About the History of Manston Airfield website
Key Events in Manston's History
How to Donate & Help
Contributions & Credits
Glossary and Reference
Manston: 100 years of Flight Project
Squadrons & Units
Squadrons and Units Timeline
Aircraft at Manston
Aircraft Posts
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum – Manston
RAF Manston History Museum – Manston
The Channel Dash Memorial – Ramsgate
The Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge
The Battle of Britain Memorial – Capel-le-Ferne
The Battle of Britain Monument – London
Books, Art & Models
Books – Manston Specific
Books – Manston References
Books – Multiple Airfields
Books – Other Airfields
Books – Other
198 Sqn / Featured / Hawker Typhoon / On this day / World War II
Loss of F/O Henry "Harry" Hector MacKenzie (RCAF) – 3rd January 1944
by History of Manston Airfield · Published January 3, 2019 · Updated January 3, 2019
No.198 Sqn Typhoon JR523 piloted by F/O Henry "Harry" Hector MacKenzie (RCAF) took off from Manston at 1143hrs as "Blue 3" in a formation of four Typhoons with F/Lt R.O. Curtis (63456), F/Lt R.J. Dall (NZ41535) and F/O R. Armstrong on a Ranger operation to Juvincourt Airfield.
In low cloud when they arrived at Compaigne, five Messerschmitt Bf109s were encountered at the same fight, and a dogfight ensued. One Bf109G was destroyed by Curtis, with and another two damaged by Dall and Armstrong, but the fight had split the formation in cloud and all aircraft returned to base individually.
During that return trip, F/L Dall as Blue 1 checked the formation by radio telephone and received an OK from all including F/O MacKenzie, but when the formation reformed he was missing. The rest of the section landed back at Manston at 1315hrs. MacKenzie was posted as missing presumed killed and found at the controls of Typhoon JR523 by local witnesses M. Doré and M. Picard who saw black smoke coming from the engine, followed by engine stopping and plunging into the swamp. The aircraft was claimed by Unteroffizier Willibald Reimer of 6./JG2.
F/O MacKenzie's body was recovered the next day by German soldiers but he was buried as an unknown pilot until identification in 1946. The aircraft was recovered in 2009.
Part of the aircraft is being using during the restoration of Typhoon RB396.
F/O Curtis would later be killed on the 20th January 1944, Sq Ldr (at that time) Dall on 4th July 1945, F/O Armstrong taken as POW on 18th June 1944.
Grave of Flying Officer Henry Hector MacKenzie (RCAF)
Following text courtesy of and with permission from Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés.
"Harry" was born on 17th April 1920, at Anyox, British Columbia, Canada. He enlisted in the RCAF on 13th August 1941 in Vancouver. After his training period he was sent to England on 18th August 1942 and was assigned to the 198 Squadron on 15th December 1942. This Squadron was equipped with Hawker Typhoon Mk IB since December 1942 and participated with the famous 609 Squadron in numerous invasive missions over occupied Europe.
Flying Officer Henry Hector MacKenzie (RCAF) – Training in a Tiger Moth, Hamilton Canada
Henry Hector MacKenzie receiving his wings
In 2009, the remains of the wreck of the Hawker Typhoon # JR 523 were uncovered from the marshes of Sacy-le-Grand by a research team including notably the Napier Sabre engine which equipped this aircraft. After many days of effort, it was cleared and taken out from the marshes along with several parts of the plane and personal items of the airman.
The village of Sacy-le-Grand decided in 2011 to name a street after the pilot and to put up a memorial, consisting of the restored engine, in the town hall park.
The ceremony took place on 25th June 2011 in the presence of many French and Canadian authorities, villagers and members of the MacKenzie family who made the trip from Canada. Now the story of the sacrifice of the young Canadian is known to all the inhabitants of the village and his memory is commemorated every year during official ceremonies.
You can see details and photos of the recovery at this link: http://asaapicardie3945.fr/index.php/english/events/143-april-2009-looking-for-and-finding-the-hawker-typhoon-mk-ib-n-jr523-sacy-le-grand-oise
We would like to thank the Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés (ASAA) http://asaapicardie3945.fr/ for their kind permission to reproduce text from their article and their photos.
First published: 3rd January 2017.
Manston's role on D-Day, 6th June 1944
by History of Manston Airfield · Published June 6, 2019
Herald of Free Enterprise Disaster, 6th March 1987
by History of Manston Airfield · Published March 6, 2019 · Last modified March 7, 2019
by History of Manston Airfield · Published August 29, 2018
Eric FARDEL says:
Bonjour. Merci pour cet article sur le F/O H.H. Mackenzie. En ce 03 janvier 2017 nous avons une pensée pour ce jeune canadien tombé pour notre Liberté sur le sol de France.
Keith MacKenzie says:
What a wonderful story about a great hero. It is impossible to provide enough thanks to Eric Fardel and the team for recovering the engine from the swamp, and for doing so much to remember and honour this Canadian solder. I will always remember the kindness and respect that has been demonstrated to my relative that fought for other so many years ago. Keith MacKenzie, Victoria British Columbia, Canada.
US Author John Steinbeck visits No.609 Sqn, writes article on William de Goat, 29th June 1943
USAF F-86D from Manston ordered to fire on UFO – May 20th 1957
Dambuster Bouncing Bomb Tests at Reculver and Manston
No.600 Sqn Bristol Blenheim I crashes at Manston – 11th March 1940
Spitfire Prototype K5054 maiden flight from Eastleigh airfield – 5th March 1936
No.550 Sqn Avro Lancaster NF998 BQ-D Crash Landing – 24th February 1945
South Goodwin Lightship Disaster, 26/27th November 1954
Rise and Defend – The USAF At Manston 1950-1958
Manston's role in Operation Market Garden, 17th September 1944
Jet engine development, the Gloster Meteor and the V1 threat
On this day, 28th August 1942, 56 emergency landings
The second large attack on Manston during the Battle of Britain, 14th August 1940
Dave Trower says:
I have a feeling that the crashed Lancaster was still visible...
Olive Anthea says:
So brave. So young. So sad. RIP
Simon Lannoy says:
Does anyone know the fate of the second Bf109 which landed...
History of Manston Airfield says:
Do you know what unit he served with?
Keith Karren says:
Does anyone know of a JOHN BROWN that was in the...
This site is dedicated to the history of Manston Airfield, in Kent from it's first official usage back in 1916.
It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site.
Due to the amount of history, it is likely that this site will be continually updated and extended and is not intended to be a complete historical record for some time to come.
Copyright History of Manston Airfield © 2019.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies.OkRead our Privacy Policy