Originally Posted by
PapaDolmio
Favourite quote: Apparently Arthur 'Bomber' Harris and Adm Tom Phillips had served together prior to going their separate ways and frequently had animated discussions about the battleship vs aircraft debate. After one such debate an exasperated Harris said Tom, one day you'll be standing on the bridge of your battleship and it will be sunk by torpedo carrying aircraft. As you slip beneath the waves your last thought will be "That was a f*****g big mine".
Whilst not a great fan of Harris and if true, I did think it rather good.
Read Harris's own account of the Conversation in the last chapter of his own account of his life up to his retirement in "Bomber Offensive"
He shared accommodation with Phillips while on a Joint planing team and knew Leach quite well to boot. He had a lot of time for Tom Phillips despite their disagreement's about aircraft v Battleships, which of course Harris was totally correct about. This book actually puts a lot of often quoted misquotes taken from it in context and some of Harris's views are quite surprising.