STORY OF FIRST AVIATOR
An article published in Sakal Newspaper dated 23 March 2012 in its “Gudi Padwa’ supplement has been loosely translated by me as follows:-
“ Dattatraya Laxman Patwardhan was born on 10 July 1883 at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. He was popularly known as ‘Dattu’ in the vicinity. He was deserted by his father, Lakhutatya , after completing 5th standard because of his bad behaviour. Dattu had then walked down to Kolhapur from there traveled by train without ticket to Mumbai. He worked as coolie at Masjid Bunder for next 6 months. He made his way as wireman in Matunga Railway workshop and ultimately became Railway Engine driver. He had changed his name from Dattu to “ D Lackman Pat” an Anglo Indian Name in order to get this job under British Raj.
One fine morning he managed to get on board a German ship named “ Strance Felsch” hiding himself in a coal bag. He surfaced after ship was at high seas and met Captain Henrich Jodell and convinced him to do the job of wireman cum engine maintenance on the ship. Henrich Jodell carried him along without passport & other documents. He enrolled him at Hamburg in Marine Engineering college. On completion of his degree Dattu went to Scotland and joined another ship by name “ Ocean –King” as Marine Engineer. This ship had travelled from Liverpool to New York from 1911 onwards on number of trips. He was then sent to Mumbai in 1912 due to his technical skill, to fix up engine of ship named ‘Tukaram”.
First World War -1914
In the beginning of 1914 when First World War broke out, Dattu reported to British War Office and joined ‘Ambulance Corps’. He was elevated as a soldier because of his sincerity and asked to join “Sussex Brigade’. He handled all weapons including guns, other weapons and gained expertise. He joined the war front in France. While in France he was promoted to join ‘Royal Air Force’ as pilot and started flying both transport and bomber aircraft. He was recognized as an expert aviator then. Dattu during this tenure had bombarded Berlin, capital of Germany and even attacked ‘KaisorPalace’ without worrying about anti aircraft guns firing at him. He was recognized as a first bomber pilot in the world to have bombarded Berlin during war. For this exceptional bravery he was awarded ,” Sword of Military Honour” by none other than King of England, George Vth himself. Dattu confessed boldly to the King George Vth while he pinned this award that he is in fact Mr Dattatraya Laxman Patwardhan and he had adopted this Anglo Indian Name in order to get into the Armed Forces. King appreciated his frankness and condoned this lapse while calling him “ A manly Young Maratha in our Air Force”. He also ordered not to take any action for this Young Maratha Air Warrior. This happened on 24 April 1919. Dattu was also promoted as Lieutenant in RAF. He was drawing monthly salary of Rs 1200.00p.m. Dattu acknowledged this by stating that ‘this is a greatest moment in my life”.
Return to India in 1921
In 1921 Governor of Bombay invited Dattu as Royal Guest at his residence for two days. Dattu then returned to Ratnagiri. He married Miss Chandratai Shevde from Amravati . He retired in 1930. This entire episode of his bravery and career in RAF was published in London Gazette on 25 March 1911. England newspapers and ‘Graphic’ carried articles on him on 13 May 1919. In India these details were published in ‘Kesari’ newspaper dated 13 May 1919.
A book called “India’s First Aviator” was published on 18 October 2003. It was jointly authored by Ratnakar Shivram Washikar and Anant Ramchandra Marathe.
Second World War in 1939
With the outbreak of Second World war in 1939, Dattu was asked to establish, ‘All India Military,Naval and AirForceAcademy at Delhi. In this academy Dattu trained many soldiers of three services.
This brave soldier passed away on 18 October 1943 suffering from cancer. His wife and only son had settled in Nagpur. His grandson Prabhakar Patwardhan is now running his engineering company at Kandivli, Mumbai.
JRD Tata has always been recognized as first aviator who flew aircraft in 1927 but Dattu had not only flown Bomber aircraft durin 1914 and had excelled himself which is recorded history. This
Maratha Aviator must be recognized as “First Aviator”with due recognition. We salute this great warrior from Maharashtra hundred times.