Trafford Leigh-Mallory Biography

Birth of Leigh-Mallory Trafford

Passes his Bachelor of Law degree and had applied to the Inner Temple in London to become a barrister when, in 1914, war broke out

Joins the Royal Flying Corps in January 1916 and is accepted for pilot training

Posted to No. 7 Squadron and flies bombing, reconnaissance and photographic missions over the Somme front.

After the Battle of Cambrai, No. 8 Squadron was involved in Army cooperation, directing tanks and artillery

At the Armistice, is mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order

Leigh-Mallory, now a Group Captain, returns to England to be appointed Commander of No. 12 Group, Fighter Command

Appointed Air Vice Marshal

Appointed Air Vice Marshal

Appointed Commander of 12 Group during the Battle of Britain

Appointed Commander of 12 Group during the Battle of Britain

Leigh-Mallory is critical of the tactics of Park and Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, believing that not enough was being done to allow wing-sized formations to operate successfully. Forms the "Big Wing" formations to attack German bombers. Devises with Acting Squadron Leader Douglas Bader a massed fighter formation known as the Big Wing, which they used, with little success, to hunt German bomber formations

This record states: After the Battle of Britain, Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, the new Chief of the Air Staff, who had agreed with Leigh-Mallory, removed both Park and Dowding from their posts.

Leigh-Mallory takes over from Park as Commander of 11 Group

This record states: Devises with Acting Squadron Leader Douglas Bader a massed fighter formation known as the Big Wing, which they used, with little success, to hunt German bomber formations.

This record states: Leigh-Mallory is critical of the tactics of Park and Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, believing that not enough was being done to allow wing-sized formations to operate successfully.

Once appointed soon introduces wing-sized fighter sweeps into France, known as "rodeos". Leigh-Mallory takes over from Park as Commander of 11 Group

Fighter Command operated 50 squadrons in close cover and six in close support. Losses during the ill-fated raid were again heavy, partly because of the superiority of the new German fighter, the Fw 190, over RAFs Spitfire Mark Vs. Apppointed air commander for the Dieppe Raid

Leigh-Mallory replaces Sholto Douglas as head of Fighter Command and is promoted to Air Marshal

Fighter Command operated 50 squadrons in close cover and six in close support. Losses during the ill-fated raid were again heavy, partly because of the superiority of the new German fighter, the Fw 190, over RAFs Spitfire Mark Vs

Fighter Command operated 50 squadrons in close cover and six in close support. Losses during the ill-fated raid were again heavy, partly because of the superiority of the new German fighter, the Fw 190, over RAFs Spitfire Mark Vs. Apppointed air commander for the Dieppe Raid

Leigh-Mallory replaces Sholto Douglas as head of Fighter Command and is promoted to Air Marshal

Leigh-Mallory replaces Sholto Douglas as head of Fighter Command and is promoted to Air Marshal

Appointed to plan British & US tactical air forces for Operation Overlord

Made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

The German radio intercept station is bombed & "wiped off the map"

The RAF bombs a German Air Force base about to bomb the Overlord Channel fleet

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

The AEAF HQ takes control of the RAF Tactical Air Force & the Air Defence of Britain

Appointed Air Commander in Chief of South East Asia Command (SEAC). Appointed Allied Air Commander in Chief, South East Asia

Appointed Air Commander in Chief of South East Asia Command (SEAC). Appointed Allied Air Commander in Chief, South East Asia

Commander in Chief of the Allied airforces for Operation Overlord

A total of 12,000 aircraft under Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory were to support the landings, including 1,000 transports to fly in the parachute troops; 10,000 tons of bombs would be dropped against the German defenses, and 14,000 attack sorties

Appointed Air Commander in Chief of South East Asia Command (SEAC)

Appointed Air Commander in Chief of South East Asia Command (SEAC)

Appointed Air Commander in Chief of South East Asia Command (SEAC)