Matt Braddock was his name, and he was one of Britain’s greatest pilots of the Second World War.

Braddock flew everything from the clumsy Hampdens and Whitleys to the sleek Mosquitos and powerful Lancaster bombers, and was a master of them all.

His war exploits thrilled Britain and won him the Victoria Cross and Bar, and many other medals and honours. But Sergeant Matt Braddock was not interested in honours, all he wanted to do was to get on with the war and finish off the enemy.

On the ground, he fell afoul of many Brass Hats, with their red tape and pompous discipline, but even they had to admit that, in the air, Braddock had no equal… This is the story of when I flew with Braddock.

Gilbert Lawford Dawson