Britain’s highest-scoring ace of the Second World War, and its finest wing leader of all time. To ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, who died 20 years ago, have been applied some of the most impressive accolades in the RAF’s history. What, though, were the particular qualities that made him so successful in combat — and as a leader of men?
The basic statistics are well-known, but bear repeating. James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson was the highest-scoring British fighter pilot of World War Two. He scored a total of 34 individual kills — all of these, except for a quarter-share in a Messerschmitt Bf 110, gained in combat with single-seat fighters. This was despite missing most of the Battle of Britain because he was obliged to have an operation for a shoulder injury. The central period of Johnson’s operational career, between June 1941 and September 1944, saw him in action in the dangerous skies of occupied Europe, commanding fighter wings. He flew Spitfires which, in spite of their manifold qualities, were less suited to overflying enemy territory than to the role of air defence. In more than 1,000 missions he was never shot down and only once, when struck by a solitary cannon shell, was he ever hit. This was a remarkable achievement by any standards.
Two decades on from Johnson’s death on 30 January 2001, this is an appropriate time to look back on his career. What made him the most outstanding wing leader of his time? An analysis of his wartime successes must focus on several key qualities, which Johnson exhibited in abundance. As a pilot he combined a high level of flying skill and accuracy in shooting. This, combined with innate courage and aggression, invariably placed him in the thick of the action. As a leader he showed an ability to direct and motivate others, subordinating the pursuit of personal glory to the wider interests of the team. Finally, he was a tactician who learned from others, yet was ready to challenge received wisdom when it stood in the way of improving performance.…
