Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36285/supplements/5435. Acting Flight Lieutenant William Reid (124438), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 61 Squadron. On 3rd November 1943 on the way to Dusseldorf, Germany, Flight Lieutenant Reid's windscreen was shattered by fire from a Messerschmitt and the gun turrets and cockpit badly damaged. Saying nothing of his multiple injuries, he continued on his mission and soon afterwards was attacked again, his navigator being killed and the wireless operator fatally wounded. He was wounded again, and also the flight engineer, while the Lancaster received more serious damage. Pressing on to his target, Flight Lieutenant Reid released his bombs, then set course for home and in spite of growing weakness from loss of blood, managed to land his crippled aircraft safely.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36285/supplements/5435. Acting Flight Lieutenant William Reid (124438), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 61 Squadron. On 3rd November 1943 on the way to Dusseldorf, Germany, Flight Lieutenant Reid's windscreen was shattered by fire from a Messerschmitt and the gun turrets and cockpit badly damaged. Saying nothing of his multiple injuries, he continued on his mission and soon afterwards was attacked again, his navigator being killed and the wireless operator fatally wounded. He was wounded again, and also the flight engineer, while the Lancaster received more serious damage. Pressing on to his target, Flight Lieutenant Reid released his bombs, then set course for home and in spite of growing weakness from loss of blood, managed to land his crippled aircraft safely.