Archibald MacLean
Encyclopedia
Archibald Campbell Holms MacLean CBE RAF
was an officer in the Royal Scots, Royal Flying Corps
and Royal Air Force
.
MacLean attended the Royal Military College Sandhurst before he was commissioned into the Royal Scots. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
in 1913.
started, MacLean was an instructor at the Central Flying School
, holding the rank of captain. However, just a few months later, in November 1914, he was promoted to major and appointed Officer Commanding No. 5 Squadron
. Under a year later in August 1915, MacLean took up command of No. 8 Squadron and in 1916 he became the Commandant of the Central Flying School
. In November 1917, MacLean departed the Central Flying School for another training role, this time as Commandant of the Armament School. At the same time MacLean was promoted to colonel.
With the establishment of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, MacLean became one of the new Service's senior officers.
Just after the close of World War I, MacLean was appointed Brigadier-General responsible for administration at the headquarters of the RAF's South-Eastern Area. MacLean only held the rank of brigadier-general in an acting capacity and in August 1919, when the RAF introduced its own rank titles, he was re-graded to the lower rank of wing commander
. MacLean relinquished his RAF commission three months later in November 1919.
, MacLean was recalled to service and granted a commission in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Reserve of Air Force Officers as a pilot officer
. In the latter part of 1942, MacLean served on the air staff at the Air Headquarters Bengal before finally retiring for the last time on 14 December 1942.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
was an officer in the Royal Scots, Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
and Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
MacLean attended the Royal Military College Sandhurst before he was commissioned into the Royal Scots. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1913.
World War I
When World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
started, MacLean was an instructor at the Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
, holding the rank of captain. However, just a few months later, in November 1914, he was promoted to major and appointed Officer Commanding No. 5 Squadron
No. 5 Squadron RAF
No. 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 Airborne STand-Off Radar aircraft and is based at RAF Waddington.-History:As No...
. Under a year later in August 1915, MacLean took up command of No. 8 Squadron and in 1916 he became the Commandant of the Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
. In November 1917, MacLean departed the Central Flying School for another training role, this time as Commandant of the Armament School. At the same time MacLean was promoted to colonel.
With the establishment of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, MacLean became one of the new Service's senior officers.
Just after the close of World War I, MacLean was appointed Brigadier-General responsible for administration at the headquarters of the RAF's South-Eastern Area. MacLean only held the rank of brigadier-general in an acting capacity and in August 1919, when the RAF introduced its own rank titles, he was re-graded to the lower rank of wing commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
. MacLean relinquished his RAF commission three months later in November 1919.
World War II
Following the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, MacLean was recalled to service and granted a commission in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Reserve of Air Force Officers as a pilot officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
. In the latter part of 1942, MacLean served on the air staff at the Air Headquarters Bengal before finally retiring for the last time on 14 December 1942.