W/Cmdr H. Broadhurst, known throughout the RAF as 'Broady', became one the 'characters' of the RAF in WW2 as well it's youngest Air Vice Marshal when he took command of the Western Desert Air Force.
Having attended Portsmouth Grammar School from 1915, Harry left to become an articled pupil to a surveyor.
In 1925, prevented joining the RAF by his father; a retired Army officer, Harry joined the Territorial Army. Here he was able to get his CO to sign his application for secondment to the RAF in October 1926, as he was still under age at the time.
In 1931, Harry was 'Mentioned in Dispatches' for operations on the North West Frontier. Back in Britain he joined No 41 Squadron at Northolt flying the Bristol Bulldog, where his reputation began to grow with the excellent team and solo aerobatics displays he performed at the Hendon Pageants. He was also recognized as a fine marksman, winning the Sassoon Trophy (for air-to-air firing) three years in a row.
Joining 19 Squadron in 1934, Harry quickly continued to build his reputation as a great leader when he led the squadron's display team of five Bulldogs. In 1936, the squadron re-equipped with the Gloster Gauntlet and he continued to lead the squadron's display team with this latest aircraft.
On 29th November, 1939, Harry spotted an Heinkel 111 behind a cloud bank. Giving chase he closed to 500 yards when the bomber dived for cloud but Harry maintained the chase, silenced the ventral gunner, closed to 150 yards and sent the Heinkel spiralling into the ground.
Promoted to Wing Commander in early 1940, Harry was given command of the new fighter station at Coltishall in Norfolk. However, with no squadrons stationed there, when a call for experienced squadron commanders to go to France was put out, he volunteered and found himself dropping a rank in command of 85 Squadron. Reporting to his Wing Commander, Wing Commander Jack Boret, he found that the Wingco had suffered a nervous breakdown and therefore he found himself back as a Wing Commander in command of No 60 (Fighter) Wing.
On his return from France, Harry was asked by ACM Sir Hugh Dowding to tour airfields in No's 12 and 13 Groups to talk to the pilots about the lessons being learnt over France, following which he was appointed Station Commander at RAF Wittering.
He was heavily involved in the Battle of Britain often flying with the squadrons under his command, both day and night fighter units. moving to command the Hornchurch Sector, he continued to fly on operations but on 4th July, 1941, his WW2 career could have almost come an end. Leading 54 Squadron, he was involved in a number of skirmishes with Bf109's, downing two when he himself was hit and his aircraft badly damaged. Recovering from a spin at 1,000ft he decided to attempt the flight home but over Cap Griz Nez he was hit again, this time by flak. However, he managed to coax his Spitfire back to base executing a prefect belly landing.
His final claims were made on 19th August, 1941, bringing his total aerial victories to thirteen destroyed, seven probables and ten damaged.
