| Mervyn Middlecoat | |
|---|---|
Mervyn Middlecoat, 1965 |
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| Birth name | Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat |
| Nickname | Commander Leslie |
| Born | 1940 |
| Died | 12 December 1971 Okha, India |
| Buried at | Remains not found |
| Allegiance | Pakistan |
| Service/branch | Pakistan Air Force |
| Years of service | 1964–1971 |
| Rank | Wing Commander (Lieutenant Colonel) |
| Service number | PAF-3550 |
| Unit | No. 9 Squadron Griffins |
| Commands held | No. 9 Squadron Griffins |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Operation Amritsar Radar |
| Awards | Sitara-e-Jurat (1965) Sitara-e-Jurat (1971) Sitara-i-Basalat (1971) |
Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat (1940 – 12 December 1971) was a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter pilot who was involved in a number of aerial battles during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars, before being shot down on 12 December 1971.[1] He was credited with several air-to-air kills and was one of a number of distinguished Pakistani strike and fighter pilots of the period. Before his death he was stationed in Karachi, Pakistan where he flew the F-104 Starfighter.
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Born in 1940 of Anglo-Indian descent, Middlecoat joined the PAF and upon graduation in 1954, he was awarded the trophy for the best performance in Ground Subjects. Soft spoken and mild mannered, Middlecoat was considered to be the epitome of an officer and a gentleman, besides also being an outstanding pilot. Although he flew a number of different aircraft during his service career, he came to master the F-104 Starfighter.[2]
By then a Flight Lieutenant, in 1965 Middlecoat was stationed at Masroor Airbase. That night, Karachi was attacked by the Indian Air Force (IAF), and PAF F-86 Sabres responded with an aggressive defence. Middlecoat flew an F-86 in which he shot down two IAF aircraft, killing both pilots. He was credited with defending Karachi from the Indian Air Force. Later he was transferred to PAF Lahore where he joined Mushaf Airbase under the leadership of Air Commodore W. J. M. Turowicz.
During the war Middlecoat commanded No. 9 Squadron Griffins as a Squadron Leader and believed in leading from the front. He kept the morale of the Squadron very high and guided his pilots in a highly professional manner.[3] During the three week war, Middlecoat flew 17 air defence sorties and three photo reconnaissance missions over forward Indian airbases.[4] For his leadership and devotion to duty, he was awarded the Sitara-i-Jurat, the third highest award in the Pakistani military, in 1965.[5]
Promoted to Wing Commander, at the outbreak of war on 3 December 1971 Middlecoat was on a training visit abroad in Egypt.[5] He returned to Pakistan immediately and joined operations with such keen interest that he inspired all the squadron pilots. He was one of the six strike command officers who were selected to conduct the aerial operation "Amritsar Radar", and was assigned to attack the heavily defended Indian airbase at Jamnagar on 12 December, the day after his return.[4]
After strafing aircraft parked on the runway, Middlecoat and his wingman were forced to abort their mission after they were bounced by two IAF MIG-21 aircraft from No. 47 Squadron IAF.[4][6] Middlecoat quickly reduced altitude, and maintained a high speed. He managed to deflect the first missile, however at a range of just 300 metres (330 yd) he was shot down over the Gulf of Kutch. The Indian pilot that shot him down, Flight Lieutenant Bharat Bhushan Soni, saw Middlecoat eject into the Arabian Sea, and contacted a nearby IAF base to send a rescue team, however he was nowhere to be found when they reached the site.[4] Middlecoat had ejected in shark infested waters and it was considered unlikely that he survived. Declared missing in action, he was posthumously awarded a Bar to the Sitara-i-Jurat. His remains were never found.[4]