McFarlane, Robert
- Date of birth:
- July 12th, 1914
- Date of death:
- May 19th, 2004
- Service number:
- 111222
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Robert McFarlane was a pre-war member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was called up on the outbreak of war, joined No. 83 Squadron, flying Hampdens, in March 1941, participating in nine operations. Converting to Manchesters at the end of the year, McFarlane completed a further 23 operations with 83 Squadron, including the attack on the German battleships in February 1942, in which his rear gunner was seriously wounded and afterwards died. Leaving No. 83 Squadron in mid-March 1942, McFarlane spent the remainder of the year with No. 83 Conversion Flight and No. 1654 Conversion Unit, mostly non-operational but taking part in one more operation, on 13 September, when he flew his Lancaster in a raid on Bremen. Between April and July 1943, he served with No. 9 Squadron at Bardney, flying on eight more Lancaster raids against targets in Germany. McFarlane was given command of No. 50 Squadron in July 1943, and, although his duties kept him for the most part grounded, he managed to lead his squadron on four night raids into Germany.
In the post-war years, McFarlane logged a great number of hours flying Meteors, Canberras and Vampires, and saw service with Bomber Command in South East Asia, the Mediterranean, and with S.H.A.P.E. Promoted to Group Captain on 1 July 1956, he was Station Commander in Germany at R.A.F. Wahn and subsequently R.A.F. Gütersloh.
McFarlane retired from the Royal Air Force on 30 June 1962.
Promotions:
November 3rd, 1941: Pilot Officer (probation/emergency)
October 1st, 1942: Flying Officer (probatiion/war sub)
Ocotber 1st, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
November 11th, 1943: Squadron Leader )war sub)
September 1st, 1945: Appointment to commission as Squadron Leader
?: Wing Commander
July 1st, 1956: Group Captain
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Pilot Officer
- Unit:
- No. 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- January 30th, 1942
"Pilot Officer, No. 83 Squadron. When returning from a mine-laying sortie in the Oslo area Pilot Officer McFarlane bombed a small ship and set it on fire; then he returned and sprayed the deck with machine gun fire. His courage and determination have had a marked influence on his comrades."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Pilot Officer
- Unit:
- No. 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- April 10th, 1942
"On 12th February, 1942, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which participated in an attack on the German warships at sea. When approaching the battleships at an altitude of 500 feet, his aircraft was attacked by two enemy fighters whose pilots made three separate attacks. The hydraulic system was rendered unserviceable and the bomb doors could not be opened. Unaware of the damage sustained, Pilot Officer McFarlane skilfully evaded his attackers and made his run over the battleships. His aircraft was thereupon subjected to a fierce barrage and sustained further damage. The port and starboard rudders were pierced in innumerable places and large gaps were torn in the fuselage by shell-fire. Meanwhile, the elevator cables had been damaged and were only holding by two strands of wire. Nevertheless, Pilot Officer McFarlane flew the aircraft back to this country and finally made a safe landing. Throughout, this officer showed great skill, courage and determination."
Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Awarded on:
- June 2nd, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Unit:
- No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- January 7th, 1944
"This officer has commanded the squadron since July, 1943, and shown exceptional powers of leadership. He has done much to raise the standard of operational efficiency to a high level which has been accomplished by the emulation of his own example. Wing Commander McFarlane is now serving in his second tour of operational duty and has taken part in attacks on most of the enemy’s heavily defended objectives. His sterling services are worthy of high praise."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Awarded on:
- January 14th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Pilot Officer
- Awarded on:
- January 1st, 1943
Sources
- - Fourt Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35439 published on the 27 January 1942
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35518 published on the 7 April 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35841 published on the 29 December 1942
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36033 published on the 28 May 1943
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36319 published on the 4 January 1944
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
- Dix Nooman Web
- The Telegraph - Obituaries
- CLAN MACFARLANE - Descendants and associated families
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