Donald Hardman

rdf:langString Donald Hardman

rdf:langString James Donald Innes Hardman

rdf:langString James Donald Innes Hardman

rdf:langString Estoril, Portugal

rdf:langString Oldham, Lancashire, England

rdf:langString right

rdf:langString United Kingdom

rdf:langString World War I * Western Front World War II * European theatre * South East Asian theatre ** Burma campaign

rdf:langString Air Marshal Donald Hardman as RAAF Chief of the Air Staff

rdf:langString On first meeting the then Air Commodore in his headquarters in Comilla one was immediately aware of an exceptionally dignified bearing, a considerable presence, great humour; there was much leg-pulling and light-hearted banter, the whole atmosphere was very much at ease. Yet one also obtained a remarkably strong impression of "No nonsense"; it was made quite clear that there was a tough job ahead.

rdf:langString —Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Grandy, on serving under Hardman at Combat Cargo Task Force, 1944–45

rdf:langString No. 23 Group

rdf:langString Air Chief Marshal Sir James Donald Innes Hardman, GBE, KCB, DFC (21 December 1899 – 2 March 1982), known as Donald Hardman, was a senior Royal Air Force commander. He began his flying career as a fighter pilot in World War I, achieving nine victories to become an ace. During World War II, Hardman held senior staff and operational posts. He was Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 1952 to 1954, after which he served as a member of the British Air Council until retiring in 1958. Born in Lancashire, Hardman joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and was posted to France the following year. He flew Sopwith Dolphins with No. 19 Squadron, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his fighting skills. Between the wars he served with No. 31 Squadron in India and No. 216 Squadron in Egypt. A wing commander at the outbreak of World War II, Hardman was attached to the Air Ministry for several years before being posted in 1944 to South East Asia, where he commanded No. 232 (Transport) Group during the Burma campaign. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1940 and a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1945, and was also mentioned in despatches. Finishing the war an air commodore, Hardman served successively as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Commandant of RAF Staff College, Bracknell, and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Home Command, before becoming RAAF CAS in January 1952. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath the same year. As CAS he was responsible for reorganising the RAAF's geographically based command-and-control system into a functional structure. Returning to Britain, he became Air Member for Supply and Organisation in May 1954, and was promoted to air chief marshal the following year. He was raised to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in January 1958, shortly before his retirement.

rdf:langString No. 232 Group

rdf:langString RAF Home Command