RAF35c 30th Anniversary of VJ Day signed MRAF Arthur ( Bombe...

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£24 - £32

RAF35c 30th Anniversary of VJ Day signed MRAF Arthur ( Bomber ) Harris. 15 Aug 75 BFPS 1492 30th Anniversary of VJ Day Special Postmark No 101 Squadron Royal Air Force. 30th Anniversary of VJ Day Flown from RAF Waddington in Vulcan B Mk2 XM575 on a Training Sortie. Personally Signed Marshall of the RAF Sir Arthur Bomber Harris WW1 Pilot. Harris led RAF Bomber Command in World War Two, earning him the nickname 'Bomber Harris'. His implementation of the policy of 'saturation' or 'area' bombing of German cities has made him a hugely controversial figure. Leaving England at the age of 16, he travelled to Rhodesia where he worked on a farm becoming the manager by the age of 21. Having fought in South-West Africa, he returned to Britain and joined the RFC, gaining his RAeC Certificate (No 2015) on 6 November 1915. In March 1916, one of his flight, Lt W Leefe-Robinson, brought down the first Zeppelin over England for which he was awarded a VC. With No 45 Sqn he gained his five victories, thereby raising him to 'ace' status. It was in India that he saw the deplorable state of the RAF in the area and at one point even threatened to resign his commission over the situation. He has often been 'credited' with start 'area bombing', but this decision was made before he took over Bomber Command. However, having been given the task, he carried it out with vigour. He also attempted increase the profile of the command and within months of taking over command had managed to mount three '1000 Bomber' raids against Cologne, Essen and Bremen. After the war, shunned by the British authorities, he returned to South Africa and became Managing Director of the South African Marine Corporation (Safmarine). He was eventually honoured when Churchill returned to Downing Street in 1953, but at his own request was awarded a baronet rather than a peerage. He died on 5 April 1984 Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99