Alan J D MacLachlan DFC RAFVR and crew – 103 Squadron / 625 Squadron / 550 Squadron – 1944/45 - 41797
Donald MacLachlan and crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds August 1944 from HCU. The exact date is not recorded. MacLachlan may have served with the RAF in the Middle East as he appears to be wearing an Africa Star ribbon at this time.
The crew consisted of :-
F/L A J D MacLachlan
Sgt D J Kettell
F/O J Parkinson
F/O J G Barclay
Sgt M D Lloyd
W/O C H Lazell
Sgt D Drake
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MacLachlan flew his first operation as a Second Dickie / co-pilot with S/L F V P Van Rolleghem on to Frankfurt on the 12/13 September 1944
He then captained his own crew on the following operations :-
17-Sep-44 - Leeuwarden - Airfield - Lancaster - ND861 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
20-Sep-44 - Sangatte - Army support - Lancaster - NN713 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
25-Sep-44 - Calais - Army support - Lancaster - LM131 - F/L AJD MacLachlan - Aborted on Master Bomber's orders.
27-Sep-44 - Calais - Army support - Lancaster - LM682 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
05-Oct-44 - Saarbrucken - Army support - Lancaster - ME698 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
07-Oct-44 - Emmerich - Army support - Lancaster - NF909 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
12-Oct-44 - Fort Frederik Hendrik - Army support - Lancaster - PB528 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
14-Oct-44 - Duisburg - Operation Hurricane - Lancaster - LM177 - F/L AJD MacLachlan
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On the 18 October 1944 this crew were posted to 625 Squadron at RAF Kelstern where they flew several ops before again being posted to 550 Squadron at RAF North Killingholme where they completed their tour.
MacLachlan was awarded a DFC gazetted 12 July 1945
Compiled by David Fell
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