Jack Rae | |
|---|---|
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| Birth name | John Donald Rae |
| Nickname(s) | JD |
| Born | 15 January 1919 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 19 December 2007 (aged 88) Kerikeri, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1946 |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron No. 603 Squadron No. 249 Squadron |
| Battles / wars |
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| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
John Donald Rae, DFC & Bar (15 January 1919 – 19 December 2007) was a flying ace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War. He was officially credited with the destruction of twelve enemy aircraft, as well as eight probably destroyed and six damaged.
Born and educated in Auckland, Rae joined the RNZAF following the outbreak of the Second World War. Rae was posted to England in 1941 to serve with the Royal Air Force, and he flew Supermarine Spitfires over the Channel Front with No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron. In April 1942, he was attached to No. 603 Squadron, which was tasked with flying Spitfires from the American aircraft carrier USS Wasp to the island of Malta. He then served on Malta with No. 249 Squadron before being repatriated to England due to wounds. Once recovered, he served as a flying instructor before rejoining No. 485 Squadron, still serving on the Channel Front, in May 1943. He was forced down over France a few months later and became a prisoner of war. After the war, he established a business manufacturing clothing and spent his later years living in Kerikeri. He died in 2007, aged 88.