Adrian Warburton | |
|---|---|
 Flying Officer Adrian Warburton about to enter the cockpit of a Martin Maryland | |
| Nickname(s) | Warby |
| Born | 10 March 1918 Middlesbrough, England |
| Died | 12 April 1944 (aged 26) Egling an der Paar, Germany |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | No 431 Flight & No 2 PRU RAF, Nos 22, 69 & 683 Squadrons RAF, No 336 Wing RAF |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) |
Adrian "Warby" Warburton, DSO* DFC** (10 March 1918 – 12 April 1944) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot and flying ace of the Second World War. He became legendary in the RAF for his role in the defence of Malta and was described by the then Air Officer Commanding in Chief Middle East, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, as "the most important pilot in the RAF". Warburton was also awarded a United States DFC. Described as 'Six-medal Warburton', all of Warby's gallantry awards were earned while operating from Malta. He remains the most highly decorated RAF photo-reconnaissance pilot of all time.
His life and work has been depicted in the books Warburton's War by Tony Spooner, and Malta's Greater Siege & Adrian Warburton DSO* DFC** DFC (USA) by Paul McDonald. Warburton was also the subject of the BBC Timewatch documentary The Mystery of the Missing Ace. The 1953 film Malta Story features a photo-reconnaissance pilot who may be based on Warburton.
- ^ "St Edward's Oxford - Notable OSE". www.stedwards.oxon.sch.uk. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2022.