I understand, and indeed admire, Rick’s defence of a man he respected and liked. However, Peter Harding’s actions within the mores of the time significantly hurt the reputation of the British military in general and the RAF in particular.
What is worse is that he was the man ultimately responsible for the disciplinary action being taken at the time against subordinates who had behaved in a similar fashion. Such utter hypocrisy is not the mark of a leader who deserves respect.