John Denis Breakey

Air Vice-Marshal John Denis Breakey, (19 May 1899 – 8 January 1965) was a senior officer of the Royal Air Force. He began his military career in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during the First World War. As the RNAS was merged into the Royal Air Force, he scored nine aerial victories as a fighter pilot. He served throughout the interwar period and into the Second World War, rising to air vice marshal.

Early life Breakey was born in Sheffield, England.

Military career First World War On 3 June 1917 he was appointed a probationary temporary flight officer in Royal Naval Air Service (on the same day as Frederick Britnell). On 10 October 1917 he was made a flight sub-lieutenant, and in November 1917 joined No. 3 Squadron RNAS flying the Sopwith Camel. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps were amalgamated into the Royal Air Force, and No. 3 Squadron RNAS became No. 203 Squadron RAF, and Breakey was promoted to lieutenant. while serving as a flight commander in 203 Squadron.

By the end of the war he was credited with nine aerial victories: +Victories On 12 July 1920 he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in South Russia.

From 1 February 1921 Breakey served as a test pilot at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, and on 15 September was posted to the Inland Area Aircraft Depot, RAF Henlow.

On 1 February 1929 he was reassigned to No. 204 Squadron, a flying boat squadron, flying the Supermarine Southampton, based at RAF Mount Batten. He was transferred to No. 205 Squadron, based at Singapore, on 7 January 1930, and from 16 May 1931 served on the staff of RAF Singapore. From 3 April 1933 he was a Supernumerary officer at the RAF Depot. and from 3 April 1934 served on the staff of the Marine & Armament Experimental Establishment (M&AEE). and was appointed to command of No. 201 Squadron, based at RAF Calshot, flying the Southampton II, and later the Saro London. and on 4 October was appointed the Directorate of Intelligence at the Air Ministry. On 1 July 1938 he was promoted to wing commander.

Second World War Between July 1940 and July 1941 he served in the Directorate of Operational Requirements, In May 1941 he was appointed acting air commodore, and served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Technical Requirements). with the permanent rank of group captain from 1 December 1943.

On 1 January 1944 he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), and was granted the rank of war substantive air commodore on 20 April.

Postwar career In September 1945 he was appointed Air Officer Commanding, No. 222 Group, Ceylon, and from 1 October 1945 was Air Officer Commanding, Air Headquarters Malaya (AHQ Malaya). and to air vice-marshal on 1 July 1947. On 13 January 1948 Breakey was appointed Air Officer in Charge of Administration, Bomber Command. From March 1951 he served as Air Officer Commanding No. 21 (Training) Group, and was appointed Head of the Air Force Staff at the British Joint Services Mission at Washington, D.C., on 1 August 1951, He retired from the RAF on 10 May 1954.

Air Vice-Marshal Breakey died on 8 January 1965.