The Biography of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris: Wartime Chief

Bomber Harris: His Life and Times: The Biography of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris, Wartime Chief of Bomber Command

by Henry Probert

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37536 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	578 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Early Life and Career

Arthur Travers Harris was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, on 13 April 1892. He was the son of a British Army officer, and he was educated at The King's School, Canterbury, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Harris joined the British Army in 1914, and he served in the infantry during World War I. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in action.

After the war, Harris remained in the army, and he served in a variety of staff positions. In 1924, he was seconded to the Royal Air Force (RAF),and he quickly rose through the ranks. He became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command in 1940.

World War II

At the outbreak of World War II, Harris was responsible for the RAF's strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany. He believed that the best way to defeat Germany was to destroy its cities and industries. Harris's bombing campaign was controversial, and it resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians. However, it also played a major role in the defeat of Germany.

Harris's most famous bombing raid was the attack on Dresden in February 1945. The raid killed an estimated 25,000 people, and it caused widespread destruction. The bombing of Dresden remains one of the most controversial events of World War II.

Later Life

After the war, Harris continued to serve in the RAF. He retired in 1953, and he was promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force in 1967. Harris died in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, on 5 April 1984.

Legacy

Sir Arthur Harris was a controversial figure, but he was also one of the most important British military leaders of World War II. His strategic bombing campaign helped to defeat Nazi Germany, but it also resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Harris's legacy is still debated today.

Additional Information

* Sir Arthur Harris was awarded the Order of the Bath, the Order of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Order. * He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1953. * Harris was a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. * He was the author of several books, including "Bomber Offensive" (1947) and "Despatch on War Operations" (1948).

Bomber Harris: His Life and Times: The Biography of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris, Wartime Chief of Bomber Command

by Henry Probert

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37536 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	578 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE