Harry Broadhurst
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- See also Henry Broadhurst for the trade unionist and politician
| Harry Broadhurst | |
|---|---|
| 28 October 1905 – 29 August 1995 | |
 Air Vice-Marshal Broadhurst |
|
| Nickname | Broady |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1925–1961 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harry Broadhurst GCB KBE DSO and Bar DFC and Bar AFC RAF (28 October 1905 – 29 August 1995), commonly known as Broady, was a senior Royal Air Force commander.
Broadhurst saw action as a young pilot in 1928 with 11 Squadron RAF, flying Hawker Harts to shoot troublesome tribesmen on the Indian North West Frontier. Back in England in 1936, as a Flight Lieutenant, aging but now with a permanent commission, he was personally congratulated by the king on his aerobatic showing in the Gloster Gauntlet.
Broadhurst had an outstanding World War II career, receiving the DSO and DFC, and advancing from Squadron Leader to Air Vice Marshal. Sir Harry Broadhurst was the Air Officer Commander-in-Chief Bomber Command from 22 January 1956 to 20 May 1959.
In 1956, at the peak of Broadhurst’s career as Commander in Chief of RAF Bomber Command, his reputation suffered following a fatal accident to an Avro Vulcan. Broadhurst took aircraft XA897, the first Vulcan delivered to the RAF, and a full Vulcan crew, on a round-the-world tour.[1] On return to the UK, Broadhurst was to land at London Heathrow Airport, a civil airport, to complete the successful tour before the assembled aviation media. The weather at Heathrow was poor. RAF aircraft were not equipped to use the Instrument Landing System installed at Heathrow and other civil airports so a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) was carried out. XA897 struck the ground about 2,000 feet short of the runway just as power was applied.[1] XA897 was damaged by the initial impact but rose back in the air.[1] The pilot, Squadron Leader D.R. “Podge” Howard, and Broadhurst who was occupying the co-pilot seat, both ejected from the aircraft and survived.[1] The aircraft again hit the ground and broke up. The Vulcan had only two ejection seats for the pilot and co-pilot. The other four occupants on XA897, including Howard’s usual co-pilot, died in the accident.[1]
After retiring from the RAF in 1961, Broadhurst was appointed Managing Director of Avro.[2]
[edit] References
- Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Chf Mshl Broadhurst
- The Times, Tuesday, Oct 02, 1956; pg. 8
- Blackman, Tony. Vulcan Test Pilot. London: Grub Street 2007. ISBN-13: 9781904943884
[edit] Notes
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by A Coningham |
Air Officer Commanding Air HQ Western Desert Post retitled AOC Desert Air Force on 10 July 1943 1943–1944 |
Succeeded by W F Dickson |
| Preceded by Sir Robert Foster |
Commander-in-Chief Second Tactical Air Force 1953–1956 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Bandon |
| Preceded by Sir George Mills |
Commander-in-Chief Bomber Command 1956–1959 |
Succeeded by Sir Kenneth Cross |
| Preceded by Sir George Mills |
Commander-in-Chief Allied Air Forces Central Europe 1959 – 1961 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Bandon |
 |
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