The phrase "desertion by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: The soldier was charged with desertion by his commanding officer after he left his post without permission.
DESERTION, by Abdulrazak Gurnah.
Desertion by the political class is part of the problem.
Desertion by Abdulrazak Gurnah (Bloomsbury) is set in Mombasa, Zanzibar and Britain over several generations.
Three types of rulers are especially susceptible to desertion by their backers: new, decrepit and bankrupt leaders.
Given the desertion by members of his party, Tsipras contemplated calling a vote of confidence for his government.
Desertion by Iraqi soldiers has been a problem during the recent battles in Basra and Sadr City.
Mass desertions by Soviet-allied Afghan Army units were not uncommon during the anti-Communist jihad.
Officers said there have been "numerous" desertions by Iraqi troops in the area.
Rwanda has tried to deter desertions by force, of which the massacre in Kisangani was an example.
Desertions by some of his allies and a lack of provisions soon forced Antony to take action.
Taliban attacks on the police in Swat have led to more than 800 desertions by officers over the last two years.
