Terra Kaffe - Shop now
$0.02 with 100 percent savings
Digital List Price: $29.99

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Sailor' Malan—Freedom Fighter: The Inspirational Story of a Spitfire Ace Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

Adolph Gysbert Malan was born in Wellington, South Africa. A natural leader and driven individual with a totally positive outlook, aged fourteen Malan became an officer cadet in the South African Merchant Navy, before being commissioned into the Royal Navy Reserve. Well-travelled and worldly-wise, aged twenty-five the intrepid adventurer applied for a Short Service Commission in the RAF. Universally known as ‘Sailor’ in the RAF, Malan became a fighter pilot. Shortly after war was declared, Malan was involved in the infamous ‘Battle of Barking Creek’, in which 74 Squadron mistakenly destroyed friendly Hurricanes. Then, over Dunkirk in May 1940, Malan’s exceptional ability was immediately demonstrated in combat and a string of confirmed aerial victories rapidly accumulated. The following month, Malan scored the Spitfire’s first nocturnal kill. By August 1940 he was commanding 74 Squadron, which he led with great distinction during the Battle of Britain. In March 1941, Malan was promoted and became the first Wing Commander (Flying) at Biggin Hill, leading the three-squadron-strong Spitfire wing during operations over northern France. After a break from operations, Malan went on to command a succession of fighter training units, passing on his tactical genius and experience, and producing his famous ‘Ten Rules of Air Fighting’ which are still cited today. By the war’s end, Group Captain Malan was the RAF’s tenth top-scoring fighter pilot. Leaving the RAF in 1945 and returning to South Africa, he was disgusted by Apartheid and founded the ‘Torch Commando’ of ex-servicemen against this appalling racist policy. This part of Malan’s life is equally as inspirational, in fact, as his wartime service, and actually tells us more about the man than just his RAF record. Tragically, in 1963, he died, prematurely, aged just fifty-three, of Parkinson’s. Written with the support of the Malan family, this biography is the full story of a remarkable airman and politician.
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this outstanding pilot has received less recent attention than other pilots such as Douglas Bader or Johnnie Johnson. This has now been remedied by Sarkar, whose prior career as a police detective comes through."
Air Power History

"More than the mere biography of a WWII fighter pilot,
‘Sailor’ Malan is an important story that badly needed to be told..."
Aviation History Magazine

About the Author

Driven by his passion to research and share the stories of casualties and record the human experience of war, DILIP SARKAR is a best-selling author whose work is highly regarded globally. A noted expert on the Battle of Britain period, who enjoyed a long and very personal relationship with the Few, Dilip was made an MBE in 2003 for ‘services to aviation history’, and, in 2006, elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society. He is a sought-after, dynamic speaker, and his work has been exhibited internationally. Dilip continues to work on TV documentaries, on and off camera. See www.ourfinesthour.net

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094XB781B
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Air World (June 9, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 9, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 21.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 399 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Dilip Sarkar
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
35 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Top reviews from the United States

There are 0 reviews and 10 ratings from the United States

Top reviews from other countries

  • Marsha Brady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buried history
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2024
    Was always intrigued as to why he was not honored as a hero here in South Africa. Amazing how the Nationalist Party managed to neutralize his history out of fear.
  • Jon Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful biography
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2024
    Very well researched and well written. I didn't want it to end, hard to put down. Reccomended
  • Assassins Guild Member
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very highly recommended biography
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2021
    Excellent and well written book about one of the most notable members of “The Few”. As an author,Dilip Sarkar Is always good and this book is one of his best. A very highly recommended biography

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?