______________________________________________________
Borden Class
Told Not to Fly Dangerously
|
Son of James Archibald
McLeod, and Hannah Elizabeth McLeod |
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With the R.C.A.F. Somewhere in England, May 15, 1942
- (CP) - An R.C.A.F. Spitfire squadron emerged from a recent dogfight
over the French coast with two "probables" and one damaged enemy
aircraft added to its record.
Chalking up the scores for the Canadians in a brief but hectic tilt were
Squadron-Ldr. R. B. Newton, an Englishman, and Pilot Officer Wallace McLeod,
of Regina, one of the squadron's veteran pilots. The flyers escaped without
a scratch but two of their Spitfires were damaged slightly.
__________________________________________________________
McLEOD, F/L
Henry Wallace (J4912) - Distinguished Flying Cross -
No.1435 Flight
Award effective 3 October 1942 as per London Gazette dated 13 October
1942
and AFRO 1690/42 dated 23 October 1942
In September 1942, this officer participated in an engagement against at least 20 Messerschmitt 109s. Despite the odd, Flight Lieutenant McLeod so skillfully led his section during the combat that the enemy force was completely broken up. This officer has always displayed greatest determination to engage the enemy and has destroyed at least five and damaged a number of other hostile aircraft. His leadership has been most inspiring.
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London, Oct. 12, 1942 (CP) — Award of the Distinguished
Flying Cross to two young Canadian fighter pilots, one of whom was described
officially as fearless and the other praised for his inspiring leadership,
was announced today by the Royal Air Force. They are Flight Lieutenant
F. E. Jones, 26-year-old native of Cloverdale,
B.C., whose home is in Sherbrooke, Que., and Flight Lieutenant H. W. McLeod,
27, of Regina.
Jones was described in the citation as a "vigorous fighter whose
fearlessness in face of odds sets praiseworthy example." The citation
said that during convoy escort duties last June Jones' formation was attacked
by a large enemy force and he destroyed a JU-88. On another occasion he
led his section in an attack against twelve aircraft heavily escorted
by fighters. Jones dived among the fighters and shot down an ME-109.
"Although he was attacked from all sides by many fighters,"
the citation said, "he skillfully frustrated them and despite damage
sustained by his aircraft he succeeded in leading his section safely to
his base."
McLeod was decorated for his part in an engagement with at least twenty
ME-109's. The citation said that despite odds McLeod so skillfully led
his section during combat that the enemy force was completely broken.
"This officer always has displayed the greatest determination to
engage the enemy," the citation related. "He has destroyed at
least five and damaged a number of other hostile aircraft. His leadership
has been most inspiring."
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London, Oct. 26, 1942 — (CP Cable) — Three members of the R.C.A.F., piloting fighter planes in defense of Malta, were among airmen for whom immediate awards were announced today. They were Flight-Lieut. H. W. McLeod, of Regina, who received the bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross; Flight.-Lieut E. Glazebrook, of Outremont, Que., who received the D.F.C., and Flight-Sgt. I. R. MacLennan, who received the D.F.M.
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McLEOD, F/L
Henry Wallace (J4912) - Bar to DFC - No.1435 Flight
Award effective 22 October 1942 as per London Gazette dated 3 November
1942 and
AFRO 1962/42 dated 4 December 1942
One day in October 1942, this officer took part in an attack on a formation of six Junkers 88 and shot two of them down. Although his aircraft was damaged in the combat, he led his section in an attack on another formation of nine enemy bombers. Afterwards, he skillfully flew his damaged aircraft to base. During a period of five days Flight Lieutenant McLeod destroyed five enemy aircraft in the defense of Malta. A gallant fighter, this officer has destroyed twelve and damaged many more enemy aircraft.
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Ottawa, Nov. 14, 1942 - (CP) - R.C.A.F. headquarters said last night that Flighty Lieut. Henry W. McLeod of Regina, a flying mate of PO. George Beurling, had shot down 12 enemy planes over Malta to October 26 and was unofficially credited with 15 "probables." McLeod, headquarters said, is believed to have destroyed another enemy plans since October 26, while FO. J. F. McElroy, of Kamloops, B.C., is unofficially credited with shooting down five planes to October 19. McElroy was born at Port Arthur, Ont. He and McLeod are members of the R.C.A.F., and Beurling is serving with the R.A.F.
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Ottawa, Dec. 4, 1942 - (CP) - Flight Lieutenant Henry
Wallace McLeod of Regina, top-scoring Spitfire pilot of the R.C.A.F.,
who shot down 13 enemy aircraft over Malta in a little more than four
months and probably damaged or destroyed "many others," is back
in England for a rest, R.C.A.F. headquarters said tonight.
McLeod, who won the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar, and two promotions
during his service at Malta, was shot down twice during 18 hectic weeks.
Five times his plane was shot up and damaged.
The air force statement told a stirring story of young McLeod's operational
flying. At the height of his Malta career he destroyed six enemy aircraft
in five days. Once he shot down a German bomber when only one cannon in
his battered Spitfire was still firing. Top man in the R.C.A.F. Spitfire
ranks, McLeod still is less than half-way to the mark set by 20-year-old
George Beurling of Verdun, Que., R.A.F. ace
now home in Canada after shooting down 29 enemy aircraft and winning the
popular title "Hero of Malta."
On the debit side of McLeod's Malta ledger is 25 pounds, of far-from-surplus
weight. When he entered the force he weighed 169 pounds stripped. When
he arrived back in England he tipped, the scales at 147 pounds, fully
dressed.
"But it was worth it all, and a lot more," said the blue-eyed,
sandy-haired Westerner, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Archibald McLeod.
Good Hunting at Malta
"Malta is the Spitfire pilot's happy hunting ground. If he has a
reasonable amount of ability and enough operational experience, Malta
is the place for him."
McLeod entered the air force as an aircraftman (second class) at Regina
in September 1940, received his wings and commission, at Camp Borden in
1941, and in Britain served in four squadrons — an R.A.F. squadron,
a New Zealand squadron, the City of Glasgow squadron and finally, an R.C.A.F.
unit commanded by Squadron Leader Robert Newton, D.F.C., an Englishman.
With these units he built up a "log" of about 45 sweeps and
acquired operational experience and background which stood him in good
stead in the months that followed.
In May of this year; while a pilot officer, McLeod was chosen to go to
Malta with other reinforcements for the island's hard-working Spitfire
men.
On the second day after he landed as a member of the R.A.F.'s City of
Edinburgh squadron, McLeod, flying as No. 2 to Sqdn-Ldr. Lord Douglas
Hamilton, took part in an attack on a large formation of tri-motored Italian
bombers. He and Hamilton combined to damage one of the big bombers, but
in the meantime an Italian fighter — a Reggiani 1001 — fired
on the Canadian, holed his fuselage and almost blew his tailplane off.
Won Rapid Promotion
A little later, McLeod was posted to another newly formed Malta Spitfire
squadron, and rapidly became a flying officer, then a flight lieutenant
and flight commander.
Almost always, McLeod recalled, he and his mates fought against great
numerical odds.
"Usually most of us came through safely, while a lot of the Huns
or Italians didn't," he said. The first plane he destroyed was an
Italian Macchi, which, McLeod insisted "went into the drink from
sheer fright."
"The Italians always go in for weird and wonderful aerobatics, which
is about the best thing they do. This chap was hit by my fire, but I don't
think he was out of control. He just appeared to panic and hit the sea
in a deep spiral dive."
The second plane he destroyed, an ME 109, was hit just behind the fuselage
so the gasoline tank exploded and blew the craft to pieces right in front
of McLeod's airscrew. Bits of the wreckage spattered the British machine.
"The pilot was thrown clear," McLeod said, "and his 'chute
opened. After he hit the water I circled him and he waved to me, apparently
quite cheerfully. So I dropped my dinghy for him to show that I had no
ill feelings, either.
"He didn't make any attempt to climb into the rubber dinghy, but
one of our rescue launches came out and picked him up. He had a cannon
shell through his chest, and he died in the launch."
McLeod was shot down for the first time when a Reggiani 1001 hit his Spitfire
in the oil cooler, forcing him to crash-land. He was shot down again when
25 Junkers 88's came over Malta just at dusk, against the setting sun,
and McLeod led a section of four Spitfires in attack. He shot down two
enemy aircraft, and the other pilots between them shot down three more
and damaged others.
"One of their tail gunners hit my engine, but I managed to flog the
old motor long enough to shoot down another of them before I landed. Then,
just to put the lid on the experience, I found that the airdrome was under
a bombing attack as I was coming in."
The engagement which gave him the greatest satisfaction was when eight
Spitfires took on more than 70 attacking enemy machines at the height
of the recent blitz on Malta. The Canadian's main-plane was holed and
his flaps blown off, but with the last burst of ammunition from his one
still-firing cannon he accounted for one of the attackers.
By the time McLeod left Malta he had destroyed seven ME 109's, three JU
88's and three Macchi 202's, and had probably destroyed or damaged many
others.
He was recommended for the D.F.C. after he shot down his first five planes,
and for a bar to the decoration after knocking down about six others.
McLeod's only lament is that he hasn't Screwball Beurling's
shooting eye, or he's sure he would have destroyed most of the "probables"
and damaged planes to his credit.
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London, Feb. 8, 1944 - (CP) - The number of R.C.A.F.
units now overseas has been swelled to about 40 with the arrival in the
United Kingdom of several squadrons.
Overseas headquarters announced the arrival today and said the units arrived
with a full complement of air and ground crews, but did not disclose the
type o£ squadrons. The airmen, who came from many parts of Canada,
included fighter pilots, some of whom have completed one tour of operations
overseas.
The announcement said the units, which were accompanied by a large draft
of personnel for all branches of the service, including the Women's Division
and nursing sisters, were complete. They arrived by ocean transport, presumably
without aircraft, which probably will be provided in the United Kingdom.
Welcoming them, Group Capt. G. C. Bond of the Air Ministry said: "We
are most grateful for all the Dominions are doing in all parts of the
world and especially for the very large part your airmen now are taking
in the air offensive in Europe, which is a magnificent contribution toward
hastening victory.
Canada's air arm in the United Kingdom alone includes the bomber group,
flying giant Lancasters and Halifaxes, two fighter wings with Spitfires,
and other squadrons equipped with Beaufighters, Mosquitos and Mustangs,
as well as Coastal Command flying boat units.
A Canadian Spitfire fighter squadron is in action in Italy and there is
a flying boat unit in Ceylon.
Sqdn. Ldr, Brad Walker, D.F.C., of London, Ont., was one of the pilots
returning for a second tour of operations. He has seen action against
the Germans in Europe and the Japanese in the Aleutians. Others included
Sqdn. Ldr. H. W. McLeod, D.F.C. and Bar, Regina, and
Sqdn. Ldr, E. H. Pentland, Calgary, who distinguished themselves in Britain
and the Middle East, and Sqdn. Ldr. R. W. Norris of Saskatoon, who has
flown in Britain, Newfoundland and Canada. Walker is among a number of
fliers holding the United States Air Medal for deeds over the Atlantic.
Ontario arrivals included:
Flt. Lt. S. H. R. Cotterill, 3 Claxton Blvd.,
Toronto; FO's J. T. Marriott, C. E. Scarlett, Toronto; W. I. Williams,
Tilbury; A. Hunter, Hamilton; A. J. Horrell, Windsor; D. G. Burgin, Windsor;
J. H. Houser, 362 Herkimer St., Hamilton; PO's S. Breggman, A. A. Cole,
H. M. Dale, C. E. Whitaker, Toronto; L. H. Wilson, Stratford; V. A. Stortz,
Kenilworth; J. G. N. LeJambe, Timmins; Flt. Sgts. M. E. Maloney, 674 Kingston,
Rd., Toronto; W. E. Deforest, Merritton; J. H. E. Contant, Cornwall; Sgts.
J. M. Turner, Peterborough;. D. A. Veri, Hagersville; K. L. Roth, Woodstock;
W. G. Dunk, Fort William; J. E. Dale, and M. G. Richardson, Ottawa.
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London, June 28, 1944 - (CP) - W1ng-Cmdr. J. E. (Johnny)
Johnson, an Englishman from Nottingham, with 32 enemy planes shot down
in air combat, shared today with Group Capt. A. G. (Sailor) Malan, of
South Africa, the status of top-ranking Allied air ace of this war.
Johnson, who commands a Canadian fighter wing operating from a base in
Normandy, downed two German ME109's yesterday in air duels over the bridgehead
front to bring his score up to that of Malan. The latter now is on ground
duty.
Top-ranking Canadian airman is Flt.-Lt. George (Buzz) Beurling, of the
R.C.A.F., now an instructor in Canada. Beurling has downed 31 planes.
One of the highest-scoring Canadians flying from the R.C.A.F. Normandy
base which was established shortly alter D-day, is Sqdn-Ldr. Wally McLeod
of Regina, whose total stands at 17. Johnson's Canadian wing achieved
a mark of five enemy planes downed within 48 hours last week. Johnson,
a quiet-looking pipe smoking man, is regarded by many airmen who have
flown with him, as one of the most brilliant flyers now on operations.
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London, July 3, 1944 — (CP Cable) — Canadian
fighter pilots are the hottest things in the air of France these invasion
days with a score of 58 "kills" chalked up since June 28, and
airmen today attributed much of their current success to a modest, 28-year-old
Englishman, Wing-Cmdr. James E. (Johnny) Johnson, leading Allied ace in
the European theatre.
Nearly 100 Per Cent
Of 21 enemy planes shot down over France Sunday — at a cost of three
Allied aircraft — R.C.A.F. Spitfire pilots accounted for 19. They
shot down 26 Germans June 28 and on Friday got 13 of the 17 enemy aircraft
destroyed. It was on the Friday operations that Johnson, leader of a Canadian
wing, got his 33rd enemy aircraft to top the long-standing record of 32
held by Group Capt. A.G. (Sailor) Malan who is not now on active operations.
Flight-Lieut. J. D. Lindsay, of Arnprior, Ont.,
led the R.C.A.F scoring yesterday, destroying three planes in one sortie
when his squadron took on 20 enemy aircraft east of Caen. Other leaders,
each with two "kills," were Flight-Lieut. Paul Johnson, of Bethel,
Conn.; F.O. R. J. Lake, Langstaff, Ont., and Flight
Lieut. J. Moore, Philadelphia. Paul Johnson and Moore also shared one
"kill."
To Wing-Cmdr. Johnson, back on active operations at his own request after
a spell of ground duty is freely given much of the credit for the Canadians'
fine showing since R.C.A.F. fighter airstrips were moved to Normandy.
For Johnson, holder of the D.S.O. and Bar and D.F.C. and Bar, is known
as a maker of aerial aces as well as being a top ace himself.
A civil engineer in Nottingham before the war, Johnson a year ago turned
the Canadian Spitfire wing he then commanded into one of the “hottest”
in Britain. Taken off active flying to aid in the planning of the invasion's
aerial coverage, he recently returned to active operations and again was
given a Canadian fighter wing to lead against the best the Germans could
offer in the air.
Johnson's 31st and 32nd aerial victories were scored last Wednesday to
equal the mark set by Malan when he was the leading R.A.F. pilot in the
Battle of Britain and to top the 31 set by Flight-Lieut. George Beurling,
of Verdun, Que., leading Canadian ace now in Canada. Johnson's record
breaking came when he caught a German heading for the safety of the clouds,
nailed him and followed him down until the foe crashed.
Of him, a pilot who flew with him wrote in the Sunday Express:
Greatest of All
"In the Battle of Britain, it was Sailor Malan. In the Battle of
Malta it was Screwball Beurling. Now, in the
Battle of Normandy, it's Johnny Johnson. Comparisons are always difficult,
but there will be many among his contemporaries who will say Wing Cmdr.
J. E. Johnson was the greatest of them all.
The unidentified writer said that when Malan was knocking down German
planes into the orchards of Kent his odds were great, but targets were
numerous, for in those days of 1940 the Germans were flying over Britain
in masses. He said the same holds true for Beurling over the embattled
island of Malta, the Italian and German planes came over in hundreds in
their vain effort to bomb Malta out of the war effort.
Then came Johnson's era, the Sunday Express pilot-writer said, an era
of steady patrolling over wide areas of Continental Europe after targets
that become harder and harder to find as the enemy spread his air defenses
thinner. "The moral is quite clear," the writer said. "Johnson
has really had fewer opportunities than Malan and Beurling, although he
has been more constantly in battle. But his score now is 33.71
From a Canadian airfield in France today came Johnson's reaction to his
33rd kill, the one that broke Malan's record:
"Malan has been off operations for some time and there are several
other outstanding men who went off during 1941 and 1942. If they were
still flying I am sure some of them would have phenomenal scores by now.
Johnson Modest
"I have been fortunate in another way too, in that for the last three
years I have been flying as a leader, first in a squadron, then in a wing.
Consequently, I have always had the first crack at any Huns and had many
more opportunities than the tail-end charlies.
Johnson added that luck played a big part in his success and said: “Another
thing is that I have a great deal of confidence, bred mostly from the
fact that I have never been shot down." He continued almost as an
after thought: "In fact, I have never been hit, and I think that
helps a fellow's morale tremendously."
The new Spitfires the Canadians are flying, armed with twin Cannon and
four Machine-guns in the wings, are hard to beat even by what pilots call
the "long-nosed Focke-Wulf," termed the best fighter the Germans
have today. Many seasoned pilots are among the Canadian pilots flying
in Normandy, some of them with "ace" ratings. It takes ten "kills"
(actually 5) to rate ace category in the R.A.F. and R.C.A.F., though there
is nothing official about being rated an "ace."
One of the veterans of Johnson’s wing is Sqdn. Ldr. Wally
McLeod, of Regina, highest-scoring Canadian pilot on active operations
with 19 enemy planes destroyed, three if them since D-day. Johnson has
shot down five planes since the invasion opened June 6, while next in
line is Wing-Cmdr. George Keefer, 22, Charlottetown,
with four "kills" since D-day.
Among the Spitfire squadrons flying from Normandy bases are the noted
City of Oshawa, Wolf and Red Indian, and a new one, the Grizzly Bear.
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McLEOD, S/L
Henry Wallace, DFC (J4912) - Distinguished Service Order
- No. 443 Sq
Award effective 5 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944
This officer continues to display the highest standard of courage and resolution in air operations. He is an exceptional leader and a relentless fighter whose achievements are worthy of the highest praise. He has destroyed seventeen enemy aircraft.
NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9158 has recommendation raised about 20 June 1944, noting he had flown a total of 217 sorties (290 operational hours) and had flown 56 sorties (90 hours) since his previous award.
Squadron Leader McLeod was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar for outstanding fighting and leadership in Malta. Since the latter award in October 1942, he has destroyed a further seven and damaged four enemy aircraft, bringing his total to seventeen enemy aircraft destroyed. Since joining the Wing he has proved himself to be a superb fighter pilot and an exceptional leader whose achievements are a brilliant example to all his pilots.
On 20 June 1944 this was minuted by G/C W.R. McBrian:
This squadron commander has been an example to all in aggressiveness and his ability to destroy the enemy. Since commencing this tour he has taken part in dive bombing and strafing in addition to normal fighter work. The success with which he has accomplished this is demonstrated by the fact that since his last award he has destroyed a further seven enemy aircraft. I strongly recommend the award of the Distinguished Service Order to this officer.
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London, Sept. 7, 1944 — (CP Cable) — Sqdn-Ldr.
H. W. (Wally) McLeod, of Regina, has been awarded the D.S.O., it was announced
today.
Today's gazetting formalized an award which had been known to the flyer's
squadron for some weeks. McLeod previously won the D.F.C. and Bar.
He is a veteran of more than 250 sorties over England, Malta and France
with 21 confirmed victories in his log book, and is Canada's leading fighter
ace still on operations.
The 27-year-old flyer's complete score since his first operational flight
in July, 1941, is 21 destroyed, three probably destroyed and 12 damaged.
He chalked up most of his triumphs over Malta between May and the end
of October, 1942. After a spell of instructing in Canada, he brought over
from Canada last spring the Spitfire squadron he now leads and since then
he has been able to bag only eight enemy aircraft.
German pilots now flying, McLeod finds, are inferior to those met earlier
in the war, he told Canadian Press War Correspondent Louis V. Hunter in
a recent interview. Hunter has since returned to Canada.
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Ottawa, Sept. 19, 1944 - (CP) - The RCAF announced tonight
the award of the Distinguished Service Order to Sqdn-Ldr. Henry Wallace
McLeod, DFC and Bar, of Regina, Canada's top-scoring operational fighter
pilot, who commands a squadron and has a score of 21 enemy aircraft destroyed.
The citation to his award referred to him as an "exceptional leader
and a relentless fighter" who has displayed the "highest standard
of courage and resolution in air operations."
McLeod took part with his squadron in the strafing of German vehicles
in the Falaise Gap at the climax of the Battle for France and on one,
operation his unit smashed 35 transports.
On one operation in June, McLeod shot down two FW-190's in an engagement
over Alencon. He used only, 48 rounds for the twin killing then his squadron
pounced on five German machines.
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By FRED BACKHOUSE
London, July 15, 1945 (CP) — Group Captain J. E. (Johnny) Johnson,
English-born, former leader of a crack Canadian Spitfire wing, has been
officially recognized as "ace of aces" among Allied fighter
pilots who fought over Europe.
Final scoring records, compiled by The Canadian Press from figures supplied
by the RAF, RCAF, and United States 8th and 9th Air Forces, put this peace-time
accountant from the Leicestershire town of Loughborough at the top of
the list with 38 German planes destroyed.
Group Capt. Johnson, who so closely identified himself with his otherwise
all-Canadian squadron that he wore "Canada" on his shoulder,
has often given much of the credit for his success to the Canadians who
flew with him. "It's all a combination play" he said. "Many
of his men, themselves became aces."
Of the first 16 places supplied by the air forces, fourth is held by a
Canadian — Flt. Lt. George (Buzz) Beurling,
DSO, DFC, DFM and Bar, of Verdun, Que. — and 11 by RAF pilots. For
the record, only those with more than 24 "kills" were offered
by the three services as their top men.
Official final scores are: Group Capt. J. E. Johnson (RAF), 38; Group
Capt. A. G. Malan (RAF); Sqdn. Ldr. P. Finucane
(RAF), 32; Flt. Lt. G. Beurling (RCAF), 31;
Wing Cmdr. Stanford Tuck (RAF), 30; Wing Cmdr. J. R. D. Braham (RAF),
29; an anonymous Polish sergeant [actually Czech pilot Josef Frantisek]
(RAF), 28; Wing Cmdr. F. R. Carey (RAF), 28; Lt. Col. F. G. Gabreski (U.S.
8th), 28.
Maj. G. E. Preddy (U.S. 8th), Wing Cmdr. C. Caldwell (RAF), 27½;
Capt. R. Johnson (U.S. 8th), Flt. Lt. Mungo Park (RAF); Sqdn. Ldr. J.
H. Lacey (RAF), 27; Flt. Lt. E. S. Lock (RAF), 25; Lt.-Col. J. C. Meyer
(U.S. 8th), 24½. [some of these numbers have been modified since
the war – ed]
RCAF .fighter pilots in the European war with scores of 15 or more German
planes destroyed number six according to overseas headquarters in London.
In addition, there were two equally high-scoring Canadians in the RAF,
both of whom were killed in that service before they could transfer to
the RCAF.
After Beurling they are:
Sqdn. Ldr. H. W. McLeod, DSO, DFC and Bar, of Regina,
22; Flt. Lt. J. T. Caine, DFC, and Bar, of Toronto,
20; Wing Cmdr. Mark H. Brown, DFC and Bar (RAF),
of Glenboro, Man., 18; FO. W. L. McKnight,
DF.C. and Bar (RAF), of Calgary, 16½; Wing Cmdr. R. W. McNair,
DSO, DFC & two bars, of North Battleford, 16; Wing Cmdr. L. V. Chadburn,
DSO and Bar, DFC, of Aurora, Ont., 15; Flt. Lt. Don C. Laubman,
DFC and Bar, of Edmonton, 15.
The late Wing -Cmdr. Brown is officially credited by the RAF with "at
least 18" aircraft destroyed. His score may well have been higher,
but uncertainty exists because the records of No. 1 Squadron, RAF, of
which he was then commanding officer, were destroyed during the retreat
at the time of the collapse of France.
__________________________________________________________
Relevant log book entries: 1942 with 411 Squadron, RCAF, at Digby: April 15 -- "Got two damaged -- FW190 and 109F" while escorting bombers to Desvres. May 1 -- "FW190 damaged -- stepped up to probable" on "rodeo"over Cape Griz Nez.(with 603 Squadron, Takali, Malta) June 6 -- "tailplane and wing shot up -- damaged 1/4 Cant1007" June 23 -- on scramble, "destroyed Macchi 202 damaged Macchi 202" July 5 -- scramble. Me109F damaged. July 6 -- "Ju-88 probable -- both motors smoking -- rear gunners killed." July 13 -- Scramble. "Damaged Macchi 202" but his own aircraft was "shot up in oil cooler and crash landed Hal Far -- dead motor" July 17 -- Scramble. "Destroyed 109F -- a/c blew up -- threw my dingy to pilot. Pilot died in motor launch. Got his Mae West." With 1435 Squadron, Luqa July 24 -- Scramble. Me109 probable. Aug. 8 -- Scramble against 18-plus raiders. Me109Fdestroyed, but his No. 2 (wingman) was lost. Aug. 10 -Me-109F destroyed Aug. 13- Me-109F damaged on a convoy patrol. Aug. 14 - Ju-88 damaged. Aug. 27 -- "Damaged coastal steamer" Aug. 29 -- Me-109F destroyed Sept. 26 -- Me-109F destroyed on a sweep over Sicily Oct. 11-- in a scramble against "55+" raiders, he claimed two109Fs damaged. On a dusk scramble the same day, he claimed two Ju88s destroyed, adding this note: "Shot up --crashlanded in dark -- dead prop." Oct. 12 -- Me-109F destroyed Oct. 13 -- during another raid by "50+" bogies, he claimed a Macchi 202 destroyed. Oct. 14 -- another "50+" scramble. "Ju 88 damaged shot up -- Ju88 destroyed with one cannon -- No. 2 shot down". Oct. 16 -- This time, a "70+" scramble: "Me109F damaged -- shot up -- No. 2 shot down. In a second 50+ scramble, he claimed an Me-109F destroyed Oct. 22 -- Macchi 20 destroyed 1943 (Instructing - no operational flying) 1944 443 Squadron, RCAF April 19 -- destroyed a Do217 on a "ranger" in the Louvain area. May 5 -- destroyed a FW-190 on a "ramrod" to the Lille-Mons area. May 20 -- "3 MET" (mechanized enemy transport) destroyed in the Cambrai Bouvaine area. June 2 -- 2 MET damaged in the Bruges/Ghent area June 14 -- Do217 destroyed while escorting Lancasters in the Le Havre area. June 16 -- Me109G destroyed in a sweep of the Normandy beachhead area. McLeod's own aircraft was hit by flak. June 23 -- 2 FW-190s destroyed in the Argentan area (fired just 26 rounds [20mm] to get BOTH) June 24 -- 3 MET strafed in the same area June 30 -- 6 MET destroyed in the Liseaux area July 20 -- FW190 destroyed "pilot bailed out before I could open fire!" during an armed recce of the Bernay/Laigle area. July 30 -- Me109G destroyed during a squadron patrol of the Argentane/Laigle/Dreux area. |
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Medals held
by Canadian War Museum (AN 19801205-001)
They are currently on display at the new War Museum in Ottawa
_________________________________________________________
On
these pages I use info from the Air
force Association of Canada's web site
in Hugh Halliday's excellent Honors & Awards section,
Newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC)
as well as other sources both published and private