RAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane

View Similar Items

Unknown - Black and White Japanese Porsche and Lantern Photograph

Unknown - Black and White Japanese Photograph of a Porsche and Boy

Unknown - RAF Avro Lancaster Bomber Mk III Mk B.VI DV170 Rolls Royce original photograph

Unknown - RAF Lancaster Bomber photograph for Flight Magazine Ref no 18300S World War II

Unknown - Hawker Siddeley original photograph Lancaster Bomber landing World War 2

Jenny Lynn - Pyramid & Palms: black & white framed photograph, monument in landscape w/ trees

Jenny Lynn - Hand & Foot: black & white photograph w/ glove, leopard print & tree bark, feet

Eugene Atget - Versailles Bosquet de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1904, No. 6479

Peter McArthur - Cat in the Shadows - Black and White Photo by Carmel Artist Peter McArthur

Robert Tracy - Adobe Landscape - Black & White Landscape Photograph

Judy Dater - Judy Dater Self - Portrait with Stone Badlands South Dakota - Photograph 1981

Dmitry Zyubritsky - Photography - Boy on the donkey at mountains. 1979. 30x40 cm

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 6

Unknown
RAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane
c1943

About the Item

From a series of Black and White photographs of Lancaster Bombers dating from the 1940s we have listed. Why not check out the others. Air Ministry Lancaster Bomber LM360 in which Bill Reid won his Victoria Cross 'VC' after landing safely Silver Gelatin Black and White photographic print c. 1943 15.5 x 20 cm Printed on photographic paper marked A[ir] M[inistry] Crown Copyright Reserved Stamped to reverse "RAF Waterbeach Reference.... 16 Dec 194[3] RAF Crown Copyright Reserved" Original black and white photograph dating to World War II of the Lancaster Bomber in which Bill Reid won his Victoria Cross showing some of the damage sustained; one of only 22 awarded to the RAF during World War 2. Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, he joined the RAF at the outbreak of war. Selected as a bomber pilot he became a flying instructor with the promise of a posting to an Avro Lancaster unit. In July 1943 he flew his first operational mission. On the night of 3 November 1943, as an acting flight-lieutenant serving in 61 Squadron and aged just 21 he took part in the raid on Düsseldorf in Germany that led to his VC. An hour before the target his aeroplane was attached by a Messerschmitt Bf110 and badly damaged. Shortly after a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 attacked, killing the navigator and fatally wounding the wireless operator, and injuring Reid. Despite his injuries he continued to the target, released the bombs and returned to land in RAF Shipdham in Norfolk. On 14 December 1943 he was awarded a VC. The citation reads: Air Ministry, 14th December, 1943. The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: — Acting Flight Lieutenant William REID (124438), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 61 Squadron. On the night of November 3rd, 1943, Flight Lieutenant Reid was pilot and captain of a Lancaster aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf. Shortly after crossing the Dutch coast, the pilot's windscreen was shattered by fire from a Messerschmitt 110. 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 his microphone and so give warning of danger; but after a brief delay he managed to return the Messerschmitt's fire and it was driven off. During the fight with the Messerschmitt, Flight Lieutenant Reid was wounded in the head, shoulders and hands. The elevator trimming tabs of the aircraft were damaged and it became difficult to control. The rear turret, too, was badly damaged and the communications system and compasses were put out of action. Flight Lieutenant Reid ascertained that his crew were unscathed and, saying nothing about his own injuries, he continued his mission. Soon afterwards, the Lancaster was attacked by a Focke-Wulf 190. This time, the enemy's fire raked the bomber from stem to stern. The rear gunner replied with his only serviceable gun but the state of his turret made accurate aiming impossible. The navigator was killed and the wireless operator fatally injured. The mid-upper turret was hit and the oxygen system put out of action. Flight Lieutenant Reid was again wounded and the flight engineer, though hit in the forearm, supplied him with oxygen from a portable supply. Flight Lieutenant Reid refused to be turned from his objective and Dusseldorf was reached some 50 minutes later. He had memorised his course to the target and had continued in such a normal manner that the bomb-aimer, who was cut off by the failure of the communications system, knew nothing of his captain's injuries or of the casualties to his comrades. Photographs show that, when the bombs were released, the aircraft was right over the centre of the target. Steering by the pole star and the moon, Flight Lieutenant Reid then set course for home. He was growing weak from loss of blood. The emergency oxygen supply had given out. With the windscreen shattered, the cold was intense. He lapsed into semiconsciousness. The flight engineer, with some help from the bomb-aimer, kept the Lancaster in the air despite heavy anti-aircraft fire over the Dutch coast. The North Sea crossing was accomplished. An airfield was sighted. The captain revived, resumed control and made ready to land. Ground mist partially obscured the runway lights. The captain was also much bothered by blood from his head wound getting into his eyes. But he made a safe landing although one leg of the damaged undercarriage collapsed when the load came on. Wounded in two attacks, without oxygen, suffering severely from cold, his navigator dead, his wireless operator fatally wounded, his aircraft crippled and defenceless, Flight Lieutenant Reid showed superb courage and leadership in penetrating a further 200 miles into enemy territory to attack one of the most strongly defended targets in Germany, every additional mile increasing the hazards of the long and perilous journey home. His tenacity and devotion to duty were beyond praise.

Creation Year:
c1943
Dimensions:
Height: 6.11 in (15.5 cm)Width: 7.96 in (20.2 cm)
Medium:
Photographic Paper
Movement & Style:
Realist
Period:
1940-1949
Condition:
Fair condition commensurate with age.
Gallery Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: Lanc51stDibs: LU79534287501

More Ways To Browse

Vintage Bomber Planes

Gun Control

Vc A

Vintage Air Force Photos

Paper Moon Vintage Photos

Vintage Fire Fighting

Vintage Wireless

Used Runway Lights

Lancaster Bomber

RAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane

View Similar Items

Unknown
RAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane
c1943

About the Item

Mid-20th Century Realist Black and White Photography

RAF Avro Lancaster Bomber Mk III Mk B.VI DV170 Rolls Royce original photograph , Probably c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

RAF Lancaster Bomber photograph for Flight Magazine Ref no 18300S World War II, c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

Hawker Siddeley original photograph Lancaster Bomber landing World War 2, c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

Charles E Brown
Charles E Brown Lancaster Bomber testbed jet engined WW2 original photograph, c1943-45

Mid-20th Century Realist Black and White Photography

RCAF Thunderbird Sqn Avro Lancaster II Bomber censored 1944 photograph stamps , Probably c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

Avro Lancaster Bomber LL683 original 1943 photograph Hercules Power Egg MkII, 1943

1960s Realist Still-life Photography

Black and White Japanese Porsche and Lantern Photograph, 1960's

1960s Realist Portrait Photography

Black and White Japanese Photograph of a Porsche and Boy, 1960's

Early 2000s Realist Black and White Photography

Jenny Lynn
Pyramid & Palms: black & white framed photograph, monument in landscape w/ trees, 1982 / 2002

Early 2000s Realist Black and White Photography

Jenny Lynn
Hand & Foot: black & white photograph w/ glove, leopard print & tree bark, feet, 1989 / 2002

Early 20th Century Realist Black and White Photography

Eugène Atget
Versailles Bosquet de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1904, No. 6479, 1904

1970s Realist Black and White Photography

Peter McArthur
Cat in the Shadows - Black and White Photo by Carmel Artist Peter McArthur, c. 1970

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

RAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane

View Similar Items

UnknownRAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane c1943

About the Item

Mid-20th Century Realist Black and White Photography

RAF Avro Lancaster Bomber Mk III Mk B.VI DV170 Rolls Royce original photograph , Probably c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

RAF Lancaster Bomber photograph for Flight Magazine Ref no 18300S World War II, c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

Hawker Siddeley original photograph Lancaster Bomber landing World War 2, c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

Charles E BrownCharles E Brown Lancaster Bomber testbed jet engined WW2 original photograph, c1943-45

Mid-20th Century Realist Black and White Photography

RCAF Thunderbird Sqn Avro Lancaster II Bomber censored 1944 photograph stamps , Probably c. 1940s

1940s Realist Black and White Photography

Avro Lancaster Bomber LL683 original 1943 photograph Hercules Power Egg MkII, 1943

1960s Realist Still-life Photography

Black and White Japanese Porsche and Lantern Photograph, 1960's

1960s Realist Portrait Photography

Black and White Japanese Photograph of a Porsche and Boy, 1960's

Early 2000s Realist Black and White Photography

Jenny LynnPyramid & Palms: black & white framed photograph, monument in landscape w/ trees, 1982 / 2002

Early 2000s Realist Black and White Photography

Jenny LynnHand & Foot: black & white photograph w/ glove, leopard print & tree bark, feet, 1989 / 2002

Early 20th Century Realist Black and White Photography

Eugène AtgetVersailles Bosquet de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1904, No. 6479, 1904

1970s Realist Black and White Photography

Peter McArthurCat in the Shadows - Black and White Photo by Carmel Artist Peter McArthur, c. 1970

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Unknown
RAF Lancaster Bomber Bill Reid VC original photo Victoria Cross-winning plane
c1943

Charles E Brown
Charles E Brown Lancaster Bomber testbed jet engined WW2 original photograph, c1943-45

Jenny Lynn
Pyramid & Palms: black & white framed photograph, monument in landscape w/ trees, 1982 / 2002

Jenny Lynn
Hand & Foot: black & white photograph w/ glove, leopard print & tree bark, feet, 1989 / 2002

Eugène Atget
Versailles Bosquet de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1904, No. 6479, 1904

Peter McArthur
Cat in the Shadows - Black and White Photo by Carmel Artist Peter McArthur, c. 1970