10 hrs ago
Alfred Cooke Recounts His Last Battle Against Pakistani Sabres
Alfred Cooke was an Indian fighter pilot who fought Pakistani aircraft during the 1965 war.
He flew a Hawker Hunter to defend Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.
Four Pakistani Sabres were attacking the base.
Cooke and his wingman, Mamgain, went to intercept them.
Cooke split away from his wingman so they would not both be exposed to the enemy.
He fought one Sabre very close to the ground and destroyed it.
He then damaged another aircraft and fired at a third until his guns were empty.
Even without ammunition, he stayed behind another Sabre to protect his wingman.
Cooke later described the battle in his final interview before dying in Delhi.
Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke described his September 7, 1965 battle over Kalaikunda during the India-Pakistan war.
Flying a Hawker Hunter, Cooke engaged four Pakistani Sabres while Kalaikunda airbase was under attack.
He shot down at least one Sabre, received official credit for a second, and engaged a third until his ammunition ran out.
The fight took place at extremely low altitude, including moments just 20 or 30 feet above the ground.
Cooke’s final interview was recorded three days before his death at a Delhi hospital; he had received the Vir Chakra.
- Who
- Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke and his wingman, Flight Lieutenant Mamgain, engaged Pakistani Sabre jets.
- What
- Cooke defended Kalaikunda airbase, destroyed at least one Sabre, received credit for a second, and engaged a third.
- Where
- Over Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal, during the India-Pakistan war.
- When
- September 7, 1965; Cooke’s final interview was recorded three days before his death.
- Why
- The Indian pilots were responding to a Pakistani attack on Kalaikunda and its ground targets.
Key facts
- Pilot
- Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke
- Aircraft flown
- Hawker Hunter
- Opposing aircraft
- Pakistani Sabre jets
- Battle date
- September 7, 1965
- Location
- Kalaikunda, West Bengal
- Combat result
- At least one Sabre destroyed; a second officially credited to Cooke; a third engaged
- Honour
- Vir Chakra
- Interview timing
- Recorded three days before Cooke died at a hospital in Delhi
Quotes
Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke
Indian Air Force fighter pilot recounting his decision during the 1965 engagement
“I'm very proud to say the fact that I didn't insist that he stay with me as my wingman, as the sacrificial lamb. Because we're outnumbered, we have a better chance to survive if we split up.”
NDTV
“The Hunter, once you jettison the drop tanks, it becomes a totally different animal. You can make it do just about anything.”
NDTV
Sources
Related news
Air Force Pays Tribute to 1965 War Hero Alfred Cooke
MiG-21 Veterans Recall High-Altitude Kargil War Missions in Documentary
Ex-IAF Chief Explains Ajay Ahuja’s Kargil Death, Nachiketa’s Return
Ex-CDS Says Indian Drone Accidentally Struck Pakistan’s Kirana Hills
IndiGo Pilot Calls Cockpit Flight With Kargil Hero 'Privilege'
Evidence Challenges Myth of Pakistani Commander’s 1965 War Death
