For Valour : Acting Wing Commander Hugh Gordon Malcolm (33322) VC Royal Air Force

4 December 2024 By Norman Brice: Volunteer in Aviation Historian

December 4, 1942 over Tunisia, North African Desert

Acting Wing Commander Hugh Gordon Malcolm (33322) VC Royal Air Force,
2 May 1917 – 4 December, 1942

Over the Western Desert, from the Egyptian Suez Canal in the east to the Atlantic coast in the west, the battles had see-sawed back and forth and air support came into extensive use across the trackless desert. The Desert Air Force was perhaps the genesis of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, which fought from Normandy to the Rhine 1944/45.

The strategic situation changed dramatically when, between 8 – 12 November 1942, Allied armies invaded North Africa under ‘Operation Torch’, with landings on the Atlantic coast of Morocco and the Mediterranean coast of Algeria, the ultimate aim being to join up with the British Eighth Army advancing westwards from Egypt. German forces, the famed Afrika Corps under General Erwin Rommel, reacted vigorously.

On 4 December 1942, Wing Commander Malcolm was Officer Commanding 18 Squadron, then operating Bristol Blenheim V light bombers (initially named ‘Bisley’); he also commanded 326 Wing, comprising 13, 18, 114 and 614 Squadrons, based at Blida, Algeria.

On the morning of 4 December, 326 Group was despatched to a forward landing ground at Souk-el-Arba and flew a mission looking for targets of opportunity in support of Army forces. The same afternoon, 326 Wing was tasked with an urgent ground-support mission against a Luftwaffe airfield.

Malcolm was formation leader and captain and pilot of Blenheim V serial BA 875, coded ‘W’; take-off started at 15.15 hrs., with Malcolm the first away. Nine aircraft departed. Not one returned safely.

The London Gazette Friday 27 APRIL, 1943

‘The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the under- mentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: — Acting Wing Commander Hugh Gordon MALCOLM (33322) (deceased), No. 18 Squadron.

Bristol Blenheim V (also known as ‘Bisley’) ( RAF Museum)

This officer commanded a squadron of light bombers in North Africa. Throughout his service in that theatre his leadership, skill and daring were of the highest order. On 17 November, 1942, he was detailed to carry out a low-level formation attack on Bizerta airfield, taking advantage of cloud cover. Twenty miles from the target the sky became clear, but Wing Commander Malcolm carried on, knowing well the danger of proceeding without a fighter escort. Despite fierce opposition, all bombs were dropped within the airfield perimeter.

A Junkers 52 and a Messerschmitt 109 were shot down; many dispersed enemy aircraft were raked by machine gun fire. Weather conditions became extremely unfavourable and as a result, two of his aircraft were lost by collision; another was forced down by enemy fighters. It was due to this officer’s skilful and resolute leadership that the remaining aircraft returned safely to base.

A Blenheim V being refuelled

On 28 November, 1942, he again led his squadron against Bizerta airfield which was bombed from a low altitude. The airfield on this occasion was heavily defended and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was met. Nevertheless, after his squadron had released their bombs, Wing Commander Malcolm led them back again and again to attack the airfield with machine gun fire.

These were typical of every sortie undertaken by this gallant officer; each attack was pressed to an effective conclusion however difficult the task and however formidable the opposition.

Site of German airfield attacked by Malcolm

Finally, on 4 December, 1942, Wing Commander Malcolm, having been detailed to give close support to the First Army, received an urgent request to attack an enemy fighter airfield hear Chouigui. Wing Commander Malcolm knew that to attack such an objective without a fighter escort – which could not be arranged in the time available – would be to court almost certain disaster; but believing the attack to be necessary for the success of the Army’s operations, his duty was clear. He decided to attack.

He took off with his squadron and reached the target unmolested, but when he had successfully attacked it, his squadron was intercepted by an overwhelming force of enemy fighters. Wing Commander Malcolm fought back, controlling his hard-pressed squadron and attempting to maintain formation. One by one his aircraft were shot down until only his own aircraft remained.

Cairn over original field burial site of Malcolm and his two crew.
Their names are marked on the propeller blade.
(X005-0936-34 / RAF Museum)

In the end he, too, was shot down in flames.

Wing Commander Malcolm’s last exploit was the finest example of the valour and unswerving devotion to duty’

His VC is on display in Lord Ashcroft’s gallery in the Imperial War Museum, London.

He lies in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Beja War Cemetery.

Credits:

Citation: London Gazette 27th April 1943
Additional biographical details:
For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

All RAF VC 10 transport aircraft were named after RAF VC winners.
This panel came from XR 809 (© RAF Museum 78/Y/554)

Norman Brice: Volunteer

It all started very many years ago when, lying in my pram, I was awoken by what I later knew as Spitfires on their finals to RAF Biggin Hill, just a handful of miles away. As a schoolboy I was captivated by the annual September Battle of Britain Days at Biggin Hill with a vast range of visiting aircraft, including all three V-Bombers in gleaming anti-flash white.

Fast forward very many years past retirement I joined the RAF Museum London as a volunteer as a Vulcan and Cold War tour guide.