Multi-engine monoplane bombers quickly eclipsed the performance of biplane fighters. Hugh Trenchard’s belief in the ability of the bomber as the ultimate weapon of deterrence drove the doctrinal and technological development of the RAF in the lean inter-war years. It was in this manner that Dowding slowly gained the grudging support of members of the Air Staff and, in 1930, he was assigned to the Air Council as the Member for Supply and Research. However, his receptiveness to new ideas coupled with an ability to focus clearly on problems combined to allow Dowding to come up with innovative solutions to issues facing the RAF. Trenchard would become the first Air Chief of Staff (ACoS) commanding the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF).ĭowding’s dogged determination engendered a reputation of stubbornness that drew hostility from seniors and peers. Their clashes continued as Dowding refused to cut corners in pilot training to supply Trenchard’s growing demand for replacement pilots. Trenchard viewed Dowding as a “dismal Jimmy” and had him transferred back to England to command a training brigade. As a Squadron leader in the Royal Flying Corps, he clashed with the commander of the Corps, Major General Hugh Trenchard, over rest for his pilots. Hugh Dowding had begun ruffling the feathers of his superiors in the First World War. Though none of the three were “technically” fired, they certainly were not given the reward “owed by so many to so few.” This article explores the seemingly inexplicable replacement of these primary leaders within the RAF just after its greatest triumph in WWII.

Park was given the ignominious position of AOC of a training group. One month after Dowding’s departure, Air Vice Marshall Trafford Leigh-Mallory replaced Air Vice Marshall Keith Park as AOC No. One month earlier, Air Chief Marshall Cyril Newall was retired as the Air Chief of Staff of the RAF. Additionally, both were removed due to problems with relations between themselves and senior and subordinate officers within their respective organizations.Īir Chief Marshall Dowding was replaced as AOC Fighter Command on November 25, 1940. In both cases, the men were removed from their positions after winning difficult campaigns. i The nearly unprecedented event of firing a head coach right after a team record-setting regular season closely parallels the removal of Air Chief Marshall Hugh Caswall Tremenheere Dowding as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Fighter Command, Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly after the end of the Battle of Britain. One month later, the Chargers fired Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer. In December of 2006, the San Diego Chargers finished their best season ever with a 14-2 record only to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New England Patriots. Sir Archibald Sinclair – Secretary of State for Air Lord Beaverbrook (Maxwell Aitken) – Minister of Aircraft Production Squadron Leader Douglas Bader – AOC 242 Squadron, 12 GroupĪir Vice Marshall Trafford Leigh-Mallory – AOC 12 Group, RAF Fighter Command (replaces Park as AOC 11 Group) Viscount Hugh Trenchard – Former RAF Chief of StaffĪir Vice Marshall William Sholto Douglas – (replaces Dowding as AOC Fighter Command) Sir John Salmond – Former RAF Chief of Staff, chairman of the Night Defence Committee –“Bomber” Harris on Hugh Dowding Cast of CharactersĪir Marshall Hugh Caswell Tremenheere Dowding – Air Officer Commanding (AOC) RAF Fighter CommandĪir Vice Marshall Keith Park – AOC 11 Group, RAF Fighter CommandĪir Chief Marshall Cyril Newall – RAF Chief of StaffĪir Chief Marshall Charles Portal – RAF Chief of Staff (Replaces Newall as RAF Chief of Staff) The only commander who won one of the decisive battles of history and got sacked for his pains.

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No gooddeed goes unpunished