MacDONALD, F/L Harry Burns (J15644) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.35 Squadron - Award effective 7 May 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13 May 1943 and AFRO 1035/43 dated 4 June 1943. Born in Florence, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, 29 May 1915. Home in Sackville, New Brunswick; store clerk, window trimmer and show card writer; employed by Sydney Colliers for four years as payroll clerk; enlisted in Halifax, 18 October 1940. To No.1 ITS, 13 January 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 20 February 1941; posted that date to No.11 EFTS; graduated and posted to No.4 Manning Depot, graduated 22 April 1941; to No.8 SFTS, 2 May 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 27 July 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 28 July 1941; to RAF overseas, 14 August 1941. To No.19 OTU, 14 October 1941. To No.51 Squadron, 16 January 1942. To No.35 Squadron, 20 March 1942. Commissioned 19 July 1942. Promoted Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant, 28 September 1942. To Pathfinder Night Training Unit, 6 August 1943. To Air Fighting Development Unit, 1 September 1943. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 October 1943. Repatriated to Canada, 4 March 1944; to Western Air Command, 15 April 1945; released 30 October 1945. Flew two tours. Died in Vancouver, 23 July 1956 as per British Columbia Vital Statistics. Flight Lieutenant MacDonald has completed a large number of operational sorties against the enemy's most heavily defended targets. On all occasions he has displayed skill and determination of the highest order. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8950 has recommendation dated 20 March 1943 when he had flown 30 sorties (158 operational hours): 21 January 1942 - Emden 13 March 1942 - Boulogne 8 April 1942 - Hamburg 14 April 1942 - Essen 29 May 1942 - Gennevilliers 30 May 1942 - Cologne 1 June 1942 - Essen 25 June 1942 - Bremen 27 June 1942 - Le Mans 29 June 1942 - Tours 2 July 1942 - Bremen 8 July 1942 - Wilhelmshaven 13 July 1942 - Duisburg 31 July 1942 - Dusseldorf 4 August 1942 - Essen 6 August 1942 - Duisburg 24 August 1942 - Frankfurt 28 August 1942 - Nuremberg 2 Sept 1942 - Karlsruhe 6 Sept 1942 - Duisburg 13 October 1942 - Kiel 9 November 1942 - Hamburg 20 November 1942 - Turin 28 November 1942 - Turin 6 December 1942 - Mannheim 20 December 1942 - Duisburg 30 January 1943 - Hamburg 11 February 1943 - Wilhelmshaven 14 February 1943 - Cologne 19 February 1943 - Wilhelmshaven Flight Lieutenant MacDonald has completed a large number of successful attacks against the heaviest and most hotly defended targets. He has invariably returned with clockwork regularity having successfully bombed his target. On several occasions recently he has operated in a most important role showing the same skill and success. In recognition, Flight Lieutenant MacDonald is recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. This was duly endorsed by the Officer Commanding, Station Wyton (22 March 1943) and by the Air Officer Commanding, No.8 Group (28 March 1943). The website “Lost Bombers” describes an incident in his career: 13/14 July 1942, Halifax W7761 (TL-N), target Duisburg. This was one of two No.35 Squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation (the other was W1154). It was airborne at 0012 hours, 14 July 1942 from Linton-on-Ouse. Over Duisburg the bomb release mechanism failed and the Halifax returned with its two 4,000lb bomb load intact. All attempts to jettison failed and the aircraft was abandoned at 0500 near Harrogate. Left to its own devices, the Halifax rolled onto its back, caught fire and crashed 0520 at Burn Bridge, Bracckenthwaite near Knaresborough, Yorkshire. In the last few seconds before impact, the bomb load released and exploded approximately one mile from the crash site. No injuries reported. Crew consisted of Sergeant H.B.MacDonald RCAF, P/O Baker, Sergeant Whitter, Sergeant Ely, P/O Freedman and Sergeant Jones. Notes: Keenly interested in flying; in applying to enlist stated he had built about 50 model airplanes, and that he drew and painted them. “It has always been my ambition to make flying my career, above all to become a pilot in the air force. So far this has been denied, but I hope to become a pilot and help do my duty as a Canadian.” Flying incident, 22 June 1942, No.35 Squadron, Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax II, serial W1159, non-operational, day. Repairable at unit. “The accident occurred while making a cross wind landing. I corrected for the drift by yawing into wind and touched down on the right hand edge of runway. Immediately aircraft started to swing to port; I corrected, probably overcorrected and the starboard wheel got off the runway into soft ground, Immediately aircraft swung to starboard and headed for some concrete drain pipes. The brakes were useless as far as swinging the aircraft round and I did not want to use the engines because I was too near the concrete drain pipes, so I cut the petrol and switches. The aircraft’s starboard wheel hit concrete pipe or pot hole and the aircraft ground looped and came to rest.” Assessed as an error in judgement due to inexperience. Incident, 31 July/1 August 1942, Halifax W1019, operation to Dusseldorf. The temperature of port inner engine steadily increased until 120 degrees registered on return flight, He feathered the engine and returned on three engines. Weather was dirty to he diverted to Cottesmore where visibility was good, Landed well; on examination the header tank was found empty of glycol due to leak in the radiator. Incident, 5 October 1942, Halifax DT489, operational flight. Encountered severe electrical thunder storm. A flash of lightning blinded the Engineer, causing him so much pain that the operation was abandoned. Only superficial damage to aeroplane, Crew (all RAF) were 1331106 Sergeant R.E. Wilkes (second pilot, 120393 P/O J. Baker (navigator), 1059518 Sergeant E. Whitter (WOP/AG), 1335515 Sergeant J.R. Ely (AG), 1270179 Sergeant G. Carpenter (tail gunner) and 610981 Sergeant J.E. Jones (flight engineer, injured). Application for Operational Wing dated 24 December 1943 stated he had flown 45 sorties, 18 January 1942 to 25 July 1943 (873 hours 35 minutes to date, operational and non-operational). Training: Interviewed in Halifax, 18 October 1940 - “Good type for aircrew. Strongly recommended for pilot.” Course at No.1 Initial Training School was 18 January to 20 February 1941. Courses in Mathematics (70/100), Armament, practical and oral (86/100), Drill (81/100), Law and Discipline (54/60), Hygiene and Sanitation (47/40) and Signals (93/100). Placed 48th in a class of 112. “Excellent pilot type. Enthused, keen and eager. This airman is very serious and conscientious. Instills a high degree of confidence and was very interested in his work .” Course at No.11 EFTS was 22 February to 22 April 1941. Fleet Finch aircraft - 28 hours 55 minutes dual (excluding instrument dual),40.10 solo, 6.30 instrument flying plus 10.25 in Link Trainer. “When this man wants to, he is really good, but at other times he seem to lose all interest in his flying. At the start he was very cocky but this attitude disappeared gradually. Due to his general deportment, this man is recommended for a commission. He should be a good leader.” (P.M. Boisvert, Chief Flying Instructor). Ground school marks were in Airmanship (137/200), Airframes (82/100), Aero Engines (75/100), Signals, practical (100/100), Theory of Flight (80/100), Air Navigation (171/200), Armament, oral (178/200), Qualities as Officer (195/200). Placed tenth in a class of 25. “Exceptional ability. Very industrious and co-operative. Very likeable personality. Excellent officer material.” Course at No.8 SFTS was 4 May to 27 July 1941. Avro Anson aircraft - 47.20 day dual, 38.35 day solo, 4.25 night dual, 5.35 night solo. Flew 22.20 on instruments and logged 20 hours in Link. “Tends to be nervous and rough on control. Had difficulty with the Anson and his progress has been slow but steady.” Ground courses in Airmanship and Maintenance (131/200), Armament, written (76/100), Armament, practical (75/100), Navigation and Meteorology (116/200), Signals, written (87/100), Signals, practical (48/5/50). Placed 21st in a class of 40. “Very eager and willing but will probably have difficulty with a new type of aircraft.” In No.35 Conversion Flight, 6-18 June 1942, flew 9.30 day dual, 10.05 day solo, 1.45 night dual, 1.50 night solo, assessed “Average”. Assessments: “Flight Lieutenant Macdonald has carried out 43 operational sorties as captain of aircraft and possesses average ability as a pilot and above average ability as Deputy Flight Commander “ (W/C D.F.E. Dean, 31 July 1943. He had then flown 866 hours 42 minutes, 158.37 in previous six months.) To this, G/C R.V. Robinson adds, “An average Captain and Officer.” “An average pilot who has no outstanding qualities or faults.” (W/C D.F.E. Dean, 2 September 1943 when he had flown 908 hours, 121 in previous six months). “Has set a high standard of ability and his organizing power is outstanding. Is a good mixer and a most popular officer.” (S/L R.F. Robinson, 12 March 1944). “Cannot be employed on operational duties outside of Canada, having completed two operational tours outside of Canada.” (memo dated 20 March 1944, G/C T.C. Macfarlane, DPC) “Past experience on two operational tours should qualify this officer for Flight Commander duties in a heavy bomber unit. When this officer reported from overseas in April 1944, he was obviously feeling the strain of flying as a result of two operational tours just completed, during which he was awarded the DFC. In addition, he has qualified for the Pathfinder Badge. F/L Macdonald now shows marked benefit from his change of environment and is rapidly settling down to staff duties. He is a conscientious, keen and loyal type who has a pleasant personality, is popular with his messmates and temperate in habits. I consider this officer is suitable in every respect for promotion to Acting Squadron Leader.” (G/C R. Halley, Western Ait Command Headquarters, 5 July 1944). Recommended for promotion to Acting Squadron Leader and appointment as instructor at a Heavy Bomber OTU - “A keen, capable and loyal officer who is making progress on staff duties. Has distinguished himself on operations overseas and awarded the DFC and Pathfinder badge.” (G/C R. Halley, Western Ait Command Headquarters, 10 October 1944).