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Abernethy Crew R-14 Summary
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The Abernethy Replacement Crew arrived during June 1944. As they were completing their in-house training they were ear-marked to go to the 858th BS. Before they could get into the action the 858th was disassembled. On 24 Jun 1944 they were assigned to the 856th BS. We don't know which crew they replaced.
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By our count the Abernethy Crew flew 3 missions beginning on 29 Jun 44. We don't know if the entire crew was on each of these missions but we have learned there wasn't a navigator on their last mission.
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On their third mission, 6 Jul 44, they participated in the Group's attack on a shipyard at Keil. Their ship was severely damaged by flak. They tried to make it back across the North Sea but only got far enough to arrange for a sea rescue instead. Two of the crew were never found while the others were picked up and returned to duty (RTD). 2 KIA, 7 RTD, MACR 8199.
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As a crew they didn't fly again. From what we can gather, this crew was disbanded. Some of the individuals rescued may have required medical treatment and weren't released until after the Group was disbanded. So far we can only find documentation for Abernethy and Stanton being transferred to the 801st/492nd BG, but not in the same crew.
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When Abernethy recovered he got a new crew mostly comprised of members of the White Crew R-34 who were shot down on 18 Jul 1944. He also got a new navigator, Lt Farrell, who had just gotten out of the hospital after being wounded with the McMurray Crew 801 on 15 June 1944. His new crew was transferred to the 801st/492nd Carpetbaggers.
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According to the Carpetbaggers, Abernethy flew 11 more missions plus a number of gas hauling missions with a short crew. His last mission was on the night of 11/12 December 1944. While returning from a leaflet drop over Holland he lost an engine. Upon arriving back to the UK another engine began running away. They were forced to crashland their plane near Woodbridge, England. Everyone was able to walk away without serious injury. However, the crew was disbanded. We don't know if some of the men continued flying with other crews or not.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Abernethy Crew R-14
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Abernethy, Curtis A |
2nd Lt |
O-564743 |
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
10 Aug 44, transferred to 801st/492nd BG |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Stanton, Jack H |
2nd Lt |
O-822640 |
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
Reassigned to another crew
10 Aug 44, transferred to 801st/492nd BG |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Peters, James L |
F/O |
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not on plane when downed
reassigned, fate unknown |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Krear, Richard S |
2nd Lt |
O-709928 |
6 Jul 44, KIA, MACR 8199
Wall of the Missing, Cambridge |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Prince, Percival G |
S/Sgt |
32762521 |
Promoted T/Sgt
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
Fate unknown
Not sure if name is spelled right |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Carusone, Ralph J |
Sgt |
32942784 |
Promoted T/Sgt
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
Fate unknown |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Hoods, Willard E |
S/Sgt |
36743860 |
Promoted T/Sgt
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
Fate unknown
Not sure if name is spelled right |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Childs, Alfred P |
S/Sgt |
33831454 |
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
Fate unknown |
Ball Gunner
MOS 612 |
Kliss, Melvin L |
Sgt |
39699491 |
Promoted S/Sgt
6 Jul 44, RTD, MACR 8199
Fate unknown |
Tail Gunner
MOS 611 |
Del Prete, Ralph F |
Sgt |
33609861 |
Promoted S/Sgt
6 Jul 44, KIA, MACR 8199
Wall of the Missing, Cambridge
Seen name spelled Del Prere and Del Prese |
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Others Who Flew with Abernethy Crew R-14
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Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Farrell, John P |
2nd Lt |
O-704120 |
15 Jun 44, WIA
Obtained from McMurray Crew 801
10 Aug 44, transferred to 801st/492nd BG
Promoted 1st Lt
Name often misspelled Farrall
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Abernethy Crew R-14
492nd BG Mission Record
856th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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29 Jun 44 |
44-40064 |
Magdeburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft Industry |
| 02 |
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4 Jul 44 |
42-110148 |
Beaumont-le-Roger, France |
Target: Airfield
Bombed with the 392nd BG |
| 03 |
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6 Jul 44 |
44-40064 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Shipyard
Lost: 2 KIA, 7 POW, MACR 8199 |
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