After schooling at Loyola-Margao and graduating from Dharwar, whence he was selected to the IMA (then 'Armed Forces Academy'), Lt Col Fernandes was com. in 1951. He graduated again from the College of Military Engineering and his first posting, in 1956, was in counter-insurgency ops in Nagaland. During the 1961 Goa Operation Vijay, he commanded a motorized column of 17 Infantry Division ("Black Cat"), entering Goa from the border at Anmod. The motorized column encountered difficulty at Sanvordem and at Quepem, where bridges had been blown off by the retreating Portuguese troops - but also a warm welcome by the local populace.
At Quepem, a substantial assemblage of civilians had turned out to greet the Indian troops. After the womenfolk performed 'aartis' to the column's leader, the menfolk approached him with folded hands, proffering directions to Margao and Vasco in whatever Hindi they could muster.
Lt Col Fernandes, then a Capt, replied in chaste Konknni. The dumbstruck audience was almost floored. A Goan, and a Catholic at that, leading the mechanized column of the Indian Army? The crowd burst into jubilation! Lt Col Fernandes has several hilarious memories of those days, when he was based at Alpalqueiros-Vasco, where the last Portuguese Governor General, Gen Vassalo e Silva was held PoW.
Lt Col Fernandes visited relatives and friends, even attended the New Year ball at Clube Harmonia-Margao. He had the colonial Guv's fleet of limousines under his command, used all but abused none!
Lt Col Fernandes went with an Infantry Brigade on a UN peacekeeping mission to Congo in early 1962 - making the Chinese aggression of that year India's only armed action he did not participate in. during the 1965 war, he was on the eastern front at Agartala. In 1971, on the western border near Wagah.
Having generally served in border areas, he was deputed for a term in Tezpur with the Border Roads Organization. Lt Col Fernandes took premature retirement when serving in Bangalore in 1979, where he was the 3rd President of the Karnataka Goan Association (1981-83). Resides in Margao. From Sarzora.
Source: Pages 91-92
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Maj Cezar P F Lobo
Maj Lobo was com. into the Corps of Artillery. He was with the Air Observation Post as a pilot. Maj Lobo was the first to start the 12-gun battery at Bikaner. Hardly had he done that when, within a few days, the 1971 hostilities began. The vehicle he and his men were travelling in, in a desert area on the western front, blew up. Several died but Maj Lobo and a few survived and were rescued after about eight days of being reported missing. Maj Lobo's troubles, in fact, had begun while he was a cadet at the IMA. One of his close relatives back home in Goa was held for anti-colonial activity. A confidential note flew from the Portuguese in Panjim to the British in New Delhi. The future Maj Lobo was dismissed from the IMA.
His cousin, Maj Gerson R A de Souza, was ADC to Gen K M Capiappa, OBE. At Gen Cariappa's personal intervention, Maj Lobo was reinstated into the IMA. He settled in Goa on retirement and was in good health at age 70 in 2008, when he suddenly passed on. His wife, Maria Mascarenhas, is youngest in the brood of the famous Aldona family, sister of late Urminda Lima Leitao, Goa's first-ever woman MLA elected in 1963 and of Julio Sales Mascarenhas, India's Ambassador to several countries including Cuba and Venezuela. From Aldona.
Source: Pages 101-102
His cousin, Maj Gerson R A de Souza, was ADC to Gen K M Capiappa, OBE. At Gen Cariappa's personal intervention, Maj Lobo was reinstated into the IMA. He settled in Goa on retirement and was in good health at age 70 in 2008, when he suddenly passed on. His wife, Maria Mascarenhas, is youngest in the brood of the famous Aldona family, sister of late Urminda Lima Leitao, Goa's first-ever woman MLA elected in 1963 and of Julio Sales Mascarenhas, India's Ambassador to several countries including Cuba and Venezuela. From Aldona.
Source: Pages 101-102
Lt Jose Figueiredo Melo
Lt Jose Figueiredo Melo
(Avelino Jose Luis de Figueiredo Melo)
Lt Melo, b. 24 Aug 1916, was com. into the former Royal Indian Navy in 1938. He was a WW-II veteran and also took part in the Goa action in 1961 on board the INS Kirpan, the first anti-submarine frigate to enter Goan waters on 15 Dec 1961. Married to Alzira Jovita Faria from Aldona, Lt Melo retired in 1964 when posted at the just opened Naval Air Base at Vasco-da-Gama, INS Gomantak, after 26 years service. From Saligao.
Source: Pages 146-147
(Avelino Jose Luis de Figueiredo Melo)
Lt Melo, b. 24 Aug 1916, was com. into the former Royal Indian Navy in 1938. He was a WW-II veteran and also took part in the Goa action in 1961 on board the INS Kirpan, the first anti-submarine frigate to enter Goan waters on 15 Dec 1961. Married to Alzira Jovita Faria from Aldona, Lt Melo retired in 1964 when posted at the just opened Naval Air Base at Vasco-da-Gama, INS Gomantak, after 26 years service. From Saligao.
Source: Pages 146-147
Lt Cdr John Eric Gomes
Lt Cdr Gomes joined the Navy after graduating from Wadia College of Poona University in 1959. It was his generation of naval officers who laid the foundation for the present Navy. Lt Cdr Gomes took part in the 1961 Operation Vijay on the INS Cauvery, the gunboat No.2 that was engaged in the shoot out with the Portuguese frigate Albuquerque in Mormugao.
[In Gunboat No.1 was Cdr Noel Kelvin, who was injured in the leg when Portuguese defenders first hoisted the white truce flag and then, in a blatant war crime, opened fire after Indian naval officers and men unsuspectingly walked out to the deck of the vessel. Cdr Kelvin lives in Goa, still coping with the consequences of the 1961 leg injury. Never has the Goa government thought of honouring these gallant defence officers and men, both Goan and not, who helped unshackle Goa of the colonial yoke – even as dozens of dubious "freedom fighters" have been.]
Lt Cdr Gomes was involved in the landing and called upon to assist in the take over of the Goa administration. He commanded the Shore Defence Boat during the 1965 war. He later was Instructor at INS Venduruthy, Cochin. After many shore and sea jobs, he was again transferred to Goa and was Staff Officer-Ops in Goa during the 1971 war. Retired as Asst Director-Naval Ops from Naval HQ, New Delhi. Lives in Goa. From Borda-Margao.
Source: Pages 143-144
[In Gunboat No.1 was Cdr Noel Kelvin, who was injured in the leg when Portuguese defenders first hoisted the white truce flag and then, in a blatant war crime, opened fire after Indian naval officers and men unsuspectingly walked out to the deck of the vessel. Cdr Kelvin lives in Goa, still coping with the consequences of the 1961 leg injury. Never has the Goa government thought of honouring these gallant defence officers and men, both Goan and not, who helped unshackle Goa of the colonial yoke – even as dozens of dubious "freedom fighters" have been.]
Lt Cdr Gomes was involved in the landing and called upon to assist in the take over of the Goa administration. He commanded the Shore Defence Boat during the 1965 war. He later was Instructor at INS Venduruthy, Cochin. After many shore and sea jobs, he was again transferred to Goa and was Staff Officer-Ops in Goa during the 1971 war. Retired as Asst Director-Naval Ops from Naval HQ, New Delhi. Lives in Goa. From Borda-Margao.
Source: Pages 143-144
Cdr Joseph ("Joe") G Rodrigues
Son of the first Goan medical MD in Karachi who returned to India following partition in 1947, Cdr Rodrigues was a Naval Surgeon. He accompanied the forces to Goa on INS Rajput during Operation Vijay in 1961. Cdr Rodrigues is older brother of Lt Col Cyril ("Bonty") A Rodrigues. From Piedade-Divar.
Wg Cdr Vishwanath Balakrishna Sawardekar, KC, AVSM
KC citation: "Sqn Ldr Vishwanath Balakrishna Sawardekar had been attached to a fighter recce SQN [at Baghdogra] for operational duties during the Sept-1965 ops. On 10 Sept 1965, he along with his co-pilot [Sqn Ldr M J Marston], was about to take off on a sortie in a jet trainer [Vampire] when the airfield was suddenly attacked by four Pakistani aircraft as a result of which the trainer aircraft caught fire. Before they could abandon the burning aircraft, the co-pilot's clothes caught fire; he crawled away from the aircraft but collapsed after removing the top of his burning overall. Sqn Ldr Sawardekar received facial injuries. At this stage, the ammunition in the aircraft caught fire and began to explode. Without regard for his own safety, Sqn Ldr Sawardekar [jumped out of the burning aircraft to rescue his co-pilot inspite of his own injuries and exploding ammunition], ripped off the remnants of the co-pilot's overall which was still burning and cut away his burning shoes and socks. He then wrapped his own overall around the co-pilot's body and smothered the flames. He saved the life of his comrade. Sqn Ldr Vishwanath Sawardekar displayed exemplary courage and a spirit of comradeship and devotion to duty which are in the best traditions of the Air Force."
Com. 10 Oct 1953, Sqn Ldr Sawardekar participated in 1961 Operation Vijay. During the 1971 war, he was CO of 29 SQN ["Scorpios"] which shot down three Pak F-104 Starfighters and one MiG-19. He was awarded a AVSM: "Wg Cdr Sawardekar has served with several fighter and fighter-bomber SQNs of the IAF. He is a qualified Flying Instructor. Wg Cdr Sawardekar is presently in command of a supersonic fighter SQN. During the Indo-Pak conflict of Dec-1971, he had wide responsibilities as his SQN was operating in detachments at three separate locations. He ensured that all the tasks, including fighter escorts and sweep missions were undertaken successfully. He himself, though heavily burdened with supervision of his three detachments, was always at the forefront of operational missions undertaken by his aircraft. On 16 Dec 1971, he was on a mission to escort other aircraft which were to strike at the enemy. One of the aircraft being escorted was hit by enemy ground fire and the canopy was shattered, the pilot being severely injured. Wg Cdr Sawardekar joined the crippled aircraft and escorted it for a distance of 70 nautical miles, much of it over enemy territory, back to its base, keeping up the morale of the injured pilot and guiding him back home. He thus saved the pilot and the valuable aircraft. Throughout, Wg Cdr Vishwanath Balakrishna Sawardekar has thus rendered distinguished service of a high order."
He died when his MiG-21FL crashed following a bird hit over Hindon on 04 Apr 1972. When the vulture hit, he was at alt. 5,000 feet and could have easily bailed out. But below was a residential colony. Turning away, even as the aircraft steadily dropped height, his last chance to eject came when he was over the IAF colony. He crossed its periphery wall at height of 50 feet ... going down in the true traditions of the IAF: disregarding his own peril, but without causing collateral damage. Widow Asha returned to Goa with her two toddler daughters and lived at Miramar, Panjim. She plunged into social work and clocked many Goan 'firsts' in the field. Under the Central Government's Development of Women & Children in Rural Areas programme, through the Provedoria, she pioneered women empowerment groups, setting up over 500 such 15-member groups within a period of 5/6 years, across Goa. Much before, she had started the Goa branch of the All India Women's Conference. She then quietly began assisting fellow-humans, primarily slum women and children, with medical care and supplementary nourishment. In 1979, she launched a Trust, funded entirely on private donations. She conducted 6-month courses in tailoring, cooking, home nursing, etc. and, brick by another patient brick, built a twin institution: a medical recovery home and a home for the elderly, both for women. "Sanjeevan" (better life) at Nageshi-Ponda is the soft-spoken widow's ensign to an IAF hero... Both daughters are professionals and married, the elder is abroad and the younger, an architect, lives in Margao. Wg Cdr Sawardekar hailed from the well-known family whose storeyed homestead with two courtyards still stands in the native village. His brother Prof R B Sawardekar taught Physics at the National Defence Academy-Pune, whose son is Lt Col Nitin Sawardekar, a serving officer. Wg Cdr Sawardekar's cousin is Col M B Sawardekar. From Sanvordem.
Source: Pages 187-190
Com. 10 Oct 1953, Sqn Ldr Sawardekar participated in 1961 Operation Vijay. During the 1971 war, he was CO of 29 SQN ["Scorpios"] which shot down three Pak F-104 Starfighters and one MiG-19. He was awarded a AVSM: "Wg Cdr Sawardekar has served with several fighter and fighter-bomber SQNs of the IAF. He is a qualified Flying Instructor. Wg Cdr Sawardekar is presently in command of a supersonic fighter SQN. During the Indo-Pak conflict of Dec-1971, he had wide responsibilities as his SQN was operating in detachments at three separate locations. He ensured that all the tasks, including fighter escorts and sweep missions were undertaken successfully. He himself, though heavily burdened with supervision of his three detachments, was always at the forefront of operational missions undertaken by his aircraft. On 16 Dec 1971, he was on a mission to escort other aircraft which were to strike at the enemy. One of the aircraft being escorted was hit by enemy ground fire and the canopy was shattered, the pilot being severely injured. Wg Cdr Sawardekar joined the crippled aircraft and escorted it for a distance of 70 nautical miles, much of it over enemy territory, back to its base, keeping up the morale of the injured pilot and guiding him back home. He thus saved the pilot and the valuable aircraft. Throughout, Wg Cdr Vishwanath Balakrishna Sawardekar has thus rendered distinguished service of a high order."
He died when his MiG-21FL crashed following a bird hit over Hindon on 04 Apr 1972. When the vulture hit, he was at alt. 5,000 feet and could have easily bailed out. But below was a residential colony. Turning away, even as the aircraft steadily dropped height, his last chance to eject came when he was over the IAF colony. He crossed its periphery wall at height of 50 feet ... going down in the true traditions of the IAF: disregarding his own peril, but without causing collateral damage. Widow Asha returned to Goa with her two toddler daughters and lived at Miramar, Panjim. She plunged into social work and clocked many Goan 'firsts' in the field. Under the Central Government's Development of Women & Children in Rural Areas programme, through the Provedoria, she pioneered women empowerment groups, setting up over 500 such 15-member groups within a period of 5/6 years, across Goa. Much before, she had started the Goa branch of the All India Women's Conference. She then quietly began assisting fellow-humans, primarily slum women and children, with medical care and supplementary nourishment. In 1979, she launched a Trust, funded entirely on private donations. She conducted 6-month courses in tailoring, cooking, home nursing, etc. and, brick by another patient brick, built a twin institution: a medical recovery home and a home for the elderly, both for women. "Sanjeevan" (better life) at Nageshi-Ponda is the soft-spoken widow's ensign to an IAF hero... Both daughters are professionals and married, the elder is abroad and the younger, an architect, lives in Margao. Wg Cdr Sawardekar hailed from the well-known family whose storeyed homestead with two courtyards still stands in the native village. His brother Prof R B Sawardekar taught Physics at the National Defence Academy-Pune, whose son is Lt Col Nitin Sawardekar, a serving officer. Wg Cdr Sawardekar's cousin is Col M B Sawardekar. From Sanvordem.
Source: Pages 187-190
Gp Capt Trevor Joseph Fernandes, VM, Bar-to-VM
Gp Capt Trevor Joseph Fernandes was a young Flt Lt at a forward air base in Punjab in Dec-1961, when told to proceed to Pune. On arrival, he learnt that final preparations were made for armed action to take over Goa. Flying Hunters of 7 SQN, he was tasked to destroy the powerful transmitter of Radio Goa (Emissora de Goa) at Bambolim. He did the job at 0710 hours, while the programme "Alvorada Musicala" which started at 0700 hours was on. He was then told to escort the bombers targeting the Dabolim runway. While the mission was on, he noticed the tail of a Super Constellation sticking out of the hangar at Dabolim. He asked for permission form Tactical Air HQ to target the tail, to immobilize the aircraft. It was declined because of possible civilian casualties. [That Super Constellation of 'Tranportes Aereos da India Portuguesa' piloted by Lt Col Solano de Almeida, a Portuguese Air Force pilot from Lages Air Force Base at Azores on deputation to TAIP, together with one DC-4 Skymaster of TAP, the Portuguese airline, piloted by Capt Reis, daringly took off the bombed runway, secretly repaired overnight by the Portuguese.] Gp Capt Fernandes was associated with Gnats since 1962. He was an active fighter pilot in the 1965 war.
The VM citation: "Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandes has been associated with Gnat aircraft since Sept-1962. He has over 1900 hours of accident free flying experience, including more than 700 hours on the Gnat. During the India-Pakistan of 1965, he flew a number of operational sorties. He is an experienced pilot attack Instructor and has had great success in training pilots of his unit in gunnery. As a result of the excellent training imparted by him the aircrew trained by him sevured high places in the Command Gunnery Meets. Throughout, Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandez displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty."
Citation of Bar-to-VM: During the ops against Pakistan in Dec-1971, Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandez was the Flt Commander of a fighter bomber SQN [26 SQN, Su-7, Adampur]. He flew 14 op missions in support of our ground forces and was responsible for the destruction of one tank, four vehicles and on enemy gun position. He successfully attacked the Sulemanki headworks scoring direct bomb hits. In addition, he also successfully bombed Zaffarwal and Narowal railway yards and attacked the radar unit at Walton. His bombing runs on Sulemanki, Zaffarwal, Narowal and Walton had such a devastating effect that it contributed significantly in halting the enemy armour. Throughout, Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandes displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty." [Gazette of India No. 53-Pres/71 dated 26 Jan 1971.] On one occasion, his aircraft was damaged in ack ack, but he daringly flew it back and landed safely. Gp Capt Fernandes was later sent on a pilots training mission to the Iraqi Air Force. He was CO at the Bhuj base, then Director-Ops at Southern Air Command, among other assignments. Youngest brother of Cdr Stanislaus Fernandes and Col Herman J Fernandes - one brother each in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Gp Capt Trevor Fernandes' son is Col Bruce Fernandes, serving. From Siolim.
Source: Pages 176-177
The VM citation: "Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandes has been associated with Gnat aircraft since Sept-1962. He has over 1900 hours of accident free flying experience, including more than 700 hours on the Gnat. During the India-Pakistan of 1965, he flew a number of operational sorties. He is an experienced pilot attack Instructor and has had great success in training pilots of his unit in gunnery. As a result of the excellent training imparted by him the aircrew trained by him sevured high places in the Command Gunnery Meets. Throughout, Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandez displayed professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty."
Citation of Bar-to-VM: During the ops against Pakistan in Dec-1971, Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandez was the Flt Commander of a fighter bomber SQN [26 SQN, Su-7, Adampur]. He flew 14 op missions in support of our ground forces and was responsible for the destruction of one tank, four vehicles and on enemy gun position. He successfully attacked the Sulemanki headworks scoring direct bomb hits. In addition, he also successfully bombed Zaffarwal and Narowal railway yards and attacked the radar unit at Walton. His bombing runs on Sulemanki, Zaffarwal, Narowal and Walton had such a devastating effect that it contributed significantly in halting the enemy armour. Throughout, Sqn Ldr Trevor Joseph Fernandes displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty." [Gazette of India No. 53-Pres/71 dated 26 Jan 1971.] On one occasion, his aircraft was damaged in ack ack, but he daringly flew it back and landed safely. Gp Capt Fernandes was later sent on a pilots training mission to the Iraqi Air Force. He was CO at the Bhuj base, then Director-Ops at Southern Air Command, among other assignments. Youngest brother of Cdr Stanislaus Fernandes and Col Herman J Fernandes - one brother each in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Gp Capt Trevor Fernandes' son is Col Bruce Fernandes, serving. From Siolim.
Source: Pages 176-177
Lt Col Louis Fonseca
Lt Col Louis Fonseca was com. into the 8 Armoured Regiment (equipped with AMX light battle tanks) of the Armoured Corps. He commanded the armoured column that rolled into Goa during Op Vijay in Dec-1961.
Crossing the ghats and rivers whose bridges were detonated by the retreating Portuguese (who teasingly left an empty beer bottle at the standing end of every broken bridge), he was headed for Vasco-da-Gama via Margao. He dropped off en route, and nobody knew why.
He lined up all his tanks on the Verna Church foreground, to resume journey early the following morning, Dec 19. He pined for Goan food and knowing well that not one of his tanks would be required to fire a single shell, stopped overnight at the house of his aunt, a Gama from Verna! Lt Col Fonseca was older brother of Lt Col Ernest Fonseca. From Badem, Salvador do Mundo.
Source: Pages 87-88
Crossing the ghats and rivers whose bridges were detonated by the retreating Portuguese (who teasingly left an empty beer bottle at the standing end of every broken bridge), he was headed for Vasco-da-Gama via Margao. He dropped off en route, and nobody knew why.
He lined up all his tanks on the Verna Church foreground, to resume journey early the following morning, Dec 19. He pined for Goan food and knowing well that not one of his tanks would be required to fire a single shell, stopped overnight at the house of his aunt, a Gama from Verna! Lt Col Fonseca was older brother of Lt Col Ernest Fonseca. From Badem, Salvador do Mundo.
Source: Pages 87-88
Air V/Mshl Erlic W Pinto, M-in-D, PVSM
Air V/Mshl Erlic W Pinto was, in 1961, the AOC-in-C of the then unified Operational Command of the IAF responsible for the conduct of air ops throughout India. Citation: During the ops in Goa, Air V/Mshl Pinto was AOC-in-C, Operational Command for overall conduct of air ops. His directive was to assist the land forces in the attainment of their objective with the use of minimum force. The risk of casualties to the civil population in air ops was inherent. As a result of meticulous planning by Air V/Mshl Pinto and efficient coordination, the air ops in the three enclaves were carried out most successfully.
"With the outbreak of the Chinese histilities in 1962, the air operational commitments assumed vast proportions in J&K area as the land forces were largely dependant upon the Air Force for supplies, ammunitions and evacuation of casualties. The resources at Air V/Mshl Pinto's disposal remained unaltered. However, he faced the situation with his usual calm and reorganized the units under his command to undertake the intensive logistic support required.
"To infuse confidence in his officers and men, he led many difficult airlift missions with complete disregard to his personal safety. The first landing at a foward outpost entailed the use of a riverbed which is the highest 'airstrip' in the world. In spite of the hazards involved, Air V/Mshl Pinto decided to proceed on this flight himself to check operating conditions there. As AOC-in-C, Op Command, Air V/Mshl Pinto all along displayed initiative, drive and leadership of a very high order." [Notification No. 13-Pres/62 dated 26 Jan 1964 published in Part I, Section I, Gazette of India dated 01 Feb 1964.]
Com. 01 Aug 1940, Air V/Mshl Pinto was India's first Air Adviser in London. Those who knew him describe him as a flyer of repute and an exceptionally brilliant officer. The IAF was those days dogged with regional lobbies like the Sikh and the Maharashtrian, which shunned, in particular, Goan Catholic and Anglo-Indian officers in matters like promotion, foreign assignments and awards/decorations.
It was said that no officer from those lobbies could match Air V/Mshl Pinto's IQ, much less his qualities of heart. When the unified IAF Operational Command was decentralized, he was AOC-in-C, Western Air Command from 01 Jun 1963 and was clearly in line for the job of Chief of Air Staff. The parameter of age also favoured him. He would be the first Goan to head a wing of India's three defence services, but fate willed otherwise.
He died in a Chetak chopper of the IAF's 107HU squadron piloted by Flt Lt SS Sodhi that crashed over the Poonch River in J&K on 22 Nov 1963. Also killed in that crash were top Army officers like Lt Gen Daulat Singh (GOC-in-C, Western Command), LT Gen Bikram Singh (GOC, XV Corps) and Lt Gen Rustom K Nanavati. The loss of so many senior officers in an accident raised suspicions, but the Court of Inquiry ruled out sabotage and held that the helicopter accidentally hit electric wires and crashed.
Air V/Mshl Pinto was the senior most Goan IAF officer to die on service. the Goa airport road was fittingly named after him - but alas, today bereft of his road name signage. The road was proposed for widening by the state Public Works Department and prior to execution of the widening work, all road signage was removed to facilitate the widening. On completion of the widening work, directional boards to hotels, housing colonies and sundry establishments were re-erected - but not the road name board that helped remind the passer-by of this departed gallant Goan, even after the matter was brought to the notice of the PWD Minister and the Goa Chief Minister.
Air V/Mshl Pinto belonged to a brood of three brothers, each of who joined each of India's three defence services. The two other brothers were RAdm DRF Pinto (short for Fausto Pinto do Rosario) and Capt (Dr) Norman Pinto (do Rosario). From Porvorim-Socorro.
Source: Pages 159-161
"With the outbreak of the Chinese histilities in 1962, the air operational commitments assumed vast proportions in J&K area as the land forces were largely dependant upon the Air Force for supplies, ammunitions and evacuation of casualties. The resources at Air V/Mshl Pinto's disposal remained unaltered. However, he faced the situation with his usual calm and reorganized the units under his command to undertake the intensive logistic support required.
"To infuse confidence in his officers and men, he led many difficult airlift missions with complete disregard to his personal safety. The first landing at a foward outpost entailed the use of a riverbed which is the highest 'airstrip' in the world. In spite of the hazards involved, Air V/Mshl Pinto decided to proceed on this flight himself to check operating conditions there. As AOC-in-C, Op Command, Air V/Mshl Pinto all along displayed initiative, drive and leadership of a very high order." [Notification No. 13-Pres/62 dated 26 Jan 1964 published in Part I, Section I, Gazette of India dated 01 Feb 1964.]
Com. 01 Aug 1940, Air V/Mshl Pinto was India's first Air Adviser in London. Those who knew him describe him as a flyer of repute and an exceptionally brilliant officer. The IAF was those days dogged with regional lobbies like the Sikh and the Maharashtrian, which shunned, in particular, Goan Catholic and Anglo-Indian officers in matters like promotion, foreign assignments and awards/decorations.
It was said that no officer from those lobbies could match Air V/Mshl Pinto's IQ, much less his qualities of heart. When the unified IAF Operational Command was decentralized, he was AOC-in-C, Western Air Command from 01 Jun 1963 and was clearly in line for the job of Chief of Air Staff. The parameter of age also favoured him. He would be the first Goan to head a wing of India's three defence services, but fate willed otherwise.
He died in a Chetak chopper of the IAF's 107HU squadron piloted by Flt Lt SS Sodhi that crashed over the Poonch River in J&K on 22 Nov 1963. Also killed in that crash were top Army officers like Lt Gen Daulat Singh (GOC-in-C, Western Command), LT Gen Bikram Singh (GOC, XV Corps) and Lt Gen Rustom K Nanavati. The loss of so many senior officers in an accident raised suspicions, but the Court of Inquiry ruled out sabotage and held that the helicopter accidentally hit electric wires and crashed.
Air V/Mshl Pinto was the senior most Goan IAF officer to die on service. the Goa airport road was fittingly named after him - but alas, today bereft of his road name signage. The road was proposed for widening by the state Public Works Department and prior to execution of the widening work, all road signage was removed to facilitate the widening. On completion of the widening work, directional boards to hotels, housing colonies and sundry establishments were re-erected - but not the road name board that helped remind the passer-by of this departed gallant Goan, even after the matter was brought to the notice of the PWD Minister and the Goa Chief Minister.
Air V/Mshl Pinto belonged to a brood of three brothers, each of who joined each of India's three defence services. The two other brothers were RAdm DRF Pinto (short for Fausto Pinto do Rosario) and Capt (Dr) Norman Pinto (do Rosario). From Porvorim-Socorro.
Source: Pages 159-161
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Indian Military Ranks
| Abbreviation | Title |
| Gen | General |
| Lt Gen | Lieutenant General |
| Maj Gen | Major General |
| Brig | Brigadier |
| Col | Colonel |
| Lt Col | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Maj | Major |
| Capt | Captain |
| Lt | Lieutenant |
| 2 Lt | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Adm | Admiral |
| V/Adm | Vice Admiral |
| R/Adm | Rear Admiral |
| Cmde | Commodore |
| Capt | Captain |
| Cdr | Commander |
| Lt Cdr | Lieutenant Commander |
| Lt | Lieutenant |
| Sub Lt | Sub Lieutenant |
| Air C/Mshl | Air Chief Marshall |
| Air Mshl | Air Marshal |
| Air V/Mshl | Air Vice Marshal |
| Air Cmde | Air Commodore |
| Gp Capt | Group Captain |
| Wg Cdr | Wing Commander |
| Sqn Ldr | Squadron Leader |
| Flt Lt | Flight Lieutenant |
| Fg Offr | Flying Officer |
| Pilot Offr | Pilot Officer |
Awards
| Abbreviation | Title |
| OBE | Order of the British Empire |
| MBE | Member of the British Empire |
| PVrC | Param Vir Chakra |
| MVrC | Maha Vir Chakra |
| VrC | Vir Chakra |
| M-in-D | Mention in Despatches |
| Abbreviation | Title |
| AC | Ashoka Chakra |
| KC | Kirti Chakra |
| SC | Shaurya Chakra |
| SM(g) | Sena Medal for gallantry |
| Abbreviation | Title |
| SN | Sena Medal (Army) |
| NSM | Nao Sena Medal (Navy) |
| VSM | Vayu Sena Medal (Air Force) |
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