A Crown Prince Takes Flight: The Story of Pilot Officer Paljor Namgyal

Buddhist Tribute

Born in 1921 amidst the vibrant culture of Sikkim, a small Himalayan state nestled in India’s northeast, where Buddhism is deeply woven into the fabric of life, Kunzang Choley Namgyal, better known as Paljor Namgyal, was the Crown Prince, the eldest son of Maharaja Sir Tashi Namgyal. Paljor nevertheless harboured a passion for aviation.

The Hard-Fought Ground of Monte Cassino

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.

Battles of Kohima and Imphal

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.