AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 5 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 95 of 332 their ammunition and personnel were hit. For the first time the Hunters saw Air opposition in NAYACHOR areas and two MIG -19s were compelled to go into the ground in the last ditch maneuvers. About an hour before sundown there came a Flash message from GOC 12 Inf Div informing about two STARFIGHTERS (104s) seen heading towards JAISAIMER. Since the Base had seen no aerial combat so for the Base Cdr immediately had six Hunter aircraft in air to welcome the STAR FIGHTER but to his dismay no STAR FIGHTER showed up and he sent a message in reply to GOCs message – “Thank you for the Information. Reception Committee of six hunters disappointed" Total sorties 21 Claims made Destroyed 6 Tanks, 3 Goods Trains, 21 Goods wagons. Diesel engine, 15 Vehicles and 2 aircrafts. Damaged 1 tank, 26 Goods Wagons and 1 Goods Train. Ammunition expended 30 mm HE-2099 rds. Rocket T10-93 16 Dec 71 The Base Cdr passed a message in the morning to all unit/section Comdrs that “He presents Bangladesh to the Nation on the eve of his Birthday" and thanked all for showing grim determination to repel the enemy from our soil" The BANGLADESH in fact came into being at 1631 hrs the same day and stalling of the events by the BASE CDR came true. 10 more Hunter sorties were launched with one Bombing raid at RETI JN. Due to the unreliability of the EMRU’s Bombing and NAPALM raids, though much desired by the Base Cdr, were not launched for fear of hang up. In addition to this one casualty evacuation sortie was also undertaken. Our beloved Prime Minister Smt INDIRA GANDHI announced that unilateral ceasefire was to be observed from 2000 hrs 17 Dec 71. This was followed by a message from AOC—1n-C Western Air Command asking all AOCs/Stn Cdrs/Base Cdrs to cease all Offensive action after 2000 hrs 17 Dec 71 and authorised Base Cdrs to take any retaliatory action in self defence required under intimation to him. Total Sorties 11 Claims Made Destroyed 7 vehicles, 1 RCL Gun and 10 Goods Wagons. Damaged 1 Mil Spl Train and 4 Good Trains. Ammunition Expended 30 mm HE-1459 – Rds Rocket T10-58, Bombs – 1000 Lbs - 2 17 Dec 71 Since this was the last day of the war and the cease fire was to come into force from 2000 hrs, the Base once again hammered at all enemy positions opposite 12 Inf Div and 11 Inf DIV area by launching 14 Hunter sorties .