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Harries, Raymond Hiley

Date of birth:
1916 (South-Wales, Great Britain)
Date of death:
May 14th, 1950 (Liverpool Bay, Irish Sea)
Service number:
87447, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves.
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Raymond Harries was killed trying to bail out of his Gloster Meteor when he got lost in bad weather on 14th May 1950 during a flight over the Irish Sea.

Promotions:
1st September 1945: Squadron Leader.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 131 (County of Kent) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
September 11th, 1942
Citation:
"This officer, who has completed numerous sorties, is an excellent flight commander. He has spared no effort in the training of his pilots, amongst
whom he has fostered a fine teamspirit. He has destroyed 1 and assisted in the destruction of 2 more enemy aircraft."

Published in The London Gazette dated 11th September 1942.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
May 25th, 1943
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"This officer is a highly efficient squadron commander whose great keenness and energetic leadership have set a worthy example. In recent operations he has destroyed 3 enemy aircraft, shared in the destruction of another and damaged 3 more."

Second award received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Published in The London Gazette dated 25th May 1943.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
September 7th, 1943
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"Since being awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Harries has destroyed a further 4 enemy aircraft. In May 1943, he led the squadron in an engagement against 12 enemy fighters. In the combat 5 enemy aircraft were shot down, 2 of them by Squadron Leader Harries. During an engagement in July 1943, he destroyed 2 and damaged another enemy aircraft. This officer is a fine leader and a skilful and tenacious fighter."

Third award received as a bar for on the ribbon of his first DFC.
Published in The London Gazette dated 7th September 1943.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Wing Commander
Awarded on:
November 9th, 1943
Citation:
"This officer is an exceptionally skilful, courageous and determined fighter. Within the past weeks he has led his fighter force on various sorties during which 27 enemy aircraft have been shot down, 3 of them by his own guns. These successes pay an excellent tribute to this officer's inspiring leadership and great tactical ability. Wing Commander
Harries has destroyed at least 15 enemy aircraft."

Published in The London Gazette dated 9th November 1943.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Wing Commander
Unit:
Acting Wing Commander
Awarded on:
July 24th, 1945
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Citation:
"This officer has been engaged in operationallying since 1940 and has destroyed at least 20 enemy aircraft. He has been operations wing commander of his wing throughout the strenuous period which followed the invasion of Normandy. During this time Wing Cdr. Harries took part in numerous long escort sorties and in bombing and close support missions. Since the award of the D.S.O., he has destroyed one enemy
aircraft and damaged others. Under all circumstances, in the face of adverse weather and heavy enemy opposition, he has displayed outstanding leadership and gallantry"

Received as a Bar for on the ribbon of his first DSO.
Published in The London Gazette dated 24th July 1945.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Wing Commander
Awarded on:
June 15th, 1945

With Palme.
Croix de Guerre 1940

Sources

  • - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 8th September 1942, Issue 35699, dated 11th September 1942
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 21st May 1943, Issue 36027, dated 25th May 1943
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 3rd September 1943, Issue 36027, dated 7th September 1943
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 20th July 1945, Issue 37193, dated 24th July 1945
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 29th March 1946, Issue 37518, dated 2nd April 1946
    - Aces of WWII

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