The observer was wounded six times when the machine crashed in “No Man’s Land” and Second Lieutenant McLeod, notwithstanding his own wounds, dragged him away from the burning wreckage at great personal risk from heavy machine gun fire from the enemy’s lines. He then climbed out on to the left bottom plane, controlling his machine from the side of the fuselage, and by side slipping steeply kept the flames to one side, thus enabling the observer to continue firing until the ground was reached. By this time Second Lieutenant McLeod has received five wounds, and while continuing the engagement a bullet penetrated his petrol tank and set the machine afire. By skilful maneuvering he enabled his observer to fire bursts at each machine in turn, shooting three of them down out of control. He was assailed at a height of 5,000 feet by enemy triplanes which dived at him from all directions, firing from their front guns. On 27 March 1918 over Albert, France, McLeod, with his observer Lieutenant Arthur Hammond, in an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 destroyed an enemy triplane and were immediately attacked by eight more, three of which they brought down, but the petrol tank of the bomber was hit. 2 Squadron when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. McLeod was an 18-year-old second lieutenant in No. He was mentioned in dispatches for this exploit. With Lieutenant Comber as his gunner, he claimed a Fokker Dr.I destroyed in January and on 14 January flamed an observation balloon near Beauvin. McLeod was then posted to No.2 Sqn RFC, a Corps Squadron working near Hesdigneul in northern France, flying his first operation in December 1917. 51 Sqn RFC on Home Defence duties flying at night. 82 Sqn RFC flying scouts, but when his commanding officer found he was 18 he had McLeod posted to No. On 20 August 1917 he was shipped overseas to France. He graduated with 50 hours of flying experience. He trained as a pilot at Long Branch near Toronto, and soloed after only 3 hours flight time. As he turned 18 he successfully enrolled in the RFC. He then tried several times to enlist in the army in Winnipeg, and in the cadet wing of the RFC in Toronto. WW1 broke out in 1914, McLeod was sent home as under age. He enrolled in The 34th Fort Garry Horse in 1913 at age 14. Alan Arnett McLeod, VC (20 April 1899 – 6 November 1918) was the son of a doctor.
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