Extract from Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Models C-47, C-47A, C-47B, and Navy Models R4D-1, R4D-5, R4D-6 and British models Dakota 1, Dakota 111, Dakota 1V airplanes: Page 34. Date 20 November 1944 and revised 5 February 1945
Starting: Simultaneously move the engine starter safety switch to the On position and the right engine starter switch to Start position. When the engine starter has reached full speed, hold the engine starter safety switch in the On position and move the right engine starter switch to the MESH position.
After one complete revolution of the propeller, turn the ignition switch On and right engine ignition switch to the Both position. Without hesitation push the right carburetor mixture control to the AUTO RICH position. Return the control to IDLE CUT-OFf position if the engine does not start within five seconds. Operate the fuel pressure wobble pump (if installed) until the engine runs smoothly. Resume the priming operation if necessary. Adjust the throttle so that the right tachometer indicates between 600 and 800 rpm. Engine warm up - operate the engine at 800-1000 rpm until engine oil temp is 40 degrees C and CHT 120 degrees C min.
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Fast forward to RAF Pilot's Notes for Dakota Mk 1V and reproduced by permission of United Staes Government. Air Ministry June 1946. A.P. 2445D
Starting (page 22): Have each engine turned by hand for at least two revolutions of the propeller in order to overcome the possibility of hydraulic shock damage.
Then for each engine in turn:
Switch on the fuel booster pump and prime the engine by giving 2-4 flicks of the primer, keeping it depressed for periods of about one second at a time. Switch on the ignition. Energise the starter for about ten seconds. Keep the energising switch on and mesh the starter. When the engine fires and picks up speed, release the switches and move the mixture control to Auto rich: continue priming as required until the engine is running smoothly, but if it shows sign of over-richness, stop priming and return the mixture control to Idle Cut-Off for a few seconds.
If the engine fails to pick up: stop priming and return the mixture immediately to Idle Cut-Off. Wait until the propeller stops rotating. Switch Off the ignition. Close the switches to engage the flywheel with the engine, thus ensurung the flywheel stops, then release the switches. Have the propeller turned forward through at least half a revolution by hand to disengage the flywheel from the engine. If the engine has been over-primed, open the throttle and have the propeller turned by hand through several revolutions.
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Every pilot and engineer has his own pet starting method as we have seen in earlier posts but the above info is as "official" as you can get.