Jackie Mann facts for kids

Jackie Mann (born June 11, 1914 – died November 12, 1995) was a brave Royal Air Force pilot. He flew fighter planes during the Second World War, especially in the famous Battle of Britain. Later in his life, he was taken hostage in Lebanon in May 1989 and held for over two years.

Becoming a Pilot

Jackie Mann was born in Northampton, England, on June 11, 1914. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1938. In July 1940, as a pilot, he joined No. 64 Squadron RAF. He flew fast Spitfire planes.

He was shot down by friendly fire on August 16, 1940. After that, he joined No. 92 Squadron in late August. He was hurt during a fight on September 14. He then moved to No. 91 Squadron. On April 4, 1941, he was shot down again and badly burned. He had special surgery at Queen Victoria Hospital. He also received the Distinguished Flying Medal for his bravery.

Jackie met his wife, Dilys Pritchard, known as "Sunnie," in London during the war. She was an ambulance driver. They got married in 1943. After he got better, Jackie flew planes across the North Atlantic Ocean. He shot down 5 enemy planes, probably 1 more, and damaged 3 others. He was later promoted to Squadron Leader.

Life After the War

After the war, Jackie Mann became a chief pilot for Middle East Airlines. He and Sunnie moved to Cyprus and then to Lebanon. They lived there for over 40 years. After he retired, Jackie ran a pub called the Pickwick. Sunnie ran a successful horse riding school.

Being Taken Hostage

On May 13, 1989, Jackie Mann was kidnapped in Beirut, Lebanon. A group called "Armed Struggle Cells" took him. This group was linked to Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon.

The group wanted some Palestinian prisoners released. They claimed these prisoners were held in Britain. However, no one linked to the murder they mentioned was held by the UK. The British embassy had warned people to leave Beirut before Jackie was taken.

In September 1989, Sunnie was told that Jackie had died. This news came from a man she met in a shopping center.

Freedom and Later Years

Jackie Mann was finally set free on September 24, 1991. He had been held for 865 days. The British and US governments helped negotiate his release. He was held with other hostages like journalist John McCarthy.

When he was released, he first went to Damascus, Syria, where he met Sunnie. Then he flew back to England. His health had become very poor while he was held captive. He was kept alone for long times, sometimes in chains. He lost a lot of weight and had heart and lung problems. His old war burns also caused skin issues.

After his release, the Manns settled in Nicosia, Cyprus. Jackie was given a special award, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, in 1992.

Jackie and Sunnie wrote a book in 1992 called Yours Till The End: Harrowing Life of a Beirut Hostage. Sunnie also wrote a book called Holding On in 1991.

Sunnie Mann passed away in November 1992 from lung cancer. Jackie Mann died in Nicosia on November 12, 1995. He was 81 years old.

See also

• List of kidnappings
• List of solved missing person cases