Philip Mack

Philip John Mack
Born October 6, 1892(1892-10-06)
Paston Hall near Norwich, UK
Died April 29, 1943(1943-04-29) (aged 50)
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Navy
Years of service 1905-1943
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands held 7th Destroyer Flotilla , 14th Destroyer Flotilla
Battles/wars World War II
- Battle of the Tarigo Convoy
Battle of Matapan
Awards DSO with bar

Philip John Mack (October, 1892—29 April 1943) was an officer of the British Royal Navy.

He was born in Paston Hall near Norwich, the son of Paston Mack, a Major in the 12th Royal Lancers, British Army. He was educated at the Navy College in Osborne and at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, joining the Navy in 1905.

Service

During the First World War he served in destroyers.

In the interwar years he commanded the destroyers HMS Tumult, HMS Wishart, HMS Wryneck and the cruiser HMS Hawkins. He married Elizabeth Mack in 1930 and was second in command on HMS Nelson from 1932-1934. From 1935 to 1939 he was Naval Attaché in South America, based in Buenos Aires.

Second World War

In March 1939 Mack was appointed commander of the 7th Destroyer Flotilla Home Fleet, with HMS Jervis as his flagship. In 1940 he was transferred as commander 14th Destroyer Flotilla Mediterranean Fleet. He led his flotilla in the battles of Cape Matapan and was the British commander during the destruction of the Tarigo Convoy In May 1942 he was given command of the battleship HMS King George V

He was awarded the DSO in 1940 and bar to the DSO in 1941. Mack was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1943.

Mack died in an air crash in April 1943.

References