Wednesday, August 21, 2013

W/Cdr Guy Harris 1918-2007

Guy Harris joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1936, being promoted to Flying Officer in July 1938. At the outbreak of war he was serving with 32 Squadron, but on 10 November 1939 he was posted to 253 Squadron as a flight commander, being promoted Acting Flt Lt. During May 1940 his flight was detached to France, where on the 18th he claimed two victories in two sorties before his Hurricane was one of six destroyed on the ground whilst being refuelled. He managed to return to the UK, and the next day was attacking an He111 when his aircraft was hit from behind and he was wounded. He landed at Dieppe and was evacuated by sea. On 2 November he rejoined the unit from the RAF Officer’s Hospital at Torquay, but on 16 November was posted to 56 OTU as an instructor.

1940 Victories:-
18 May Hs126 destroyed
18 May He111 unconfirmed
19 May He111 damaged
(Harris was flying Hurricane N2590 when he was attacked by Me109’s and force-landed at Dieppe. He was possibly attacked by Feldwebel Borchers of 1 Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 77