Who is the most iconic RAF figure of World War Two?

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Park82

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Oct 2, 2009
Here at the RAF Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) we are holding a poll to find the most iconic RAF figure of World War Two. To vote please visit:

90 faces of the RAF Benevolent Fund

The poll is featured on our special 90th anniversary website, "90 Faces of the RAFBF", which features 90 stories about our history, fundraisers and supporters.
If you visit you can listen to Winston Churchill's famous 1951 radio appeal on behalf of the RAFBF, watch videos of beneficiaries and serving RAF personnel describe how we help, and learn about the enormous support we enjoy among the RAF family.
 
Tough call.

Most adored after all these years: Dowding
Most villified after all these years: Harris
Overated (IMHO): Leigh Mallory
Underappreciated: Park
Most representative of the Spirit of RAF: Bader, Gibson
 
Gnomey said:
Bader is the one that comes to mind to me. Although I would rate Dowding higher
Click to expand...
Interesting point
'rated' is the answer you'd expect from an historian or enthusiast, 'iconic' is the answer you'd expect from the average person in the street; for me too it would be

Dowding - rated
Bader - iconic

Classic example of iconic would be most women hanging out their washing in 1940 and seeing a Spitfire flash past overhead... only it wasn't a Spitfire, it was a Hurricane.
 

It is partly poor choice of words on my part. I see both as being iconic but for different reasons, in the grand scheme of things I see Dowding being seen as more of an icon than Bader. It's just that Bader is more well known and therefore is seen as more iconic, however I think a combination of the two would be a more accurate representation.
 
I think Dowding, if he had got the overall strategy of The Battle of Britain wrong chances are the German army would have invaded
 
Bader was a shameless self publicist who carefully cultivated his image post war. Then there was the film (reach for the sky).This has made him iconic post war, a war during which he spent most of his time as a POW. 9th August 1941 was his last combat mission. He also managed to lead the post war victory fly past over London ahead of (IMHO) men more deserving. He may be remembered,rightly, with respect but rarely with affection.
Dowding was a modest ,very reserved man whose work reorganising Britain's air defence immiediately pre-war and whose leadership during the war probably saved this island from defeat and being forced into coming to some kind of terms with nazi Germany.
Thankfully it is a statue of Dowding that stands on The Strand. The last line of the inscription says it all

"To him, the people of Britain and of the Free World owe largely the way of life and the liberties they enjoy today."

Guess who gets my vote!

Steve
 
Without Bader, BoB would be decided as it historically was.

Without Dowding, I strongly doubt it would be so.
 
I'd put Malan ahead of Bader too
He re-wrote the rules for RAF fighter engagement and undoubtedly saved scores of lives dispensing with the rigid, pre-war RAF formations and methods of attack.

Bader was an ebullient leader, he turned 242 Sqn from a disenchanted, demoralised unit into a hard-hitting squadron. His drive and agression were key leadership qualities but I don't think he was any better than many other unit commanders during the Battle. With no implied cynicism whatsoever, it was the 'Bader story' that earmarked him for greatness rather than any inherent superiority over his peers.

Malan was influential at a tactical level, Dowding more so at a strategic level. Bader was an icon who lifted the morale of the British public.
 
tomo pauk said:
Without Bader, BoB would be decided as it historically was.

Without Dowding, I strongly doubt it would be so.
Click to expand...

My point exactly.
We were blessed, at that time, with many remarkable airmen. Bader was one of them but does not stand out in such exalted company.
I went to a school that supplied the RAF with Douglas Bader, Guy Gibson,Adrian Warburton and Arthur Banks amongst others. They named the sports centre after,you've guessed, Bader. I was not happy about that!
 
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