Sailor Malan Freedom Fighter

Download or read book Sailor' Malan—Freedom Fighter written by Dilip Sarkar MBE and published by Air World. This book was released on 2021-06-09 with total page 362 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Adolph Gysbert Malan was born in Wellington, South Africa. A natural leader and driven individual with a totally positive outlook, aged fourteen Malan became an officer cadet in the South African Merchant Navy, before being commissioned into the Royal Navy Reserve. Well-travelled and worldly-wise, aged twenty-five the intrepid adventurer applied for a Short Service Commission in the RAF. Universally known as ‘Sailor’ in the RAF, Malan became a fighter pilot. Shortly after war was declared, Malan was involved in the infamous ‘Battle of Barking Creek’, in which 74 Squadron mistakenly destroyed friendly Hurricanes. Then, over Dunkirk in May 1940, Malan’s exceptional ability was immediately demonstrated in combat and a string of confirmed aerial victories rapidly accumulated. The following month, Malan scored the Spitfire’s first nocturnal kill. By August 1940 he was commanding 74 Squadron, which he led with great distinction during the Battle of Britain. In March 1941, Malan was promoted and became the first Wing Commander (Flying) at Biggin Hill, leading the three-squadron-strong Spitfire wing during operations over northern France. After a break from operations, Malan went on to command a succession of fighter training units, passing on his tactical genius and experience, and producing his famous ‘Ten Rules of Air Fighting’ which are still cited today. By the war’s end, Group Captain Malan was the RAF’s tenth top-scoring fighter pilot. Leaving the RAF in 1945 and returning to South Africa, he was disgusted by Apartheid and founded the ‘Torch Commando’ of ex-servicemen against this appalling racist policy. This part of Malan’s life is equally as inspirational, in fact, as his wartime service, and actually tells us more about the man than just his RAF record. Tragically, in 1963, he died, prematurely, aged just fifty-three, of Parkinson’s. Written with the support of the Malan family, this biography is the full story of a remarkable airman and politician.

Download or read book Sky Tiger written by Norman L. R. Franks and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Fighter Aces of the RAF in the Battle of Britain written by Philip Kaplan and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2008-03-25 with total page 399 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines the reality behind the myths of the legendary RAF fighter aces during the Battle of Britain. The accounts of the experiences of fighter pilots are based on archival research, diaries, letters, published and unpublished memoirs and personal interviews with veterans.

Download or read book Douglas Bader written by John Frayn Turner and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2009-04-30 with total page 382 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Douglas Bader was a legend in his lifetime and remains one today 100 years after his birth. A charismatic leader and fearless pilot he refused to let his severe disability (loss of both legs in a flying accident) ground him. He fought the authorities as ruthless as he did the enemy and not only managed to return to the front line but became a top scoring ace. His innovative tactics (The Big Wing) ensured his promotion and he led a key group of squadrons during the dark days of the Battle of Britain.His luck ran out when he was shot down and captured; he only escaped his burning fighter by cutting away one of his artificial legs. As a POW he was a thorn in the Germans side and he was sent to Colditz Castle. As this perceptive book reveals Bader, the hero, was at times a difficult overbearing man, no doubt in part due to the pain he suffered. But his strengths far outweighed his weaknesses and his place in the annuals of British history is secure.This is a timely republication of an important biography.

Download or read book 50 Flippen Brilliant South Africans written by Tim Richman and published by . This book was released on 2021-02-15 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 50 Flippen Brilliant South Africans, originally published in 2012, is the second in the 50 People series. What does it take to be a flippen brilliant South African? Simple: sheer brilliance and a good story. So, whether naughty or noble, crazy or controversial, here are 50 of the most talented, successful, inspirational, intriguing, fascinating Saffers to have walked the planet... Of course, there are the great statesmen (Mandela, Luthuli, Smuts), the landmark achievers (Charlize Theron, Chris Barnard) and the incredible talents (Miriam Makeba, Irma Stern), but the lesser-knowns will also make a case: such as Ntshingwayo Khoza, the conqueror at Isandlwana; Ampie Roux, the atom-bomb creator; Ryan Sandes, the world's best trail runner... As will the honorary inclusions (Churchill, Rodriguez, Gandhi) and the previously scorned (Mbeki, Shaka). But how exactly does Winnie Madikizela-Mandela qualify? From space adventurers (Mark Shuttleworth) and fighter pilots (Sailor Malan) to entrepreneurs (Elon Musk) and environmentalists (Ian Player), this is a raucous celebration of the country we call home, and the perfect partner to the other 50 People books - proving that you just can't have the bad without the good... 'Clever, informative, witty, well-researched, engrossing.' - Gorry Bowes Taylor, Fine Music Radio 'Hits exactly the right note; entertaining and informative even if you don't agree with every choice. The bonus of this compilation is that even with famous characters you'll learn something new.' - Business Day 'A fantastic book.' - Jenny Crwys-Williams Short-listed for the Nielsen Booksellers' Choice Award 2013 The other books in the 50 People series are: - 50 People Who Stuffed Up South Africa (2010)- 50 People Who Messed Up The World (2017)- 50 Who F***ed Up South Africa: The Lost Decade (2020)

Download or read book Fighter Pilot written by Helen Doe and published by Amberley Publishing Limited. This book was released on 2015-05-15 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A family-authorised biography of one of the top-scoring aces of the Battle of Britain.

Download or read book Park written by Vincent Orange and published by Grub Street Publishers. This book was released on 2002-08-28 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A fine biography of one of the war’s greatest unsung heroes,” Royal Air Force Commander Keith Park (The Daily Telegraph). “If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is realized how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world.” So wrote Marshal of the RAF Lord Tedder of Keith Park in 1947. As commander of No. 11 Group, RAF Fighter Command responsible for the air defense of London and southeast England, Park took charge of the day-to-day direction of the battle. In spotlighting his thoughts and actions during the crisis, this biography reveals a man whose unfailing energy, courage, and cool resourcefulness won not only supreme praise from Winston Churchill, but the lasting respect and admiration of all who served under him. Few officers in any of the services packed more action into their lives, and Park covers the whole of his career: youth in New Zealand, success as an ace fighter pilot in World War I, postings to South America and Egypt, the Battle of Britain, command of the RAF in Malta 1942–43, and finally Allied Air Commander-in-Chief of Southeast Asia under Mountbatten in 1945. His contribution to victory and peace was immense and this biography does much to shed light on the Big Wing controversy of 1940 and give insight into the war in Burma, 1945, and how the huge problems remaining after the war’s sudden end were dealt with. Drawn largely from unpublished sources and interviews with people who knew Park, and illustrated with maps and photographs, this is an authoritative biography of one of the world’s greatest unsung heroes.