Memorable Operations

Duty consisted of escorting C47’s and Dakotas on supply dropping missions; taking Vultee Vengeance dive bombers on ops, and some convoy - patrols ops. The squadron was exposed to Japanese raids aimed at Calcutta, Chittagong and elswhere but the Spits got most of the action, with the Hurricanes acting as cover and support if needed. In the army support role, Mal says that the four 20mm cannon were devastating in destroying enemy vehicles, buildings and boats. Long range tanks were fitted but Mal says they were needed only on one occassion, to bring liquor in from Calcutta, twenty, 26 ounce bottles in each tank.

In March 1944, Mal’s squadron was pulled out, sent to Calcutta, and then transferred to Yelahanka near Bangalore where they converted to P47 Thunderbolts. Mal describes it as a fanctastic a/c - fitted with eight Browning .5 machine guns, and weighing when loaded more than six tons. He says the P47 was comfortable to sit in and fly because of the spacious “office”, and with plenty of armour and armament for protection. It even had, he says a heater that worked well at 30,000 ft. Mal’s task on the Imphal front was close army support, bombing and strafing with 500lb. bombs and machine guns. They encountered little enemy opposition in the air but ground fire from the Japanese could be deadly. Squadron operations followed followed the southward movement of the army, seeking out enemy airfields for harrasing. On several occassions, Mal liaised with the USAAF when they flew B25’s, not always with great results if the B25’s were late and the fighters had to withdraw when low on fuel. Ground fire took out many B25’s unfortunately Mal relates.  In April, 1945 Mal was posted to Egypt as a P47 instructor, arriving on VE Day. He was given the chance for leave in Canada with the prospect of going to the Far East, arriving back in August.
He was a member of #5 & # 261 Squadrons and was stationed at Kharqpur, Chittagong, Chiringa, Baighachi, Calcutta, Yelanhanka, Khumbirgram and Wangjing.  He was Demobed in Toronto on September 13, 1945.

Post War

Completed secondary education, entered U. of Toronto graduating in Forestry. Then qualified as an Ontario Land Surveyor and worked with the Ontario Hydro until Retirement
Mal married Louise in 1952 and have two daughters, two sons and nine grandchildren.