Dog-fight ace Harker’s medals up for auction

THE medals of a fearless First World War pilot who survived a dogfight with a feared German fighter ace have emerged for sale.

Major Howard Harker’s bomber formation was confronted by a vastly larger German force led by

Lothar von Richthofen above northern France in April 1917. Lothar, the cousin of the famous Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen, claimed 40 kills during the conflict.

But Major Harker, from 57 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, guided his group away from the danger. The Mancunian claimed five aerial victories during the war, earning ace status. But he died in 1919, aged 27, from the Spanish Flu that killed 50 million people.

His medals, left, including a prestigious Military Cross, will be auctioned online from next Wednesday by London-based Noonans, whose medal specialist Mark Quayle said: “Major Harker was a fine leader.”

LEADERSHIP Major Harker