Air Chief Marshal Sir Harry (Broady) Broadhurst, GCB, KBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, AFC
Royal Air Force High Commander and Flying Ace of World War Two

In May 1940 he was appointed Station Commander at RAF Coltishall, before joining No. 60 Wing in France as wing commander. Broadhurst participated in ground support during the Battle of France, an experience that taught him the importance of close air support for later operations in the war. He was heavily involved in the Battle of Britain and as Officer Commanding RAF Wittering and often flew with the squadrons under his command, both day and night fighter units. In December 1940 he was posted to command the Hornchurch Sector of No. 11 Group Fighter Command, and continued to fly on operations, even as a group captain.

On 4 July 1941, leading No. 54 Squadron, he was involved in a dogfight with Bf 109s, claiming two shot down before he was hit and his aircraft badly damaged. Hit by flak over Cap Gris Nez, he managed to return to base, belly landing his crippled Spitfire. On 7 July 1941 his Spitfire was hit and damaged by Hauptmann Josef Priller of JG 26. In May 1942 he became Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), No. 11 Group, although he continued to fly operationally where possible. His final kill claims were made on 19 August 1942, bringing his total to 13 destroyed, seven probables and 10 damaged.

In late 1942 he was posted to the Middle East and became Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) to Air Vice Marshal Arthur Coningham, commander of the Desert Air Force (DAF). Broadhurst came into conflict with Coningham over the use and objectives of the Desert Air Force. Broadhurst took command of the DAF in January 1943, becoming (at the age of 38) the youngest (until Air Commodore D C T Bennett was so promoted on 6 December 1943 at the age of 33) air vice marshal in the Royal Air Force. He quickly perfected the way he perceived fighter aircraft ought to be employed as ground support fighter-bombers. His fighter squadrons were trained intensively to strafe and bomb German and Italian vehicles, tanks, transport and communication lines. This aerial cover of the 8th Army won the approval and appreciation of General Bernard Montgomery and would form the basis of the ground attack principles used during the D-Day landings and beyond

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