Wings of Courage: First Indian Air Force Officer DFC
Karun Krishna Majumdar, affectionately known as “Jumbo” Majumdar, remains one of the most distinguished figures in the annals of Indian military aviation.
Karun Krishna Majumdar, affectionately known as “Jumbo” Majumdar, remains one of the most distinguished figures in the annals of Indian military aviation.
Sepoy Namdeo Jadhav (18 November 1921 – 2 August 1984) earned the highest military honour for gallantry, the Victoria Cross (VC), for his actions during the Second World War.
Born into a simple village life, Naik Gian Singh VC’s courage would propel him to the heights of military heroism.
In the brutal winter and into the spring of 1944, amongst the windswept peaks of central Italy, a battle unfolded that etched itself into the memory of the Second World War. The Battle of Monte Cassino, also known as the Battle for Rome, raged for four long months, becoming a crucible where the resolve of Allied forces was tested to its very limit. The Allied troops at Monte Cassino comprised soldiers from America, Britain, Canada, France, (pre-partition) India, New Zealand, Poland, Morocco, Algeria and South Africa.
In the colossal tapestry of the Second World War, some battles are remembered more than others. Yet, taking place in the hills and jungles of Northeast India are two often overlooked conflicts that deserve to be better remembered: the Battles of Kohima and Imphal.
The first of the Trust’s projects is the South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), which first took place in 2020 and runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year.
SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities.
It seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.
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