FIRST IN INDIAN SKY

Grey River Argus, 23 January 1943, Page 2

FIRST IN INDIAN SKY

Proud record of No. 31 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (Indian Wing) is that it was the first over to fly in India. And for 27 years until the present day it has been flying in this country. The first flight of this famous squadron arrived at Nowshera in 1915, at. the request of the Viceroy, for w'ork on the North West Frontier. They adopted for their crest the five-pointed star of India, find, the moto “In Caelum Indicum Primus”—“First into the Indian Skies.” Another “first” the Squadron can claim is that it flew in co-operation with the Army in N.W. Frontier engagements in 1916, the first time any unit of the Royal Air Force—then the Royal Flying Corps—took part, in operations in India. Afterwards it was employed on many occasions on the N.W. Frontier and in the 3rd Afghan War. Flights of the Squad-

ron have flown in all oarts of India. The 31st Squadron is also proud of yet another “first”. Its first R.A.I!. Commanding Officer was ®9 ua , d 3° n Leader A. T. Harris. An- Marshal A. T. Harris, C.B 0.8. E AFC hard-hitting chief of the R.A.I .s Bomber Command which is pounding at the heart of Germany with such devastating effect.