At the
beginning of the war 226 Sqn was a Coastal
Command Squadron, transferring to Bomber
Command late May 1941, flying Blenheim,
later Boston bombers. On 1 June 1943 it
transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force
and started flying the Mitchell bomber,
flying out of Swanton Morley in Norfolk.
After the invasion it was stationed on the
continent. In November 1944, 137 Wing, of
which 226 Sqn was part together with 88 and
107 and 342 (French) squadrons, was
stationed at Vitry-en-Artois, airfield in
France.
In the afternoon of 26 November 1944,
Mitchells of 137 wing and 139 Wing attacked
the railroad bridges at Deventer and Zwolle.
In the morning they had made an attack on
the German town of Rheydt.
Sgt. Reid's
Mitchell was going to Deventer. The Allied
planes received heavy and accurate anti
aircraft fire form the German defenses near
the bridge. Sgt. Reid's Mitchell received
a hit and broke in two. The plane crashed,
killing all four of the crew.
Just before he
was killed, he had planned to propose to a
girl. When his belongings were sent back
home, the ring which he had bought was
missing! All his parents received was the
presentation box which contained a rounded
piece of tin foil.
Sgt. Reid
and his crew are buried
in Deventer General Cemetery at the
Raalterweg. He is buried in grave no. 3195.
