Courageous soldier (1933-1972)
Padamnabha Gautam (Bob) was the youngest of the three brothers who joined the Indian Air Force (IAF). He was born on 23 July 1933, and was commissioned on 1 April 1953. Flt. Lt. Gautam was serving in No. 5 Squadron, known as Tuskers, when the six Canberra planes of the unit moved to Congo in October 1961 to support the operations of the UN (United Nations) Forces. Wing Commander Suares was the commanding officer. The squadron reached Congo on 12 October and were immediately rushed into operations. Four F 86 fighters of Ethiopia also joined the UN Air Wing. On 5 December, the Canberra planes were given the task of attacking airfields at Jadotville and Kolwezi. Flying was highly risky as at some places, the clouds base was only 120 metres from the surface.
Suares led the attack on Kolwezi airfield and strafed two aircrafts parked on the runway. Flt. Lt. Gautam destroyed the Fouga aircraft which had been harassing the UN ground forces. He also shot up three Katangese planes parked on the airfield and neutralised the airport installations around them. Subsequently, he flew successful missions in support of the ground forces operating against the rebels. He was awarded the Vayu Sena medal (Gallantry). The rebel forces headed by Tshombe realised the futility of fighting against the UN Forces and recognised the unity of Congo. He signed the Kitona Agreement.
Squadron Leader Gautam was commanding Jet Bomber Conversion Unit (JBCU) at Agra in the 1965 War. The PAF (Pakistan Air Force) had moved the entire fleet of B 57 bombers to Peshawar, believing it to be beyond the range of IAF strike aircraft. PAF had supersonic F 104 Starfighters equipped with Sidewinder AIM 9B missiles and night intercept capability. It had received effective radar chain from USA for early warning. The target was at extreme flying range that limited fuel, payload and tactical routing. Against such odds, strike by Canerras was a suicidal mission. The IAF met the challenge as destruction of the B 57 bombers of PAF was a priority task. On 13 September, eight Canberras took off for Peshawar and stealthily approached Peshawar. The first Canberra dropped flares to light up the airfield and then dropped the 4000 pound bomb next to the parked bombers. Bombs from other Canberras set the buildings and fuel dump on fire and returned. A lone Starfighter of PAF tried to intercept the retreating bomber force and launched a missile. Sqn. Ldr. Gautam saw a streak of flame appear in the darkness. Luck favored the brave and the missile exploded harmlessly, possibly due to its proximity fuse malfunctioning. All eight Canberras landed safely at Agra. It was the most outstanding feat of the 1965 War. Gautam undertook six more missions for close support and reconnaissance deep into enemy territory and was awarded MVC.
In 1971, Gautam was commanding officer of No. 16 Squadron (Black Cobras), located at Gorakhpur. Sqn. Ldr. K.K. Dutta was the navigation leader and Gautam gave him freedom to devise procedures to improve the operational efficiency of the unit. The usual procedure of fixed Time over Target (TOT) to the leading aircraft and others following at ten minutes interval helped the defenders to aim at the subsequent aircraft. Dutta introduced flexible timings. The unpredictability of TOT gave an advantage to the attacker. Gautam was informed on 7 October that his unit would be mainly employed for strikes on airfields at Tezgaon, Kurmutola, Jessore and Chittagong in East Pakistan with occasional missions into West Pakistan. Gautam divided the unit into two groups – one each for East and West. On 3 December, eight Canberras took off to Dacca and four to West Pakistan. On 5 and 7 December, Gautam led attack on Mianwali airfield, where they met intense ground fire. He displayed cool and clear planning and courage in the best traditions of the IAF. He was awarded Bar to MVC.
He died in an MIG 21 accident due to engine flame out on 25 November 1972, at Pune. He loved flying and was a legend in the IAF. He was one of the two officers in the IAF to have received MVC twice.