Biography of air marshal john curtiss

Sir John Curtiss C.B., K.B.E.

Sir John Curtiss C.B., K.B.E. 

Born December 6 , Died September 14

Air Marshal Sir John Curtiss, had an unusual breadth of operational flying experience, which proved invaluable when, in , he was appointed Air Commander for Operation Corporate, the recovery of the Falkland Islands.

He had flown as a navigator with Bomber Command in the Second World War, flew with the air transport force and later specialised as a night-fighter navigator.

He served on a strategic nuclear V-bomber base and later commanded a large RAFair base in Germany at the height of the Cold War. After serving in a senior appointment at No 11 (Fighter) Group, he was appointed as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) No 18 Group where he commanded the RAF&#;s maritime air assets.

Curtiss had his headquarters at Northwood, west of London, co-located with C-in-C Fleet, Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse.

The two men struck up a strong rapport and friendship, and both knew how to mix h