Involvement in World War I
Harvey served with the Signal Company of the Royal Engineers until he transferred to the RFC in December 1916. In December 1917 he was posted as a pilot to No. 22 Squadron flying Bristol F.2B fighters. His first air victory, a downed Pfalz D.III, was recorded 16 March 1918, followed by an Albatros D.V two days later.
With three more kills in March Harvey established himself as a flying ace. In May 1918 he was promoted to captain and commanded 'B' Flight. In the last decade of May Harvey, flying with Lt. George Thomas as his flight observer, downed two observation balloons and four German airplanes; on 20 June he downed three enemy airplanes. Shortly after this success Thomas was replaced with Captain Dennis Waight, who remained Harvey's teammate until the end of campaign. The crew scored 9 kills during the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.
Of his twenty-six victories (comprising 3 balloons, 12 and 2 shared destroyed, and 9 'out of control') credited to Harvey, eighteen were achieved utilising his front gun.
Read more about this topic: William Frederick James Harvey
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