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Major Thomas Sinclair Harrison DFC* (born 8 January 1898 in Cape Colony) was a World War I fighter ace credited with 22 aerial victories. He was a balloon buster, as he destroyed two enemy observation balloons. This made him the fourth highest scoring South African.

Military service

Harrison originally served with an artillery regiment in German East Africa. He then joined the Royal Flying Corps in April 1917. From cadet he was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 12 August 1917, and was confirmed in his rank and appointed a flying officer on 12 March 1918.

In May he was assigned to No. 29 Squadron RAF. His timing was impeccable; the squadron was newly equipped with brand new RAF SE.5as. Beginning his victories the following month, he became the squadron's leading ace out of 26. While his 22 triumphs did not make up an overpowering part of the squadron's 385 victories, he was a steady scorer.

His first victory was on 27 June 1918, when he flamed a Halberstadt C, using RAF SE.5a serial 8859 to deadly effect. He destroyed a Hannover C on 1 July. On 4 July, he was flying a signals intelligence sortie of "wireless interception duty," in SE.5a serial 3915. He destroyed the LVG carrying the airborne radio, and burned one of its pair of escort Pfalz D.IIIs. He was awarded his Distinguished Flying Cross for this mission.

On 8 July, he became an ace. By the middle of August, he was a double ace, scoring his tenth win on 13 August 1918. Two of these victories were over balloons. He ended August at an even dozen.

By now, he had a favourite plane, serial number E5947. He would run off a series of seven victories in it, with the last being his 13th win on 6 September 1918. A squadron-mate then ruined it with a fast hard landing.

In four different aircraft, Harrison scored six times in October, before being appointed a flight commander with the acting-rank of captain on the 29th, and three more times in November, his last on the 10th, the day before the armistice.

His 22 victories tallied 13 enemy aircraft destroyed single-handed, four of which burned; two destroyed in conjunction with another pilot; four planes driven down out of control; two balloons destroyed single-handed.

Harrison was awarded the Belgian Croix de guerre in July 1919.

World War II service

Harrison returned to military service during World War II as an intelligence officer in the South African Air Force, serving in Air Headquarters East Africa during the East African Campaign in 1941.

Honours and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Thomas Sinclair Harrison.

When on wireless interception duty this officer engaged three enemy machines, shooting down one in flames. He was then attacked by three scouts and a two-seater; the latter he shot down. During the last few weeks he has further accounted for three hostile aeroplanes and a balloon, displaying vigour and gallantry in attack.

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Thomas Sinclair Harrison, DFC.

Bold in attack, skilful in manoeuvre, this officer never hesitates to engage the enemy, however superior in numbers. On 2 October he, with three other machines, took part in an engagement with eight Fokkers; four of these were destroyed, Lieut. Harrison accounting for one. On another occasion he, in company with four others, engaged a large formation of Fokkers; three of these were destroyed, one by this officer. In all he has destroyed twenty enemy machines.

See also

• List of World War I aces credited with 20 or more victories

References

Citations

1. ^ "Thomas Sinclair Harrison". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
2. Safarik, Jan J. (2008). "South Africa: World War I". Air Aces. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
3. "No. 30279". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 September 1917. p. 9424.
4. "No. 30625". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 April 1918. p. 4416.
5. ^ "29 Squadron, Royal Air Force". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
6. ^ Franks (2007), pp. 69–70.
7. "No. 30992". The London Gazette. 5 November 1918. p. 13003.
8. "No. 31457". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 July 1919. p. 8987.
9. Boucher, William Ira (2012). "British Aces of WW1 - Thomas Harrison". An Illustrated History of World War One. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
10. "Photograph of the officers of the combined headquarters of the RAF and SAAF in the East African Command in January 1941". Flight. XL (1718): 391. 27 November 1941. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
11. "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 1918. p. 11251.
12. "No. 31046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1918. p. 14316.

Bibliography

• Franks, Norman (2007). SE 5/5a Aces of World War I. UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-180-9.

• 1898 births
• Royal Air Force officers
• South African military personnel of World War II
• South African World War I flying aces
• British World War I flying aces
• South African people of British descent
• Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
• People from Qonce