THE PUNJAB SQUADRON OF ROYAL AIR FORCE

 

During the Second World War, various states and communities in the British Empire raised funds to contribute to the war effort. The princely state of Punjab gifted a squadron of Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft to the Royal Air Force.
In recognition of this significant contribution, the No. 130 Squadron, which was formed on June 16, 1941, was officially known as "The Punjab Squadron" and its unit badge featured an Indian Elephant.
No. 130 Squadron was disbanded in February 1944, to maintain the tradition of a Punjab squadron 186 Squadron at RAF Lympne was re-numbered as No. 130 (Punjab) on 5 April 1944. No. 186 Squadron RAF re-numbered as No. 130 (Punjab) was disbanded on 17 July 1945.
The name "Punjab" has a lasting legacy in the RAF; the current No. 56 Squadron RAF was also known as the "56 (Punjab) Squadron". March 1946, the No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron nameplate was transferred over to No. 16 Squadron

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  CROSSING "THE THIN RED LINE" The "Thin Red Line" often means the final boundary or division between order and chaos, or between good and evil. It is also used to denote a limit beyond which someone must not go without facing severe consequences. It suggests the idea of a physical boundary marking the limits between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The expression is part of the English language vocabulary. However, there is a military origin to this phrase which goes back to the British Crimean War, particularly the Balaklava Campaign. Though the Balaklava Campaign became infamous for one of the most infamous blunders in military history, the Charge of the Light Brigade, made immortal by Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of h...
Read more
Image
  ঢেমনা, ঢ্যামনা(ḍhēmanā, ḍhyāmanā) In Bengali this word commonly is used as a slang to denote an idiot, Someone is very bad and ugly, lewd or illegitimate. Oft used when there is a verbal fight and one is trying to insult the other person In reality, ঢেমনা, ঢ্যামনা is the non poisonous Oriental rat snake মাকাল(Makal) Common Bengali slang used as an insult to denote a person completely bereft of any good qualities, useless fellow etc In reality Makal is a type of fruit, specifically the bitter snake gourd (Trichosanthes bracteata). Bitter Snake Gourd is valued for its ornamental flowers and unique fruit used in traditional medicine and as a vegetable in some cultures, although the fruit is very bitter. The fruit of bitter snake gourd, is considered poisonous. It contains toxic compounds like cucurbitacins, which can cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested. While the plant is used in traditional medicine, caution is advised due to its toxicity. বুড়ো ভাম বুড়ো ভাম(Buro Bham) in Be...
Read more
Image
  GHOSTS AND SPIRITS IN BENGALI CULTURE Like the wide variety of Shaak/Saag, Bengali eats virtually any green leaf converting it into a Shaak/Saag Like the wide variety of fish in Bengali cuisine Bengali culture has a wide variety of Bhoot Shakhchunni is a ghost of a married woman, who died young and had a lot of unfulfilled wishes and desires. The name Shakchunni derives from the word "Shankha Churni" or one who has shattered Shankha(bangles). A Bengali married woman wears a red Pola(coral) and white Shankha(sea shell) bangle. Petnis are the spirits of unmarried women and are said to inhabit marshy areas, near ponds and lakes. The name originates from the female form of the Sanskrit word "Pret" meaning Ghost, thus "Pretni" Daaini are old hags who practice black magic and live in a secluded area. They are rumoured to abduct children and turn them into animals. Mecho bhoot is a ghost which loves fish. They are said to live in ponds with lots of fish and it ...
Read more