Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 230 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 10th, 1948

Awarded for:

Operation Vittles

"This officer has been engaged on the Berlin air lift since July 4th, 1948 when the squadron of which he is Flight Commander arrived in Germany. He showed outstanding drive and initiative during the operation of moving the unit from an advanced base to its home base, and thence to Germany, in less than 48 hours after the receipt of the order to move. Owing to the exposed position of the anchorage, the large number of wrecked ships in the neighbourhood, the heavy river traffic and hidden sandbanks, the operations from the River Elbe at Finkenwerder have called for a high degree of flying skill and airmanship. Both of these qualities Flight Lieutenant Harkness has displayed to an exceptional degree. The ground navigation aids both at Finkenwerder and the Havel Lake, have by force of circumstance been rudimentary. Nevertheless, he has shown a most praiseworthy determination and an unfailing consistency in completing 61 sorties, often in very unfavourable weather. Flight Lieutenant Harkness has given a magnificent example to the air crews and ground crews of the Coastal Command Detachment engaged in the air lift into Berlin, by his intense keenness and enthusiasm as Captain of a Sunderland and by his tireless and unswerving devotion to duty. This example has been reflected in the high morale and the flying efficiency of the detachment which have been very noticeable. Flight Lieutenant Harkness has made a very fine personal contribution to the success of the air lift into Berlin."