04-Feb-2025 03:33 PM
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Bengaluru, Feb 4 (Reporter) The historical significance of Bengaluru's aviation dominance dates back to World War II, thanks to the unacknowledged efforts of Italian prisoners of war (POWs) who were instrumental in constructing the city’s foundational airfields.
The role of these POWs in laying the groundwork for Yelahanka, Jakkur, and Jalahalli airfields, key hubs of India’s aerospace growth, has been well documented, shedding light on an often-overlooked chapter of the city’s aviation history.
In the midst of global conflict, between 1941 and 1945, around 6,000 Italian POWs were held in several camps across India. While many of these prisoners were assigned manual labour, a significant number found themselves working on the construction of airfields in Bengaluru.
In a fascinating twist of wartime history, these men, who were once deemed enemies, transformed into essential workers, clearing land and building runways that would eventually support India’s military and civil aviation developments.
What stands out is the resilience and craftsmanship exhibited by the Italian POWs. They were responsible for shaping airstrips capable of handling military aircraft and enabling crucial training operations for the Royal Indian Air Force.
Local folklore and media reports from the time mention the prisoners' remarkable ability to adapt to the harsh conditions, even teaching some of the local workforce new techniques in construction.
Jakkur, Jalahalli, and Yelahanka, airfields that were built under these dire circumstances, continue to serve as key landmarks in India’s aviation sector. Yelahanka, now the home of Aero India, the country’s foremost aerospace exhibition, stands as a testament to the labour of these prisoners, whose names are often left out of the narrative. Today, as Aero India draws the global aviation community, it is fitting that these unsung heroes of history are remembered.
This unique chapter of Bengaluru's aviation story underscores a deeper truth about the intersection of conflict, ingenuity, and resilience, qualities embodied by the POWs who unknowingly laid the foundation for the thriving aviation industry in India’s technological capital...////...