Russell F Reed
MilitaryPhotos courtesy of Russell Reeds daughter Kelly
Prisoner of War (POW). Shot down by flack near Leuna, Germany 2, Nov 1944.
Reed's B-17 was hit over Merseburg, a frequent and costly target for the 398th BG. He bailed out of the burning plane and was shot at as he parachuted down fortunately without being hit. He was picked up by German civilians as he had injured his ankle whilst landing and handed over to the military, fortunate in that everybody sensed the war was coming to an end. He spent the remaining few weeks of hostilities in a POW camp in Poland and returned to his family in the USA after being freed.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Prisoner of war |
2 November 1944 | MACR 10158 | |
Born |
Upper Montclair, New Jersey |
Revisions
Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 398th Bomb Group related to the service of Russell F. Reed.
398th History / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia