AWARD OF V.C.
TO HEROIC LANCASTER CAPTAIN LONG FLIGHT TO OBJECTIVE AND BACK. MADE AFTER BEING SEVERELY WOUNDED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 14.
How the captain and pilot of a Lancaster, detailed x to attack Dusseldorf on November 3, flew on over 200 miles of well defended territory to his target, although wounded in two attacks, without oxygen, suffering severely . from cold, his navigator dead, his wireless operator fatally wounded, and his aircraft crippled, has been told with an announcement of the award of the V.C. to Flight Lieutenant William Reid, R.A.F.V.R.
Shortly after crossing the Dutch coast, the pilot’s windscreen was shattered by fire from a Messerschmitt. Owing to a failure in the heating circuit .the rear gunner’s hands were too cold for him to open fire, immediately or to operate the microphone to give warning of the danger, but after a brief delay he managed to return the fire and drive off the Messerschmitt. During this fight Reid was wounded in the head .shoulders and hands. The elevator trimming tabs of the aircraft were damaged, the rear turret badly damaged, and the communications system and compasses put out of action. Reid, ascertained that his crew was unscathed. and, saying nothing about his own injuries, continued on his mission. Soon afterwards the Lancaster was attacked by a Focke-Wulf. which raked the bomber from stem to stern. The navigator was killed and the wireless operator fatally ■ injured. The midupper turret was hit and the'oxygen system put put of action. Reid was hgain wounded, and the Flight Engineer, though hit in the forearm, supplied him with oxygen from a portable supply. Reid refused to be turned from his objective, and Dusseldorf was reached some 50 minutes later. Photographs show that when its bombs were released, the aircraft was right over the centre of the target. Steering by the Pole Star and moon, Reid then set a course for home. He was growing weak from loss of blood, and the emergency oxygen supply had given out. With the windscreen shattered, the cold was intense, and Reid relapsed into semi-consciousness. The Flight Engineer, with some help from the bombaimer, kept the Lancaster in the air, despite heavy anti-aircraft fire over the Dutch coast. The North Sea crossing was accomplished, and the airfield sighted. Reid revived, resumed control, and made ready to land. A ground mist partially obscured the runway lights. Reid was also much bothered ,by blood from a head wound getting in his eyes, but he managed to make a safe landing.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1943, Page 4
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426AWARD OF V.C. Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1943, Page 4
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