Dowding, Hugh Caswall Tremenheere, Baron Dowding of Bentley Priory

Dowding, Hugh Caswall Tremenheere, Baron Dowding of Bentley Priory (b. 24 Apr. 1882, d. 15 Feb. 1970). British air chief marshal Born in Moffat, Dumfriesshire, he was educated at Winchester and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He joined the Royal Artillery, but learnt to fly in 1913 and during World War I became a member of the newly formed Royal Flying Corps, eventually reaching the rank of brigadier. In the interwar period, he served in Iraq and Palestine, and was also involved in training. Most importantly, as Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command from 1936, he oversaw the development of new fighter aircraft (mainly the Spitfire and Hurricane), developed new strategies of air defence, and recognized the importance of nascent radar technology. In May 1940 he prevented the deployment of Fighter Command in France, thus preserving Britain's defences against the imminent German attack. When this happened in August 1940, he coordinated the British aircraft in the Battle of Britain. He was replaced in November 1940, as he was not considered to have the personal skills nor the military vision required.