A Very Unusual Air War (24 page)

Squadron Leader James MacLachlan was one of the real heroes; he was involved in the defence of Malta and won many decorations. He was shot down while flying a Hurricane and badly wounded, losing his left arm just below the elbow. He was fitted with an artificial limb, which had a false hand with various attachments to enable him to grip controls. He recovered from his wounds, overcame the difficulties and was quickly back flying fighters. His story is told in his biography
One Armed
Mac
. In early 1944 he and F/Lt Geoff Page, flying two P51 Mustangs, executed a low-level operation right across France to the German border area, where the Luftwaffe had operational training bases. In a series of completely surprise attacks they shot down, between them, seven enemy aircraft. Six weeks later they attempted to repeat the operation but were intercepted and James was shot down by ground fire and died in a German hospital. He is buried in Pont l’Évêque, Normandy.

29 September
: When, in early 1941, the RAF started an offensive in daylight over the enemy-held territories in Western Europe, the Bristol Blenheim was the only light bomber that could be used. It was not really ideal, with a comparatively low speed and small bomb load. As soon as the American Douglas Boston, also called the Havoc, became available it largely took over the daylight role. The Blenheim continued to be used in some theatres and a modified version, the Beaufort, was successful, particularly in the Mediterranean area, as a torpedo bomber. Even more successful was the Beaufighter. Used as a night fighter, with airborne radar, in conjunction with the Mosquito it became the terror of the Luftwaffe. Armed with four 20mm cannon mounted in the nose, its firepower was devastating. Later, in the far eastern theatre, it was used against the Japanese and because of its sudden and relatively quiet approach, it became known as ‘Whispering Death’.

D. Clive
F/Lt

O/C Flying AFDU

6 October
: Although only my own flights are recorded in my logbook, our flights to the many Bomber Command airfields would usually be the three Spits in formation, the senior pilot (F/O Walker) leading. Just to show off we usually performed a ‘Fleur de Lys’ breakaway before landing.

10 October
: Carrying out fighter affiliation day after day when the weather permitted may sound boring but I do not remember ever feeling that way. The joy we felt when flying a Spitfire was a sensation that has never faded. The same is true when flying those other wonderful machines such as the Mustang, and even, later on, the Focke Wulf FW 190.

11 October
: This would have been a special treat for anyone interested in horse racing as the airfield was in the centre of what is now the racecourse.

12 October
: It may seem strange to be carrying out speed runs on a Spitfire Mk Vb as the type had been in operational service for about two years. But most aircraft were constantly improved and modified during their service life to keep abreast – or if possible – get a step ahead of the enemy. In the case of the Spitfire the most notable improvements were to the cockpit canopy, clipped wings, more powerful engines and different propellers. All had to be tested under operational conditions and approved before being generally introduced.

13 October
: It was always a pleasure to fly with S/Ldr MacLachlan and he could usually be relied upon to produce something out of the ordinary. On the flight, a P51 Mustang with American markings decided to ‘beat up’ our little Stinson by a series of dummy attacks. Having had his fun the pilot dropped his flaps and undercarriage to slow down and flew too close on our port side. Mac unscrewed his false arm and waved first the stump, then the false arm out of the cabin window. A very shaken Mustang pilot peeled off and we saw him no more.

On the final flight of the day ‘Scruffy’ Haywood acted as my taxi driver and dropped me off at Langley, the home of the Hawker Aircraft production factory and the nearest airfield to Slough. This enabled me to spend a night with Estelle and the
Climer family. Estelle, all 5 feet of her, was very popular with the detectives of the CID department who had nicknamed her ‘Tiny’. We were always invited to social occasions such as dances at the local pubs.

E. Smith
S/Ldr

O/C. Flying AFDU Duxford

1 November
: Promoted to Flying Officer.