Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 12th, 1943

"One night in January 1943, Flight Sergeant MacFarlane was captain of an aircraft which was attacked by three Junkers 88. When returning from an operational sortie the mid-upper gunner was killed, the rear gunner severely wounded and the aircraft was badly damaged. Flight Sergeant MacFarlane took violent evasive action and succeeded in shaking off the enemy aircraft. Shortly afterwards the bomber was held by searchlights and engaged by intense anti-aircraft fire, and height was lost down to 4,000 feet in avoiding further damage. Soon afterwards a formation of five hostile fighters was sighted but when they attempted to attack Flight Sergeant MacFarlane skilfully avoided them. By masterly airmanship this airman extricated his aircraft from a perilous situation and flew it safely back to this country."

Invested with DFC at Buckingham Palace, 30 November 1943.