This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2019) |
Squadron Leader Rana Tej Pratap Singh Chhina, MBE (born 1960) is a writer, a military historian and a veteran of the Indian Air Force.
Rana Tej Pratap Singh Chhina | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 (age 63–64) Delhi, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1981–1997 |
| Rank | Squadron leader |
| Service number | 16389 |
| Awards | MacGregor Medal Member of the Order of the British Empire Officer of the Order of leopold |
| Other work | Military historian |
Military career
editBorn and raised in New Delhi, Chhina was selected for the National Defence Academy in 1976, shortly after graduating from St. Columba's School. He was commissioned into the flying branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a pilot officer on 11 June 1981.[1] He served with distinction as a helicopter pilot in all sectors in which the IAF was operational. From 1990 to 1993 he was an IAF flight instructor.[citation needed]
Military historian
editAfter retiring from active service in 1997 as a squadron leader, Chhina became a historian of the IAF,[2] the former British Indian Army, and Indian military medals and decorations.[3]
Chhina is the secretary and editor at the United Service Institution of India (USI) Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, New Delhi, and is the vice-president of the Indian Military Historical Society (IMHS), UK.[4][when?] He is also a member of the IAF Aerospace Museum Apex Steering Committee and the Government of India's Archival Advisory Board, and was a member of the joint USI–MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) Steering Committee responsible for coordinating international and national commemoration of India's participation in the First World War in connection with the centenary of the conflict.[5][6][7] In 2016 Chhina was awarded an Honorary MBE for services to First World War centenary commemorations.[8]
Books
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (April 2020) |
As author
edit- The Indian Distinguished Service Medal (2001)
- The Eagle Strikes (2006)
- The Indian Army: An Illustrated Overview (2007)
- Medals and decorations of independent India (2008)
- Indian Order of Merit (with Cliff Parrett, of the Indian Military Historical Society (IMHS)) (2010)
- India And The First World War 1914-1918 (2014)
- Last Post Indian War Memorials Around the World (2014) ISBN 978-81-902097-9-3
- India in Flanders Fields (co-author) (2017)
As editor
edit- For the honour of India: a history of Indian peacekeeping, by Lieutenant General Satish Nambiar (2009)
References
edit- ^ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Air Branch)". The Gazette of India. 16 January 1982. p. 84.
- ^ "Book Review: THE EAGLE STRIKES - The Royal Indian Air Force 1932-1950 [Sqn Ldr R T S Chhina][www.bharat-rakshak.com]". 4 November 2006. Archived from the original on 4 November 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Books by Rana Chhina". Amazon. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "The Indian Military Historical Society". durbaronline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "India and The Great War". indiaww1.in. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Hindustan Times - Archive News". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Long War, India's too". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/581724/2016_Honorary_awards_V4.pdf [bare URL PDF]