Date of birth:

April 1st, 1919 (Styal/Cheshire, Great Britain)

Date of death:

July 31st, 1943 (France)

Service number:

39639

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

In November 1939 James Maclachlan was posted at No. 88 Squadron in France which was equipped with Fairey Battles. During the Battle of France, the unit suffered heavy losses. After the retreat to England, he transferred to Fighter Command. In November 1940 he led six Hurricanes off the HMS Argus to fly to Malta and posted to No. 261 Squadron became very active in the efforts to defend the island from German planes. On February 16th, 1941 Maclachan was shot down by a Me109. He managed to bale out but was wounded very seriously on his left arm which had to be amputated. Sixteen days later he was back flying. And after an artificial arm had been fitted he was posted to command No. 1 Squadron with wich he made several confirmed claims.
In July 192 he was taken off operations and posted to an operational training unit after which he made a lecture tour in the USA.
While serving with the Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) at Wittering, he often flew unofficial sorties in the new North American Mustang, usually with fellow 'ace' Geoffrey Page. On 29 June the duo participated in the destruction of six aircraft (four Hs 126's and two 6 Ju-88's) in a single sortie south of Paris.
On his next mission on 18 July 1943 his Mustang FD442 was either hit by ground fire when crossing the French coast in the Dieppe area or suffered engine problems and crash-landed, with MacLachlan critically injured. He was taken prisoner, and died on 31 July 1943.
He is buried in Route de Caen Communal Cemetery, Pont L'Eveque in France.

Promotions:
May 3th, 1937: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
? Pilot Officer
October 1st, 1939: Flying Officer
October 1st, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
December 1st, 1941: Squadron Leader

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Awarded on:

July 16th, 1940

Received for his activities in France as a bomber pilot.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

Reserve of Air Force Officers

Awarded on:

February 11th, 1941

Citation:
"During intensive operations one day in January, 1941, this officer destroyed four and possibly five enemy aircraft. Ten days previously he destroyed two enemy aircraft one of which he had pursued for many miles out to sea. Flight Lieutenant MacLachlan has set a fine example of courage, initiative and leadership."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 1 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 29th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

August 11th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

Reserve of Air Force Officers

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1943

Citation:
"Recently these officers in the course of an operation over enemy occupied territory shot down six enemy aircraft three of which were destroyed by Sqn. Ldr. MacLachlan and two by Fit. Lt. Page, while the other was destroyed jointly. The operation was planned by Sqn. Ldr. MacLachlan."

Third DFC awarded as second bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

• Photo 1:
• - The London Gazette Issue 34898 published on the 16 July 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35073 published on the 11 February 1941
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35577 published on the 26 May 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35661 published on the 7 August 1942
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36113 published on the 27 July 1943