Maarkhoor
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Eric Hall
Eric Hall’s finest hour came in 1965 when as a Group Captain he was commanding the air transport Base at Chaklala. With war being imminent, he was conscious of PAF’s handicap of the lack of heavy bombers. Eric Hall set up to fill this gap. He struck upon the unique idea of converting PAF’s C-130s to the role of ‘Heavy Bombers’. With some modifications these were made capable of carrying upto 20,000 lbs of bombs. Having conducted trials to prove the efficacy of the use of C-130s in this hitherto novel and innovative role, the Group Captain volunteered to lead the first bombing mission that happened to be over Kathua bridge, on 11 September 1965. This was a daring move and one of the finest examples of a commander leading from the cockpit. The mission was not only fraught with danger but the totally unarmed C-130 was also highly vulnerable to enemy action. But the success of this mission that was unique in the history of flying prompted the higher command to authorize thirteen more bombing missions on the C-130 including the precision bombing of Indian heavy guns at Atari on the banks of BRB Canal. The success of all these missions proved that the Air Vice Marshal had hit the bull’s eye it his innovative idea. For his valour and vision, Eric G Hall was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat in 1965.
After a long heroic life he breathed his last on June 17, 1998 in Maryland USA, where he had settled after his retirement in 1975.
Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat
Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat was another outstanding pilot who deserves special mention. He was a brilliant officer right from the beginning. On his graduation with the 16th GD (P) course in 1954, he was awarded the trophy for the best performance in Ground Subjects.
Soft spoken and mild mannered, Middlecoat was the epitome of an officer and a gentleman besides being an outstanding pilot. Flying different aircraft in his service career, he came to master the F-104 Starfighter.
He was commanding No 9 Squadron during the 1965 War and believed in leading from the front. He kept the morale of the Squadron very high and guided his pilots in a highly professional manner. For his leadership and devotion to duty, Squadron Leader Middlecoat was awarded the Sitara-i-Jurat in 1965.
On the outbreak of war on 3 December 1971, Wing Commander Mervyn. L. Middlecoat was on a training visit abroad. He returned to Pakistan immediately and joined operations with such zeal and keen interest that he inspired all squadron pilots. The day after his arrival he was detailed on a strike mission to the heavily defended Jamnagar airfield. While returning after the successful mission he was engaged by 2 enemy MiG-21s. In the encounter his aircraft was hit by an enemy missile. He was heard to be ejecting in Indian territory and was officially declared ‘missing in action’ and later ‘presumed dead’. For his devotion to duty, determination and courage, he was awarded a Bar to the Sitara-i-Jurat.
Squadron Leader Peter Christy
Squadron Leader Peter Christy was a jolly, hard working and dedicated officer. He served as a B-57 Navigator and flew a number of successful operational missions in 1965. In 1971, Peter Christy was on deputation to PIA when he himself volunteered to return to PAF for war duties. He displayed great keenness to fly, and inspite of overwhelming family obligations and responsibilities he was always willing to take on any mission at any odd hour of the day or night. His sense of humour under war conditions, his dedication to the cause of the country and his personal courage contributed immensely to the Squadron’s morale.
On 6th December, 1971 Squadron Leader Peter Christy was detailed as Navigator for a bombing mission to Jamnagar. He failed to return from the mission and was officially declared ‘missing in action’. For his personal example and complete devotion to duty, he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat.
It is for paucity of space that only seven names have been dwelled upon in detail but the rank and file of PAF is full of names of Christian officers and men who have contributed significantly to the formation of PAF and later kept the national banner flying with courage, dedication and dignity. To name a few, ‘Edwin Nazirullah, Steve Joseph, James Jebb, Patric Callaghan, Stephen Israel, M.J. O’Brain, Springett and Game amongst the pioneering pilots with Leslie de’ Cruz the Navigator, Alfred Jagivan the Air Gunner, Marston the Armament Officer, Robert Ritchie, J.E. Lewis, H.J. Caldens, J.M. Octavious and H.W. Highland the Admin Officers and C.M. Revis the Education Officer among the pioneers. Later John Carrapiett and Saleem Gohar who fought valiantly in the Indo Pak Wars. Out of these, besides Eric Hall, Steve Joseph and M. J. O’Brain also rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal and achieved the penultimate position in PAF and served as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff. Air Vice Marshal O’Brain also achieved a rare distinction as having been so far the only PAF Officer to serve as the Commandant of National Defence College.
Air Commodore Nazir Latif
Air Commodore Nazir Latif, who was born in 1927 joined the 8th GD pilot’s course but because of his high standard in flying, was upgraded to the 7th GD (P) course and graduated in 1950.
Just prior to the 1965 War, as a Wing Commander, Nazir Latif commanded a Bomber Wing. Under his able command, the bomber wing had been well prepared and well trained to undertake daring but accurate bombing missions deep inside the enemy territory. Wing Commander Nazir Latif led the most challenging raids including the successful attack on Ambala which was deep inside the Indian territory and was believed to be defended by batteries of Soviet-supplied SA-2 Surface to Air Missiles. On two occasions, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft guns but he flew back his aircraft and landed safely after pressing home his attacks accurately. For his exceptional flying skill and valour the Government of Pakistan conferred the Sitara-e-Jurat on him.
In 1971 too, while commanding PAF Base at Masroor, he actively participated in the war and flew numerous daring bombing missions. During the course of his service, he commanded three different fighter and bomber wings and two Bases. He also served as Director of Operations and Plans at the Air Headquarters. After a long and meritorious service, he retired in 1972. He is currently serving as Director Operations in a Charter Air Service in the Middle East.
Eric Hall’s finest hour came in 1965 when as a Group Captain he was commanding the air transport Base at Chaklala. With war being imminent, he was conscious of PAF’s handicap of the lack of heavy bombers. Eric Hall set up to fill this gap. He struck upon the unique idea of converting PAF’s C-130s to the role of ‘Heavy Bombers’. With some modifications these were made capable of carrying upto 20,000 lbs of bombs. Having conducted trials to prove the efficacy of the use of C-130s in this hitherto novel and innovative role, the Group Captain volunteered to lead the first bombing mission that happened to be over Kathua bridge, on 11 September 1965. This was a daring move and one of the finest examples of a commander leading from the cockpit. The mission was not only fraught with danger but the totally unarmed C-130 was also highly vulnerable to enemy action. But the success of this mission that was unique in the history of flying prompted the higher command to authorize thirteen more bombing missions on the C-130 including the precision bombing of Indian heavy guns at Atari on the banks of BRB Canal. The success of all these missions proved that the Air Vice Marshal had hit the bull’s eye it his innovative idea. For his valour and vision, Eric G Hall was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat in 1965.
After a long heroic life he breathed his last on June 17, 1998 in Maryland USA, where he had settled after his retirement in 1975.
Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat
Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat was another outstanding pilot who deserves special mention. He was a brilliant officer right from the beginning. On his graduation with the 16th GD (P) course in 1954, he was awarded the trophy for the best performance in Ground Subjects.
Soft spoken and mild mannered, Middlecoat was the epitome of an officer and a gentleman besides being an outstanding pilot. Flying different aircraft in his service career, he came to master the F-104 Starfighter.
He was commanding No 9 Squadron during the 1965 War and believed in leading from the front. He kept the morale of the Squadron very high and guided his pilots in a highly professional manner. For his leadership and devotion to duty, Squadron Leader Middlecoat was awarded the Sitara-i-Jurat in 1965.
On the outbreak of war on 3 December 1971, Wing Commander Mervyn. L. Middlecoat was on a training visit abroad. He returned to Pakistan immediately and joined operations with such zeal and keen interest that he inspired all squadron pilots. The day after his arrival he was detailed on a strike mission to the heavily defended Jamnagar airfield. While returning after the successful mission he was engaged by 2 enemy MiG-21s. In the encounter his aircraft was hit by an enemy missile. He was heard to be ejecting in Indian territory and was officially declared ‘missing in action’ and later ‘presumed dead’. For his devotion to duty, determination and courage, he was awarded a Bar to the Sitara-i-Jurat.
Squadron Leader Peter Christy
Squadron Leader Peter Christy was a jolly, hard working and dedicated officer. He served as a B-57 Navigator and flew a number of successful operational missions in 1965. In 1971, Peter Christy was on deputation to PIA when he himself volunteered to return to PAF for war duties. He displayed great keenness to fly, and inspite of overwhelming family obligations and responsibilities he was always willing to take on any mission at any odd hour of the day or night. His sense of humour under war conditions, his dedication to the cause of the country and his personal courage contributed immensely to the Squadron’s morale.
On 6th December, 1971 Squadron Leader Peter Christy was detailed as Navigator for a bombing mission to Jamnagar. He failed to return from the mission and was officially declared ‘missing in action’. For his personal example and complete devotion to duty, he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat.
It is for paucity of space that only seven names have been dwelled upon in detail but the rank and file of PAF is full of names of Christian officers and men who have contributed significantly to the formation of PAF and later kept the national banner flying with courage, dedication and dignity. To name a few, ‘Edwin Nazirullah, Steve Joseph, James Jebb, Patric Callaghan, Stephen Israel, M.J. O’Brain, Springett and Game amongst the pioneering pilots with Leslie de’ Cruz the Navigator, Alfred Jagivan the Air Gunner, Marston the Armament Officer, Robert Ritchie, J.E. Lewis, H.J. Caldens, J.M. Octavious and H.W. Highland the Admin Officers and C.M. Revis the Education Officer among the pioneers. Later John Carrapiett and Saleem Gohar who fought valiantly in the Indo Pak Wars. Out of these, besides Eric Hall, Steve Joseph and M. J. O’Brain also rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal and achieved the penultimate position in PAF and served as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff. Air Vice Marshal O’Brain also achieved a rare distinction as having been so far the only PAF Officer to serve as the Commandant of National Defence College.
Air Commodore Nazir Latif
Air Commodore Nazir Latif, who was born in 1927 joined the 8th GD pilot’s course but because of his high standard in flying, was upgraded to the 7th GD (P) course and graduated in 1950.
Just prior to the 1965 War, as a Wing Commander, Nazir Latif commanded a Bomber Wing. Under his able command, the bomber wing had been well prepared and well trained to undertake daring but accurate bombing missions deep inside the enemy territory. Wing Commander Nazir Latif led the most challenging raids including the successful attack on Ambala which was deep inside the Indian territory and was believed to be defended by batteries of Soviet-supplied SA-2 Surface to Air Missiles. On two occasions, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft guns but he flew back his aircraft and landed safely after pressing home his attacks accurately. For his exceptional flying skill and valour the Government of Pakistan conferred the Sitara-e-Jurat on him.
In 1971 too, while commanding PAF Base at Masroor, he actively participated in the war and flew numerous daring bombing missions. During the course of his service, he commanded three different fighter and bomber wings and two Bases. He also served as Director of Operations and Plans at the Air Headquarters. After a long and meritorious service, he retired in 1972. He is currently serving as Director Operations in a Charter Air Service in the Middle East.
