The Crucial Role Of Lord Dowding In Saving Britain | The Battle Of Britain | Timeline
Check out our show Real Fake History's episode on the Battle Of Britain! 👉 • What If Nazi Germany H...
Fighting the Blue: Spirits in the Wind. We look at the saviour of the Battle of Britain, Hugh Dowding, who was instrumental in structuring an entire air defence force that could take on the massive aerial might of the Luftwaffe. We argue that it was primarily Dowding who saved Britain from defeat against Hitler in 1940, only to be ignominiously humiliated at the end of the conflict.
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Dowding and his staff deserved much more recognition than they got. He was a caring and decent man , rare in leaders. He saved a country and many pilots lives with his command.
A unsung hero IMHO
🎉
👍🤘🤘
The whole world owes a deep debt of gratitude to all these brave Britishers. Saying "Thank you" is not enough.
After watching this documentary, I'm so grateful that my most favorite movie of all time `The Battle of Britain` gave Air Chief Marshal Dowding the proper recognition. Respect.
I don't have words enough to do justice for my admiration for this man. I first learned of him through Korda's 'On Wings Like Eagles' and have since been trying to learn as much as I can about him. This man was a visionary! A rebel, an innovator, a master strategist. If it weren't for Sir Hugh Dowding, the Battle of Britain might have ended much differently. So, naturally, his peers punished him. The only worse sin you can commit in any hierarchy than disagreeing with your superiors, is being proven right. RIP, Sir Hugh Dowding. Here's one Yank that will never forget what this whole world owes you.
Never a truer sentiment written.
He stayed level headed as the RAF bases in the south of England were getting pounded as well as being undermined by 1 of his subordinates who insisted his strategy was better.
HEAR HEAR! Dowding's superb generalship was a major winning factor in the Battle. Also his refusal to Churchill's demand earlier to send Spitfires to France allowed scarce resources to be saved to meet the Luftwaffe's onslaught on Britain. A great man deserving full recognition for his part in this critical battle.
Hurricane nof Spit
@@12345fowler Hurricanes went to France, Spitfires were withheld by Dowding's refusal .
DOWNING'S superb LEADERSHIP. Jeez, lol
@@wannabe353it’s “Dowding” geez 😂
This is the MOST under-recognized commander in the WWII.
I’m glad Dowding has been given some long overdue recognition.
I've admired Dowding and Park for 50 years. This was a fantastic programs, in BBC's understated way.
Park was never given his due recognition in my view
@Lats Niebling kg M
Atleast Park was one New Zealander who defended London instead of being used as cannon fodder by Britain
It's often been said that Dowding and Park were the two men who were in the right place at the right time. As a statement of fact this is only matched by Churchill's famous: "Never in the field of human conflict ...". It is to Dowding and Park's brilliance, as two men of the same mind, that the essential foundation for victory in the Battle of Britain - and arguably, that basis for final victory in WWII - was established. May they, and all those who fought (both military and civillian) in the Battle NEVER be forgotten!! Respect!! 👍
Thank you it matters to their descendants who would not capitulate over a few stupid germs +
The key engagements of the Battle of Britain were fought in the mid and late 1930.s, within the RAF and Air ministry itself. Those victories allowed Dowding to build the worlds first national integrated air defence system. It was the system + leadership + personnel that won the Battle of Britain.
@@johnkelly3886 Funding was found and given, in difficult economic circumstances, by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, the much-maligned Neville Chamberlain.
We in America never learned of this man and his crucial role BOB. Brilliant tactician and foresight. Thank you for this. 🇬🇧
A visit to the Battle Of Britain Museum in Hendon is a must. Wax figures of Dowding and Goering and the high scoring pilots are on display plus all their actual uniforms and medals. They face each other. An animated hologram of Churchill delivering his famous speech behind his actual desk and furnishings is at the head of this display. The actual opposing aircraft are on display, where you watch a movie from a grandstand. Searchlights focus on the display in sequence with the movie.
My mother in law was in the ATS in 1940-43 and was an aircraft spotter in Surrey and later on a searchight crew in wimbledon. RIP Molly! proud that you were a contributor to the battle of britain victory!
RIP MOLLY AND THANK'S FOR SAVING THE WOMBLE'S
@@fredflintstoner596 Also for saving you, your family and your friends and everyone you knows you. All of which, would probably not have been alive today, had it not been for this lady's selfless courage.
And you went Latin to repay her....
@@21cranberries21 The OP states that Molly was her mother-in-law. That's not to say that there were no people of Latino descent living in GB at that time.
If only we could go back and interview people like Molly who experienced this time. They would have a few stories to tell. However, many veterans from WW II never spoke about their experiences or held them back until near the end of their lives.
I used to see Sir Keith Park going for a walk when I was small, in Auckland, New Zealand. He worked for the local council. I barely knew who he was at the time. Later, tourists would ask me where he was buried. I had to to tell them he didn't want a grave, but wanted his ashes scattered on the harbour.
As an American, I have great respect for the men and women that risked their lives in defense of their country.
The American-manned Eagle Squadron fought in the B of B, along with about 500 other foreign pilots: Poles, Czechs, NZ, Canadians etc.
@@bernardedwards8461 heard the Polish were pretty whip too.....
@@thingsandstuffwithinmebrai5938 You heard right. The Poles rarely get full credit for the contribution they made to the Allied war effort.
Well done, oh so competent and loyal leader. Lord Dowding so richly deserved to be recognized DURING his lifetime. The testimony of these witnesses dictates- how much that was so!
He WAS honoured by his country being "raised" to the peerage as Baron Dowding of Bentley Priory, also being inducted into a number of Royal orders (Order of the bath, Royal Victorian order & the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George)... it was some contemporary politicians and the organisation of the RAF itself in particular that vindictively treated him shabbily, due to him having committed the crime of publicly proving that he was right, and that those in charge on whose toes he stepped were wrong. In the eyes of those whose views I would like to believe he held most highly, those being the pilots of Fighter command and the British general public, He has ever since been regarded as a British national hero, even during his own lifetime.
Respect.🦁
My Dad was an aircraft machanic in Blackpool and helped keep the planes in the air. My mom was a Sargent waaf. I'm very proud of them.
I think it was called Stanley Park.
Amazing
*mUm
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
You are quite right to be very proud of your father.
Britain owns a great debt of gratitude to the few thousand Battle of Britain pilots who saved our country in its time of need ...especially to Sir Hugh Dowding and Keith Park whose great foresight and inspiring leadership played a huge role in the Battle of Britain ....your names are etched in the history books never to be forgotten ....I hold my glass up to you gentlemen
The few hundred, pardon me !
@@armstronggermany2995 3,000....
So often forgotten were the ground crews, other air field staff, command and control staff, most of whom, were very much in harms way. It is a pity that a ground service bar was not awarded to these participants, who's contribution and courage was so vital to the outcome.
Wow what a close shave if not for the two men
The Free world owe a gratitude to the country people that supported (factories) and personnel of the RAF
As a veteran, I appreciate his leadership and his love for his men. Bravo, Hugh Dowding!
a veteran of what?
Thanks to KZhead, Dowding is finally getting the credit he so richly deserves.
🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding, Sir Park and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
Without KZhead I would of never heard of Hugh Dowding
He didn't care for ink in the morning paper, not like his peers, a true leader among so called leaders
@@andrewkawaoka6651 *would've
It's not thanks to you tube
Dowding only lost 540 pilots. That shows how much he cared for them. It also shows great wisdom.
Sir Hugh and all RAF pilots, British & allied foreign pilots who flew and fought the Nazi’s. We owe an un-payable debt. God bless. RiP and blue skies.
All allies owe repsect and thanks for " Stuffy". He turned a collapse into the victory that changed the war for all. Thank God he stood his ground.
Well said in deed, all by himself , he proved the mighty Luftwaffe can be defeated , not by Britain's pilots, but the stupidest decisions by upper generals in charge in the Luftwaffe, gave all kinds of examples, OK , when RAF was low on pilots and spitfires , they bombed London instead of RAF airfields, and the bad decision goes on and on
@@andrewkawaoka6651 We were not low on Spitfires we were out producing Germany in a/c production and airfields are very difficult to put out if action for a long time.
Lord how we need people like this today ..Who passionately loved our country and would give their all to defend our lands
Intelligence, sincerity and wisdom always attract condemnation from the vast majority of people who lack commonsense. So they win.
As a school girl in the 50's. We were taught about the high command of AIR, LAND and SEA. Dowding. Montgomery and Mountbatten. Were names and achievements we knew. At home in my fathers Library were many books on the History of all the people who Saved UK from Germany. 82 years these books are with me in France . Very worn out. So Proud of the Men of the 40's. Who did save Britain. Father inspection engineer on Spitfire .
Sonia, it's clear to see that the spirit of your ancestors still burns brightly within you. You do them great service & make them proud. I know you've ensured your own spirit will live on. Vitæ Lampada !!!
Those books are priceless now! Valueable! A Rich source of truth that is lost to the world right now. But will be revived again.!
Several months ago in a used book store I came across a book titled "The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain." As a major history buff my first instinct was to ignore it, wondering "What could be untold about that?" Thankfully, I overcame that initial thought and bought the book, which turned out to be the story of Sir Hugh Dowding. If it had not been for Dowding, England would have had neither the Spitfire nor Hurricane in any significant numbers because he had to fight tooth and nail to get them (the high command at the time believed bombers alone could win any air war), just as he had to fight for radar, communication networks and central command of the fighter wings. Also, his objection to the "big wing" theory was not just that it took too long to assemble, but that it would reveal the actual RAF fighter strength to the Germans. By only sending up the number of fighters required to meet the threat he convinced the Germans that Fighter Command was weaker than it was. When the Germans finally sent their biggest (and last) massive raid, Fighter Command sent up everything they had and the Germans were so shocked by the number of British fighters and their own losses that they finally gave up the battle. Unfortunately, Hugh Dowding was neither a member of the 'upper crust' nor was he a 'social animal' which was so important to the Brits, and that really explains his unpopularity and removal as head of Fighter Command. To add insult to injury, when the RAF wrote the official history of the Battle of Britain, Sir Hugh Dowding was not mentioned even once. The British should forever feel shame for that slight to a man to whom they owed so much .
Tom Justis Brilliant piece, my thoughts too!
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
Hi there Sir. Could you confirm, please, that you're talking about Michael Korda's book from 2009? Thanks...
@@timparker2985 You read the right books, my friend. It was indeed Korda's book. The actual title was "With Wings Like Eagles" with a subtitle of "The Untold story of the Battle of Britain". I guess I should have made that clear in my post, but it was the "untold" part that really caught my attention in that bookstore, and after reading it, it was also the untold part regarding Sir Hugh which left me feeling how shabbily this great man was treated. I understand that many years later England finally erected a statue in his honor, but just in my humble opinion, that was not only far too little but also far too late. BTW, I don't know if you are a drinking man or not, but if you are, maybe we could both raise a toast together and drink to "Stuffy".
@@tomjustis7237 Hello Tom, Many thanks for your reply. Lord Dowding's statue was erected in 1988 outside St. Clement Danes in the Strand. About a mile away, and much later (in 2010) Sir Keith Park was similarly honoured. His statue stands outside the Athenaeum Club in Waterloo Place, off the Mall. I like your notion of a toast to "Stuffy" Dowding. Together in spirit, with spirits in a glass - Dowding would definitely have approved. (I wonder if you've read his "Many Mansions" and "Lychgate - the Entrance to the Path"?) Regards from Ludlow, Salop.
From Argentina and eighty years afterwards I render my homage to air vice marshall Hugh Dowding, who was victim of the stupidity of incompetent politicians then in public positions. No doubt that the world owes to Dowding and Park to have been saved from a dark time in history
Argentina? No creo
@@carlosherrarte9214 Sí, Argentina Estimado. Soy Argentino, me llamo juan carlos caretti, y es posible que encuentres alguna referencia mia en Internet
@@jcc6358 Que no los Argentinos odian a los Ingleses o británicos?
@@carlosherrarte9214 todo es bastante complejo. Gran Bretaña como pais tiene un historial con un componente de piratería. Pero eso no quita que haya muchos ejemplos buenos destacables. Y por encima de todo el Odio no es bueno en ningún caso. Los hechos muestran que si uno ejerce el Odio este se vuelve como un bumerang. Hay una referencia histórica interesante. Buscala con el titulo "Combate de la Vuelta de Obligado wikipedia"
Stupid incompetent politicians are still in public positions everywhere.
I had an experience like Dowding when a patient came to me as I was home getting ready for bed. He walked up to me dressed in exactly what I had settled him in and said: "Thank you" and I was so awe-struck I could only think to say: "Your welcome". He then walked toward the window and dematerialized into the drapes. The next morning the nursing home phoned and said he had died five minutes before all this took place!!! God's truth, I swear.
I was a volunteer for 2004 Indian Oceam Tsunami, in Aceh Province, Indonesia. It was the most horrific natural disaster ever happened in our country. One group of fellow volunteer experienced almost the same thing, a woman came to them saying "thank you for your help", only to find out the next day that the woman is one of the victim.
@dennischallinor8497 Does that means that there is an afterlife ? I wonder.
It's a great thing that these men got the chance to tell us their story and set some of the record safe. A grateful American who recognizes the huge roll the RAF had in keeping us all safe.
Martin Meeker Here...Here!!
Thank you Martin
Role!!
With considerable help given by pilots from the Empire/Commonwealth and Free European Air Forces, and Eagle Squadron Yanks.
....and then our American friends and allies (along with many other nations of course) helped us eventually WIN the war👌❤️❤️❤️
I was once working near the sea and a spitfire came over. Now I wasn't born until 20 years after the war, and I had never seen one for real...yet as soon as I heard it, before I even saw it I knew what it was. Everything that sound represented, about the sacrifices made by so many people and how much we owe them, literally made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. An unforgettable moment.
My friend lives in Dowding Way, a street in Gloucestershire that commemorates this great man. Salutations to him.
I used to live in Edison road, never knew until my early teens the significance of the name.
Well, it's nice that SOMETHING commemorates him
Dowding, Harris, Park, Turing all treated abysmally after the war years considering their great contributions to freedom and victory !. Truly great men !. Never to be forgotten, along with the 'few.
Churchill had a habit of chopping people down and installing his favourites in their place.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
As we all know that evil can exist in all men, yet some resist its temptation, Lord Dowding was such a man...salute.
Honour to the Royal Air Force.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
I don't believe the world does still know that evil is in everyone, there's an awful lot of effort being put into dividing neighbours from one another now to reveal the "Bad guys"
Politics, ego, and self-aggrandizement have no place in combat operations. Dowding, bless his soul, was a true Brit and patriot.
True, but that's the way it was and still is. Those generals that knows how to use politics to further themselves are more remembered than those like Dowding.
As an American with an English mother, I have absolute respect for him. The right man, in the right place, at the right time. Twice, my mother, was trapped in bomb shelters, once delivering her nephew, the next she lost her hearing. She recovered 70% of her hearing in the left ear, but never recovered her hearing in the right ear.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer WOW... Incredible life story. Thanks. Blessings.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
True Brit? Sounds like a great title for a movie...
Never underestimate the capacity of people in power to promote their own interest at the expense of qualified people.
...at the expense of MORE qualified ppl.
@@sculter8 You don't have to be qualified to be in power.
@Lats Niebling very true
It happened with me.
Or the public good.
Long live Air Marshal Dowding...Heroes live in our hearts forever!!!
Damn Leigh-Mallory's disloyalty ! Sir Hugh Dowding was Britain's saviour. A true leader and the architect of victory, he will always be a hero in the eyes of anyone who understands the part he played in winning the Battle of Britain.
You find his type in every organisation, government and corporate. They are mere worms - but dangerous worms.
Faerie One of the Greatest Scotsman ever.
Mallory was most certainly disloyal, he was further a man who could have betrayed England. Knowingly or not. Pig headed stubbornness is often a display of pride. We must always learn these lessons in our own life. Everyone, anyone can have a superior idea to yours. Take it on and give them credit. Humility is a magnificent strength we can achieve.
so true!!
York
François Vandercruyssen (Antwerp, Belgium) This is throughly a magnificent testimony of those flying heroes my father told me about when I was a boy. When will there be a movie about Hugh Dowding ?
An orphan boy, from the small town of Moffatt, Scotland, literally saved the Free World. That didn't sit well with Churchill & Mallory - more "Establishment" backgrounds. Churchill would have frittered away Fighter Command in France if Dowding hadn't stood up to him. They waited until 1988 to put up a statue to him. To paraphrase Orwell, 'the Establishment trying to control the Past to preserve themselves in Power.'
As I said above, Churchill would also be kicked to the curb. What goes 'round comes round...
All this anti Churchill guff is childish and boring. No Winston no victory.
@@raydematio7585 True!
Lamont you are right on. Churchill, Dowding and Park were indispensable players. Mallory and Bader were well out of the running with their big wing theory. Mallory was lucky that he was n't court marshaled by unilaterally deciding to hold squadrons back in 10 sector until they had each joined up. Often they were late. Park went on to sprinkle his magic in Malta. Dowding was due to retire before the battle and was asked to stay on for it (thank god). Yes (the gov't) were late in their recognition. (Same with Turing). Why do some people think it important where our heroes were born; its important what he did ! Dowding invented an "Integrated" Fighter Command copied by all. We all owe him a debt of gratitude
@@glennpickard2239 Ask most people today who Gordan Welchman is and they would scratch their heads. He was incredibly vital at Bletchley Park and later to develop what we now know as 'the cloud' in defence sysytems.
Big up Sir Hugh. Right man, Right place, Right time.
God bless Sir Hugh Dowding, he did his duty for our country .
Dowdings command and control of his fleet was one of the most brilliant moves of the war.
The virtual dismissal and subsequent ignoring of Dowding’s role in the Battle of Britain is just appalling. I think the presence of Churchill in 11 sector’s control room on that day may have left him feeling puffed up and Mallory’s outgoing personality and passion for fame could have triggered the decision to eradicate all of Dowding’s remarkable achievements. Even in total war, some men will tread on the able strategists to boost their own sense of self importance. How pathetic.
Ya I think Churchill had his strengths in public speaking and such but really fell short in many other areas and allowing others to take the glory for someone else achievements is pretty wretched
It is true Dowding's sincerety and human approach to his subordinates and fellowmen definitely understood the way he handles in crisis situation, He is tall leader when even he was ask to leave abruptly from his position.This will happen to people who are humble even at higher positios Historians bosted Vincent churchil for his leadership qualities, but many a times he failed to recognise the good work peopolle like Dowding'.Most of the politician work for their fancy and popularity.This will apply British politics also 4:04
Churchill thought he was a great strategist, and constantly interfered with sound military ideas. His constant bullying cost the lives of untold thousands of soldiers lives. The US lost more men in ww2 than the British. He has completely rewritten his role in ww2.
The British have always made the BEST documentaries in the world, IMHO. This is an excellent example. Thank you so much for posting it!!! Timeline is one of the best channels on KZhead.
Thanks so much for posting this. Been a Dowding fan for many years, and thought politics within the RAF dimmed the light of his absolute genius. Boring, but genius. Love, David
Boring is often quiet genius.👏👌👍
Sometimes it's the "boring" people who we NEED, and become our salvation (hence should be honoured).....as much as the charismatic
Socially boring perhaps, meh? Militarily, a fascinating study. Using aircraft as guerilla fighters, love it.
You mean snakes like Portal and Leigh Mallory.
I'll have a Beer for all Fighter Pilots, Bomber Crews and Ground Troops who fought in the War! Czechs, Poles, Australians, Brits, Americans etc. Salute to the brave men!
French, South Africans, Belgians, Rhodesians...
All 7 Americans? MAGA!
@@jonnybottle Pull ur head out john boy. HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA
WAIT. It said man, not people. But if it means more bier I'm in.
126 New Zealanders flew… plus Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park from Auckland. Only the Polish had more pilots flying from overseas.
Sir Hugh Dowding you are still remembered in 2019 as the main person along with your brave staff and pilots who won the battle of Britain . Winston Churchill made many mistakes which were covered but it was the British armed forces that won the war not politicians .
The Royal Air Force in memory to the squadron in defence to operational in force, R. I. P.
Dave Goonawardana - Agreed. But don’t forget the aviators from allied and Commonwealth countries that were needed to fly on behalf of our beloved Britain. I am very pleased and even relieved when history is fairly passed on. RIP Sir Hugh Dowling and all his chicks.
@@doogleticker5183 Agree.
Churchill is widely overrated
Off at a tangent Dave, but it was said truely said: "Pirates create empires...public servants lose them,..." But thumbs up for Dowding
These dudes had Balls of Titanium!!!!!
Finally, two men given the credit they richly deserve and sad as they were not fully honored as they should have until many years later. An excellent book to read on the machinations of the early warning system (radar) that Sir Hugh Dowding realized to be essential to Britain's defense is WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES: A HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN. Another astonishing book to read is THE MOST DANGEROUS ENEMY: A History of the Battle of Britain. I came upon these books by complete accident. By the way, I am an American and since becoming interested in the British side of the war, I realize the Brits have never been given the full recognition in defeating the AXIS powers.
Great documentary. My wife's grand-dad flew Hurricanes, Spitfires and later Typhoons. He was one of the Few. RIP Angus. If not for you and your mates we'd all be speaking German, if we were speaking.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
@joe blogs So if the Germans win the Battle of Britain and invade and win, what then?
@@teto85 We now know for certain that a German invasion of Britain was never going to be successful.
@@Coltnz1 In 1940 that question was insidious doubt.
Len Deighton deserves credit for making much of Dowding and Park's role in the Battle of Britain and their subsequent mistreatment public knowledge when he published "Fighter" in 1977.
Dowding was a true hero..who never wanted fame..The spirits of him and his chicks live on. Thanks for a great documentary.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
All that spiritualism he was displaying are absolutely signs of what would be considered now to be PTSD. Talking to the dead, hallucinations, intense guilt and anxiety. Still an incredible man.
NOOOO. WHAT HE SAW HE SAW. BACKDOOR DIAGNOSIS.IS WRONG.
He is the kind of leader we used to have but probably wouldn't thrive in the modern world. Reserved, but not afraid to argue with superiors but usually making correct decisions.
So cute hearing an old vet saying “I felt six feet tall” with a huge grin on his face. I’m sat here at 6’4
Smugness stacked @ 6'4" by the sound of it.
So sad he was never honoured in his lifetime, a man with great humility! whare would we have been without him, God bless him now he is with those young men he cared so much for, may all those who fought so valiantly for this country rest in peace God bless them all 🙏😇
The man stood firm in the face of adversity. He is a hero for Great Britain.
He certainly showed HQ's weaknesses, and some in HQ didn't like it. My dad was a wartime transport pilot over New Guinea, and often heard how good he was and wished we'd had more of his type, but here in Australia. Dad was an RAAF biscuit bomber. He, like RAF pilots, held him, Dowding, in high regard, as did his section members.
Two competent leaders, replaced by two egotists who could have lost the air war for Great Briton! Is this a case of the worst of people rise to positions of power? Galen Martin
They say that "You learn something new every day" this has been my lesson today. A real-life story of which I knew nothing about. I had heard the mention of the names before, but with no idea how bigger part they played during WWII. At the end of this video, it shows a statue of Dowding, but what about Park. Does he not deserve the same requisition? It should have been done while they were still alive. No doubt one of Dowding's ghosts would have told him. Thank you to the makers of this film/video and to those who played a part in it. An important part of History, that today's students should be taught. "At the going down of the Sun and in the morning will shall remember them" Martin. (Thailand)
There is a statue of Keith Park in his hometown of Auckland New Zealand
Having a military career myself his story is unfortunately not uncommon. But like most in his situation they took their lot with inner resolve knowing that what they did was the right thing to do. They sought not glory nor fame but success for those under their command and for their country. To his memory!
VERY well put!
Park was a Kiwi so I guess they didn't want to accept the fact he saved their country for them with his brilliant tactics....He was no fool.....
Yes. Keith R. Park doesn't get the recognition he very much deserved. I say this as an Englishman.
@@cryptotharg7400 - as a Kiwi I have to say in that in addition to Park and Dowding neither the South African Quinton Brand of 10 group nor the Brit Richard Saul of 13 Group get due recognition. They were also capable and dedicated players on team Dowding (and I believe were held in esteem by Park).
@@ivorbiggun710 - Thank you for your contribution - I suspect that many Kiwis (such as Sam Hunt whom I presume is Kiwi) have the perception that Park was unappreciated in Britain because he was largely unappreciated in New Zealand for many years (until recently anyway). The correctness of your assertion of Parks standing in Britain is demonstrated in the naming in Britain of a famous steam locomotive after him for instance. There are few such acknowledgements of him in his native land. The other issue I am beginning to appreciate is that while Mallory and Bader are vilified there were other players in the big wing game who seem to get a free ride, one notable being Sholto Douglas who was the beneficiary of Dowding's demise. While Mallory got the minor prize of Parks former position, Douglas got the greater prize of Dowding's command.
Sam Hunt. 😂😂😂😂 typical kiwi comment. Inferiority complex in full force. Most people know he’s a kiwi so what?
@@bazd884 - bit harsh mate. I'm a Kiwi and Mr. Hunt's comment made me cringe so I understand your angst but I wouldn't consider his comment a typical kiwi comment.
That is what separates the great military leaders from the DUDs!! What is it; when a competent military leaders takes a stand against politicians; especially against those who never served in the military!! Sir Hugh Dowding was one of those outstanding military leaders that saved his nation!!
Just a thought. If you include Churchill here, you are quite mistaken. He served honorably and courageously in the Boer War. Survived some hairy encounters.
Hugmal37: but Churchill did, as he later admitted, over-rule the military chiefs of staff on the Dardanelles/Gallipoli campaign.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
If a gangster in Chicago can get bulletproof glass, our pilots can get bulletproof glass. Dowding you were awesome.
Politicians. consider people serving under them expendable.Fighter pilots too fall in this category.Bullet proof glass is only to save politicians lives. Takes a committed man to put things in perspective and fight for pilots who pu themselves in harms way but have little say in matters decided by others
There is a lovely Memorial to this great man in Moffat Dumfries and Galloway, where he was born. There is also a RAF fly past every year to commemorate his legacy.🏴🇬🇧
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
An excellent documentary. Unfortunately, the Leigh-Mallory's & Douglas' of this world (then, as now) will always succour the glories of those deserving same. Dowding & Park's tenacious offensive tactics, & those subordinate to them, brought about an incredible victory for the British people, & as was asserted, received little or no recognition for (his) due diligence toward, & appreciation for, the pilots who flew under his command; ironic, that it took so long for (this) country's govt to erect a statue to a man who remained steadfast against all odds - He is the initial reason why we have the liberties so enjoyed by many in this day & age.
See Billy Mitchell.
@@philgiglio7922 Sorry ?
Reinhardt Heidrick
.
@@cec2197 ? What do you reckon?
A very interesting and well produced documentry and an interesting depiction of a real great Englishman. As a German i envy the British for those amazing personalities in history. The good ones in Germany were at large or already in concentration camps or dead at that time. Thanks for those men like Sir Dowding and Winston Churchill! Very recommendable "The Splendid And The Evil" a "new biography of Churchill by Erik Larson, when a few fabulous British and their great people saved western civilisation. Why arn´t there any left nowadays?
Hugh Dowding was born in Moffat Scotland (1882). Not quite an Englishman. At 15 years of age, he went to the famous private school Winchester Collage, in Hampshire England. Since he received his primary socialization in Scotland, we claim him. Unlike most RFC pilots, who were cavalrymen and aristocratic, he was an artillery man and middle class.
So, are we at war nowadays? No. Then, that is why. No incentive to show ourselves!
@@johnkelly3886 Thanks for the clarification, but I do believe the video is merely differentiating English as being on the receiving end of the Battle of Britain, perpetrated by Hitler's flying hordes, inclusive of ALL of Great Britain, including Scotland, home of my ancestors, on both parents sides.
@@loftsatsympaticodotc Clydebank was 'blitzed' several times, Scotland was also on the receiving end. British nationalism submerges Scotland in the British identity, but loudly proclaims Englishness. British nationalists should at least try to be more even handed. But this is just another symptom of how emotionally dead the Union is. The role of the Sots, in the Union, is to shut up, snap to attention, salute and blindly obey.
A truly amazing gentlemen. All of my research and reading confirms his pivotal role in fighter command. Any other strategy than his would have frittered away the fighting strength of the RAF.
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
And there wasn't a 'surplus' to fritter away either!
Sir Hugh Dowding was the real hero behind the victory of the Battle of Britain, yet he was discredited.
24:42 - That's why I never think that Spitfire is better, than Hurricane and vice versa. The Battle of Britain showed that those two beautiful machines were the best by completing each other.
Dowding was indeed the saviour of the RAF, and Britain. The way he was treated after the Battle of Britain, was abominable...He didn't have friends in the right places. Mallory's push for the big wing, also did nothing for the reputation for Bader, who was a junior officer at the time. The Big Wing never worked, it was too slow and too political.
Magnificent video honoring a remarkable man
All remarkable men . . . who have matured, and, meet the face of a new enemy - maturity ! It's been said - 'we're all on this earth . . . a short while' ! PAY YOUR RESPECTS . . . for those that are still here. They're in their 90's . . . they won't be here, for long !
I Just posted this documentary now in my FB saying: 🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
I saw the 1969 movie "Battle of Britain" when it came out. Many of the scenes in this video came from that outstanding movie. From that time, and also after reading various accounts of the battle, I had no doubts whatsoever the relative contributions to Britain's brilliant yet unlikely victory were from Dowding, Park, and Leigh-Mallory. This was a great video.
Looks like Britain did it to Alan Turing too. In the Soviet Union, it was Zhukov. In Canada, we did it to Arthur Currie.
and Australian did it to Cyril Clowes.
@George Emil - There were very different reasons for the treatment of Dowding, Zhukov, and Turing. Dowding was popular with his pilots but not with politicians or ambitious careerist colleagues, he had served his purpose and was sidelined and retired at age 60. Zhukov was a popular military hero seen as a threat by Stalin and was pushed out in 1946. Turing was unknown to the public - Bletchley Park was a closely kept secret. After the war Turing was seen as a security risk because he was homosexual. He was a victim of the morality of the age.
An now they try doing it to Brexit voters - though we wont let them.
@@philipr1567 Different circumstances but the outcomes were all the same. To put it mildly, wouldn't Stalin be an ambitious politician too?
@@MrBITS101 Indeed as well as Allen and Potts, and Chester Wilmot.
Last of the great generation never to be seen again.
As ever the 'establishment' screws things up for their own perceived 'glory' and betterment, but I think that today the brilliance of Dowding and Park are so very well known especially by aviation enthusiasts. Mallory, the career officer like our career politicians who work for their own ends and not for the sake of the betterment of our country.
Hugh Dowding was a proud Scot 🏴 We are massively proud of him ❤️
And British
@@anthonyeaton5153, Scottish.
So wonderful. Wish I had been alive when all of this happened. Love Brit Grit... and still love everything my grandparents valued. Huge losses and amazing achievement..
Grear documentary, and great A. M. Dowding and A. V M. Keith Park, My hats off to you
The gentle and serious tone of this video is appreciated. Lord Dowding was a brilliant man as was Keith Park. Douglas Bader can be forgiven somewhat as his ideas for Big Wing defences were a direct result of seeing tiny formations of Spitfires and Hurricanes sent up against overwhelming odds early in the Battle of Britain. He and his pilots were at the cutting edge and it is human nature for a commander at his level to want to do anything to help his young and inexperienced pilots who were being cut to pieces by the highly experienced and large formations of German fighters. That is why generals do not serve at the fighting front....they must have distance between themselves and the dying so they act in the best interest of the service and address the "Big Picture" rather than have the awful "blood and guts" fighting all around them. Otherwise important decisions are often made on emotion instead of wisdom. Leigh-Mallory, however, was pretty much a service "politician" and has no claim to the brilliant victory orchestrated By Dowding, Park and the young pilots of the RAF who fought the battle.
Bader was an idiot after self glory. I haven't met anyone who liked Bader after meeting him. I went to the Uxbridge HQ last year. The guide met Bader twice. Hated his guts both times. He was a very arrogant man.
The word usually used by people to describe Bader who knew him in the RAF always began with a "B".
I can't speak to Bader's role, but it feels like Leigh Mallory gets a bad press these days. In the 1969 film the tension between LM, Parke and Dowding is very well handled. Churchill of course confirmed he knew he had the right men in place. I think it an object lesson in delegation.
Sir Hugh Dowding a truly great and good man .
God bless Hugh Dowding, his foresight, his intellect, patriotism and raw cunning. A giant of a man and well deserving of our praise and admiration. Thank you sir Hugh for saving Britain from invasion. High praise for an Englishman from a grateful Scot.
You're gonna love him even more when you find out that he was a SCOT... born in Moffat in Dumfriesshire in 1882.
Knew there had to be a reason he stood out amongst the poms
@@dougsmith9687 He's still is a "pom".... Scotland is a part of Britain. I didn't know "pom" was part of Scottish vernacular? Your ancestors didn't "take a long boat trip" to Oz a couple of centuries back, did they?😄
In the movie Ike,I remember Leigh Mallory character in the movie was a pain to Eisenhower. But in the end wrote an apology letter,he owed Dowety one as well. Rest in peace all you great men and women from all over the Empire.The Americans that was there,Polish, French.Bless you all.🇨🇦
Dowding was probably the last of the great commanders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heroes, one and all. We will remember you.
Churchill is deified as the the country's saviour, but Turing and others at Bletchley, and Dowding, and Watson-Watt... made a massive contribution. A collective effort, involving vital individuals, but also huge numbers, not only in UK, won the war
Dowding was the man who created the sword, Park the man who wielded it.
... and those who removed them were holding their shield above their head.
Dowding and Park were excellent tactitioners. Both deserved better treatment and significant honours. Again, an example of spineless politicians of the like we see today.
I can safely say Hugh Dowding's efforts shaped world history for the better.
I think Dowding and Park should be equally credited
Also great that a surviving Battle of Britain class locomotive is called Sir Keith Park.
🙏🌷🛩️ Salute to Sir Hugh Dowding, Sir Park and salute to all the brave soldiers and aircraft fighters of UK. 🛩️🌺
@@adamh3146 vh
I'm a bit surprised that Churchill went along with Dowding's demotion.
Dowding's promotion to Chief Air Vice Marshall was blocked by Trenchard and Salmond. So effectively, Dowding was pushed into retirement - not a demotion. Suggest reading the explanation I've written above
As I understand it, the Germans underestimated the size of the RAF because they assumed that British and German squadrons were the same size and they were not. Britain had more pilots per squadron than Germany.
Then you completely misunderstood. Next thing you'll tell us, England had an equal sized Army to the French army, with more English knights compared to French knights in the Battle of Agincourt.
They had radar
It is true about the size of squadrons they misunderstood-fatally.
Oh, good grief....Do you not think that perhaps the German Luftwaffe had Intelligence Units who were well aware as to the make up of the numbers of planes and pilots there would be in an RAF Squadron and did so long before war broke out? Same way as the RAF and French Air Force, knew everything about Luftwaffe Squadrons, down to the number of cooks they had!
I would certainly recommend seeing the battle of britain bunker in Uxbridge London. Takes you back to 1939 and you truly appreciate how the men , women and RAF, soldiers , saved Britain from the German attacks. Lord Dowding was a genius.
Dowding was in much the same position as Jellicoe in the First World War “ the only man on either side who could lose the war in an afternoon “ . They both received much the same reward .
Hugh Dowding. Saved Britain from invasion by Germany, after RAF victory over the Sky's in the air , Hugh Dowding was cut lose just like the Polish pilots, one extraordinary man and Polish Pilots won the Battle of Britain, history will rewrite the truth , people like me will know the truth, and take my hat off and salute this one man and Polish pilots
This is truly shocking- I have never had the slightest idea that fighter command had such a hostile environment among the top brass during BoB
In the book "The Narrow Margin" (1963) it was underlined that Dowding was indeed the architect behind the victory in the Battle of Britain. The film "The Battle of Britain" also portrays Dowding as the victor. So he did eventually get his credit.
The book Narrow Margin is a classic but has one major error. All those who flew in the Battle are named in the book but the lowest rank recorded us that of Sgt completely ignoring the Other Ranks who also flew.
Hugh Dowding Thank you for your great contribution for THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, which has enabled me and others to enjoy the freedom we have today. Thank you for saving our country. We now need someone like you to fight our biggest challenge since WWII, Corvid-19 Coronavirus. R.I.P. To a legend. I want a poster of Hugh Dowding to frame and put up on my wall. Hugh Dowding was a rare breed of human being
Park got rolled as well. Top Kiwi bloke.
We owe our freedom to Dowding and Parks and have a lot to thank their young chicks for. Was the Big Wing a good thing? If used properly it might have had a marked effect on German moral, but it did not work as well as people had predicted. Barder who claimed responsibility for its invention, is best known for his lack of legs. The people who championed its use are unknown today, its only ever mentioned in the context of the Battle of Britain, so perhaps their ignominy as architects of a fighting strategy says much of its effectiveness.
I recommend reading Patric Bishop's "Fighter Boys", for a discussion on the subject. As stated in the docu, it took too long time, so when the "Big Wing" was gathered, the Germans were already on their way back.
From a combat logistics perspective, Laurie, the 'Big Wing' was a flawed design tactic....amassing that many aircraft at attack altitude not only failed in the prima facie aspect, but cost time & effort - which as was mentioned in the documentary, would have been an ill-afforded indulgence. In regard to Douglas Bader, whilst undoubtedly brave, I cannot state with certainty that his adoption of Leigh-Mallory's 'Big Wing' was ever precisely thought through.
There are a number of sources in which Barder claims to the architect of the big wing. Its interesting that towards the end of the war when Leigh-Mallory was in charge of the 2 TAF the policy was never more than 4 planes and preferably only two.
Taste the irony, Laurie....
This highlights the very essence of leadership: You always represent the ones that aren't present - superiors when dealing with the reports, the reports when dealing with the superiors. And most importantly - your task is to promote meritocracy and prevent narcissists from rising in the ranks. This must be valid for all leaders, all the way to the top, or that culture rots away from within.
Doesn't get better than timeline.