Adolph Malan

Who was Adolph Malan?

Adolph Gysbert Malan, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, better known as Sailor Malan, was a famed South African World War II RAF fighter pilot who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the height of the Battle of Britain. Malan was known for sending German bomber pilots home with dead crews as a warning to other Luftwaffe crews. Under his leadership No. 74 became one of the RAF's best units. Malan scored 27 kills, seven shared destroyed, three probably destroyed and 16 damaged.

Malan survived the war to become involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his country. His younger brother, George F. Malan, was killed flying with No. 72 Squadron RAF as a Spitfire pilot in Tunisia, in earlier 1943.