ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Aug 14, 2023 11:47:33 GMT -8
B-17F Wimpy B-17F-27BO-41-24585 Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Middle Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 12 JAN 1944 Mission Number: 2 This Aircraft: 2 Target: Pisa, Italy, Marshaling Yard CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Current Mission | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt, Landry Velez | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 1 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt, Santino Richards | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt, Aarav Hoover | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 2 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt, Roberto Ford | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt, Finnegan Fields | 2 | 1 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Radio Op / Waist | Sgt, Paul Nielson | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | NT / Waist | T/3rd, Ari Watkins | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | T/4th, Tobias Mace | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 1 | Left Waist / NT | S/Sgt, Tripp MacDougal | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | T/4th, Kingsley Griffin | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | Sgt, Nico Sawyer | 2 | | | Skill -1 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %[Used Lady Luck] Casualties: None Damage: Superficial 4X 4 Peckham Points: 4 Pts, Ready next day Landing: Safe Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Me-109 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Me-210 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Fw-190 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G.55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Ju-88 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Tail | 1.5 | 0 | 2 | Top | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTLonger flight today. West to the Tyrrhenian, then north for an hour or so, then back to mainland Italy. We needed to thread the needle. Bomb an enemy marshalling yard, while missing local historical landmarks. No trouble. As we were boarding Wimpy, after our pre-flight walk-around, Sgt Sawyer stopped Lt Richards and me. “Sir, take this. Cpl Toscano asked that you take this. His family came from Pisa.” At that, Sgt Sawyer handed me a chain with what looked like a chili pepper. “Sir, Cpl Toscano called it a, um, ah, ‘corna porta fun’, no, a ‘corno portafortuna’, a ‘good luck horn’. Says it brings luck, keeps away the evil eye.” [Ground Crew Lucky Lady roll before flight.] Not being superstitious, but being respectful of the beliefs of my crew, air and ground, I took it. “Thank Cpl Toscana, for us.” “Yes, sir.” Takeoff was uneventful. While still over Italy, and behind our own lines, Gerry wasted no time in greeting us. An Me-110 was spotted approaching from 1030 high. Escorts made short work of him. We were approaching our first turn to the target, when 2Lt Hoover announced, “Gentlemen, passing below us is the island of Elba, location of Napolean’s first exile, in 1813.” No sooner was Hoover finished speaking when as mixed a pair of aircraft there could be attacked us. The first, an aging Junker 88 was easily driven off by our escorts. The second, the excellent Fiat G.55 Centaur, now being flown by misguided pilots of the Italian National Republican Airforce, made an attack from 6 o’clock high. Not smart. Targeted by the top turret, tail turret, and the radio room guns, the Fiat was easily shot down. T/4th Griffin’s fire from the tail cracked open the cockpit like an eggshell, killing the pilot. Meanwhile T/Sgt Fields, in the top, sheared off the fighter’s left wing. (Sadly neither gunner received any credit for the obvious kill.) With the group making a sharp right turn to the target, the Germans figured where we were headed and unleashed their full fury, as full as possible. With the coast approaching a trio of Me-109s attacked. Escorts drove off one, while the remaining pair attacked from 130 and 9. T/Sgt Fields missed, and 2Lt Hoover jammed the right cheek .30 cal. The Me-109 also missed and did not return. The final Me-109 was missed by our defensive fire. He hit us a few times, causing negligible damage. The last Me returned at 6 low. T/4th Griffin’s fire split open the enemy canopy, killing the pilot. (Once again, credit denied.) With the coast passing below, a pair of Fw-190s and a single Me-109 attacked. Escorts drove off the 109. No damage was caused by either the attacking fighters or our defensive fire. Enemy fighters drifted off as we neared the local flak belt. Flak was advertised, but inaccurate. At the drop point 2Lt Ford squeezed the bomb release trigger. Nothing. Squeezed it again, and bombs away. Analysis showed 30% on target. [First roll 2d6 2 + -2 drm = 0, off target. Lucky charm roll, 2d6 6 + -2 drm = 4, on target.] We followed the group as it u-turned to the right back to the Tyrrhenian. Out over the water, once again, making our left turn over Elba, a pair of Me-210s attacked. Escorts drove off one, leaving the second attacking from 130 high. Before the 210 could get off a shot, T/Sgt Fields, in the top turret, sheared off the fighters left wing. No chutes were observed. We finally got a kill credit. Skies around us were clear for the rest of the flight. After the mission, 2Lt Ford hung the 'corno' next to his bombing station. He claimed, "You never know, sir." Submitted by, 1Lt Landry Velez, Pilot B-17F Wimpy 80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Aug 14, 2023 11:51:29 GMT -8
B-24D Bottoms Up B-24D-10-CO-42-40257 Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Low Aircraft Position: Lead Mission Date: 12 JAN 1944 Mission Number: 2 This Aircraft: 2 Target: Pisa, Italy, Marshalling Yards CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Current Mission | Previous Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Romeo Clayton | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Caesar Woodward | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Arthur Alstott | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Noe Parra | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Clarence Patterson | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Radio Op / Waist | T/4th Travis Kauffman | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 1 | NT / Waist | S/Sgt Kamil Fisher | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | Sgt Calvin Huang | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Left Waist / NT | T/4th Caleb Compton | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Damari Early | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | Sgt Cooper Brown | 2 | 0 | 0 | Skill -1 | 0 |
Bomb Run: Off Target, 0 %Bomb release mechanism failure. Manual release. Casualties: None Damage: None Peckham Points: None, ready next day Landing: Safe Enemy AircraftType | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Ju-88 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Claims:Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Top | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Ball | 2 | 0.5 | 1 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTOn any other day to be squadron lead would be unwelcome. However, being the Low squadron for this mission, not so bad. We were well on our way, about halfway to the target, when a pair of Junkers Zerstörers made passes at us. One was driven off by our escorts. The second, attacking from 3 level was shot down by the ball and top gunners. Their fire destroyed the enemy’s nose, and shredded control surfaces. Two chutes were seen, The kill was shared between the two gunners. [By now, the Ball and Tail gunners both received “Ace For A Day” honors.] In the target zone a lone Fw-190 was driven off by our little friends. Flak was inaccurate. 2Lt Parra squeezed the trigger and nothing happened. Two more tries and nothing. Kauffman jumped to the bomb bay for a manual release. Too late. Off target. If nothing else, at least we dropped south of the Arno. None of us wanted to be called on the carpet for bombing some historical landmark. Back over the Tyrrhenian, we were greeted by a pair of Me-110s. One driven off, the other had its left wing shredded. 2 chutes seen. Sgt Huang received no credit. For the rest of the flight, we encountered one lonely Junkers 88, which was driven off by our escorts. Submitted by, 1Lt Romeo Clayton, Pilot B-24D Bottoms Up 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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Post by randomcanadian on Aug 14, 2023 17:03:02 GMT -8
Mission report Squadron: 79th A/C No: Express Delivery / 42-29988 Date: 12.01.1944
Pilot: 1LT John Harvey (2) Copilot: 2LT Omar Black (2) Bombardier: 2LT Ian Hall (2) Navigator: 2LT Beau Singer (2) Engineer: T/SGT John Early (2) Radio operator: T/SGT Andrew Hughes (2) Ball gunner: S/SGT Ralph Reed (2) Starboard waist gunner: S/SGT Arthur Payne (2) Port waist gunner: S/SGT Graham Brown (2) Tail gunner: SGT Gerald Hermann (2)
Ground crew chief: S/SGT Hans Rumsey (2)
Immediate news to be telephoned: -One plane seen to be hit directly by flak during bomb run, tail ripping off. Only 4 chutes seen. -Plane with tail number 966 attacked by large group of fighters on return leg over coast near Naples. 9 chutes seen to open.
Target attacked: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling yard
Weather over target: Cloudy over Tyrrhenian but surprisingly good visibility over target.
Result of bombing: 30%
Narrative: Despite the miserable weather, take-off and formation assembly went off without any issue on our side. Whatever the Germans might have had in the way of fighters spread along the western coast of Italy didn't make their way to us on this part of the journey either, despite our position at the tail of the formation.
Over target, clouds finally cleared up just enough to allow a good bomb run. Flak was moderate in intensity but inaccurate. Surprisingly, there was none on egress. If any speculations about the reason for this absence were in the mind of the crew, these were quickly put to rest as a large group of German fighters headed our way, approaching from both fore and aft of our ship. Except for Payne and Brown in the waist compartment, nearly everyone had a clear shot on at least one of them. Doesn't seem like we hit any of them, though Sgt. Hermann in the tail got probably a little too excited, which at least scared off the German fighter approaching from that direction before he could engage us. No damage to our plane appears to have resulted from this attack.
The remaining leg of the flight was uneventful and although cloudy enroute weather on landing was good enough for us to enjoy the Italian sunshine afterwards.
Injuries to crew: none
Damage to aircraft: none
AAR SUMMARY Peckham: 0 Bomb run: 30% Ammunition expanded: 350 rounds Aircraft encountered: encountered/driven off/damaged/destroyed Fw190: 2/1/0/0 Bf110: 1/0/0/0 Me109: 2/1/0/0
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Post by kageyone on Aug 15, 2023 23:31:08 GMT -8
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Post by kozzackkelt on Aug 16, 2023 18:12:10 GMT -8
B-17F: MISS GRIZZ (B-17F-238WA-42-90210) Pilot: 2LT. Bryce Dutton Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force Squadron Position: Middle Mission Date: 12 JAN. 1944 Mission Number: 2 Target: Piza, Italy / Marshalling Yard
CREW (missions) {Stress Pts} E/A Wounds Pilot: 2LT. Bryce Dutton ( 2 ) { 1 } Co-Pilot: 2Lt. Tim Metcalf ( 2 ) {-} Bombardier: 2Lt. Hal Sherman ( 2 ) { } [B%: o6-o5 ] Navigator: 2Lt. C. William Buxley ( 2 ) { } Engineer: T/Sgt. Robert Carver ( 2 ) { 1 } Radio Operator: Sgt. Albert Prodhomme ( 2 ) { } Ball Turret: Sgt. Rory O'Farrell ( 2 ) { } Waist Gunner: Sgt. Mark Thompson ( 2 ) { } - DOW abdomen, femur Waist Gunner: Sgt. Joseph Redfeather ( 2 ) { } DOW: cartoid artery cut Tail Gunner: Sgt. Ian Clarke ( 2 ) {1} 1xMc205
BOMB RUN: Off Target: o5%
Enemy Aircraft encountered: 19 ~ 0xTa152H, 0x Me410, 0xMe262, OxJu88, 5xFw190, 13xMe109, 0xMe410, 0xMe110, 0xMe210, 0xHe162, 1xMc205
E/A Destroyed: 1 E/A: Probable: 1 E/A Damaged: 6
Enemy fighters driven off by fighter escort: 8
Status of B-17G DAISY JANE ~ From report by aircraft maintenance chief, Frank Krupus, TSgt., There are holes from enemy gunfire in this bomber, 16xSuperficial hits/no effect; hit to oxygen system, bomb controls damaged, elevator controls inoperable, tail turret inoperable, hit to rudder, hit to starboard wing root. Will perform routine maintenance on this aircraft. Estimated time of repairs/maintenance: two days
AAR: MISS GRIZZ took off in the poor weather and climbed to assigned altitude and joined with the other bombers of the 80th in the middle formation. We immediately saw several E/A, but our escort fighters were quickly on them. Several Fw190's hit us over the Tyrrhenian Sea, seriously wounding Sgt. Thompson (waist gunner). On the bomb run, attacked by another '190 and a swarm of 109's. We took several hits, including one in the nose that destroyed the bomb controls. Hit twice by flak, no serious damage. Bomb drop made manually, and photo shows about 5% accuracy. Another swarm of '109's hit and one MC205 hit us as we headed back to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Sgt. Clarke hit the MC205 and it was seen diving toward the ground, no parachute was seen. One of the '109's must have been flown by one of their "super Jerrys" as he hitting us on each of his three passes. Both waist gunners were hit seriously and subsequently died of their wounds. When we were almost back to base, yet another swarm of '109's hit us, mostly putting more holes in MISS GRIZZ, but also rendering our tail guns inoperable. We landed safely. An ambulance took Sgt. Redfeather and Thompson. I am told that MISS GRIZZ will be cleaned up, patched up and have her routine maintenance performed in time for next mission.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bryce Dutton, 2LT., USAF, Pilot, B-17F MISS GRIZZ 80th BS / 509th BG Foggia, Italy
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Post by kageyone on Aug 16, 2023 20:49:08 GMT -8
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Post by medic1 on Aug 16, 2023 21:00:02 GMT -8
B-17F INVADIN’ MAIDEN 5-BO-44-30823 Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin Marks Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force Formation/Position: Middle/Low Mission Date: 12 Jan 44 Mission Number: 002 Missions This Bomber: 2 Target: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Crew/Position/Rank
| Current Missions | Previous Claims
| This Mission
| Stress Points
| Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Paul Witkowski
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Radioman T/Sgt Bruce Woodside
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | RTD | PWG S/Sgt Noreno Costa
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | LW | SWG Sgt Peter Lesniak
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 30% B-17 Damage: 11 Hits
Nose x 2 - superficial -nose MG inoperable Cockpit x 1 -superficial Starboard Wing x 1 -superficial Radio Room x 1 - superficial Bomb Bay x 2 -superficial -doors, superficial Waist x 2 -PWG LW -SWG, suit heat out Tail x 2 -superficial -auto pilot inoperable Peckham Points: 37 Repair Time: Overnight Maintenance Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, average Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Bf-110 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | C-202 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | G-50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
| He-112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Confirmed Claims: 12nd Lt Tom Cassidy 2 x Fw-190S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro 1 x Fw-190 Casualties: 1 S/Sgt Noreno Costa LW – torn calcaneal tendon. RTD 26 Jan 44
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0 PH S/Sgt Noreno Costa
After Action Report(using QOTS): The weather was dismal on takeoff, but we broke through the clouds and into the bright blue above. Everything was quiet until we turned for the coast where we encountered two die hard fascist Italian 202s. One was chased off by a P-38 while the other was taken care of by Mercado (claim denied).
Turning at the IP we ran into a 190 with a 110 tag along. The110 broke away and came from underneath but Konstanaro heavily damaged its right wing and engine and it ducked into the clouds, fate unknown. The 190 approached from 10:30 high where Cassidy's pop gun hit the engine, wind roots and fuselage. The fighter began to burn with its engine on fire and spiraled out of control.
And then that wild card of the game, flak, entered the equation and all fighters disappeared. The High-Ball, a spare bomber and crew took a hit in the tail and went down. Only 4 chutes were seen. A burst sent shrapnel into our waist section and Costa was injured. Although in pain he stayed at his MG and continued his duties. A minor strike was also noted in the starboard wing.
Despite the shaking and rocking of the ship from the flak, Witkowski was able to focus on Target and drop for 30%.
INBOUND
Two 110 swarmed in after we turned away from the flak, but both were met by some eager little friends and we continued on.
Some 50 miles beyond the target a 109 with an obviously green pilot and a 110 attempted to take runs at us, but again our P-38s intervened. Betty’s Bucket was jumped by E/A and was lost with a raging fuel tank fire. 9 chutes were observed and their position was radioed in for rescue.
Things were calm after that until we had turned and were just over the coast of Italy again when four 190 swarmed us. Only one was deterred by an escort, the remaining three fanned out and attacked from 12 and 1:30 level, 3 low. Somehow, Cassidy's .30 Cal pumped accurate fire into the 130 and the stricken fighter immediately turned over and dived towards the ground below. The 12:00 fighter missed and left but the 3:00 was much more accurate hitting us in the nose, empty Bombay, and taking out the autopilot in the tail. This fighter circled around and evaded our gunners and attacked attacked from our six and walked hits along us, knocking out the nose MG and destroyed the heat controls for Lesniak in the waist section. The Kraut must have thought he was having a banner day and came back again at 3:00 but Kostanaro scored hits on it causing the pilot to jettison his canopy and he bailed out. His parachute failed to open, and I didn't feel sorry for him one bit.
We radioed the formation that we were dropping out due to a heating problem and descended to Angels 8 where we kept the formation in sight and followed them in. Once over the field we fired off flares to tell the ground personnel that we had wounded on board and landed safely.
Costa is going to get some light duties for about 2 weeks as he tore a tendon and we'll dip into the spare pool for a replacement.
Invadin' Maiden has the ground crew pouring over as I write this and she will be ready to fly tomorrow if need be. 1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
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Post by kageyone on Aug 16, 2023 21:04:55 GMT -8
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Post by superbee on Aug 18, 2023 7:53:39 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron: After Mission Summary Mission 2 January 12, 1944 Target: Pisa Italy
B17’s sortied: 12 (Irascible Girl, High Ball, All In, Pride of the Badgers, Blitz Buggy, Slammin’ Sally, Pride of the Buckeyes, Reluctant Dragon, Betty’s Bucket, Express Delivery, Invadin’ Maiden, Amazing Maisie)
B17’s bombing target: 11 (Irascible Girl, All In, Pride of the Badgers, Blitz Buggy, Slammin’ Sally, Pride of the Buckeyes, Reluctant Dragon, Betty’s Bucket, Express Delivery, Invadin’ Maiden, Amazing Maisie)
Bombers aborting mission: none
Bombers lost: High Ball (flak), Betty’s Bucket (EA)
Lead bomber:
Tail end Charlie: Express Delivery
Crewmen KIA: 3
Crewmen SW-IH: 1
Crewmen wounded and returning to action: 6
Crewmen MIA: 10
Bomb run avg: 31%
High bomb run: 95% (2Lt Alex Black, Reluctant Dragon)
| encountered | intercepted by escorts
| destroyed | FCA | FBOA | FW190's | 73
| 27 | 14 | 12 | 0 | C205's | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Me410's | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re2005's | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Me109's | 47
| 16
| 2
| 3 | 0 | Me110's | 18 | 5
| 5 | 1 | 3 | G55's | 1 | 0
| 0 | 1 | 0 | Ju88"s | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C202's | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | totals | 119 | 37 | 25 | 18 | 4 |
Awards for gallantry in action and meritorious achievement: Distinguished Service Cross: T/Sgt Frederico Perez Distinguished Flying Cross: Sgt W Towney, M/Sgt H Langdon, 2Lt Alex Black
Promotions: Frederico Perez to T/Sgt _________________________________________________________________________________________ Invadin’ Maiden Bomb run: 30% Purple Heart: S/Sgt Noreno Costa
Pride of the Badgers Bomb run: 50% Purple Heart: Sgt I Cooper, 2Lt Jay Van Dorn, Sgt W Towney Distinguished Flying Cross: Sgt W Towney (shot down 4 EA on this mission)
Pride of the Buckeyes Bomb run: 0% Purple Heart: Sgt W Ingersoll Distinguished Flying Cross: M/Sgt H Langdon (destroyed 3 EA this mission)
Express Delivery (tail end charlie) Bomb run: 30%
All In Bomb run: 20%
Slammin’ Sally Bomb run: 60% Purple Heart: S/Sgt Bernard Mathews (posthumous)
Irascible Girl: Bomb run: 10%
Betty’s Bucket (shot down by EA over Allied-occupied Italy, 9 crewmen successfully bail out and return to Foggia) Bomb run: 30% Purple Heart: 2Lt Ed Carpenter (posthumous)
Blitz Buggy Bomb run: 20% Purple Heart: 1Lt Donald Green (posthumous), 2Lt Lloyd Wood Distinguished Service Cross: S/Sgt Frederico Perez (successfully landed a battle-damaged B17 when both the pilot and co-pilot of the bomber were incapacitated) Promotion: S/Sgt Frederico Perez to T/Sgt
Reluctant Dragon Bomb run: 95% Distinguished Flying Cross: 2Lt Alex Black (95% bomb run)
High Ball (group spare – destroyed by flak over target, 10 crewmen MIA) Bomb run: DNB
Amazing Maisie Bomb run: 0% Purple Heart: 2Lt Peter Jones, 2Lt Albert Vespucci, 2Lt Alain de La Zoucch, Sgt Mark Cullen
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Post by randomcanadian on Aug 18, 2023 13:45:27 GMT -8
Plane: Zig-Zag (B-17F-120BO 42-30830) MISSION DATE: 12 January 44 MISSION NBR. 2 TARGET: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling yard
Mission report Squadron: 80th A/C No: Zig-Zag / 42-30830 Date: 12.01.1944
Pilot: 1LT Raymond Palmer (1) Copilot: 2LT Casey Russell (1) Bombardier: 2LT Angel Vance (1) Navigator: 2LT Richard Browning (1) PH - KIA Engineer: T/SGT Herbert McEwen (1) Radio operator: S/SGT Hans Parker (1) Ball gunner: SGT Arthur Smith (1) [1] Starboard waist gunner: SGT Joseph Hughes (1) Port waist gunner: SGT Daniel Wels (1) Tail gunner: SGT George Murch (1)
Ground crew chief: SGT Chad Cone (2)
Target attacked: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling yard
Weather over target: Mostly cloudy but achieved a clear shot on the target.
Result of bombing: 30%
Narrative: Takeoff and the whole subsequent flight to the target passed without anything out of the ordinary happening. Over the target, flak was inaccurate and posed no serious threat to us. Layers of passing clouds made targetting difficult but 2nd Ltn. Vance just managed to get a good drop on it after sighting it very late.
It is at this point that German fighters decided to interrupt our pleasant flight with some unwelcome attention upon us. Fighter escorts were nowhere near, and four of them got to us. A twin-engine Bf110 attacking from low behind was shot down by Sgt. Smith. The other three planes attacked from nearly straight ahead, and they managed several hits upon us, causing only minor damage but wounding our navigator, 2nd Ltn. Browning, which resulted in a terrible, bloody mess in the nose compartment. Before we could get back to our senses a pair of them came back again, taking out the flaps. The luck of the bandits finally ran out when a single one made a final pass at us but was damaged with fuel visibly leaking from his aircraft.
After the excitement caused by the fighter attack died down, we could see that Ltn. Browning had been killed on the spot and no first aid could be attempted. We made our best to get back to base as quickly as we could, still flying with the formation. As we were beginning preparations for our approach engine #4 experienced a failure. We managed to restart it but only at reduced power. Despite this, and damage to the tailwheel and the flaps, landing was not too difficult and when we finally came to a stop medics were quickly on the scene and moved away what was left of Browning. The whole crew felt quite nervous knowing they could just as easily have suffered the same fate as him.
Injuries to crew: 2LT Browning killed by a direct hit to the head from a German fighter shell.
Damage to aircraft: Several superficial hits throughout fuselage. Starboard waist gun knocked out. Tailwheel inoperative due to damage. Flaps mostly undamaged but flight controls to them severed.
AAR SUMMARY Peckham: 45 Bomb run: 30% Ammunition expanded: 450 rounds Aircraft encountered: encountered/driven off/damaged/destroyed Fw190: 2/0/1/0 Bf110: 1/0/0/1 Me109: 1/0/0/0 Awards: 2LT Browning - Purple Heart (posthumous)
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Sparhawk
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 332
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Post by Sparhawk on Aug 18, 2023 14:24:34 GMT -8
B-17F 43-38497 Mighty Mouse mission #2 Organization: 8th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron Formation: Middle Position: Middle MISSION DATE: 12 Jan 44 Mission 2 Pisa, Italy - Marshalling Yard MISSION # 2 TARGET: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling Yard Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet
Position
| Rank Name | Missions | Today | total | Status | Stress | Awards | Total Awards | Pilot
| 1st Lt Alden Wright
| 2
| | | RFD | |
| | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Jeb Marsden
| 2 | | | RFD | 1 | | | Bombardier (Nose) | 2nd Lt Ryan Puorro
| 2 | .75 | .75 | KIA | | PH | PH | Navigator (Cheeks)
| 2nd Ryan Eccles
| 2 |
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| LW | | PH | PH | Engineer (Top)
| SSgt Emile Putnam
| 2 | .75 | .75 | RFD | 1 |
| | Radio
| SSgt Brent Wickie
| 2 |
| | RFD |
|
| | Ball Turret
| SSgt Alberto Marucci
| 2 |
| .25 | RFD | |
| | Starboard Waist
| Sgt Scott Corbell
| 2 |
| | RFD | |
| | Port Waist
| Sgt Bob Grehan
| 2 | | | RFD | |
| | Tail Gun
| SSgt Tony Marshall | 2 |
| .25 | RFD | |
| |
Bomb Run: 50%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Peckham Points: 53 5 - #2 engine SD 10 - Oxygen out 25 – Fire 10 – Puorro KIA 2 – Eccles light wound
Aircraft | Encountered | Driven Off | FCBA | FCA | FBOA | Claims | Awarded | Me 109 | 5 | 3 | | | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | Me 210 | 2 |
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| 1 | .50 | FW 190
| 9 | 6 |
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| Total | 16 | 9 | | | 1 | 2 | 1.50 |
Casualties: 2LT Ryan Eccles - LW 2LT Ryan Puorro - KIA Award Recommendations Purple hearts for 2LT Ryan Puorro and 2LT Ryan Eccles Promotions: None After Action ReportWell, things git really bad pretty quickly. This is really war. We encountered two FW 190s in Zone 2. One driven off and one, in a vertical dive, just flew by. All was well into zone 6 when two Me 109s challenged us. One was driven off by our escorts and Puorro and Putman blew him out of the sky. A huge red ball, then hundreds of pieces falling with black tails. The whole crew cheered! But then we entered the target zone and things went south fast. Two Me 210s swooped in, and no escorts in sight. They both must have been green pilots as they were quite clumsy. Puorro and Putman scored another Kraut destroyed. Those guys are on fire! Then we were attacked by three FW 190s but two were driven away and the other missed and flew off. Then we hit flak. We were hit by four bursts. The first burst was in the pilot’s compartment. No one was hurt but the oxygen was knocked out for the entire compartment and a fire started, which we put out on the first try. The second hit the nose and hit Puorro and Eccles. Eccles got a cut right down his hairline and blood was everywhere. He did what he could, but it was no good. Puorro died. The other two hit the starboard wing with no effect. Eccles had to push Puorro’s body out of the way and grabbed the bomb sight and released while we were over the target. With an amazing stroke of luck, we hit the target at 50%! On the way out a single FW 190 came for a visit but was driven off with no damage. In zone 6 we dropped to 10,000 feet to keep us all breathing. We were attacked by two FW 190s in zone 6, one driven off and one flew off. We also saw bombes outside the window. Again, in zone 4 three Me 109s swept in, The good old escorts were there, and they drove away two, the other was hit by Corbell, but it flew off trailing smoke. The return to base was uneventful. Crew Commander of Mighty Mouse, 1LT Aiden Wright 8th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron
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Post by lcorreia48 on Aug 19, 2023 15:11:09 GMT -8
B-17G: Spirit of 9880th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 12 JAN 44 MISSION # 2 (2nd mission this bomber) TARGET: Pisa, Italy Bomb Run: On Target - 30% CREWPosition | Rank | Name | Current Mission | Previous Kills | Confirmed Today
| Status | Stress | Notes | Pilot | 1 LT
| Mark McGwire
| 2 |
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| RTD |
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| Copilot | 2 LT
| Sammy Sosa
| 2
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| LW - 1 WEEK
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| Bombardier | 2 LT | Ken Griffey Jr
| 2
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| RTD
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| Navigator | 2 LT | Tony Gwynn
| 2
| 1 |
| RTD
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| Engineer | MSGT | John Olerud
| 2
| 1 | 1 | RTD
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| Radioman | T/SGT | Ivan Rodriguez
| 2
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| RTD
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| Ball Gunner | SGT | Randy Johnson
| 2
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| RTD |
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| PWG | SGT | Pedro Martinez | 2
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| 1 | RTD | 1 |
| SWG | SGT | Greg Maddux
| 2
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| RTD |
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| Tail Gunner | SGT | Roger Clemens
| 2
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| RTD
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Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: Superficial x6 Radio Destroyed Rudder
Peckham Points: 31
Crew Chief: S/SGT Tony La Russa (Status: Average Joe)
B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia
Attackers: 13
| # | Confirmed Destroyed
| Probable | Damaged | Run Off
| Me-109 | 3 |
| 1 |
| 1 | Bf-110 |
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| FW-190 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Ju88 |
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| ME-210 |
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| ME-410 |
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| TOTALS
| 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Award/Promotion Requests: None In Hospital: 2LT Sammy Sosa, Severed Toe out for one week. AFTER ACTION REPORT (QotS - Beery Variant)
OUTBOUND: Nothing to Report TARGET ZONE 7: Inbound we encountered Four FW-190s and a pair of Me-109s, one FW was driven off by fighter cover, one was shot down by MSG Olerud, 2LT Gwynn and 2LT Griffey both did enogh damage to drive off others but not before we took some damage losing our Radio in the process. despite some minor hits from Flak we manage to drop 30% of our bombs on the target. Outbound we were attacked by a Pair of FW-190s. SGT Johnson drove the first one off after a few hits, the second was shot down by SGT Martinez, but not before they landed some hits in the Pilot compartment severing 2LT Sosa's Toe in the process. INBOUND Zone 6: Encountered a FW-190 and Me-109, both were driven off by fighter coverage INBOUND Zone 5-2: Nothing to Report GIULIA: Safe landing.
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Post by caodwolf on Aug 20, 2023 1:50:58 GMT -8
78TH BOMB SQUADRON
AFTER-ACTION REPORT
MISSION 2
With a creak of a door in walks the XO Captain Garfield followed by Major Rudy Jopp and his bulldog the ‘Admiral.
At the same time, Sgt Wallace bellows: “Boxcars… Attention !!!” and everyone rises.
Major Jopp open his briefing papers and scans the room before starting. “The mission to Pisa was a shit show with 45% of the Squadron not even making it to the target. Two did not even get off the ground.”
It was clear to all assembled the Major was not happy.
“The initial assessment of the bombers that did make it to Pisa is not satisfactory with 24% dropped on target. Congrats, to the Laid Back Lady who dropped 60% on target. We did lose the Arkansas Traveler who had to land at Corsica and broken up into spare parts and the Wood's Chopper due to an apparent fuel fire.”
Turning to the last page; “Some good news the 78th was credited with 7 1/3 enemy fighters. Not bad, not bad at all. Intel reports we are facing experienced pilots so we’ll need this level of gunnery excellence to continue. On Casualties, we lost five member of our team, 2Lt. Wells, Sgt Hewlett, Sgt Diu, Lt Ingram and Sgt.Sharp. Their next of kin have been informed”.
The Major glances over and quick-nods to his XO, who begins to walk toward the aisle. The two men + the Admiral begin to leave.
“Boxcars… Attention” and the assembled throng rises again.
"Dismissed!"
Player | Bomber | % on Target | Damage | Kills | crushedhat | Laid Back Lady | 60% | 24 | 2 1/2 | mrkillabee | T-Tailed Bathtub | 0% | 10 | --- | limburger59 | Bones (spare) | DNB | 10 | --- | keltos | Kicking Horse | 50% | --- | 2/3 | kageyone | Wood's Chopper | Lost | --- | --- | medic1 | Valkyie | DNB | 0 | --- | grondeaux | Flat Foot Floogie | Abort | 111 | 1/3 | chefed | Bottoms Up | 0% | 10 | 1 | caodwolfs | Bonkers | 20% | 60 | 2 | rhreiss | Arkansas Traveler | 8% | 30 | 2/3 | rcastillo | Louisiana Belle | 30% | --- | --- | jasta6 | Stupid Dragon | Abort | 40 | --- | | Average Results | 24% | | 7 1/3 |
Bombers Lost
Arkansas Traveler Wood's Chopper
Top Bombers
Laid Back Lady 60% Kicking Horse 50%
Awards
None
POW
None
KIA-MIA
2LT Frank Wells SGT James Hewlett Sgt Joey Siu Lt B Ingram Sgt A Sharp.
Casualties
Sgt B Mentz SW TSGT Edward Palarksi SW
Purple Hearts
2LT Frank Wells SGT James Hewlett Sgt Joey Siu Lt B Ingram Sgt A Sharp. Sgt B Mentz TSGT Edward Palarksi
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Aug 20, 2023 7:27:56 GMT -8
80TH BOMB SQUADRON AFTER-ACTION REPORT MISSION 2
The look on Major Shapiro's face was not unexpected. The men saw the sadness for the first loss of a bomber under his command. But there was something deeper that those who knew understood completely.
"Well, men, we knew it would happen sooner or later. That said, it's never pleasant. Vampire Vamp was lost with no indication that any of the crew got out. I'm sure she won't be the last one. But it's never easy. Let's take a moment for her crew and the three fatalities on Double Bomb." The assembly grew even quieter.
A few seconds later he continued, "But that's the really bad news. Great Expectations suffered three casualties but no fatalities. And on the plus side, the bombing was much better than our previous missions. The squadron amassed 38.1% of the bombs in the box. Top scorers were Lt. Gonzales of Double Bomb, Lt. Garland of Pride of the Wolverines, and Lt. Magwich of Great Expectations, all at 60%. Second best was Lt. Pate of Dam Yankees and Lt. Bennings of Bugs at 40%. Well done, gents!" There was applause and whistles.
"I don't have anything else beyond what I will always remind you. Keep in good formation. It's your best defense against the Germans. We're slowly gaining the upper hand but they're still dangerous. And now you can expect to see their jet airplanes. Those will be even more dangerous. Stay in formation and keep improving the drops." He paused, then, "Dismissed!"
----------------------------- STATISTICAL ADDENDUM
DOUBLE BOMB On target, 60% - Tied for best in the squadron 1 EA claimed, 1 EA credited 2LT Gonzales - PH, posthumous 2LT Edwards - PH, posthumous SGT Smith - PH, posthumous
VAMPIRE VAMP Lost in action Crew - PH, posthumous
PRIDE OF THE WOLVERINES On target, 60% Ties for best in squadron 2 EA claimed, 2 EA credited
STAR EYES On target, 30%
JUNKYARD DOG On target, 30%
GREAT EXPECTATIONS On target, 60% - Tied for best in squadron
DAM YANKEES On target, 40% - Tied for second best in squadron
WIMPY On target, 30% 3 EA claimed, 1 EA credited
MISS GRIZZ Off target, 5%
BUGS On target, 40% Tied for second best in squadron 3 EA claimed, 2 EA credited
WONGO Off target, 26% 1 EA claimed, 0 EA credited
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Post by andy254 on Aug 23, 2023 11:28:02 GMT -8
B-17 F - "Amazing Maisie"
Pilot: 1LT Philip Travanti
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, USAAF
Squadron/Formation Position: High/Middle
Mission/Plane #: 2/2
Target: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling Yard Mission Date: January 12th, 1944
Position: Rank & Name + Decorations - (Missions to Date) [Previous Kills] - Claims; Crew Status; Notes Pilot: 1LT TRAVANTI, Philip - (2) [0] - RTD Co-Pilot: 2LT JONES, Peter - (2) [0] - RTD 1/14 - LW Left Shoulder Bombardier: 2LT DE LA ZOUCH, Alain - (2) [0] - RTD 1/15 - LW Right Calf Navigator: 2LT VESPUCCI, Albert PH - (2) [0] - * - RTD 1/14 - LW Left Foot Engineer: SSGT RUIZ, Ricardo - (2) [0] - * - RTD Radio Operator: SGT MALONE, Michael - (2) [0] - RTD Ball Gunner: SGT HELBERG, Saul - (2) [1] - RTD Waist Gunner, Port: SGT ROBINSON, John - (2) [1] - RTD Waist Gunner, Starboard: SGT CULLEN, Mark - (2) [0] - RTD 1/14 - LW Left Hand Tail Gunner: SGT WINDOM, George - (2) [1]
Bomb Run: OFF Target On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage Superficial (9), Crew Positions (8), Structural (25), System (50) Peckham Points - 92 Repair Time - Overnight Crew Chief - SSGT Tom Jenssen - average
Landing - Safe at Foggia
E/A Type - Encountered - Destroyed, Probable, Damaged - Intercepted Messerschmitt Bf109 - 19 - 2,0,0 - 11 Messerschmitt Bf110 - 4 - 0,0,0 - 2 FockeWulf FW190 - 2 - 0,0,0 - 2
Kill Claims 2LT VESPUCCI - 1x Bf109 SSGT RUIZ - 1x Bf109
Casualties & Injuries - 4 2LT JONES - LW - Left Shoulder - 2 days - cleared for 1/15/44 2LT DE LA ZOUCH - LW - Right Calf - 3 days - cleared for 1/16/44 2LT VESPUCCI - LW - Left Foot - 2 days - cleared for 1/15/44 SGT CULLEN - LW - Left Hand - 1 day - cleared for 1/13/44
Award Recommendations & Entitlements 2LT Peter Jones - Purple Heart - for wounds received in action 2LT Albert Vespucci - Purple Heart [OLC] - for wounds received in action 2LT Alain De La Zouch - Purple Heart - for wounds received in action 2LT Mark Cullen - Purple Heart - for wounds received in action
After Action Report [QOTS]
Buoyant from our first mission and glad to have a full complement of crew, we were eager to repeat the success of our first mission. Our ingress was uneventful as anything that may have been coming our way was intercepted by our little friends. Things started to unravel when DLZ let the bombs go too early and our bombing run was off target. I think most of our good luck went out the bomb bay doors at the same time.
Attacks from enemy fighters over Pisa (Zone 7) put our oxygen supplies in different parts of the plane at risk, cracking the front window plus my co-pilot and starboard gunner were both lightly wounded.
We managed to avoid further incident until we were jumped again from the front (Zone 4). It took out the window and meant we had to drop out of formation for the remainder of the mission. That was to make us more vulnerable than we would have liked.
Hoping to have avoided any more combat, a schwarm hit us. Both the bombardier and the navigator were lightly wounded as a result of enemy fire - second mission running in Vespucci's case. As it had only just been fixed, the starboard wing root was hit again.
Two enemy 109s were the best we could claim for throughout this mission.
We landed safely, but four of the crew required medical attention and observation. The drink in the bar afterwards was less celebratory this time.
1st Lieutenant Philip Travanti
Officer Commanding "Amazing Maisie"
79th Bombing Squadron, 509th (H) Bombing Group
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