24 Indian pilots (1940)

In 1940, 24 Indian pilots, also known as the X-squad, were chosen from 72 trainees of the Indian Airforce 4th Pilot's Course and sent to the UK for operational training and squadron service with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR).^[1]^[2]

The pilots included Ranjan Dutt, Erlic W. Pinto, Hari C. Dewan, Mahinder Singh Pujji and Man Mohan Singh. Of the 24, 16 qualified as pilots and six were posted to non-flying duties. Eight completed further training as fighter pilots and served in Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons after the Battle of Britain. Others were selected for Bomber/Coastal Command.

Eight were killed during training or in action. Some of those who survived became Air Marshalls in the Indian Air Force (IAF) after independence.

^ Nair, K. S. (2019). "2. 1939-40: War in Europe". The Forgotten Few; The Indian Air Force in World War II. Noida, UP: Harper Collins. pp. 42–70. ISBN 978-93-5357-067-5.
^ Goodrum, Alastair (2019). "6. A foreign field and English sky". School of Aces: The RAF Training School that Won the Battle of Britain. Amberley Publishing Limited. pp. 130–150. ISBN 978-1-4456-8618-9.