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'Sailor' Malan - Freedom Fighter (ePub)

The Inspirational Story of a Spitfire Ace

Aviation > Aircraft > Spitfires & Hurricanes Aviation > WWII Military > Biographies WWII

By Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS FRAeS , Foreword by Valerie Crankshaw (nee Malan)
Imprint: Air World
File Size: 19.0 MB (.epub)
Pages: 264
Illustrations: 32 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781526795274
Published: 28th April 2021

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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-two, of Parkinson’s. Written with the support of the Malan family, this biography is the full story of a remarkable airman and politician.

"More than the mere biography of a WWII fighter pilot, ‘Sailor’ Malan is an important story that badly needed to be told..."

Aviation History, Autumn 2022

"...this outstanding pilot has received less recent attention than other pilots such as Douglas Bader or Johnnie Johnson. This has now been remedied by Sarkar, whose prior career as a police detective comes through."

Air Power History, Spring 2022

This is a book worth reading.

Adrian Roberts

An interesting novel about one of the greatest aces in the RAF in WW2. The first hand accounts and stories by those who knew him really added to the enjoyment of this book. I found the story inspirational and his actions after the war to try and fight apartheid were moving. A great read.

NetGalley, Ron Baumer
 Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS FRAeS

About Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS FRAeS

Dilip Sarkar has now written over sixty well-received books. Having enjoyed a privileged relationship with many of The Few, he is a globally acknowledged expert on the Battle of Britain, currently working on a career-topping eight volume official history for The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and National Memorial to The Few. Described by the late Dr Gordon Mitchell, son of the Spitfire’s designer RJ Mitchell, as an ‘aviation detective’, Dilip Sarkar did actually begin his professional life as just that – a police detective. His evidence-based approach and ability to discover new material is well-known – in 2023, for example, he was responsible for having Air Chief-Marshal Sir Keith Park, a New Zealander, officially recognised as one of The Few. Made an MBE for ‘services to aviation history’ in 2003, Dilip was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society in 2006, achieved First Class Honours in Modern History as a mature student in 2010, and in 2024 was made both a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and member of London’s Royal Air Force Club. During his long career, Dilip has exhibited and spoken internationally at such prestigious venues as Oxford University, the RAF Museum, IWM Museum, and Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek; he has worked on many TV documentaries, on and off screen, again internationally, and has an engaging presence on YouTube and Facebook in particular.


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