Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Dec 21, 2023 9:36:43 GMT -8
After-Action ReportBonnie (B-17F-90BO-42-30233) Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Commander: 1st Lt. Steve Kearney Mission Date: 22 February 1944 Mission Number: 11 Mission of this bomber: 6 Formation: Middle Position: Middle Target: Regensburg, Germany Target Type: Prufening Aircraft Factory Bomb Run: On Target - 20% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1st Lt. Steve Kearney | 6 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Frank Wall
| 2 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Daniel "Danny" Webster
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RTD | Navigator | 2nd Lt. William "Billy" Kirby | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Engineer | S/Sgt Emile "Plug" Putman | 6 | 0 | 1 | AM | RTD | Radio Op. | S/Sgt David "Big Dave" Bauver | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Ball Gunner | Sgt George "Bama" Adkins
| 3 | 0 | .33 |
| RTD
| Port WG | Sgt Timothy "Brain" Richmond
| 2 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD
| Starboard WG | Sgt Walter "Wally" Heath
| 2 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Tail Gunner | Sgt Robert "Bobby" Curry
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD
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E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 4 | Me-109 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | Me-110 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Me-210 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Total | 26 | 17 | 1 | 7
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Claims:- 2nd Lt. Daniel "Danny" Webster: 1 Me-109 claimed - full credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial x2: 2 - Port cheek gun inoperable: 10 Peckham Points: 12pts - RTD on 24 February 1944 Casualties: --Awards: --AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Take-off and assembly were good. Zone 2-6 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 7 Outbound: 3 Fw-190 approached us by foreward positions but our escort was ready to intercept them. All were driven off. Port cheek gun resulted inoperable, S/Sgt Putman tried to repair the gun but the damage was beyond repair. Zone 8 Outbound: 2 Me-110 were driven off by escort. Zone 9 Outbound: Amazing landscapes under us while crossing the Alps. Zone 12 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): We were attacked by a couple of Ju-88, both of them were driven off. After we were attacked by 4 Me-109s: one was intercepted, one destroyed by top turret hits and last two planes moved away after unsuccesful hits. Another wave formed by 1 Me-210 in virtual climb and 2 Fw-190. The Me-210 was intercepted, while the two Fw-190s headed for other targets without causing us any damage. Heavy flak over the target just caused superficial damage. Bombs on target! Light flak on egress, no damage reported. A couple of Me-109 were driven off. Zone 11 Inbound: Jerrys driven off by other bombers. Zone 10-6 Inbound: Nothing to report. Zone 5 Inbound: Two Me-109 on us: one driven off while the other escaped after being damaged. Zone 4-3 Inbound: Nothing to report. Zone 2 Inbound: Attacked by 3 Fw-190s, 2 taken over by escort fighters, while the last one reversed course and moved away after being damaged Giulia Airbase: Landed safely. -------------------------------------------------
Steve Kearney, 1st Lt, USAAF, Commanding
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Post by Grondeaux on Dec 21, 2023 10:08:50 GMT -8
B-24J The Schmoo 78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Low squadron, middle Mission Date: 22 February 1944 Mission #: 11 Aircraft Mission #: 3 Target: Aircraft factory, Regensburg, Germany Bomb Loadout: 10 x M64 500 lb. GP bombs Crew at Mission StartPosition | Rank | Name | Missions | Credits | Stress | Awards | Notes | Pilot | 2LT
| Steven Canyon
| 2 |
| 0 |
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| Copilot | 2LT
| Ryan Ballard
| 2 |
| 0 |
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| Bombardier | 2LT | Paul Zeller
| 2 |
| 2 |
| | Navigator | 2LT | Gary Corrigan
| 2 |
| 0 |
| | Nose Turret Gunner | SSGT | Thomas Maher
| 2 | 0.5 | 0 |
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| Flight Engineer | SSGT | Angus MacGyver
| 2 |
| 0 |
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| Ball Turret Gunner | SGT | Daniel Bailey
| 2 |
| 0 |
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| Left Waist Gunner | SGT | Sven Olafsson | 2 |
| 1 |
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| Right Waist Gunner | SSGT | Luigi Marconi
| 2 |
| 0 |
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| Tail Turret Gunner | SGT | Eric Schmidt
| 2 | 0.5 | 0 |
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Crew Chief: SGT Montgomery Scott Bomb Run: On target, 40% Casualties: none Attackers: 19
| Spotted | Destroyed | Damaged | Driven off by Escort | ME-109 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | FW-190 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ME-210 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ME-109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RE.2005 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Claims: none Credits: none Award/Promotion Requests: none In Hospital/Recovery: none Aircraft Damage: 144 Peckham points (left wing root, right tailplane (n/e), right flap, #3 engine out, right rudder, landing gear controls, aileron controls, intercom, suit heating system (mechanical), 2 x superficial). Aircraft ready on 25 February. AFTER ACTION REPORT – Using TFT (Variants used: TFT Axis Fighter Aircraft Add-on Module, Jasta 6’s Table 5-3 Placement Variant, Variant Tables for Take-Off and Mechanical Failure, Bruce Peckham’s German Fighter Pilots variant, Fuel Tank Fires, Seriously Wounded Bail Out, On the Subject of Bombs, my variation to Nolan Bryant’s Crew Chiefs, Combat Fatigue, Chris Riches’ Enhanced Fighter Attacks (Simple Version), Chris Riches’ Random Events table) When the curtain reveals that we are headed to Regensburg, my stomach starts knotting up. We’ve all heard about the Eighth’s experience with that target, and that is definitely cause for concern. I don’t care what the S-2 says about better planes and escorts and how experienced we are. We are headed deep into Germany and flying over the Alps. This is not going to be a milk run. I do my very best “stiff upper lip” impression and try to not let my concern show. Ballard and I exchange looks. “Guess we’ll be earning our paychecks today,” he says. Good weather again. Take-off and assembly goes smoothly. OutboundZones 2-6: Nothing to report. Zone 7: Some rockets are fired into our formation but do not cause us any damage. Zone 8: Nothing to report. Zone 9: We experience high clouds as we cross the Alps. The effect is disconcerting, to say the least. At one point, we were convinced the suit heating system has gone on the fritz, but we just hit a pocket of extremely cold air. Zone 10: Black Maria aborts with suit heater problems. We see her drop out of formation for warmer air. Bit O’ Lace slots into the Tail End Charlie position and is immediately set upon by the Germans. As are we. The Germans are up in force, and we are attacked by three waves of fighters. Our escorts drive away several and our gunners drive the remainder off. LT Winfield transmits a static-filled message that Morning Express is experiencing electrical problems. Not too long after, we see her crew abandon her. We count nine chutes. Zone 11: Nothing to report. Target Zone (12) Our opposition on our target run consists of a pair of 190s along with a 210 in a vertical climb. A P-38 takes on the 210. We trade fire with the 190s and once again get off Scot-free. “Jesus!” comes over the intercom from Schmidt. “A bandit just collided with Charlie. He’s still flying. Losing altitude, though.” The flak, although heavy (as advertised) is clear of us, leaving Zeller free to concentrate on the task at hand. He gets a good drop, and we turn for home. We emerge unscathed from the flak zone and are set upon by a pair of ME-109s. A Lightning engages one, and the remaining 109 makes a pair of passes, missing us both times. InboundZone 11: nothing to report. Zone 10: We hit another pocket of extremely cold air. This time, it freezes Marconi’s weapon. Zone 9: Nothing to report. Zone 8: Marconi makes his gun permanently jammed. Zone 7: A pair of ME-109s are accompanied by an ANR RE.2005. The 2005 gets walking hits on our wings. The whole plane shudders with a wing root hit and our number three engine runs away but we get it feathered. Thankfully. And the backup hydraulic pump kicks in. The Reggiane calls it quits after his first pass… I think we hit him… and the 109s press on with two more passes. On their third and final pass, a 20mm round explodes and takes out several control systems, along with the intercom. The Schmoo is still flying okay, but I start worrying about our landing. Assuming we get home. Zone 6. Nothing to report. Zone 5: An ANR 109 and an FW-190 are driven off by the Thunderbolts. Zones 4-3: Nothing to report. Zone 2: All of a sudden, it’s cold again. This time it is the suit heating system that’s gone out. Well, if it has to go on the fritz, right before we land is as good a time as any. Landing: [-5 to the landing roll] This is going to be dicey… landing on three engines and with some shot out controls. I ask MacGyver to come down from his turret and head back to explain the situation. Anyone who wants to jump over the base is welcome…. Ballard and I will land The Schmoo. The crew all choose to ride her home. I’ve had far better landings, but we all walk away unscathed and The Schmoo will fly again. 2LT Steven Canyon, Command Pilot B-24J The Schmoo 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Dec 21, 2023 18:07:20 GMT -8
B-24J Kipling’s Error (Spare) B-24D-10-CO-42-40220 Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Low Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 22 FEB 1944 Mission Number: 11 This Aircraft: 1 Target: Regensburg, Germany, Aircraft Factory CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1Lt Herman Mickelsen | 1 | | 0 | 0 | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2Lt Lester Braun | 1 | | 0 | 0 | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2Lt Brandon Patrick | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bombardier | 2Lt Barney Healey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engineer | S/Sgt Willie Sims | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Radio Op / Rt Waist | S/Sgt Theo Morris | 6 | 0 | AM | 0 | 0 | NT / Rt Waist | Sgt Willie Wilkins | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ball Turret | Sgt Marty Tracey | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Left Waist / NT | Sgt Gerlad Potemkin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Bret Ackerman | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt Isaac Gibbs | | | | | |
Bomb Run: Off Target, 0 %Casualties: None Damage: Flap Controls 10 Superficial X3 6 Peckham Points: 16 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) Day to Repair Landing: Safe Enemy AircraftType | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Me-109 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 2 | Me-110 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | C.205 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | G.55 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-109(I) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-210 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
ClaimsPosition | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Top | 5 | 4 | 0 | Navigator | 4 | 0.5 | 3 | Tail | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | Ball | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | Right Waist | 2 | 0.5 | 1 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTTruly, it must have been someone’s idea of a practical joke. Cobbling together a crew with basically NO experience, and sending them on a marathon mission, to Regensburg, Germany. However, as it worked out, no one was injured, and our plane was barely scratched, despite facing about 35 enemy aircraft enroute. We joined the elephant walk from our hardstand to the end of the runway. Reaching the runway, we slowed just enough to make the turn and immediately made our takeoff roll out. We lifted sluggishly into the Italian winter skies, eventually joining up with the squadron, then with the group. Skies were mostly clear…of clouds and enemy aircraft. We encountered our first enemy fighters over the Adriatic, across from San Marino. Our escorts drove off a pair of FW-190s, leaving a third for us to fend off. Nervous gunners, and an apparent green enemy pilot left us all unscathed. We did not see another enemy fighter until we were crossing the Italian coast, east of Venice. A solitary FW made an approach but was driven off by our vigilant escorts. Once clear of the Alps we faced a solo BF-110 trying to sneak up on us from directly below. Again, our escorts did the job, intercepting the enemy and driving him off. Munich was passing on our left when we noticed a warning indicator for the flaps. Now was not the time to test them. With the IP approaching the Luftwaffe decided to provide a very hot welcome. In a very short time, we faced four BF-109s, a trio of FW-190s, a BF-110 and an ME-210. What escorts that were there, they were only able to drive off a single 109. Of the remaining eight enemy fighters, we shot down five of them, and damaged two more. The crew only received a joint two kills for their efforts. Clear of the fighters we were hit superficially by the flak. That (apparently) was enough to throw off 2Lt Healy, on his first combat mission. Coming off the target, and heading for the RP, we faced another ten enemy fighters. Our escorts were a little better this time around, driving off three of the enemy. We shot down another five enemy planes, damaging one more. We took no damage, and the crew was awarded two and a half kills. For the rest of the flight, we faced eleven more enemy fighters. Our escorts were absent, leaving us to fight off most of the intruders. Not until we were past San Marino were the escorts’ presence felt. We shot down four more enemy fighters and damaged two more. Another one and a half kills to our score. We fell into the pattern, waiting for the more damaged aircraft to land first. The men were quite chatty once we hit the ground. They had shot down fifteen enemy aircraft, or so they thought. The review board only credited them with six, with six probables. Disappointing, but with a bright spot. S/Sgt Sims was credited with four kills on his first combat mission. Submitted by, 1Lt Herman Mickelsen, Pilot B-24J Kipling’s Error 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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Post by medic1 on Dec 22, 2023 12:44:05 GMT -8
B-24J GREMLIN’S DELIGHT (B24J-CF-41-23858)Pilot: 1st Lt Derek Marsh Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: Low/Middle Mission Date: 22 Feb 44 Mission Number: 011 Missions This Bomber: 6 Target: Regensburg, Germany, Aircraft Factory
CREW/POSITION/RANK | CURRENT MISSION | PREVIOUS CLAIMS | THIS MISSION | STRESS POINTS | STATUS | Pilot 1st Lt Derek Marsh | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | POW | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Lou Carbonaro | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | POW | Bombardier 2nd Lt Don Kassel | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | POW | Navigator 2nd Lt Cam Cassidy | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | KIA | Engineer S/Sgt Burt Rossetti | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | POW | R/O T/Sgt Liam Barnes | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | KIA | Ball Gunner Sgt Marc Holliday | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | POW | PWG Sgt Dan Middleton | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | POW | SWG Sgt Sam Lang | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | POW | Tail Gunner Sgt Terry Driscoll | 6 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | POW |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 50% B-24 Damage: 9 Hits Port Wing x 3
-superficial -flap inop -#2 oil tank fire + 2 extinguisher's Starboard Wing x 2 -superficial -#4 engine, no effect Bomb Bay x 1 -transfer fuel pump N?E Waist x 1 -superficial Tail x 2 -superficial -turret inopPeckham Points: N/A Repair Time: N/A Crew Chief: S/Sgt Jay Decker (average, no mods) Landing: More of an ImpactE/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bf-110 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | G-50 | 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 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Confirmed Claims: 2 2nd Lt Don Kassel 1 x Fw-190 S/Sgt Burt Rossetti 1 x Fw-190 Casualties: 2 2nd Lt Cam Cassidy killed by angry civilian mob T/Sgt Liam Barnes shot by SS troops Award/ Promotions Requests: 2 PH Posthumous 2nd Lt Cam Cassidy PH Posthumous T/Sgt Liam Barnes Stress Points this Mission: N/A
After Action Report (using QOTS): After the bomb run, Gremlin’s Delight was came under attack where a Fw-190 was seen to walk hits on her wings. Shortly thereafter, a fire engulfed the wing forcing the crew to bail out. Ten chutes were spotted.
As reported by various members of the 78th BS, 509th BG (Heavy). 15th AF
Note – The Red Cross reported weeks later that 2nd Lt Cam Cassidy was killed by an angry mob of civilians angry with the bombing.
The Red Cross was informed by German authorities that another man, T/Sgt Liam Barnes, was shot by SS troops. The circumstances were sketchy, but the SS claimed that the man refused to surrender and was shot attempting to evade capture.
Note - At the war's end and once released from a POW camp, Sgt Marc Holliday said that before he was found and captured by German police, he was in hiding and witnessed T/Sgt Liam Barnes death claiming it was an execution by the SS.
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wouter
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 14
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Post by wouter on Dec 23, 2023 4:44:44 GMT -8
B-17F Six Nights in Telergma Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: High Aircraft Position: #14 Mission Date: 22 Feb 1944 Mission Number: 11 This Aircraft: 2 Target: Regensburg, Germany, Aircraft Factory
Crew Position: Rank / Name - Missions (Kills) / Awards Pilot: 1LT James 'Jim' Waggoner - 2 Co-Pilot: 2nd LT Alf Pelka - 2 Bombadier: 2nd LT Jerome McLaughlin -2 (1 Kill) Navigator: 2nd LT Irvin R. Lifson -2 Engineer: S/SGT John M. Graves -2 Radio Operator: SGT George Powell -2 () KIA Ball Gunner: SGT William H. McBride -2 () / Purple Heart Port Waist: SGT James J. Woods -2 Starboard Waist: SGT Ernest Philips -2 () / Purple Heart Tail Gunner: SGT Floyd F. Daugherty -2
Bomb Run: On Target, 40 %
Landing: Safe
Casualties: SGT William H. McBride KIA, SGT Ernest Philips: cut in leg muscle, broken nose: 5 days recuperation
B17 damage: 1 engine out, 2/3 rudder damaged, right wing aileron inoperable, 1 wing root hit, autopilot mechanism out, broken starboard waist gun
Peckham Points: 74, Overnight repairs
Enemy Aircraft Type Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded ME109 4 / 2 / 1 / 0 claim ME110 2 / 1 / 1 / 0 claim FW 190 14 / 3 / 5 / 2 claim / 1 Awarded
Claims Position / Claimed / Awarded Bombardier / 1 / 1 Ball Turret Gunner (posthumously) / 1 / 0
Awards Ball Gunner SGT William H. McBride: Purple Heart Posthumously Starboard Waist SGT Ernest Philips: Purple Heart
AFTER ACTION REPORT Using TfT, Mandatory rules + optional rules 'Limburger Variant Mech Failures', Peckam 'Expanded German Fighter Skills' and Ilmarainen 'More Detailed Bomb Run Procedures'
Inbound: Not much too report, couple of Me109 we've driven off easily and we crossed the Alps without trouble.
Target Inbound: Met with 3 waves of fighters for a total of 8 enemy aircraft. Both Bombardier and our Ball Gunner each shot down a FW190. An Experte ME109 took out our Autopilot mechanism. Lost 1 engine. Heavy flak tore a big hole in our bird that wounded Williams (cut in his leg and a broken nose) and killed McBride in his ball turret. With autopilot out, we managed to get to IP satisfactory but Bomb run was rushed. Even so, we managed to drop 40% on target.
Target Outbound: Only light flak that did not do any damage but again we were met by a big wave of FW190, 5 aircraft this time.
Outbound: We hurled ourselves back over the Alps with a dead McBride, a wounded Williams, one engine out, a big hole in our waist, 3 jammed guns and a broken one, 2/3 damaged rudder , a damaged aileron and 1 wing root hit. Luckily we met only a single Ace FW190. With 7 shots on target he further damaged our Six Nights. Landed safely in Foggia.
McBride and Williams were awarded a Purple Heart. The commission denied McBride's kill of the FW190 over Regensburg, but confirmed Williams shot. The doc prescribed Williams 5 days of recuperation. The plane will be fixed overnight. Now, on to find a new Ball Gunner.
Submitted by
1Lt James Waggoner
B-17F Six Nights in Telergma
79th BS, 509th BG, 15th AF, USAAF
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Post by caodwolf on Dec 24, 2023 7:39:50 GMT -8
B-24D: BONKERS Pilot: 1Lt. J Sweeney Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 22-Feb-1944 Mission No.: 11 Mission this Bomber: Target for Today: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory Squadron Position: Low Result: ABORT As we approached the Italian coast a '109 & a '190 pounces on us. We did not even spot them. The middle of the B-24 was pounded with multiple rounds: canon and bullets alike. The Hydraulics System was hit twice knocking it out and taking with it the bomb bay doors and the brakes. The Radio Operator Sgt. Kaufmann was KIA.
We tried to see if the bomb bay doors could be manually opened but they incurred damage as well. Had to abort the mission with a belly full of bombs meant for Nazi Germany. We are now out of formation.
The Germans smelling blood attacked but we fought them off, downing three in the melee. Our own Fighter protection was good.
Barreling down a runway with a full bomb load and no brakes isn't a good idea. But in we came and let her roll to a gentle stop....be it at the very end of the runway. I looked up and see a cow.
Over and out....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | J. Sweeney | 10 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | G. Derk | 10 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | M. Heim | 10 | 1 | 1 | AM | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | S. Corcoran | 10 | --- | 1/2 | AM | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | Sgt | J. Engel | 10 | 1 | 3 2/3 | AM | OK | Radio Op | Sgt | R. Kaufmann | 10 | --- | --- | AM, PH | KIA | Port Waist | S/Sgt | B. Fox | 10 | --- | --- | AM | OK-Promo | Stbd Waist | Sgt | J. Cooney | 8 | --- | 1/3 | AM | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | D. Turnick | 10 | 1 | 2 1/3 | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | J. Clark | 7 | --- | 1 | AM, PH | OK |
NoneSgt. B Fox promoted to S/Sgt.
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | ME-109 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 1 | FW-190 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | --- | JU-88 | 3 | --- | 1 | --- | 2 2 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | TOTALS | 29 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 3 3 |
* Two day repair
-Aux Hydraulic systems hits - no effect -Wing fuel tank leak - self seal -Hydraulic System hit: bomb bay doors inoperable & brakes out -#3 Engine hit -Stbd Cheek gun jam -Tail Turret gun jam -(1) KIA
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Post by limburger59 on Dec 24, 2023 14:56:26 GMT -8
B-24D: SALVO SADIE Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group LowSquadron - Middle MISSION DATE: 22 FEB 44 MISSION NBR. 11 TARGET: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: Anthony "Tony" Cummings (1) KIA - Drowned Co-Pilot: 2LT Terry Chambers (2) MIA - Lost at Sea Navigator: 2LT Russ "Tater" Hanley (2) MIA - Lost at Sea Bombardier: 2LT Dakota "Kooter" Richards (2) MIA - Lost at Sea Engineer/TT: S/SGT Edward "Eddie" Hartley (1) KIA - Drowned Radio Op: S/SGT Claude "Frenchy" Galloway (3) MIA - Lost at Sea Ball Turret: SGT Wallace "Nehi" Wells (1) Rescued - RTD 27 FEB 44 Right Waist: SGT Salvatore "Long Island" Costa (1) Rescued - RTD 27 FEB 44 Left Waist: SGT Lester "Lennie" Edwards (1) KIA - Drowned Tail Gunner: SGT Kenneth "Kenny" Patrick (1) Rescued - RTD 27 FEB 44
Bomb Run: DNB
Casualties: 3 crewmembers were drowned and their bodies were recovered 4 Crewmembers were not found and are classified as Lost at Sea / Missing in Action
B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4) Starboard Wing Outboard Fuel Tank - FIRE (Total)
Peckham Points: Total
Disposition: Crashed in Flames into the Adriatic Sea
Attackers: 2 2x Bf-110: 1 Driven Off
AFTER ACTION REPORT - Flying QOTS variant for B-24:
Spare crew assigned to a Spare Bomber
In Zone 4, outbound, the electrical suit heating system failed for the entire bomber. SALVO SADIE aborted the mission, jettisoned her bombs, and descended to 8000 feet for the return trip.
In Zone 2 Inbound a couple Bf-110s discovered the lone bomber with a P-38 heading south. The P-38 drove off one one attacker, leaving the remaining bandit to the defensive gunnery of the B-24. Four streams of lead reached out to the 110 and missed. In return the German fighter punched a hole into the Liberator's fuel tank, setting it on fire.
Weather was good, but winter in the Adriatic Sea can be cruel no matter the cloud cover. All ten men successfully bailed out, but by the time the Royal Navy arrived they only found six airmen - and only half of those were still breathing.
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Post by mistermickman on Dec 26, 2023 20:22:24 GMT -8
After Action ReportB17 Evadin' Maiden 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Middle Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 22 February 1944 Mission Number: 11 Target: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory
Position | Rank | Name | Kills | Total Kills | Missions | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1st Lt. | Jack McKenzie |
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| 1 |
| Interned
| Co Pilot | 2nd Lt. | Cecil Barnett |
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| 1 |
| Interned
| Bombardier | 2nd Lt. | Eddie Iglesias | 1 Probable | 1 Probable | 1 |
| Interned | Navigator | 2nd Lt. | Wilfred Harmon | 0.5 Confirmed | 0.5 Confirmed | 1 |
| Interned | Engineer | T/SGT | Leo Vance | 1 Probable | 1 Probable | 1 |
| Interned | Radio Operator | T/SGT | Wesley Rowe | 1 Probable | 1 Probable | 1 | Purple Heart (Posthumous) | KIA | Ball Turret | SGT | Billie McFarland |
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| 1 |
| Interned | Port Waist | SGT | Horace Crane | 0.5 Confirmed | 0.5 Confirmed | 1 |
| Interned | Starboard Waist | S/SGT | Glenn Hickman |
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| 1 |
| Interned | Tail Gunner | S/SGT | Benjamin Rodriguez | 1 Probable | 1 Probable | 1 |
| Interned
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Bomb Run: 60% On Target
Casualties: T/SGT Wesley Rowe - KIA, Head Shot
Damage: 72 Peckham Points 1x Wing Root - 25 1x Outboard Fuel Tank - 10 1 x Intercom Out - 10 1 x Radio Out - 10 1x Crewman Killed - 10 7x Superficial Damage
Landing - "Safe" in Switzerland
Encountered: 14 Me-109's 1 Ju-88
Claims: 1 Me-109 Destroyed 4 Me-109's Probable 1 Me-109 Damaged
AAR: Nothing of note happened zones 1-11.
Zone 12 Outbound: Plane hit by FLAK on the bomb run causing superficial damage in the radio room and the nose, but also causing a major fuel leak in the outboard port fuel tank. Managed to drop 60% of the bombs on target despite this, but then immediately dropped out of formation to head for Switzerland.
Zone 12 Inbound (Switzerland): The first wave sent 4 109's at the Evadin' Maiden. Both the radio operator and the tail gunner each managed to heavily damage a 109, while the port waist gunner damaged another. Second wave sent another 3 109's, and the Navigator and Port Waist gunner both contributed to destroying one of them. 3rd wave sent 4 more 109's. The nose gunner managed to heavily damage one, but he was able to strafe our fuselage coming from 12 High. His strafing run killed the radio operator while causing superficial damage to the rest of the plane. Then, an ace landed a hit on our port wing root coming in from 4:30 low. The top turret guns jammed after spray firing at a 109 at 9 high. Even after all this, the Germans had more in store for us, taking pot shots at us from the ground and landing a near miss on the middle of the plane, causing superficial damage to the bomb bay and knocking out the radio.
Zone 11 Inbound (Switzerland): The Engineer managed to clear the jam in his gun, while the rest of the crew spent this time moving ammo from the now empty radio gun to the waist guns.
Zone 10 Inbound (Switzerland): 3 109's and a JU 88 came at the plane. A 109 was heavily damaged by the top turret gunner, whilst the others were kept at bay with the last of the remaining ammunition.
The plane was then intercepted by the Swiss Air Force, and after some difficulties communicating due to the radio being out, was escorted to a swiss airfield where it landed without issue and was interred along with its 9 surviving crew members.
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Post by limburger59 on Dec 27, 2023 14:39:03 GMT -8
B-17F CASH & CARRIE Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group High Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 22 Feb 44 MISSION # 11 TARGET: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Nate Sutherland (6) AM PH Co-Pilot: 2LT Cliff Brownell (5) PH Navigator: 2LT Giuseppe "The Patz" Patrizzio (2) Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin "Shermy" Sherman (1) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Matthew "Pyro" Lowne (3) [.5] Radio Op: S/SGT Clinton "Volt" Watts (1) Ball Turret: SGT Orville "Dougy" Douglas (1) Right Waist: SGT Collin "Lapdog" Cordell (1) Left Waist: SGT Sidney "Sid" Beck (1) Tail Gunner: SGT Wesley "Short Stack" Snipes (1)
Bomb Run: DNB
Casualties: 2LT Cliff Brownell: SW – Abdominal wound – RTD 22 May 44
B-17 Damage: Superficial x2 (2) Serious Wound (5) PWG Heat out (10) Tail Guns inop (20) Bomb Bay Doors inop (10) S. Aileron inop (10) #1 Engine superficial (20) #2 engine superficial (20) #4 engine OUT (40)
Peckham Points: 137
Disposition: Safe Landing at Giulia
Attackers: 10 6x Bf-109: 2 Damaged, 2 Driven Off 1x FW-190: 1 Driven Off 3x ME-410: 1 Probable, 1 Damaged, 1 Driven Off Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 0 Confirmed, Probables (FBOA) = 1, Damaged (FCA) = 3, Driven Off by Escort = 4
Award/Promotion Requests: Purple Heart: 2LT Cliff Brownell Air Medal for 5 completed Missions: 2LT Cliff Brownell
AFTER ACTION REPORT (Flying Beery variant for B-17 QOTS + jasta6's GAF charts):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
OUTBOUND – Zone 5: A FW-190 heading for our tail was intercepted by our Little Friends.
Zone 7: Two 109s seemed to take a momentary interest in our bomber but were quickly ushered away by our escort.
Zone 10: Multiple waves welcomed the 509th to Germany! In the first wave three ME-410s headed our way, with two getting past our overwhelmed escort. One E/A hit us, wounding our co-pilot and knocking out the rheostat for our Port Waist Gunner’s electrical heat. Our Engineer knocked out one of its engines but it was a poor exchange as the German could limp away while LT Brownell was slumped over in his seat.
Then, four 109s took advantage of our distracted Little Friends. One knocked out the Tail Guns and jammed the Bomb Bay door shut. Another bandit walked hits across our wings… cowling pieces flying off three of the four engines, but only one engine was mortally wounded.
Down to three engines and unable to jettison the bombs we began to fall behind; so we turned around and headed back to Foggia. We were surprised that the Luftwaffe didn’t follow us, instead swarming around the northbound 509th.
Our Co-pilot was carefully carried to the radio room where he was made comfortable. (S/SGT Watts’ first aid made the difference between life and death according to the Flight Surgeon back at base.) Our Engineer took over the co-pilot’s seat, and our Port Waist Gunner moved to the Top Turret.
INBOUND: It was a lonely trip back to Giulia. No encounters, and back on the ground we can only surmise, based on the reports of the aborts in front of us and the formation behind us, that we must have slipped through the gauntlet while the Luftwaffe was refueling and rearming.
We assumed that the war was over for LT Brownell. But after a dicey surgery he is going to London instead of the States and he will fly again.
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Post by rcastillo on Dec 27, 2023 19:08:14 GMT -8
B-17G Kentucky Belle 79th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: High Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 22 February 1944 Mission #: 11 Aircraft Mission #: 2 Target: Prufening Aircraft Factory @ Regensburg, Germany
Pilot - 1LT Rusty Castillo (2) SW Co-Pilot - 2LT Robert Morgan (2) LW Bombardier - 2LT Ivan Gilbert (2) Navigator - 2LT Daniel Manning (2) Engineer - S/SGT Milton Jordan (2) Radio Operator - S/SGT Dale Butler (2) Ball Gunner - S/SGT Ben Dawson (2) Port Waist Gunner - SGT Gordon Fields KIA Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Maurice Ward KIA Tail Gunner - SGT Homer Jackson (2)
Bomb Run: On target 30%
Casualties: Port Waist Gunner - SGT Gordon Fields KIA (Bailout accident - parachute failure) Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Maurice Ward KIA (Suffered fatal injuries in crash landing)
Pilot - 1LT Rusty Castillo SW (Suffered broken jaw in crash landing) Co-Pilot - 2LT Robert Morgan LW (Suffered forearm cut in crash landing)
Enemy Aircraft Claims: Bombardier - 2LT Ivan Gilbert - 1 1/3 x 190, 1/2 x 109 Engineer - S/SGT Milton Jordan - 1/3 x 88 Ball Gunner - S/SGT Ben Dawson - 1/2 x 109
Disposition - The aircraft crash-landed in Switzerland after battle damage to the oxygen system prevented the aircraft from having the altitude to re-cross the Alps and one main landing gear was seen to fall away from the aircraft on lowering and the other would not show locked. All crew except the pilot, co-pilot and seriously wounded right waist gunner bailed out over Swiss territory. Left Waist gunner's chute failed to open. Right waist gunner suffered fatal injuries in the crash while the pilots survived. Eight survivors interned for the duration of the conflict.
B-24J Witchcraft 78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Low Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 22 February 1944 Mission #: 11 Aircraft Mission #: 1 Target: Prufening Aircraft Factory @ Regensburg, Germany
Pilot - 1LT Dale Merritt (1) LW Co-Pilot - 2LT Jose Castillo (1) LW Bombardier - 2LT Herbert Cook (1) Navigator - 2LT Clinton James (1) LW Engineer - T/SGT Fred Knox (1) Radio Operator - T/SGT Eddie Calhoun (1) Ball Gunner - SGT Elmer Dorsey (1) Port Waist Gunner - SGT Alton Simon (1) Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Herbert Sellers KIA Tail Gunner - SGT Alex Conrad (1)
Bomb Run: On target 20%
Casualties: Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Herbert Sellers KIA Pilot - 1LT Dale Merritt LW Co-Pilot - 2LT Jose Castillo LW
Enemy Aircraft Claims: Engineer - T/SGT Fred Knox 1 x 410 Ball Gunner - SGT Elmer Dorsey 1/2 x 109 Port Waist Gunner - SGT Alton Simon 1/3 x 190
Disposition - Aircraft safe at home base.
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Post by medic1 on Dec 28, 2023 9:46:07 GMT -8
Apologies to everyone, but due to an illness I just don’t have the energy to sit in front of the computer for very long. I lost my main B-24 during the mission, made up another bomber and replayed the mission, lost that one, and then made up a third bomber which I also lost. So this is just a bare bones AAR.
B-24J A Wing and Ten PrayersSquadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: Low/Middle Mission Date: 22 Feb 44 Mission Number: 011 Missions This Bomber: 1 Target: Regensburg, Germany, Aircraft Factory
Bomb Run: DNB On Target: N/A
E/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Bf-110 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | G-50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-210 | 1 | 1 | 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 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
After Action Report (using QOTS): Just before the flak field, A Wing and Ten Prayers was seen to come under attack from a Fw-190 which must have detonated it's payload and all hands were lost.
B-24J Payload Patty (B24J-CF-44-25858)Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: Low/Middle Mission Date: 22 Feb 44 Mission Number: 011 Missions This Bomber: 1 Target: Regensburg, Germany, Aircraft Factory
CREW/POSITION/RANK | CURRENT MISSION | PREVIOUS CLAIMS | THIS MISSION | STRESS POINTS | STATUS | Pilot 1st Lt T Jennings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt B Talbert | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned | Bombardier 2nd Lt D Henson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned | Navigator 2nd Lt C Dailey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | KIA | Engineer S/Sgt B Thompson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned | R/O T/Sgt A Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned | Ball Gunner Sgt M Jones | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned | PWG Sgt D Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | KIA | SWG Sgt S Barton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | KIA | Tail Gunner Sgt T Landry | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Interned |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 20% Landing: Crew bailed out over Swiss Territory
E/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Bf-110 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | G-50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | He-112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Re-2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
After Action Report (using QOTS): After the bomb run, Payload Patty took a flak hit inside the waist section and fell out of formation trying to make it to Switzerland.
As reported by various members of the 78th BS, 509th BG (Heavy). 15th AF
Note – The Red Cross reported weeks later that seven members of this crew bailed out of a badly stricken B-24 over Swiss soil and are deterred for the duration.
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Post by caodwolf on Dec 28, 2023 17:06:37 GMT -8
B-17F: Dam Yankees Pilot: 1Lt. B. Pease Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron Mission Date: 22-February-1944 Mission No.: 11 Mission this Bomber: 11 Target for Today: Regensburg, Germany - Profening Aircraft Factory Squadron Position: Middle Result: On-Target 50% We were hoping being assigned to the middle squadron would give us a brief relief. But no, all hell broke loose. Over target, we engaged (42) enemy bogeys half of which got thru the fighter screen and attacked. Damage to craft and crew was devastating . Lost engine # 3 right before bombs away, several personal injuries and heat out in the Nose , Radio Room and Tail. Gun mounts jammed due to overheating or were knocked out of action by enemy fire. Little did we know we lost the port landing gear assembly
We did bomb the target with good effect. We were a far way off from home so we stuck with the squadron and jostled around seats to keep warm. 2Lt Snow declined and chose the man the Nose gun as we were still engaging enemy fighters. With the Top Turret out of action, the Nose is all we had upfront. 2Lt Snow did suffer frostbite and was invalided home.
We were attacked by a few fighters on the inbound and landed OK with the port landing gear missing. I was also wounded in the head with a graze wound. This bird will require five days repair maybe longer.
That is all....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | B. Pease | 11 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK-LW | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | D. Horton | 11 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | J. Pate | 11 | --- | --- | AM, DFC, PH | OK-INVALID | Navigator | 2Lt | E. Swan | 11 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | S/Sgt | G. Burdash | 11 | --- | 4 | AM | OK | Radio Op | S/Sgt | D. Wallace | 11 | --- | --- | AM, PH | DOW | Port Waist | Sgt | T. Dunlap | 5 | --- | --- | AM, PH | KIA | Stbd Waist | Sgt | M. Comerota | 2 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | M. Lesjack | 5 | --- | 1 1/2 | --- | OK | Tail Turret | S/Sgt | G. Fancher | 11 | 1 | 3 1/2 | AM | OK |
Sgt. J Quain : Ball Turret Gunner: RTD: 29-Feb-1944 2Lt. J Pate: Bombardier: RTD: 29-Feb-1944Air Medal
Sgt M Lesjack Sgt. T. Dunlap
KIA
Sgt T Dunlap
Died of Wounds
Sgt D Wallace
Purple Heart
2Lt E Snow 1Lt B Pease Sgt. D Wallace Sgt T Dunlap
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | ME-109 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 1 | ME-110 | 1 | 1 | --- | - | --- | FW-190 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 8 | --- | ME-210 | 1 | 2 | 1 | --- | --- | C-205 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | --- | TOTALS | 42 | 16 | 6 | 18 | 1 1 |
>5 Day Repair, available Feb 27th
-Nose gun jam -#2 Engine hit > fire > extinguished > feathered > out -Rudder hit -SW -DOW -LW -Heat out: Navigator & Bombardier -Port landing gear damaged -Heat out: Rad room -Stbd waist gun out -Tail oxygen out -KIA -Control cable hit
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Viscar
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 16
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Post by Viscar on Dec 29, 2023 13:20:08 GMT -8
Pilot: 1LT John Alderman B-17: Georgia Peach B-17F Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 22 February 1944 MISSION NBR:10 TARGET: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory Position | Name | Mission | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1LT John Alderman | 9 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | CoPilot | 2LT John Honea | 9 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Bombardier | 2LT Ralph Steward | 9 | 0 | 1 | AM | RTD | Navigator | 2LT Michael Artelli | 9 | 0 | 0 | AM, PH | (Cut Hand) RTD | Engineer | S/SGT Michael Wynn | 9 | 1/2 | 1/2 | AM | RTD | Radio Room | S/SGT Justin Lewis | 9 | 0 | 0 | AM, PH (Posthumously) | KIA | Ball Gunner | SGT Andy Brown | 9 | 0 | 5 1/3 | AM, AM | RTD | Left Waist | SGT Tony Ford | 9 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Right Waist | SGT Jeff Underwood | 9 | 0 |
| AM, PH | (Inflamed Intestines) 12 week recovery | Tail Gunner | SGT Dexter McConnell | 9 | 1 | 3 | AM | RTD |
Bomb Run: Off target - 0% B-17 Damage: Both Waist Guns Inop Oxygen system for entire plane inop Both Flaps inop Top Turret power inop Casualties: 2LT Artelli (Cut Hand) - RTD SGT Jeff Underwood (Inflamed intestines) infection set in during surgery - 12 week recovery S/SGt Justin Lewis - KIA Peckham Points: 79 Claims: S/SGT Wynn - ME-109 1/2 credit, ME-109 denied SGT Brown - ME-109 denied SGT McConnell - ME-109 approved Enemy Aircraft Type | Number | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Broke Off | ME-109 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | FW-190 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | JU-88 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Airbase: No issues on take off Outbound: Fairly quiet outbound until we crossed the Alps. Several waves of ME-109s and a lone JU-88 attacked causing minor damage to aircraft. Target Area: The skies opened up and several waves of fighters broke through the escorts. Caused major damage to casualties onboard aircraft. Heavy FLAK over the target, but ineffectual. Off target with 0% of bombs landing on target. After turning around, more waves of German fighters attacked. Seemed like their ace pilots were targeting the aircraft, picking it apart. More casualties onboard. Inbound: Oxygen system for aircraft was knocked out after clearing the Alps. Descended below 10,000 feet. Received light fire from the ground on the return trip. Both Ball Turret and Top Turret lost electrical power. Airbase: Landed safely. Mission completed.
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Post by superbee on Dec 30, 2023 9:36:28 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron: After Mission Summary
Mission 11 February 22, 1944 Target: Regensburg, Germany (aircraft factory)
B17’s sortied: 11 (Irascible Girl, In Like Flynn, Pride of the Badgers, All In, Invadin Maiden, Holy Toledo, Six Nights in Telergma, Cash & Carrie, Kentucky Belle, Michael's Sword, Cloud Rider)
B17’s bombing target: 8 (Irascible Girl, All In, Invadin Maiden, Holy Toledo, Six Nights in Telergma, Kentucky Belle, Michael's Sword, Cloud Rider)
Bombers aborting mission: In Like Flynn, Pride of the Badgers, Cash & Carrie
Bombers lost: Kentucky Belle
Lead bomber: Irascible Girl
Tail end Charlie: In Like Flynn
Crewmen KIA: 4
Crewmen SW-IH: 3
Crewmen wounded and returning to action: 12
Crewmen MIA: 10
Bomb run avg: 21%
High bomb run: 40%
Awards for gallantry in action and meritorious achievement: Distinguished Flying Cross (accumulated credit for destroying 5 EA): S/Sgt Curt Mercado, Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit
| encountered | intercepted by escorts
| destroyed | FCA
| FBOA | FW 190's
| 72 | 24 | 12 | 20 | 1 | Me109's | 56 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 1 | Me210 / Me410's
| 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | C205's
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Ju88's | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me110's
| 9
| 4
| 1
| 4
| 0
| G55's
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| Re2001's
| 3
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 0
| totals
| 152
| 47
| 30
| 37
| 4
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________________________________________________________________________________
In Like Flynn (tail end Charlie – jettisoned bomb load ) Bomb run: DNB Purple Heart: Sgt Dale Stafford
Invadin’ Maiden Bomb run: 10% Purple Heart: Sgt Peter Lesniak (posthumous), Sgt Mark Burnham Distinguished Flying Cross (accumulated credit for destroying 5 EA):S/Sgt Curt Mercado, Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit
Pride of the Badgers (forced to turn back because of battle damage) Bomb run: DNB Purple Heart: 2Lt W Sloat, 2Lt GS Hoyt, Sgt Page (posthumous) Air Medal (2nd award): Sgt I Cooper, Sgt Towney
All In Bomb run: 40% Purple Heart: 1Lt George Gill, 2Lt Ed Cole, S/Sgt Roy Bell Holy Toledo Bomb run: 0% Purple Heart: 2Lt H Ruess, Sgt RL McConnell Air Medal: 2Lt H Ruess, 2Lt W Wetherwell, 2Lt G Baker, M/Sgt J Kershner, Sgt CP Taylor, Sgt Rl McConnell, Sgt A Charles, Sgt G Reynolds, Sgt Smith
Six Nights in Telergma Bomb run: 40% Purple Heart: Sgt William McBride (posthumous), Sgt Ernest Phillips
Irascible Girl (sqdn lead) Bomb run: 30% Purple Heart: 2Lt M Mallard posthumous), 2Lt J Taylor, S/Sgt P Stewart Air Medal: S/Sgt Mark Withley
Cash & Carrie (group spare; aborted mission) Bomb run: DNB (bomb bay doors jammed shut) Purple Heart: 2Lt Cliff Brownell Air Medal: 2Lt Cliff Brownell
Kentucky Belle (crash landed in Switzerland – 8 crewmen interned, 2 crewmen KIA) Bomb run: 30%
Michael's Sword (B17F - crew's first mission) Bomb run: 0%
Cloud Rider Bomb run: 0% Purple Heart: 1Lt John Greenaway, 2Lt Christopher Nelson
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Post by bruce1520 on Dec 30, 2023 15:25:43 GMT -8
Mission date: 22 February 44
Target: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory
Mission/Bomber: 11/1
B-17F Michael’s Sword
79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
Formation: High Squadron
Position: Name (Mission) (Kills)
Pilot: 2nd LT Joshua Michael (1) (-)
Co-Pilot: 2nd LT Milton Hogan (1) (-)
Bombardier: 2nd LT Colin Hale (1) (1)
Navigator: 2nd LT Joe Jensen (1) (0)
Engineer: T/SGT Lionel Day (1) (1)
Radio Operator: T/SGT Curtis Cole (1) (0)
Ball Gunner: SGT Isaac Moran (1) (1)
Port Waist Gun: SGT Angel Murphy (1) (1)
Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Sammy Robinson (1) (1)
Tail Gun: SGT Matthew Adkins (1) (0.5)
Bombing: Off target, 0%
Damage: 35 Peckham Points - Repair overnight
#1 Engine Out
Starboard Wing Root (1 hit)
Casualties: None
Awards: None
EA: Encountered/Claimed/Killed (5.5)
FW-190: 3 / 0 / 0
Me-109: 11/ 6 / 2
Me-110: 8 / 3 / 3.5
C.205: 1 / 0 / 0
Ju-88: 2 / 0 / 0
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Dec 30, 2023 17:08:25 GMT -8
80th BOMB SQUADRON Mission #11, Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory AAR
The men were rather more boisterous than usual. The ones seated waiting for Major Shapiro were the ones who had survived the trip back and forth over the Alps and the bomb-run over Regensburg. Maybe it wasn't as bad as the 8th Air Force's missions there in 1943 but it was rough enough. They were happy to be alive and were blowing off some steam.
The XO called the men to attention as Shapiro walked to the front of the briefing room. "Seats!" And they all sat down, an expectant buzz of voices still present. Shapiro waited precisely fifteen seconds and in his best command voice said, "Gentlemen!" The buzz suddenly stopped. The men who believed that they could tell how the major was feeling were somewhat mystified. None of the clues were in evidence.
"We knew this was going to be a rough mission. It did not disappoint in that. The positive aspect of this hop is that we had no aircraft shot down. The negative aspect is that three of our squadron aircraft sustained too much damage to make it home and have been interred in Switzerland. We probably won't see those crews back any time soon. We also had to write off one aircraft that was too badly shot up to repair. Six men were killed in action with thirteen others wounded.
"Overall, the bombing improved to 26.67% of the drop on target. The best performance was from Evadin' Maiden at 60% followed by Dam Yankees at 50%. Gunnery claimed 59 enemy aircraft destroyed with credit given for 30.5. In addition, Sergeant Blake of Pride of the Wolverines earned a DFC by becoming an ace. Well done, Sarge." There was a round of applause and cheers.
"All things considered, it was a decent mission. I'd still like to see an improvement in overall bombing accuracy. I suspect that the next mission will not be as long. So relax and recuperate from this one. Dismissed!" And out he went.
----------------------------- STATISTICAL ADDENDUM
THE CAT'S MEOW On target, 40% 3 EA claimed, 2.5 credited
WONGO II On target, 30% 7 EA claimed, 4 credited LT Billy Kowalsk - PHi
TSG Eddie Haskell -, PH SGT Elder Kane - PH, AM SGT Walter White Feather - PH SGT Vernon Wilson - PH, posthumous SGT Bennie Akers promoted to SSGT
MISS HOLLY On target, 30% 4 EA claimed, 4 credited
GREAT EXPECTATIONS On target, 40% 1LT Peter Dickins - AM 2LT Matthew Pocket - AM 2LT Curt Clark - PH SGT Bentley Drummie - AM SGT John Wemmick - AM
MOUNTAIN MEN Off target, 0% 3 EA claimed, 1 credited Aircraft CAT-E
BUGS Off target, 0% 8 EA claimed, 8 credited Crew interned in Switzerland
DOUBLE BOMB On target, 40% 7 EA claimed, 1 credited
THE BUTCHER'S DAUGHTER On target, 20% 7 EA claimed, 4 credited SGT Road Alsita - PH
WIMPY On target, 30% 4 EA claimed, 3 credited
GREEN HORNET Crew interned in Switzerland
PRIDE OF THE WOLVERINES Off target, 0% 8 EA claimed, 8 credited SGT A. Blake - DFC
CRAB CATCHER On target, 40% 1 EA claimed, 1 credited 2LT Jacob Kramer - PH 2LT Charles Jerome - PH SGT Mark Johnson - PH SGT Andrew Brown - PH, posthumous SGT Greg Edmunds - PH, posthumous
BONNIE On target 20% 2 EA claimed, 1 credited
EVADIN' MAIDEN On target, 60% - Best in squadron Crew interned in Switzerland
DAM YANKEES On target, 50% - Second best in squadron 2LT E. Snow - PH 1LT B. Pease - PH 2LT E. Snow - PH SGT T. Dunlap - AM SGT M. Lesjack - AM SSG D. Wallace - PH, posthumous SGT T. Dunlap - PH, posthumous
GEORGIA PEACH Off target, 0% 2LT Michael Artell - PH SGT Jeff Underwood - PH SSG Justin Lewis - PH, posthumous
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Post by caodwolf on Dec 31, 2023 8:12:12 GMT -8
78TH BOMB SQUADRON
AFTER-ACTION REPORT
MISSION 11- Regensburg, Germany
With a creak of a door in walks the the CO Major Rudy Jopp and the XO Captain Garfield.
At the same time, Sgt Wallace bellows: “Boxcars… Attention! ” … and everyone rises.
The Major heads toward the podium and upon opening up his briefing file and looking around at the noticeably empty briefing room, starts..."Men, this was a tough one. A mission that deeply wounded the Flying Boxcars. I'm sure you've all gathered by now our loss. Shit, 1/3 of the men here yesterday preparing for the mission to Germany are gone ! We lost SIX aircraft with (18) KIA and (23) MIA). We also incurred (10) casualties."
Pausing a moment to let this sink in; "It could have been much worse as three B-24's had to limp home out of formation. We fielded (15) bombers, (8) of which reached and bombed the target with an assessment of 28% on target with 13 1/3 confirmed kills. Gremlin's Delight and Bit o' Lace both led with 50% on target. As I said it was a tough day all around"
"The Red Cross has recently confirmed (8) of our lost crewmen are POW's and (2) KIA. These will be posted at the CO. Replacement bombers & crew are on the way."
"That's all boys"
The Major closes his briefing folder and begins to walk toward the aisle.
“Boxcars… Attention” and the assembled throng rises again.
"Dismissed!"
Player | Bomber | % on Target | Damage | Kills | crushedhat | Laid Back Lady | 30% | 50 | 8 1/3 | limburger59 | Salvo Sally (Spare) | DNB | LOST | --- | kageyone | Black Maria | DNB | 159 | 2 | kageyone | Betty Anne | DNB | 44 | 3 | keltos | Morning Express | LOST | --- | --- | medic1 | Gremlin's Delight | 5% | LOST | --- | medic1 | A Wing and Ten Prayers | LOST | --- | --- | medic1 | Payload Patty | LOST | --- | --- | grondeaux | The Schmoo | 40% | 144 | --- | chefed | Bit o' Lace | 60% | 62 | 1 1/2 | chefed | Kipling's Error (spare) | 0% | --- | --- | chefd | Pistol Packin' Mama (spare) | 0% | 31 | 3 | caodwolfs | Bonkers | Abort | 100 | 3 | rhreiss | Bama Beauty | 30% | 11
| 2 | rcastillo | Witchcraft | 20% | --- | 1 1/3 | | Average Results | 28% | | 131/3 |
Bombers Lost
Gremlin's Delight Morning Express Bit o' Lace Salvo Sadie (spare) A Wing and Ten Prayers Payload Patty
Top Bombers
Gremlin's Delight 50% Bit o' Lace 50%
Awards
Air Medals-Promotions
1st Lt Damien Carroll AM 2nd Lt Donald Costa AM 2nd Lt Winchester Lee, 2nd Award AM 2nd Lt Reid Bush AM T/3rd Walter McClain AM T/3rd Quentin Mains AM S/Sgt Kalel Burgess AM S/Sgt Conor West AM Sgt Zahir Edmonson AM T/3rd Jayden Dawson AM S/Sgt B Fox Promoted
KIA
1st Lt Damien Carroll 2nd Lt Donald Costa 2nd Lt Reid Bush T/3rd Walter McClain T/3rd Quentin Mains S/Sgt Kalel Burgess S/Sgt Conor West Sgt Zahir Edmonson T/3rd Jayden Dawson Sgt. B Kaufmann 1Lt Anthony "Tony" Cummings S/SGT Edward "Eddie" Hartley SGT Lester "Lennie" Edwards 2nd Lt C Dailey Sgt D Johnson Sgt S Barton 1LT Dale Merritt
MIA
2LTGeorge McQuinn 2LTHoward Mills6 2LTJohnny Marcum 2LTPat Tobin S/SGTIrvin "Field" Marshall SGTBill Trotter SGTHarry Kimberlin SGTTommy Thompson SGTDave Short SgTJohn Whitehead 2nd Lt. David Ogden 2nd Lt. Thomas Banks 2nd Lt. Mark Bennett T/Sgt Walter Miller Sgt Jimmy Bolanos S/Sgt Randy Green Sgt Richard Hansen Sgt Scott Mc Intyre Sgt Abel Hutt 2LT Terry Chambers 2LT Russ "Tater" Hanley 2LT Dakota "Kooter" Richards S/SGT Claude "Frenchy" Galloway
Casualties Sgt Rodney Lazenby Sgt Ralph Taylor Sgt Finnlinson Sgt. Garfunkle SgtnSchultze Lt, Thomas Sgt Goldstein Sgt Peter Carson 1LT Dale Merritt 2LT Jose Castillo
Confirmed via Red Cross
POW Reported by Red Cross (Mission #) 2nd Lt. Elmer Gibson 7 2nd Lt. Homer Miller 7 2nd Lt. Norman Burch 7 S/Sgt Arthur McLane 7 S/Sgt Ramon Furtado 7 Sgt Milton Flint 7 Sgt Dale Lindberg 7 T/Sgt Tony Stevens 7
KIA Reported by Red Cross (Mission #) 1st Lt. Victor Harlow 7 Sgt Dean Stoddart 7
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jasta6
78th Bomber Squadron
Spring is here and summer is close behind... It is Cruise Season!
Posts: 277
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Post by jasta6 on Jan 2, 2024 16:23:36 GMT -8
-- Pg 1 --
B-24D "Stupid Dragon" Serial #: B-24D-145-CO 42-41210 Code: 06 Pilot: 1Lt. Moeses I. Horst Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th US Air Force, Castellucio Airfield Squadron Position: TEC- High Squadron Formation Position: #16 (Middle) Mission Date: 22nd February1944 Mission Number: 11 (Aircraft Mission #9) Target: Regensburg, Germany - Aircraft Factory POSITION/RANK/NAME
| # Missions | TOTAL CLAIMS | TODAY'S CLAIMS | Confirmed Claims | Crew Status | Notes: | Pilot 1Lt. Moeses I. Horst | 9 | - | - | - | RTD |
| Co-Pilot 2Lt. Slavisa J. Mackoff | 9 | - | - | - | RTD | | Bombardier 2nd Lt. Richard D. Gustin | 5 | - | - | - | RTD | | Navigator 2nd Lt. Gary Z. Scarbro | 9 | - | - | - | RTD |
| Engineer (TT) T/Sgt. Alexander Salinas | 7 | - | - | - | RTD | TSgt. Ernestor L. Pasiak on medical leave till Feb 26th '44 | Radio Operator S/Sgt. Reny O. Scaccia | 9 | - | - | - | RTD |
| Ball Gunner Sgt. Evan F. Wiman | 9 | - | - | - | RTD |
| Port Waist Gunner Sgt. Christopher P. Plant
| 3 | - | - | - | RTD
| Temp: Sgt. Plant from Lt Auneborg Crew in "Freya’s Betrayal"
| Starboard Waist Gnr. Sgt. Duncan C. Freeland | 9 | - | - | - | RTD |
| Tail Gunner Sgt. Wilbern I. Perez | 9 | - | - | - | RTD |
| Crew Chief: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe]
| 11 | Hard Stand: | #26 |
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* Mission Note: Completed Ninth mission. Bomb Load: 10x 500lbs AN-M84 General Purpose Bombs Bomb Run: off target, 0% in target zone. Crew Chief Report: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe] Hard Stand: #26 Pre Mission Repair status: (2D6=9; Standard Mechanical Rolls this mission) Post Mission Repairs & Crew Chief Experience roll: (2D6=11; Good Work on Aircraft repairs, 1.0 Experience Point)B-17 Damage: 5pts. Minor Flak damage. Mechanical Issues: Three Events: Zone 6 O/B: #74 - Tail Turret Power (fixed in zone 7, 1D6=1) Zone 12 O/B: #19 - Engine Malfunction, engine #4 oil fire, extinguished (1D6=5) Zone 12 I/B: #58 - Nose Turret Power, Bomber is a B-24D, not turret. Port Cheek gun Jammed instead Random Events: #31 Banzai, next multi EA fighter aircraft attack, all fighters attack from one angle. (Peckham RE Charts) Repair Time: One day for repairs, RTD February 19th 1944. Replacement Bomber: None Landing: Good E/A Encountered: 19 EA Claimed:Claims: | Aircraft: | Confirmation: | Engineer: T/Sgt. Salinas
| Ju 88C (Shared) | Denied | Ball Gunner: Sgt. Wiman
| Ju 88C (Shared)
| Denied | Tail Gunner: Sgt. Perez
| Ju 88C (Shared) | Denied |
Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted
| Bf 109F | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Bf 110C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | FW 190A | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Me 410 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | JU 88C | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | G.55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C.205 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
P-47's: Drove off twelve Bandit. Luftwaffe Fighters: One Ace German Pilot encountered. Casualties: None Recuperating:POSITION/RANK/NAME
| # Missions
| TOTAL CLAIMS | TODAY'S CLAIMS | Confirmed Claims | Crew Status | Notes:
| TSgt. Ernestor L. Pasiak
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Will Return on thee 26th February 1944 | Engineer
| Sgt. Christopher P. Plant
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Will Return on thee 24th February 1944
| Left Waist Gunner |
Award/ Promotions Requests:None Replacements:
None After Action Report ( game system - TfT and various optional rules): "Long trip with too many mechanical failures...”
-- Pg 2 -- Mission Debriefing
1st Lt Horst, 78th BS Pilot MISSION #9 (Groups 11) Date: February 22nd, 1944 Target: Regensburg, Germany - Aircraft Factories Plane: B-24D-210 "Stupid Dragon" Position: High Cell / TEC (#16) Altitude: 20,000feet 10x 500lbs AN-M64 Fragmentation Bombs Mission Report C04M11 -210
Zone 1-11 O/B: Heading to the target we ran into numerous waves of enemy fighter waves. Though the excellent escort support drove off all but four enemy. One wave saw two enemy fighters break through just to miss our ship. The next wave one of two JU 88s ligned up for a shot from the 4:30 Level just to be ripped apart by our guns. After clearing the Alps a wave of two FW190s made a run on the "Stupid Dragon" just to be damaged and running home with their tails between their landing gear. By the time we were near the target our Tail turret had ceased operating. Target Zone 12 O/B: When over the target the number four engine caught fire and was quickly extinguished. But the damage was done and we had to shut her down. Flak nicked our starboard wing for superficial damage. Due to this and the chaos of the attacking fighters our drop was well off the mark. Target Zone 12 I/B: Coming off the bomb run we made for home limping with one engine out. One more wave was driven off by our escort and we were clear to start for home. Zone 11-1 I/B: The only other activity we encountered was just prior to the Alps when a lone Butcherbird streaked through the group making a poor shot on us. He missed by a mile. Our tail gunner did just clip the Kraut tail as it passed by. Another nerve racking landing on three engines. Yet again we managed to get the "Dragon" home for another day. 1st Lt. Moeses Horst
Pilot of, " Stupid Dragon" (B-24D-145-CO 42-41210) 78th BS, 509th BG(H), 15th USAAF. Foggia, Italy- Station 164 (Circle)
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Post by andy254 on Jan 6, 2024 11:26:40 GMT -8
B-17 G - "Cloud Rider"
Pilot: 1LT John Greenaway
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, USAAF
Squadron/Formation Position: High/Middle
Mission/Plane: 11/1
Target: Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory Mission Date: February 22nd, 1944
Position: Rank & Name + Decorations - (Missions to Date) [Previous Kills] - Claims; Crew Status; Notes Pilot: 1LT John GREENAWAY - (1) [-] - L/WD RTD 2/26 Co-Pilot: 2LT David PARKER - (1) [-] Bombardier: 2LT Christopher NELSON - (1) [0] - L/WD RTD 2/25 Navigator: 2LT Edward PRIEST - (1) [0] Engineer: MSGT Thomas DE KLERK - (1) [0] * Radio Operator: SGT Nathan DRYLAKE - (1) [0] Ball Gunner: SGT Elwood BROWN - (1) [0] * Waist Gunner, Port: SGT Herman GOLDBLUM - (1) [0] Waist Gunner, Starboard: SGT Will SCHREIBER - (1) [0] Tail Gunner: SGT Ira BELTING - (1) [0] *
Bomb Run: OFF TARGET On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage Superficial - 10, Wounds - 4, Structural - 25, Gun - 20, System - 40 Peckhams - 105 Repair Time - One full day of repairs
Landing - Safe at Foggia
E/A Type - Encountered - Destroyed, Probable, Damaged - Intercepted Messerschmitt Bf109G - 5 - 1,1,0 - 2 Junkers Ju88C - 1 - 1,0,0 - 1 FockeWulf 190D - 6 - 1,2,0 - 1 Messerschmitt Me410 - 2 - 0,0,0 - 2
Kill Claims SGT Elwood Brown - 1x Bf109G SGT Ira Belting - 1x Ju-88C SGT De Klerk - 1x FW190D
Casualties & Injuries - 1LT John Greenaway - wound to right calf, 3 days R&R 2LT Christopher Nelson - light wound to left calf, 2 days R&R
Award Recommendations & Entitlements Purple Heart - 1LT John Greenaway, 2LT Christopher Nelson
After Action Report (QOTS with Jasta6's tables)
Our outbound journey was quite uneventful. We were readying ourselves for an attack from two 109s (Zone 5) when our "little friends" swooped in and took care of them for us. We saw action around us during the rest of the journey over Italy but nothing else came close. We crossed the Alps with little difficulty. It was quite awesome looking at it. It even made me forget for a minute that we had to get back over it again. Over Germany, any enemy fighters were engaged away from us. It was when we were nearing Regensburg that things changed and for this part of the mission, we had no little friends watching our back.
Zone 12 - Ingress
This is what we had trained for. Three 109s came in. Brown on the Ball Turret took one of them out. De Klerk on Top Turret seriously damaged another, which fired, missed and broke off. Drylake tried to sprayfire from the radio room, but his gun jammed. The third 109 fired, missed and broke off. First wave over, first blood to us. Second wave coming.
A Junkers 88C, a twin-engine heavy fighter-bomber, buzzed us, dropping a bomb that narrowly missed us. It then came in low from our six, immediately to face the fire of Brown and Belting, who was our tail gunner. Brown missed but Belting notched one up, focussing his fire on the cockpit. The Ju-88C banked and fell in an uncontrolled spin, flames coming from the cockpit area. Third wave inbound.
Three FW190s came in from our port side, limiting how many weapons we could bring to bear on them. Top Turret took one down, Goldblum on Port Waist seriously damaged another which broke off after failing to hit. Brown on Ball missed the third one, which fired and hit us. It scored hits on the tail and more hits on the port wing, all fortunately superficial. It came in for another attack, this time from the front. Nelson on chin turret seriously damaged it. It fired, missed and broke off.
With the fighters dealt with, the flak then began. Fortune was not going to be kind.
We were hit in the nose, port wing, and tail.
Apart from superficial damage, the rudder took a hit. The port wing root was damaged, plus there was a leakage in the #2 fuel tank. Had this happened closer to home, we may have made it. Now it looked doubtful. To really cause complications, the chin turret was knocked out, plus Nelson, our bombardier had been wounded in the left leg. Fortunately, not seriously.
Bombing Run
The bombing run was unsuccessful. Nelson had not been able to get us on autopilot for long, plus being injured by flak had not helped at all.
We were luckily able to avoid enemy fighters, the combat box taking care of them for us. After quickly checking with De Klerk, my engineer, I discovered our fuel would run out over the Adriatic. It was a hard decision, especially as we had only just got here. We were going to jettison everything that was superficial, pray we did not get attacked and otherwise get back on fumes.
Zone 10 - Egress
Our Little Friends took care of a wave of Me-410s coming in from behind us. They also took care of a FW190D in the second wave. After that, we were on our own.
Two fired, missed and broke off. One coming in high from our twelve hit the radio room and (unsurprisingly) took out the radio. It came for another pass, fired and hit again. I was going to regret my decision. Two of the hits were superficial, but I was hit in my lower left leg. Almost the same place that 2LT Chris Nelson had been hit. "If we get home, you'll get the purple heart for this", 2LT Dave Parker, my positive-thinking co-pilot said before getting someone to administer first aid. We were fortunate it broke off after that attack.
Zone 7 - We had managed to cross the Alps. It didn't look as scenic as we held our breath in the event our fuel ran out sooner than expected. We were now over Northern Italy and where the fuel was supposed to have run out. The engines were still purring.
Zones 6-2 - Fortunately uneventful.
Zone 1 - Whether it was a miracle, damned good luck, USAAF training or a combination, with my co-pilot's assistance, we landed safely at Foggia. Once we came to a standstill, we just sat there in stunned silence instead of just gathering up our gear or preparing for the medics who were on their way having seen the flares we'd fired up.
Medical personnel were quickly getting me and Nelson from the plane and to the infirmary. 2LT Parker said he'd smooth things over with the Crew Chief.
With the adrenaline no longer kicking in and the original shot of morphine wearing off, the pain was starting to make itself felt. We were quickly on the MO's conveyer belt and were soon on one of the wards. It didn't look like either of us would be discharged later that day and having our first post-mission beer that day.
The Cloud Rider was fit for duty after one day of work. Nelson was classified fit for duty after two days of rest. I needed one more day before I was cleared to return to duty.
John D Greenaway B-17G "Cloud Rider" Officer Commanding
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