Late Gen KS Thimmaiyya

 Sharing a post of  military history, just wanted to be sure about this anecdote:-

Remembering Late Gen KS Thimmaiyya @Timmy on his 117th birth anniversary. He is one reason why Ladakh is still part of India. It was 1947-48 and we had barely saved Kashmir from Pakistan backed mercenaries. Leh garrison comprised of barely 33 soldiers was about to fall as it lay on a seize by the Pakistani raiders. It had no hope of receiving any reinforcement or rations or ammunitions from the land route till Rohtang pass or Zoji La opened, which was at least few months away. But when Major Prithi Chand and his handful of brave men climbed the icy heights of Zoji La during winters, it got a new lease of life. After reaching Leh in March, Mr Sonam Norbu, a British trained civil engineer who was part of the brave team of Major Prithi Chand undertook the onerous task of constructing an Airfield at Leh. On 6th April 1948, a 2300 yards long airfield was completed with back breaking hard work and limited resources. 

The fate of Ladakh’s was still hanging from a slender thread as Air Commodore Mehar Singh , the AOC Kashmir expressed his inability to fly his vintage Dakotas to Leh because firstly, the aircrafts were not designed to fly above 18000 feet whereas the altitude of Ladakh dictated that the aircrafts must fly at an altitude of 25000 feet to be able to land there successfully. Secondly, there was no oxygen available onboard Dakotas and even the aircraft were not pressurised. In short; flying to Leh was a disaster and no sensible Airforce Commander could put his men and aircraft to such grave risks. 

At this point of time Gen Thimayya, pleaded with Air Commodore Mehar Singh for reviewing his decision. He most sincerely offered to fly in the first aircraft and be with the men to face the same risk as they were being subjected to, while flying to Leh on an unchartered flight route without oxygen, well above the ceiling restrictions of the Dakotas. 

This touched the very core of the heart of Air Commodore Mehar Singh and he not only accepted the challenge but went on to fly the first aircraft himself with Major General K S Thimayya on board. Most will not believe that this was done without seeking the clearance of Army Headquarters,  because no one would have given these orders. Rest as they say is a history.