Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Memorial – Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute Second World War Memorial. Image courtesy of Owen Sound Collegiate (OSCVI) Digital Soldier Library.

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram February 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram March 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Owen Sound Sun Times July 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Owen Sound Sun Times March 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Owen Sound Sun Times April 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Owen Sound Sun Times April 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of Donald Alexander MacKenzie – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJaklJjTTEI Screenshot 7.33 Lt-col Donald Alexander MACKENZIE 48th Highlanders of Canada on 11 April 1945 in Gorssel. Meeting point near the Molenweg/Veerweg ready to cross the IJssel. The next day during an attack on the village of Hoven, the commander unfortenately dies. War Diary 48th Highlander of Canada (1944/05-1945/08) https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=928086&new=-8585603877873942696 Crossing river "De IJssel" Gorssel - Wilp as part of Operation Cannonshot liberation North East Netherlands. Both "A" & "B" Coys reached these objectives by 1400 hours against MMG and SP gun fire. TAC HQ was at this stage in the process of moving to MR 913044 when -Lt-col D.A.MACKENZIE, the Commanding Officer, was killed by a shell and the I.O. wounded.

Photo of Donald A. Mackenzie – Lieutenant Colonel Donald Alexander Mackenzie

Photo of Donald MacKenzie – Born 9th July, 1914, at Kincardine, Ontario. On active service 19th September, 1930. Lieutenant-Colonel in June, 1944. Graduated with high honours and posted to Pacific Command as G.S.O. 2 (Operations). Returned to England and served on Headquarters Staff before rejoining 48th Highlanders of Canada in Italy as Second in Command in December, 1943. Appointed a Companion of THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (Canada Gazette, 24th March, 1945) The official citation reads: - "At 2130 hours, 10 December, 1944, the 48th Highlanders of Canada, under command the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, commenced the crossing of the Lamone River. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, though still suffering from the effects of a severe case of jaundice, nevertheless came forward from 'B' Echelon to assume active command of the Battalion for this operation. Although pressed for time, owing to his recent arrival, he showed such an immediate grasp of the tactical situation and such energy and determination in reconnaissance, that he was able immediately to formulate a plan which, when put into execution, was a complete success. By 2230 hours that night two companies were over complete, and the bridgehead so firmly established that it was made available to another Battalion which had not been able to cross on its own front. By 0700 hours, 11 December, the entire Battalion had consolidated across the river." "During the period from the crossing of the Lamone River the Battalion took one hundred and forty prisoners of war and killed and wounded approximately one hundred and fifty-four Germans. The cost to the Battalion in killed was only fourteen all ranks." From a memorial booklet prepared by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

Photo of D. A. Mackenzie in Italy – Donald Mackenzie at Rimini, Italy.

Photo of Donald A. Mackenzie – Lieutenant Colonel Donald Alexander Mackenzie, D.S.O.,D.S.C. 48th Highlanders of Canada.

Wedding Day – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Group Photo – As a student of the OSCVI, Mackenzie was a member of the senior rugby team. Photo courtesy of OSCVI Digital Soldier Library.

Distinguished Service Cross – Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War II The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Donald A. MacKenzie, Canadian Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 12 April 1945. When the 48th Highlanders of Canada had crossed the Ijssel River and gained their initial objectives on the Wilp-Deventer Road, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, realizing that this was the turning point of the battle, went forward fearlessly in the face of heavy enemy fire to make a personal reconnaissance in preparation for the second phase of the attack. His plan of attack, based on the information he gained, was eminently successful, and his unsurpassed leadership and daring resulted in the complete rout of the enemy. General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 271 (September 27, 1945) Action Date: 12-Apr-45 Service: Canadian Army Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Regiment: 48th Highlanders of Canada

Newspaper Clipping

Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Plaque – Plaque in Wilp, Netherlands

Grave Marker for Donald A. Mackenzie – Grave Marker for Donald Alexander Mackenzie. Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands

Grave Marker

Grave Marker