Arthur Harris

Arthur Harris was born on April 13, 1892 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England as Arthur Travers Harris.

The Area Bombing Directive was contradictory to Article 25 of the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, and sparked international debate if the directive can be classified as a legalization of war crimes against the German civilian population.

He was awarded the AFC (Air Force Cross) in 1918 for his services to the United Kingdom during World War I.

As a squadron leader he devised night terror bombing raids against civilians in Iraq in 1923.

Began bombing German cities and towns on 11 May 1940.

He regarded Operation Chastise (the Dambusters' raid in May 1943) as a complete failure and a waste of resources, and was initially strongly opposed to the idea of a bouncing bomb.

His continued preference for area bombing over precision targeting remains controversial to this day. Harris even threatened to resign in 1944 when he was ordered to focus on bombing oil facilities instead of cities.

During the infamous raid on Dresden in February 1945 civilian areas were virtually destroyed while the vital factories and transport centers were left untouched.

Declined a peerage in 1946, but accepted one in 1953.

In 1992 to celebrate his 100th birthday, Queen Mother unveiled a statue of Sir Arthur Travers Harris in Whitehall, London, England. She appeared surprised and upset to be jeered by protesters, one of whom shouted, "Harris was a war criminal." She attempted to give a speech, but it was frequently interrupted by shouts from protesters. The statue had to be guarded for some time after it was repeatedly vandalized.