Evan Mackie
New Zealand fighter pilot / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Evan Mackie?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Evan Dall "Rosie" Mackie, DSO, DFC & Bar (31 October 1917 – 28 April 1986) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War. Credited with 21.5 aerial victories, he was the highest scoring flying ace to serve with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
Evan Dall Mackie | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Rosie |
Born | (1917-10-31)31 October 1917 Waihi, New Zealand |
Died | 28 April 1986(1986-04-28) (aged 68) New Zealand |
Allegiance | New Zealand |
Service/ | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
Years of service | 1941–1947 |
Rank | Wing Commander |
Service number | 41520 |
Commands held | No. 122 Wing No. 80 Squadron No. 92 Squadron No. 243 Squadron |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) |
Born in Waihi, Mackie worked as an apprentice electrician before joining the RNZAF in January 1941. He initially trained at Whenuapai before going onto further flight training in Canada. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom where he converted to the Supermarine Spitfire and after completing his course, he served as an instructor. He was posted to No. 485 Squadron with which he achieved his first aerial victories on the Channel Front. In February 1943, he was transferred to North Africa where he served with No. 243 Squadron. He was responsible for destroying a number of German and Italian aircraft during his time with the squadron, which he commanded from June to October during the campaigns in Sicily and Italy. He was transferred away from the squadron as punishment for condoning the misappropriation of a vehicle by his staff. However, he was shortly afterwards assigned to command of No. 92 Squadron.
Rested from flight duties in April 1944, he served in a training role for a number of months but by the end of the year was back on operations with No. 122 Wing, flying Hawker Tempests. Given command of No. 80 Squadron in mid-January 1945, he led it through the invasion of Germany until early May, when he became wing commander (flying) of No. 122 Wing. He remained in this role until the wing was disbanded in September. Not keen on pursuing a career in the military, he was discharged from the RNZAF in January 1947 and in later life worked as an electrician. He died of cancer on 28 April 1986.