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“Hugh Dowding is considered
one of the masterminds behind the victory in the Battle of Britain - one
of the most prominent battles in World War Two. Dowding is seen as one of
the more important military commanders of the war.
“Dowding was born in Scotland in April 1882 and educated at Winchester
College and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. Dowding served in
Ceylon, Gibraltar, Honk Kong and then for six years in India. When he
returned to Britain from this tour of duty, Dowding took up flying and
received his flying license in 1913. Following this, he joined the newly
created Royal Flying Corps and fought in World War One where he commanded
16 Squadron. During this war, he clashed with the head of the Royal Flying
Corps - General Hugh Trenchard - over the issue of rest for pilots
exhausted by constant flying sorties. As a result, Dowding was sent back
to Britain. He was promoted to brigadier-general, but took no more active
part in the war itself.
“After the war, Dowding joined the newly established Royal Air Force
becoming a vice-marshal in 1929. In 1933, he was promoted to air marshal
and in 1934, Dowding was knighted.”
Full article can be found at
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/hugh_dowding.htm |
