It was in the autumn of 1960 that the " Battle-axe " logo was approved by airforce heraldic committee. Although No 7 Sqn had been (unofficially) using this for years and wore it proudly on their flying suits. Mythology has it that the Battle-Axe (or "Farsha" as it is known in Sanskrit) was the choice weapon of Parshuram. Parshuram was one of the few Brahmin 'Guru' who were also masters of hand to hand combat. He was considered at par with Dronacharya, The Guru who instructed the Pandavas in the epic of the Mahabharat. Karan, half brother of Pandavas took instruction in weaponry from Parshuram, a disciple of lord Shiva and was known to have trible temper, having lost his father to the evil "Asuras". Prashuram in his anger got rid off from "Kshatriya", the martial races of the earth, seven times over.The farsha or " Battle-Axes" was known to have super natural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft. The farsha was also known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics. No. 7 Squadron 'Battle -Axes' emblem had two unfolded wings adorning the weapon and the symbolic number seven attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters "Shatrunjay" or simply " Vanquish the enemy". This logo was officially approved by President on 26th Septeber 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since and proudly is worn by all officers and men of the Squadron.
Squadron History
No. 7 Squadron (BATTLE-AXES) was formed on Dec 1942 at Vizagapatnam equipped with Vultee Vengeance dive bomber. Sqn Ldr HN Chaudhary was the first Commanding Officer and the personnel were drawn from No. 104 General Reconnaissance and 353 Squadron of RAF plus No. 3 Calcutta) and No. 6 (Vizagapatnam) Cost Defence Flight, under Air Headquarters formation, order 268 of 19 Nov 1942.
More than a half a century of existence of No. 7 squadron has been characterised by pioneering off new aircraft and weapons systems into the service and being the cutting edge of the air arm in various theatres of battle. BATTLE-AXES have always displayed skill and elan in the skies above the Indian subcontinent from the time they flew gull winged dive bombers bursting the jungle tree tops, to the contemporary classic delta inceptor flighter which they fly today at the edges of space. Most of the pioneers of no. 7 squadron are now gone, but theinheritors of the banner maintain the tradition with professionalism and pride.
Special Achievements
Waziristan Operation
To quell the uprising of tribesman of NWFP(North Western Frontier Province), the Sqn was first assigned operational task of bombing. On 03 Dec 1943, reconnaissance flights were carried out this was followed with bombing by two aircraft element of Vengeance. Squadron carried out bombing and strafing with exceptional accuracy although it was newly equipped with Vengeance dive bomber.
Burma Operation 1944
The squadron was placed on operational readiness on 04 March 1944. On 28 March 1944, a six aircraft formation led by CO, Sqn Ldr HN Chaudhary, carried out their first bombing strike. In a period of first three days, thirty four bombing sorties were carried out with devasting accuracy. During the next month, tactical and strategic targets were engaged with precise bombing and strafing.
Squadron continued operating from the Kutcha airstrips in rain and slush under adverse condition and still flew 1400 hrs operational flying. This tremendous flying efforts maximum in its group commended by AOC 221 group.
After successful complition of operation on Chindwin front the squadron moved to Imphal front. Operating from Sin, the Air Strip near Imphal, the Squadron flew 1200 hrs of operational flying in span of two months. This consisted of bombing, strafing, fighter reconnaissance and message dropping. Once again Sqn flew maximum in its group.
Kashmir Operations 1948-49
Equipped with spitfire, the Sqn flew 600 operation hours inspite of the adverse weather in the valley, poor servicing facilities and poor living conditions. During these operation the squadron kept enemy on its toes by continuously bombing, strafing, firing rockets at a relentless rate.
Indo-Pak Operations 1965
In these operations the squadron destroyed two sabres in aireal combat. In air to ground missions the squadron destroyed/damaged numerous bridges, tanks and gun positions. equipped with thunders.The squadron flew 437 operational missions maintaining a record serviceability of over 90% throught the period. This serviceability was maintained despite heavy rectifications required due to battle damage.
For its impressive record in the air as well as on ground, the squadron received commendations from the Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Defence Minister Shri YB Chavan and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh.
Indo-Pak Operation 1971
At the outbreak of this war the squadron was at Bagdogra and flew 40 missions of offensive air support and counter air support in three days on Hunter aircraft. Subsequently the squadron moved to Western front where it remained till cease-fire. Gaining the unique distinction of operating on both eastern as well as western fronts. The squadron largely flew close support air missions of Army, in addition strike sorties over PAF bases and important installations, were carried out with good results.
Sri Lanka Operations 1987
The squadron was once again entrusted with the unique task of escorting transport aircraft in ex Poomalai in Jun 87. Five AN-32s carrying food and relief supplies for the besieged tamil people at Jaffna were escorted all the way upto Jaffna. The ground and air opposition was encountered and all the air craft returned safely.
Maldives Operations 1988
In Nov 1988 the Maldives state Government was under threat from Tamil Guerillas. Overnight the Sqn flew to a base in Southern part of the country to standby for support to Maldives Government. On 04 Nov 1988, two ac formation made a pass over Hulule Airport in Maldives as a show of force and moral booster for the besieged government. However, Battle-Axes were disappointed as the need for the actual operation did not arise.
AirCraft flown by the Sqn
Wapiti
Vengeance
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Equipped to full standards, the Vengeance was redesigne of the A-35A, with four 50 inch machine guns in the wings and two .30 caliber brewing guns in the cockpit. Bomb load was two 500 pounds internally and another 500 pounder under each wing. Powered by 1700 hp wright R 2600-B piston radial engine, 562 Vengeance were assigned to Britain for eventual equipment of RAF and Royal Australian Air Force.
Hawker Hurricane
Spitfires
Tempest
Vampire
Hunter
MIG-21
Mirage-2000
(source Official Indian Air Force Site)
(images wikipedia)
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