HughAHalliday
7th February 2022, 13:50
DONALDSON, Arthur Hay, S/L AFC (34150, Royal Air Force) - No.263 Squadron - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 September 1941.
This officer has shown himself to be an excellent leader and has carried out seven offensive operations against the enemy over Northern France and Belgium. During these operations he has destroyed and damaged a number of aircraft on the ground and inflicted considerable damage to buildings and dispersal pens. Once while returning to base with his squadron, he attacked six anti-aircraft barges, one of which was sunk and three damaged. Squadron Leader Donaldson has by his leadership, gallantry and initiative in action, set an excellent example and is largely responsible for the successful operations carried out by his squadron.
AIR 2/8858 has recommendation dated 15 August 1941.
In operations against the enemy, S/L Donaldson has shown himself to be an excellent leader and has carried out seven offensive operations against the enemy over Northern France and Belgium, and in addition to the following aircraft destroyed and damaged, he has done considerable damage to buildings and dispersal pens on enemy aerodromes. On 5/8/41, during an attack on Maupertus aerodrome, S/L Donaldson destroyed 1 Ju.89 and damaged 3 or 4 Ju.87s and 1 Me.109, all on the ground. On 6/8/41, he damaged 2 tankers and destroyed 1 Ju.87 on the ground. Again on 6/8/41, during an offensive operation with three other aircraft, S/L Donaldson encountered 20 Me.109s and he damaged 1 of these. On 12/8/41, S/L Donaldson took part in a further operation against the enemy when his squadron escorted Blenheims as far as Doel, and on the homeward journey attacked 6 flak barges, one of which was sunk and 3 were damaged.
S/L Donaldson’s leadership and initiative in action have been an excellent example to the remainder of the squadron and there is no doubt that his gallantry in action against the enemy has been largely responsible for the successful operations carried out by his Squadron.
(Signed by Group Captain (Harvey), Group Captain, Commanding R.A.F. Station, Colerne, 15.8.41)
“Strongly recommended for the Immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” (Signed by Air Vice-Marshal, Air Officer Commanding, No. 10 Group, R.A.F., 17.8.41)
“Approved.” (Signed by Air Marshal, (Douglas), Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, 20.8.41)
This officer has shown himself to be an excellent leader and has carried out seven offensive operations against the enemy over Northern France and Belgium. During these operations he has destroyed and damaged a number of aircraft on the ground and inflicted considerable damage to buildings and dispersal pens. Once while returning to base with his squadron, he attacked six anti-aircraft barges, one of which was sunk and three damaged. Squadron Leader Donaldson has by his leadership, gallantry and initiative in action, set an excellent example and is largely responsible for the successful operations carried out by his squadron.
AIR 2/8858 has recommendation dated 15 August 1941.
In operations against the enemy, S/L Donaldson has shown himself to be an excellent leader and has carried out seven offensive operations against the enemy over Northern France and Belgium, and in addition to the following aircraft destroyed and damaged, he has done considerable damage to buildings and dispersal pens on enemy aerodromes. On 5/8/41, during an attack on Maupertus aerodrome, S/L Donaldson destroyed 1 Ju.89 and damaged 3 or 4 Ju.87s and 1 Me.109, all on the ground. On 6/8/41, he damaged 2 tankers and destroyed 1 Ju.87 on the ground. Again on 6/8/41, during an offensive operation with three other aircraft, S/L Donaldson encountered 20 Me.109s and he damaged 1 of these. On 12/8/41, S/L Donaldson took part in a further operation against the enemy when his squadron escorted Blenheims as far as Doel, and on the homeward journey attacked 6 flak barges, one of which was sunk and 3 were damaged.
S/L Donaldson’s leadership and initiative in action have been an excellent example to the remainder of the squadron and there is no doubt that his gallantry in action against the enemy has been largely responsible for the successful operations carried out by his Squadron.
(Signed by Group Captain (Harvey), Group Captain, Commanding R.A.F. Station, Colerne, 15.8.41)
“Strongly recommended for the Immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” (Signed by Air Vice-Marshal, Air Officer Commanding, No. 10 Group, R.A.F., 17.8.41)
“Approved.” (Signed by Air Marshal, (Douglas), Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, 20.8.41)