Operation: Tactical Reconnaissance

Date: 27th November 1942 (Friday)

Unit No: 225 Squadron, Desert Air Force

Type: Hurricane IIC

Serial: HL887

Code: None

Base: Bone Airfield (Annaba), Algeria

Location: South of Djebel Obeid in Tunisia

Pilot: Fg Off. Ian Ross Ingram 403343 RAAF Age 22. KiA

Above: Informal portrait of 403343 Plt Off. Ian Ross Ingram, RAAF who graduated as a pilot from No. 2 Service Flying Training School (2 SFTS) at Uplands, Ontario, Canada on the 1st September 1941 (Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial)

REASON FOR LOSS:

This image is of Hurricane IIC HL887 when it was flown by Fg Off. Albert Houle of 213 Squadron in “Operation Chocolate” during the period of 13th/16th November 1942.  It is believed that the 225 Sqn Code of “LX” was not applied to the aircraft (No formal attribution has been found)

Note: Fg Off. Houle was Fg Off. Albert Ulric Houle DFC, J4887 RCAF.  He, as a Sqn Ldr. with 417 Sqn, RCAF was awarded a Bar to his DFC on the 7th April 1944.

On the morning of the 27th November 1942 Fg Off. Ingram took off from Souk-el-Arba as “Weaver Escort” (Top Cover) to Flt Lt. Stewart on a Tactical Reconnaissance mission.

At 10:00 hrs approximately 30 miles east of Tabarka they encountered an enemy dive bombing raid escorted by fighters.  The two Hurricanes were attacked by four (4) Bf 109s  during which Flt Lt. Stewart lost contact with Fg Off. Ingram who failed to return.

• Note: Flt Lt Stewart was Flt Lt. Ian Grahame Stewart, DFC 43983 RAF. Later Acting Sqn Ldr. Ian Grahame Stewart, DFC, MiD, AFC.

His Hurricane crashed 30 miles east of Tabarka and south of Djebel Obeid in Tunisia and he was seriously injured.  He was recovered by Allied forces and admitted to No.1 Casualty Clearing Station, believed to be from the 1st British Army operating in Algiers and Tunis, but sadly succumbed to his injuries at 03:00 hrs on the 29th November.

The OKL (Luftwaffe High Command) Fighter Claims for the Mediterranean & Southern Front 1941-42 published that two German pilots, both from 4 Staffel II Gruppe Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik As’ (4./JG 53) which were flying the Bf 109F & Bf 109G-2, each claimed a Hurricane on the 27th November 1942:

• Uffz. Otto Russ, his 2nd Abschuss, 9 km south of Djebel Obeid in Tunisia at 20m at 10:15 hrs;

• Ofw. Walter Recker, his 10th Abschuss,  8 km south of Djebel Obeid in Tunisia at 20m at 10:17 hrs.

Note: Modern day research has not determined if these two claims are a shared claim or for two (2) separate Hurricanes.  However, at this time only the Hurricane of Fg Off. Ingram has been identified as being lost in this area on the day in question.

His Biographical and Service detail was researched by his niece Judith Tyers in 2013 and can be read on the ACT Government Libraries website. 

Above: Photograph issued in 1942. Caption: An Australian pilot officer - Pilot Officer Ingram of Canberra, Australia - standing with his Spitfire "KING OF THE AIR".  Courtesy of the Imperial War Museum (IWM).

Believed to be Spitfire VB BM580 built at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory.  The name under the 154 Sqn crest is not thought to be unique to this aircraft but the collective name given to Spitfires at that time.  It was rebuilt as a Seafire IB NX294 after it crashed on Anglesey on the 11th February 1943.

Two older brothers also served:

• Adam Harvey Ingram - Served as a Private N449363 with the Australian Army in 21st Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps (Part-Time Duty).  He was discharged on the 5th October 1944 for failing to attend Parades;

• Kenneth Ross Ingram - Served as an AC1 424762 in the RAAF as a General Clerk.  He was discharged from the RAAF on the 30th January 1943 to resume his civilian employment as a Parliamentary Reporter.

BURIAL DETAILS:

Above: The Bone War Cemetery (Courtesy of the CWGC)

Fg Off. Ian Ross Ingram.  Bone War Cemetery, Annaba Plot Vi, Row A, Grave 16.  Grave inscription: “A LOVING AND DUTIFUL SON”.  Born on the 12th September 1920 in Monifieth, Angus, Scotland.  Son of Adam and Jessie Jane (née Annan) Ingram of Forrest, Canberra, Australia.

• Also remembered on Panel 124, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their relatives with thanks to David Garrett for bringing Fg Off. Ingram to our notice together with his Biographical details (5th Nov 2026).

Other sources listed below: