Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1942 Coastal Command D.F.C., 1944 ‘D-Day Operations’ A.F.C. group of nine awarded to Squadron Leader C. J. Mackenzie, Auxiliary Air Force and Royal Air Force, who as a Hudson Captain spotted and destroyed an enemy U-boat in the North Atlantic, 28 April 1942, before converting to Dakotas and playing a lead roll in both the Airborne Landings at Normandy on D-Day, and at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1942; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. E. Asia 1945-46 (Act. Sqn. Ldr. C. J. Mackenzie. R.A.F.); Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, light contact marks, nearly extremely fine (9) £3000-4000

D.F.C. London Gazette 28 July 1942.
The recommendation, dated 16 May 1942, states: ‘Flying Officer Mackenzie has been employed in an Operational Squadron since the outbreak of war and has completed over 400 hours operational flying in Anson, Blenheim, and Hudson aircraft, mainly on patrols to the enemy coast. He has at all times shown courage, determination, and devotion to duty of the highest order in carrying out any task allotted to him.
On the 28 April 1942 he was Captain and Pilot of Hudson aircraft K/500 carrying out an A/S patrol at 4,400 feet in the Western Approaches, when he sighted a ‘U’ boat on the surface 8 miles away. He made full use of all available cloud cover and sun, and made a dive bombing attack, pulling out at 60 to 70 feet and releasing 4 depth charges across the forward part of the still surfaced ‘U’ boat. The attack was almost certainly a successful one, the second charge exploding within 10 feet of the hull. The depth-charge attack was followed by a front and rear gun attack, the ‘U’ boat then disappearing from sight stern first, leaving a very large patch of frothy brown disturbed water behind.
Flight Lieutenant Mackenzie exploited his sighting to the maximum and made a complete surprise attack. An award to this Officer is recommended in the strongest terms, both for general good work since the outbreak of war and for this excellent attack on an enemy undersea raider.’

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 September 1944.
The recommendation states: ‘Acting Squadron Leader MacKenzie has displayed exemplary zeal and devotion to duty as a flight commander. His untiring efforts, initiative and exceptional ability have been an inspiration to all with whom he has come into contact, and enabled the flight to reach the high standard of efficiency which led to the carrying out of its airborne operations on “D” Day with unqualified success.’

Charles John Mackenzie was commissioned Pilot Officer in No. 500 (County of Kent) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, on 24 March 1940, and served during the Second World War as part of Coastal Command. Initially equipped with Ansons, the Squadron converted to Blenheims in April 1941, and then to Hudsons in November 1941. In March 1942 the Squadron moved to R.A.F. Stornoway for patrols over the the Atlantic and the approaches to the Clyde and the Irish Sea. On 28 April, whilst the captain and pilot of a Hudson, Mackenzie successfully destroyed an enemy U-boat in the north Atlantic, approximately 350 miles due west of the Outer Hebrides, an act of gallantry which secured for him a Distinguished Flying Cross (see recommendation above).

Advanced to Squadron Leader, and posted to No. 233 Squadron, based at R.A.F. Blakehill Farm, Mackenzie was involved in Operation Tonga, the airborne operations undertaken by the 6th Airborne Division between 5 and 7 June 1944 as part of the Normandy Landings. The Squadron ‘had been given the envious choice of drop zone “K”, the furthest inland. The Squadron was to drop paratroopers whose mission of grave importance depended entirely on their being dropped on that drop zone at the correct time. We must and would not fail the confidence of the Airborne Forces.’ (Squadron Operation Record refers). Mackenzie is recorded as the Captain of a Dakota on that mission and, taking off at 23:14 hours on 5 June, 1944, the squadron successfully dropped 407 paratroopers complete with kit bags and containers in an area north-west of Toufreville. The following night, during further operations, his aircraft was hit, suffering slight damage. But their work had not been in vain, for on the morning of 7 June the Squadron received the following message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory: ‘Will you please convey my heartiest congratulations to 46 Group on their magnificent performance in carrying over the 6th Airborne Division in the initial operation. The fact that so successful and difficult an operation has been carried out with such complete success in so short a time after the formation of the squadrons reflects highest credit on all concerned.’ For his service as a flight commander in the run-up to the Normandy Landings, and for his work on D-Day itself, Mackenzie was recommended for and received the Air Force Cross.

The Squadron’s next mission was Operation Market, when in order to facilitate the Second Army’s advance through Holland, the 1st Airborne Division was to be landed at several landing zones in the vicinity of Arnhem, to secure bridges over the River Rhine. On 17 September, with Mackenzie as captain of one of their 22 Dakotas, they successfully released gliders that contained 309 troops, 18 handcarts, 15 motor cycles, 10 Jeeps, 11 trailers, 5 wireless set, 11 cycles, and 1 6-pounder anti-tank gun, without any loss. On the second day they repeated this feat, with 17 aircraft from the Squadron towing gliders containing 84 troops, 15 Jeeps, 7 trailers, 8 6-pounder anti-tank guns, and 3 machine-guns, but the re-supply missions were less fortunate, and the Squadron lost 5 aircraft over the next three days.

With the War in Europe over, Mackenzie remained in the Royal Air Force, going to South East Asia later in the year, and was promoted Wing Commander on 1 July 1954.

Sold together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the General Service Medal lacking S.E. Asia clasp; Commission Document appointing the recipient a Pilot Officer in the Auxiliary Air Force, dated 17 May 1940; the recipient Notice of Calling Out letter, dated 23 August 1939; various photographs, and other copied research, including relevant entries from the Squadron’s Operational Record Book.