‘Crash Harrison’: World War II Bomber Pilot Recounts How He Earned His Nickname

Reg Harrison says he was lucky to survive the war, given how many near-misses he had.

Royal Canadian Air Force Kittyhawks fly over northern Alaskan mountain ranges to defend against Japanese aggression during World War II. Authenticated News/Archive Photos/Getty Images

SASKATOON—Canadian World War II bomber pilot Reg Harrison says he was lucky to walk away unscathed from the war, especially considering he crashed four times.

Mr. Harrison joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1942, when he was 20. The following year, he was sent to England where he would serve, as were many other Canadians who had enlisted.