W. Harrop
Encyclopedia
Squadron Leader William Harrop MM
was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories while flying as an enlisted observer. He would rise to become a squadron leader in World War II.
He served as an observer/gunner aboard the Airco DH.9
s of 104 Squadron teamed with Lt. George Smith. He drove down a Pfalz D.III
over Boulay
Airfield on 1 August 1918 for his first victory. On a morning patrol on the 12th, Harrop and Smith destroyed another Pfalz D.III, aided Arthur Rullion Rattray
and his pilot in destroying an Albatros D.V
, and drove down a third German fighter out of control over Saverne
. One of these victories was over Vfw. Heinrich Krueger of Jasta 70. Three days later, at 1830 hours, Harrop and Smith drove another Pfalz down out of control, to make both men aces. Both were taken prisoner on 22 August 1918 after a raid on Mannheim.
Harrop's final score was 1 (& 1 shared) destroyed, 2 (& 1 shared) 'out of control'.
to Flying Officer
, effective 29 April 1940, and confirmed in his rank a year later, effective 29 April 1941. On 1 March 1942, he was promoted to Temporary Flight Lieutenant
.
Harrop became a Squadron Leader
on 1 January 1946. On 1 November 1947, Harrop was reverted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant again, with a seniority date of 1 September 1945. He was allowed to retain the rank of Squadron Leader, effective 24 June 1948.
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
was a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories while flying as an enlisted observer. He would rise to become a squadron leader in World War II.
World War I service
Harrop won his Military Medal on 14 December 1916, while he was with the Pioneers. As of 21 July 1917, he was promoted from Second lieutenant to Lieutenant attached to the Royal Highlanders. He was mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig shortly thereafter.He served as an observer/gunner aboard the Airco DH.9
Airco DH.9
The Airco DH.9 - also known after 1920 as the de Havilland DH.9 - was a British bomber used in the First World War...
s of 104 Squadron teamed with Lt. George Smith. He drove down a Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
over Boulay
Boulay
Boulay or du Boulay is a surname, and may refer to:* Antoine Jacques Claude Joseph, comte Boulay de la Meurthe* César-Egasse du Boulay* Étienne Boulay* Francine Boulay-Parizeau* Francis Robin Houssemayne Du Boulay* Herménégilde Boulay...
Airfield on 1 August 1918 for his first victory. On a morning patrol on the 12th, Harrop and Smith destroyed another Pfalz D.III, aided Arthur Rullion Rattray
Arthur Rullion Rattray
Rear Admiral Sir Arthur Rullion Rattray was credited with five aerial victories during World War I.-References:...
and his pilot in destroying an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
, and drove down a third German fighter out of control over Saverne
Saverne
Saverne is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France. It is situated on the Rhine-Marne canal at the foot of a pass over the Vosges Mountains, and 45 km N.W...
. One of these victories was over Vfw. Heinrich Krueger of Jasta 70. Three days later, at 1830 hours, Harrop and Smith drove another Pfalz down out of control, to make both men aces. Both were taken prisoner on 22 August 1918 after a raid on Mannheim.
Harrop's final score was 1 (& 1 shared) destroyed, 2 (& 1 shared) 'out of control'.
Between the wars
On 17 June 1919, he was reported to still be serving in the 202nd Field Company, Royal Engineers when he was awarded the Croix de guerre.World War II
William Harrop was promoted from Warrant OfficerWarrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
to Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
, effective 29 April 1940, and confirmed in his rank a year later, effective 29 April 1941. On 1 March 1942, he was promoted to Temporary Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
.
Harrop became a Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
on 1 January 1946. On 1 November 1947, Harrop was reverted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant again, with a seniority date of 1 September 1945. He was allowed to retain the rank of Squadron Leader, effective 24 June 1948.