This book profiles the life and times of Marshal Arjan Singh, DFC, who was made the first ever Marshal of the Indian Air Force in recognition to his extraordinary services, on January 25, 2002. The first four chapters give an insight into the life of the Marshal who, inspite of having been a high profile public figure, yet has been a very very private person. He has always let his performance speak for him. The fifth chapter records Marshal Arjan Singh's reminiscences and his candid views on a wide range of subjects. The next nine chapters are devoted to his life with No. 1 Squadron, and their exploits, followed by the major operations during his times—the 1962 and the 1965 Wars. The last three chapters cover some historical themes which are of contemporary relevance— Appeasement and Complacency, our indifferent approach to history, and the turns we have taken at the crucial crossroads. The book has been written in an easy and fluid style which makes it immensely readable, and the simple language, though with a defence flavour, should find favour with men-in-uniform as well as civilians. It is a welcome addition to the books on defence themes of which there is an acute dearth. It is hoped that with the present trend of greater transparency in Defence Forces, increasing number of defence personnel will share their experiences before they undeservedly get lost in the shifting sands of time. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contents Preface — Pgs. 7 1. Great Honour to the Iaf — Pgs. 9 2. Past Perfect: A Biographical Sketch — Pgs. 23 3. The Airborne Chiefs Marshal’s Reminiscences — Pgs. 39 4. The Number One—as I Knew it — Pgs. 41 5. Leadership in the Air Force — Pgs. 47 6. While on the Wings: From Marshal’s Album of Evergreen Memories — Pgs. 53 7. His Candid Views — Pgs. 59 8. Would You Do It Again? — Pgs. 61 9. Iaf Takes-Off with Tigers:Beginning of an Exciting Odyssey — Pgs. 65 10. Burmese Experience — Pgs. 71 11. Tigers After 1947 — Pgs. 87 12. Lest We Forget — Pgs. 103 13. Division of Armed Forces — Pgs. 109 14. The Days After Independence — Pgs. 115 15. Indian Defence Forces — Pgs. 117 16. The Himalayan Blunder: The Unfought War of 1962 — Pgs. 123 17. Operation Desert Hawk — Pgs. 145 18. Operation Grand Slam Twenty Two Days War (September 1 To 22, 1965) Some Exciting Air Battles: September, 1965 War — Pgs. 167 19. Our First Air Kill — Pgs. 169 20. Air Battle Over Halwara — Pgs. 171 21. The Burning Train — Pgs. 179 22. The Fighting Five Raid Peshawar — Pgs. 187 23. Kaps You Got Him — Pgs. 191 24. Mazi Shoots Down F-86 — Pgs. 197 25. Appeasement and Complacency:Some Leaves from History — Pgs. 203 26. A Brief History of Our Unwritten War Histories — Pgs. 211 27. Turns Taken at the Crossroads:Some Common Denominators — Pgs. 227