Hugh Dundas

Who was Hugh Dundas?

Sir Hugh Spencer Lisle Dundas CBE DSO and Bar DFC, nicknamed "Cocky", was a World War II fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force. He was Promoted to Squadron Leader at the age of 21, to Wing Commander at 22. In 1944, Dundas was awarded the DSO and at 24 became one of the youngest Group Captains in the RAF. Dundas was one of the most highly respected officers in the RAF. He was awarded the DFC in 1941; DSO in 1944 and Bar to the DSO in 1945.

Born in Doncaster, on 2 July 1920, Dundas, like his elder brother John, became fascinated by the idea of flying from a childhood, and he joined the Auxiliary Air Force straight after leaving Stowe School in 1938.

Dundas was called up early in the war, serving with No. 616 Squadron, flying Spitfires. He was shot down on 22 August and wounded during the Battle of Britain, but returned to his Squadron in September 1940. His brother John, a 12-kill ace with No. 609 Squadron, was killed in action in November 1940 after shooting down Helmut Wick, the top–scoring German ace at the time.

In early 1941, No. 616 was part of the RAF Tangmere Wing, under the command of Wing Commander Douglas Bader. Through the summer of 1941 Dundas frequently flew with Bader's section, gradually building his reputation as a competent fighter pilot and tactician. In September 1941 he was posted as an instructor to 59 OTU, but his scruffiness and unruly pet dog did not endear him to commanding officer Group Captain Stanley Vincent, and he was transferred promptly as a Flight Commander with No. 610 Squadron.