1. This edited autobiography by Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal is on the Indian Air Force and chronicles the author's career in it. The book is a personal narrative by the former Air Chief showcasing his experiences, passion for flying and love for the IAF. It provides an eminently readable history of the IAF's formative years. The book is the only one written by the author, who passed away before he could complete it. The remaining task of collating, editing and filling the gaps in the story has been credibly done by his wife Ela Lal.
2. ACM Lal distinguished himself in the role of the Chief of the Air staff. He held diverse and challenging assignments throughout his illustrious career, as MD of Indian Airlines and HAL, VCAS, AOM, AOC-in-C WAC & deputy military secretary to the cabinet. His career spanned three decades starting with WW-II and culminating with Indo-Pak War of 1971. Story of his life is predominantly the story of the IAF. More importantly, it was under the able leadership of Air Chief Marshal PC Lal, that the Indian Air Force won its most decisive victory in 1971.
3. The book covers the period from the date when ACM Lal was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the IAF volunteer reserve to his last day in service in the IAF (14 Nov 39 to 16 Jan 73). The book is planned in three parts. The first is a personal memoir, the second covers the formative post- independence years highlighting the ascendancy of the air force and the third part focuses on the 1971 war and the prime role IAF played in it. Sixteen chapters are devoted to this absorbing book. It is replete with examples of personal leadership, provides invaluable lessons and hence is a must read for all military professionals.
4. Lal's story is beset with many ups and down. Britain's declaration of war against Germany and a quirk of fate landed him the job of a pilot in the IAF Volunteer reserve, while he was studying to be a barrister in England. He joined as a navigator, but converted to be a combat pilot. He suffered grave ignominy of being removed from service, after a public spat with the then Defence Minister, Mr Krishna Menon. Again luck came to his rescue and he was reinstated back, when Mr Menon was himself unceremoniously sacked after the debacle of 1962 war. In another twist of fate, he oversaw the establishment of the production line of HAL's new MiG-21and HS-748 freighter ac, the same ac he had crossed swords with Mr Menon.
5. The book traces the life of ACM Lal from his younger days, his family background and events of his early days in the IAF. The author's characterisation of war colleagues and prominent statesmen, who earned fame with their heroic exploits, is fairly accurate. The independence period with its hysteria, blood-bath and mass exodus of population and scenes of the largest seize and battle in Kashmir in 1947-48, which tested the courage, guts and tenacity of both the IAF and the Indian Army, is recollected vividly. The book covers the progress of our country since independence in varied fields and gradual organisation of the IAF, through the years.
6. The author's insight into the apprehensions that the Defence had towards a possible threat from China and the refutable denial from the Indian authorities based on unrealistic social sentiments and the unfounded belief in the inviolability of the Himalayas is totally vindicated. The setback that India suffered in the Indo-Sino war in 1962 confirms this aspect. He has put the reluctance to use airpower in 1962, despite having platforms to effectively interdict the Chinese forces, into the correct perspective. He attributes aversion to the lack of all-around knowledge about the versatility of employment of airpower on the part of ground commanders and politicians, lack of cohesive national policy and India's unpreparedness as the root causes for India's loss. These aspects were addressed in the 1965 Indo-Pak war where IAF gave a strong account of them. The author is very candid about the total lack of synergy between the Indian Army and the IAF during the 1965 war, ascribing it to a approach that looked at the IAF as merely a tactical air force. PC Lal feels that hope lies in learning lessons from the war, and avoiding similar pitfalls in future action.
7. Destiny seldom gives an opportunity to learn from one's own shortcomings and to correct them as well. As CAS, ACM Lal had one of those rare opportunities when he led the air force in a decisive victory against Pakistan in 1971. The preparation, planning and attack phase in both the eastern and western sectors during the 1971 war finds a chronological, exhaustive mention in the book. He famously remarks after the war that "the facts of geography clearly make it futile for Pak to wage war with India". His personal account of the war contradicts the exaggerations of PAF in terms of correct figures on war attrition. He exhibits honesty and sincerity in his correct articulation of the events & factual data. Many trivial details and intriguing real life incidences throughout the book make a captivating reading.
8. The author advocates the unassuming benefits of close understanding and collaboration between the three services rather than using the other to serve its own purposes. However, the author negating the idea of creation of CDS post due to his personal experiences of being treated with a big brotherly attitude by CsOAS Gen Maneckshaw and Gen Chaudhuri is perhaps not too realistic. The book suffers from a few spelling mistakes and syntax errors, which robs the book of its sheen. Lal's personal account of the war, a smooth narrative style and an eye for detail, lends the book the legitimacy and distinction of being a truly credible memoir. In essence, it remains truly worth in content for its price.
9. Air Chief Marshal PC Lal remains one of the pioneers of the IAF who is credited with raising and nurturing the org to its present form. The versatility of his accomplishments is difficult to match in today's world. Because of his lasting impact on the IAF and immense influence he had in shaping Indian civil aviation, he remains one of the most accomplished IAF officers. The book authored by him is a timeless testimony to his legacy.
