Hardit Singh Malik: World War One Flying Ace
Hardit Singh Malik: World War One Flying Ace
Author: Rai, Bali
Interest age: from c 8 years
Published on 1 August 2024 by Scholastic in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Voices' series.
Paperback | 192 pages
196 x 129 x 14 | 142g
In this fascinating true story based on the life of Hardit Singh
Malik, discover the adventures of WWI's first Indian pilot. Hardit,
who flew into battle high above the trenches of Passchendaele
on the hunt for the Red Baron, arrived in England at the age of 14
to attend school. Young Hardit was a devout Sikh and quick to defend
himself when anyone interfered with his turban. He went on
to study at Balliol College, Oxford, and played county cricket for
Sussex.
When he tried to join up to help in the war effort, he was only permitted
to drive ambulances at the front. Instead he planned to
join the French air force before a former teacher intervened and
the Royal Flying Corps gave Hardit an 'honorary' commission as a
2nd lieutenant flying Sopwith Camels.