RCAF Aviation History: Major Donald Roderick MacLaren, DSO, MC & Bar, DFC, Croix de Guerre, Compangnonde la Légion d’Honneur
Major Donald Roderick MacLaren, DSO, MC & Bar, DFC, Croix de Guerre, Compangnonde la Légion d’Honneur
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3219005)
Major D.R. MacLaren with a de Havilland D.H.9 aircraft `Leicester' presented to Canada by the Imperial Air Fleet Committee, 21 Jan 1919.
Major Donald Roderick MacLaren, DSO, MC & Bar, DFC, Croix de Guerre, Compangnonde la Légion d’Honneur, born on 28 May 1893 in Ottawa, was credited with 54 victories and, after the war, and helped found the RCAF. MacLaren joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in May 1917, while his brother joined the Royal Navy.
MacLaren completed his training for the RFC at Long Branch, Armour Heights, and Camp Borden in Ontario. He received a commission as a second lieutenantin August, and then travelled to England where he continued his training on advanced aircraft at Number 34 Training Squadron at Turnhill. MacLaren flew Avro 504s, Bristol Scouts, Nieuport 12s, Sopwith Camels, and de Havilland DH 5s. At the end of November, he was sent to thefront to fly with Number 46 Squadron. Hisfirst action over the lines of Flanders occurred on 13 December when he flew aCamel with Number 3 Squadron. MacLarenwas on a patrol with four others on 6 March 1918 flying a Camel when three GermanHannover CL.III two-seat aircraft were spotted 1,000 feet above them. They ascended to meet the German aircraft andinitiated an attack. MacLaren fired about 100 rounds at one aircraft, sendingit into a spin. This was his first recordedvictory. On 10 Mar 1918, he engaged a GermanAlbatros D.V. earning his second victory. MacLaren was then appointed deputyflight leader.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4817972)
Officers of No. 1 Squadron, Canadian Air Force (CAF), standing left to right:Lt W.L. Rutledge, AFC, MM, Lt P.F. Townley, Lt G.R. Howsam, MC (later Air ViceMarshall), unidentified officer, Lt F.V. Heakes (later Air Vice Marshall), LtC.M. McEwen, MC, DFC (later Air Vice Marshall), Lt H.A. Marshal, Lt J. Whitfield,and an unidentified officer. Seated left to right: Capt D.R. MacLaren,DSO, MC, DFC, Capt G.O. Johnson, MC (later Air Marshall), Maj A.E. McKeever,DSO, MC, (CO of the Squadron), Lt J.T. Verner, Capt C.F. Falkenberg, DFC, 13June 1919.
Oneof the greatest offensives by the Germans on the Western Front started on 21Mar 1918. MacLaren conducted a mission that included dropping four 25-pound Cooperbombs on a German long-range run. Hewent on to flame a balloon that was over Biache St. Vaast and continued on thesame day to shoot down two LVG two-seater aircraft. The next day, he shot down two more Germanaircraft over Bullecort, one of which he shared with Captain Marchant. MacLaren shot down or assisted in downingthree more enemy aircraft. On 24 March,he flamed another balloon, and caused a Junkers J.I to go down out of control.
On1 Apr 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service and RFC merged,and the Royal Air Force (RAF) was born. On 6 Apr 1918, the famous Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen, known as theRed Baron, shot down Sydney P. Smith, leader of Number 46 Squadron. Don MacLarenbecame the new captain and leader of the Squadron. Later that month, on 21 Apr 1918, another Canadian, Roy Brown,took part in the downing of the Red Baron. MacLaren increased his number of victories that day when he sent anAlbatros D.V out of control. At the endof March, MacLaren received the Military Cross for the victories he had amassedover the month. May was another very activemonth for MacLaren and when his number of victories jumped up to 32, he wasawarded a bar for his Military Cross. His victories continued to mount rapidly in July and August, resulting in his receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN 3523023)
September and the first week of October continued to be very successful for MacLaren, as his total victories mounted to 48 aircraft and six balloons, which made him the highest scoring Sopwith Camel pilot, and third best of all Canadian aces. On 10 October, Donald MacLaren was having a friendly wrestling match with one of the junior officers in his Squadron when he broke his leg. Unable to fly, MacLaren was posted back to England on 6 Nov 1918. Five days later, on 11 Nov 1918, the war was over as the Germans surrendered. MacLaren was given the Distinguished Service Order on 6 February 1919. Added to the honours he already received, MacLaren was awarded the Croix de Guerre and was made a Compangnon de la Légion d’Honneur by France.
