Dowding had been C-in-C Fighter Command since 1936 and was due to retire in
June 1939; but the tense situation at that time led to his being extended in
post until after the Battle of Britain was virtually over.
I don't think that Churchill initiated Dowding's "dismissal"; but he would no
doubt have been consulted by the Chief of the Air Staff (Portal). He was
replaced in Fighter Command in November 1940 at the age of 58-and-a-half after
over four years as C-in-C. So there was no injustice in his not being offered
further employment.
On retirement he was raised to the peerage in the degree of Baron, becoming
Lord Dowding. The only unfortunate thing about it all was that he did not
receive the special mark of recognition which promotion to five-star rank
(Marshal of the Royal Air Force) would have given him.
Paul Courtenay
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel Ibarra
To: Churchill Chat
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 9:15 PM
Subject: [ChurchillChat] Churchill x Dowding
Coleagues from Churchill Chat,
In the dawn of the Battle of Britain Churchill "fired" Dowding from his post.
I have seem some people considering this act of Churchill as a betrayal or a
movement to get attention of the victory in the battle just for him, what I do
not believe.
Can you pls help me to tell why Churchill fired Dowding on that moment?
Thank you
Daniel
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