Whitley N1385 at Driffield airfield.
At 15.00hrs on 10th January 1940 this 102 Squadron aircraft was on an approach to land at Driffield airfield in poor visibility when the pilot noticed that a Hind aircraft was on also attempting a landing and on a converging course with the Whitley. In trying to keep the Hind in view the Whitley lost air speed and height, the port undercarriage leg collapsed during the resulting heavy landing at Driffield airfield and it swung around on the port wing. The flight appears to have been a non-operational flight. The aircraft was damaged but was later repaired.
Pilot - P/O Arthur William Mack RAF (40244).
Crew - Names unknown.
Arthur Mack was born in New Zealand in 1916. He joined the RAF and also probably received a commission in 1937. On 24th August 1938 Arthur Mack was graded as P/O on Probation from the rank of Acting P/O on Probation. On his first operational flight on 8th September 1939 flying in 102 Squadron Whitley K8985 the aircraft strayed into neutral Belgium and was forced to land there. The crew of the aircraft were interned for a short time, they were able to escape and return to the UK, Mack re-joined his squadron. He was promoted to F/O on 24th March 1940, then to F/Lt (war subs) on 24th March 1941 and to S/Ldr (temp) on 1st July 1943. After flying with Bomber Command he transferred to Fighter Command and trained as a night-fighter pilot. He later commanded 605 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for service with this unit, Gazetted on 24th September 1943, the citation reads.."This officer formerly completed a tour of operational duty in Bomber Command. Latterly in fighter operations at night. Squadron Leader Mack has displayed great
keenness and tenacity. During a recent operational flight, and when some 430 miles from base, his aircraft struck an object and four feet of the starboard wing of his aircraft
was broken off and all except two feet of the starboard aileron. Despite this, Squadron Leader Mack flew the aircraft to base. This officer has set a very fine example." He transferred to the RNZAF in January 1944 and survived the War and returned home. He died on 20th August 1990. I thank Sarndra Lees for kindly contacting me and supplying
the photograph of his gravestone to this account which is also shown on her flickr page .
Whitley N1385 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was awaiting collection in October 1939. It was delivered to 102 Squadron at Driffield
in November 1939 when they were in the process of conversion from MkIII to MkV Whitleys. It sustained Cat.M(c)/FA in the incident on 10th January 1940, it was repaired on site and
returned to 102 Squadron. The fate of this aircraft is currently very unclear. There is an indication that it was lost on 17th August 1940 when it failed to return from Ops
to Augsburg but this cannot be confirmed. There is a suggestion that by May 1940 it was on charge with 77 Squadron also at Driffield. Because its loss on 17th August 1940 cannot
be proved I suggest it was damaged in the raid on Driffield on 15th August 1940 and after assessment it was struck off charge two days later (but this is speculation).