Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An unusual Second War ‘1944’ D.S.O., ‘1943’ A.F.C., United States of America Bronze Star group of nine awarded to Group Captain D. C. R. MacDonald, Royal Air Force, a Hawker Hind and Baltimore pilot, who served with 613 Squadron in 1939 and commanded 211 and 52 Squadrons in the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. He also commanded the Mediterranean Air Transport Service, December 1944 - May 1945

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1944, with integral top riband bar; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; United States of America, Bronze Star, reverse engraved ‘D. C. R. MacDonald’, mounted for display, generally very fine or better (9) £2,800-£3,200

D.S.O. London Gazette 9 June 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘Group Captain (Wing Commander) MacDonald took over the command of 52 Squadron in March 1943, whilst rearming with Baltimores for use as bombers in the Middle East. In June the Squadron was transferred to this Command for reconnaissance. Later the Squadron was employed in the protection of shipping running between Sicily and Salerno from enemy submarines. These changes in role, though considerable, were made efficiently and quickly. Credit for this is due to Group Captain MacDonald.

Since the arrival of the Squadron in North Africa, Group Captain MacDonald has flown a considerable number of hours on active operations. During the last six months, for example, he has flown 150 operational hours. These figures are high for a Squadron Commander, but the Squadron was without previous experience of sea reconnaissance and anti-submarine work and had to learn as it went along. It is in this respect that Group Captain MacDonald has shown outstanding leadership in the face of the enemy as he never hesitated to do the more hazardous sorties himself first of all and to pass on his experience to his squadron.

The Squadron arrived in North Africa at a time when it was vital shipping be stopped between Italy and Sicily. This shipping travelled close inshore and under fighter protection. Much of this reconnaissance was carried out by 52 Squadron and on sighting reports being made shipping torpedo strikes were made by Beaufighters or Wellingtons in North Africa, and also by bombers of the Strategic Air Force.

Shipping reconnaissances were also necessary to stop traffic between Sardinia and Corsica and Italy during the period of the evacuation of these islands by the enemy. Many of the successful strikes on shipping were made as a result of reconnaissance by 52 Squadron.

Much of this sea reconnaissance was very hazardous. Many of the sightings of enemy shipping made by Group Captain MacDonald, despite the fact that the shipping was covered by enemy fighters, resulted in sinkings by the shipping strikes. I attribute the excellent work done by 52 Squadron in sea reconnaissance to the personal example and courageous and gallant leadership of Group Captain MacDonald, who set a very high standard of achievement to the rest of the Squadron.’

A.F.C. London Gazette 2 June 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘Since the formation of this unit [No. 72 Operational Training Unit], this officer has been engaged as chief instructor. He has produced consistently good results during the period. The school has become an exceptionally efficient training unit and Wing Commander MacDonald has set a fine example.’

United States of America Bronze Star. The official citation, dated 24 October 1945, states:

‘Group Captain D. C. R. MacDonald, Royal Air Force, first as Commander and later as Deputy Commander, Mediterranean Air Transport Service, from December 1944 to May 1945, assumed his duties at the time of departure of the American commander of the theatre. With unusual ability he applied himself to the difficult and complex task of operating an allied airline in a combat zone. His changes in operation control, and his diplomacy and tact in transactions with the associated carriers, materially increased the efficiency of the command. His enthusiastic and loyal support of the later American commander not only inspired members of the organisation but paved the way for future allied co-operation. Group Captain MacDonald’s outstanding services in the Mediterranean Air Transport Service contributed greatly to the execution of the allied war effort.’

Duncan Charles Ruthven MacDonald was born in Woolwich in 1913, and educated at home and University College, London. He joined the Royal Air Force as Acting Pilot Officer on probation in September 1934, and was posted to No. 5 F.T.S., Sealand for pilot training. Having qualified as a pilot, subsequent postings included to 4 and 614 Squadrons. MacDonald advanced to Flying Officer in March 1937, and was posted to 613 Squadron (Auxiliary Air Force) as the Regular Officer Adjutant and Instructor with the rank of Flight Lieutenant in March 1939. The Squadron was an army co-operation unit, and at the outbreak of the war was allocated to the Air Component, British Expeditionary Force in support of troops in France. Flying Hawker Hinds, they also carried out raids on German installations.

MacDonald advanced to Squadron Leader in September 1940, and to Wing Commander in February 1941. He appears to have spent the remainder of the war in flying appointments in the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa, including as the Commanding Officer of 211 Squadron, July - November 1941. At this latter date an element of the squadron formed No. 72 O.T.U. (See A.F.C.). MacDonald was appointed to the command of 52 Squadron (Baltimores), Egypt, in March 1943. He moved with the Sqaudron to Tunisia in June, from where they carried out shipping reconnaissance and convoy escort duties before moving to Italy in November 1943. MacDonald advanced to Group Captain, and commanded No. 328 Wing prior to commanding the Mediterranean Air Transport Service, December 1944 - May 1945. By the end of the war he had flown over 2,000 hours, and at least 63 operational sorties. Group Captain MacDonald was presented with is D.S.O. and A.F.C. by H.M. the King at Buckingham Palace in December 1946), and retired in September 1958.

Sold with Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., dated 9 June 1944, and official photograph of recipient being awarded the Bronze Star. Also with copied research.