Operation: Ramrod 33

Date: 17th May 1942 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 402 Squadron

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: BM150

Code: -

Base: RAF Kenley, Surrey

Location: English Channel off Ambleteuse

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Bruce Evans Innes DFC. J/16925 RCAF Age 21. Survived - injured

REASON FOR LOSS:

On Ramrod 33 - escorting some 12 Bostons on a daylight bombing operation to Ambleteuse. The escorting fighters from various squadrons suffered heavy losses from fighters of JG26. 5 pilots killed, 3 taken PoW, 2 injured with both of these from 402 Squadron.

Sq/Ldr. Innes taken it is understood in August 1945 whilst with 411 Squadron (courtesy Mairin Innes)

Fl/Sgt. Innes was shot down during the battle and baled out breaking his leg in several places. RAF Air Sea Rescue Units rescued the pilot.

Left: ‘Above Where Eagles Soar’ - Ross Innes - 1995 - ISBN 13: 9780969461609 - 245 pages.

Further information: Bruce Evans Innes was born on the 26th January 1921 in Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Enlisted in RCAF October 1940 - October 1941 posted to RAF Unsworth, United Kingdom - November 1941 posted to 402 Squadron, 12 Group Warmwell, Dorsetshire - 1942 Squadron moved to RAF Colerne, Somerset, England, then on to RAF Fairwood Common in Swansea.

March 1942 converted to Spitfire Vb with duties including scrambles and convoy patrols over the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea - May 1942 Squadron moved to RAF Kenley in Surrey, England after hospitalisation following the described bale out rejoined Squadron in December 1942 at RAF Digby, England.

Duties: Operational fighter sweeps, Support of RAF Beaufighter Squadrons against enemy vessels operating near Dutch coast, and fighter escort of USAF medium and heavy bomber day raids over Occupied France.- December 1944: with 402 Squadron moved to Diest, Belgium supporting British and Canadian Armies on the Rhine.

April 1944 promoted to Fl/Lt. Awarded DFC July 1945. Appointed Squadron Leader 411 Squadron July 1st 1945. Completed 2 Tours - 170 operational missions - 3 confirmed, 1 probable, 5 damaged, plus 5 shared.

Right: Jean Innes (née Newsam) - born: Liverpool 1921 - WAAF Plotter - Digby, Lincs - 1940 to 1945: married Bruce Innes 1944, Sleaford, Lincolnshire. England. Died: 2 May 1976, White Rock, BC, Canada. Buried: Mount Seymour Memorial Gardens, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (courtesy Mairin Innes)

Taken shortly after rejoining 402 after his injuries (courtesy Mairin Innes)

RAF Warmwell, Dorset 1942 - bombing up a Hurricane (courtesy Mairin Innes)

Messing around - taken whilst with 411 Squadron 1945/46 (courtesy Mairin Innes)

Above left: Sq/Ldr. Jack 'Mitch' Mitchner and Sq/Ldr. Bruce Innes 1945 Right the squadron taken in the spring of 1945 (courtesy Mairin Innes)

Burial details:

None - Fl/Sgt. Bruce Evans Innes DFC survived this and the war. Died New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, 1982 age 61. Buried at the Peace Arch Cemetery, Military Section, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to his daughter, Mairin Innes for detailed information and sources quoted below.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2025 Last Modified: 16 June 2021, 15:26