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Raymond Hiley "Ray" Harries

RAF   W/C

DSO & Bar, DFC & 2 Bars
Belgian Croix de Guerre
French Croix de Guerre?

Born in South Wales in 1916.
He was a dental student for a short time before
Joining Prudential Assurance in Canterbury.
He joined the RAFVR when war broke out in Sept. 1939.
After getting winged he was posted to 43 Squadron.
Sent to instruct at 52 OTU, Debden on 8 July 1941.
Posted to 131 Sqn as F/C in February 1942.
Posted to command 91 Sqn in December 1942.
That squadron moved to Westhampnett in June 1943 & with 41 Sqn formed the Westhampnett Wing.
He was given command of that Wing in August 1943.
Went to the USA with Bill Crawford-Compton late in 1943 to lecture on tactics.
Returned in the spring to take command of 135 Wing.
As part of 2TAF, he spent the fall of  '44 flying over France.
Ray Harries
135 Wing was then sent back to the UK so they could undergo conversion training for their new aircraft, the Tempest.
Ray however, was posted to 84 Group as W/C Training in the spring and he remained with that unit until the end of the war.
He stayed in the RAF after the war & became CO of 92 Sqn late in 1949.
Shortly after, on 14 May 1950, while flying a Meteor, he was unable to land in bad weather and ran low on fuel. He attempting to bail out but did not survive.
 

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Distinguished Flying Cross

(September 1942) Acting Flight Lieutenant Raymond Hiley HARRIES (87447), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 131 Squadron

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 team spirit. He has destroyed 1 and assisted in the destruction of 2 more enemy aircraft

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Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

(May 1943) Acting Squadron Leader Raymond Hiley HARRIES, D.F.C. (87447), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 91 Squadron

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.

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Second Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

(September 1943) Acting Squadron Leader Raymond Hiley HARRIES, D.F.C. (87447), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 91 Squadron

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.

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Distinguished Service Order

(November 1943) Acting Wing Commander Raymond Hiley Harries, D.F.C. (87477) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

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. Whig Commander Harries has destroyed at least 15 enemy aircraft.

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Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palme

Ray Harries Ray Harries

Suppliment to the London Gazette, Air Ministry, I5th June, 1945

The KING has granted unrestricted permission for the wearing of the undermentioned decorations conferred upon the officers indicated in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war:

CONFERRED BY THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT

Croix de Guerre

Acting Wing Commander

Raymond Hiley HARRIES, D.S.O., D.F.C., (87447), R.A.F.V.R.

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Bar to Distinguished Service Order

(July 1945) Acting Wing Commander Raymond Hiley Harries, D.S.O., D.F.C. (87477) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

This officer has been engaged in operational flying 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 W/C 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.

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Victories Include :

12 Mar 1942
5 June 1942

14 Aug 1942
19 Aug 1942

6 Dec 1942

20 Jan 1943


4 Mar 1943
24 Mar 1943

25 May 1943
16 July 1943
18 July 1943
19 Sep 1943
22 Sep 1943

27 Sep 1943
20 Oct 1943

25 June 1944
25 July 1944
26 Dec 1944
1/2 Ju88
one FW190
one FW190
one FW190
one FW190
1/4 Do217
one FW190

one Me109
one Me109
one FW190
1/2 FW190
one FW190
1/2 FW190
two FW190
1/2 FW190
  3  Me109s
one FW190
one FW190
one FW190
one Me109
two Me109s

one V-1
one FW190
one Me262
destroyed
probable
damaged
damaged
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed

destroyed
damaged
damaged
destroyed
destroyed
damaged
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
probable
destroyed
destroyed

destroyed
destroyed
damaged

16 / 2 / 5.5

plus 1 and possible up to 5 V-1's

 
Ray Harries
Harries in front of a No.41 Squadron Spitfire

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Thanks go out to

son Raymond for the photos & infos !

On these pages I use Hugh Halliday's extensive research which includes info from numerous sources; newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC); the Google News Archives; the London Gazette Archives and other sources both published and private.

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