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09 May 2025 : Remembering the war, reminiscing forgotten Indians

 Editorial 1: ​Remembering the war, reminiscing forgotten Indians

Context

Victory in Europe Day also honors the genius of scientists like Kolachala Sitaramaiah and the heroism of soldiers like Idris Hasan Latif during World War II.

 

Introduction

Eighty years ago, on May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered in Reims and Berlin, marking the end of World War II in Europe—a moment celebrated as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. While it often goes unnoticed in India, where the period is seen as the climax of the freedom struggle, it's worth remembering that Indians upheld their global responsibility, in both war and peace, as shown by the lives of two unsung heroes.

 

Kolachala Sitaramaiah: A Journey of Academic Excellence and Bold Choices

  • Kolachala Sitaramaiah was born in 1899 into a poor family in Uyyuru, Andhra Pradesh.
  • His academic brilliance earned him a rare chance to study abroad.
  • To reach the United States, he worked as a coal stoker on a steamship to fund his travel.
  • He earned Master’s degrees in Chemistry from both Chicago and Yale Universities, and secured three patents.
  • The Great Depression (1929) deeply impacted him, leading to doubts about the inequalities of capitalism.
  • In a bold decision, he migrated to the USSR in the 1930s to pursue petrochemical research.

 

From the frontlines to the laboratory

  • Sitaramaiah’s life changed when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union.
  • He was repulsed by the Nazi propaganda filled with ambition and racism.
  • Believing that the USSR was the key to halting the spread of fascism and protecting India, he volunteered to join the Soviet frontlines.
  • However, an officer pulled him out of the recruiting line, stating that his brain was needed as a weapon, not as a target.
  • Soviet tanks in the early days of World War II faced significant technical problems.
  • Sitaramaiah focused on research to develop kerosene-based fuels and specialized lubricants for Soviet tanks, enhancing their maneuverability and performance in sub-zero conditions.
  • Thanks to his work, during the Battle of Kursk (1943) — the deadliest tank battle in history — Soviet T-34 tanks successfully outperformed the Panzer and Tiger tanks of the Nazis.
  • For the first time, a Nazi ground offensive was halted due to Soviet tank superiority.

 

Embarking on a military career

  • Background: A young man from an aristocratic Yemeni family in Hyderabad, Idris Hasan Latif left a life of privilege to join the Royal Indian Air Force in 1941.
  • Initial Assignment: Initially, Indian pilots like Idris were assigned by the British to fly outdated biplanes on patrols along the restive North West Frontier.
  • Battle of Britain: After the Battle of Britain, which depleted the Royal Air Force, Indian pilots, including Idris, were sent to Britain to train for the counter-offensive, leading up to the D-Day landings in Normandy.
  • Deployment to Burma: By 1944, the German Luftwaffe had lost control of Europe’s skies, and Idris was deployed to Burma.
    • He flew the Hawker Hurricane to strafe Japanese army columns and defend against Japanese “Zero” fighters.
    • His service involved flying out of short, muddy landing strips in mosquito-infested jungles, where he fell gravely ill but refused to leave his squadron.

 

Later Achievements and Legacy of Kolachala Sitaramaiah

  • Soviet Honors: At the end of the war, Sitaramaiah was awarded Soviet honors for his contributions.
  • Research and Impact: His work on motor oils laid the foundation for tribochemistry — the science of chemical changes induced in materials through mechanical energy.
  • Plasma Research: After observing incendiary munitions during the war, he spent his later years researching plasma, which was crucial for controlled nuclear fusion.
  • Legacy: When he passed away in 1977, I.K. Gujral, the Indian Ambassador to the USSR and later Prime Minister, called him, “a great scientist, a great son of India, and a son of mankind.”

 

Idris Hasan Latif: Patriot and Leader

  • Refusal to Move: At the time of Partition, his brother decided to move to Pakistan and asked Idris to join him.
    • Idris refused, stating, “What does religion have to do with nationality?” and remained in the land where his forefathers were buried.
  • Air Chief Marshal: Idris Hasan Latif became the 10th Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1978.
  • Memories: One of his fondest memories as IAF Chief was his visit to Normandy, reflecting on the shared historyfrom the Second World War.
  • India-France Defense Ties: His time in France (1985-88) as India’s Ambassador helped strengthen the India-France defense relationship, leading to the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets for the IAF.

 

Conclusion: Every man to the wheel

Victory in Europe Day is more than a European celebration — it's a tribute to the millions worldwide, including Indians, who endured famine and economic hardship for that victory. It honors the bravery of soldiers like Idris Latifand the ingenuity of scientists like Kolachala Sitaramaiah, who fought for liberty without seeking fame. It reminds us that every individual, however humble, can influence history. As SriSri wrote, “I too lent an insolent voice, to the roar that shook the heavens!”