[Edward M. “Teddy” Donaldson oral history interview]

Fighter ace Edward M. “Teddy” Donaldson is interviewed about his military service with the Royal Air Force during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time stationed in England and France with No. 151 Squadron and his time in the United States as a gunnery instructor. Topics discussed include his involvement in the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk Campaign and his gunnery instruction in the United States. He also describes a bomber escort mission in June 1940 in which he was shot down by German ace Adolf Galland.

The interview is conducted by an unidentified interviewer, referred to as “Bob,” who may be a fellow fighter ace.

Edward M. “Teddy” Donaldson was born on February 12, 1912 in British Malaysia. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1931 and was initially assigned to No. 3 Squadron, where he distinguished himself as a marksman and skilled aerobatic pilot. In 1938, Donaldson was appointed Commander of No. 151 Squadron and led the squadron during the early campaigns of World War II, including the Battle of Britain and Battle of Dunkirk. He also helped establish several gunnery schools in the United States. Donaldson remained in the military after the war and served in a number of command positions, including at RAF Fassberg and RAF Wunstorf in Germany and as Deputy Commander of Air Forces in the Arabian Peninsula. He retired in 1961 and passed away in 1992.