William E Reid
MilitaryAssigned to 323BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. On the 2nd mission of his 2nd tour a raid to Hamburg on 6-Nov-44 in B-17 44-8135; An 88 mm shell burst below the plane and took out the No. 3 engine. A second shell went through the right side, exploding in the radio compartment and blowing away the left side of the fuselage. The radioman was hit in the abdomen, chest and left arm. The left waist gunner received wounds in the abdomen, right leg, left thigh, and back. Both were killed instantly. A piece of flak in the radio room smashed into the left leg of the Mickey (Radar Bombsight ) operator, causing compound fractures. He survived, but eventually lost his leg. The flight engineer, was blown from the top turret down into the nose compartment, but was not injured. A/C was nursed to Rackheath airfield for a gentle landing due to the extensive damage.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19100892
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11007637
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight engineer / Top turret
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17150474 / O-705833
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35216196
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Based |
Bassingbourn | Assigned to 323BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. |