2019-10-31 Thu

A lesser known story of a lesser known hero! Known variously as the Flying Sikh or "flying Hobgoblin", the first Indian to fly as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps in the World War-I. Remembering this flying ace on his Death Anniversary!

A number of fighters from India in World War I were in millions. Approximately 1.5 million Indians fought in every theater of the conflict. Little do the people know that a handful of Indians fought in the air! There seems to be little awareness about the role of India’s air warriors in the Great War. One of the almost-forgotten Indians flew as combat pilot was Lieutenant Hardit Singh Malik.

Lieutenant Hardit Singh Malik was the first Indian to fly as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Born on 23rd November 1894 in a Sikh family of Rawalpindi (Now in Pakistan), H. S. Malik’s career choice was influenced by his father who was strongly attached to the Sikh faith. At the age of 14 years, Hardit Singh left his blessed childhood and went to Britain in the pursuit of higher learning.

The time he completed his second year of college at Oxford University, the War broke out. During the war he joined service in the French Red Cross and gradually rose to the position of the fighter pilot and was stationed at Belgium.

In one such fight, Malik shot down one enemy aircraft, but at least four others attacked him. Malik got shot down in the leg and crashed but was rescued and carried to the hospital. After his recovery, He continued flying and returned to France for more operational service. He survived to see India achieving independence and went on to distinction in independent India.

This flying ace died in New Delhi on 31 October 1985, three weeks before his 91st birthday. It is said that he is the only surviving Indian Air Warrior who saw the Great War!

Image Courtesy: https://colnect.com

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