‘TWILIGHT THUNDER’
by Stuart Brown
Battle weary Lancasters negotiate storm clouds over Northern Europe.
Originally reproduced as a limited edition of 350 prints signed by the late Flt Lt Bill Reid VC and and the popular pathfinder Group Captain T G ‘Hamish’ Mahaddie DSO DFC AFC CzMc.
‘On November 3rd 1943, 21 year-old Flt Lt Reid’s Lancaster was hit during two separate attacks by enemy fighters. His navigator was killed and the wireless operator fatally wounded. Flt Lt Reid was also seriously injured with wounds to his head, shoulder and hands. Despite severe damage to the aircraft and with no oxygen, heating or communication systems, Flt Lt Reid pressed on and bombed the target some fifty minutes later.
Camera evidence shows the aircraft was directly over the target. He then set course for home, navigating by the pole star and moon.
The flight engineer and bomb aimer were forced to take control when, due to the intense cold and loss of blood, Flt Lt Reid lost consciousness.
He was later revived over the English Channel in order to land the aircraft and through supreme effort landed the bomber at the first available airfield. Flt Lt Reid showed superb courage and leadership in penetrating a further 200 miles into enemy territory. His tenacity and devotion to duty were beyond praise.’
