Views of Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory

Hi All,

It has been a while since I have posted anything as I have been busy with my PhD. However, I thought I would turn to the forum for some help with an aspect of my research that is exploring the process of cultural and public history with regards to air power leadership and Leigh-Mallory in particular.

My question is What is your view/opinion of Leigh-Mallory?

At the moment I just the what as I will move into the why you have this view in due course. So please just your opinion for the moment.

In addition this is part of paper that is to be presented at a conference later in the year and I may use quotes from the thread. If you do not want me to quote you please say so.

Cheers

Ross

 

Leigh-Mallory was a huge detriment to the British war effort.
His scheming and his actions in the war crippled the RAF'S effectivness.

 

I'm going to have to go away and think about this one before replying, Ross. My initial thoughts were that he was a 'villain' (eg as portrayed in the movie 'Battle Of Britain' ).

However, as always, every story has two sides.....the fact that he died in an air accident has meant that he wasn't around to counter his detractors of which there are many.He seems to be one of the WWII personalities which it's difficult to get to grips with, rather like 'Boy' Browning.

 

Interesting that I once thought the BoB was won by similar-minded commanders putting all their effort into the battle.... Anyway, Sir Keith Park is my "hero" so not very fond of Leigh-Mallory to be honest...

 

Frankly his command after the BoB was far worse

 

I'd look into his detractors at Shaef before Normandy for my own thoughts.

 

Leigh-Mallory's contention was that “air supremacy cannot be assured until the joining of the decisive air battle which will mark the opening of the OVERLORD assault.” It is fortunate that others thought differently, and the battle for air superiority was fought and won prior to the invasion.

 

Do you mean Malta? I thought that went pretty well...?!

 

However he was the one managing the air campaign, and in charge of the continental operations, with the intent to wear down the Luftwaffe

Malta was actually your hero Park he was a competant commander, and he did a good job considering what he faced.

No, what I'm talking about is the absurd overclaiming in the 1941 operations.
One of the few times in history that a force suffered a crippling defeat and reported to their superiors that they had an overwhelming victory.

 

Overclaiming is normal in air combat, and if the battle is taking place over enemy territory it tends to be worse.

Also the losses suffered by the RAF were in no way 'crippling' as the RAF continued to expand in this period. The major fault with the campaign was that it failed in its main purpose, to force the Luftwaffe to commit more of its fighters to defend Northern France therefore weakening its forces in North Africa and the Soviet Union.

 

No he was not managing the air campaign, other than the AAF 9th AF and RAF tactical forces prior to the invasion. Leigh-Mallory was commander of the Allied Expeditionary Air Forces which were tasked with invasion related air operations. Both Spaatz and Harris fought successfully to keep their forces from being put under Leigh-Mallory's control. L-M had no control over the strategic forces which were waging the war of attrition with the Luftwaffe.

 

1 - in BoB he didn't seem to understand the 'system'. He was bitter that his sector wasn't the main area; but thank God that he didn't have 11 Group. He didn't rein in Bader, with his ideas of the big wing - but pandered to him as a way of getting attention. He consoired with others, to get Dowding removed.
2 - the big wing tactics persisted in '41 in leaning into France, with little to show for the effort. When Spitfires could have been better used elsewhere.
3 - Air cover at Dieppe could have been much more effective as per Broadhurst, but big wings were still in vogue.
4 - At D-day his pessimism was not appreciated, his actual influence was reduced, by the complicated command chain.

The big question for me, is how did he get to be AoC 12 Group in the first place, as prior to that he was in the Middel East, with a history of Army Co-operation!?