Date of death:

March 2005

Service number:

Can/J.27671

Nationality:

Canadian

The late Harry Smith (died in March 2005) was a Liberator pilot in RAF 358 Squadron which provided support for British SAS, American OSS and French SIS underground operations in SE Asia. 358 Squadron operated out of an airport at Jessore in the NE corner of India. Harry flew 7 of his 25 missions in support of French operations in French Indochina(Vietnam). The trips ranged from 12 to 16 hours each, all over hostile territories. He made 2 trips to the Singapore area in support of an Australian Coast Watcher. Those two flights were 24-25 hours each.

He was shot down on his 25th (end of tour) mission transporting 3 American OSS agents and one senior OSS gentleman as an observer. They were shot down in NW Siam (Thailand) and the survivors were assisted by the local underground (who had been waiting for their drop of supplies and agents) and ultimately taken downriver to the Capital where the were hidden in the King of Siam''s castle. Postwar Harry and a couple of his surviving crew members wrote a story about their escapades titled "Escape From Siam".

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 358 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 14th, 1945

"“Flying Officer Smith completed much operational flying. He has displayed a high degree of skill and courage qualities which were well illustrated on one occasion in May 1945, when during a sortie his aircraft was attacked by nine enemy fighters. Although the aircraft was severely damaged and one engine put out of action in the first attack this captain and his crew fought with great resolution. The enemy pressed home further attacks with great persistence and Flying Officer Smith’s aircraft sustained further damage. Two more engines were put out of action and three members of his crew were killed. Even so Flying Officer Smith though wounded, successfully crash landed the crippled aircraft thus saving the lives of the remaining members of his crew. In the face of great odds this officer set a fine example of coolness and bravery.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 358 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 2nd, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - Escape from Siam - with original award documents
  - Peter George