Operation: Ramrod

Date: 27th August 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 137 Squadron (motto: 'Do right, fear naught'). 124 Wing. 83 Group. 2nd Tactical Air Force.

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MN803

Code: SF-V

Base: RAF Coulombs, Normandy (B6 Advanced landing ground)

Location: West of Rouen, France.

Pilot: F/O. Ian Cameron Hutcheson NZ/412694 RNZAF Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 12:15 hrs on an attack on shipping on the River Seine between Le Havre and Rouen.

During the sortie, the pilot encountered flak, although F/O. Hutcheson radioed to say he was baling out but no parachute was seen.

It was later discovered that he had crashed at Auzebosc a few kilometers southwest of Yvetot and buried in the local churchyard.

137 Squadron Pilots - dated August 1944 (Courtesy: Margaret Baker)

Burial Details:

F/O. Ian Cameron Hutcheson. Auzebosc Churchyard. Row 7. Grave 3. Born in Wellington on the 04th August 1916, the family moved later to Hastings where he attended High School. Prior to joining he was head shepherd at the Pourerere Station at Waipawa, New Zealand. Enlisted on the 03rd May 1941 at Levin. Trained with No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School on the 14th June 1941, 1st solo on the 27th June 1941. Further training with No. 2 Flying Training School on 26th July 1941. Pilots badge awarded and promoted to sergeant on the 18th October 1941.

Embarked for England on the 17th November 1941. Further training on the Hurricane at 52 Operational Training Unit. Joined 3 squadron flying Typhoon on the 28 May 1942 where he completed 48 operational sorties. Hospital leave from 20th July - 27 August 1943. Joined 137 squadron on the 29th May 1944 where he carried out 20 operational sorties. Awarded commission on the 08th July 1943. Son of Hugh Wilson Hutcheson and Mary Jane Cameron Hutcheson (née Robertson), Hastings, New Zealand. The pilot had logged 683 flying hours and completed 68 operational sorties.

L-R: Rear; Wilfred James Hannah NZ/412683 - killed 06th November 1942, JH Malcom, Ian Cameron Hutcheson NZ/412694 - killed 27th August 1944, WA Hardham, HH Wilson.

Centre; Norman Mathew Langlands NZ/412702 - killed 02nd August 1942, JA Hendry, PA Bull, Godfrey Simon Harcourt NZ/412684 - killed 11th January 1944, Geoffrey Thomas Coldham NZ/412657 - killed 11th June 1942, David George West NZ/412772 - killed 23rd February 1942, Kenneth Charles Bacon NZ/412644 - died 27th November 2004.

Front; V Moran, Byron Court Lumsden NZ/412705 - died 02nd September 2002, HP Jensen, Geoffrey Stanton Lloyd NZ/411972 - killed 26th December 1942, DS Beauchamp, Stanley George Culliford NZ/412659 - died 29th December 2001, RK Monk, Stanley Hearne Gunn NZ/412680 - killed 27th June 1942.

Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following for further information supplied, Kate Tame for photographs of grave, Errol Martin for personal information on Ian Hutcheson, Pierre Pecastaingys for memorial photograph, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol. 3, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Thanks to Margaret Baker, the niece of Flg.Off. Hutcheson, for the photographs of 137th Squadron pilots and Flg.Off. Hutcheson.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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