Royal Air Force Fighter Units: Europe 1942-45

Under the leadership of its new Commander-in-Chief Air Marshal Sholto Douglas, Fighter Com­mand, although keeping a high defensive commit­ment, had been on the offensive since January 1941. This situation suited the C-in-C, who was a man far happier when he was able to adopt an aggressive, rather than passive role; in this he was ably supported by the commander of No. 11 Group, Air Vice Marshal Trafford Lcigh-Mallory, who for months had been championing the use of large formations of fighters in wing rather than squadron strength.