Archive Report: Allied Forces

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80 Squadron Tempest V NV657 Sq/Ldr. 'Rosie' Evan Dall Mackie DSO. DFC.

Operation: Armed Reccosaibce

Date: 02nd February 1945 (Friday)

Unit: No. 80 Squadron (motto: 'Strike True')

Type: Tempest V

Serial: NV657

Code: W2-A

Base: ALG B.20 Volkel

Location: Northeast of Sint Anthonis

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. 'Rosie' Evan Dall Mackie NZ/41520 RNZAF Age 27. Safe

REASON FOR LOSS:

9 aircraft took off at 09:35 hrs led by Sq/Ldr. Mackie on an armed recce in the Hanover area. The squadron destroyed 3 locomotives destroyed with 3 other damaged.

His Tempest was hit and damaged by shrapnel during one attack but managed to nurse the aircraft 190 miles before he forced laded at E7241 just inside allied lines. Although the aircraft suffered extensive damage the pilot survived with no injuries.

Above: The King during his visit to RAF Station Kenley 485 squadron. L-R: Wearing Mae Wests; Stanley Franklin Browne NZ/411853, Bruce Edward Gibbs NZ/402468, John Rutherford Clark Kilian NZ/1043, Evan Dall Mackie NZ/41520. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Burial and other details:

Evan Dall Mackie survived the war as a Wing Commander. Born on the 31st October 1917 in Waihi, New Zealand. The son of Thomas and Katherine Mackie (née McIntosh). Husband of Marjorie Yvonne Mackie (née Dear - died 03rd July 2007, age 85). Enrolled in the RNZAF in January 1941. Trained at No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School at Whenuapa and further training in No. 32 Service Flying Training School in Canada. Here he met George Esmond Jameson NZ/41479 RNZAF (Later to become a flying 'Ace' with a DFC). After instructing others at No. 58 Operational Training Unit at Grangemouth he joined 485 squadron in December 1941.

Above left: Evan Dall Mackie, right: George Esmond Jameson (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

On the 26th March 1942 he shared a Bf109 with Fl/Lt. William Vernon Crawford-Compton 65500 RAFVR. The following month scored a 'probable Fw109.

He was then posted to North Africa and joined 243 squadron. On the 07th April 1943 he was credited with 2 Ju87 destroyed with 1 other damaged. Two days later, with his commander, Squadron Leader James Elmslie Walker J/3199 RCAF, he shared in the destruction of a Bf 109. This was followed on 10 April with the sole credit for shooting down another Bf 109, oil from which being splattered across his windscreen

Promoted to acting flight lieutenant on 12th April, Mackie shared in the destruction of a Bf 109 while patrolling over the squadron's aerodrome near Béja the next day, his wingman sharing the credit. He shot down a Bf 109 on 16th April and damaged a Fw 190 two days later.

Destroyed one Bf 109 and damaged another on 27th April while on a sweep over Tunis with several other pilots from No. 243 Squadron.

DFC Citation, LG. 21st May 1943:

'In operations in North Africa, this officer has displayed skilful [sic] leadership and great tenacity. He has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft, 4 of them within a period of eleven days in April, 1943. His courageous example has proved inspiring'.

After arriving in Malta he was credited with many other enemy aircraft over Sicily.

DSO Citation 08th May 1945:

'This officer has led the squadron on numerous sorties within recent months. During these operations more than 70 locomotives have been put out of action. A good number of barges, trucks and mechanical vehicles have also been most effectively attacked. Ten enemy aircraft have been destroyed. The successes obtained are a fine testimony to this officer's exceptional leadership, great skill and courage. Among his achievements is the destruction of 18 enemy aircraft'.

The war in Europe ended on 5 May, with Mackie having flown a total of 433 sorties.[70] He achieved 20 aerial victories, as well as 3 shared kills, 2 probables, 10 damaged and 1 shared damaged, with 3 destroyed and 2 shared destroyed on the ground during the war. Of this final total, 12 kills, three shared destroyed, two probably destroyed, seven damaged and one shared damaged, was achieved while flying the Spitfire Mark V and Mark VIII. Mackie was also credited with five and a half kills in the Hawker Tempest. He was the most successful flying ace to serve with the RNZAF.[

Above his wedding 18th February 1946 (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Evan Mackie and his wife returned home to New Zealand aboard the Rangitiki in December. Offered a permanent commission in the RNZAF, he declined and was discharged in January 1947 although he remained in the reserve of officers. He resumed his career as an electrician, working at the Waitomo Electric Power Board. He eventually became Chief Inspector for the Tauranga Power Board, retiring in 1978. He died of cancer on 28th April 1986, survived by his wife and two sons

He was not the most successful New Zealand flying ace of the Second World War; this was

Colin Falkland Gray 41844, who served with the RAF and achieved 27 aerial victories.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archive Kew - AIR-27-.672-3/4.

Other pages that may interest you:

Pages regarding 1945 losses

Pages detailing RNZAF losses

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