Second World War

People profiles from the second world war era of the Royal Air Force.

25 People Profiles
Featured Second World War Profile

Air Commodore

Frank Whittle

OM KBE CB Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Aircrew

Frank Whittle was the RAF officer and engineer whose turbojet work led to Britain’s first jet flight and reshaped military aviation.

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Rank Air Commodore
Born 1 June 1907
Died 8 August 1996
Era Second World War

All Profiles

Aircrew

Robert Stanford Tuck

Air Vice-Marshal

DSODFC and Two BarsAFC 1 July 1916-5 May 1987
Aircrew

Frank Whittle

Air Commodore

OMKBECB 1 June 1907-8 August 1996
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Senior Commander

Arthur Coningham

Air Marshal

KCBKBEDSO 19 January 1895-30 January 1948
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Senior Commander

Charles Portal

Marshal of the Royal Air Force

KTGCBOM 21 May 1893-22 April 1971
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Aircrew

John Alexander Cruickshank

Flight Lieutenant

VCAE 20 May 1920-9 August 2025
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Aircrew

Guy Gibson

Wing Commander

VCDSO and BarDFC and Bar 12 August 1918-19 September 1944
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Senior Commander

Arthur Tedder: RAF Commander and Architect of Allied Air Power

Marshal of the Royal Air Force

GCBCMGDSO 11 July 1890-3 June 1967
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Aircrew

George Walton Holden

Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar (DFC)

Wing Commander By February 1943 he held the Distinguished Flying Cross and was awarded a Bar while serving with 102 Squadron; the published citation referred to a sortie in January 1943 in which, despite severe icing, engine failure and difficulty in controlling the aircraft, he pressed on to bomb his target successfully.
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Aircrew

Leonard Cheshire

Distinguished Service Order (DSO and Two Bars)

other Awarded for gallantry and distinguished service in bomber operations; awarded early in his operational career, with later Bars recognising further sustained leadership on operations.-Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
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Senior Commander

Arthur Harris

Marshal of the Royal Air Force

GCBOBEAFC 13 April 1892-5 April 1984
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Senior Commander

Keith Park

Air Chief Marshal

GCBKBEMC & Bar 15 June 1892-6 February 1975
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Senior Commander

Hugh Dowding

Air Chief Marshal

GCBGCVOCMG 24 April 1882-15 February 1970