Operation: Ranger

Date: 03rd January 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 198 Squadron (motto: Igni renatus - 'Born again in fire')

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: JR523

Code:

Base: RAF Manston, Kent

Location: Sacy-le-Grand, Oise, France

Pilot: F/O. Henry Hector Mackenzie J/18188 (R/122255) RCAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Weather for the day described as low cloud, extending well into France.

Taking off at 11:40 hrs as 'Blue 3' with 3 others. (Fl/Lt. Richard Osborne Curtis (1), RAFVR 63456, Fl/Lt. Robert James Dall (2) RNZAF NZ/41535, Fl/Sgt. Richard Armstrong (3) RAFVR 1434272)

During the ranger operation to Juvincourt and whilst reaching Compiégne a formation of 5 Me109's were encountered at the same height and a fierce dogfight commenced.

Fl/Lt. Curtis claimed Me109 destroyed whilst Fl/Lt. Dall and Fl/Sgt. Armstrong both claimed Me109 as damaged.

During the battle the Typhoons were split up in the low cloud, Fl/Lt. Dall called the three others on R/T. checking they were all OK and all three acknowledged. Three landed safely back at RAF Marston at 13:15 hrs. F/O. Mackenzie was listed as 'missing'.

It was later established that the Typhoon had crashed on a farm 2½ miles east of Sacy-le-Grand in a marsh.

In 2009 the wreckage of the Typhoon were uncovered, including the massive Napier engine..Following this on the 25th June 2011 the official opening of a memorial took place in memory of the young Canadian pilot and a street named in his honour.

Above his memorial (courtesy of Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés - see link below)

(1) 32 year old Fl/Lt. Robert James Dall DFC was tragically killed after the war ended. Flying Tempest II SN160 on the 04th July 1945 with 33 squadron when the aircraft spun in during a test flight. Further details here.

(2) 32 year old year old, Fl/Lt. Richard Osborne Curtis shot down flying Typhoon Ib JR361 and killed on the 20th January 1944.

(3) F/O. Armstrong was shot down flying Typhoon Ib MN314 on the 18th June 1944. Taken PoW No. 80838. Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria.

Burial and other details:

Son of Dr. Henry Hector MacKenzie (died 12th March 1975, age 90) He served in France with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, and Marie Mackenzie (née Macleod - died 21st November1953, age 63) Marie was a nursing sister with the Canadian Army Medical Corps during the First World War. She served overseas in France and England from 1915-1918 and was awarded the British War and Victory medals and was mentioned in Dispatches, of 336 - 5th Street, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Mackenzie Later married Florence Maud MacKenzie (née Orr - died 15rh May 1987, age 92)l

Fl/Lt. Richard Osborne Curtis. Le Parcq Churchyard. Son of Major-General Henry Osborne Curtis, C.B., DSO. MC (died 28th January 1964, age 75)., and Jean Mackenzie Curtis (née Low - died 01st July 1977;, age 77). Husband of Bernadette Mary Curtis, of Watcombe, Devon, England. Epitaph: 'There Is No Death! The Stars Go Down To Rise Upon Some Fairer Shore. One of his brothers, 20 year old Lt. Philip Evelyn Curtis also lost his life. Serving in Italy killed on the 26th November 1943 with the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

Fl/Lt. Robert James Dall DFC. Celle War Cemetery. Grave 2.D.2. Son of Clarence Christian and Catherine Charlotte Dall (née Rosser, later Duthie) of Hawkesburn, Victoria, Australia. Husband of Nancy Russell Dall (formerly Husband, nee Henderson) of Merrivale, Christchurch, New Zealand. A total of 991 flying hours logged. 222 operational sorties with 486 squadron, 45 with 198 squadron and 19 with 33 squadron. Credited with 1 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 shared destroyed, 4 damaged, 2 destroyed on the ground, 1 damaged on the ground and 5 shared damaged.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the National Archive Kew, AIR-27-1170-21/22, Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés. Paradie RCAF Archives, Government of Canada WW2 Records.

Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding 1944 losses

Pages detailing RCAF losses

Other sources as quoted below:

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