The Combat Reports and letters of
Lt. Ajit Singh, MC, 40 Squadron RFC
9 Victories

------------------Letter Home--------
1 October, 1916

Dearest Mother,

I wanted to let you know that I finally arrived in France.  I have been
assigned to a Squadron in the Royal Flying Corps!!  So far, I believe I 
am the first Sikh to be so honored.  I have seen some other Indians, all
Hindus.  But the Major tells me that so far as anyone knows, I am the 
first Sikh to be accepted into service with the RFC!!  

This is a great responsibility, for how well or how bad I perform will
no doubt reflect on all of our people.  I only hope that the Creator will
watch over me and help me in my endeavours to thwart the enemy of
our people and bring a swift end to this horrible war.

I have to go now, time for my first mission. 

Your son, 

Ajit.


---------------End of letter Home----------



        COMBATS IN THE AIR
         -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-   
No. 40 RFC
Date:  01/10/1916 
Time:  06:44
Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16
Locality:6 miles E of Bethune
Pilot:   Lt.Ajit Singh 
Duty:    Balloon attack
Height:  

Result
[german balloon] - Decisive.

          ---------------
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc,


NARRATIVE

Attacked balloon as assigned, also destroyed one tent.

Signed
Lt. Ajit Singh
40 Squadron RFC




        COMBATS IN THE AIR
         -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-   
No. 40 RFC
Date:  02/10/1916 
Time:  10:59
Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16
Locality: Between Lens and Bethune
Pilot:   Lt.Ajit Singh 
Duty:    Escourt
Height:  100 - 6300 feet

Result
Fokker DII - Decisive.
Fokker DII - Decisive.
[german balloon] - Decisive.

          ---------------
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc,


NARRATIVE

Whilst escourting a flight of BE2’s to target, we were attacked by a 
Flight of Fokker DII’s.  The captain got one, but then he crashed on 
Our side of the lines.  I managed to get a balloon, then I got two of 
The DII’s myself, both crashed on our side of the lines.

In the process, I suffered a minor wound to the left leg.

Signed
Lt. Ajit Singh
40 Squadron RFC

-----------------------Letter Home--------
2 October, 1916

Dearest Mother,

I wanted to let you know that today, I was slightly injured while
fighting the enemy.  It is nothing to be alarmed about, only a minor
scratch.  But the other news I have is, I am told that with the two 
enemy machines and balloon that I brought down today, as well as
the balloon I brought down yesterday, I am one victory away from
being what the French call an “Ace.”  It is apparently some measure
of distinction to get 5 victories.  

A victory is what they call it when anyone brings down and enemy 
machine or observation balloon.  As of today,  I have 4 confirmed 
victories.  Some of the fellows are quite amazed.  As it is, I think 
that some of them thought it impossible for a person such as me to 
even be capable of controlling an Aeroplane, let alone be able to 
shoot any of the enemy’s machines down.

Please do not worry mother, not all the men here think that way.
The Major at least has given me command of some of our missions.
And he told me he wants to know immediately if any of the men 
seem reluctant to take orders from me.  So far, even those who look
down their nose at me, at least recognize that I out rank them.

But I have to tell you, I don’t think I am likely to get promoted 
as fast as some of the others.  But as long as I am allowed to fly
and fight, I don’t mind.

I have to go now, the doctor says I need rest.

Your loving son,

Ajit


        COMBATS IN THE AIR
         -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-   
No. 40 RFC
Date:  03/10/1916 
Time:  14:55
Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16
Locality:  West of Roulers
Pilot:   Lt.Ajit Singh 
Duty:    Balloon Attack
Height:  6000 feet

Result
Albatros DI - Decisive.
[german balloon] - Decisive.

          ---------------
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc,


NARRATIVE

With the Major in command, we went to our assigned target.  In the 
process we were attacked by a flight of two Albatros DI’s.  I got one, 
and I shot down the balloon.

Unfortunately, Lt. Newell was killed.

Signed
Lt. Ajit Singh
40 Squadron RFC

------------------AWARD
Military Cross
From France: Medaille Militaire.

---------------Brigade HQ Correspondence------

5 October, 1916

Subject: Lt. Singh

Sir, I feel I must protest this latest confirmation of two claims put 
in by Lt. Singh of 40 Squadron.  I think it may be detrimental to 
the morale of the RFC when it gets out that a colonial from the Indian
sub-continent has not only achieved this new-fangled “Ace” status, 
but that he would most likely be awarded some medal as well.  

I implore you sir, please reconsider your decision in this matter.  I
am sure we can find some valid reason to not confirm his claims.

Your Humble Servant,

Col. Smyth-Carruthers

-------------------------------------------------

----------------Reply--------

6 October, 1916

Subject: Lt. Singh

My Dear Colonel,

I’m afraid it is too late.  Not only have his latest claims been confirmed
but since he landed his damaged machine at a French aerodrome, they 
too found out what happened, confirmed it through their channels and
are awarding him the Medaille Militaire.  I am told that Gen. Trenchard 
does not want to be seen showing any bias against a subject of the Crown.

Consequently, his award of the Military Cross has also been confirmed.
Gen. Trenchard has also instructed me that any and all such correspondence
regarding Lt. Singh is to stop immediately and any and all copies of said 
correspondence are to be destroyed.

If you have any problems with this, I suggest you contact Gen. Trenchard.

Sincerely Yours,

Brigadier Hawkins, DSO, MC



        COMBATS IN THE AIR
         -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-   
No. 40 RFC
Date:  08/10/1916 
Time:  10:59
Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16
Locality: Near Bethune
Pilot:   Lt.Ajit Singh 
Duty:    Support Infantry Attack
Height:  

Result
[german balloon] - Decisive.
[german balloon] - Decisive.

          ---------------
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc,


NARRATIVE

After completing assigned mission, I went out on my own to seek out 
the enemy.  All I managed to find was two enemy observation balloons.
I brought them both down.

Signed
Lt. Ajit Singh, MC
40 Squadron RFC

        COMBATS IN THE AIR
         -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-   
No. 40 RFC
Date:  12/10/1916 
Time:  12:30
Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16
Locality: Near Bethune
Pilot:   Maj. Geoffrey Tompkins 
Duty:    Combat Air Patrol
Height:  

Result
[german balloon] - Decisive.

          ---------------
Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc,


NARRATIVE
Whilst on Combat Air Patrol, we spotted an enemy balloon 
rising across from one of our infantry positions.  Lt. Singh
and I went across to engage the balloon.  We managed to bring
it down, however, Lt. Singh's machine was hit by AA, and went
down, mostly out of control, he apparently managed to regain
control before he crashed, and I saw him being helped out of
his machine by the enemy.  We received word that he was safe,
healthy, and a prisoner of war.  I put in for him to share in 
the destruction of the enemy balloon.

Signed: Maj. G. Tompkins, DSO, MC

----------Epilogue---------
Lt. Ajit Singh survived the war, as a POW, ending with 9 
victories (8 + 1 shared).