[Robert]

Not after any information, I just thought someone might find this interesting. This N.C.O’s first hand account of WW1 aerial warfare was published in “The Citizen” on 10 December 1915.

The Citizen, Letchworth, December 10th, 1915.

German Bi-plane Destroyed.
BALDOCK MAN’S EXPLOIT.

In our issue of last week, we mentioned briefly the exploit of Sergeant William H. Harrison, of Baldock, in bringing to earth a German biplane, and this week we are able to furnish our readers with a portrait of this North Herts. hero and also with his own graphic account of how the feat was accomplished. He says: —

On Friday, November 26th, I had my first experience of a tussle in the air. I was gunner and observer on one of the British biplanes, with an officer whose name I may not mention. We had been over the lines, above German territory, for about an hour and a half, and were just re-crossing the lines at a height of 11,000 feet when we saw, to the north of us, and about 6,000 feet below us, a German biplane, which was being hotly shelled by our anti-aircraft guns. The pilot of our machine shouted to me. “Shall we go after him sergeant? He’s a German” – and as soon as I answered “Yes” he turned to the right and downward.

RUSHING DOWNWARD.
I had had some experience in the air, but never have I had the experience of rushing downward as fast as we went then. I should estimate our speed downwards at about 150 miles per hour at the very least. Well, to resume, within two minutes we were down almost on a level with the Hun, and I got ready my front machine gun, sighted it, and waited until my pilot had turned again to come up in rear of the enemy machine.
Having the faster machine, we soon came up with him, and when within about 300 yards to the right rear of the Hun, I let go a whole drum of ammunition at him. As a matter of fact, I had scarcely finished firing before he went down like a stone.

ANOTHER DOSE.
As quickly as possible, I changed my empty drum for a full one, and whilst he was still dropping, I gave him another dose of physic to help him down. I then had a jamb in the breech of my gun, and had some trouble in clearing it. Eventually I got it cleared, but by this time my pilot had turned and we were heading for home. This was, of course, the wisest thing to do, as we had then been in the air for over two and a half hours, and our petrol supply was getting very low. I did not see the Hun hit the ground, as the clouds hid him from view, but I feel certain he won’t fly again.
This is only one of many experiences of different natures, but it will serve to give the inhabitants of Baldock a little insight into what is actually going on.
If I am spared to come back from this war, I may be able to give narratives of a few of my other experiences, which I cannot spare time to write now.

Kindest regards to all Baldockians and Garden Citizens, particularly to all my personal friends.

Yours truly,
William H. Harrison,
Flight Sergeant, R.A.C.
December 4th, 1915.

P.S. – Of course, I am not at liberty to state either persons’ names or names of places.

Mr. Harrison is a member of the Letchworth branch of the Sons of Temperance.

**********

The following is the RFC Communiqué of the event.

RFC Communiqué No. 21
26 November, 1915
2 Lt O’Malley and Flt Sgt Harrison (B.E.2c, 13 Sqn) when returning from escort to reconnaissance observed an Aviatik about 7,000 feet below them. They managed to get above and behind the German machine without being seen and at 25 yards fired half a drum. Steam was noticed coming from the engine and the machine dived very steeply, followed by the B.E.2c which again opened fire at a range of 100 yards. More steam was seen coming from the engine and the hostile machine was last seen nose diving into a cloud at 2,000 feet just over the lines at Fricourt.

**********

Some information extracted from his Service Record.

No.50, William Herbert Harrison, Royal Flying Corps.
Transferred from RE, Air Bn as 2nd Class Air Mechanic, 13 May 1912; Promoted 1st Class Air Mechanic, 15 Jul 1912; Promoted Corporal, 18 May 1914; Promoted Sergeant, 2 Nov 1914; Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 Jun 1915; Graded Qualified Observer, 3 Dec 1915; Appointed Acting Warrant Officer, 24 Mar 1916; Commissioned, 14 Mar 1917.

[Author]

Posts