While the secrets of the Carpetbagger Project were closely guarded for fifty years, the American publication Readers Digest was the first to publish “the hitherto unrevealed story of the special air squadrons which ferried agents and dropped supplies to resistance forces in Europe.” I found a reference to the article in the Worry Bird Missing Air Craft Report – so I went on Ebay and quickly and easily bought an actual copy of the November 1945 issue. Chuckie is referenced at the end of the article but, unsurprisingly, not by name nor did the article reveal the full truth about him or his fellow airmen despite all the complete facts well known to many and none made known to his parents yet.

“Scarlet Pimpernels of the Air”

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The article is a fascinating read and provides interesting information about RAF Harrington, the B-24 Liberators, the French Marquis and their important role in the War. But it did not reveal the names or that Chuckie was killed in action.

Readers Digest was a popular publication in America at one time with a wide circulation of American readers. Whether Chuckie’s parents read this story is not known and likely. Chuckie’s parents still thought their son was missing in action. If they read this article, the last paragraph would have come as a shock.

“In memory of five American airmen found dead under the debris of their aircraft, shot down in flames at this place April 28, 1944, who’s mission was the parachuting of arms to our secret army for the liberation of France and the restoration of our ideal.“

Sixteen months before this Readers Digest article published, Chuckie’s parents were informed he was reported as Missing in Action on 28 April 1944. Sadly, they would still be made to wait another five months before finally receiving official confirmation that their son was killed in action and as an upcoming post will reveal.