James Dowding

**James Dowding** is the main character in "Strike Witches: 501st Disciple" and its sequel "Strike Witches Infinity". Compared to the majority of the Witch Corps, which are predominantly female, he is actually the first male to have magic powers and have familiars.

## Biography

**Before Becoming a Witch**-Before his Witch days, he was a pilot for the Britannian Royal Air Force after graduating from the War Academy at the advanced tutoring from his father, Hugh Dowding. They even managed to adopt an orphan known as Madoka, and the two siblings have bonded since. When the Neuroi invaded, he racked up a total of 150 kills inside his aircraft. After the fall of Gallia, and Hugh Dowding's subsequent removal from Fighter Command, he remained in the Air Force, despite now being under one of his father's prime opponents, Trevor Maloney. It was there that during the infamous Warlock Incident, one that replaced the 501st Joint Fighter Wing at the time, he, along with the 29th Aerial Defence Squadron, participated in a Black Operation called 'Operation Inner Demon'.

**Warlock Incident/Operation Inner Demon**-After Fusoan Witch and recent 501st Joint Fighter Wing recruit Yoshika Miyafuji made contact with a Humanoid Neuroi, (along with the downing of Major Sakamoto), Air Chief Marshal Maloney ordered the 501st to shoot her down. However, RAF Command have other ideas. As a contingency order, should the 501st fail in its objectives, Maloney organized a force of pilots who hold contempt against the Witches. As a counter-force, the RAF organized twenty Neuroi-colored Spitfires to take out the Meteors stationed. The operation was successul, though the Neuroi blitzed London and killed off members of his family. (His adopted sister was with King George VI at the time of the raid). After the raid, the Warlock is destroyed and the 501st disbands accodingly, Maloney was dishonorably demoted and sent to the South Pacific. RAF Comand then re-installed his father as Air Chief Marshal and the two resumed duties as pilot and officer respectively.

**Transferred to the 501st**-A few weeks after the Ardennes Offensive, the 501st was sent to London to counter an ongoing Neuroi Blitz, in which he revealed his true colors. After taking a hit from a Neuroi, while trying to save a Karlsland Witch, he found that he has a blue rune surrounding his aircraft and has familiars of an Arctic Wolf, ears and tail. After being reprimanded for disobeying orders, his father then transferred him to the 501st and was quickly introduced to its Commander, Minna Dietlinde-Wilcke.

## Equipment

**Charlton Automatic Rifle**- A machine gun developed in New Zealand, it became his primary weapon after learning he became a Witch.

**Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1-** One of James' major weapons, his Lee-Enfield is a major kicker in a battle. After being upgraded by the Blue Neuroi Kallen, it can fire lasers and ricocheting bullets.

**Heckler & Koch XM8-** His main weapon in the Infinity Universe, this prototype assault rifle was nearly cancelled due to budgetary reasons. However, when the war with USEA was declared, the weapon found its way back into production and became a mainstay in the US Military.