Flt Lt Nicky Ross RIP

Kyt · May 8, 2008

Flt Lt Nicky Ross - Telegraph

Flight Lieutenant Nicky Ross, who has died aged 90, was one of Bomber Command's most experienced heavy bomber pilots; he completed three tours of operations over enemy-occupied northern Europe, flew on Leonard Cheshire's No 617 Squadron and attacked numerous targets with Barnes Wallis's 12,000-lb Tallboy "earthquake" bomb.

When Ross joined No 617 at the end of 1943, the squadron had been earmarked to attack targets needing pinpoint accuracy and Cheshire, who had recently taken command, was experimenting with precision low-level target marking techniques.

Not everyone in Bomber Command approved of this specialist role for the squadron made famous by the "Dam Busters" raid, but Cheshire was determined to make the technique successful.

The method was put to the test on the night of February 8 1944 when No 617 attacked the Gnome-Rhone aero engine works at Limoges.

With the target closely surrounded by French homes, accuracy was absolutely essential. After Cheshire had marked the target, 11 Lancasters dropped their 12,000-lb blast bombs.

Ross was the last to attack but his bomb failed to release. He made a second attack and this was successful, with the bomb landing on the target, which was severely damaged.

The marking technique had been proved and Cheshire was authorised to lead other similar precision attacks.

As part of the deception plan for the D-Day operations, Ross was the pilot of one of the squadron's 16 of No 617 tasked to fly a complex route while dropping radar reflective tin foil strips called "window", to simulate an invasion force approaching the Pas de Calais area as the real invasion landed in Normandy. The raid was completely successful.

Three days later, on June 8, No 617 achieved one of its most spectacular results. To prevent German reinforcements reaching the Normandy beachhead from the south, the squadron was ordered to destroy the Saumur railway tunnel.

This was the first raid to use the new 12,000-lb "earthquake" bombs. After Cheshire had marked the target, Ross and the other Lancaster crews dropped their bombs with devastating effect, destroying the tunnel, which remained blocked for many weeks.

With the threat from the new V-1 flying bombs against London increasing, Ross attacked a number of sites in northern France, including the major ones at Watten, Wizernes and Siracourt.

On the night of July 6 Ross dropped his Tallboy on Mimoyecques, the site of the third "terror weapon", the V-3 gun capable of firing 600 tons of explosives a day against London.

On landing, Cheshire, his three flight commanders (all Dam Buster veterans) and Ross were told that they had completed enough operations and were grounded – Ross had flown 77. Shortly afterwards, still a flying officer, he had the rare distinction of being one of the most junior RAF officers ever to receive an immediate DSO.

Nicholl Ramsay Ross was born on August 1 1917 at Greenock and educated at Edinburgh Academy. After following his father into the banking profession, he volunteered for flying duties as war loomed and joined the RAFVR in July 1939.

Having trained as a pilot, he joined No 40 Squadron in February 1941 and flew his Wellington on 24 bombing operations over France and Germany, attacking many of the major German industrial cities, including Hamburg, Kiel and Essen.

During his rest tour training new bomber crews at Lichfield, Ross took part in the three Thousand Bomber Raids in May and June of 1943 when the obsolescent aircraft of the bomber training units, flown by instructor crews, were needed to generate the necessary numbers.

Ross returned to operations in January 1943 flying the Lancaster with No 103 Squadron. His first operation was against the U-boat port at St Nazaire, and on April 18 he attacked the Italian port of La Spezia, involving a round trip of almost 10 hours. However, most of his targets were attacked during the so-called Battle of the Ruhr.

Over a period of eight weeks, Ross flew 18 operations against the most heavily defended targets in Germany, the majority in the Ruhr.

On one occasion his aircraft was "coned" by the master searchlight and to escape its radar-controlled beam, he dived his heavy Lancaster to rooftop height. His wireless operator thought he was a "mad Scottish bastard", but they survived.

At the end of his second tour, when he was commissioned as a pilot officer, Ross was selected to take a Lancaster to America for trials, the first time the four-engine bomber had visited the country.

The aircraft had additional fuel tanks fitted and on June 28 he left Prestwick for Gander on Newfoundland before flying on to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, where he and his crew spent eight weeks on experimental trials with the USAAF.

It was during this period that he learnt that he had been awarded the DFC for "his fine fighting spirit, courage and great devotion to duty".

On his return to No 103 Squadron in October 1943 he volunteered for No 617 Squadron, which had just suffered crippling losses during a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal.

There was no requirement for bomber crews to fly more than two operational tours but Ross preferred action to the more sedentary duties of instructing. His CO on No 103 declared that he must be mad, since No 617 was a "suicide squadron".

After completing his tour with No 617 he was forced to accept another tour as an instructor.

Ross spent the whole of the war flying bombers on operations or in the operational training role before he was released from the RAF in 1946 as a flight lieutenant. He was given the Air Efficiency Award to add to his two gallantry awards.

Ross returned to banking, joining the Bank of Scotland and, after a brief second spell in the RAF, he worked in the branch on Princes Street in Edinburgh before becoming manager of the Newington branch.

When he retired in 1978 he turned his back on the manner of a smart bank manager and adopted a "good life" stance, trying in some respects to become self-sufficient.

An avid gardener, he also enjoyed tinkering with old Jaguars and he had a passion for Scotch. A kind, generous and extremely modest man, he once described his time in the RAF as "the best six years of my life".

Nicky Ross died on April 18. He married Doris Lyle in March 1946 and she died in 2006. They had no children.
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Antipodean Andy · May 8, 2008

What a mighty fine man! Three tours is a phenomenal effort especially the early work in Wimpys and the 1,000 bomber raids. RIP.

I wonder what the Americans thought of the Lanc?

A passion for Scotch too!

Kyt · May 9, 2008

I recently bought a sketch with his signature. Only about A5 size but quite nice

Kyt · May 9, 2008

DFC 13th July, 1943

Warrant Officer Nicholl Ramsay Ross (754544), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 103 Squadron
W/O Ross now on his second tour of operational duty, has
taken part in a large number of operational series. An excellent captain of aircraft, in the face of heavy odds, he has shown courage and determination of a high order, and has secured
some excellent photographs.

DSO 29 August 1944

Flying Officer Nicoll Ramsay Ross, D.F.C. (158240), R.A.F.V.R., 617 Sqn
This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and the successes obtained are a fine testimony to his great skill, courage and resolution. He is a model captain, whose strong sense of duty, gallantry and resource has set an example of the highest order.

Antipodean Andy · May 9, 2008

Stunning sketch, mate! Like the new viewing system too!

Kyt · May 9, 2008

Cheers. And if people want the traditional view (e.g. for a bigger picture just click on the pop up image) and it will open in the traditional window view

Antipodean Andy · May 9, 2008

Hey yeah, cool.

Kitty · May 9, 2008

aww bugger i thought Nicky Ross would go on forever. At least I have two sketches with his signature on

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