Personal Life and Family
Adolph Gysbert Malan was born on March 24, 1910 to Willem Adolf Malan and Evelyn Forde Jordan. He had 6 younger siblings namely, Ralph Jordan Malan, Zoe Minaar Malan, Willem Stanley Malan, Francis Malan, Marjorie Joubert Malan and Peter Malan. He was married to Lunda Irene Fraser and was blessed with 2 children, Jonathan Malan and Valerie Malan. Work and Career
The Barking Creek Battle - During WW2 Malan was assigned to the RAF's No. 74 Squadron and was tasked to cut off a bomber raid; however, it was in fact a misidentified RAF returning flight. Malan allegedly ordered Paddy Byrne and John Freeborn to attack the aircraft resulting in the death of flying Officer Montague Hulton-Harrop. During the following court-martial of the two pilots, Malan denied commanding his men to attack and was called a bare-faced liar. Fortunately, the court had decided that it was an unfortunate error of war and the 2 pilots were released. Fierce Fight over Dunkirk
On June 28, 1940 Sailor Malan was involved in a fierce fight over Dunkirk which earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of him shooting down five enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader
On August 8, 1940, he was promoted as Acting Squadron leader. During the height of the Battle of Britain he was able to intercept a raid near Dover and three following raids. The squadron was able to shoot down a total of 38 enemy aircraft. Wing Commander
After he received the Distinguished Service Order on December 24, 1940, he was appointed as one of the first Wing Leaders for the spring offensive. In 1941 he officially ended his active fighter pilot career with 27 kills, 7 aircraft destroyed, 3 probable damaged and 16 damaged aircraft and became Station Commander of RAF Biggin Hill. Although RAF standing orders prohibited ranks of Station Commander and above from flying for security reasons he regularly ignored these orders. Death
September 17, 1963, Captain A. G Malan died of Parkinson�s disease. During that time, this disease was rare and there was no treatment available. Because of his death, a budget was raised to research the treatment of this serious disease. The fund still finances research in to Parkinson�s disease to this day. Influence & Legacy
A good tactician and aggressive fighter pilot in the RAF, Captain A. G. Malan was famous for his 10 rules for air combat. After the end of WW2 Malan returned to his native South Africa and became an influential member of many Apartheid organisations, the National Party was so frightened of the effect this could have on the young white South Africans who may be heavily influenced by the beliefs of such a fighter pilot hero they had Malan purged from their official history. Fast Facts - Occupation: Group Captain / Fighter Pilot
- Birthday: March 24, 1910
- Place of Birth: Wellington, South Africa
- Nickname: Sailor
- Date of Death: September 17, 1963
- Place of Death: South Africa
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