Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

No. 1 Special Force, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

June 21st, 1945

Recommendation:
“Volunteer for a mission behind enemy lines, Major MacDonald parachuted into France on the 21st July (1944) to co-ordinate the activities of missions in the Massif Central. He acted as British adviser to General de Gaulle’s Military Delegate in the Southern zone. His tact and understanding were valuable in reconciling divergent opinions, and preventing the spread of political quarrels which threatened the effective operation of patriot groups. Major MacDonald travelled throughout the Massif Central in uniform and in civilian clothes, covering both the large towns and the forces in the maquis. His position as a British Officer standing outside local politics, enabled him to render considerable assistance to the French Military Delegate, who placed great confidence in his judgement. Major MacDonald kept Headquarters fully informed on the local situation and on enemy troop dispositions. The wide range of his activities made his reports on enemy and patriot morale of immediate value. His despatches constituted one of the principal sources of the bulletins of Radio Nations Unies aimed at undermining German morale. When the area was cleared of the enemy, he was of considerable assistance in the maintenance of order and the re-establishment of local administration. The work of Major MacDonald and the officers under him, facilitated the liberation of a large area of France, and contributed to the present French feeling of admiration and warm affection for the British people. I recommend that this Officer be appointed a Member of the British Empire.”

This mission was named SOE Cherokee mission and MacDonald was dropped together with Pat Amoore, Jim Bell,and radio operator Tony Birch.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

No. 1 Special Force, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

October 4th, 1945

Citation:
"Major MACDONALD was dropped by parachute into enemy territory on 17 November 44 as leader of the first British Mission to be dropped into the Northern PIEDMONT area. He quickly made contact with the local partisans and through his help and leadership and with the supply sorties by air which he arranged, the partisans soon increased greatly in strength and agressiveness.
This, as usual, caused the enemy to take action against the partisans and for several weeks Major MACDONALD and his Mission were continually on the run hunted and hounded from place to place.
During this period of extreme hardship and danger he was at all times an inspiration to those around him and it was almost entirely due to his efforts that the partisans were able to reform again after the German drive was temporarily over. Major MACDONALD in order to rally the partisans made many journeys trhough the midst of the German garrisons in order to contact again the various partisan leaders in his area. In this he showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, his sole object at that time being to complete his task in order to strike again at the enemy forces.

On 17 Jan 45, Major MACDONALD whilst on one of these excursions had the misfortune to be ambushed by an enemy patrol. One of his Italian Lieutenants was badly wounded and Major MACDONALD in his efforts to save him was himself taken prisoner.

Major MACDONALD'S sole thought after capture was that he must escape. He decided to appear as a model prisoner in order to give the enemy te impression that he would not try to escape. After numerous interrogations Major MACDONALD was moved to MANTUA always behaving as a model prisoner. On 2 March he successfully escaped from the camp he was in by climbing the barbed wire whilst the guards back was turned. He made his way in civilian clothes into the Alpine regions and by contacting one of the Allied Missions operating in that area he requested permission to return to his former area to continue with his activities with the partisan forces. Owing to the length of time this officer had been prisoner and the desirability of his returning to Base for interrogation this was refused and he returned to Base through SWITZERLAND.

This officer has shown the highest sense of duty and outstanding bravery over many months. During his period in enemy occupied territory as a Mission Leader, during his period of captivity, and after his escape, this officer displayed courage and initiative of the highest order and he is strongly recommended for the award of the Immediate Military Cross."

Signed by Lieutenent-Colonel Richard Thornton Hewitt
6 Jul 45.

LG 37293/4885.
This was know as SOE Cherokee mission on which MacDonald was joined by Pat Amoore and Jim Bell, the radio operator.

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)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1980

"For the people of Biella- who have always fought domination and injustice, in line with the glorious tradition of the Risorgimento, the Resistance was just a way to reassert their attachment to freedom and to the irrepressible human rights. Thousands of Jews, Italian soldiers and Allies managed to escape deportation thanks to the help of the generous population, whose support was decisive to the partisan forces. What makes Biella Resistance even more effective and important is the daily heroic fight, despite the cruel rounding-ups and barbarian reprisals, the sabotage of the Nazi production, the manufacture of arms for the Partisans, military actions in connection with the Allies. The struggle for independence, which ended with the unconditional surrender in Biella of the German Army and the allied fascist divisions Monterosa and Littorio, claimed 667 lives and left 313 disabled."

Document No 6519