An Teallach
3rd Sep 2005, 12:33
From Dogfight to Diplomacy: A Spitfire Pilot’s Log 1932 – 1958
The memoirs of the late Air Cdre Donald MacDonell CB DFC RAF edited by Lois MacDonell & Anne Mackay will be released on 20 October 05 and can already be ordered through Amazon.
This is a story of both human fortitude and vulnerability during the life of an RAF officer who was born in Baku, flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain, was a prisoner in the 'Wooden Horse' camp, coped with bringing up a family without their mentally-ill mother, learnt Russian and became Air Attaché in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. He was also the 22nd Chief of the MacDonells of Glengarry.
MacDonell's Service career began in the 1930s when he studied at RAF Cranwell. After a spell at No 54 Squadron he went on detachment to the Fleet Air Arm and was posted to the Middle East and Malta. Shortly before the war he was promoted to Squadron Leader and worked at the Air Ministry during the Phoney War.
When hostilities commenced he became CO of No 64 Squadron at RAF Kenley, B Sector HQ in 11 Group, Fighter Command carrying out convoy support operations and eventually fighting in the Battle of Britain over Kent. Having won the DFC as one of 'the few', he took command of a squadron at Leconfield to train urgently required new pilots before being posted to RAF Hornchurch.
He was shot down over the English Channel and was rescued by a U-boat. This resulted in a lengthy period spent at several PoW camps in enemy occupied Europe and Germany. During this period he was involved with the famous 'Wooden Horse' escape and was eventually freed by advancing Russian troops.
Upon his return to the UK he was promoted Wing Commander and worked on the Cabinet Office staff before moving to Headquarters Flying Training Command. He was then appointed Chief Flying Instructor at Cranwell before successfully applying for the post of British Air Attaché in Moscow. Here he met the legendary leaders of post-war Russia, Khrushchev, Bulganin and Mikoyan and assisted in the organisation of the first civilian flights between London and Moscow.
Although he was involved in some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century, MacDonell constantly understates this. The memoir has many amusing anecdotes as well as some honest revelations about his love life, personal problems and stresses. It will appeal to those who enjoy detailed flying descriptions, personal observations of conditions in POW camps and first-hand observations of the 'Long March' and of repatriation.
In the Mediterranean with the Fleet Air Arm pre-war as well as in post-war in appointments varying from the Cabinet Office to the Joint Services Staff College, MacDonell makes some pertinent comments on the workings of the RAF. The time spent in Moscow will fascinate many readers, especially with the 'post-script' in Brussels on his way home. It is all too easy to underestimate the hardship he endured whilst captive and the significant part he played in battle and then in diplomatic circles.
I hope fellow PPRuNERs will forgive this blatant but worthy advert, posted with the kind permission of the Wee Weasly Welshman. The book can be ordered through the following Amazon links, or if using a local supplier, the ISBN is 1844153207 and the publisher is Pen & Sword. Donald was very well respected by all who knew him and I'm certainly looking forward to receiving my copy.
Amazon.co.uk (currently £13.99) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844153207/theclandonald-21/026-4754892-1294002?creative=6394&camp=1406&link_code=as1)
Amazon.com (No price quoted yet) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844153207/theclandonald-20/002-3632094-7994430?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1)
Amazon.ca (currently CDN$ 43.74) (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844153207/theclandona04-20/701-0485913-9182769?creative=330649&camp=8641&link_code=as1)
The memoirs of the late Air Cdre Donald MacDonell CB DFC RAF edited by Lois MacDonell & Anne Mackay will be released on 20 October 05 and can already be ordered through Amazon.
This is a story of both human fortitude and vulnerability during the life of an RAF officer who was born in Baku, flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain, was a prisoner in the 'Wooden Horse' camp, coped with bringing up a family without their mentally-ill mother, learnt Russian and became Air Attaché in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. He was also the 22nd Chief of the MacDonells of Glengarry.
MacDonell's Service career began in the 1930s when he studied at RAF Cranwell. After a spell at No 54 Squadron he went on detachment to the Fleet Air Arm and was posted to the Middle East and Malta. Shortly before the war he was promoted to Squadron Leader and worked at the Air Ministry during the Phoney War.
When hostilities commenced he became CO of No 64 Squadron at RAF Kenley, B Sector HQ in 11 Group, Fighter Command carrying out convoy support operations and eventually fighting in the Battle of Britain over Kent. Having won the DFC as one of 'the few', he took command of a squadron at Leconfield to train urgently required new pilots before being posted to RAF Hornchurch.
He was shot down over the English Channel and was rescued by a U-boat. This resulted in a lengthy period spent at several PoW camps in enemy occupied Europe and Germany. During this period he was involved with the famous 'Wooden Horse' escape and was eventually freed by advancing Russian troops.
Upon his return to the UK he was promoted Wing Commander and worked on the Cabinet Office staff before moving to Headquarters Flying Training Command. He was then appointed Chief Flying Instructor at Cranwell before successfully applying for the post of British Air Attaché in Moscow. Here he met the legendary leaders of post-war Russia, Khrushchev, Bulganin and Mikoyan and assisted in the organisation of the first civilian flights between London and Moscow.
Although he was involved in some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century, MacDonell constantly understates this. The memoir has many amusing anecdotes as well as some honest revelations about his love life, personal problems and stresses. It will appeal to those who enjoy detailed flying descriptions, personal observations of conditions in POW camps and first-hand observations of the 'Long March' and of repatriation.
In the Mediterranean with the Fleet Air Arm pre-war as well as in post-war in appointments varying from the Cabinet Office to the Joint Services Staff College, MacDonell makes some pertinent comments on the workings of the RAF. The time spent in Moscow will fascinate many readers, especially with the 'post-script' in Brussels on his way home. It is all too easy to underestimate the hardship he endured whilst captive and the significant part he played in battle and then in diplomatic circles.
I hope fellow PPRuNERs will forgive this blatant but worthy advert, posted with the kind permission of the Wee Weasly Welshman. The book can be ordered through the following Amazon links, or if using a local supplier, the ISBN is 1844153207 and the publisher is Pen & Sword. Donald was very well respected by all who knew him and I'm certainly looking forward to receiving my copy.
Amazon.co.uk (currently £13.99) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844153207/theclandonald-21/026-4754892-1294002?creative=6394&camp=1406&link_code=as1)
Amazon.com (No price quoted yet) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844153207/theclandonald-20/002-3632094-7994430?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1)
Amazon.ca (currently CDN$ 43.74) (http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844153207/theclandona04-20/701-0485913-9182769?creative=330649&camp=8641&link_code=as1)