Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris Medals
(Harris was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the National Order of the Southern Cross of Brazil on the same date that (Acting Wing Commander) Craig received his Officer class of the National Order of the Southern Cross of Brazil on 13 November 1945) and post-dated the Vargas‘ resignation on the 29th October 1945.
Sir Arthur Harris’ Awards and decorations:
- Baronet – 1 January 1953 (Conferred 13 February 1953)
- Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Bath – 14 June 1945 (KCB – 11 June 1942, CB – 11 July 1940)
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire – 3 June 1927
- Air Force Cross – 2 November 1918
- Mentioned in Despatches – 15 September 1939, 1 January 1941
- LL.D
- Order of Suvorov 1st Class (USSR) – 29 February 1944
- Legion of Merit, Chief Commander (United States) – 30 January 1945
- Polonia Restituta 1st Class (Poland) – 12 June 1945
- Grand Cross of the National Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil) – 13 November 1945
- Grand Officier of the Legion of Honour (France) – 1945
- Croix de Guerre with Palms (France) – 1945
- Distinguished Service Medal
The Moral Debate
The targeting of the major German cities “to undermine the morale of the German people” provoked considerable Parliamentary and moral debate throughout the war. The debate, which primarily centred on the loss of civilian life caused by the area and fire bombing of heavily populated industrial towns and cities, continues to this day.
