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

by Probert, Henry

• ISBN13: 9781853674730
• ISBN10: 1853674737
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Motorbooks Intl

Summary

This is the definitive biography of one of the most controversial figures of World War II. Sir Arthur Harris remains the target of criticism and vilification by many, while others believe the contribution he and his men made to victory is grossly undervalued. Henry Probert's critical but sympathetic new account draws on recent research and, for this first time, all of Harris's own extensive papers, to give outstanding insight into a man who combined leadership, professionalism and decisiveness with kindness, humour and generosity. Probert examines Harris's life from youth in Rhodesia to fighting in World War I, the inter-war years, his two families and his post-war years in South Africa and England. He reveals and analyses how Harris did his job in RAF Bomber Command during World War II, his leadership of his men in the face of appalling casualties, his disagreements with higher authority, his dealings with Churchill, his close links with the Americans, his role in directing the bombing raids against Germany, most notably at Dresden, and the way he was treated afterwards. Bomber Harris provides the most complete and rounded picture of one of the great high commanders of modern times and an outstanding military personality of World War II.

Author Biography

Air Commodore Henry Probert joined the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force in 1948 and his subsequent postings included Northern Ireland, Germany, Headquarters Bomber Command, Singapore and the Staff College. He became Director of RAF Education in 1976. On retirement from the Active List in September 1978 he was appointed Head of the Air Historical Branch, where in addition to his administrative duties he undertook many writing projects, including assisting with the inhouse history of the RAF role in the Falklands campaign. He also helped to establish the RAF Historical Society

Table of Contents

Glossary	p. 12
Preface	p. 14
Acknowledgements	p. 17
Roots	p. 19
Fortunes of war	p. 33
Carving a career	p. 45
Preparing for the inevitable	p. 66
Back to business	p. 86
Action behind the scenes	p. 109
The year of experiment	p. 126
Headquarters and home	p. 150
The public image	p. 183
The leader and his men	p. 199
Tools and techniques	p. 219
Comrades in arms	p. 239
From the Ruhr to Berlin	p. 252
Working for Eisenhower	p. 289
Finishing the job	p. 305
Assessment	p. 328
Enough is enough	p. 342
Safmarine	p. 365
Back to base	p. 374
The Ferry House	p. 387
The old lags	p. 399
Postscript	p. 416
RFC and RAF promotions and appointments, and medals and decorations	p. 419
Bibliography	p. 421
Index	p. 425
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