Squadron Leader James MacLachlan, the one-armed Commanding Officer of No 1 Squadron RAF, standing beside his all-black Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC night fighter, 'JX-Q', at RAF Tangmere, Sussex England - 1942
The Hurricane is sporting his personal emblem showing his amputated arm waving a 'V' sign
MacLachlan originally flew bombers in France in 1940, but transferred to fighters in June 1940 and shot down 6 enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain
He joined No. 261 Squadron RAF in Malta, as a flight commander, and was shot down in February 1941, as a result of which his left arm was amputated
He quickly returned to operations after being fitted with an specialized artificial limb, flying with No. 73 Squadron in North Africa, but in July 1941 returned to the UK to take command of No. 1 Squadron
On July 18, 1943 the P-51 Mustang in which he was flying crashed over France, the Germans originally reported him as a POW but he died from his injuries on July 31, 1943 at the age of 24
MacLachlan was buried at Pont-l'Évêque Communal Cemetery in Grave 4, Zone 7
He was awarded a second Bar to his DFC on July 30, 1943 in absentia with his wartime score being 16 aircraft claimed destroyed, one shared with three aircraft claimed damaged
IWM - Woodbine, G. (Flight Lieutenant) Photographer