Group Captain Sir Max Aitken

Sir John William Maxwell ‘Max’ Aitken, 2nd Baronet, DSO, DFC, flew with No. 601 Squadron from 1936 - 1940. Sir Max rose through the ranks as Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant and took the position of Commanding Officer in June 1940, before leaving the squadron. With 16 victories in the Second World War, he was a British flying ace, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1940 and Distinguished Service Order in 1942. He later oversaw RAF operations in the Middle East and RAF Coastal Command, rising to the eventual rank of Group Captain. He was the son of Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook.

26 years old when he joined No. 601 Squadron at RAF Hendon, Sir Max had already flown hundreds of hours over Europe and the USA, and broken a string of records for transport planes in America. He was invited to join the squadron by Roger Bushell, who later become famous for his part in the ‘Great Escape’ from Stalag Luft III Prisoner of War camp.