Whitley N1499 damaged by flak, returned to Driffield airfield.
On the night of 14th / 15th June 1940 the crew of this 102 Squadron were undertaking Ops to bomb Cologne and took off from Driffield at 21.29hrs.
Aircraft "DY-C" was slightly damaged by flak but the crew were able to return to make a safe landing at Driffield airfield at 03.05hrs.
Pilot - F/O Arthur William Mack RAF (40244).
Second Pilot - P/O Jack Simon Gustave Crawford RAF (42197).
Observer - Sgt C A P Desborough.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt F W Lewis.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt L C Hare.
Arthur Mack was born in Wellington, New Zealand in January 1920, he joined the RAF in 1937. He probably receieved his 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 Whitley K8985 the aircraft strayed into neutral Belgium and was forced to land in Belgium. The crew of the aircraft were interned for a short time, they were able to escape and he returned to the UK to re-join his squadron. He was promted 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, survived the War and returned home. He died on 20th August 1990.
Jack Crawford received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 10th June 1940. He was later graded as P/O on probation on 18th September 1939 and confirmed as P/O on 17th July 1940. He rose to F/O (war subs) on 18th November 1940 and F/Lt (war subs) on 18th February 1942. F/Lt Crawford was also to loose his life before the War ended; on 15th March 1944 Lancaster LM392 of 550 Squadron which he was captaining crashed near Artolsheim, Bas-Rhein in France after being shot down by an enemy night-fighter. The whole of his new crew were killed and were buried in the local cemetery.