Caspar John's flying experience challenges Harris's dismissal

An account of the Weir Mission describes Bomber Harris dismissing Caspar John's aviation judgement because John was a naval officer. When American hosts checked their logbooks before a test flight, John had roughly twice the relevant flying experience and was permitted to fly, while Harris was not. The recollection tentatively identifies the requirement as experience on single-seat aircraft, rather than total flying hours. The criticism of Harris's behaviour came from American observers, with a senator writing to the British ambassador about the quarrelling. The incident illustrates how service rivalry could obscure the experience of the individual officer.