Names scanned from MR# 2010
Abernethy arrived at Harrington sans crew as they usually appear in orders, as did Farrell. Between the 17th of August and the 17th of September 1944, he and crewmembers made up mostly from the former White crew at North Pickenham flew eleven Carpetbagger missions. Though the enlisted men varied somewhat from mission to mission, the officers remained the same. Benjamin Street began his career as a dispatcher by transferring from a complement squadron at Harrington in June of 1944, and completed his tour as a substitute on a variety of crews by the spring of 1945.
Data from other sources indicates the following full names for the above:
Curtis A. Abernethy Pilot - 0564743
Albert G. Oard Copilot - 0767951
John P. Farrell Navigator - 0704120
Richard S. Hayman Bombardier - 0762632
Benjamin S. Street, Jr. Dispatcher - 18086618
Arthur C. Vance R.O. - 39697593
Phillip J. Collier Engineer - 35095811
John W. Pompelli Gunner - 13112844Data for September 1944 combat missions indicates the following:
Pilot
MR#
OK
Failed
Joes
Cntnrs
Pkgs
Date
DZ
A/C
Abernethy
1832
1
0
0
8
7
1
Ventriloquist 60
B24D 42-63775 L
Abernethy
1889
0
1
0
0
0
3
Ventriloquist 53
B24D 42-40506 R
Abernethy
1920
1
0
0
12
7
5
Jacob 1
B24D 42-40768 N
Abernethy
1965
1
0
0
12
7
6
Ventriloquist 55A
B24D 42-40768 N
Abernethy
1972
1
0
0
12
7
8
John 155
B24D 42-40803 P
Abernethy
2010
0
1
0
0
0
9
Bob 199
B24D 42-40803 P
Abernethy
2084
1
0
0
12
10
11
Bob 274A
B24D 42-40803 P
Abernethy
2122
1
0
0
12
10
12
Glover 7A
B24D 42-63980 B
Abernethy
2153
1
0
0
12
10
13
Bob 176
B24D 42-63980 B
Abernethy
2200
0
1
0
0
0
16
Bob 279
B24D 42-40618 E
Abernethy
2238
0
1
0
0
0
17
Bob 282
B24D 42-40618 E
It would seem the crew had no preferred aircraft, flying whatever was available. All targets were French, and a ratio of 7 complete, 4 incomplete was very good for a new crew without training at Harrington.
During the 'gas haul' period Abernethy flew three missions to the Continent with a short crew of Pilot, Copilot, Navigator, RO and Engineer.
On their final mission, assigned to the 406th NLS at the time, they lost the #3 engine over the Netherlands, and on the way back they tried to make it in to the Woodbridge aerodrome, but by then #2 engine was running away and the plane crashed into a field nearby. Considering themselves very lucky, and thinking of their soon-to-be return to the ZI, all crewmen walked away uninjured. B24 41-29522 however, had ended it's long career in the ETO on the night of 11/12 December 1944.