Taariikhyahanka Alan Stephens ayaa ku tilmaamay "mid adag laakiin awood leh", McLachlan wuxuu hogaamiyay No. 3 Squadron dagaalkii Sidi Barrani bishii Diseembar 1940, waxaa ku xigay dagaalkii Bardia
iyo qabsashadii Tobruk bishii Janaayo 1941. Ka hor inta aan loo beddelin Hawker Hurricanes bishaas, cutubka waxaa lagu sharfay inuu burburiyay laba iyo toban diyaaradood oo Talyaani ah oo ay ku dhinteen shan Gladiator iyo laba duuliye; McLachlan wuxuu soo riday Fiat CR.42 10kii Diseembar 1940, isla ficilkii xubinta kale ee duulimaadka iyo mustaqbalka ace Gordon Steege uu sheegtay inuu ahaa kii ugu horreeyay ee "la dilo". Sarkaalka Sare ee Ciidanka Cirka ee RAF ee Bariga Dhexe, Sir Arthur Longmore, wuxuu ku ammaanay McLachlan iyo kooxdiisa "maskaxdooda sare iyo la qabsiga xaaladaha lamadegaanka".