Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 140 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 18th, 1942

Awarded for:

Operation Jubilee

"In August, 1942, this officer was detailed for a low level photographic reconnaissance over Dieppe. A large-scale operation depended upon the results which must be obtained at all costs. On the outward flight weather over the channel was very bad with heavy rain and poor visibility; at times, Pilot Officer Harris-St. John was forced down within 30 feet of the sea. When within three miles of the enemy coast visibility became clear and Pilot Officer Harris-St. John found himself heading straight for Dieppe at 100 feet. There was no cloud cover nearer than 12,000 feet, but fully alive to the importance of his mission he decided to fly straight ahead at only 100 feet. Whilst still a mile from the objective, the defences opened fire, but he courageously pressed on and flew right in over the harbour mouth in the face of intense light anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. He took exposures of the harbour and docks flying only just high enough to clear the house tops. His aircraft was hit by a shell which blew a hole twelve inches square in the starboard main plane and splintered the engine cowlings. Pilot Officer Harris-St. John was now inland with the nearest cloud cover some three miles out to sea. Displaying great resource, he dived towards the coast-line, opening fire on the nearest gun emplacement to cause confusion, thus he was able to fly out to sea and reach the safety of the cloud cover. His photographs of the objective were first class and provided Combined Operations with extremely valuable information.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)