Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 17, 2011 0:31:59 GMT 12
I was looking through Papers Past came across this article:
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1944, Page 4
SPITFIRES IN BURMA
N.Z. PILOT IN COMMAND (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) NEW DELHI, April 3.
A well-known Spitfire squadron, fresh from the Italian battlefront, is now operating against the Japanese over Burma. It is the Nizam of Hyderabad's squadron and is composed of pilots from every part of the British Empire.
A letter from the personal secretary of the Nizam welcoming them to India says: "His Exalted Highness is deeply gratified to learn that the squadron is fighting fit and that the morale and health of the squadron are exceptionally good. He has commanded me to convey to you his warmest greetings and best wishes."
The squadron is commanded by a 22 years old New Zealander, Squadron Leader M. I. B. Ingram, D.F.C, of Dunedin, who was awarded the D.F.C. in October, 1942, at Alamein for leadership and devotion to duty. Joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a flight sergeant in 1941, he was commissioned before the year was out. For three months he was in the battle of Malta, later serving with his squadron in Sicily and Italy. Just before leaving for the forward area his squadron shot down an intruder aircraft over Calcutta. "Just to keep our hand in," he explained.
I found this interesting as this was obviously No. 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron which featured the black panthers on the sides of their Spitfires. I looked him up in By Such Deeds and found he was a very fascinating chap. I think it is better explained on the Auckland War Memorial Museum's tribute page to hime here:
muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/18739.detail
The details from that page are:
Full Name Mervyn Robert Bruce Ingram
Rank Last Held: Squadron Leader
Forename(s): Mervyn Robert Bruce
Surname: Ingram
Also Known As: Bruce
War World War II, 1939-1945
Serial No: NZ402190
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 13 December 1921
Place of Birth: Dunedin, New Zealand
Religion: Presbyterian
First Known Rank: Sergeant Pilot
Occupation before Enlistment: Clerk
Next of Kin C.W.N. Ingram (father)
Marital Status: Single
Enlistment Date: 27 July 1940
Age on Enlistment: 18
Embarkation Date: 28 February 1941
Place of Embarkation: Auckland, New Zealand
Vessel: Awatea
Destination: United Kingdom
Other Units:
611 (West Lancashire) Squadron Royal Air Force,
486 (NZ) Squadron
601 Squadron
232 Squadron
243 Squadron
Campaigns:
Britain
Malta
Western Desert
Italy
Burma
Military Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Award Circumstances:
The Recommendation for Honours and Awards signed by Bruce Ingram's commanding officer on 1 October 1942 reads as follows: "This officer has shown amazing determination to come to grips with the enemy at all occasions. After leaving Malta where he fought for a critical 3 months he came to the Western Desert during the retreat from Gazala. There he was made Flight Commander and has been an outstanding leader. While in hospital after being injuried in an aircraft accident he was constantly asking to be released to rejoin his Unit. He was eventually released as the enemy attempted to advance. Although he had been granted convalescent leave after his sickness, he refused and went instantly into action. His keenness has been an example to all his Flight. He has shot down at least four enemy aircraft and has been instrumental in the successes of the pilots in his Flight."
Last Unit Served Royal New Zealand Air Force, 152 Hyderabad Squadron (Royal Indian Air Force)
Place of Death: Imphal, India
Date of Death: 11 July 1944
Age at Death: 22
Year of Death: 1944
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Cemetery Name: Imphal War Cemetery, India
Grave Reference: Plot 1, Row C, Grave 2
Biographical Notes:
Son of Charles William Nepean Ingram and of Jemima Moir Webster Ingram (nee Ramage), of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
His log book is in the possession of his family.
The following dossier on Squadron Leader Ingram DFC was supplied by family.
"At the age of nineteen Ingram listed in the RNZAF, and in August 1940 was posted to No. 1 EFTS at Taieri, Mosgeil, New ZEaland. Two months later he joined No. 1 FTS at Wigram, Christchurch, where he underwent concentrated training. He left this in February 1941 and in May joined No. 53 OTU, based at Heston, Middlesex, in England.
Training with Spitfires his proficiency as a fighter pilot was rated as 'average', and with 525 flying hours experience was posted to 66 Spitfire Squadron, flying Spitfires. Ingram remained here for a month and was then transferred to 611 Aux. Squadron, based at Hornchurch, in mid-July. Flying nearly eighty missions with this Squadron he damaged a ME 109 on 20 September and rose to the rank of P/O in November. On 22 February 1942 he crashlanded his Spitfire, but was 'exhonerated from all blame'.
Ingram was then posted to No. 486 RNZAF Hurricane Squadron, based at Kirton Lindsey, and on the 20 April 1942 flew with 601 Squadron off the US A/C Carrier 'Wasp' to Luqa in Malta.
From here action was an occupational hazard and on the 10 May whilst in combat with 16 JU. 87's Ingram's cannons jammed, as they also did on his next two sorties.
On the 14 May 'Red and Blue sections' intercepted 3 JU.88's with 12 ME.109 escort, at 16,000 feet over the Grand Harbour. Ingram attacked a JU.88 already damaged by F.Lt Barnham, and fired 160 rounds into it. Strikes were observed along the starboard side and the Junkers crashed on the Island.
On 15 June whilst on a long range convoy patrol, Ingram shared in destroying a JU.87 in flames with Sgt. Rowlandson, and a few hours later on a second convoy patrol reported:-
'Convoy picked up about 60 miles W. of Island. At 8,000 feet when about 15 JU.88's dived on convoy out of sun. Picked one out and followed him through the navy 'flak'. Fired everything into him and set starboard engine on fire, and large pieces fell off port engine or wing root and E/A crashed near convoy'.
Towards the end of June the Squadron moved to the Middle East where. on the 14 July, the New Zealander, now having the rank of F/Lt., shared in the destruction of a ME.109F with two other pilots at 12,000 feet.
A week later six of 601 bounced two ME.109Fs. Ingram selected one and fired four short bursts from 200 yards astern. The E/A was last seen diving steeply through light cloud, 'right on the deck'. It was credited as confirmed.
Three days later, on the 24th, Ingram intercepted a reconnaissance JU.88 at 25,000 feet off Alexandria harbour, and chased it to the Alamein Line. As the range closed the New Zealander loosed off some long bursts at it. His bursts were accurate and a large piece of the Junkers tail flew back. Moments later the starboard engine burst into flames and the Junkers dived to the ground.
On the 25th after taking off to catch another recco A/C, Ingram reported:-
'Intercepted the E/A at 24,500 feet over base and chased him west to about 10 miles E of foot of Alamein Line. Fired four good long cannon bursts from 400 yards, one large red flash being observed. E/A crashed in our lines.'
During September Ingram flew thirty odd operational flights, scoring four times against ME.109s. He probably destroyed one on the 2nd, damaged one on the 4th, probably destroyed another on the 7th and damaged yet another on the 18th. He was awarded the DFC on the 4 October, having at this time a score of 5 confirmed, 2 probables and 3 damages.
Continuous flying followed and this keen New Zealander scored twice more against 109s in October, claiming a probable whilst escorting Kittyhawks on the 18th, and damaged one of the 25th. On the 31 October he shared with five other pilots in destroying a JU.52, and on the 7 November, whilst patroling the road West of Matruh, against road strafing, he led six pilots to intercept a number of JU.87s with 109 escort. The action was sharp but favoured the Allied formation, and seven E/A were destroyed without loss, Ingram shooting down a ME.109 and sharing in the destruction of a JU.87 with a fellow pilot.
On the 8 December whilst accompanying Warhawks bombing Marble Arch, Ingram made four attacks, two quarter, two astern, on a ME.102, which went down in a controlled dive, coughing smoke, and force landed behind enemy lines.
In February 1943 he spent a few weeks with the METS at Ballah and was then posted as an instructor to 73 OTU at Abu Sueir, instructing for three months. In late June he joined 232 Squadron at Takali, Malta, and in mid-July was posted to 243 Squadron based at Halfar. On the 3 August again in action he damaged a ME.109 and on the 8th was promoted to Squadron Leader, taking command of 152 Hyderabad Squadron in Sicily.
On September 18 in a patrol over 'Peaches' beach at 16,000 feet, the New Zealander damaged a F.W.190 and the next day, the 19th, destroyed one, later reporting:-
'Intercepted 9 F.W.190s at about 4000 feet N.E. of base and 190s still bombed up. Fired long burst at one from about 150 yards. Evidently E/A dived in.'
Ingram's last claim of the war came on the 22 September 1943 when he shared, after expending all his ammunition, with a fellow pilot, in destroying another F.W.190, the pilot of which bailed out.
Just before Christmas 1943 the Squadron moved to India, where it flew numerous defensive and offensive patrols, over Allied and enemy held territory. Zeros were known to be about, but the New Zealander never came close enough to test his skill against them.
In June 1944, whilst returning from a rhubarb operation Ingram was forced to crash-land short of Imphal, and broke his nose and also received face wounds. Sent to a field hospital, he was taken care of by two nurses, specially flown in, but while there contracted maleria and tetanus, and the combining forces of these diseases, together with injuries sustained in the accident, proved too acute. He died on 11 July 1944."
Family note that before he was killed his tally of strikes on enemy aircraft had risen to 9.5 confirmed, 3 probables, and 6 damages.
Ingram, at the time of his death, had flown 362 operational trips, totalling approximately 500 operational hours, and was officially credited with 9.5 confirmed victories, 3 probables and 6 damages, all while flying Spitfires."
Died from injuries received in air crash
Further References Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch: Volplane Press.
Sources Used Commonwealth War Graves Commission. URL: www.cwgc.org
Unpublished papers: family papers
What an amazing guy. And to think after all that air combat he was killed by a cut on his lip caused in the forced landing. I found this wartime article which details it slightlu more than above:
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 14, 17 July 1944, Page 4
N.Z. AIRMAN
EFFORT TO SAVE LIFE FAILS
LONDON. July 14. Strenuous efforts were made to save the life of a New Zealand airmail who was injured and later developed tetanus when his plane crashed in Burma. Two R.A.F. nurses were flown to Imphal. They are the first European women to enter Manipur State since the evacuation of all European women five months ago. The New Zealander received a broken nose and a cut lip when his plane crashed. Thirteen days later, when he was almost ready to leave hospital, he developed tetanus. Squadron Leader Doran, formerly of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, asked for nurses and special drugs to be sent by plane. Eggs and milk were specially flown across the mountains to the hospital.
The Air Department advises that the airman concerned was Squadron Leader Mervin Robert Bruce Ingram. D.F.C.. of Dunedin, who died on Tuesday. His next-of-kin is his father. Mr. C. W. L. Ingram, central fire station, Dunedin.
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1944, Page 4
SPITFIRES IN BURMA
N.Z. PILOT IN COMMAND (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.) NEW DELHI, April 3.
A well-known Spitfire squadron, fresh from the Italian battlefront, is now operating against the Japanese over Burma. It is the Nizam of Hyderabad's squadron and is composed of pilots from every part of the British Empire.
A letter from the personal secretary of the Nizam welcoming them to India says: "His Exalted Highness is deeply gratified to learn that the squadron is fighting fit and that the morale and health of the squadron are exceptionally good. He has commanded me to convey to you his warmest greetings and best wishes."
The squadron is commanded by a 22 years old New Zealander, Squadron Leader M. I. B. Ingram, D.F.C, of Dunedin, who was awarded the D.F.C. in October, 1942, at Alamein for leadership and devotion to duty. Joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a flight sergeant in 1941, he was commissioned before the year was out. For three months he was in the battle of Malta, later serving with his squadron in Sicily and Italy. Just before leaving for the forward area his squadron shot down an intruder aircraft over Calcutta. "Just to keep our hand in," he explained.
I found this interesting as this was obviously No. 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron which featured the black panthers on the sides of their Spitfires. I looked him up in By Such Deeds and found he was a very fascinating chap. I think it is better explained on the Auckland War Memorial Museum's tribute page to hime here:
muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/18739.detail
The details from that page are:
Full Name Mervyn Robert Bruce Ingram
Rank Last Held: Squadron Leader
Forename(s): Mervyn Robert Bruce
Surname: Ingram
Also Known As: Bruce
War World War II, 1939-1945
Serial No: NZ402190
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 13 December 1921
Place of Birth: Dunedin, New Zealand
Religion: Presbyterian
First Known Rank: Sergeant Pilot
Occupation before Enlistment: Clerk
Next of Kin C.W.N. Ingram (father)
Marital Status: Single
Enlistment Date: 27 July 1940
Age on Enlistment: 18
Embarkation Date: 28 February 1941
Place of Embarkation: Auckland, New Zealand
Vessel: Awatea
Destination: United Kingdom
Other Units:
611 (West Lancashire) Squadron Royal Air Force,
486 (NZ) Squadron
601 Squadron
232 Squadron
243 Squadron
Campaigns:
Britain
Malta
Western Desert
Italy
Burma
Military Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Award Circumstances:
The Recommendation for Honours and Awards signed by Bruce Ingram's commanding officer on 1 October 1942 reads as follows: "This officer has shown amazing determination to come to grips with the enemy at all occasions. After leaving Malta where he fought for a critical 3 months he came to the Western Desert during the retreat from Gazala. There he was made Flight Commander and has been an outstanding leader. While in hospital after being injuried in an aircraft accident he was constantly asking to be released to rejoin his Unit. He was eventually released as the enemy attempted to advance. Although he had been granted convalescent leave after his sickness, he refused and went instantly into action. His keenness has been an example to all his Flight. He has shot down at least four enemy aircraft and has been instrumental in the successes of the pilots in his Flight."
Last Unit Served Royal New Zealand Air Force, 152 Hyderabad Squadron (Royal Indian Air Force)
Place of Death: Imphal, India
Date of Death: 11 July 1944
Age at Death: 22
Year of Death: 1944
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Cemetery Name: Imphal War Cemetery, India
Grave Reference: Plot 1, Row C, Grave 2
Biographical Notes:
Son of Charles William Nepean Ingram and of Jemima Moir Webster Ingram (nee Ramage), of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
His log book is in the possession of his family.
The following dossier on Squadron Leader Ingram DFC was supplied by family.
"At the age of nineteen Ingram listed in the RNZAF, and in August 1940 was posted to No. 1 EFTS at Taieri, Mosgeil, New ZEaland. Two months later he joined No. 1 FTS at Wigram, Christchurch, where he underwent concentrated training. He left this in February 1941 and in May joined No. 53 OTU, based at Heston, Middlesex, in England.
Training with Spitfires his proficiency as a fighter pilot was rated as 'average', and with 525 flying hours experience was posted to 66 Spitfire Squadron, flying Spitfires. Ingram remained here for a month and was then transferred to 611 Aux. Squadron, based at Hornchurch, in mid-July. Flying nearly eighty missions with this Squadron he damaged a ME 109 on 20 September and rose to the rank of P/O in November. On 22 February 1942 he crashlanded his Spitfire, but was 'exhonerated from all blame'.
Ingram was then posted to No. 486 RNZAF Hurricane Squadron, based at Kirton Lindsey, and on the 20 April 1942 flew with 601 Squadron off the US A/C Carrier 'Wasp' to Luqa in Malta.
From here action was an occupational hazard and on the 10 May whilst in combat with 16 JU. 87's Ingram's cannons jammed, as they also did on his next two sorties.
On the 14 May 'Red and Blue sections' intercepted 3 JU.88's with 12 ME.109 escort, at 16,000 feet over the Grand Harbour. Ingram attacked a JU.88 already damaged by F.Lt Barnham, and fired 160 rounds into it. Strikes were observed along the starboard side and the Junkers crashed on the Island.
On 15 June whilst on a long range convoy patrol, Ingram shared in destroying a JU.87 in flames with Sgt. Rowlandson, and a few hours later on a second convoy patrol reported:-
'Convoy picked up about 60 miles W. of Island. At 8,000 feet when about 15 JU.88's dived on convoy out of sun. Picked one out and followed him through the navy 'flak'. Fired everything into him and set starboard engine on fire, and large pieces fell off port engine or wing root and E/A crashed near convoy'.
Towards the end of June the Squadron moved to the Middle East where. on the 14 July, the New Zealander, now having the rank of F/Lt., shared in the destruction of a ME.109F with two other pilots at 12,000 feet.
A week later six of 601 bounced two ME.109Fs. Ingram selected one and fired four short bursts from 200 yards astern. The E/A was last seen diving steeply through light cloud, 'right on the deck'. It was credited as confirmed.
Three days later, on the 24th, Ingram intercepted a reconnaissance JU.88 at 25,000 feet off Alexandria harbour, and chased it to the Alamein Line. As the range closed the New Zealander loosed off some long bursts at it. His bursts were accurate and a large piece of the Junkers tail flew back. Moments later the starboard engine burst into flames and the Junkers dived to the ground.
On the 25th after taking off to catch another recco A/C, Ingram reported:-
'Intercepted the E/A at 24,500 feet over base and chased him west to about 10 miles E of foot of Alamein Line. Fired four good long cannon bursts from 400 yards, one large red flash being observed. E/A crashed in our lines.'
During September Ingram flew thirty odd operational flights, scoring four times against ME.109s. He probably destroyed one on the 2nd, damaged one on the 4th, probably destroyed another on the 7th and damaged yet another on the 18th. He was awarded the DFC on the 4 October, having at this time a score of 5 confirmed, 2 probables and 3 damages.
Continuous flying followed and this keen New Zealander scored twice more against 109s in October, claiming a probable whilst escorting Kittyhawks on the 18th, and damaged one of the 25th. On the 31 October he shared with five other pilots in destroying a JU.52, and on the 7 November, whilst patroling the road West of Matruh, against road strafing, he led six pilots to intercept a number of JU.87s with 109 escort. The action was sharp but favoured the Allied formation, and seven E/A were destroyed without loss, Ingram shooting down a ME.109 and sharing in the destruction of a JU.87 with a fellow pilot.
On the 8 December whilst accompanying Warhawks bombing Marble Arch, Ingram made four attacks, two quarter, two astern, on a ME.102, which went down in a controlled dive, coughing smoke, and force landed behind enemy lines.
In February 1943 he spent a few weeks with the METS at Ballah and was then posted as an instructor to 73 OTU at Abu Sueir, instructing for three months. In late June he joined 232 Squadron at Takali, Malta, and in mid-July was posted to 243 Squadron based at Halfar. On the 3 August again in action he damaged a ME.109 and on the 8th was promoted to Squadron Leader, taking command of 152 Hyderabad Squadron in Sicily.
On September 18 in a patrol over 'Peaches' beach at 16,000 feet, the New Zealander damaged a F.W.190 and the next day, the 19th, destroyed one, later reporting:-
'Intercepted 9 F.W.190s at about 4000 feet N.E. of base and 190s still bombed up. Fired long burst at one from about 150 yards. Evidently E/A dived in.'
Ingram's last claim of the war came on the 22 September 1943 when he shared, after expending all his ammunition, with a fellow pilot, in destroying another F.W.190, the pilot of which bailed out.
Just before Christmas 1943 the Squadron moved to India, where it flew numerous defensive and offensive patrols, over Allied and enemy held territory. Zeros were known to be about, but the New Zealander never came close enough to test his skill against them.
In June 1944, whilst returning from a rhubarb operation Ingram was forced to crash-land short of Imphal, and broke his nose and also received face wounds. Sent to a field hospital, he was taken care of by two nurses, specially flown in, but while there contracted maleria and tetanus, and the combining forces of these diseases, together with injuries sustained in the accident, proved too acute. He died on 11 July 1944."
Family note that before he was killed his tally of strikes on enemy aircraft had risen to 9.5 confirmed, 3 probables, and 6 damages.
Ingram, at the time of his death, had flown 362 operational trips, totalling approximately 500 operational hours, and was officially credited with 9.5 confirmed victories, 3 probables and 6 damages, all while flying Spitfires."
Died from injuries received in air crash
Further References Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch: Volplane Press.
Sources Used Commonwealth War Graves Commission. URL: www.cwgc.org
Unpublished papers: family papers
What an amazing guy. And to think after all that air combat he was killed by a cut on his lip caused in the forced landing. I found this wartime article which details it slightlu more than above:
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 14, 17 July 1944, Page 4
N.Z. AIRMAN
EFFORT TO SAVE LIFE FAILS
LONDON. July 14. Strenuous efforts were made to save the life of a New Zealand airmail who was injured and later developed tetanus when his plane crashed in Burma. Two R.A.F. nurses were flown to Imphal. They are the first European women to enter Manipur State since the evacuation of all European women five months ago. The New Zealander received a broken nose and a cut lip when his plane crashed. Thirteen days later, when he was almost ready to leave hospital, he developed tetanus. Squadron Leader Doran, formerly of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, asked for nurses and special drugs to be sent by plane. Eggs and milk were specially flown across the mountains to the hospital.
The Air Department advises that the airman concerned was Squadron Leader Mervin Robert Bruce Ingram. D.F.C.. of Dunedin, who died on Tuesday. His next-of-kin is his father. Mr. C. W. L. Ingram, central fire station, Dunedin.
