Arthur Travers Harris

Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st Baronet (April 13, 1892 - April 5, 1984), commonly known as "Bomber" Harris, and often within the RAF as "Butcher" Harris{{ref|butcher}}, was commander of RAF Bomber Command and later a Marshal of the Royal Air Force during the latter half of World War II. In 1942 the Cabinet agreed to the aerial bombing of German cities by carpet bombing. Harris implemented the policy vigorously and encouraged the development of tactics and technology to perform the task more effectively.

Post war

Within the British government, there was some disquiet about the level of destruction created by the carpet-bombing of German cities towards the end of the war. However, Harris was made Marshal of the RAF in 1945. He retired on September 15, 1945 to write his story of Bomber Command's achievements in Bomber Offensive. He was the sole commander-in-chief not made a peer in 1946. Bomber Command's crews were denied a separate campaign medal (despite being eligible for the Air Crew Europe and France and Germany stars) and, in protest, Harris refused a peerage in 1951.

Related Topics:
September 15 - Peer - 1946 - 1951

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Disappointed by the criticisms of his methods, Harris moved to South Africa, and was the manager of the South African Marine Corporation from 1946 to 1953. At that point the British appear to have changed their mind about his tactics, and Harris accepted a baronetcy in 1953 - he became 1st Baronet of Chipping Wycombe. He returned to the UK and lived his remaining years in Goring-on-Thames, in Ferry Cottage. Harris never expressed any remorse for his actions during the war till his death.

Related Topics:
South Africa - Baronet - 1953 - Chipping Wycombe - Goring-on-Thames

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Despite protests from Germany as well as some in Britain, the Bomber Harris Trust (a RAF veterans organisation formed to defend the good name of their commander,) erected a statue of him outside the RAF Church of St Clement Danes, London in 1992. It was unveiled by the Queen Mother who looked surprised when she was jeered by protesters. The line on the statue reads "The Nation owes them all an immense debt." The statue had to be guarded by policemen day and night for some time as it was frequently sprayed with graffiti.

Related Topics:
Bomber Harris Trust - St Clement Danes - London - 1992 - Queen Mother - Graffiti

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