AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 5 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 94 of 332 Pilots of No.122 (Ad-Hoc) Squadron seen in conversation during the visit of Air Marshal Minoo Engineer to the base. Seen in the photo: Farokh Mehta (Stdg 2nd from left), Kukke Suresh (6th from Left), D K Dass (9th from Left) M S Bawa (10th from left - back to camera) Minoo Engineer (to the right of photo) 14 Dec 71 Once again the Station launched 12 Hunter sorties to enable 12 Inf Div to gather courage to make headway into the enemy territory in pursuit of their AIM to capture RAHIMYAR KHAN. The Base Cdr. apprised the GOC 12 Inf that there was no enemy visible in their area of likely advance end there was not likely to be any resistance till RAHIMYAR KHAN. The Base Cdr even offered to take him personally or any of his Bde Comdr/Col GS in a Hunter trainer with a fighter cover to enable him to assess the situation and force on towards RAHIMYAR KHAN. No encouraging reply was received, which only showed the reluctance to move forward and an added excuse that one of his Bde was moved into Il Inf Div Sector. Historians will ask later as to why 12 Inf Div was depleted of its forces when the enemy was destroyed opposite them, and RAHIMYAR KHAN was within easy reach with complete situation in their favour. Total Sorties 12 Claims Made Destroyed 100 Goods Wagons and fuel tankers. Damaged Goods Wagons and 1 railway building. Ammunition expended 30 MM HE - 1812 rds. Rocket - T10-47 15 Dec 71 The Station mounted pressure along RAHIMYAR KHAN – ROHRI axis and NAYACHOR area to enable 12 Inf Div and 11 Inf Div to move forward and capture maximum territory in view of imminent fall of DACCA and subsequent likely CEASE FIRE in this area. 12 Inf Div Sector had complete air superiority right from the first day and now with the enemy's armour destroyed and due to complete rout in his rear as nothing was allowed to move. The Base Cdr expected 12 Inf Div to make a definite headway making a wedge deep into the enemy territory but the progress on the ground appeared to be hardly any. It appeared thatthere was no will to do so. During the day, a train carrying full Sqn of Armour was intercepted near KHAIRPUR. Large number of tanks and