Hubert Raymond Allen facts for kids

Hubert Raymond Allen (born March 19, 1919 – died May 31, 1987) was a brave pilot and officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was known as "Dizzy" because of his amazing flying skills. During the Second World War, he became a flying ace, which means he shot down at least five enemy planes. He achieved 8 victories.

After leaving the RAF in 1965, Allen wrote books and articles about air power. He had some strong opinions that were different from what most people thought. For example, he believed that the Royal Navy (the British Navy) was more important than the RAF in winning the Battle of Britain. Even though his ideas were sometimes controversial, they made people think and discuss important parts of history.

Hubert Raymond Allen: A War Hero

Hubert Raymond Allen was a remarkable pilot and a key figure in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was known for his courage and his unique flying style.

Early Life and Joining the RAF

Hubert Allen was studying Economics at Cardiff University when the war began in 1939. He quickly joined the Royal Air Force. After his training, he became part of No. 66 Squadron RAF in April 1940.

Fighting in the Battle of Britain

No. 66 Squadron played a big part in the air battles over Dunkirk. Later, during the Battle of Britain, Allen's squadron moved to different airfields like Kenley and Biggin Hill. Allen was incredibly skilled and shot down seven enemy planes. For his bravery, he was given the Distinguished Flying Cross.

His nickname, "Dizzy," came from his special move. He could escape dangerous situations by doing a tricky aerobatic flat-spin. He was shot down and injured a few times. Once, a famous German pilot named Werner Molders shot him down. Another time, he crashed after hitting another RAF plane.

In 1978, Allen shared his experiences as a pilot for a BBC program. He praised his fellow pilots and the ground crew who kept the planes flying. However, he was critical of some radar controllers and higher-ranking RAF leaders. After the Battle of Britain, at just 21 years old, he became the commander of No. 66 Squadron. He also wrote books about his time with the squadron, like Fighter Squadron 1940–1942.

Later in the war, he worked as an Air Advisor for the 1st Airborne Division. He also became an officer focused on tactics and gunnery.

Life After the War

After the war, Allen continued his service in the RAF. He commanded a squadron of Gloster Meteor jet fighters. He also spent three years in the Netherlands, advising their government on air defense. For his work, he received the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Allen was an excellent pilot. He easily transitioned from propeller planes to fast jets like the English Electric Lightning, which could fly over 1,000 miles per hour.

Important Roles and Retirement

In 1953, he planned the RAF's flypast over Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. He also organized a huge flyover at RAF Odiham with 168 aircraft, even though the weather was terrible.

As a Wing Commander, he worked closely with the Chief of Staff for Allied Air Forces in Central Europe. After retiring from the RAF in January 1965, he became a Queen's Messenger. This role involved delivering important diplomatic documents around the world.

He later explained that he left the RAF early because he was worried about a plan to take control of the Fleet Air Arm (the Navy's air force) away from the Navy. He believed this would weaken Britain's ability to protect its sea routes, which are vital for the country.

Hubert Allen: The Writer

After his military career, Hubert Allen became a writer. He wrote several books and articles that challenged common ideas about air power and the RAF.

Questioning Air Power History

Allen's book, The Legacy of Lord Trenchard, questioned if an independent RAF was always necessary. He also looked closely at the RAF's policies before and during the Second World War.

His book Who Won the Battle of Britain, published in 1974, was very thought-provoking. He criticized the RAF's structure and leadership during the air campaigns of 1940. Allen famously argued that the RAF's 11 Group was almost defeated when a German invasion was most likely.

He believed that the German air force (the Luftwaffe) didn't lose the Battle of Britain because of air combat. Instead, he thought the Luftwaffe's attacks on airfields gave them an advantage. However, he also argued that the Luftwaffe couldn't win because they weren't trained or equipped to sink enough of the Royal Navy's ships.

The Role of Sea Power

Allen strongly believed that the powerful presence of the Royal Navy was the main reason Adolf Hitler decided not to invade Great Britain (Operation Sea Lion). He felt that the air battles were important but not the most crucial factor. Hitler, advised by his naval staff, switched to bombing London at night instead. Allen concluded that the Battle of Britain had been "glorified" too much by British historians.

Other historians like Derek Robinson and Geoff Hewitt have also supported the idea that the Royal Navy was the main defense against invasion in 1940. They agreed with Allen that the Royal Navy's strength and the Luftwaffe's weaknesses against ships were key reasons why Operation Sea Lion was abandoned.

Historians like James Holland have also shown that the Battle of Britain involved all parts of the military – sailors, soldiers, and airmen. They believe that even if the Luftwaffe had won in the air, a German invasion would likely have failed.

Criticism of Allen's Views

Not everyone agreed with Hubert Allen's ideas. Some historians and former military officers criticized his writings.

For example, Francis Mason thought Allen ignored how difficult it was to design aircraft and how little money the RAF had for defense. Mason also felt it was unfair for Allen to criticize Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, the head of Fighter Command, after Dowding had passed away. Dowding was seen as a national hero, and criticizing him was controversial.

Alfred Price, another historian, disagreed with Allen's idea that the Luftwaffe could have won the war by bombing British ports. Price argued that the Luftwaffe didn't have the strength or equipment to carry out such a long and accurate bombing campaign.

Even though his views were sometimes called "eccentric," Hubert Allen's writings encouraged a broader look at the Battle of Britain. He helped historians consider how all parts of the military played a role in defending Britain.