-gnats-sabres-starfighters-mysteres-canberras-B57, telling the story of air battles and dogfights over Sargodha-Badin-Pathankot-Halwara-Adampur-Kalaikunda and many more air bases. One begins to marvel at the achievements of the airmen and gets goosebumps at their narrow escapes tragic and sudden ends which is the fate of every military pilot.
On the field of impartial reporting, I will give the authors 3 out of 5. It was a war of severe attrition at both ends and all that was used in the book was from official records and individual memoirs. As has been said in the book--admissions of severe setbacks and inaction would only deter the morale and support of the country, both India and Pakistan abide by this style and therefore official records do tend to get skewed. All said, the authors have been very genuine in according appreciation to PAF pilots and airmen. As a reader I myself am in admiration for their skills...they were well trained and well equipped whereas IAF was still building its combat strength after being severely dealt with a humiliating defeat in 1962 by Chinese.
One has to have this book in his/her collection...but if you are looking for entire description of 1965 war (ground offensive), the book living by its title, will not do full justice .
The narrative starts with a brief chapter on the evolution of jet-age Indian and Pakistani air force followed by a very brief description of the ground offensive (and geo-polity). Then on, the books takes the reader into cockpit of hunters-gnats-sabres-starfighters-mysteres-canberras-B57, telling the story of air battles and dogfights over Sargodha-Badin-Pathankot-Halwara-Adampur-Kalaikunda and many more air bases. One begins to marvel at the achievements of the airmen and gets goosebumps at their narrow escapes tragic and sudden ends which is the fate of every military pilot.
On the field of impartial reporting, I will give the authors 3 out of 5. It was a war of severe attrition at both ends and all that was used in the book was from official records and individual memoirs. As has been said in the book--admissions of severe setbacks and inaction would only deter the morale and support of the country, both India and Pakistan abide by this style and therefore official records do tend to get skewed. All said, the authors have been very genuine in according appreciation to PAF pilots and airmen. As a reader I myself am in admiration for their skills...they were well trained and well equipped whereas IAF was still building its combat strength after being severely dealt with a humiliating defeat in 1962 by Chinese.
One has to have this book in his/her collection...but if you are looking for entire description of 1965 war (ground offensive), the book living by its title, will not do full justice .
April 22, 2023
Hats off to the authors for presenting such detailed insiders! The book is one of a kind for military aviation lovers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews