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Post by limburger59 on May 18, 2023 21:07:52 GMT -8
to post 29 SEPT 23 To unlock 1 OCT 23 Turn in AAR's no later than 14 OCT 23 Next mission to post 13 OCT 23
MISSION DATE: 29 Jan 44 MISSION # 6TARGET: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard Bombing Altitude: 21,000 feet Bomb Load: 10 x 500 H.E. M43 Map: FORMATION:HIGH | 80th SQDN |
| MID | 78th SQDN |
| LOW | 79th SQDN | LEAD: | Dam Yankees |
| LEAD: | T-Tailed Bathtub
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| LEAD: | Invadin Maiden
| TAIL: | Wimpy |
| TAIL: | Laid Back Lady |
| TAIL: | Pride of the Buckeyes
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WEATHER:
Takeoff: Poor Target: Good Landing: Good GAZETTEER Expect Coastal Flak batteries.
In Zones 6 & 7 Italian fighters, flown by Italian pilots who stayed loyal to the ideals of Fascism, the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, may be encountered. Both TFT and QOTS players may use - Table 5-3SB - found on Steve Dixon's website, to possibly run into them.Zone | Modifier (QotS) | Weather/Resistance (TfT) | Fighter Cover | 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 100% Clouds/None | Good | 3 Adriatic Sea | -1 | 50% Clouds/Moderate | Good | 4 Adriatic Sea
| -2 | Clear/Light | Good | 5 Adriatic Sea | -1 | 50% Clouds/Moderate | Good | 6 Adriatic Sea Coastal Flak: Light x1 | -1 | Haze/Moderate | Good | TARGET ZONE 7 Italy FLAK: Outbound: Medium x3 Inbound: Light x3 | -2 | 50 % Clouds/Light Target: Slightly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually
| Good | 6 Adriatic Sea Coastal Flak: Light x1 | -1 | Haze/Moderate | Poor | 5 Adriatic Sea | -2 | Haze/Light | Poor | 4 Adriatic Sea | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light | Poor | 3 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Poor | 2 Adriatic Sea | X | Haze/None | Poor |
Emergency Airfield: None Shot Down: Over Water (if you didn't drown): Zone 5 or greater: roll a d6: 1-4 = captured, 5-6 = rescued by fishermen, passed on to Partisans, eventually returned to base and reassigned to the U.S. (You know too much about the Partisans.) Zones 2 to 4: you are rescued by the Royal Navy Over Italy (Target Zone): captured Calendar since Last Mission:
26 Jan 44 Mission 5 Udine, Italy - Airdrome 27 Jan 44 Non-Operational Day 28 Jan 44 Bad Weather - Mission Scrubbed 29 Jan 44 Mission 6 Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
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Post by superbee on Sept 30, 2023 7:56:31 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron - Mission Formation Assignments
Mission #6: Ferrara, Italy (Marshalling Yard)
Lead bomber: Invadin Maiden
tail end Charlie: Pride of the Buckeyes
The 79th is the "low" squadron this mission.
Good luck !
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Sept 30, 2023 11:44:58 GMT -8
80th Bombardment Squadron Mission 6 Position Assignments
LEAD - Dam Yankees TAIL - Wimpy
DELOZIER
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Post by andy254 on Sept 30, 2023 13:31:15 GMT -8
“Our latest intel,” Maj Harlan Beech starts out the S2 portion of the briefing, “indicates that the Luftwaffe has been reinforced. That means that once you pass the front lines you can expect to run into resistance. And, it will likely be heavier than in the past. Though, odd as it may seem, we do expect it to drop in intensity once you are over the target, and on the route home.”
“That being said, we understand that the flak guns have also received new shipments of ammunition. Expect moderate intensity flak on target ingress and some flak, though not as intense, on target egress.”
“You’ll be taking off in a light drizzle.” Ignoring the complaining, the S2 continues, “But Metro is forecasting better weather over the target and back here upon your return.”
“Your escort to, and through the target will be P-38s of the 1st FG. Once you’re back over the Adriatic, the 1st will hand you over to the 82nd FG, a new player for us, though also equipped with P-38s.” SSgt Dewbury points out the hand off point on the big wall map behind Maj Beech.
“If you run into trouble there aren’t any emergency airfields near the route. The RN will be on Lifeguard duty to a point approximately where the calf of the Italian boot bulges, opposite Arcona.” SSgt Dewbury again indicates the location on the map. “If you end up in the drink closer to the target, hope you’re picked up by sympathetic fishermen rather than the Nazis. As always, if you end up in the hands of the latter, remember the Fighting Man’s Code and that the only thing you’re obligated to tell your captors is, name, rank, serial number.”
With that, Maj Beech turns over the briefing to Maj Stockwell, the S3.
"Ferrara is another provincial capital in Italy. This time, its strategic importance is due to its position on a main North-South railroad line. The marshalling yard is to the west of the city again. You would think a castle is a legimitate military target, but try not to bomb it. It's of historic importance so once again try and avoid bombing the classical architecture.
"Although we do not anticipate it being as hazardous as some recent missions, this is not a cakewalk. With a Luftwaffe general in charge on the ground, it's no surprise that he has pulled what strings he can to get their presence in the air beefed up. You know how good our fighter support is, but if there are more enemy aircraft up there, more of them will get through the fighter perimeter. Stay alert. I wasn't there but I know from the last trip how one burst of enemy fire can bring one of our big birds down.
"I know that the Spirit in the Sky and Lady Luck have not been kind to many of you. Many of you have lost at least one of your aircrew. You have the admiration and respect of those who cannot be up there with you. Breaking my back in several places back in 1918 when a Fokker got on my six and shot down my Nieuport is why I can't go with you. Advancing age also has something to do with me relegated to flying a desk.
"Good luck up there. I'll be counting you all out. I hope to count you all back."
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Post by crushedhat on Sept 30, 2023 17:34:15 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 6: Lead: T-Tailed Bathtub, (mrkillabee) Tail: Laid Back Lady, (crushedhat) Garfield, Paul, Cpt, USAAF, XO, 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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Post by medic1 on Oct 1, 2023 6:14:27 GMT -8
B-17F INVADIN’ MAIDEN 5-BO-44-30823 Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin MarksSquadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H) 15th Air ForceFormation/Position: Low/LeadMission Date: 29 Jan 44Mission Number: 006Missions This Bomber: 6Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling YardCrew/Position/Rank | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress Points | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Paul Witkowski | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | R/O T/Sgt Bruce Woodside | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Ball Gunner S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | PSW S/Sgt Noreno Costa | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | LW | SWG Sgt Peter Lesniak | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD |
Bomb Run: OffOn Target: 00%B-17 Damage: 2 Hits Waist x 1 -PWG LW Tail x 1 -tail guns inoperablePeckham Points: 22Repair Time: Overnight Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, averageLanding: Safe at GiuliaE/A Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | Bf-109 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Bf-110 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G-50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | He-112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
Confirmed Claims: 0Causalities: 1 S/Sgt Noreno Costa, LW. Torn vastus muscle. RTD 26 Feb 44Stress Points This Mission: 2 1st Lt Franklin Marks S/Sgt Noreno CostaAwards/Promotion Requests: PH S/Sgt Noreno Costa After Action Report
For the second time in our short combat careers, we found ourselves as the lead bomber. I told the crew to be on their toes and to turn in their best effort as we have a responsibility as the lead crew. Things were fairly quiet for a while, our escorts chased off a lone 109 in zone 3, and a little further on in zone 5 we had three Ju-88s single us out. One failed to make it past our little friends and one was damaged by Kostanero as a result of the encounter. Three 110 appeared next. Again, P-38s took care of one of Gorings Goons and nothing came out of the quick strafing runs of the remaining two. At the IP we saw many fighters, but none singled us out. Even the flak gunners failed to give us a rough time as everything burst well away from us. Since we had such an easy time on the bomb run, I fail to see how we entirely missed the target!
INBOUND
After we had turned away for the rally point, we were rocked by two flak hits. One took out our tail guns and the second wounded waist gunner Costa, who had only been back with us for one mission since being wounded a few missions ago. As soon as the flak let up, two 109 buzzed in, but our escorts were Lightning quick and they were both dispatched. The Krauts made one more appearance on the way home in the form of another two 109, and again our P-38s made sure they didn't get close to cause us any worry. Over the field, we fired red flares alerting the ground personnel that we had wounded on board and were met by an ambulance on landing. This turned out to be quite a frustrating mission. We had good weather conditions and missed the target. Costa was wounded again after missing two missions and this time he's going to be gone for 4 weeks. We had endured a long mission and had nothing positive to show for it.
The ground crew will have Invadin' Maiden ready for the next mission whenever it is.
1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Oct 1, 2023 11:17:18 GMT -8
MISSION 6 Ferrara AAR
B-17F MISS HOLLY B-17F-110BO 42-30616 Pilot: Capt Frank DeLozier Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H) 15th Air Force Formation/Position: Middle/Middle Mission Date: 29 Jan 44 Mission Number: 006 Missions This Bomber: 003 Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshaling Yard
Pilot - Captain FRANK DELOZIER - mission: 3 Co-Pilot - 2nd Lt PERCY JOHNSON - mission: 3; LW - out 1 week; PH Bombardier - 2nd Lt RICHARD WOOD - mission: 3 Navigator - 2nd Lt HAMPTON RAWLINGS - mission: 3 Engineer - T/Sgt SAMUEL BATEMAN - mission: 3 Radio Op - S/Sgt JOSE AZZUCO - mission: 3 Ball Gunner - Sgt EMILIO CANTOLO - mission: 3; claim: 1/2 Ju88 Port Waist - Sgt HAL CARTER - mission: 3 Starb Waist - Sgt HERBERT RAYMOND - mission: 3
Tail Gunner - Sgt CHARLES EDWARDS III - mission: 3; claim: 1/2 Ju88
BOMB RUN: On target, 70% DAMAGE: none LANDING: Safe
E/A TYPE
| Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | Me-109 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Ju-88C-6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C205 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4
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CLAIMS: Sgt Emilio Cantolo 1/2, Sgt Charles Edwards 1/2
AWARDS: Purple Heart - 2LT Percy Johnson
AFTER ACTION REPORT
Upon taking off, we could not find formation for a good 20 minutes because of overcast. We were at the assigned assembly altitude (I checked my briefing notes with those of the copilot and navigator) but we saw no other aircraft at all.
Ascending through the clouds, we headed towards the target, hoping to find anyone's formation. Through sheer dumb luck, we came up right into our own squadron and took our assigned place. Whew. We were briefed to assemble at 10,000 feet, but we found our squadron at 13,000 with a 10/10 layer of clouds in between. Off the Italian coast near San Benedetto, we ran into three Me-109s. The P-38s took care of two of them. The other got through to us, but both their and our gunnery was ineffective. As he peeled off, another Me-109 came at us from 10:30 low, but was driven off at the last moment by the fighters.
Smooth sailing from here to the target, where we ran into a Ju-88, attacking us from low and behind. Both the ball and tail turret gunners fired, and flamed the 88. Tail gunner watched it crash into the ground near the target. Credit 1/2 each to ball and tail.
Coming over the target from the IP, I was hoping to get a glimpse of the Castello Estense in the center of Ferrara that Major Beech had briefed us on, but was busy with the flak that was exploding all over the sky.
We had a flak near-miss that just about shook us out of our seats, then another near burst with effect. Shrapnel pierced the pilot compartment and tore into the leg of Copilot Johnson. Doc says he has a torn flexor muscle and will miss a week. Purple Heart recommendation. Despite this, our bomb run was spot ON target with 70% estimated.
Turning for home, we once again ran into fighters off San Benedetto, this time a Me-109 and an Italian C205. The Messerschmitt was driven off by our little friends, but the Eyetal got in on us. Luckily his fire was wide and to the rear. Our gunnery was ineffective.
Landing was good. After getting a new copilot from the crew pool, we'll be ready to go tomorrow. DELOZIER
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Oct 1, 2023 23:49:54 GMT -8
After-Action ReportB-17F-100BO 42-30399 – “Irascible Girl”79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force
Commander: 1st Lt. H. Simmons Mission Date: 29 January 1944 Mission Number: 6 Mission of this bomber: 6 Formation: Low Position: Middle Target: Ferrara, Italy Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 30% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Henry Simmons | 6 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | 2 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Jerry Taylor
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Matthew Mallard
| 6 | 0 | .5 | AM | RTD | 2 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Bruce Mullins | 6 | 0 | .33 | AM | RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Tim Burkey | 6 | 2 | 3.5 | AM | RTD | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Paul Stewart | 6 | 0 | 0 | AM / PH | RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Matthew Whalen
| 6 | 2.5 | 3.83 | AM | RTD
| 0 | Port WG | Sgt George Buck
| 6 | 0 | 1 | AM | RTD
| 0 | Starboard WG | Sgt Harvey McGinty
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | 1 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Michael Bolden
| 6 | 0 | 3 | AM / PH++ | SW-DOW
| 1 |
Crew Chief: S/Sgr Richard Weiner (Average Joe) - 6 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Me-110 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | Re-2005 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
Claims:- Sgt M. Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - full credit awarded - Sgt M. Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - full credit awarded - Sgt M. Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - half credit awarded - T/Sgt T. Burkey: 1 Me-110 claimed - full credit awarded - T/Sgt T. Burkey: 1 Me-109 claimed - full credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial Dam. x2: 2 - SW x1: 5 Peckham Points: 7pts - ordinary maintenance Casualties:
- Sgt M. Bolden: shrapnel lodged in skull - DOW after surgery Awards:
- AM: all crewmen - PH: Sgt M. Bolden (posthumous) AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Take-off and assembly were ok despite terrible weather around the base. Zone 2 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 3 Outbound: Attacked by 3 Fw-190 all driven off by P38s. Zone 4-6 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 7 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): No Jerrys while approaching the target, medium flak caused no damage. Bomb run was ok. Light flak after bombing with no effects. Attacked by a Me-109 and an italian Re-2005 but both were driven off. Zone 6 Inbound: 2 Me-110s attacked us: one was suddenly destroyed by Sgt Whalen's ball turret guns; second one was damaged and caused some superficial damage to us. On second pass the Me-110 was destroyed by Top turret's shots. Some rockets exploded near us: shrapnels reached the tail gunner who was seriously wounded in the head. Promptly rescued by S/Sgt Stewart who gave first aid and transported him to the radio room placing him in a safe position and sedating him with morphine. 2nd Lt. Mallard took tail gunner position. A Me-109 from 10.30H was destroyed by top turret shots. Light P38s escort observed. Zone 5 Inbound: Attacked by a Me-109 that was driven off by P-38sNothing to report. After this a pair of Me-110s intercepted us and attacked us. While the one attacking from VC was destroyed by the shots of the Ball turret, the second Me-110 was missed and scratched the paint of the ship with its shots. On the second pass, however, he had no escape and was shot down. Zone 4-2 Inbound: Nothing to report. Giulia Airbase: Red flares launched to have ambulance. Landed safely and Sgt. Bolden, unconscious was transported to hospital. Unfortunately some hours later we were adviced that Sgt Bolden died after surgery to remove shrapnels from his skull. No moods to have beers tonight. -------------------------------------------------
Henry Simmons, 1st Lt, USAAF, Commanding Commanding B-17F: Irascible Girl B-17F-100BO 42-30399 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Oct 2, 2023 6:25:08 GMT -8
MISSION 6 Ferrara
B-17: "Private Dix" B-17F-75BO 42-29909 Commander: 1st Lt Bill Gillespie Squadron: 80th Bombardment Squadron (H) Mission Date: 29 January 1944 Mission Number: 2 Group Miss # 6 Formation: Middle Position: Middle Target: Ferrara, Italy Target Type: Rail Marshaling Yard Bombing: ON 30%
All crew on second mission of their careers:
Pilot - 1st Lt BILL GILLESPIE Co-Pilot - 2nd Lt THEO KOJAK Bombardier - 2nd Lt MIKE STONE Navigator - 2nd Lt JIM ROCKFORD Engineer - M/Sgt STEVE MCGARRETT 1/2 and 1/2 claims Radio Op - S/Sgt FRANK CANNON 1/2 claim Ball Gunner - S/Sgt ANTONIO BARETTA Port Waist - Sgt STEWART MACMILLAN Starb Waist - Sgt BARNABY JONES 1/2 claim Tail Gunner - Sgt MIKE MANNIX
Peckham Points: SF 5x = 5 Bomb bay = 25 Pilot O2 = 10 Ball heat = 10 TOTAL 50
Claims Fw190 - Starboard waist gunner Barnaby Jones and Top Turret Steve McGarrett - 1/2 each Re2005 - Top Turret Steve McGarrett and Radio Op Frank Cannon - 1/2 each
E/A Type
| Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | Fw190 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | Me109 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | C205
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| Re2005
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 1
| TOTALS | 20 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 |
Ammo Expenditure: 33
After Action Report
We must have had a target painted on our backs for this mission. We faced twenty fighters all told, with as many as eight at one time. We were lucky to escape with our lives.
Take-off was uneventful and we made our way north. An hour or so into the mission, we were jumped by two waves of 190s. The first five came from all angles. We took a couple superficial hits, then a shell entered the pilot's compartment, severing my oxygen hose. I got a spare hose and regulator assembly in record time, let me tell you. The hole in the fuselage made by the shell was just beside my left thigh. The resulting icy breeze just about froze my leg. I checked with the Flight Surgeon afterwards and he said that I did not have frostbite, but it was close.
The second wave of three 190s was hit by our gunnery, but not enough to destroy them nor drive them off. Their gunnery was ineffective, possibly because of the damage we did to them.
After this episode, we had a calm journey to the target where all heck broke loose again. Two waves of five 109s hit us from high and low. Our little friends drove off three of them and our gunnery damaged one fighter. As we were busy with the highs and lows, a 109 came in at 12:00 Level and hit both wings, but to our benefit, only superficial damage was done.
Flak was medium over the target. I thought we were going to clear it, but one blast caught us in the belly, cutting off the heat in the ball turret. The gunner spent the rest of the mission climbing in and out of the turret as needed for gunnery, with the rest
of his time in the heated radio compartment.
Our bomb run was 30% on target.
On the home way, an Italian C205 approached but was dispatched by our escorts.After we left the target area, two more waves of 190s attacked us. Our gunnery was mostly a bust and they got in some damage on our bomb bay doors (inop), but we'd already dropped our eggs. The outboard starboard fuel tank was hit, leading to some dicey moments, but it self-sealed as advertised and we're all here to prove it. The rudder was also struck, but it did not seem to affect our flying ability.
In the second wave, our Radio Op Frank Cannon destroyed an Italian Re2005. He's very proud of the accomplishment, even if he has to share it with Crew Chief McGarrett. I asked Cannon and Baretta, the Ball Turret Gunner, if maybe it had been Baretta on the gun during one of his spells in the Radio compartment for the half claim, but both men were adamant that it was Cannon.
From there to base we had smooth sailing and a safe landing.GILLESPIE
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Oct 2, 2023 10:42:05 GMT -8
B-17F Wimpy B-17F-27BO-41-24585 Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: High Aircraft Position: TECMission Date: 29 JAN 1944 Mission Number: 6 This Aircraft: 6 Target: Ferrara, Italy, Marshaling Yard CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Current Mission | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Landry Velez | 6 | 0 | AM | RTD | 1 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Santino Richards | 6 | 0 | AM, PH | RTD | 1 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt George Sheets | 6 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Roberto Ford | 6 | 0 | AM | RTD | 1 | Engineer | T/Sgt Finnegan Fields | 6 | 1 | AM | RTD | 1 | Radio Op / Waist | Sgt Paul Nielson | 6 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | NT / Waist | T/3rd Ari Watkins | 6 | 0 | AM, PH | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | T/4th Tobias Mace | 6 | 0.5 | AM | RTD | 2 | Left Waist / NT | S/Sgt Tripp MacDougal | 6 | 0 | AM | RTD | 2 | Tail Gunner | T/4th Kingsley Griffin | 6 | 1 | AM | RTD | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt Josia Stanton | 4 | | 0 | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %Casualties: None Damage: Rudder Controls 10 Superficial 1 Peckham Points: 11, Ready next day Landing: Safe Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Me-110 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Me-109 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Ball | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTSantino and I may have a mutiny on our hands. The crew (perhaps rightfully so) claim they have been the subject of bias by Intelligence. In our first five missions the crew has only received credit for 2 of 11 kills made on three of those. At the end of this mission the crew now believes there is a conspiracy between Intelligence and the Luftwaffe. We observed swarms of enemy aircraft attack our formation, yet only three attacked Wimpy. Those attacked only after we bombed the target. The crew believes they are now being denied opportunity. Personally, the fewer enemy aircraft we see the better. Wimpy was left alone all the way up the Adriatic. The only action was abreast of Rimini when we lost rudder control. Followed shortly by enemy rockets passing through the formation Approaching the target flak found us. We took one burst that cracked a few port side viewing panes. Once out of the flak a pair of 110s and a single 109 attacked us. Escorts drove off one of the Zerstörers. The remaining 110 was clipped by the ball and tail guns, with the killing blow by T/4th Mace, in the ball turret. His rounds shore off the right wing of the 110. Two chutes were spotted. T/Sgt Fields and Radio Op Sgt Nielson hit the 109 coming in from 6 high. Just enough to ward of the 109 pilot. After this bout with Gerry, we were unmolested the rest of the way back down the Adriatic. Landing was a little dicey. Without rudder control, we used the engines to compensate for a slight cross wind as we landed. Gunnery Review gave T/4th Mace a half credit for his kill of the Zerstörer. Sgt Nielson related later that Mace, under his breath, when leaving the post flight interrogation, muttered something along the lines, “ ’Bout time [expletive].” Santino and I will need to keep a close eye on the crew if they keep getting slighted by the Review Board. That evening I checked in on 2nd Lt Hoover. He seemed okay, but still averted looking me in the eye as we spoke. I will check with the Group M.O. tomorrow on his opinion of Aarav, and if he might be able to return to flight status. Submitted by, 1Lt Landry Velez, Pilot B-17F Wimpy 80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Oct 2, 2023 10:47:34 GMT -8
After Action report: (using TfT) (Optional rules: Crew-chief effects; Crew Stress; Jasta 6 German Pilot Quality; Peckham’s Random Event Variant Table; Axis Aircraft 1942-45).
Our third relatively long trip in a row, but at least it appears we will have better cover on the way to the target. We treated Irish to a night in the Club on the 28th (with limited beer consumption due to the next day’s mission) to wish him well for the future as he left us due to Carter’s return. I will keep Irish in mind if we ever need another replacement, as he was a real asset. Good to have Carter back, who seems itching for something to do, having missed the gunners’ free-for-all last mission.
I still think Perez isn’t completely over the horrors of his first three missions. He was knocking back multiple whiskies while we had single bottles of beer, and got antsy when I ordered him out of the bar. I also noticed the hand holding the whisky glass had a constant tremor, but he has been rock solid in his duties when in the plane.
The new plane (and the crew) performed really well on our last trip, and while there were a few groans at the briefing when the route was revealed, we have stronger fighter cover (at least on the way there) so I am optimistic about the sortie.
Outbound: We got a little further out over the Adriatic compared to the last two trips before we encountered any opposition. Both times, it was Hughes’ call of “Rockets from behind!” that woke us up; both times, nothing hit home.
Further north, off the coast from Pesaro, we – briefly – saw our first opposition: two Me109s that were chased off by our escorting Lightnings.
A few miles later, a couple of FW190s and a single ANR Re.2005 came in on us, but were again seen off by our escorts.
As intel had predicted, there was actually lighter opposition over the target, and nothing came our way. We were not so lucky with the flak however, getting hit once on the way in and three times on our egress. We got off lightly, with little damage to the aircraft, plus Stafford’s steel helmet probably saving his life from a shrapnel hit to the head. It rang his bell a bit, and put a decent dent in the helmet, but he said he was OK to carry on.
In between that action, Long reckoned it was another good hit on target for our bombs.
Inbound: No enemy aircraft challenged us after we cleared the flak, and we turned for home with the rest of the formation.
As we headed back down the Adriatic, we had our third rocket attack of the day! Thankfully, just as inaccurate as the previous two.
Our final action of the day saw two Me109s come in from behind us, high and low. They didn’t last long, with Perez nailing the high plane’s left wing, causing it to spiral out of control, quickly followed by the low one being blown up by Hughes as he hit the fuel tank.
As we got closer to base, Stafford said that he was seeing double, so I had him sit in the radio room until we landed.
The landing was without incident, and an ambulance arrived to meet us, summoned by our red flare.
We got Stafford to the medics, who whisked him away for further examination. He arrived back an hour or so later with a report saying that he was concussed and off flight duties for 48 hours. I cheered him up by showing him the form going into the Squadron office for his Purple Heart.
Perez had another bad night in the bar. He got drunk, started swearing about “fucking Jerry bastards” and threw his glass, shattering some of the bottles behind the bar. I couldn’t prevent the MPs taking him away, and he is now on CO’s report. Brooks and I think he needs help, but we’re not sure we can persuade the higher powers that this is the case.
(Perez has reached 5 stress points and is very close to serious problems.)
Not the best end to the night, but the missions are ticking along now without serious problems – let’s hope it continues.
1Lt Franco Vorelli, Pilot Commanding B-17F-80BO-42-30008 "Blitz Buggy" 79th (H) BS, 509th (H) BG For a full mission history of "In Like Flynn", "Blitz Buggy", plus my three aircraft in the previous war, please see my (GarySK) post in the Tarmac forum
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Oct 2, 2023 11:27:42 GMT -8
RE: Inaccurate recording of claims - Wimpy B-17F B-17F-27BO-41-24585 VELEZ, LANDRY
Lieutenant Velez: Your mission # 006 report listing of inaccurate enemy a/c claims has been studied by the 80BS HQ staff, as well as Group S2 Intelligence.
Please note the following changes to your claims:
Mission 2 - from 1 to 3 a/c destroyed Mission 4 - from 1 to 3 " " Mission 5 - from 1 to 4 " "
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
DELOZIER
ADDENDUM
Regarding the threat of mutiny of your crew. I realize that you were in the throes of post-battle stress in noting the crew's "mutiny" about inaccurate claims in your Mission 006 report. But the Army takes a mighty dim view of mutiny - in wartime especially.
I had to talk 15 AF HQ S2 out of investigating you, your crew, our S2 and, frankly, me. At the very least, an investigation would have grounded you and your crew an unknown amount of time.
In the future, it is recommended that you bring these concerns to me or my staff at 80BS HQ and we can head off the trouble before it takes hold.
The squeaky wheel did however get the grease this time. It's a fine line to walk. FD
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Post by crushedhat on Oct 2, 2023 17:29:56 GMT -8
B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 29 Jan 44 MISSION NBR. 6/This Bomber 6 TARGET: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard SECONDARY TARGET: POSITION: Middle Squadron, Tail
Crew Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills] Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield, (6) [0] LW – RTD 30 Jan 44 Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson, (6) [0] SW – RTD 6 Feb 44 Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (6) [1] Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison, (6) [1 1/3] Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton, (6) [9 1/3] *# Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (6) [0] Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (6) [6] **## Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson, (6) [1 1/2] LW – RTD 30 Jan 44 Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Brett Hoppe, (2) [0] KIA Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (6) [4] **## * = 1 Kill This Mission # = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: Fw 190 4=2 KIA, 1 to 1st FG, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace, 1 Green) Me 110 4=2 KIA, 11 to 1st FG, Damaged,(1 Ace) Me 109 8=1 KIA, 3 to 1st FG, 2 Damaged, 2 Undamaged (3 Ace) Ju 88 3=2 KIA, 1 to 1st FG (2 Green) 19
Claims: Only credited kills reported here Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton: 1/3 Fw 190 Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston: 5/6 Ju 88
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x9 (18), Kia x1 (10), SW x1 (5), LW x2 (4), Lt Wing Root x2 (50), Nav Equip Inop (10), Instruments: Flaps (10), Ball Turret Power: Mechanical Failure (20) Peckham Points: 125 Peckham Points, AC ready 31 Jan 44.
Casualties: Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield: LW RTD 30 Jan 44 Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson: SW – RTD 6 Feb 44 Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson: LW – RTD 30 Jan 44 Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Brett Hoppe: KIA
Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia
Awards/Promotion Requests: Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield: Purple Heart Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson: Purple Heart Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson: Purple Heart Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Brett Hoppe: Purple Heart, posthumous
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Donald Davila: SW - IH 3 Feb 44
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Trapped in the ball turret, which is still expended below the belly of the bombe, Sgt Hoe Blaston watches the approaching ground with a fatalistic fascination. While his body reflexively recoils when the tarmac approaches to within mere inches of his feet, Blaston’s eyes stay fixed on the scene below him, not wanting to miss a single moment of what may well be his last minutes on earth. Fortunately the big bomber’s landing gear holds and the ball turret, and Hoe, suffer no damage.
Even though we fly lead every other mission, I decided that we should take a turn as Tail-end-Charlie. This was a tough mission. While we’ve taken casualties before, this is the first time death has ridden aboard the Lady. Thankfully only one of the wounded didn’t make it.
Takeoff and assemble went well despite the steady rain over Giulia and we took up our position at the end of the middle squadron. We were opposite Arcona (Zone 4) when we had our first encounter with the Luftwaffe. A trio of 109s made for us. The boys from the 1st FG chased off two. We discouraged the third from making another pass. While we saw more EA forming up, they didn’t bother us. From this point on, the Luftwaffe was a constant presence till we’d left the targe and were headed back home.
It wasn’t long (Zone 5) before another couple of waves of enemy fighters bore in on us. First up was a pair of bombers turned fighters, Ju 88s. One fell to the p-38s and the other to us. This was followed by a lone 88 who fared no better than his predecessors. As we neared the Italian coast (Zone 6) there were more bandits. The first wave left us alone, while a single Me 109 form the second wave ran afoul of a pair of P-38s.
Target ingress (Zone 7) was a repeat of our last encounter, only in reverse order with an Me 110 standing in for the 109. The flak gunners seemed to have our number, Lady taking multiple hits. The most serious being to the left wing root. 2LT Martell put a respectable 40% on target.
Flak found us again on target egress, though the damage was minimal. Then we got hit by three Fw 190s. 1st FG eliminated one and we got the other two, though not before Jerry managed to add to the damage to the left wing root. At this point the 1st FG handed us off to the 82nd and the difference was noticeable, it was like we had not fighter support at all.
Heading back over the Adriatic (Zone 6) and we were swarmed by EA. The first wave was a lone Fw 190. Though he was marked up like an ace, he did us no harm. Of course, we didn’t do anything to him either. Next in was a trio of Me 109s. Two were marked up as aces and this time we could see why. We finally flamed one on his third pass. But, we took our lumps as well, four of us getting hit. There was no time for assessing casualties as this attack was immediately followed up by a trio of Me 110s. This time Jerry got the short end of the stick, losing two fighters and the third uncertainly limping for home.
With a short breather, I had 2LT Ellison move 2LT Peterson to the radio room. Ellison then took over as co-pilot, his navigation instruments having been destroyed in an earlier attack. Once Ellison was at the controls, I took a moment to bandage my own wounds. While this was happening, Sgt Carson reported he was injured, but able to soldier on. Not so his opposite number in the waist, Sgt Hoppe having been killed outright.
We had our last engagement where we‘d had our first, opposite Arcona (Zone 4). This was a lone Me 109, another ace. Last we saw him, Jerry was leaving an oily smoke trail.
Just before the 109 put in his appearance, Sgt Blaston reported the power had failed for the ball turret. Despite repeated attempts, we were unable to raise the turret and Sgt Blaston had to sit tight till we were once more on the ground. I have to admire his stoicism, it couldn’t have been easy watching the ground come up to meet him.
The meat wagon met us upon landing and carted 2LT Peterson off. Sgt Carson and myself could wait, and it wasn’t going to make any difference for Sgt Hoppe. Needless to say, we’ll be needing a new starboard waist gunner. TSgt Mason wasn’t very happy with the shape Lady was in, but promised to have her ready to fly again in a couple of days.
Paul Garfield, Capt USAAF, commanding B24D Laid Back Lady 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
New crewman: Right Waist Gunner Sgt John Ringle beginning with Mission 7. Replaces Sgt Brett Hoppe, KIA on mission 6.
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Oct 3, 2023 1:15:37 GMT -8
After-Action ReportB-24D-10-CO-42-40219 – “Kicking Horse”78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force
Commander: 1st Lt. V. Harlow Mission Date: 29 January 1944 Mission Number: 6 Mission of this bomber: 6 Formation: Middle Position: Middle Target: Ferrara - Italy Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 30% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Victor Harlow | 6 | 0 | 0 | AM | RFD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Elmer Gibson
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RFD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Homer Miller
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RFD | 1 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Norman Burch | 6 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RFD | 1 | Engineer | S/Sgt Arthur McLane | 6 | 0 | 1.5 | AM
| RFD | 0 | Radio Op. | T/Sgt Tony Stevens | 6 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RFD | 1 | Ball Gunner | S/Sgt Ramon Furtado
| 6 | 0 | .5 | AM
| RFD
| 3 | Port WG | Sgt Milton Flint
| 6 | 0 | 1 | AM
| RFD
| 1 | Starboard WG | Sgt Dean Stoddart
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RFD | 1 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Dale Lindberg
| 6 | 0 | 2.16 | AM
| RFD
| 2 |
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Richard Weiner (Average Joe) - 6 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | Me-109 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Me-110 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Re-2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Claims:
- S/Sgt A. McLane - 1 Me109 claimed - no credit awarded - S/Sgt A. McLane - 1 Fw-190 claimed - no credit awarded - S/Sgt R. Furtado - 1 Fw-190 claimed - no credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial x2: 4 - Left Wing root: 25 - Bomb controls inop: 10 - Ailerons controls inop: 10 - Hydraulic pump inop: 10 Peckham Points: 59pts - overnight repairing Casualties: --Awards: --AAR (flown with TFT)Giulia Airbase: Take off and assembly were regular. Zone 2-3 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 4 Outbound: Attacked by 2 Fw-190: first one was intercepted by escort while the second went away after some ineffective shots. Zone 5 Outbound: Attacked by a pair of Me-110 bith driven off by escort. Zone 6 Outbound: 3 Fw-190s pounced on us, the first to approach was intercepted and escaped followed by 2 P38s. The second to approach was shot down while the last one managed to overcome our barrage and hit us causing heavy damage, especially to the bomb release controls. On the second pass, however, we returned the favor by hitting him at the engine and knocking him down. Zone 7 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): No Jerrys was interested in us allowing us to get closer to the target. The barrier of the flak, of medium intensity, caused only some superficial damage. The bombardier 2nd Lt Miller moved into the bomb bay and operated the release controls observing the other bombers; despite this, he managed to achieve a satisfactory result. After the bombing, the flak resumed covering the sky with black clouds. Some shrapnel reached the bomb bay causing leakage of fluid from the hydraulic system. Fortunately, no enemy fighters seemed to be interested in us. Zone 6 Inbound: 1 Me-109 and 1 ANR C-205 set course for us. The German fighter was shot down, while the Italian one avoided our shots but failed to cause us damage and continued to other targets. Zone 5 Inbound: Attacked by a pair of Fw-190: one escaped undamaged while the second was intercepted by an escort fighter. Zone 4-2 Inbound: Nothing to report. Giulia Airbase: The landing was difficult due to damage to the controls and ailerons, but we managed to touch the ground without damage. -------------------------------------------------
Victor Harlow, 1st Lt, USAAF, Commanding B24D: Kicking Horse B-24D-10-CO-42-40219 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Oct 3, 2023 7:34:25 GMT -8
Mission date: 29 Jan 44 Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshaling Yards Mission/Bomber: 6/2 B-17G The Cat's Meow 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force Formation: High Squadron Position: Middle
Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards Pilot: 1LT Walter Kowalski (2) (-) Co-Pilot: 2LT John Moran (2) (-) Bombardier: 2LT Edward Roberts (2) (0) Navigator: 2LT Mark Cohen (2) (1) Engineer: SSG Hason Rodman (2) (0.33) Radio Operator: SGT Mack Thomas (2) (0) Ball Gunner: SGT Kenneth Lewis (2) (0.16) Port Waist Gun: SGT Luigi Roselli (2) (0) Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Angel Ramirez (2) (0) Tail Gun: SGT Lee Kinnison (2) (0.16)
Bombing: On target, 40%
Damage: None
Casualties: None
EA: Encountered/Claimed/Killed Me-109: 7 / 1 / 1 - Navigator 1.0 Ju-88: 1 / 0 / 0 FW-190: 1 / 0 / 0 C.205: 1 / 0 / 0 G55: 1 / 0 / 0
AAR using TfT
The weather for departure was poor. I guess that's nothing new for this area but the forecast had good weather for the target area and for landing. Despite the clouds, takeoff and assembly went without incident.
Zone 3: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: An Me-109 at 9:00 High and a C.205 at 9:00 Low took runs but the escorts intercepted them. This would prove to be a peek at some great work by the escorts.
Zone 5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6: An FW-190 off the nose high was intercepted.
Zone 7 (Target): Inbound from the IP a Ju-88 off the tail low and a G.55 off the tail high tried to take runs but were intercepted by the escorts. Flak was moderate but missed us entirely. Roberts had the aim point without problems and the estimate is 40% in the box.
Zone 7 (Inbound): Flak moderated to light and missed us. Two waves of enemy aircraft attacked. The first was an Me-109 dead off the nose that got nowhere near us thanks to the escorts. The second wave was three more Me-109s. One at 12:00 High and one at 3:00 high were intercepted. One at 10:30 High was claimed by the Navigator as destroyed.
Zones 6 - 5: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: Two more Me-109s, one at 12:00 High and one at 10:30 High were intercepted.
Zones 3 - 2: Nothing to report.
The weather guessers were right and good weather awaited us back at the field. The landing was without incident and number 2 is in the books.
1LT Walter Kowalski, Pilot The Cat's Meow 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Oct 3, 2023 18:20:55 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Buckeyes (6) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. SS Carrol Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Tail
Mission Date: 29 Jan 44 Mission #: 6 Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. SS Carrol (6) {0} AM Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. D Lewis (6) {0} AM Bombardier 2nd Lt. GS Smith (5) {0} AM, PH Navigator: 2nd Lt. D Troxel (6) {0} AM, PH Engineer: MSgt. H Langdon (6) {6} AM: 2 Ball Gunner: Sgt. H Huffman (6) {0} AM Radio Oper.: Sgt. C Thompson (6) {0} AM Pt Waist G: Sgt. CH Culp (2) {0} PH Stbd Waist G: Sgt. AD West (6) {0} AM, PH: 2 Tail Gunner: Sgt. W Ingersoll (4) {2} PH
Bomb Percentage: 60%
Bomber Disposition: Bomber destroyed (N/A Peckham Points)
Casualties: 1st Lt. SS Carrol: POW 2nd Lt. D Lewis: rescued by fishermen 2nd Lt. GS Smith: POW 2nd Lt. D Troxel: rescued by fishermen MSgt. H Langdon: POW Sgt. H Huffman: POW Sgt. C Thompson: rescued by fishermen Sgt. CH Culp: KIA Sgt. AD West: LW, POW Sgt. W Ingersoll: POW
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (3:109, 3:190, 1:110) 88: 1 Damaged: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (1:109, 0:190, 1:110) Huffman: 110 Langdon: 109
Special Note: GS Smith: AM Sgt. CH Culp: PH Sgt. AD West: PH
Mission Description: Filed by 2nd Lt. D Lewis, acting commander
It had been a real run and gun trip all the way to the target and back. We took a lot of flak damage. Culp was dead, but we were managing to hold on. Until Zone 5.
A ME 109 came at us from the rear and shot up the left wing. The skipper looked over and saw that the inboard fuel tank had caught fire. He rang the bailout alarm and held the plane level while the rest of us bailed out.
I jumped next to last and observed Lt. Carroll follow me out of plane a short time later. I counted 9 open parachutes floating down toward the Adriatic.
Thanks to the wind and the altitude we were blown all over the place. German patrol boats in the area picked up most of the crew. In all the confusion local fishermen who happened to be in the area quietly picked up myself, Troxel, and Thompson.
It turns out they were Yugoslav partisans who took us back to their home part on the eastern side of the Adriatic. The three of us were their guests for a couple of weeks while they arranged for a British submarine to pick us up.
We were flown back to the States and after an extensive debrief, Army Intelligence decided that we knew too much about the partisans. The three of us have been reassigned to train new B-17 crews for the duration of the war.
Report from the International Red Cross The Red Cross reports that 1st Lt. SS Carrol, 2nd Lt. GS Smith, MSgt. H Langdon, Sgt. H Huffman, Sgt. AD West, and Sgt. W Ingersoll were picked up by the Kreigsmarine of the Italian coast. They were transported to a German POW camp in Northern Italy. All are reported in good health.
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Post by kageyone on Oct 3, 2023 20:58:18 GMT -8
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Post by mrkillabee on Oct 4, 2023 22:17:32 GMT -8
font style="font-weight:bold;" size="5"]B24-D: [/font] T-TAILED BATHTUBPilot: 2LT Edward Llyod Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: Middle(Bomber#4) Mission Date: 29Jan 44 Mission Number: 006 Missions This Bomber: 6 Target: Marshalling Yard Crew member | # Missions | TOTAL CLAIMS
| TODAY'S CLAIMS | ConfirmedClaims
| Stress | Status | Pilot: 2LT Edward Llyod | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot: 2LT Vincent Wolfe
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD
| Bombardier: 2LT Matthew Palmer
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator: 2LT Brian Hoffman | 6 | 0 | 0,5 | 0,5 | 2 | RTD | Engineer: S/SGT Larry Walhen | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD
| Radio Operator: S/SGT Flyod Morgan
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD
| Ball Gunner: SGT Billy Wheeler
| 6 | 0,5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD
| Port Waist: S/SGT Vernon Hicks
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD
| Starboard Waist: SGT Herbert Hansen
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD
| Tail Gunner: SGT Matthew Bennett
| 6 | 2,38 | 0,5 | 0,5 | 0 | RTD
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Bomb Run: On On Target: 30% B-24 Damage: Right Wing, Inner Fuel Tank, O2 Tail Turret Supply Technical issues: None Peckham Points: 50 Landing: safe Repair Time: Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Fonzarelli, Average Impeccable take-off despite reduced visibility due to bad weather. The TTB is appointed for the first time Leader of the Middle Cell. This is perhaps the reason for the nervousness of the navigator Brian Hoffman. The atmosphere within the formation is tense. Shortly after having set sail for the NNW, enemy aircrafts surprise the formation that is "shaking" dangerously without creating an accident. In addition, the P38 of the 1st FG manage to contain the German aircrafts. In the middle of the Adriatic Sea, halfway through the objective and in clear weather, the formation is attacked by a pack of Me109. One of these however manages to infiltrate through the escort to try a frontal pass. But the navigator Brian Hoffman, who is in a state of hypervigilance due to an unusual nervousness, rushes on a machine gun from the post and seriously damages the wing of the enemy apparatus which mildly miss its attack and which brought down when he passes in front of the machine guns of Matthew Bennett. The objective area is particularly well defended by FlaK, this undoubtedly explains the lack of enemy air activity in the sector. The bomb-aimer Matthew Palmer has a little trouble adjusting his target due to the turbulence caused by the too many explosions of anti-aircraft shells, it is estimated at only 30% of the loading of M43 of the TTB to have reached the objective . When the formation engages on the way back, the TBB is affected by two enemy shells which damages the starboard wing as well as its inner tank (which, fortunately, is self-control) and which affects oxygen supply of the tail turret, causing a fire quickly circumscribed by Matthew Bennett.
The return to the base takes place at low altitude without incident.
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Post by kageyone on Oct 4, 2023 22:41:32 GMT -8
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Oct 5, 2023 8:38:23 GMT -8
B-24D Bottoms Up B-24D-10-CO-42-40257 Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Middle Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 29 JAN 1944 Mission Number: 6 This Aircraft: 6 Target: Ferrara, Italy, Marshalling Yards CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Current Mission | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Romeo Clayton | 6 | 0 | AM | POW | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Caesar Woodward | 6 | 0 | AM | POW | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Arthur Alstott | 6 | 0.5 | AM | POW | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Noe Parra | 6 | 0 | AM, PH | KIA | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Clarence Patterson | 6 | 3.83 | AM | POW | 0 | Radio Op / Waist | T/4th Travis Kauffman | 6 | 0 | AM | POW | 0 | NT / Waist | S/Sgt Kamil Fisher | 6 | 1.5 | AM, PH | KIA | 0 | Ball Turret | Sgt Calvin Huang | 6 | 0.5 | AM | POW | 2 | Left Waist / NT | T/4th Caleb Compton | 6 | 1 | AM | POW | 2 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Damari Early | 6 | 1.33 | AM | POW | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt King Solis | 4 | | 0 | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: DNBCasualties: Bombardier, 2Lt Noe Parra, KIA Right Waist, S/Sgt Kamil Fisher, SW, KIA Damage: TotalAircraft shot down by flak, fuel firePeckham Points: Infinite Landing: None Enemy Aircraft: Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Me-109 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Top | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Awards: Purple HeartBombardier, 2Lt Noe Parra, KIA Right Waist, S/Sgt Kamil Fisher, SW, KIA POW MedalPilot, 1st Lt Romeo Clayton Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Caesar Woodward Navigator, 2nd Lt Arthur Alstott Engineer/TT, T/Sgt Clarence Patterson Radio Op, T/4th Travis Kauffman Ball Turret, Sgt Calvin Huang Left Waist, T/4th Caleb Compton Tail Gunner, Sgt Damari Early Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTBottoms Up was supposedly in the safest position in the formation: Middle / Middle. As the formation flew north, the crew was beginning to think they had it made. Twelve enemy aircraft tried to attack Bottoms Up on its flight up the Adriatic. Only one of those made it through the fighter screen and that was shot down. Even rockets were fired through the formation, and they missed by a mile. On final approach to the target flak found Bottoms Up. One burst sent shrapnel into the skull of Right Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Kamil Fisher. A second burst penetrated the skin of the bomb bay and punctured one of the wing fuel tanks. The leaking fuel caught fire forcing 1Lt Clayton to hit the bail out alarm. S/Sgt Fisher could not bail out and went down with the bomber. Of the remaining nine crewmen, 2Lt Parra’s parachute streamered. Lt Parra did not survive. The remaining eight crew were captured, and interned for the duration.
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Oct 5, 2023 17:30:22 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Badgers (6) Crew Commander: Captain WW Robinson Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle / Tail
Mission Date: 29 Jan 44 Mission #: 6 Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: Capt. WW Robinson (6) {0} AM Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. J Van Door (6) {0} AM, PH Bombardier: 2nd Lt. C Lefler (6) {0} AM, PH: 2, DFC Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Sloat (6) {0} AM, PH Engineer: MSgt. A Bissett (6) {2} AM Ball Gunner: Sgt. E Dean (6) {2} AM Radio Oper.: Sgt. I Cooper (5) {0} AM, PH: 2 Pt Waist G: Sgt. S Hatfield (6) {1} AM, PH Stbd Waist G: Sgt. J Lewis (6) {0} AM, PH Tail Gunner: Sgt. W Towney (5) {6} PH: 2
Bomb Percentage: 30%
Bomber Disposition: No damage (0 Peckham Points)
Casualties: N/A
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (0:109, 0:190, 3:110) Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (0:109, 0:190, 1:110) Dean: 110
Special Note: Sgt. I Cooper: AM Sgt. W Towney: AM
Mission Description: Filed by Captain WW Robinson, pilot commanding VD and I came back from the briefing and I turned to Lefler. “How about something a little less somber this mission?” Lefler stood up, cleared his throat, and recited a few lines of Shakespeare.
Let those who are in favour with their stars Of public honour and proud titles boast, Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars, Unlook'd for joy in that I honour most.
The Major put Invadin Maiden up front and Pride of the Buckeyes in the rear. I settled for a position just in front of Pride of the Buckeyes where I could keep an eye on the squadron. We took off without incident and headed towards the target.
On the way out we encountered a single 110 in zones 3, 5, and 7. Dean shot down one of them. They missed us entirely.
The flak guns were way off target, but Lefler was right on target.
As we turned for home it felt like the escorts were particularly aggressive today (random event).
In Zone 5, Towney called up from the rear of the plane.
“Sir, Pride of the Buckeyes is on fire and they’re bailing out.”
I got on the intercom. “Cooper signal the squadron that we are taking over the tail position. Then get the Royal Navy on the radio. We might be a little far out for the lifeguards, but maybe we’ll get lucky. Towney, get me a count on the parachutes coming out of that plane. Everyone keep your eyes open we are in the rear now."
A minute later Towney answered. “Nine parachutes sir."
The rest of the flight home was quiet. We heard later that the Royal Navy had not been able to pick up the crew of the Pride of the Buckeyes. We are praying the nine of them got lucky.
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Oct 5, 2023 22:51:42 GMT -8
After-Action ReportA Bit o' Honey (B-17F-20BO-41-24530) Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Commander: 1st Lt. Scott Livingston Mission Date: 29 January 1944 Mission Number: 6Mission of this bomber: 1 Formation: High Position: Middle Target: Ferrara, Italy Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 40% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1st Lt. Scott Livingston | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| RTD | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Jason Medoff
| 3 | n/a | n/a |
| RTD | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Dewey Spencer
| 2 | 0 | 1 |
| RTD | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Rod Towsley | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Engineer | S/Sgt Victor Mendoza | 2 | 1.5 | 3 |
| RTD | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Theo Morris | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Ball Gunner | Sgt Jason Ash
| 2 | 0 | 1 |
| RTD
| Port WG | Sgt Ralph Taylor
| 5 | 0 | 1 | AM | RTD
| Starboard WG | Sgt Jay Piper
| 3 | .5 | .5 |
| RTD | Tail Gunner | Sgt Charles Travis
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD
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E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Me-109 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Total | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Claims:- S/Sgt V. Mendoza: 1 Ju-88 claimed - full credit awarded - S/Sgt V. Mendoza: 1 Fw-190 claimed - half credit awarded - Sgt J. Piper: 1 Fw-190 claimed - half credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial x1: 1 - Bomb bay no effect: 5 Peckham Points: 6pts - RTD on 31 January 1944 Casualties: --Awards:
- Air Medal: Sgt Ralph Taylor AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Take-off and assembly were ok. Zone 2-3 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 4 Outbound: An italian ANR C-205 was driven off by escort while a Fw-190 in VD missed us and went away. Zone 5 Outbound: Some rockets entered the formation and exploded near us but no damage were reported. Zone 6 Outbound: Another italian C-205 and a Fw-190 were driven off by 1st FG guys. A second wave, formed by a Fw-190 and a Me-109 with ANR insigna were blocked by P38s. Zone 7 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): No Jerrys against us but flak was of medium intensity and caused some holes and fortunately some shrapnels exploded into bomb bay had no effect. We had the chance to approach and prepare the bomb run with no stress. Good drop! No GAF on egress and flak was light and ineffective. Zone 6 Inbound: Attacked by a couple of Ju-88; while the first one was driven off the second was hit and exploded. After these we were attacked by 2 Fw-190: one was damaged and escaped while the second one was hit to the engine and went down. Zone 5 Inbound: A lone Me-109 from 12Lev was intercepted by 82nd FG a/c. Zone 4-2 Inbound: Nothing to report. Giulia Airbase: Landed safely. -------------------------------------------------
Scott Livingston, 1st Lt, USAAF, Commanding
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Post by sdpoulter on Oct 6, 2023 6:44:19 GMT -8
B-17G California Dreamin
Pilot: 1st Lt Gavin Dees
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High/Middle
Mission Date: 29 Jan 44
Mission Number: 006
Missions This Bomber: 4
Target: Udine, Italy- Airdrome
Crew/Position/Rank Current Missions Previous Claims This Mission Stress Points Status
Pilot 1st Lt Gavin Dees 6 0 0 0 RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Juan Nash 6 0 0 0 RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Jack Doyle 6 1 0 0 RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Jimmie Fernandez 4 0 0 0 RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Morse Krieger 6 1 1 0 RTD
Radioman S/Sgt Joseph Murch 6 0 0 0 RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt David Burnham 6 2 1 0 RTD
PWG Sgt Duncan Edwards 6 0 0 0 RTD
SWG S/Sgt Jose Harris 6 0 0 0 RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Clayton Jacobs 6 0 0 0 RTD
Bomb Run: On Target
On Target: 40%
B-17 Damage: 2 Hits
Peckham Points: 15
Repair Time: Overnight
Landing: Safe Landing
E/A Encountered:
E/A Encountered Destroyed Probable Damaged Intercepted
Bf-109 2 0 0 1 1
Bf-110 0 0 0 0 0
Fw-190 6 1 0 2 3
JU-88 0 0 0 0 0
BF-410 0 0 0 0 0
Bf-210 1 1 0 0 1
C-205 1 0 0 0 0
Confirmed Claims: 2
Casualties: None
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0
After Action Report (using TFT):
Outbound
Our sixth mission on this tour saw some bandits. We took off in poor weather and made it into the air to form up with the others.
Zone 2
No encounters
Zone 3
We had two waves of fighters, the first wave only had FW-190 at 12H, Bf-109 at 6H and Bf-109 in a VD. The fighter cover drove off the FW-190 at 12H and the 109 at 6H. The top turret got a superficial hit on the fuselage of the 109 in VD. The radio room missed on their shot. The 109 fired and missed then broke off. Wave 2 had a FW-190 at 12H but it was driven off by fighter cover.
Zone 4
No encounters
Zone 5
No encounters
Zone 6
We encountered one wave, a FW-190 3Lo, 12H, 12Lv. Fighter cover drove off the 190 at 12H. Chin turret fired at FW-190 at 12Lv and missed. The top turret got a hit on the 190 at 12Lv. The ball turret got a hit on the 190 at 3Lo hitting its fuel tank causing plane to catch fire and pilot to bail out. The 12Lv 190 attacked and missed then broke off.
Target Zone
We encountered one wave a FW-190 in a VD, C205 12H and a Bf-210 at 12H. Fighter cover drove off the C205 at 12H. The top turret destroyed the Bf-210 by destroying the nose of the aircraft and the pilot had to bail out. The radio room got a hit on a FW-190 in a VD with a superficial hit to its left wing. The 190 in a VD fires and misses and then broke off. The flak was medium on the way in and missed us. We were on target and hit the target with 40% of our bombs. On the way out the flak was light and we took two hits, one to the tail, left elevator inop, and one to the wing outboard fuel tank hit but self-sealed and no effect. We did not encounter any fighters leaving target zone.
Inbound
Zone 6
No encounters
Zone 5
No encounters
Zone 4
No encounters
Zone 3
No encounters
Zone 2
No encounters
Base
Landing: We made a safe landing.
Report Submitted by: 1st Lt Gavin Dees Pilot in Command of California Dreamin.
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Post by caodwolf on Oct 6, 2023 17:25:14 GMT -8
B-17F: Dam Yankees Pilot: 1Lt. B. Pease Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron Mission Date: 29-Jan-1944 Mission No.: 6 Mission this Bomber:6 Target for Today: Ferrara, Italy- Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: High Cell Leader Result: On-Target 88% 'Oh boy...that's a '66' ! " belts out Bombardier 2Lt. J Pate over the intercom as he released and tracked the bomb trajectory. Moments later ..."That's a BINGO !" adds Sgt Quian manning the Ball Turret...'Right on Target Jeff ! They are going to pin a medal on you".
Sadly, Sgt Quain was killed in action by a ME-109 moments later. .
Yes it appears bombs were dropped with good effect.
No Flak hits but the radio for the 2nd mission conks out on the backend of the sortie.
Landed back at base.
That is all....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | B. Pease | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | D. Horton | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | J. Pate | 6 | --- | --- | AM, DFC | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | E. Swan | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | Sgt | G. Burdash | 6 | --- | 2 | AM | OK | Radio Op | Sgt | D. Wallace | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Port Waist | Sgt | J. Tallo | 3 | --- | --- | PH | KIA | Stbd Waist | Sgt | E. Frisbie | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | J. Quain | 6 | --- | --- | AM, PH | SW | Tail Turret | Sgt | G. Fancher | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK |
Sgt. J Quain : Ball Turret Gunner: RTD: 29-Feb-1944DFC
2Lt. J Pate, Bombardier
Purple HeartSgt. J Quain : Ball Turret Gunner Sgt. M Tallo : Waist Gunner
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | C-205 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | --- | ME-109 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | --- |
---
-Port outboard fuel tank hit: self-seal -SW -KIA -Port Waist Gun jam -Control Cable hit -Radio malfunction
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Post by caodwolf on Oct 7, 2023 6:59:20 GMT -8
B-24D: BONKERS Pilot: 1Lt. J Sweeney Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 29-Jan-1944 Mission No.: 6 Mission this Bomber: 5 Target for Today: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: M iddle Result: On-Target : 30% Today's sortie was headed to a milk-run until on the egress from the target zone all hell broke lose.
Shortly after the bomb run here they came. Most were driven off but some got thru and an aerial shoot-out commenced. Sgt Engel in the Top Turret bagged a ME-110 trying to sneak up on our six. Our damage was minor though we did lose the Nose Gun.
Once the Italian coast faded away we were in the clear and landed without any further incidents.
Over and out....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | J. Sweeney | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | G. Derk | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | M. Heim | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | S. Corcoran | 5 | --- | 1/2 | AM | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | Sgt | J. Engel | 5 | 1 | 2 1/2 | AM | OK | Radio Op | Sgt | R. Kaufmann | 5 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Port Waist | Sgt | B. Fox | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | J. Cooney | 3 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | D. Turnick | 5 | --- | 1 | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | T. Croker | 1 | --- | --- | --- | OK |
Sgt. B Mentz - Waist Gunner: RTD: 12-Feb-1944 Sgt. J Clark - Tail Gunner: RTD: 16-Feb-1944Air Medals 1Lt J. Sweeney
2Lt G. Derk
2Lt M. Heim
2Lt S. Corcoran
Sgt J. Engel
Sgt R. Kaufmann
Sgt B. Fox
Sgt D. Turnick
Sgt J. Clark
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | ME-109 | 4 | 2 | 2 | --- | --- | ME-210 | 4 | 3 | 1 | --- | --- | FW-190 | 3 | 3 | --- | --- | --- | C-205 | 2 | 2 | --- | --- | --- | ME-110 | 1 | --- | --- | --- | 1 1 | TOTALS | 14 | 10 | 3 | --- | 1 1 |
-Bomb Bay hit: no effect -Control Cable hit -Backup Hydraulic pump hit -Nose gun out
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Post by rcastillo on Oct 8, 2023 6:56:45 GMT -8
B-17F The Reluctant Dragon 79th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Low Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 29 January 1944 Mission #: 6 Aircraft Mission #: 6 Target: Marshalling Yard @ Ferrara, Italy
Pilot 1LT Curtis E. LeMay (6) Bombardier 2LT Billy Harper (1) Navigator 2LT Glenn Dean (6) Co-Pilot 2LT Tom Landry (6) Engineer T/SGT Dennis Browning (6) Radio Operator SGT Maurice Stein (6) Ball Gunner SGT Allen Harrison (6) Port Waist SGT Gene Jackson (6) Starboard Waist SGT Frank Valentine (6) Tail Gunner SGT Roger Leonard (6)
Bomb Run: On Target 30%
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: Ball Gunner SGT Allen Harrison: 1x Me-110 (1/2 Credit)
Tail Gunner SGT Roger Leonard: 1x Me-210 (Denied)
B-24D Louisiana Belle 78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Middle Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 29 January 1944 Mission #: 6 Aircraft Mission #: 6 Target: Marshalling Yard @ Ferrara, Italy
Pilot 1LT James Stewart (6) Bombardier 2LT Paul Gibbs (6) Navigator 2LT Elbert Garner (6) Co-Pilot 2LT Jim Hampton (6) Engineer T/SGT Ivan Jacobson (6) Radio Operator SGT Clifton Buckley (6) Ball Gunner SGT Alfred Paul (6) Port Waist SGT Norman Conner (6) Starboard Waist SGT Duane Hoover (6) Tail Gunner SGT Henry Olson (6)
Bomb Run: On Target 30%
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: None
End of Report
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Post by campsawyer on Oct 8, 2023 16:40:09 GMT -8
B-17F Double Bomb (B-17F-100BO 42-30333) Pilot: 1st Lt Paul Flores Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: High/10 Mission Date: 29 Jan 44 Mission Number: 8Missions This Bomber: 6 Base: Guilia, Italy Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yards Crew | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Paul Flores | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Sanders | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Thompson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Cox | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer T/Sgt King | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Radioman T/Sgt Ramirez | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Roberts | 6 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Scott | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Brown
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner S/Sgt Thomas | 6 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 30% B-17 Damage: None Peckham Points: 0Repair Time: Routine Maintenance Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Taylor, average Landing: Safe E/A | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | FW-190 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ME-109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C-205 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
Confirmed Claims: None Casualties: None Award/ Promotions Requests: None After Action Report OutboundTake off went well, no issues with aircraft and formed up easily. First enemy encounter in zone 3, fighter escorts pickup up FW190 and c205 that bared down on us. Next encounter approaching the Italian coast. This time 2xFW190 and an ME109 tried to get in on us but the fighters were all over them and drove them off. Moderate flak over target but no hits and was able to get a good bomb run. We believe 30% on target for hitting the yards. Inbound
After turning for home light flak but no hits as well as no interceptors. Ride home from there was uneventful with not encounters back to base. Good landing aircraft in ready status for the next mission. 1st Lt Paul Flores, Pilot, 80th BS, 509th BG, 15th AF
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Oct 9, 2023 17:43:12 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Wolverines (6) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. HR Morrow Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: High Position: Middle / Out of Formation
Mission Date: 29 Jan 44 Mission #: 6 Target: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. HR Morrow (6) {0} AM Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. H Whiting (6) {0} AM Bombardier: 2nd Lt. F Farland (6) {0} AM, PH Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Patterson (1) {0} Engineer: MSgt. L Aldrich (6) {4} AM, PH Ball Gunner: Sgt. A Blake (6) {1} AM, PH Radio Oper.: Sgt. A Casterline (6) {0} AM Pt Waist G: Sgt. E Emery (1) {0} Stbd Waist G: Sgt. W Hammond (1) {0} Tail Gunner: Sgt. M Laffin (6) {5} AM, PH, DFC
Bomb Percentage: DNB Bomber Disposition: Engine #3, Port Wing Root, Superficial Damage (51 Peckham Points)
Casualties: n/a
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (0:109, 2:190, 0:110) Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (0:109, 1:190, 0:110) M Laffin: 190
Special Note: M Laffin: Distinguished Flying Cross for gunnery
Mission Description: File by 1st Lt. HR Morrow
This week three new men joined the crew. Lt. Patterson the navigator from Kalamazoo. Emery and Hammond the waist gunner from Saginaw and Sault Ste. Marie. They have settled into the crew nicely. We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation.
Outbound over Zone 5 were attacked by a pair of 190s. Laffin got one of them to become our first ace. The other one hosed the wings with bullets. Engine #3 started smoking and losing power. Whiting got her feather, but an engine short we quickly began to lose ground on the formation. “Damn it” I swore under my breath.
“Casterline, signal the XO that we are aborting.”
Whiting and I dropped the plane out of the formation and turned for home. We jettisoned the bombs into the see and made a bee line back to base. The Luftwaffe did not notice our lonely B-17 flying back to base by ourselves.
We arrive back an hour ahead of the group. As I taxied the plane to our hardstand, I saw Major Shapio standing there waiting for us. Uh oh.
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Post by kageyone on Oct 9, 2023 23:04:32 GMT -8
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kfan
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 13
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Post by kfan on Oct 10, 2023 20:19:38 GMT -8
B-17F "Sandy's Chariot" 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Pilot: 1LT Gilbert "Gil" Tyler Mission Date: 29 JAN 44 Mission Number: 6 Bomber Mission: 1
Formation: Low Position: Mid
Target: Ferrara, Italy Target Type: Marshalling Yard
Bomb Run: None (mission aborted on takeoff)
AAR (Using TfT)
Sandy's Chariot was to take her maiden voyage. We all understood the challenges of the mission with heavier than normal flak possible and were just hoping to bring the new B-17G and crew home in one piece. All of the pre flight checks were complete and the engines were revved. 1LT Tyler noticed that one of the engines sounded rough and looked over at his co-pilot 2LT Matthews who had a concerned look as well. They both turned at the same time to see flames coming from engine #1. They quickly pulled off the runway with the mission aborted. The fire was extinguished and there will soon be a "chat" with the ground maintenance crew.
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