Reed Crew

The Reed crew at Harvard

Standing, L_R:
Lt. William Hitchcock (former CP, 
made pilot and given own crew)
Lt. Arthur Clark, CP
Lt. Allen S. Reed, P
Lt. James. A. Campbell, N
Lt. Thomas. G. William, B
Kneeling, L-R:
S/Sgt George. N. Schneider, BTG
S/Sgt Robert. T. Russ, TG
T/Sgt Edward. G. Harma, ROG
S/Sgt William. T. Davidge, ENG
S/Sgt Benjamin. A. Denny, WG
S/Sgt James. W. Alexander, WG 

 

On the way to a supply depot target in France on February 6, 1944, Hi-Jinx was hit by flak, killing or gravely wounding its pilot, Lt. Allen Reed, and navigator, Lt. James Campbell. 

Co-pilot Lt. Arthur L. Clark gave the order for the rest of the crew to bail out, but remained, fighting the controls to prevent the aircraft from crashing into the town of Wissous. Lt. Clark died when Hi-Jinx crashed into an empty field outside of town. Bombardier Lt. Thomas Wilkins was shot by German soldiers, either while parachuting or immediately after landing. The rest of the crewmen were captured.

The field in which Hi-Jinx crashed has been made into a public park, L'Espace d'Arthur Clark, featuring a memorial to the crew.  Every year,, the townspeople of Wissous welcome veterans from the 447th for a rededication ceremony.

D. Warren photos, February 2003