Air Marshal A R “Nifty” Pandit, PVSM, AVSM, DFC, Indian Air Force (Retd), died on 16 July 2005. He was 84.
Anand Ramdas Pandit was one of around 600 Indians who flew in action during World War 2, and one of around two dozen who received the DFC. Born in Indore in 1921, he joined the IAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941, and received his wings with the 8th Pilots’ Course, in February 1942. This course was to produce several Air Marshals for the post-Independence Indian Air Force – and a few DFCs during the course of World War 2.
He flew Westland Wapitis, Hawker Audaxes and Westland Lysanders with No 2 Squadron, Indian Air Force; and Hawker Hurricanes with No 1 Squadron, “The Tigers of Imphal”. He was to serve with No 1 Squadron from early 1943 till late 1944, flying operationally in the North-West Frontier Province and in Burma against Japanese opposition. He was awarded the DFC in January 1945, for his Tactical Reconnaissance and Photo Reconnaissance work with No 1 Squadron in Burma. He returned to No 2 Squadron, flying Supermarine Spitfires, immediately after World War 2.
He held a number of command and staff positions with distinction in the post-Independence Indian Air Force, including those of AOC-in-C of Training Command and of Maintenance Command, and ultimately that of Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
He received the PVSM and AVSM for distinguished services in the 1960s and ’70s; to add to the DFC he received during World War 2.
A selection of his photographs is on-line, at http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Sites/Pandit.html
By: Malcolm Payne - 21st July 2005 at 21:22
Indian veterans
Until two years ago I had the pleasure of working with Dave Bouche at Oxford. He lied about his age, survived a crash in a Harvard as the result of a mid-air, flew Hurricanes in Burma and the Folland Gnat in combat against the Pakistan Air Force. I think he was into his eighties and still instructing on the PA34 when Oxford retired him.
By: Jagan - 21st July 2005 at 15:53
To further add to Snoopys clarification,
Nifty Pandit was one of the last four surviving DFCs today. With his passing away, there are only three known DFC Survivors. S/L MS Pujji in UK is one of them.
I reckon there must be around 30 or so IAF Officer Veterans still around – maybe more whom we dont know of. Theoretically there should be a good number of Airmen veterans too, sadly this is an unexplored field and there has been no attempt to do a census on them.
By: Jagan - 21st July 2005 at 15:50
Snoopy
Thanks for bringing this to the attention of the forum. The already slim ranks of WW2 RIAF veterans have been further dimnished with his passing away.
I understand he had been ailing for a long time. And inspite of his illness he never refused to answer the various queries sent by us through Amit (the author of those photo pages) . Most recently, in June 1st week, he answered several questions on 22AACU, No.2 Squadron etc.
I also had the privilege of browsing thru his logbook and holding his medals up close – via his family. I will try and post a good picture of his DFC so that we know where all he served.
He will be missed..RIP Pandit sir.
Jagan
By: kev35 - 21st July 2005 at 09:07
Snoopy.
My sincere apologies. I have been suffering a certain degree of brain fade recently. I know I’ve corresponded with you before so I shouldn’t have made that mistake.
I apologise again.
Regards,
kev35
By: aviosaurus - 21st July 2005 at 07:00
The men (of all nationalies) of the Burma/India theatre were/are known as the “forgotten army”…any chance to know more of an “unknown” part of a “forgotten” air force would be most welcome….I hope.
By: kev35 - 20th July 2005 at 17:24
It’s also sad that within 12 hours this thread is half way down page 2.
Sad to hear of his passing but thanks to Jagan his career has been brought to our attention. Let’s hope that he’s now having a whale of a time flying a Celestial Hurricane.
May your God bless you.
Regards,
kev35
By: Moggy C - 20th July 2005 at 10:19
I’ve always thought the Indian Air Force guys who served out in the Far East have largely been overlooked in the public eye,
RIP, Nifty. 🙁
I’d agree with all the above. This is the first time I’ve heard the gentleman’s name.
Sad that his going should be what has brought him to our notice.
Moggy
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th July 2005 at 10:14
I’ve always thought the Indian Air Force guys who served out in the Far East have largely been overlooked in the public eye, especially given their contribution to the war effort and the hazardous nature of their work. Nifty Pandit’s resume seems to bear that out.
RIP, Nifty. 🙁
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July 20, 2005 at 6:22 am