Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, looks down on Normandy from a Douglas Dakota aircraft, June 1944

The Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, looks down on Normandy from his Douglas Dakota, during his flight to see General Sir Bernard Montgomery at his Tactical Headquarters on the afternoon of 14 June 1944.

Leigh Mallory’s task was to assist the preparation of and provide the air support for Operation Overlord. His important contribution was seriously diminished by his failure to get on with his American colleagues. Much of his intended role was discharged by the Deputy Supreme Commander, Air Chief Marshal Tedder. However, great credit is due to Leigh-Mallory for the valuable work done by the tactical air forces before and during the invasion of Normandy and the subsequent break-out.