View source for Pratap Chandra Lal

{{Short description|Indian Air Force Chief of Air Staff}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| name                = Pratap Chandra Lal
| honorific-suffix    = [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]]
| image               = ACM PC Lal.jpg
| caption             = Air Chief Marshal PC Lal
| office              = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|7th Chief of the Air Staff]]
| term_start          = 16 July 1969
| term_end            = 15 January 1973
| predecessor         = [[Arjan Singh]]
| successor           = [[Om Prakash Mehra]]
| president           = [[V. V. Giri]]
| primeminister       = [[Indira Gandhi]]
| office1             = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)| 3rd Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]
| 1blankname1         = 
| 1namedata1          = 
| term_start1         = 1 October 1964
| term_end1           = 1 September 1966
| predecessor1        = [[Arjan Singh]]
| successor1          = [[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]
| president1          = 
| primeminister1      = 
| office2             = [[Western Air Command (India)| 2nd Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command]]
| term_start2         = 24 November 1963
| term_end2           = 30 September 1964
| predecessor2        = [[Erlic Pinto]]
| successor2          = [[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]
| office3             = [[Training Command (India)|3rd Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command]]
| term_start3         = 11 January 1956
| term_end3           = 19 November 1957
| predecessor3        = S N Goyal
| successor3          = [[Kanwar Jaswant Singh]]
| birth_date          = {{birth date|df=yes|1916|12|06}}
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1982|08|13|1916|12|06}}
| placeofburial_label = 
| placeofburial       = 
| birth_place         = [[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British India]]
| death_place         = [[London]], [[England]]
| alma_mater          = 
| nickname            = 
| allegiance          = {{flag|British India}} (1939–1947)<br/>{{flag|India}} (1947–1973)
| branch              = {{air force|British India}} <br/>{{air force|India}}
| rank                = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| serviceyears        = 1939-1973
| commands            = [[Western Air Command]]<br/>[[Training Command (India)|Training Command]]<br/>[[No. 7 Squadron IAF|No. 7 Squadron]]
| battles             = [[World War II]] <br /> [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistani War (1965)]]<br>[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistani War (1971)]]
| awards              = {{plainlist|
[[Padma Vibhushan]]<br> [[Padma Bhushan]]<br>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]}}
}}

[[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] '''Pratap Chandra Lal''', [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] (6 December 1916&nbsp;– 13 August 1982) was the [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]] (CAS) of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. He served in the IAF from 1939 until his retirement in 1973.  He was the CAS at the time of [[Operation Chengiz Khan]], the preemptive strikes that were carried out by the [[Pakistan Air Force]] (PAF) that marked the formal initiation of hostilities of the war.

Slated to study law in [[England]], Lal instead joined the Air Force Volunteer Reserve at the outbreak of [[World War II]]. After serving as a navigation instructor, he trained as a pilot and joined [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]]. He later commanded this squadron during the Burma Campaign and [[mentioned in dispatches]] as well as being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1945, he was absorbed into the permanent cadre of the Indian Air Force. After the [[Partition of India]] in 1947, he served as the Director of Planning and Training at Air HQ. In 1949, he attended the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]]. He led the Air Force team which brought [[King Tribhuvan]] to safety in 1950. Lal served as the Military Secretary to the Cabinet from 1953 to 1956 in the rank of [[Air commodore (India)|air commodore]]. He became the first Indian to break the sound barrier, in 1954.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

After commanding [[Training Command (India)|Training Command]], he was deputed to the [[Indian Airlines Corporation]] for five years. He also served as the [[general manager]] of [[Indian Airlines|Indian Airlines Corporation]] from 1957 to 1962. During this time, he fell out of favour with [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] [[V. K. Krishna Menon]], and his services were terminated in 1962. With the outbreak of the [[Sino-Indian War]], he was re-instated and took over as Air Officer Maintenance at Air HQ. After a short stint heading [[Western Air Command]], he served as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. From 1966 to 1969, Lal served as the  [[managing director]] and later [[chairman]] of [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]].

Lal took over as the seventh Chief of the Air Staff in 1969. Under his command, the IAF scored a decisive victory against [[Pakistan]] in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], which led to the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|creation of Bangladesh]] in December 1971. He was awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan]] and the [[Padma Bhushan]], the second and third highest civilian awards of India. After retiring from the IAF, Lal served as the chairman and managing director of Indian Airlines and later chairman of [[Air India]].

== Early life and education ==
Lal was born on 6 December 1916 in [[Ludhiana]]. He attended the [[Modern School (New Delhi)|Modern School]] and the [[Bishop Cotton School (Shimla)|Bishop Cotton School, Shimla]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Famous Alumni |url=https://modernschool.net/famous-alumni-3/ |website=Modern School |access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghuman |first=Jagmeet Y. |date=2009-10-07 |title=Bishop Cotton School Celebrates Sesquicentennial Amidst Much Fanfare |url=https://hillpost.in/2009/10/bishop-cotton-school-celebrates-sesquicentennial-amidst-much-fanfare/16485/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Hill Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Having qualified for a diploma in journalism at [[King's College London|King's College]], [[London]] in 1938, Lal expected to return to full-time study of [[law]] at the [[Inns of Court]] in the fall of 1939.<ref name="IAF Bio">{{cite web |title=Pratap Chandra Lal Padam Vibhushan, Padam Bhushan, DFC CAS {{!}} Indian Air Force {{!}} Government of India |url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/pratap-chandra-lal-padam-vibhushan-padam-bhushan-dfc-cas |website=indianairforce.nic.in}}</ref> With the outbreak of [[World War II]], his plans were shelved. 

Since he held a civilian pilot license, Lal was invited to join the Air Force Volunteer reserve. After appearing before the Selection Board at [[Safdarjung]], Lal arrived at the [[Pakistan Air Force Academy|Air Force Station Risalpur]] (now [[Pakistan Air Force Academy]]).<ref>{{cite book |title=My years with the IAF |year=1986 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=8170620082 |page=16}}</ref> Since there was a shortage of navigators, Lal was recruited as a navigator to begin with and would be trained as a pilot later.

==Military career==
===World War II===
Lal was commissioned in November 1939 as a [[pilot officer]] and posted to [[Karachi]] as an observer. He was later posted back to Risalpur as a navigation instructor. After a short stint at the Coastal Defence Flight in [[Calcutta]], Lal was posted as a navigation instructor at No. 1 Flying Training School at [[Ambala]]. It was here that he was also trained as a pilot. He flew the Hawker Audax and the [[Hawker Hart]].

In 1943, [[Flight lieutenant|Flight Lieutenant]] Lal joined, as a combat pilot, [[No. 7 Squadron IAF|No. 7 Squadron]], commanded by [[Squadron leader|Squadron Leader]] Hem Chaudhuri. The squadron was equipped with [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance]] [[dive bomber]]s and supported the [[Chindits]]. The squadron also helped in relieving the [[Battle of Imphal|Siege of Imphal]].

In June 1944, Lal was promoted to the acting rank of squadron leader and took command of No. 7 Squadron. Under him, the squadron converted to fighters. From early 1944 to March 1945, the squadron was very active in the [[Burma Campaign]]. He led the squadron in a tactical reconnaissance role in support of the [[Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)|XIV Army]], from North Burma all the way till [[Rangoon]]. He was [[mentioned in dispatches]] in December 1944.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue= 36866|page=104|supp=y|date=29 December 1944}}</ref> In October 1945, Lal was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (DFC).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37313|page=5123|supp=y|date=16 October 1945}}</ref>

The citation for his DFC reads as follows:<ref>{{cite book |title=My years with the IAF |year=1986 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=8170620082 |page=47}}</ref>
{{Quotation|

{{center|'''CITATION'''<br/>'''Acting Squadron Leader Pratap Chandra Lal'''<br/>'''(IND.1567), 7 (RIAF) Squadron'''}}

Sqn Ldr Lal has completed a considerable number of operational sorties, He is the Commanding Officer of a squadron which has been employed on photographic reconnaissance in support of the Fourteenth Army in the Irrawaddy Valley. He has shown exceptional qualities and keenness and has completed many hazardous sorties in the wake of strong enemy opposition. He has frequently penetrated deep into enemy territory in search of important information. By his coolness and determination, Sqn Ldr Lal has set a fine example to all his pilots.|sign=|source=}}

After the war, Lal was absorbed into the permanent cadre of the IAF. He moved to the Manning department at Air Headquarters. In August 1946, he took over the inter-service recruiting centre at [[Calcutta]]. He was sent for a senior commanders' course to the [[United Kingdom]] in December 1946.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=52}}

===Post-Independence===
On 15 August 1947, with the [[Partition of India]], a new Air Headquarters of the [[Dominion of India]] was formed.<ref name="RIAF Appointments 1947">{{cite web|title=RIAF Appointments|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1947-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1947-08-14_355.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=14 August 1947|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> Lal was appointed the Director of Planning and Training at Air HQ. In November 1947, he was promoted to the acting rank of [[Group captain (India)|group captain]]. Realising that the planning and training were vast responsibilities, it was divided into two departments. In late 1948, Group Captain Arjan Singh took over as Director of Training, while Lal continued as Director of Planning.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=69}}

Along with Group Captain [[Minoo Merwan Engineer]], Lal embarked for United Kingdom, having been selected to attend the [[RAF Staff College, Andover]] in May 1949.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=71}}<ref name="PIB Cab Sect"/> After completing the year-long course, he returned to India and was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of No. 1 Operational Command (later Western Air Command),<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record">{{cite web |title=Service Record for Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal 1567 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1567 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref> serving in that capacity for three years.

In November 1950, there were tensions in the [[Kingdom of Nepal]]. [[King Tribhuvan]] faced a [[coup d'état]] from the [[Rana dynasty]]. He took refuge in the Indian embassy.<ref name="Ray">{{cite book |title=India's foreign relations, 1947–2007 |date=3 April 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1136197154}}</ref> With two [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Dakota]] aircraft, Lal led the Indian Air Force team that brought the king to safety in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="IAF Bio" /> In January 1953, he was promoted to the acting rank of [[Air commodore (India)|air commodore]] and posted to the [[Cabinet Secretariat (India)|Cabinet Secretariat]] as deputy secretary (military).<ref name="IAF Bio"/><ref name="PIB Cab Sect">{{cite web |title=IAF Officer for Cabinet Secretariat |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1953-JAN-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1953-01-21_026.pdf |website=archive.pib.gov.in |date=21 January 1953}}</ref> He led a team of three in October 1954, consisting of Group Captain (later [[Air Chief Marshal]]) [[Hrushikesh Moolgavkar]] and [[Flight Lieutenant]] (later air commodore) Roshan Lal Suri, to Europe to select new aircraft for the IAF. The team rejected the [[Supermarine Swift]] and chose the [[Folland Gnat]], a decision which would serve India and the IAF well during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].{{sfn|Lal|1986|pp=77–79}} During this tour, he became the first Indian to break the sound barrier. After a three-year stint at the Cabinet Secretariat, he took over as the [[air officer commanding]] [[Training Command (India)|Training Command]] in [[Bangalore]].<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" /><ref name="PIB 1966">{{cite web |title=Air Marshal Lal New HAL Chief |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1966-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENC/PDF/DEF-1966-09-01_075.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=1 September 1966}} {{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref>

===Indian Airlines Corporation===
In November 1957, Lal's services were loaned to the [[Indian Airlines Corporation]] (IAC) for five years. He took over as the [[general manager]] of IAC.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=81}} He simultaneously served as a member of the [[board of directors]] of IAC and [[Air India]]. The IAC fleet was modernised and the company showed its first profits during his tenure.<ref name="PIB 1966" /> During this time, the IAF and the IAC were looking for a replacement for the Dakotas. The three aircraft in the fray were the [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]], the [[Fokker F27 Friendship]] and the Lockheed CL-49. The [[Minister of Defence (India)|minister of defence]], [[V. K. Krishna Menon]], wanted the HS 748 while Lal had his doubts. Eventually, Krishna Menon had his way and the HS 748 was selected to be manufactured in India. In November 1959, Lal was promoted to the acting rank of [[Air vice marshal (India)|air vice marshal]].<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />

In November 1960, [[Air India]] inaugurated its service to [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]. Lal and [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Subroto Mukerjee]], then Chief the Air Staff (CAS) were passengers on this flight. After landing in Tokyo, on 8 November 1960, Mukerjee was having a meal in a restaurant with a friend, an officer in the [[Indian Navy]]. A piece of food got lodged in his [[windpipe]], [[choking]] him to death. Before a doctor was called for and could attend, Mukerjee had died. The next day, Lal came back with Mukerjee's body to [[Palam Airport]], [[New Delhi]].{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=85}}

The falling out with Menon led to Lal being informed that his services were no longer required by the IAF at the end of his term with IAC in September 1962.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=82}}<ref name="IAF Bio" /> His services were not required by the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] either. The prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, offered him a job in a public sector steel mill but Lal refused. On 30 September 1962, he was paid out provident fund, pension and gratuity and left the service.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=82}}

===Return to IAF===
In October 1962, the [[Sino-Indian War]] broke out and with the defeat came Menon's resignation on 31 October.<ref>{{cite news|title=India's Krishna Menon Resigns From Cabinet After Border attack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19621108&id=roVWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OuYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7185,2115936|access-date=24 September 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=7 November 1962}}</ref> Lal was re-instated in service in December as Air Officer Maintenance at Air Headquarters.<ref name="IAF Bio" /> After about a year as AOM, he was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command]] which was recently upgraded to a full-fledged command.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=117}} Lal then took over as the [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] (VCAS) in from Air Marshal Arjan Singh who assumed office as the Chief of the Air Staff.

During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], Lal served as the VCAS. For distinguished service of a high order during the war, he was awarded the [[Padma Bhushan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Note |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1965-AUG-DEC-DURING-INDO-PAK/PDF/DEF-1965-11-09_235.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=9 November 1965}}</ref> On 15 January 1966, in recognition of the contribution of the IAF, the post of the CAS was upgraded to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and that of the VCAS to the rank of Air Marshal. Lal was promoted to the acting rank of [[Air Marshal (India)|air marshal]], the first VCAS to hold the rank.<ref>{{cite web |title=Higher Rank for Air Chief |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1966-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1966-01-20_056.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=20 January 1966}}</ref>

===Hindustan Aeronautics Limited===
In September 1966, Lal was deputed to the [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]] (HAL) and took over as the [[managing director]].<ref name="PIB 1966" /> He brought about many innovations at HAL. He brought in a management specialist from the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]] to take a fresh look at problems. A [[management information system]] was introduced for the first time. To improve productivity and lower costs, a production planning and control system was introduced. Under Lal, corporate policies regarding multiple aspects of [[human resource management]] were framed.{{sfn|Lal|1986|pp=145–147}} He was instrumental in the establishment of the production lines for the new [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]] and Folland Gnat fighters, and [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748|HS 748]] transport aircraft.<ref name="IAF Bio" />

===Chief of Air Staff===
On 16 July 1969, Lal was promoted to the rank of air chief marshal, the fourth Indian officer to hold the rank, and assumed the office of Chief of the Air Staff.<ref name="PIB 1969">{{cite web |title=NEW AIR CHIEF TAKES OVER TOMORROW |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1969-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-VOL-2/PDF/DEF-1969-07-15_028.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=15 July 1969}}</ref> 
[[File:1971 Instrument of Surrender.jpg|250px|thumb|The Instrument of Surrender being signed on 16 December 1971.]]
[[File:PM with the three Chiefs, 1971.jpg|300px|thumb|Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] congratulating the chiefs of the three services, [[General (India)|General]] [[Sam Manekshaw]], [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda|SM Nanda]] and [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] PC Lal.]]

====Indo-Pakistani War of 1971====
{{main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{further|East Pakistan Air Operations, 1971}}
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was sparked by the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]], a conflict between the traditionally dominant [[West Pakistan]]is and the majority [[East Pakistan]]is. In 1970, East Pakistanis demanded autonomy for the state, but the [[Government of Pakistan|Pakistani government]] failed to satisfy these demands and, in early 1971, a demand for secession took root in East Pakistan. In March, the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]] launched a fierce campaign to curb the secessionists, the latter including soldiers and police from East Pakistan. Thousands of East Pakistanis died, and nearly ten million refugees fled to [[West Bengal]], a neighbouring Indian state. In April, India decided to assist in the formation of the new nation of [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Global Security - 1971 War">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1971.htm|title=Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|work=Global Security|access-date=27 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126094736/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1971.htm|archive-date=26 November 2016}}</ref>

The war started on 3 December 1971 with [[Operation Chengiz Khan]]. Aircraft of the [[Pakistan Air Force]] (PAF) mounted simultaneous attacks on seven IAF bases – Srinagar, Awantipur, Pathankot, Uttarlai, Jodhpur, Ambala and Agra. A radar station on the border was also hit.{{sfn|Lal|1986|pp=154–155}}  The IAF struck back. By 21:00hrs, the [[B-57 Canberra|Canberra]]s of the [[No. 35 Squadron IAF|No. 35 Squadron]] and [[No. 106 Squadron IAF|No. 106 Squadron]], as well as [[No. 5 Squadron IAF|No. 5]] and [[No. 16 Sqadron IAF|No. 16]] Squadrons, were armed for a foray deep into Pakistan. These flew against eight Western Pakistani airbases: [[PAF Base Murid|Murid]], [[PAF Base M.M. Alam|Mianwali]], [[PAF Base Mushaf|Sargodha]], [[Chandhar Air Force Base|Chandhar]], Risalewala, [[PAF Base Rafiqui|Rafiqui]], and [[PAF Base Masroor|Masroor]]. In total, 23 combat [[sortie]]s were launched that night, inflicting heavy damage on Sargodha and Masroor airbases.<ref name= acig>{{cite web| author =Tom Cooper, with Syed Shaiz Ali| publisher =Air Combat Information Group|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_330.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029131046/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_330.shtml|url-status=usurped|archive-date=29 October 2005| title=India – Pakistan War, 1971; Western Front, part I| access-date=2008-07-04}}</ref> The PAF units stationed on these airfields had to operate from taxiways for the following two days. Through the night the Indian Air Force also [[East Pakistan Air Operations#3–4 December|struck the main East Pakistani airfields]] of [[Tejgaon Airport|Tejgaon]], and later [[Shahjalal International Airport|Kurmitola]]. At the same time, the Indian Air Force was deploying additional aircraft to its forward airfields for strikes that were to follow the next morning. Within days, India achieved [[Air supremacy|air superiority]].<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1971.htm Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]</ref><ref name= TIME20>{{cite news|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878969,00.html|title=Bangladesh: Out of War, a Nation Is Born |volume=98 |issue=25|access-date=2008-07-04| date=1971-12-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112032245/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878969,00.html |archive-date=2007-01-12}}</ref>

Lal ensured that the [[Indian Army]] and the IAF worked closely with each other. The advance HQs of [[Western Air Command]] and [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] were alongside their respective army commands. The advance HQs, under an air commodore, were responsible for providing support to the Army as required. Each corps HQ under the commands had a tactical air centre, commanded by a group captain, who reported to the advance HQ. In the field, [[forward air control]]lers were responsible for directing strikes called out in the support of the Army.{{sfn|Lal|1986|p=175}}

The war lasted less than a fortnight and saw more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers taken prisoner. It ended with the unconditional surrender of Pakistan's eastern half and resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation.{{Sfn|Singh|2005|pp=210–211}} The IAF flew over 7300 sorties in 14 days, an average of about 500 sorties per day. About 86 PAF aircraft were downed, at the cost of 42 IAF aircraft.{{sfn|Lal|1986|pp=319–321}}

For his services to the nation, Lal was awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan]] in January 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Communique |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/RASHTRAPATI%20BHAWAN/1972-JAN-MAY-RASHTRPATI-BHVAN/PDF/RPB-1972-01-15_030.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=15 January 1972}}</ref> Lal retired from service on 16 January 1973 after serving for over 33 years. He handed over charge to Air Chief Marshal [[Om Prakash Mehra]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AIR CHIEF MARSHAL LAL'S FAREWELL MESSAGE |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1973-JAN-MAY-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1973-01-15_030.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=15 January 1973}}</ref>

==Post-retirement==
In April 1973, Lal was appointed full-time chairman and managing director (CMD) of the Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC). With the IAC increasing in magnitude and complexity, a need for appointing a full-time CMD was felt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairman-Cum-Managing Director of Indian Airlines |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/TOURISM%20&%20CIVIL%20AVIATION/1973-JAN-DEC-TOURISM-CIVIL-AVIATION/TOU-1973-07-05_102.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in}}</ref> Lal was also a part of the 21-member apex body constituted by the [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (India)|Ministry of Labour]] to delve into the problems of industrial relations for industries in the private sector.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Apex Body for Private Sector Constituted |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/MINISTRY%20OF%20LABOUR/1975-JAN-DEC-LABOUR-EMPLOYMENT/LAB-1975-07-23_132.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=23 July 1975}}</ref> In August 1976, he was removed from the chairmanship after a falling out with [[Sanjay Gandhi]].<ref name="India Today">{{cite news |last1=April 28 |first1=Chhotu Karadia |last2=February 28 |first2=Chhotu Karadia |last3=February 10 |first3=Chhotu Karadia |last4=Ist |first4=Chhotu Karadia |title=Two Air-India top men resign in protest against appointment of Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal as chairman |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19780228-two-air-india-top-men-resign-in-protest-against-appointment-of-air-chief-marshal-p.c.-lal-as-chairman-822903-2014-04-28 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref> With the [[Premiership of Morarji Desai|new government]] being formed in March 1977, Lal was appointed part-time Chairman of Indian Airlines in July.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal Appointed Ia Chairman |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/TOURISM%20&%20CIVIL%20AVIATION/1977-JAN-DEC-M-TOURISM-CIVIL-AVIATION/TOU-1977-07-21_150.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=21 July 1977}}</ref> Lal also served as the chairman of the Indian Tube Company, a part of the [[Tata Group]].<ref name="India Today" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Public Enterprises Selection Board Reconstituted |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/FINANCE/1977-JAN-MAY-PART-MINISTRY-FINANCE/PDF/FIN-1977-05-15_192.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=15 May 1977}}</ref>

In February 1978, [[J. R. D. Tata]], the founder and long-time chairman of Air India was unceremoniously dropped from the board by Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]]. Lal, who was the chairman of Indian Airlines was appointed chairman of Air India as well. Two senior executives, Managing Director K G Appusamy and Deputy Managing Director Nari Dastur, resigned in protest.<ref name="India Today" />{{sfn|Wadhwaney|2004|p=218}}{{sfn|Lala|1993}}

==Death and legacy==
Lal died of a heart attack while visiting London on 13 August 1982. His body was brought back on an Air India flight. He was cremated with full military honours. Among the pall bearers were the former chief ACM, Arjan Singh, and the serving chief, ACM Dilbagh Singh. Wreaths were laid by the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] [[Ramaswamy Venkataraman|R Venkataraman]] and the chiefs of the three service – COAS [[General (India)|General]] [[K. V. Krishna Rao]], CNS [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Oscar Stanley Dawson]] and CAS ACM [[Dilbagh Singh]]<ref name="obit">{{cite web|title=Air Marshal Lal Cremated|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-M-II/PDF/DEF-1982-08-16_054.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|date=30 January 1982|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref> 

Lal was working on his memoirs and the history of the IAF when he died. His wife, Ela Lal edited and completed the book and ''My years with the IAF'' was published in 1986.<ref name="IAF Bio" />

The Indian Air Force won its most decisive victory under the leadership of Lal.<ref name="Legends of IAF" /> He was regarded as an exemplary aviator and administrator.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Force Pays Tribute to Founder of Cheshire Home |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-M-II/PDF/DEF-1982-09-08_079.pdf |date=8 September 1982}}</ref> Unlike earlier Chiefs, he was not a fighter jock, but an instructor and manager.<ref name="Legends of IAF">{{cite web |title=Air Chief Marshal PC Lal {{!}} Indian Air Force {{!}} Government of India |url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/air-chief-marshal-pc-lal |website=indianairforce.nic.in}}</ref> The Air Force organises an annual 'Air Chief Marshal P C Lal Memorial lecture'.<ref>{{cite web |title=No change in attitude of ISI, attacks likely to continue: Narayanan |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/no-change-in-attitude-of-isi-attacks-likely-to-continue-narayanan/articleshow/2903477.cms |website=The Economic Times |date=27 March 2008}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Padma Bhushan Ribbon.svg|width=106}} 
|-
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Samar_Seva_Star_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Poorvi_Star_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Paschimi Star Ribbon.svg|width=106}} 
|-
|[[File:IND Raksha Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sangram Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Indian Independence medal 1947.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 25th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=United_Kingdom_Distinguished_Flying_Cross_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=1939–1945 Star.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Burma Star BAR.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ribbon - War Medal & MiD.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ribbon India Service Medal.png|width=106}}
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|
| colspan="1"| [[Padma Vibhushan]] 
| colspan="1"| [[Padma Bhushan]]
|
|-
| colspan="1"| [[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Samar Seva Star]]
| colspan="2"| [[Poorvi Star]] 
| colspan="1"| [[Paschimi Star]]
|-
|[[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces|Raksha Medal]]
|[[Sangram Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian Independence Medal]]
|-
|[[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces|25th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
|[[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|colspan="1"| [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
|-
|[[1939–45 Star]]
|[[Burma Star]]
|[[War Medal 1939-1945]] <br/>(with [[Mentioned in dispatches|MID]] oak leaf)
|[[India Service Medal]]
|}

*Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Air Force Gallery :: Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal DFC |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Galleries/Medals/1933-1950/01567.jpg.html |website=Bharat Rakshak}}</ref>

==Dates of rank==
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF1B.svg|35px]] || [[Pilot Officer]] || [[Royal Indian Air Force]] || 14 November 1939<ref name="Air_Force_List_Oct40">{{cite book|pages=702|title=The Air Force List: October 1940|publisher=HM Stationery Office|year=1940}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF1A.svg|35px]] || [[Flying Officer]] || [[Royal Indian Air Force]] || 14 May 1941<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF2.svg|35px]] || [[Flight Lieutenant]] || [[Royal Indian Air Force]] || 15 May 1942 (acting)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" /><br/>21 September 1944 (substantive)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF3.svg|35px]] || [[Squadron Leader]] || [[Royal Indian Air Force]] || 1 October 1944 (acting)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" /><br/>1 November 1946 (substantive)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF4.svg|35px]] || [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 15 August 1948<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:UK-Air-OF5.svg|35px]] || [[Group Captain]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 4 November 1947 (acting)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Group_Captain_of_IAF.png|35px]] || [[Group captain (India)|Group Captain]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)<ref name="insignia_designs">{{cite web|title=New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveFirstPhase/HOME%20AFFAIRS/1950/HOM-1950-01-06_484.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India – Archive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193914/http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20807-BR/HOM-1950-01-06_484.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref><br/>15 September 1952 (substantive)
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Air_Commodore_of_IAF.png|35px]] || [[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 28 January 1953 (acting)<ref name="IAF Bio" /><br/>1 October 1958 (substantive)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Air_Vice_Marshal_of_IAF.png|35px]] || [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 14 November 1959 (acting)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" /><br/>1 October 1961 (substantive)<ref name="Bharat Rakshak Service Record" />
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Air_Marshal_of_IAF.png|35px]] || [[Air Marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] || [[Indian Air Force]] || 15 January 1966<ref>{{cite web |title=HIGHER RANK FOR AIR CHIEF |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1966-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1966-01-20_056.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=20 January 1966}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Air_Chief_Marshal_of_IAF.png|35px]] || [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]<br/>(CAS) || [[Indian Air Force]] || 16 July 1969<ref name="PIB 1969"/>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[Sam Manekshaw]]
* [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{citation|first1=P.C.|last1=Lal|title=My years with the IAF|year=1986|isbn=8170620082|publisher=Lancer Publishers}}
*{{citation|first1=Kishin|last1=Wadhwaney|title=Indian Airports (Shocking Ground Realities)|year=2004|isbn=978-8120205932|publisher=Ajanta Publications}}
*{{citation|first1=R.M.|last1=Lala|title=Beyond the Last Blue Mountain|year=1993|isbn=9780140169010|publisher=Penguin Books Ltd.}}
*{{citation|first1=Vijay Kumar|last1=Singh|title=Leadership in the Indian Army: Biographies of Twelve Soldiers|year=2005|isbn=978-0-7619-3322-9|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Arjan Singh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (India)]]|years=1969–1973}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Om Prakash Mehra]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)]]|years=1964–1966}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Ramaswamy Rajaram]]}}
{{s-bef|before= [[Erlic Pinto]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command]]|years=1963–1964}}
{{s-bef|before=S N Goyal}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding]] [[Training Command (India)|Training Command]]|years=1956–1957}}
{{s-aft|after=[[K. Jaswant-Singh]]}}
{{s-bef|before=Aizad Baksh Awan}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commanding Officer]] [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]]|years=1944–1945}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Hari Chand Dewan]]}}
{{end}}

{{Chief_of_the_Air_Staff_(India)}}
{{Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1960–69}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lal, Pratap Chandra}}
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:1982 deaths]]
[[Category:Alumni of King's College London]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in civil service]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in civil service]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Air marshals of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:Indian military aviators]]
[[Category:Brahmos]]
[[Category:Indian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Modern School (New Delhi) alumni]]
[[Category:Bishop Cotton School Shimla alumni]]
[[Category:People from Punjab Province (British India)]]