The Southern Ferry Route to England
Al and his crew left Herington, Kansas to fly Morrison Field at West Palm Beach, Florida on November 15, 1943. During the flight to Florida, the ball turret entrance hatch was lost. Al and his crew were delayed leaving the US for several days while they waited for a replacement to arrive. They were the last of the BG to leave for overseas. Their first stop was Puerto Rico. Al could not open the orders telling them their final destination until they had been in the air after leaving FL for two hours. The ferry route also took them to Trinidad, Belem, Natal, Dakar and Marrakesh.
Nov. 15--Leave Herington, KS; arrive Morrison Field, FL
Nov. 20-- Arrive Puerto Rico
Nov. 21--Arrive Trinidad
Nov. 22--Arrive Belem; spent two nights because of an engine problem, which would mean that they left Belem on Thanksgiving day.
Nov. 24-- Arrive Natal; spent two nights- a mechanical problem was reported by Al so that the crew could have a day in the city.
Nov. 26--Arrive Dakar
Dec. 1--Arrive Marrakesh; two crew members became sick and one spent several days in the hospital; that and bad weather delayed their departure.
Dec. 10--Arrive England, St. Mowgan
Dec. 11--Arrive Seething, home of the 448th BG
Nov. 20-- Arrive Puerto Rico
Nov. 21--Arrive Trinidad
Nov. 22--Arrive Belem; spent two nights because of an engine problem, which would mean that they left Belem on Thanksgiving day.
Nov. 24-- Arrive Natal; spent two nights- a mechanical problem was reported by Al so that the crew could have a day in the city.
Nov. 26--Arrive Dakar
Dec. 1--Arrive Marrakesh; two crew members became sick and one spent several days in the hospital; that and bad weather delayed their departure.
Dec. 10--Arrive England, St. Mowgan
Dec. 11--Arrive Seething, home of the 448th BG