Date of birth:

(Wellington, Cape Province, South Africa)

Date of death:

September 17th, 1963 (South Africa)

Service number:

37604

Nationality:

South African

Adolph Gysbert Malan was born in South Africa in 1910 and joined the Royal Air Force in England. Before he joined the RAF in 1935 he had served in the Merchant Navy (Union Castle Line of the Mercantile Marine). From this service he derived his nickname "Sailor".
When the danger signs from Nazi Germany were recognized, he learned to fly on Tiger Moth aircraft at an elementary flying school near Bristol, England, and he first took to the air on 6th January, 1936.
He duly passed the course and received his pilot's wings. On 20th December, 1936, he was posted to No. 74 (Fighter) Squadron (the great Tiger Squadron, so called because of its fierce fighting records and its badge: a tiger’s face surmounting the motto "I Fear No Man"). It was his first and only squadron, and was the squadron's most famous fighter of all time in the opinion of all those who served in it. He was promoted to Pilot Officer in January 1937, and was appointed to acting Flight Commander of "A" Flight, flying Spitfires, in August. He received another promotion to Flight Lieutenant just before the opening of the war.
In the Battle of Britain Malan's score began to mount rapidly and, as a stern disciplinarian in the air and on the ground his 'Ten Rules of Air Fighting' were circulated within Fighter Command. By the end of 1940 he had scored 18 victories and received the DSO, and early in 1941 became Wing Leader of the Biggin Hill squadrons. Flying Spitfire's they undertook sweeps and escort missions over France and in June Malan destroyed nine Bf 109's. When his score was 32 he was taken off flying. He became Commanding Officer of Biggin Hill in 1943. After a distinguished ground career he left the RAF and returned to South Africa in 1946. He died on 17th September, 1963, from Parkinson's disease.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 74 (Trinidad) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1940

Citation:
"During May 1940, this officer has led his flight, and on certain occasions his squadron, on ten offensive patrols in Northern France. He has personally shot down two enemy aircraft and, probably, three others. Flight Lieutenant Malan has displayed great skill, courage and relentless determination in his attacks upon the enemy."

London Gazette 11th June 1940.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

August 13th, 1940

Citation:
"Since the end of May, 1940, this officer has continued to lead his flight and, on many occasions the squadron, in numerous successful engagements against the enemy. During the Dunkirk operations he shot down three enemy aircraft and assisted in destroying a further three. In June, 1940, during a night attack by enemy aircraft, he shot down two Heinkel 111's. His magnificent leadership, skill and courage have been largely responsible for the many successes obtained by his squadron."

Received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 74 (Trinidad) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

December 24th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

July 22nd, 1941

This officer has displayed the greatest courage and disdain of the enemy whilst leading his Wing on numerous recent operations over Northern France. His cool judgement, exceptional determination and ability have enabled him to increase his confirmed victories over enemy aircraft from 19 to 28, in addition to a further 20 damaged and probably destroyed. His record and behaviour have earned for him the greatest admiration and devotion of his comrades in the Wing. During the past fortnight the Wing has scored heavily against the enemy with 42 hostile aircraft destroyed, a further 15 probably destroyed and 11 damaged."


Received as bar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group Captain

Awarded on:

March 15th, 1946

"In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With a bronze palm for mentions by the War Office.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo: ZAR.co.za
  
• - The London Gazette, Issue 34870. Tuesday 11th June 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 34920 published on the 13 August 1940
  - ZAR.co.za
  - The-Battle-Of-Britain.co.uk