Peter Christy

Squadron Leader

Peter Christy
Squadron Leader Peter Christy, 1965.
Nickname(s)Fire Master
Born1937
Karachi, British India
Died6 December 1971 (Death unconfirmed officially)
60 km away from Jamnagar, India (Assumed dead)
Allegiance Pakistan
Service / branch Pakistan Air Force
Years of service1958–1971
Rank Squadron Leader
UnitNo. 7 Squadron Bandits
Battles / warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 †
Awards Tamgha-i-Jurat (1965)
Sitara-i-Jurat (1971)

Peter Christy (1937 – 6 December 1971), SJ, was a PAF bomber pilot and weapon systems officer (WSO). A B-57 Canberra navigator, Christy was officially missing in action in December 1971, and is presumed dead by the Pakistan Armed Forces.[1] He was posthumously honored by the Pakistani government with the Sitara-e-Jurat in 1971.

Education

Christy was born in Karachi then-British India in 1937. His father was Maula Bakhsh Christy. He attended St Patrick's High School, Karachi. His teachers described him as an intelligent student, and he scored well in his matriculation.[2] He was a Christian.[3]

Career

In 1962, Christy joined the Pakistan Air Force as a flying officer. He attained the ranks of flight officer and then flight lieutenant. After flying as a B-57 Canberra navigator in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, he became a squadron leader in 1968.[2]

By 1971, Christy had begun working for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He left in December 1971 to volunteer to fight in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. He was assigned the role of navigator and, on December 6, tasked with bombing Jamnagar. He did not return from the mission[2] and on December 8 was declared missing in action.[4]

Aftermath

The Government of Pakistan posthumously awarded him the third highest military award, the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage), in 1971.[2] According to the IAF, Christy was killed in action when plane was shot down IAF's anti-aircraft artillery.[5] However, India's Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment. On 6 September 2004, Christy was honoured by the Pakistan Television (PTV) in a program sponsored by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pakistan Tribute. "Pakistan Air Force: Prides of Nation (See:Sqn Ldr Peter Christy)". Pakistan Tribute Foundation. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d Javed, Nabeel (25 June 2010). "We pays tribute to Peter Christy, a Pakistani Christian war hero of 1965". Air Commodore Nabeel Javed. Pakistan Christian Post.
  3. ^ a b Khan, Air Commodore Sarfaraz A. (6 September 2004). "Forgotten PAF officers". Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). Jang Group of Newspapers.
  4. ^ PAF, Pakistan Air Force. "Chronological Listing of Pakistani Air Force:Martin B-57 Losses and Ejections". Pakistan Air Force. Aviation History of Pakistan Air Force. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008.
  5. ^ Harry, B. (6 September 2006). "IAF Combat Kills- 1971 Indo-Pak Air War (See:TABLE 2.1- PAF AAA and Ground Fire Losses" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011.