Face the Attack: The Three Battles of Sailor Malan

About Face the Attack: The Three Battles of Sailor Malan

‘Face the Attack: The Three Battles of Sailor Malan’ (https://www.facetheattack.com), is a 6 episode podcast series, with ongoing bonus content and updates, about the life and times of Adolph Gysbert ‘Sailor’ Malan, In the last world war of the 20th century, a farm boy from the rugged bushland of South Africa took to the bloody skies over Europe during World War Two and made history. Considered 'the greatest fighter pilot', embraced as a ‘hero’ and ‘King of the Few’ by the embattled island of Britain and its King, but considered a traitor by many in his own country. Born in 1910 in Wellington, South Africa, Group Captain A.G. ‘Sailor” Malan would fight three battles in his life. The first would end in victory against Germany in the skies over England and Europe. The second would end in defeat as he took on South Africa's apartheid government. The third would end in death as Parkinson's Disease cut short a full, promising, yet humble life at only 52. He would be denied a military funeral in his home country, be vilified by his own government for his opposition to them, and only be acknowledged in South Africa three decades after apartheid had come to an end and sixty years after his death. One of Sailor Malan's 10 Rules of Air Fighting was ‘to always turn and face the attack'. For him, this was not only true in a dogfight, it was true whenever injustice or adversity confronted you in life. 20+ years in the making, this series covers the remarkable life of man celebrated and mythologized by many, but ostracised and forgotten by the country of his birth. The series includes: First-person interviews with respected historians and experts, family members, friends & fellow airmen. Archival sound clips, film material, letters, and official records from South African and UK archives and museums. Considered the ‘greatest fighter pilot of them all, and ’ the ‘King of the Few’, he was a man with a keen sense of justice, fairness and deep humility about his role in many pivotal moments in the world and his own country’s history. He would only be recognised in South Africa 60 decades after his death. The creators of the podcast would like to thank the McGregor Museum for introducing us to Yvonne Malan, who not only allowed us to quote extensively from her Sailor Malan memorial lecture given in Kimberley and Simon’s town in 2023, but also introduced us to the majority of the participants for the one-on-one interviews in the podcast. Thank you to everyone who gave their time, insights and participation. Protea Rose Originals is Cliff Thompson and Nic Fieldsend. Narrated/written by Cliff Thompson, produced/engineered by Nick Fieldsend with additional sound design by Ben Creelman. Notes: Copyright 2024. Protea Rose Originals Inc. Licenses obtained for use.Unauthorized biography. With thanks to IWM, The National Archives (UK), McGregor Museum Kimberley, Getty Images, Associated Press, Alamy, Doug Tidy, Artlist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Protea Rose Originals

Category

history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Oct 2024

Latest episode

11 Dec 2024

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Dec 2024

   A fighter pilot’s perspective

   Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano, former Chief of the South African Air Force, shares his unique perspectives as a fighter pilot and leader on Sailor Malan's battles and South Africa's WWII contribution.

2. 

   29 Nov 2024

   From History Daily: The Evacuation of Dunkirk

   History Daily host Lindsay Graham recounts the pivotal evacuation of Dunkirk during World War Two, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of Allied forces.

3. 

   22 Nov 2024

   Rakesh and Michelle. The Co-Pilot Project, Parkinson's Disease and hope

   Rakesh and Michelle share their inspiring stories of living with Parkinson's Disease and finding hope through exercise and community, as part of the Co-Pilot Project's mission to empower runners with the condition to compete in races.

4. 

   15 Nov 2024

   Coming soon

   Hear about some upcoming content, including unheard interviews, news and updates. Protea Rose Originals is Cliff Thompson and Nic Fieldsend. Narrated/written by Cliff Thompson, produced/engineered by Nic Fieldsend with additional sound design by Ben Creelman. Notes: Copyright 2024. Protea Rose Originals Inc. Licenses obtained for use.Unauthorized biography. With thanks to IWM, The National Archives (UK), McGregor Museum Kimberley, Getty Images, Associated Press, Alamy, Doug Tidy, Artlist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   8 Nov 2024

   I Fear No Man

   Malan settles into family life at Benfontein, but the lasting emotional and psychological effects of the war take their toll. Dr Helen Doe tells us about how pilots would relieve the stress of combat and how it signalled the start of other troubling symptoms. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Malan begins a rapid decline punctuated with bouts of hope, optimism and defiance against his illness. He visits 74 Squadron and sits in a Spitfire for the last time. We take a deeper look at Parkinson's Disease and how it affects those with it and Malan's friends recollect their memories of visiting him, many for the last time. When the “King of the Few” dies, tributes vary, depending on which country they come from. The South African government - bitter to the end - threatens civil servants and the military about consequences of attending his funeral, which is held in defiance of the apartheid laws in a non-segregated church. He then disappears into obscurity. Forgotten for 60 years, even by a new post-apartheid government which took over from the National Party government in 1994 - after South Africa held its first democratic elections, with apartheid wiped from the books. It's only in 2018 that momentum starts to build for recognition of his achievements. In the same church in which his funeral was held, he is remembered and finally civic honours are bestowed upon him. "I Fear No Man" is the motto of 74 squadron, and using these words Yvonne Malan pays a fitting tribute at the Sailor Malan inaugural lecture. At the memorial, Father Reginald Leeuw shares a poignant message for South Africans and for all. Protea Rose Originals is Cliff Thompson and Nic Fieldsend. Narrated/written by Cliff Thompson, produced/engineered by Nick Fieldsend with additional sound design by Ben Creelman. Notes: Copyright 2024. Protea Rose Originals Inc. Licenses obtained for use.Unauthorized biography. With thanks to IWM, The National Archives (UK), McGregor Museum Kimberley, Getty Images, Associated Press, Alamy, Doug Tidy, Artlist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   7 Nov 2024

   (IFF) Identification Friend or Foe

   Would IFF - Identification Friend or Foe - have had any impact on the Battle of Barking Creek? How did radar and Pipsqueak evolve as a result of this tragedy? And how did the German Luftwaffe respond to this emerging technology? Nick Black - who gave us an in-depth retelling of the Battle in Episode 2 - takes a deeper dive into these questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   1 Nov 2024

   Jam tins and paraffin

   Everyday life under the apartheid laws fluctuates between compliance and defiance and the effects impact individuals and families across South Africa. As one piece of apartheid legislation, pass laws were designed to control day to day life, but became a potent symbol of mass opposition, one of the results being the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. Malan is called back into the fray and the Torch Commando swells its ranks to over 200,000 and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Violence between government and opposition escalates and the Torch Commando loses momentum as internal struggles and differing opinions about its future finally convince Malan to leave politics for good. For a brief time he gets to enjoy family, friends, adventures and the relaxing life he’s never experienced before, although having left home at 13, it’s difficult to adjust to parenthood. However as his son Jonathan recalls, the love between Sailor and Lynda is as strong as ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   29 Oct 2024

   Daily life - RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain

   What was daily life like for a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain? As daughter of Wing Commander Bob Doe, historian Dr Helen Doe, has some unique insights on how the differences in squadrons, class and leadership styles affected everything from how pilots celebrated, dressed, functioned, and relaxed. As well as how leaders approached the LMF, “Lack of moral fibre”. Pictured: Blackout board from The White Hart Inn with RAF pilot signatures including "Sailor' Malan - top right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   25 Oct 2024

   A battle ends. A battle begins.

   'Sailor' wasn't the only member of his family to take part in the war, no wonder they became known as the 'Fighting Malans'. Meanwhile South Africans distinguish themselves in multiple theatres of the war. At war's end farewells and friendships are made and Malan is honoured. But a new battle awaits in South Africa as the Nationalist Party comes to power and the apartheid laws are implemented. From controlling everyday life to small “petty” apartheid restrictions, the legislation takes root. Malan’s first brush with politics leaves him convinced it’s a dirty business, very far from the clarity of the war he fought in Europe. As he leaves politics to retreat to his farm and the hope of living a normal family life, his wife Lynda remains by his side as a source of strong comfort. But having left home at age 13, adjusting to this life is a struggle. Then a great betrayal sets him up for a return to politics and direct confrontation with the government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    23 Oct 2024

    Spitfire Legacy - National Spitfire Monument

    Keeping the Spitfire legacy alive, the National Spitfire Monument will be unveiled in 2025. Dr Yvonne Malan tells us about the National Spitfire Project and the Spitfire Society. She also tells of Sailor Malan's farewell to the Spitfire on his last trip to London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    17 Oct 2024

    Fighter.Teacher.Leader

    The Battle of Britain and beyond. We hear from Wg Cdr John Freeborn about his experience of air combat. Dr Helen Doe discusses air warfare tactics of the time and takes us through Malan’s “10 Rules For Air Fighting”. We revisit a few of Malan’s encounters from his combat reports, including his first nighttime victories on the night his son was born, and the shooting down of German ace Werner Molders. Included is his approach to air combat and leadership, his focus on trying to ensure his pilots came back to fight another day, and an account of his tour of the USA confirms his concern that they are still using outdated tactics. The stress of combat begins to show and its lasting effects are there for a friend to see. We also dig into the archives to hear him dedicate a memorial at Biggin Hill, revealing as mentioned previously, he had lost his South African accent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    10 Oct 2024

    Disaster and dissent.

    War is declared in Europe, but in South Africa there is dissent as the country struggles to decide on its own involvement, leading to splits within the government. While some want to stay neutral, some want to join on the side of the Allies and others on the side of Germany. South Africans remember the violence that occurred when a similar decision was made to enter World War 1 and join the fight against Germany. As Malan takes to the skies with 74 Squadron his reputation as a leader begins to grow. But disaster strikes and that reputation is questioned when he is involved in the deadly and highly controversial 'Battle of Barking Creek'. Along with a first-hand account from one of the participants, Nick Black takes an in-depth look at the incident that resulted in the first friendly-fire death of World War 2 for the RAF and the unfortunate first 'victory' for a Spitfire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    3 Oct 2024

    The roots of it.

    Episode 1: The roots of it In this episode: Over decades, South African World War 2 hero Adolph Gysbert Malan has been portrayed as the handsome, cold-blooded, 'flyboy'. Indeed, he was straight out of Central Casting for a fighter pilot: good-looking, talented and successful at the job of shooting down the enemy - the epitome of the ace. But there has always been much more to his story. Chewing on a stick of dynamite as a baby, almost accidentally shooting his mother with a rifle, developing the keen eyesight that would help him pick out and shoot down enemy fighters in the skies over Britain and Europe - all before leaving home at 13 - and then as a young sea cadet dealing with hazing, bullying and poverty, Malan's youth would shape the man to come. His mixed English and Afrikaner heritage would be central to both his own life and South Africa's path. We dig into the roots of the animosity between English and Afrikaner communities - the Anglo-Boer War with its scorched earth policies, concentration camps and ultimate outcome that would cement divisions and influence the many negative opinions of Malan. It would also influence South Africa's entry into both World Wars and fundamentally shape its politics throughout the 20th century. As Malan enters the Merchant Navy at the age of 16, he prepares the ground for the nickname ‘Sailor’ that all would know him by, then he joins the Royal Air Force and becomes a key figure during the Battle of Britain. But this decision, combined with his Afrikaner heritage, would lead to him being branded by some as a traitor in his home country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    1 Oct 2024

    Face the Attack: The Three Battles of Sailor Malan

    ‘Face the Attack: The Three Battles of Sailor Malan (https://www.facetheattack.com)’, is a six-part, weekly series, about the life and times of Adolph Gysbert ‘Sailor’ Malan. In the last world war of the 20th century, a farm boy from the rugged bushland of South Africa took to the bloody skies over Europe during World War Two and made history. Embraced as a ‘hero’, and ‘one of the Few’ by the embattled island of Britain and its King, but considered a traitor by many in his own country. Born in 1910 in Wellington, South Africa, Group Captain A.G. ‘Sailor” Malan would fight three battles in his life. The first would end in victory against Germany in the skies over England and Europe. The second would end in defeat as he took on South Africa's apartheid government. The third would end in death as Parkinson's Disease cut short a full, promising, yet humble life at only 52. One of Sailor Malan's 10 Rules of Air Fighting was ‘to always turn and face the attack'. For him, this was not only true in a dogfight, it was true whenever injustice or adversity confronted you in life. 20+ years in the making, this series covers the remarkable life of a man celebrated and mythologized by many, but ostracised and forgotten by the country of his birth. The series includes: First-person interviews with respected historians and experts, family members, friends & fellow airmen. Archival sound clips, film material, letters, and official records from South African and UK archives and museums. Considered the ‘greatest fighter pilot of them all, and ’ the ‘King of the Few’, he was a man with a keen sense of justice, fairness and deep humility about his role in many pivotal moments in the world and his own country’s history. He would only be recognised in South Africa 60 decades after his death. Notes: Copyright 2024. Protea Rose Originals Inc. Licenses obtained for use. Unauthorized biography. With thanks to IWM, The National Archives (UK), McGregor Museum Kimberley, Getty Images, Alamy, SA National War Museum, Associated Press, Doug Tidy, Artlist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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