RCAF Aviation History: Flight Lieutenant Henry Wallace McLeod DSO, DFC and Bar
Flight Lieutenant Henry Wallace McLeod DSO, DFC and Bar
(RCAF Photo)
Flight Lieutenant Henry Wallace McLeod DSO, DFC and Bar (17 December 1915 – 27September 1944) was a Canadian fighter pilot and flying ace with the RCAFduring the Second World War. He achieved a total of 21 enemy aircraftdestroyed, three probably destroyed, and 11 damaged, and one shared damaged. McLeod scored 13 of kills during the Battle ofMalta, earning the nickname "The Eagle of Malta".
HenryMcLeod was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to James Archibald McLeod, and HannahElizabeth McLeod on 17 December 1915. James McLeod was from Brooklyn, Nova Scotiaand went to Acadia University. At the time of James' death, long after theSecond World War, he was reputed to be the oldest living graduate of Acadia.McLeod's mother, Hannah, died from Spanish flu, during the pandemic, when hewas three. McLeod was an average student, never excelling, but always managingpass grades. From a young age he had a reputation as a fast learner.
McLeodbegan his military career in 1928, serving with the 5th SaskatchewanRegiment and Regina Rifle Regiment until 1934. McLeod joined the Royal CanadianAir Force on 2 September 1940. He graduated from training on 1 April 1941 andarrived in Great Britain on 9 May 1941, attending 57 OTU.
McLeodbegan fighter sweeps over France in July 1941 with No. 485 Squadron and No. 411RCAF. By May 1942 he had scored five victories. On 13 October 1942 McLeod wasawarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation read:
“InSeptember 1942, this officer participated in an engagement against at least 20Messerschmitt 109's [sic]. Despite the odds, Flight Lieutenant McLeod soskilfully led his section during the combat that the enemy force was completelybroken up. This officer has always displayed the greatest determination toengage the enemy and has destroyed at least 5 and damaged a number of otherhostile aircraft. His leadership has been most inspiring.”
Soonafterwards McLeod was moved to No. 603 Squadron on Malta and in July joined No1435 Squadron. On 3 Nov 1942, he received a Bar to his DFC for his actions inthe island's defence. It is believed McLeod was credited with 12 enemy aircraftat this point. During his time in Malta,it is thought McLeod may have shot down and killed the 47 victory ace Heinz"Figaro" Golinski on 16 Oct 1942. The citation read:
“Oneday in Oct 1942, this officer took part in an attack on a formation of sixJunkers 88's and shot two of them down. Although his aircraft was damaged inthe combat he led his section in an attack on another formation of nine enemybombers. Afterwards, he skilfully flew his damaged aircraft to base. During aperiod of five days Flight Lieutenant McLeod destroyed five enemy aircraft inthe defence of Malta. A gallant fighter, this officer has destroyed 12 anddamaged many more enemy aircraft.”
On4 Dec 1942 it was reported that McLeod had been sent for a rest in Britainafter destroying 13 enemy aircraft in three months. Included in his claims wereseven Messerschmitt Bf 109s, three Junkers Ju 88s and three Macchi C.202.
On5 September 1944 McLeod was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished ServiceOrder for 250 missions and 21 aerial victories, plus three probably destroyedand 12 damaged. McLeod scored most of his kills in the Spitfire Mk. V, scoring13 kills, two probables, 11 damaged and 1 shared damaged. The citation read:
“Thisofficer continues to display the highest standard of courage and resolution inair operations. He is an exceptional leader and a relentless fighter whoseachievements are worthy of the highest praise. He has destroyed 17 enemyaircraft.”
On27 Sep 1944, McLeod was leading a section of six aircraft of his squadron onhigh patrol as part of the fighter Wing led by Wing Commander James"Johnnie" Johnson over Nijmegen, Netherlands. During the actionMcLeod went missing. Johnson made repeated calls over the R/T, but McLeod didnot answer. After landing, Johnson could see his friend had not returned.Johnson questioned the rest of the pilots and one reported seeing Wally chasinga lone Messerschmitt. Knowing McLeod's character, Johnson believed he wouldhave attacked regardless of the enemy fighter's advantage:
“Ifeel certain that he wouldn't have let go of the 109 until the issue had beendecided one way or the other. There was no other aircraft in the area [thatJohnson had seen] and they must have fought it out together, probably above thecloud. To start with he would have been at a disadvantage, for the 109 wasalready several thousand feet higher. I think the Messerschmitt got him. It wasalways all or nothing for Wally.”
Theremains of his Spitfire Mk. IX (Serial No. NH425) were discovered in Sep 1949.McLeod was still in the wreckage of his Spitfire, in the outskirts of Wesel,near Duisburg, just inside the German border. He was buried in the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission cemetery at Rheinberg. McLeod may have been shot down byMajor Siegfried Freytag of Jagdgeschwader 77 flying a Bf 109, who claimed onthis day, the only Spitfire shot down in the Duisburg area near Wesel for his101st victory.
In September 2002, a building at 15 Wing, CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, was namedfor Henry Wallace McLeod. A McLeod Street in Regina's industrial district isjointly named for him and for broadcaster Jim McLeod (no relation). (Wikipedia)
