W/C John W Gillan, DFC & bar, AFC - KIA 29/8/1941

[Bruce Lander]

Hi
Gillan was commanding a Hampden squadron in 1939-40 period - I think it was 49 squadron , the RAF system of allocating leaders of fighter units was initially not based on special experience of fighter tactics etc but on seniority and general experience. Gillan had commanded 111 Squadron pre-War but had no fighter combat experience when he took command of the North Weald Wing in 1941 !