- George Salaman
George Salaman (
16 May ,1907 –1983) was an English businessman, friend of Sir Winston Churchill, and RAF Wing Commander during the Second World War.Early life
He was born to Emily Tuckley and Alfred Salomon (
6 August ,1872 –c.1950), who was the youngest son of Ernst Salomon (1840–1916) of the famous investment bankSalomon Brothers . On holiday atBad Homburg ,Germany in August 1914, George and his parents were arrested and held during the First World War, during which period he became fluent in German.After leaving school in Enfield, George worked for Norbert Herst in
Bermondsey , London in the leather industry. George travelled extensively in Europe by car and witnessed the rise ofHitler . He communicated with Winston Churchill about the inevitability of war. During trips out of Germany he smuggled Jews and their possessions in the boot of his Triumph Gloria car, including the businessman Freddie Meyer.Second World War
In 1938, George resigned his job and entered the RAF as an intelligence officer based in Transport Command at RAF
St Mawgan . WhenRudolf Hess parachuted intoScotland , Churchill sent for George Salaman. He impersonated a capturedLuftwaffe Officer and was placed in the same cell as Rudolf Hess in theTower of London . As such he was the last Englishman to be incarcerated in the Tower of London.He was transferred to
Bomber Command HQ atHigh Wycombe and planned the infamous Operation Millennium bombing raid onCologne . He flew withoutAir Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris's permission in the second flight on31 May ,1942 . George was so distressed at the civilian population carnage atCologne that he attempted to resign from the RAF. Given sensitivities he was promoted toAir Commodore and posted to Lord Mountbatten’sSouth East Asia Command .References
*Salaman, G., Wing Commander, RAF. The Gumption and Freeborn operations. Intelligence Extract No. 16, HQ Combat Cargo Task Force,
20 May ,1945 . HRA.Persondata
NAME=Salaman, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=British businessman and WWII officer
DATE OF BIRTH=16 May ,1907
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=1983
PLACE OF DEATH=
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