INGALLS, F/L Bruce Johnston (J17096) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.72 Squadron - Award effective 15 May 1944 as per London Gazette dated 23 May 1944 and AFRO 1380/44 dated 30 June 1944. Born in Danville, Quebec, 29 June 1921; home in Sayabec. Educated in Danville, Quebec. Served with 7/11 Hussars Armoury Guard, 13 October 1939 to 30 April 1940. He virtually deserted the army to enlist in the RCAF, which led to some later complications, although it was generally accepted that he either misunderstood the Army recruiting officer or was misled into believing that he could seek easy discharge to join the RCAF. Enlisted in Montreal, 11 July 1941 and sent to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.6 BGS, Mountain View, 9 August 1941 (guard duty). To No.5 ITS, Belleville, 2 September 1941; graduated and promoted LAC on 26 October 1941; taken on strength of No.13 EFTS. St. Eugene, 27 October 1941; taken on strength of No.13 SFTS, St. Hunert, 21 December 1941; graduated as a Sergeant Pilot, 10 April 1942. At "Y" Depot, Halifax, 12-30 April 1942. Arrived in UK, 12 May 1941. At No.5 (P) AFU, 23 June to 14 July 1942 and No.61 OTU, 14 July to 6 October 1942. With No.402 Squadron 6 October 1942 to 5 May 1943; left Britain on 17 May 1943, arriving in North Africa on 27 May 1943. With No.72 Squadron, 12 May 1943 to 4 March 1944. Had been promoted to Flight Sergeant, 10 October 1942; commissioned 29 January 1943; promoted to Flying Officer, 29 July 1943 and to Flight Lieutenant, 4 March 1944. With No.417 Squadron 4 March 1944 to 16 June 1944. Killed in action (flak). DFC presented 12 December 1944 by the Governor General; RCAF photo PL-34547 taken at the time; Mrs. J.F. Ingalls (widow) and S/L R.B. Ingalls (brother). Chris Shores, Aces High (2nd edition) lists following victories: 12 July 1943, one Ju.52 destroyed plus one Bf.109 damaged (Spitfire EN358); 12 September 1943, one Bf.109 destroyed plus one damaged (MA637); 27 January 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (MA637); 7 February 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (MH562, possible shared with another pilot); 16 February 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (identity of his aircraft uncertain); 20 February 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (MH699); 16 March 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (JG173,E"); 19 March 1944, one Bf.109 destroyed (JF956 "B"). Photo is PL-27173. See also photo PL-25162, taken on leave to Canada, // Flight Lieutenant Ingalls joined this squadron in Malta and flew many sorties during the invasion of Sicily, subsequently he took part in the Salerno operations and has been flying with the squadron on all occasions during the Italian campaign. On many occasions it has been due to this officer's accurate reporting of the presence of enemy aircraft that his squadron has been able to engage them. He has destroyed at least five enemy aircraft and damaged others. // At No.61 OTU he was assessed on 6 October 1942 as “Above Average” in the following: Natural Aptitude, Skill in Landing, Airmanship, Aerobatics, Formation Flying and Flying for Bombing. He was graded “Average” in Cockpit Drill, Instrument Flying and Map Reading. At the OTU he flew 1.50 day dual, 63.30 day solo, of which 6.05 was instrument flying and 20.30 was formation flying; he also did 11 hours 50 minutes in Link. He fired 4,800 rounds (air-to-sir) and 800 rounds (air-to-sea). He was described as “A keen pilot of above average ability and a good NCO. Should do well in a Squadron”. // An assessment of his shooting, dated 28 September 1942 noted four film exercises and six on drogue. The assessing officer wrote, “His scores on the drogue show he has a good knowledge of deflection and can apply it practically. Poor visibility was responsible for the low scores on his third and fourth shoot.” The overall assessment, “This pupil is keen and intelligent. Should prove a good marksman in combat.” // The now-defunct website flyingforyourlife is the source of the following story, dated-lined “With the RCAF in Italy, November 5, 1943 (CP)”: // One of the first concrete prizes to come into Allied hands after the capitulation of Italy was a three-motored Savoi medium bomber which surrendered in mid-flight to a single Allied fighter. The machine was seen over the sea north of Sicily and an RAF Spitfire squadron, with which P/O Bruce A. Ingalls of Danville, Quebec was flying, was warned to be on the lookout. “When the Spitfires did fine the Italian aircraft,” Ingalls said, a Grumman Martlet fighter already was shepherding it toward Sicily. “We were on the way home after a patrol over the assault beaches,” said Ingalls, “when we got the message to watch for the Eytie machine. When we found it, the Grumman already had it in tow, so to speak, so we just flew along with them for a while. It finally landed at a field close to our own. We didn’t see the surrender, but we heard afterward that the crew waved handkerchiefs from every window in the kite as soon as they appeared.”