Page 171 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

Norman McLeod Ross 13703 v
20.11.1921 – 16.4.1942

Norman Ross matriculated from Bishops in 1938. At this time his family were living at

“The Homestead”, Ley Road, St. James.

He joined the SAAF and in 1942 was serving with 40 Squadron in North Africa as a

tactical reconnaissance pilot flying Hawker Hurricanes. In effect, tactical reconnaissance
meant being the “eyes of the army”. Pilots flew solo and were expected to fly over enemy

positions, into the face of ground fire, while taking tactical notes, pin-pointing enemy
positions and returning with photographs. Sometimes a second aircraft would fly a

weaving trail on the tail of the first to discourage enemy fighters and give some protection.

For these reasons tactical reconnaissance was acknowledged to be a high-risk operation
and these pilots endured the highest levels of strain among all types of aircrews.

During April 1942 Rommel and the Afrika Korps were preparing for their (ultimately

successful) eastward thrust towards Tobruk and Gazala and advanced information about

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