Władysław Turowicz
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore
Władysław Józef Marian Turowicz, (April 23, 1908 – November 8, 1980) SP (MI), SK (MI), TP (MI), SQA [MI], SI
[MI], usually referred to as Air Cdre. W. J. M. Turowicz, was a prominent and noted Polish Pakistani
military scientist
and an aeronautical engineer. He is considered as one of the chief architects of the Pakistan Air Force
and Pakistan's space program. Turowicz, an eminent rocket scientist and an aeronautical engineer, was the leading and central figure in Pakistan's drive to develop high-tech rocket and missile technology of its own.
Turowicz was the administrator of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
(SUPARCO) from 1967 to 1970, and towards the end of his career, he was appointed to the post of Air Marshal
of the Pakistan Air Force. He was one of thirty high ranking Polish pilots who served in Pakistan Air Force during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
, and is considered one of the pioneers of Pakistan's space program, playing a central role in Pakistan
's aviation and aerospace industry.
Turowicz made significant contributions to Pakistan's missile/rocket program as a chief aeronautical engineer and has recently been referred to as the "Rocket-Missile Man of Pakistan" by some of the prominent defense analysts for his work towards the development of ballistic missile and space rocket technology. In Pakistan, he is highly respected as a scientist and noted aeronautical engineer.
, in 1908, where he graduated from High School. From an early age on, Turowicz was fascinated by aviation technology and had collected different models of aircraft. Due to this passion, he moved to Warsaw
where he attended the most prestigious engineering institute, Warsaw University of Technology
(WTU) in 1920, majoring in aeronautical engineering; upon graduation, he received his PhD
with honors
in 1926. While at Warsaw University of Technology, Turowicz joined and became a pioneering member of a Aeroklub Polski (better known as Polish Aero Club
) where he had previliged to study and work with noted Polish engineers to the field of aerospace engineering. A distinguished member of Polski Club, he had an opportunity to study and work with Ryszard Bartel
, Jerzy Drzewiecki
, Henry Millicer, are name to few. It was here at the Aero Club that Turowicz met his future wife, Zofia Turowicz
. In addition, he completed an MSc
in astrodynamics
in 1927 from the same institution. He joined the Polish Air Force
as an aeronautical engineer and fighter pilot, but later emigrated to United Kingdom
where he joined the Royal Air Force
in 1930 as a reservist Polish pilot.
. He was immediately sent to Great Britain
where he flew the British
-built Handley Page Halifax
during the war. Later, he was transferred into the Royal Air Force Aeronautics division where he served as Technical Inspector, and was put in charge of aircraft electrical and system information, organizing, testing, and evaluating aircraft. After World War II, Turowicz returned to Poland but, due to the political situation at the time, was informed that the country had no interest in those who had served in the British military during World War II.
, Australia
, Norway
and Canada
. Turowicz and his commanders were asked to move to Pakistan by the Government of Pakistan
. Turowicz, together with a group of thirty Polish officers, scientists, engineers, and aviators arrived in Karachi
by the end of 1948. They were received a warm welcome from the people of Pakistan. His task was to train Pakistan Air Force's fighter pilots. He, along with the Polish Air Force General, signed a three-year agreement with Pakistan.
where he worked there as a chief scientist. He initially led the technical training in the airbase and a part of the Polish specialists in the technical section in Karachi. However, they were transferred and accommodated in Peshawar
.
In 1952, Turowicz, along with several Polish fighters, were promoted in the rank of Wing Commander
. He was also promoted to the rank Lieutenant Commander
when he became an Air Force Commander of Pakistan Air Force's Chaklala Airbase. In 1959, Turowicz was promoted in the rank of Group Captain
. In 1960, he, along with other Polish Air Force general, became an Air Commodore
and a Deputy Chief of Air Staff, in charge of Pakistan Air Force Training Department.
and defended Lahore
from the Indian Air Force
. He, along with other Polish pilots, rose to prominence and fame as they helped in successfully defending Lahore
and Pakistan
. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
, Turowicz, along with several other Polish pilots, were considered as heroes in Pakistan. Turowicz, Squadron Leader
Anotnii Zbigniew Jedryszek, and other Polish pilots were awarded the Sitara-e-Pakistan. Honorary Pakistani citizenship was also bestowed upon Turowicz, as well as, some other Polish pilots by the President of Pakistan
, Ayub Khan, in a grand public ceremony held in Islamabad
.
. In 1966, the Government of Pakistan transferred him to SUPARCO, Pakistan's national space agency, where he worked there as a chief scientist and an aeronautical engineer. He, along with noted Pakistani theoretical physicist, Dr. Abdus Salam
, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physics
in 1979, met with President Khan where he successfully convinced him of the importance of a space program for a developing country like Pakistan after Russia's launch of Sputnik. He expressed his thoughts to I. H. Usmani that one day Pakistan will be able to possess high-tech satellites and high-powered rocket technology as a part of Pakistan's peaceful purpose space program. He also expressed that in few decades Pakistan will launch its first satellite. His prediction came true, when 10 years after the death of Air. Mar. Gen. Władysław Turowicz, Pakistan launched its first indigenously developed experimental digital communication satellite from Xichang Satellite Launch Center
, People's Republic of China
aboard a Long March 2E
. His vision did come true but unfortunately, he wasn't there to see it.
He along with Dr. Salam traveled through to the United States to reach a space-cooperation agreement. He successfully convinced the United States Government to invest and train Pakistan's scientists in the field of rocket technology. He is widely credited with setting up the rocket fuel factories and rocket technology laboratories and research institutes in Pakistan. He was one of the chief designers and the main architect of design and construction of Sonmiani Satellite Launch Centre
.
. As the administrator, he revitalized and initiated the space program as quickly as possible. He was responsible for Pakistan's weather satellite program, Rehbar-II, which was indigenously designed by him. Rehbar-II, a geo-stationary and small weather satellite
was launched from the Flight Test Range (Sonmiani
) under his guidance. The successful launch carried a payload of 80 pounds of sodium
, and it streaked up about 130 km into the atmosphere.
After his tenure as administrator was completed, Turowicz was appointed as Pakistan Air Force's Air Marshal
. However, the Government of Pakistan, on the request of Dr. Salam
, initiated him with the Pakistan's space program where he was appointed head of SUPARCO's Aeronautical Engineering Division. As a noted aeronautical engineer, Air. Mar. Władysław Turowicz upgraded Sonmiani Satellite Launch Centre in which he was responsible for installing Flight-Test Control Command, Launch Pad Control System and System Engineering Division.
to lead Pakistan
in rocket and space technology
. The Rehbar Program
was entirely designed and developed by him. He was also in charge of the team of aerospace
scientists and engineers in the Rehbar Sounding Rocket Project
.
Turowicz started a project for the fabrication and launch of a Pakistani satellite
. As a result Pakistan mastered the field of rocket technology by the end of 1970s. He also set up the educational engineering institute at the SUPARCO.
He and his students published science papers and articles extensively in the field of long-range rocket system and technology. He has provided a major contribution to the Pakistan's space program and modernization of Pakistan's missiles capabilities. In recognition of his honest and effective effort, he was conferred with high-civilian/military award Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Military) and Sitara-i-Pakistan in 1967 in a grand public ceremony.
, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
, initiated the nuclear weapon program, starting the Project-706
. Turowicz was given responsibility to develop a sophisticated missile program to meet Nuclear weapons delivery
requirements. He himself initiated with the programme, and during the meeting with PAEC and SUPARCO. He proposed to start of the ingenious missile program. In 1970, Turowicz began to established the administrative offices and directorates to led the development of rockets and missile technology.
In 1977, he founded the Hatf Missile Program, a program under his guidance, become a leading source of Pakistan's rocket and missile program in 1980s. However, having difficulties to acquire the missile technology, Turowicz sat up the solid fuel booster rocket's facility near Lahore to produce the local production of materials. As the SUPARCO chairman, Turowicz used his influence to bring the space technology to Pakistan in a short time. By the 1970s, SUPARCO, under his direction, had developed the ability to fabricate rocket motors from raw materials at solid and liquid propellant manufacturing plants.
In 1978, he quickly set up the missile]] and rocket facility near Lahore
. He was responsible for the development of electronic delivery system and inertial turbine engines in the rocket. He was a noted scientist and pioneer of launching the research institution to develop and designed Pakistan's first satellite program in 1970s. He also received permission from the Prime Minister
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to conduct research and develop the Pakistan's first communication satellite. The response was positive but due to lack of funds, the programme did not launch until 1987. Due to his efforts, Pakistan's SUPARCO successfully completed the work on the Hatf Program and tested publicly from Sonmiani Satellite Launch Center in 1989.
. She was awarded Pride of Performance
and Sitara-i-Imtiaz
, and is teaching applied mathematics
and particle physics
at the Karachi University. Turowicz's son is currently working at the SUPARCO as an aerospace engineer and chief scientist.
This documentary will preserve and pass on to future generations the pages of our common history and tell them about our air force officers’ cooperation and the generosity and hospitality of Pakistani people,” said the Consul General of Poland in Karachi, Ireneusz Makles. The consul general believes that the documentary would act to encourage the contemporary activities of the two countries and their future generations. “This is an example of how the two countries can work together to serve our nations” remarked Makles and wished to enhance the Polish-Pakistani cooperation through such efforts.
where he was pronounced dead. He was buried in the Christian Cemetery in Karachi with full military honors. Both Polish and Pakistani military and civilian personnel attended his funeral in Karachi. The Government of Pakistan issued a commemorative letter to his family, stating that Turowicz was not only an Air Force General, but also a scientist, and had served in the country's strategic program.
, placed a memorial plaque in the honor of Air. Com. Gen Władysław Turowicz where both Polish and Pakistani civilian and military personnel attended. On this occasion the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Karachi
Ireneusz Makles profoundly thanked the PAF
and especially Air Chief Marshal
Rao Qamar Suleman
and other officers for their efforts to make this memorial a reality.
He underlined that this ceremony marks the friendly and historical relations between the Polish Air Force
officer and Pakistan Air Force
officers. Colonel
Piotr Lukasiewcz, Defence Attache of Polish Embassy in Islamabad
, read and handed over a special message from Chief Commanding Officer of Polish Air Force
Stanislaw Targosz
to Air Chief Marshal
Rao Qamar Suleman
.
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Władysław Józef Marian Turowicz, (April 23, 1908 – November 8, 1980) SP (MI), SK (MI), TP (MI), SQA [MI], SI
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
The Sitara-i-Imtiaz , is the third highest honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes the individuals who made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors"...
[MI], usually referred to as Air Cdre. W. J. M. Turowicz, was a prominent and noted Polish Pakistani
Polish people in Pakistan
During World War II, some 30,000 Polish refugees from Poland migrated to Karachi, at the time a part of the British Raj. Many of these migrants later settled. About 58 Polish graves exist in the Christian Gora Qabaristan graveyard of Karachi. In memory of the 58 Polish citizens who died in Karachi...
military scientist
Military science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
and an aeronautical engineer. He is considered as one of the chief architects of the Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
and Pakistan's space program. Turowicz, an eminent rocket scientist and an aeronautical engineer, was the leading and central figure in Pakistan's drive to develop high-tech rocket and missile technology of its own.
Turowicz was the administrator of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission , is an executive agency of the Government of Pakistan, responsible for nation's public and civil space program and aeronautics and aerospace research...
(SUPARCO) from 1967 to 1970, and towards the end of his career, he was appointed to the post of Air Marshal
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
of the Pakistan Air Force. He was one of thirty high ranking Polish pilots who served in Pakistan Air Force during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, and is considered one of the pioneers of Pakistan's space program, playing a central role in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
's aviation and aerospace industry.
Turowicz made significant contributions to Pakistan's missile/rocket program as a chief aeronautical engineer and has recently been referred to as the "Rocket-Missile Man of Pakistan" by some of the prominent defense analysts for his work towards the development of ballistic missile and space rocket technology. In Pakistan, he is highly respected as a scientist and noted aeronautical engineer.
Early life and education
Turowicz was born in Zubir, SiberiaSiberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, in 1908, where he graduated from High School. From an early age on, Turowicz was fascinated by aviation technology and had collected different models of aircraft. Due to this passion, he moved to Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
where he attended the most prestigious engineering institute, Warsaw University of Technology
Warsaw University of Technology
The Warsaw University of Technology is one of the leading institutes of technology in Poland, and one of the largest in Central Europe. It employs 2,453 teaching faculty, with 357 professors . The student body numbers 36,156 , mostly full-time. There are 17 faculties covering almost all fields of...
(WTU) in 1920, majoring in aeronautical engineering; upon graduation, he received his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
with honors
Honor Roll
Honor Roll may refer to: HIGH GRADE STUDENT* Grade Point Average over 3.5* A list of honors students.* A similar academic honor, such as a Dean's List.* Honor Rolls of Baseball* Honour Roll Clasp of the Army – A decoration of Nazi Germany...
in 1926. While at Warsaw University of Technology, Turowicz joined and became a pioneering member of a Aeroklub Polski (better known as Polish Aero Club
Polish Aero Club
Aeroklub Polski is the Polish central association of persons practising air sports or recreational flying. It was founded in 1921 and is a member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. It has a headquarters in Warsaw....
) where he had previliged to study and work with noted Polish engineers to the field of aerospace engineering. A distinguished member of Polski Club, he had an opportunity to study and work with Ryszard Bartel
Ryszard Bartel
Ryszard Bartel was a Polish engineer, aircraft designer and aviator, one of Poland's aviation pioneers.Bartel was born in Sławniów village near Pilica. He was interested in aviation from his youth, and in 1911 he built his own gliders capable of short flights...
, Jerzy Drzewiecki
Jerzy Drzewiecki
Jerzy Drzewiecki was a Polish aeroplane constructor, an engineer and one of the founders of the RWD construction bureau, along with Rogalski and Wigura. Among his most notable constructions is the RWD-7 aeroplane....
, Henry Millicer, are name to few. It was here at the Aero Club that Turowicz met his future wife, Zofia Turowicz
. In addition, he completed an MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in astrodynamics
Astrodynamics
Orbital mechanics or astrodynamics is the application of ballistics and celestial mechanics to the practical problems concerning the motion of rockets and other spacecraft. The motion of these objects is usually calculated from Newton's laws of motion and Newton's law of universal gravitation. It...
in 1927 from the same institution. He joined the Polish Air Force
Polish Air Force
The Polish Air Force is the military Air Force wing of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej...
as an aeronautical engineer and fighter pilot, but later emigrated to United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
where he joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in 1930 as a reservist Polish pilot.
World War II and RAF Career
Though initially joining the Polish Air Force, Turowicz enlisted as a Royal Air Force reservist during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was immediately sent to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
where he flew the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-built Handley Page Halifax
Handley Page Halifax
The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engined heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. A contemporary of the famous Avro Lancaster, the Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing...
during the war. Later, he was transferred into the Royal Air Force Aeronautics division where he served as Technical Inspector, and was put in charge of aircraft electrical and system information, organizing, testing, and evaluating aircraft. After World War II, Turowicz returned to Poland but, due to the political situation at the time, was informed that the country had no interest in those who had served in the British military during World War II.
Moving to Pakistan
As the political situation in Poland got worse, many Polish Air Force commanders began to move to United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Turowicz and his commanders were asked to move to Pakistan by the Government of Pakistan
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
. Turowicz, together with a group of thirty Polish officers, scientists, engineers, and aviators arrived in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
by the end of 1948. They were received a warm welcome from the people of Pakistan. His task was to train Pakistan Air Force's fighter pilots. He, along with the Polish Air Force General, signed a three-year agreement with Pakistan.
Career with Pakistan Air Force
The three-year contract with Pakistan Air Force was to transform Pakistan Air Force into permanent and effective Air Force of the region. Turowicz set up technical institutes in Karachi. He taught and revitalized Pakistan Air Force AcademyPakistan Air Force Academy
"RAF Risalpur", "Risalpur Airbase/Airfield" & "Pakistan Air Force/PAF Base Risalpur" redirects here.The Pakistan Air Force Academy also known as PAFA, is an accredited co-educational four-year college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the Pakistan Air Force...
where he worked there as a chief scientist. He initially led the technical training in the airbase and a part of the Polish specialists in the technical section in Karachi. However, they were transferred and accommodated in Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
.
In 1952, Turowicz, along with several Polish fighters, were promoted in the rank of Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
. He was also promoted to the rank Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
when he became an Air Force Commander of Pakistan Air Force's Chaklala Airbase. In 1959, Turowicz was promoted in the rank of Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
. In 1960, he, along with other Polish Air Force general, became an Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
and a Deputy Chief of Air Staff, in charge of Pakistan Air Force Training Department.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Turowicz flew the American-built F-86 SabreF-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
and defended Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
from the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
. He, along with other Polish pilots, rose to prominence and fame as they helped in successfully defending Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, Turowicz, along with several other Polish pilots, were considered as heroes in Pakistan. Turowicz, Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
Anotnii Zbigniew Jedryszek, and other Polish pilots were awarded the Sitara-e-Pakistan. Honorary Pakistani citizenship was also bestowed upon Turowicz, as well as, some other Polish pilots by the President of Pakistan
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
, Ayub Khan, in a grand public ceremony held in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
.
Pakistan's Space Program
Turowicz was actively and heavily involved in Pakistan's space program. According to his close sources, Turowicz was passionate and fascinated with the Russian and American space program. He showed deep interests in the emerging ICBM technology that was being built by the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. In 1966, the Government of Pakistan transferred him to SUPARCO, Pakistan's national space agency, where he worked there as a chief scientist and an aeronautical engineer. He, along with noted Pakistani theoretical physicist, Dr. Abdus Salam
Abdus Salam
Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk (Urdu: محمد عبد السلام, pronounced , (January 29, 1926– November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the electroweak unification of the...
, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physics
Nobel Prize in Physics
The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded once a year by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895 and awarded since 1901; the others are the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Peace Prize, and...
in 1979, met with President Khan where he successfully convinced him of the importance of a space program for a developing country like Pakistan after Russia's launch of Sputnik. He expressed his thoughts to I. H. Usmani that one day Pakistan will be able to possess high-tech satellites and high-powered rocket technology as a part of Pakistan's peaceful purpose space program. He also expressed that in few decades Pakistan will launch its first satellite. His prediction came true, when 10 years after the death of Air. Mar. Gen. Władysław Turowicz, Pakistan launched its first indigenously developed experimental digital communication satellite from Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Xichang Satellite Launch Center
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center also known as Base 27 , is a People’s Republic of China space vehicle launch facility approximately 64 km northwest of Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province....
, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
aboard a Long March 2E
Long March 2E
The Long March 2E, also known as the Chang Zheng 2E, CZ-2E and LM-2E, was a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Designed to launch commercial communications satellites, the Long March 2E was retired in favour of the Long March 3B, after two launch failures. Launched from complex 2 at the Xichang...
. His vision did come true but unfortunately, he wasn't there to see it.
He along with Dr. Salam traveled through to the United States to reach a space-cooperation agreement. He successfully convinced the United States Government to invest and train Pakistan's scientists in the field of rocket technology. He is widely credited with setting up the rocket fuel factories and rocket technology laboratories and research institutes in Pakistan. He was one of the chief designers and the main architect of design and construction of Sonmiani Satellite Launch Centre
Sonmiani
Sonmiani is a coastal town in the southeast of Balochistan province in Pakistan, approximately 145 kilometres northwest of Karachi. The coast of Sonmiani is the northernmost point of the Arabian Sea. The town also serves as a Union Council of Hub Tehsil. Sonmiani is noted for its space research...
.
SUPARCO administrator
Turowicz was appointed head of SUPARCO in 1967 by the Government of PakistanGovernment of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
. As the administrator, he revitalized and initiated the space program as quickly as possible. He was responsible for Pakistan's weather satellite program, Rehbar-II, which was indigenously designed by him. Rehbar-II, a geo-stationary and small weather satellite
Weather satellite
The weather satellite is a type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be either polar orbiting, seeing the same swath of the Earth every 12 hours, or geostationary, hovering over the same spot on Earth by orbiting over the equator while...
was launched from the Flight Test Range (Sonmiani
Sonmiani
Sonmiani is a coastal town in the southeast of Balochistan province in Pakistan, approximately 145 kilometres northwest of Karachi. The coast of Sonmiani is the northernmost point of the Arabian Sea. The town also serves as a Union Council of Hub Tehsil. Sonmiani is noted for its space research...
) under his guidance. The successful launch carried a payload of 80 pounds of sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
, and it streaked up about 130 km into the atmosphere.
After his tenure as administrator was completed, Turowicz was appointed as Pakistan Air Force's Air Marshal
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
. However, the Government of Pakistan, on the request of Dr. Salam
Abdus Salam
Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk (Urdu: محمد عبد السلام, pronounced , (January 29, 1926– November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the electroweak unification of the...
, initiated him with the Pakistan's space program where he was appointed head of SUPARCO's Aeronautical Engineering Division. As a noted aeronautical engineer, Air. Mar. Władysław Turowicz upgraded Sonmiani Satellite Launch Centre in which he was responsible for installing Flight-Test Control Command, Launch Pad Control System and System Engineering Division.
Rehbar Sounding Rocket Program
Turowicz, as an aeronautical engineer, was chosen by Dr. Abdus SalamAbdus Salam
Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk (Urdu: محمد عبد السلام, pronounced , (January 29, 1926– November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the electroweak unification of the...
to lead Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in rocket and space technology
Space technology
Space technology is technology that is related to entering, and retrieving objects or life forms from space."Every day" technologies such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, GPS systems, satellite television, and some long distance communications systems critically rely on space infrastructure...
. The Rehbar Program
Rehbar-I
Rehbar-I or Rehbar-1 was a family member of Pakistan's space launch vehicles, Rehbar Sounding Rocket Program. Rehbar-I was the first rocket launched into outer space by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission...
was entirely designed and developed by him. He was also in charge of the team of aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
scientists and engineers in the Rehbar Sounding Rocket Project
Rehbar-I
Rehbar-I or Rehbar-1 was a family member of Pakistan's space launch vehicles, Rehbar Sounding Rocket Program. Rehbar-I was the first rocket launched into outer space by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission...
.
Turowicz started a project for the fabrication and launch of a Pakistani satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
. As a result Pakistan mastered the field of rocket technology by the end of 1970s. He also set up the educational engineering institute at the SUPARCO.
He and his students published science papers and articles extensively in the field of long-range rocket system and technology. He has provided a major contribution to the Pakistan's space program and modernization of Pakistan's missiles capabilities. In recognition of his honest and effective effort, he was conferred with high-civilian/military award Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Military) and Sitara-i-Pakistan in 1967 in a grand public ceremony.
Involvement in Nuclear weapons programme
Turowicz was appointed administrator of SUPARCO in 1967 as he was given autonomous control of the scientific organization. In 1972, then-Prime Minister of PakistanPrime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
, initiated the nuclear weapon program, starting the Project-706
Project-706
Project-706, also known as Project-726 or as the Kahuta Project, was a science effort codename of a project conducted during the Cold War and Russo-Afghan War whose objective was to develop Pakistan' first atomic weapon. The mainstream goal of the project was the development of an atomic bomb using...
. Turowicz was given responsibility to develop a sophisticated missile program to meet Nuclear weapons delivery
Nuclear weapons delivery
Nuclear weapons delivery is the technology and systems used to place a nuclear weapon at the position of detonation, on or near its target. Several methods have been developed to carry out this task....
requirements. He himself initiated with the programme, and during the meeting with PAEC and SUPARCO. He proposed to start of the ingenious missile program. In 1970, Turowicz began to established the administrative offices and directorates to led the development of rockets and missile technology.
In 1977, he founded the Hatf Missile Program, a program under his guidance, become a leading source of Pakistan's rocket and missile program in 1980s. However, having difficulties to acquire the missile technology, Turowicz sat up the solid fuel booster rocket's facility near Lahore to produce the local production of materials. As the SUPARCO chairman, Turowicz used his influence to bring the space technology to Pakistan in a short time. By the 1970s, SUPARCO, under his direction, had developed the ability to fabricate rocket motors from raw materials at solid and liquid propellant manufacturing plants.
In 1978, he quickly set up the missile]] and rocket facility near Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. He was responsible for the development of electronic delivery system and inertial turbine engines in the rocket. He was a noted scientist and pioneer of launching the research institution to develop and designed Pakistan's first satellite program in 1970s. He also received permission from the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to conduct research and develop the Pakistan's first communication satellite. The response was positive but due to lack of funds, the programme did not launch until 1987. Due to his efforts, Pakistan's SUPARCO successfully completed the work on the Hatf Program and tested publicly from Sonmiani Satellite Launch Center in 1989.
Family
Zofia, Turowicz's wife, and his two daughters joined him in Karachi in 1949, where a third daughter was born. Between 1950 and 1954, Zofia taught gliding to the Shaheen Air Cadets in Karachi and Rawalpindi. Many officers, both serving and retired, remember her with fondness. Two of his daughters married Pakistanis. The third daughter married a Bangladeshi, but she lives in Pakistan with her husband. In 1955, a son was born in Karachi. His grandchildren were a source of great joy. His widow, Zofia Turowicz is now over 90 years old and lives in KarachiKarachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
. She was awarded Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
and Sitara-i-Imtiaz
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
The Sitara-i-Imtiaz , is the third highest honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes the individuals who made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors"...
, and is teaching applied mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
and particle physics
Particle physics
Particle physics is a branch of physics that studies the existence and interactions of particles that are the constituents of what is usually referred to as matter or radiation. In current understanding, particles are excitations of quantum fields and interact following their dynamics...
at the Karachi University. Turowicz's son is currently working at the SUPARCO as an aerospace engineer and chief scientist.
Documentary
A documentary film on the life and scientific work of Air Com. Władysław Turowicz has been completed, directed by Anna T. Pietraszek, a Polish journalist and film maker with an honorary Pakistani citizenship. The film shows how Air. Cdre. Turowicz and other Polish officers and technicians have contributed in building the PAF and SUPARCO soon after independence. The documentary film was released on October 25, 2008.This documentary will preserve and pass on to future generations the pages of our common history and tell them about our air force officers’ cooperation and the generosity and hospitality of Pakistani people,” said the Consul General of Poland in Karachi, Ireneusz Makles. The consul general believes that the documentary would act to encourage the contemporary activities of the two countries and their future generations. “This is an example of how the two countries can work together to serve our nations” remarked Makles and wished to enhance the Polish-Pakistani cooperation through such efforts.
Death and legacy
Air. Com. Turowicz was involved in a car accident on January 8, 1980 along with his driver. He was quickly taken to the military hospitalMilitary hospital
Military hospital is a hospital, which is generally located on a military base and is reserved for the use of military personnel, their dependents or other authorized users....
where he was pronounced dead. He was buried in the Christian Cemetery in Karachi with full military honors. Both Polish and Pakistani military and civilian personnel attended his funeral in Karachi. The Government of Pakistan issued a commemorative letter to his family, stating that Turowicz was not only an Air Force General, but also a scientist, and had served in the country's strategic program.
Honours and Recognitions
In 2005, PAF Museum, KarachiPAF Museum, Karachi
PAF Museum, Karachi is an Air Force museum and park situated between PAF Base Faisal and Awami Markaz on main Shahra-e-Faisal at Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan....
, placed a memorial plaque in the honor of Air. Com. Gen Władysław Turowicz where both Polish and Pakistani civilian and military personnel attended. On this occasion the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
Ireneusz Makles profoundly thanked the PAF
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
and especially Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Rao Qamar Suleman
Rao Qamar Suleman
Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, NI, SBt is the current Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff who replaced Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed on 18 March 2009....
and other officers for their efforts to make this memorial a reality.
He underlined that this ceremony marks the friendly and historical relations between the Polish Air Force
Polish Air Force
The Polish Air Force is the military Air Force wing of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej...
officer and Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
officers. Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Piotr Lukasiewcz, Defence Attache of Polish Embassy in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
, read and handed over a special message from Chief Commanding Officer of Polish Air Force
Polish Air Force
The Polish Air Force is the military Air Force wing of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej...
Stanislaw Targosz
Stanislaw Targosz
Gen. Stanisław Targosz former commanding officer of the Polish Air Force.-Biography:On August 15, 2000, the Day of Polish Army, he was promoted by president Aleksander Kwaśniewski, to the rank of generał brygady and soon afterwards Targosz was transferred to the NATO CAOC-1 command in Finderup,...
to Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Rao Qamar Suleman
Rao Qamar Suleman
Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, NI, SBt is the current Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff who replaced Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed on 18 March 2009....
.
Honorary monument
- Monument of General Władysław Turowicz in Karachi (PAF Museum, Karachi).
- General Władysław Turowicz Space Complex (SUPARCO), Lahore Center.
Awards
- Sitara-e-Pakistan [Military] (1965)
- Tamgha-i-Pakistan [Military] (1967)
- Sitara-i-Khidmat [Military] (1967)
- Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam [Military] (1971)
- Sitara-e-Imtiaz [Military] (1972)
- Abdus Salam Award in Aeronautical Engineering (1978)
- ICTP Award in Space Physics (1979)
See also
- Space and Upper Atmosphere Research CommissionSpace and Upper Atmosphere Research CommissionThe Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission , is an executive agency of the Government of Pakistan, responsible for nation's public and civil space program and aeronautics and aerospace research...
- Sonmiani Satellite Launch CenterSonmianiSonmiani is a coastal town in the southeast of Balochistan province in Pakistan, approximately 145 kilometres northwest of Karachi. The coast of Sonmiani is the northernmost point of the Arabian Sea. The town also serves as a Union Council of Hub Tehsil. Sonmiani is noted for its space research...
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1965Indo-Pakistani War of 1965The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
- Polish Air ForcePolish Air ForceThe Polish Air Force is the military Air Force wing of the Polish Armed Forces. Until July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej...
- Pakistan Air ForcePakistan Air ForceThe Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
- Abdul Majid (physicist)Abdul Majid (physicist)For other people with the same or similar name, see Abdul Majid Dr. Abdul Majid : is a Pakistani astrophysicist and scientist in the field of space technology. He is a former chairman of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission from 1997 to 1999. He had made significant contributions to...
- Abdus SalamAbdus SalamMohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk Mohammad Abdus Salam, NI, SPk (Urdu: محمد عبد السلام, pronounced , (January 29, 1926– November 21, 1996) was a Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate in Physics for his work on the electroweak unification of the...
External links
- Consulate General of Poland in Karachi IM
- http://www.defence.pk/forums/military-forum/15669-documentary-services-air-commodore-w-turowicz-completed.html
- http://www.pakdef.info/forum/showthread.php?t=10022