[UPDATED @ 9.21pm] Hunters At Dawn – The Air Battle Of Longewala

A splendid documentary Hunters at Dawn – The Air Battle of Longewala was made in 2007 by Indian filmmaker Rohan Cowasjee. It was a film commissioned by the Indian Air Force. Yesterday, I dusted out my DVD copy of the film and decided to upload a low-rez version on Youtube (since taken down) to see if it could still generate a measure of interest in the film. It resoundingly did. I’ve received close to two-hundred e-mail requests for information on where DVD copies of the film can be purchased, specifically looking for a possibility of ordering the film online. But if you’re thinking Amazon, eBay, Flipkart, forget about it.

You need to write directly to the IAF on [email protected] and make a specific request for the film. Your order will then be processed by Air Headquarters before a copy is shipped out to you.

For those wondering why I’ve taken the film off my Youtube channel, I’d intended to keep it on for longer, but it appears to have done its job, and the IAF requested me to forward any interest in the film directly to them. I hope the film gets its due now. The IAF owns copyright to the film, and therefore it was not possible for me to keep the video up, even in low-rez, any longer.

[UPDATED @ 7.50PM – May 16] – Folks, I’m gonna have to request you to stop sending me requests for copies of the documentary! I’ve been positively swamped with requests. I truly wish I could help, but as noted above, you’ll have to get in touch directly with the IAF for a VCD or DVD copy. Unfortunately, the only way to get your copy is through the IAF (procedures are procedures). I’ll let you know if there’s any other way. In the meanwhile, send your requests only to [email protected].

[UPDATE @ 9.21PM – May 16] – Someone just gave me a heads-up. Air Marshal MS Bawa, one of the protagonists of the Longewala battle, and featured prominently in the documentary, hosts a copy of the film on his Youtube channel, and has done so since Jan 2010! And from the looks of it, not too many people know about it (certainly not the IAF itself).

25 thoughts on “[UPDATED @ 9.21pm] Hunters At Dawn – The Air Battle Of Longewala”

  1. It is a beautiful narration of the battle with first hand comments from the warriors it should be put up more often. A request to Shri Shiv Aroor to have a section where historical facts and battles can be can be separately archieved

  2. This is an excellent documentary. Unfortunately the IAF stiffed the the producer of this show. At a time when we need quality new recruits in the services, show like this should be broadcast nationally not ignored the way this has. Kudos to Mr Rohan Cowasjee for a well researched and informative piece of documentary film making.

  3. Part 2 please !! 🙂 My grandfather was from the Punjab Regiment, his unit was absorbed into the Brigade Of The Guards and participated in the famous Battle Of Hilli, all these men remind me so much of him and his stories. 🙂

  4. Thanks a lot Shiv for uploading it to Youtube. Saw this doc. long time back, an excellent and well researched documentary. Aakash Yodha, is also on Youtube, a must see for IAF's fans!

  5. Hi shiv,

    The latest post of two part videos of Hunters At Dawn doesn't work. it shows the message "this video is private". Can you please check.

    Arun

  6. Yes, it did 🙂 And I was wondering that whether you got the copy rights to upload it! Nice, effort, if possible please post some screen shots of the film with this post too.

  7. most noble of you shiv to try and get some publicity for a film that obviously never got its due! i was able to watch part 1 that you uploaded, but not part 2. and that has whetted my interest enough to request the iaf for my own personal copy. wish they would ease up procedures. why waste such a great film. kudos to you for doing your bit. most noble.

  8. Oh man… what is the IAF thinking! It could have it released through usual and innovative and distribution channels long ago and could have garnered so much positive publicity for the armed forces and IAF in particular! Not to mention revenue.

    Goes to show there is so much desirable at the PR and efficient publicity dept. at IAF!

  9. As soons as somebody gets it please put in the torrents..and post the link.Thus IAF will know how to communicate in Web3 world..lol..

  10. Good work Shiv…You not only publicized the proud moments of Indian air force,but also the channel of Shri M S Bawa and gave us a chance to show gratefulness to him.
    Thanx again…

  11. Shiv,

    Last December I happened to visit the Airforce Museum at Palam. At the sale counter I happened to lay my hands at the VCD. I just poked the Airmen present on duty as to what the CD contained and pat came the reply Nahin Pata Bhaisahab. Lena Hai to Lo. At that time there were around 50 copies left. So Folks want to have a copy rush to Palam.

    Manish Kumar
    Dainik Hindustan

  12. WEll the battle of Longewal is the largest battles after the Battle of Bulge and Battle of AL-Elmein in IInd World war. The Pakist were kicked out of our land. The tank grave yard is still there. If it had not been for the brave sons who fought there and won, we would not have had a golden history to potray.

  13. Shiv, someone called Suman Sharma has been badmouthing you in South Block saying you have upstaged her with this post, and all the attention it is getting. Suggest you sort it out!

    A Friend.

  14. Will Bawa get into trouble for this? I doubt it. Would be nice to see if IAF has gets to lock horns with him 😀

  15. Why so much fuss over the documentary? If there is so much interest in it, doesn't the IAF have the basic sense to respond effectively and make it available? was the documentary made to be stored away from the public? which prompts the question — wasn't public money used to make the documentary? and therefore, but making it so difficult for the public to access the film, isn't the IAF acting directly against public interest? if the IAF had even a basic sense of the market, it would tie up formally with an online portal like amazon or indiatimes (through tender process if necessary), and make the film available to a global audience. the IAF is shackled by these self-serving procedures, and it nervous to venture out and harness the market the way armed forces the world over are doing right now. this mindset is detrimental and a shame. this may be a small thing, but it points to a larger mindset of shying away from doing things differently, trying to step out of the box and take advantage of what is out there. shiv, i hope what you have done has nudged them out of their slumber, though i very much doubt it. i will get my copy from palam. thanks for the tip.

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