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I had seen the dog fight from IIT KGP. I was in drawing class when there was sudden blaring of siren. Students ran to the roof top. We saw one plane chasing the other with dark smoke coming out of the latter.
Salute Mr Alfred Cooke
Hi Everyone.
I have seen all but three Fighter Aircrafts in the world performing Aerobatics.( Soon I will meet F-22,F-35 & SU-57) And I have great respect for Fighter pilots. I have seen & Admired how beautiful the fastest Ground Pass made by a F-16IN even though PAF has them. A beautiful Article and excellent memoirs marred by lone Paki’s venomous comments.
I request all the other gracious people to ignore this moron.
Cook sir, we all love you because not only you flew fast & high but loved Motorcycles and wore a Helmet! Your story must in lessons for Children.
Although I don’t have any connection with the Defence Services, being an Indian, feel very proud. While I was a child, used to read war comics (mid sixties), which were very much read those days. We used to get such stories of WWII, mainly on British pilots or of the allied forces. My request is, that such stories of our brave men should also be put in black and white, so that the present generation learns the heroic deeds of our forces. Better make a movie on IAF with this story. The fact that we flew a vintage aircraft against a sophisticated American aircraft, and shot down two, itself is an achievement, which perhaps the Americans may not have appreciated. The same goes for Gnats and Canberras, which were outdated compared to Sabre jets and Star fighters (if I am correct) in 1965 War.
Two other Vir Chakras from 1965 to Anglo Indian pilots were for the Keelor brothers, Denzil and Trevor, for shooting down vastly superior Starfighters with their puny Gnats.. But why is the story titled “Unsung Hero”? Did Cooke deserve more than a Vir Chakra, as the story seems to hint at? Also, as a country we need to ask ourselves why our war heroes chose to migrate to another country?
Where are all those Anglo – Indians who produced such great fighter pilots!. I have great memories of (then ) Wing Commander “Benny ” Goodman MVC who provided us air support with Mysteres out of Pathankot in 1965.
Love how hindustanis after loosing two fighters and shooting down their own heli in panic , are now busy concocting stories , showing videos of F 16 ‘s that were two years old and claiming them to be mirages, claiming a shootdown of a F 16 , that the alleged shooter forgot to ” mention ” repeatedly , and now are trying to fill up google newsfeeds with tales of hindustani bravery which they never mentioned before !
How about talking about the only air to air surrender in jet history by sikhant flying a gnat to a pakistani F 104 ? His claim that the plane had systems failiure, was debunked as his plane was flown immediately by a pakistani pilot !
How about talking about how the pakistan air force blew them out of the air inspite of being outnumbered , pakistanis were usually outnumbered 9 -2 in dogfights , over punjab, hunters vs sabres , this left the hindustani ground forces with no air cover in akhnoor , punjab , sindh !
How about mentioning that according to american and british forces, pakistanis killed more aircraft than vice versa !
It’s not just you but your entire community of pakistan is one of barking 🐕 who are infested with rabies. Concoting history is typical a Pakistani thing,like. 5 jets shot down in 30 seconds, shooting down Sukhoi etc which is believed by no one but pakistan ka jaahil awam themselves. We shot down and even made PAF piolet Mehdi do mujra before he later went on to become your airforce chief. Go get treated for your mental illness somewhere else.
Cook cooked the geese. Salute to the braveheart. Wish him a very happy and long retired life. Jai Hind.
A T Cooke was a very humble and loveable character. I’m overwhelmed reading about his story. At Kalaikunda Air Base (KKD) Cookey lived in a room next to mine. If I remember correctly, I share my birthday (March First, 1939) with him. The man of few words enjoyed soft music (lights dimmed) by the side of his girlfriend’s photograph and generally kept to himself. As the man in charge of the armament, I had close interactions with the pilots. 7th Sept is clearly etched in my memory. I was having breakfast with Flying Officer Pawan Kumar in my office when the first attack happened. (It was around 8.30 or 9 am and not as early as mentioned in the story). We rushed out and took shelter under a culvert over a Nala; there were no trenches! For the next 15/20 minutes, we heard explosions and witnessed smoke all over the base. It was like seeing a war movie. Thankfully, no one was hurt though the 14 Squadron of the east did claim several aircraft on the ground. Fortunately, not one Hunter was hit because of proper camouflage as shown in one of the pictures.
During the second raid, A T Cooke took care of the enemy and we got one Sabre on the ground. We gave a ceremonial burial to the Pakistani pilot, a very handsome lad I must say.
I must share an episode with the readers. Cooke was to ferry an aircraft to Kanpur on a day when the AOC in C of the command was on the station. Cookey had asked me earlier if I wanted something from Kanpur. I’d casually mentioned the famous ‘Paan’ from that city. As luck would have it, the C in C decided to visit the tarmac just when Cooke’s aircraft was to be fitted with a gunpack. The cool man was furious and cursed me for the delay but I was helpless. We exchanged a few hot words as he made way to the cockpit. Piloo Kacker, the Flight Commander later explained that the poor fellow might not get anything to eat at Kanpur mess at that late hour. I felt bad for a couple of days until Cookey returned with a few delicious ‘Paans’ for me. He must’ve felt as bad as I did.
Cookey was quite shaken after that sortie. I do recall that he wasn’t very happy having shot another man. I wish I’d gone to Ambala for the reunion and met him after all these years. However, I’d appreciate very much if the author of this story shares his mail id/address so we get in touch and exchange greetings.
Cookey, if you happen to read this, my hearties and best wishes for you and your loved ones. Cheers!
A nice write up bringing back memories of my schòl days in Calcutta . Distinctly remember the events and the tension that prevailed in the city.Hats off to our defence personnel. JAI HIND.
Being a retired airman, when i was going through the article, it made me immensely proud that once i belonged to them. My gratitude to airforce fraternity and my salute to the brave pilot. Jai Hind!
I had seen the dog fight from IIT KGP. I was in drawing class when there was sudden blaring of siren. Students ran to the roof top. We saw one plane chasing the other with dark smoke coming out of the latter.
Salute Mr Alfred Cooke
Nice Write up Sameer Sir
I am going to meet my grandfather tomorrow and will show him the story of his batchmate. He always had great regard for him.
Regards
Jitendra Kumar
Hi Everyone.
I have seen all but three Fighter Aircrafts in the world performing Aerobatics.( Soon I will meet F-22,F-35 & SU-57) And I have great respect for Fighter pilots. I have seen & Admired how beautiful the fastest Ground Pass made by a F-16IN even though PAF has them. A beautiful Article and excellent memoirs marred by lone Paki’s venomous comments.
I request all the other gracious people to ignore this moron.
Cook sir, we all love you because not only you flew fast & high but loved Motorcycles and wore a Helmet! Your story must in lessons for Children.
My Salute to Alfred Cook. Where is he now?
Deeply moved by the gallantry exhibited.Fail to grasp why he has settled in Australia.Coluldn’t we acknowledge his efforts enough?
Bravery with a B. We can only salute such a hero. Anything we say is simply not enough. A TV documentary should be made on these type of stuff.
Although I don’t have any connection with the Defence Services, being an Indian, feel very proud. While I was a child, used to read war comics (mid sixties), which were very much read those days. We used to get such stories of WWII, mainly on British pilots or of the allied forces. My request is, that such stories of our brave men should also be put in black and white, so that the present generation learns the heroic deeds of our forces. Better make a movie on IAF with this story. The fact that we flew a vintage aircraft against a sophisticated American aircraft, and shot down two, itself is an achievement, which perhaps the Americans may not have appreciated. The same goes for Gnats and Canberras, which were outdated compared to Sabre jets and Star fighters (if I am correct) in 1965 War.
Two other Vir Chakras from 1965 to Anglo Indian pilots were for the Keelor brothers, Denzil and Trevor, for shooting down vastly superior Starfighters with their puny Gnats.. But why is the story titled “Unsung Hero”? Did Cooke deserve more than a Vir Chakra, as the story seems to hint at? Also, as a country we need to ask ourselves why our war heroes chose to migrate to another country?
Where are all those Anglo – Indians who produced such great fighter pilots!. I have great memories of (then ) Wing Commander “Benny ” Goodman MVC who provided us air support with Mysteres out of Pathankot in 1965.
Love how hindustanis after loosing two fighters and shooting down their own heli in panic , are now busy concocting stories , showing videos of F 16 ‘s that were two years old and claiming them to be mirages, claiming a shootdown of a F 16 , that the alleged shooter forgot to ” mention ” repeatedly , and now are trying to fill up google newsfeeds with tales of hindustani bravery which they never mentioned before !
How about talking about the only air to air surrender in jet history by sikhant flying a gnat to a pakistani F 104 ? His claim that the plane had systems failiure, was debunked as his plane was flown immediately by a pakistani pilot !
How about talking about how the pakistan air force blew them out of the air inspite of being outnumbered , pakistanis were usually outnumbered 9 -2 in dogfights , over punjab, hunters vs sabres , this left the hindustani ground forces with no air cover in akhnoor , punjab , sindh !
How about mentioning that according to american and british forces, pakistanis killed more aircraft than vice versa !
It’s not just you but your entire community of pakistan is one of barking 🐕 who are infested with rabies. Concoting history is typical a Pakistani thing,like. 5 jets shot down in 30 seconds, shooting down Sukhoi etc which is believed by no one but pakistan ka jaahil awam themselves. We shot down and even made PAF piolet Mehdi do mujra before he later went on to become your airforce chief. Go get treated for your mental illness somewhere else.
Cook cooked the geese. Salute to the braveheart. Wish him a very happy and long retired life. Jai Hind.
I did…from my desk top…but it doesn’t show
We cdrs Ravi Bedi
A T Cooke was a very humble and loveable character. I’m overwhelmed reading about his story. At Kalaikunda Air Base (KKD) Cookey lived in a room next to mine. If I remember correctly, I share my birthday (March First, 1939) with him. The man of few words enjoyed soft music (lights dimmed) by the side of his girlfriend’s photograph and generally kept to himself. As the man in charge of the armament, I had close interactions with the pilots. 7th Sept is clearly etched in my memory. I was having breakfast with Flying Officer Pawan Kumar in my office when the first attack happened. (It was around 8.30 or 9 am and not as early as mentioned in the story). We rushed out and took shelter under a culvert over a Nala; there were no trenches! For the next 15/20 minutes, we heard explosions and witnessed smoke all over the base. It was like seeing a war movie. Thankfully, no one was hurt though the 14 Squadron of the east did claim several aircraft on the ground. Fortunately, not one Hunter was hit because of proper camouflage as shown in one of the pictures.
During the second raid, A T Cooke took care of the enemy and we got one Sabre on the ground. We gave a ceremonial burial to the Pakistani pilot, a very handsome lad I must say.
I must share an episode with the readers. Cooke was to ferry an aircraft to Kanpur on a day when the AOC in C of the command was on the station. Cookey had asked me earlier if I wanted something from Kanpur. I’d casually mentioned the famous ‘Paan’ from that city. As luck would have it, the C in C decided to visit the tarmac just when Cooke’s aircraft was to be fitted with a gunpack. The cool man was furious and cursed me for the delay but I was helpless. We exchanged a few hot words as he made way to the cockpit. Piloo Kacker, the Flight Commander later explained that the poor fellow might not get anything to eat at Kanpur mess at that late hour. I felt bad for a couple of days until Cookey returned with a few delicious ‘Paans’ for me. He must’ve felt as bad as I did.
Cookey was quite shaken after that sortie. I do recall that he wasn’t very happy having shot another man. I wish I’d gone to Ambala for the reunion and met him after all these years. However, I’d appreciate very much if the author of this story shares his mail id/address so we get in touch and exchange greetings.
Cookey, if you happen to read this, my hearties and best wishes for you and your loved ones. Cheers!
Very glad to hear your story sir. Can you post your email id, I will send across Alfred Cooke’s email. Regards
Very well written and thanks for introducing us to our real life hero.
Great display of bravery & patriotism. Hats off. Jai hind.
I too am a retired airman and served at kalaikunda air base for two years but never heard the name of VC Alfred Cooke but thanks to you now I know
Nothing but Respect and awe, Sir Cook.
Felt all the thrill, what an article!
Jai Hind.
A nice write up bringing back memories of my schòl days in Calcutta . Distinctly remember the events and the tension that prevailed in the city.Hats off to our defence personnel. JAI HIND.
Salute to the great hero Alfred Cooke!!
Feeling so proud… At each and every line felt visualised. Salute to our brave IAF pilot cooke
Being a retired airman, when i was going through the article, it made me immensely proud that once i belonged to them. My gratitude to airforce fraternity and my salute to the brave pilot. Jai Hind!
Mind bongling narration of Alferd Cooke bravery. We salute him