Remembering our war hero
Upon his return to South Africa, the war hero founded the Torch Commando, one of the largest anti-apartheid movements with more than 250 000 members, which proved to be a real thorn in the side of the National Party.
As the world celebrated the brave men who invaded the beaches of France to free the world from tyranny on D-Day 75 years ago, I think we need to remember a hero of our own, ace fighter pilot Adolph “Sailor” Malan who fought in the air during the Battle of Britain for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Malan was not only one of the most successful pilots of the war, but he changed the way pilots approached warfare in the air for the foreseeable future, valuing patience and strategy over firepower.
The ace was born in 1910 in Wellington and showed early signs of militaristic aspirations, joining the Union Castle Line of the Mercantile Marine at the age of 15.
However, when the Nazi threat grew in Germany, Malan took to the sky where he received his original training in a World War One era Tiger Moth Biplane in Bristol England circa 1936.
His amazing sight and cat-like reflexes saw him climb the ranks and soon joined one of the most prestigious fighting squadrons of the war, the Tiger Squadron.
And on September 4, 1939, the day the war had been declared, Malan was promoted to captain of the Tiger Squadron and led them into some of the most intense battles in his Spitfire Mk1.
He soon became a standout pilot and something of a celebrity. A news article from the London Gazette from June 11, 1940, read: “During May 1940, this officer has led his flight, and on certain occasions, his squadron, on the offensive patrols in Northern France. He has personally shot down two enemy aircraft and probably three others.
“Flight Lt Malan has displayed great skill, courage and relentless determination in his attacks upon the enemy.”
Malan was admired both for his skill and calmness while under fire from the enemy, even when his aircraft had suffered damage.
One of his long time wing-men, Bill Skinner, said: “He was a born leader and natural pilot of the first order. As far as he was concerned, you either did your job properly or you were on your way. He inspired his air crews by his dynamic and forceful personality and by the fact that he set such a high standard in his flying.”
By the end of 1941, Malan had racked up an astonishing 32 confirmed kills, a record he will hold until the end of the war.
By the time the war had come to its end, Malan became one of the most decorated pilots in history.
He was awarded the distinguished service order from the RAF and additional decorations from allied countries, including the The Belgian Croix de Guerre with bronze Palm, The Czecho-Slovakian Military Cross, The French Legion of Honour in the degree of Officer and the French Croix de Guerre.
Upon his return to South Africa, the war hero founded the Torch Commando, one of the largest anti-apartheid movements with more than 250 000 members, which proved to be a real thorn in the side of the National Party.
His is a life to celebrate as he demonstrated the willingness to lay down his life in the name of freedom.
