No 46 Squadron Aces

Text Box: No 46 Squadron RFC and RAF We Rise to Conquer

In November 1917, Lieutenant, later Major, Donald MacLaren joined the Squadron. His first dogfight was not until February 1918; however, in the 9 remaining months of the War he was credited with shooting down 48 aeroplanes and 6 balloons making him one of the top fighter aces. He is tied 6^th in the Allied lists with the South African Allan Beauchamp-Proctor and the Frenchman Georges Guynemer and is tied in 8^th spot for all fighter pilots in WWI. Only Manfred von Richthofen, Rene Fonck, Edward Mannock, William Bishop, Ernst Udet, Raymond Collishaw, and James McCudden are higher on the list.

He was injured in a Mess wrestling match in late 1918, when he left hospital he was attached to the newly formed Royal Canadian Air Force and was in command of the Canadian pilots in England as they were transferred to the new air force. He returned to Canada on leave in late 1919, when he married Verna Harrison of Calgary. He returned to England in February 1920, but resigned from the RCAF later that year. He returned to Canada and formed Pacific Airways which was eventually acquired by Western Canada Airways.

He died in July 1989.

By November 1918, 46 Squadron had claimed 184 air victories, creating 17 aces'

No 46 Squadron Aces

Picture is by Leslie Stonell showing No 46 Sqn Sopwith Pups in action over France in June 1917. Limited edition prints (14”X20”) available direct from the artist @£25 inc P&P.

29 Ridgeway, Gidea Park, Romford RM2 5BT

This picture shows McLaren attacking a D.VII in Camel F2137 U of 46 Sqn. The painting is by Ivan Berryman and is available for £60 at
Cranson Fine Arts. Copyright acknowledged

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