Fighter.Teacher.Leader

The Battle of Britain and beyond. We hear from Wg Cdr John Freeborn about his experience of air combat. Dr Helen Doe discusses air warfare tactics of the time and takes us through Malan’s “10 Rules For Air Fighting”. We revisit a few of Malan’s encounters from his combat reports, including his first nighttime victories on the night his son was born, and the shooting down of German ace Werner Molders.  

Included is his approach to air combat and leadership, his focus on trying to ensure his pilots came back to fight another day, and an account of his tour of the USA confirms his concern that they are still using outdated tactics. The stress of combat begins to show and its lasting effects are there for a friend to see. We also dig into the archives to hear him dedicate a memorial at Biggin Hill, revealing as mentioned previously, he had lost his South African accent.

Protea Rose Originals is Cliff Thompson and Nic Fieldsend.

Narrated/written by Cliff Thompson, produced/engineered by Nick Fieldsend with additional sound design by Ben Creelman.

Notes:

Copyright 2024. Protea Rose Originals Inc. Licenses obtained for use.Unauthorized biography.

With thanks to IWM, The National Archives (UK), McGregor Museum Kimberley, Getty Images, Associated Press, Alamy, Doug Tidy, Artlist.

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