Wing Commander Prophecy veterans: do you remember Lt. Anderson, the TCS Midway's comm officer? He showed up in briefings and other cutscenes as well in dozens of postage stamp videos in-flight.
So, Origin's Official Guide to Wing Commander Prophecy has a surprisingly extensive biography that claims that Anderson traces his lineage back to an RAF pilot who fought in World War II. Is there a historical figure who matches the clues?
We're looking for an RAF pilot (specifically an officer) who defended against the Blitz. Luckily, The Few are extensively memorialized online… which leads us to a clear candidate: Squadron Leader Michael Anderson!
Anderson commanded 604 Squadron during the Battle of Britain flying Bristol Beaufighter night fighters. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down a Heinkel 111 (and two probables). Here's a great painting of that encounter by Mark Postlethwaite!
… and wouldn't you know it, he ended the war as a Wing Commander! Here's a fantastic page with a detailed biography.
Anderson was played by Seth Walther. He went on to guest on a couple TV shows but ultimately became a writer. He often adapts Japanese shows for English audiences, with stacks of credits on shows like Digimon and Power Rangers!
Couple of more continuity polaroids:
Anderson isn't the only WC character with ancestors in the Battle of Britain! In Fleet Action, Admiral Tolwyn claims that "Tolwyns served at Waterloo, on the Somme, in the Battle of Britain, at Minsk and the siege of London and shed their blood heavily in this latest war."
Dr. Forstchen is the master of the sci-fi list, sneaking in future events with ones we know. A second one that's also about Tolwyn's family later in the book: "It had been used by his ancestors when they had stood at Agincourt, Waterloo, the Somme and against Hitler and Zhing."
Not enough to find Tolwyn's ancestor? Luckily (?) there's another reference towards the end of the book: "He thought for a moment of a distant ancestor... who... announced that even if England fell, the Empire, and with it the fleet, would still continue the fight."
… which refers to Prime Minister Winston Churchill's June 4, 1940 "we shall fight on the beaches" speech to the House of Commons where he promised that even if England fell the Empire would battle on. You can watch the full speech here:
… so Churchill is a distant relative of Geof Tolwyn and you are all welcome to unpack that on your own. But the resemblance is uncanny! Admit it, you didn't think this was where this post was going to end. Good night, everybody!
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