Evan Mackie was born on October 31 1917 at Waihi, New Zealand. Before joining RNZAF in January 1941 he worked as an electrician.
He joined 485 Squadron (flying Spitfires) in early 1942 after completing his training. In January 1943 he was posted to the Middle East and joined 243 Squadron in Algeria, becoming a flight commander shortly afterwards. On 7 April claimed two Ju 87 "Stukas" and three days later a Bf 109. In the next four weeks he destroyed another two and shared a third. He was subsequently awarded the DFC.
In June 1943 the squadron moved to Malta and Mackie was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader and given command of the unit. In July 1943 his operational tour was over and he was awarded a Bar to his DFC. In November Mackie took command of 92 Squadron in Italy and, by the time he handed over in February 1944 he had claimed a total of sixteen victories.
After a rest period Mackie converted to Tempests and, in mid-December 1944, was attached to 274 Squadron at Volkel in Holland.
On the 24th he shot down a FW 190 which had just downed two Canadian Typhoons over the Malmedy area. In early 1945 Mackie was given command of 80 Squadron at Volkel. He was awarded the DSO in January 1945, promoted to Wing Commander in mid-April and on the 19th he became Wing Leader 122 Wing. He held this appointment until September 1945. Mackie finished the war with 21 victories and one shared, 5 1/2 in Tempest. In addition to his British awards he also held the DFC (US). He returned to New Zealand to become chief inspector with the Tauranga Power Board, and died in Tauranga in April 1986.
|
When Mackie took command of 80 Sqn in January 1945 he flew NV774. But after damaged it was replaced by W2-A (NV700). He claimed his last three victories in this aircraft, on March 7 a Fw190D and on April 9 two Arado Ar96s. |
Mackie's victories in Tempest
|
Date of Claim |
Type Claimed |
Aircraft Serial No. |
Location of Claim |
Unit |
|
24 December 1944 |
Fw 190 |
(EJ688) |
Eindhoven |
274 Sqn |
|
23 January 1945 |
Bf 109 |
(EJ740) |
Bramsche |
80 Sqn |
|
7 March 1945 |
Fw 190D |
W2-A (NV700) |
N Rheine |
80 Sqn |
|
9 April 1945 |
2 Arado 96 |
W2-A (NV700) |
Fassbers |
80 Sqn |
|
15 April 1945 |
1/2 Fw 190 |
(SN189) |
SW Uelzen |
80 Sqn |
Mackie's previous victories
|
Date of Claim |
Type Claimed |
Aircraft Flown |
Location of Claim |
Unit |
|
26 March 1942 |
1/2 Bf109E |
Spitfire VB |
5m W Le Havre |
485 Sqn |
|
26 April 1942 |
Fw190 (probably) |
Spitfire VB |
Mardyk-St Omer |
485 Sqn |
|
7 April 1943 |
2 Ju87 |
Spitfire VC |
near Medjez |
243 Sqn |
|
9 April 1943 |
1/2 Bf109 (damaged) |
Spitfire VC |
near Medjez |
243 Sqn |
|
10 April 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
Medjez |
243 Sqn |
|
13 April 1943 |
1/2 Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
Euston/Tabarka |
243 Sqn |
|
16 April 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
W Medjez el Bab |
243 Sqn |
|
18 April 1943 |
Fw190 (damaged) |
Spitfire VC |
SE Teboursouk |
243 Sqn |
|
27 April 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
E Medjez |
243 Sqn |
|
28 April 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
Medjez-Pont de Fahs |
243 Sqn |
|
8 May 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
Cap Bon |
243 Sqn |
|
4 July 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
Catania |
243 Sqn |
|
5 July 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VC |
Gerbini |
243 Sqn |
|
11 July 1943 |
MC202 (damaged) |
Spitfire VC |
S Gerbini |
243 Sqn |
|
12 July 1943 |
MC202 (probably) |
Spitfire VC |
N Augusta |
243 Sqn |
|
13 July 1943 |
2 Ju 87 |
Spitfire VC |
3m SW Gerbini |
243 Sqn |
|
13 July 1943 |
Ju 87 (damaged) |
Spitfire VC |
3m SW Gerbini |
243 Sqn |
|
13 July 1943 |
MC2002 |
Spitfire VC |
10/15m N Augusta |
243 Sqn |
|
11 Sept 1943 |
Do 217 |
Spitfire VC |
Salerno/Agropoli |
243 Sqn |
|
15 Oct 1943 |
Bf109 (damaged) |
Spitfire VC |
Volturno River |
243 Sqn |
|
3 Dec 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VIII |
Sangro River |
92 Sqn |
|
5 Dec 1943 |
Bf109 |
Spitfire VIII |
Sangro River |
92 Sqn |
|
16 Dec 1943 |
Bf109 (damaged) |
Spitfire VIII |
Ortona-Orsogna |
92 Sqn |
|
27 January 1944 |
Bf109 (damaged) |
Spitfire VIII |
Anzio Area |
92 Sqn |
|
2 Feb 1944 |
Fw190 |
Spitfire VIII |
Anzio Area |
92 Sqn |
Image from:
New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum.
Colour plate:
Graham Berry.
Text sources:
Typhoon and Tempest Aces of World War 2 (Chris Thomas)
New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum.
The Typhoon & Tempest Story (Chris Thomas & Christopher Shores)
Spitfire Leader (Max Avery)