He was later accepted for an RAF short service commission and, from the end of 1936, was a member of No 74 Squadron. He became a Flight Commander the following year.
During the evacuation of the Channel Ports, Malan scored a number of successes and was awarded the DFC, which would be followed by a bar on 31 July. Malan fought through the Battle of Britain, becoming CO of the squadron on 8 August and achieving a considerable score. He was awarded the DSO in December 1940 and would receive a bar in the summer of 1941. Between March and October 1941 he led the Biggin Hill Wing.
After a period instructing and time in the United States, he became Station Commander, Biggin Hill, continuing to fly on operations. Further operational postings followed.
Wing Commander Malan left the RAF in 1946 and returned to South Africa. He died in 1963, after a period of poor health. He received a civic funeral in Kimberley, with thousands of people lining the streets.
