Dresden on Fire.

Hi Reader, welcome back to our weekly coverage of what happened in the skies and on the ground during World War II. This week, we cover one of the most controversial bombing raids conducted by the Allies and an Allied pilot who rose to political stardom. Join us as we delve into the history of one of the most pivotal conflicts ever and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Apocalypse in Dresden

This week in history, the bombing of Dresden commenced on February 13, 1945, and ended on February 15, 1945. Both British and American bombers raided the German city for several days, dropping 2,700 tons of explosives and igniting massive fires across the city. Dresden served as a major network for Nazi Germany’s rail and road network. The resulting firestorm engulfed large parts of the city, killing thousands of civilians. It stands as one of the most controversial attacks by the Allies due to its high death toll and limited strategic advantage.

On the night of February 13, 1945, the first wave of bombers, consisting of 240 RAF Lancasters approached Dresden, unloading hundreds of explosives and incendiary bombs. The raid encountered minimal opposition, as the Luftwaffe had been weakened from the Battle of the Bulge, and German anti-air defenses were minimal in the city. Within the first 15 minutes, the RAF’s first wave dropped 880 tons of explosives into the city. The explosives shattered windows, created craters, and demolished buildings. The incendiary bombs ignited countless small fires that combined into raging firestorms, engulfing the city. Tornado-like winds roared through the city, sucking up oxygen and feeding the inferno. Just hours later, around 1:30 AM, a second wave of RAF bombers descended upon the already burning city, delivering another devastating round of explosives and incendiaries. In total, over 500 RAF bombers dropped a total of 1,800 tons of bombs within the city on the first day alone.

The following noon, on February 14, over 300 B-17s from the US Eight Air Force delivered their own payload of explosives and incendiaries onto Dresden. The city, still engulfed in flames and heavy smoke, was not spared. Within 30 minutes, 316 B-17 Flying Fortresses dropped 770 tons of explosives, intensifying the destruction. The final assault occurred on February 15 with 200 B-17s delivering their last payload. For several weeks, the city of Dresden was engulfed in flames. Thousands of structures had been destroyed within a 15-square-mile radius. For those who survived the firestorm where faced with a nightmarish apocalyptic scene of destruction and bodies burnt beyond recognition. Due to the severity of the raid, an exact death toll has never been found, but estimates suggest that around 35,000 perished during the 37-hour raid.

From Sailor To Ace To Political Icon

Adolph "Sailor" Malan was a pilot and ace who served in the RAF during WWII and is credited with 27 aerial victories. South African-born, Malan served and led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain where he quickly gained a reputation for his aggressive fighting style and bold leadership. Malan survived the war and returned home to South Africa where he became a prominent political figure for his opposition to the apartheid system.

Malan was born on October 3, 1910, in Wellington, Western Cape, South Africa to an Afrikaner father and British mother. From an early age, Malan dreamt of adventure. So in 1924, at age 14, he enrolled in the South African Merchant Navy Academy as a naval cadet. Afterward, he served as an officer cadet aboard the Landsdown Castle of the Union-Castle Line, a British transport company. He would spend several years aboard the Landsdown Castle before joining the Royal Naval Reserve in 1932, being commissioned as a sub-lieutenant by 1935 at age 25. With the gathering storm of war in Europe, Malan shifted his focus to aviation. That same year, he responded to the call for volunteer pilots for the expanding RAF pilot corps in Britain.

Malan's early flight training took place in Bristol, England, where he learned to fly on the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane. His first flight took place on January 6, 1936, and by March 1936, he was commissioned as an acting pilot officer, marking the beginning of his flying career. By the end of the year, he had completed his training and joined the No. 74 Squadron, where he would serve throughout the war. Having spent several years in the Navy, he was given the nickname “Sailor” by his colleagues, a name he would carry with pride. With his great leadership skills, Malan rose through the ranks, becoming the acting Flight Commander of “A” flight by 1937 and being commissioned to flight lieutenant in 1939, just months before the war broke out.

The early days of the war were filled with chaos and confusion, especially within the RAF as pilots were inexperienced, including Malan’s Squadron. On Septemeber 6, 1939, just days after Britain declared war against Nazi Germany, Malan’s squadron was deployed to intercept a suspected enemy formation, and due to miscommunication, engaged No. 56 Squadron RAF who were also scrambled to the suspected formation. An RAF pilot from No. 56 Squadron was killed and, controversially, Malan denied ever giving the attack order. Nevertheless, the friendly fire incident was deemed an unfortunate error, and the pilots involved in the death were acquitted.

As the war raged on in Europe, Malan put his combat skills to the ultimate test. During the evacuation of the British Army in Dunkirk, France, Malan successfully took down 5 enemy fighters, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on May 28, 1940. Soon after, on June 19, while on a night mission, Malan shot down two German Heinkel He 111 bombers, a rare feat at the time, earning him a bar to his DFC. During his combat in France, it is believed Malan encountered the famed German ace, Werner Mölders, engaging in a fierce dogfight, resulting in Malan damaging Mölders’ aircraft. At the height of the Battle of Britain, Malan was given command of 74 Squadron on August 8, 1940. Just days later, on August 11, his squadron was deployed several times in a single day against numerous German raids. Fatigued, Malan and his squadron survived the day with immense success, bringing down a combined total of 38 enemy aircraft. By the end of the Battle of Britain in December 1940, Malan would receive the Distinguished Service Order for his actions throughout the campaign.

Beginning in March 1941, Malan became the wing leader and led the Biggin Hill Wing until August 1941, when he was rested from operations, bringing an end to his combat flying career. He finished his fighter career as an ace with 27 aerial victories, positioning him as one of the highest-scoring pilots to have served wholly with Fighter Command during the war. Following a transfer to a reserve squadron in early 1942 and a tour across the United States, Malan achieved a career highlight and reached the rank of wing commander of RAF Biggin Hill in July 1943. Malan held this position until the end of the war and in 1946, relinquished his position to return home to South Africa having accomplished his duty.

Post War

Upon his return home, Malan encountered South Africa on the verge of turmoil. In the late 1940s, the nation underwent a sharp conservative shift with the introduction of apartheid, a system enforcing racial segregation that elevated the minority white population while subjugating the majority black citizens to second-class citizens. Using his veteran status, Malan rose to lead the Torch Commando, an anti-apartheid movement that heavily protested apartheid policies in the 1950s. With over 250,000 members, the Torch Commando organized massive rallies, where Malan delivered public speeches. However, by the late 1950s, internal divisions led to the movement splintering into radical factions, none of which Malan supported. Upon retiring from politics, the African National Congress rose to prominence, leading to Nelson Mandela rising to power for the next four decades.

Adolph "Sailor" Malan passed away on September 17, 1963, at the age of 53, from Parkinson’s disease. His final resting place is at West End Cemetery in Kimberley, Cape Province. Despite his anti-apartheid activism, the South African government attempted to marginalize his passing, denying him a military funeral and instructing military personnel not to wear uniforms or pay tribute from the South African Air Force. Nevertheless, Sailor Malan is remembered for his incredible leadership skills during the war, courageously leading his squadron into combat, and for his deep involvement in the South African anti-apartheid movement.

Click below to watch our coverage of the famous dogfight between Malan and Mölders!

Did You Know?

The firestorm generated by the bombing of Dresden reached temperatures exceeding 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. This intense heat, a result of incendiary bombs and powerful updrafts, incinerated much of the city and tragically claimed countless lives.

Thank you for tuning in to this week's coverage of what happened on the ground and the skies during World War II. We hope to see you again next week for even more incredible true stories. And as always, see you in the skies.

-TJ

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