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Post by limburger59 on May 15, 2023 19:17:08 GMT -8
to post 29 DEC 23 To unlock 31 DEC 23 Turn in AAR's no later than 13 JAN 24 Next mission to post 12 JAN 24
MISSION DATE: 7 March 44 M MISSION # 12TARGET: Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet Mission Brief: Map: FORMATION:HIGH | 80th SQDN |
| MID | 78th SQDN |
| LOW | 79th SQDN | LEAD: | Great Expectations |
| LEAD: | Black Maria
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| LEAD: | All In
| TAIL: | Mississippi Queen
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| TAIL: | Laid Back Lady |
| TAIL: | Six Nights In Telergma
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WEATHER:
Takeoff: Poor Target: Poor Landing: Poor GAZETTEER
In Zones 6 or 7 Italian fighters, flown by Italian pilots who stayed loyal to the ideals of Fascism, 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 Contested Italy | X | 100% Clouds/None | Fair | 3 Occupied Italy | X | 100% Clouds/None | Fair
| 4 Occupied Italy | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light
| Fair
| 5 Occupied Italy
| X | 100% Clouds/None
| Fair
| TARGET ZONE 6 Occupied Italy FLAK: Outbound: Light x3 Inbound: None | -2 | 100% Clouds/Light Target: Mostly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually
| Fair
| 5 Occupied Italy | X | 100% Clouds/None
| Fair
| 4 Occupied Italy | -1 | 50% Clouds/Light | Fair
| 3 Occupied Italy | X | 100% Clouds/None
| Fair
| 2 Contested Italy | X | 50% Clouds/None
| Fair
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Emergency Airfield CALVI on Corsica: From Zone 6 only, 3 Turns/Zones to Calvi on Corsica with Poor Fighter Cover and Light/-1 Resistance (Good Fighter Cover in last/Corsica Zone). From any other Zone, Guilia is just as close/closer than Calvi. Bombers landing on Calvi have an additional -1 DM to Landing Roll and add one day to repair time. Crews of Cat-E bombers, or those requiring engine repairs are returned to Giulia by C-27 in 2 days. (Better airfields are currently being constructed on Corsica's east coast.) Shot Down: Over Liberated Italy: returned to base Over Contested Italy: roll d6: 1-3 = Rescued by British troops and returned to base in 2 days, 4-6 = captured & POW Over Occupied Italy: roll d6: 1-2 = Hidden by Italian farmers and returned to base in 8 weeks, 3-6 = captured & POW Calendar since Last Mission:
22 Feb 44 Mission 11 Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory 23 Feb 44 Non-Operational Day 24 Feb 44 Non-Operational Day 25 Feb 44 Non-Operational Day 26 Feb 44 Mission Aborted enroute to Steyr, Austria (bad weather) 27 Feb 44 Non-Operational Day 28 Feb 44 Bad Weather - Mission Scrubbed 29 Feb 44 Bad Weather - Mission Scrubbed 1 March 44 Non-Operational Day - too much mud 2 March 44 Non-Operational Day 3 March 44 Mission Aborted enroute to Viterbo, Italy (bad weather) 4 March 44 Non-Operational Day 5 March 44 Non-Operational Day - classroom training while it rained 6 March 44 Bad Weather - Mission Scrubbed 7 March 44 Mission 12 Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Dec 28, 2023 11:26:30 GMT -8
80 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) Mission 012 Formation
LEAD - "Great Expectations" Dickens
TAIL - "Mississippi Queen" West
DELOZIER XO
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Post by limburger59 on Dec 29, 2023 9:52:14 GMT -8
Recap of Mission 11 - our first trip to Germany and over the Alps. It was gruesome, especially for Liberators in the Low Squadron. The Alps became a significant obstacle in spite of the Good weather, as bombers were forced to abort before crossing them, or were forced to divert to Switzerland when they were unable to fly high enough on the return trip to Italy. MISSION 11 RECAP | 78th SQDN | 79th SQDN | 80th SQDN | Total Sorties | 14 | 11 | 16 | Bombers Shot Down | 5 | | 1 | CAT-E at Giulia |
| | 1 | Diverted to Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 3 | Abort before reaching the Alps | 2 | 2 | | BOMB RUN |
| | | On Target | 6 | 5 | 11 | Off Target or DNB | 8 | 6 | 5 | PERSONNEL |
| | | Total Men Flying | 140 | 110 | 160 | Wounded, but will RTD | 6 | 13 | 14 | SW-Invalidated Home |
| 3 | 1 | KIA / DOW / LOS | 35 | 6 | 10 | POW | 17 | | | Interned in Switzerland | 7 | 8 | 16 |
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* Will be undated as late AARs are submitted.
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Post by superbee on Dec 30, 2023 8:48:32 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron - Mission Formation Assignments
Mission #12: Certaldo, Italy (marshalling yard)
Lead bomber: All In
tail end Charlie: Six Nights In Telergma
The 79th is the "low" squadron this mission.
Good luck !
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Post by crushedhat on Dec 30, 2023 9:29:08 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 12 Lead: T-Tailed Bathtub (mrkillabee) assuming successful return from mission 11 Black Maria (kageyone) Tail: Laid Back Lady (crushedhat) Garfield, Paul, Cpt, USAAF, XO, 78th (H) Bomb Squadron (OOC - if assigned Lead or Tail, please submit your mission early incase someone else needs to take over those positions.)
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Post by andy254 on Dec 30, 2023 13:23:50 GMT -8
509th S2, Maj Harlan Beech steps up to the podium and opens his briefing folder. “According to Metro, you’ll be in the soup from Takeoff, all the way to the target, and back. On the plus side, it will Jerry will be up against the same conditions. Therefore, we only expect interference from the Luftwaffe when the sky lightens up. That will likely be in the vicinity of Ascoli Piceno.” SSgt Dewbury indicate the point about midway along the route laid out on the big wall map. “And, of course Jerry will do what he can to defend the target itself, though we again expect resistance to be minimal.”
“Minimal to you!” someone shouts form the audience, eliciting laughter and bringing a shade of red to the S2’s face.
Ignoring the comment, Beech continues, “Ammunition supplies will hamper the flak effort. Expect light flak on target ingress,” Beech pauses, looking up in anticipation of another editorial comment. When none is forthcoming, “We don’t think they’ll bother expending ammunition on you once you’ve bombed the target.”
“Support will be P-47s of the 325th. The weather will Lilley affect them as much as it does the Luftwaffe fighters.”
“Should you run into trouble near the target, you can try to make for Calvi on Corsica.” Again SSgt Dewbury indicates the location on the map. If you’re anyway else along your route, Giulia is just as close and you’ll have better fighter cover.”
“If you go down near the Front Lines try to make contact with the British Army. Farther out, hope you run into sympathetic locals. If the latter, remember, they are placing themselves at great risk by helping you. And, as always, if you end up guests of the Reich remember your rights under the Geneva Convention, and your duty under the Fighting Man’s Code.”
Closing his folder, Maj Beech turns the podium over to the S3, Maj Stockwell. If the heckler's comment had affected Stockwell, he wasn't showing it. Not yet anyway.
"The mission is basically as Major Beech described. It is a there-and-back which should have you back here mid-afternoon. Flak over the target is expected to be light as is the enemy opposition in the air comprised of German Nazis or Italian Fascists. The target is a railyard, many of which you will have seen and bombed before. Visibility is poor. Nothing new there. If you hit the nearby historical town that has been there before the Roman Empire, that cannot be helped. You will be escorted there and back by a fighter group that is not wet behind the ears. Conditions are not optimum, but that's the way things are.
"Some of you are fidgetty and itchy because this is your first mission. If I have not already met you, welcome to the 509th. Your squadron CO and all other flightcrews should be welcoming you and encouraging you.
"Others of you are fidgetty and itchy because of the two week hiatus you have had. Yes, it sucks when ops are cancelled at the last minute. You get hyped up, ready to face the foe and notch one more off your list before you are going home, and then you're told to stand down. It can make some of you forget what it is really like. The fears become exaggerated. The memory of one solitary enemy 109 flown by someone with more luck than skill is magnified and feels like an entire squadron. Stress does that to people.
"I am going to tell you a story. It may be true, it may not but the rumour mill says it is closer to the former. In 1940, Herman Goering was visiting the Luftwaffe in France that were fighting what the Brits call The Battle of Britain. He was furious his Luftwaffe had not brought the RAF to their knees and caused Churchill to ask for peace. Then he asked his squadron leaders what he could do to help to which one of them allegedly replied 'Give me a squadron of Spitfires'. Seemingly, this squadron leader is now a general in the Luftwaffe.
"Why did I tell you this anecdote? "Firstly, this Luftwaffe pilot was stressed. Day in, day out for months, fighting an enemy on its own turf. We're stressed and have had two weeks off. "Secondly, our situation is better. My British friends - yes, I do have friends - might not talk to me after this, but I would consider the P-47 to be superior to the latest model of Spitfire and we've got them up there today in the hands of seasoned pilots protecting you all.
"I would not say I am a gambling man, although I do not object to a game of poker from time to time. What I would say is that we have the better hand. How you play the cards in your hand is up to you. "Are you going to immediately fold because you don't know what cards the enemy is going to play? My door is open to anyone who doesn't feel up to combat operations and would rather get a transfer to fly a transport in the Far East or Alaska where we do have aerial supremacy. "Are you determined to win and prepared to play that hand? I salute you.
"Anyway. Less of my gassing. There's a marshalling yard in Certaldo, Tuscany, that you're supposed to be blowing to bits. Get out of here, get yourselves up there, and I'll see you back here!"
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Dec 31, 2023 6:53:33 GMT -8
Mission date: 7 March 44 Target: Certaldo, Italy - Marshaling Yard Mission/Bomber: 11/6 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 (7) (-) AM Co-Pilot: 2LT John Moran (7) (-) AM Bombardier: 2LT Edward Roberts (7) (0) AM Navigator: 2LT Mark Cohen (7) (1) AM (0.5) Engineer: SSG Jason Rodman (7) (1.83) AM Radio Operator: SGT Louis Franz (2) (0) Ball Gunner: SGT Kenneth Lewis (7) (0.66) AM Port Waist Gun: SGT Luigi Roselli (7) (0) AM Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Angel Ramirez (7) (0) AM Tail Gun: SGT Lee Kinnison (7) (0.66) PH, AN
Bombing: On target, 30%
Damage: None
Casualties: None
Awards: None
EA: Encountered/Claimed/Killed (23) FW-190 2 / 0 / 0 C.205: 2 / 0 / 0 Me-110: 1 / 0 / 0
AAR using TfT
It's been quite a gap since Regensburg, about two weeks. We got off the ground twice but bad weather caused the missions to be aborted. Today's mission didn't sound too bad but every mission, even the easiest, has a host of ways that it can kill you.
Zones 2 - 5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6 (Target): We saw our first enemy aircraft once we had passed the IP. A C.205 at 12:00 High and an FW-190 diving on us attacked. The Little Friends got the one off the nose and the one that dove on us missed and disappeared below us. We then noticed a Luftwaffe B-17 shadowing us. The flak was light and not a factor. Despite the poor weather, the drop was on target with 30% falling inside the box.
Zone 6 (Inbound) - 5: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: A C.205 at 12:00 High and an FW-190 diving on us attacked. The Little Friends got the one off the nose and the one that dove on us was damaged, missed and disappeared below us.
Zone 3 - 2: Nothing to report.
Landing was in murky weather with rain but was no factor.
1LT Walter Kowalski, Pilot The Cat's Meow 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
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Post by crushedhat on Dec 31, 2023 10:22:30 GMT -8
B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS LLS Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 7 Mar 44 MISSION NBR. 12/This Bomber 12 TARGET: Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard SECONDARY TARGET: POSITION: Middle Squadron, TEC
Crew Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills] Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield, (12) [0] LC Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson, (12) [0] LC Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (12) [4 1/2] LC LW – RTD 8 Mar 44 Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison, (12) [2 2/3] LC SW – RTD 14 Mar 44 Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton, (12) [16 2/3] LC ** Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (12) [0] LC Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (12) [10 1/3] LC Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson, (12) [2 1/3] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle, (6) [1/2] Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (12) [8 5/6] LC * = 1 Kill This Mission # = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: Fw 190 3=2 KIA, 1 to P-47 (1 Ace) Me 109 1=1 to P-47 4
Claims: Only credited kills reported here None
Bomb Run: On target, 52%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), LW x1 (2), SW x1 (5), Rt Wing Flap Inop (10), Instruments: Elevators (10) Peckham Points: 29 Peckham Points, AC ready 8 Mar 44.
Casualties: Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell: LW – RTD 8 Mar 44 Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison: SW – RTD 14 Mar 44
Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia
Awards/Promotion Requests: Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell: Purple Heart Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison: Purple Heart
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Holy Sh—” 2LT Elliott Peterson swears as he watches the bullets form the 190 tear through the nose section.
Getting on the interphone, Capt Paul Garfield asks, “You guys in the nose OK?”
A tense moment passes before 2LT Charles Martell’s voice comes back. “I’m hit. Not bad. Bruce’s hurt though. I’ve patched him up best I can, but he’ll need the meat wagon when we get back.”
“Alright. Hang in there and let me know if the situation changes,” Garfield tells the bombardier.
“Roger that.”
Takeoff and assembly went well despite the ‘sunny Italian weather.’ And we took up the tail position for the 78th. As briefed, we did encounter some resistance as we neared Ascoli Pireno (Zone 4). The boys from the 325th made short work of the lone Me 109 that tried for us.
While there were several waves of EA over the target (Zone 6), the first never made it through the fire form the rest of the formation and I guess their failure discouraged the second wave. Though the flak was light, at least one shell had our number, knocking out the starboard flaps and control of the elevators. Even so, 2LT Martell managed to put about 50% of bombs onto the marshalling yard. The Krauts left us alone on target egress.
Back by Ascoli Pireno (Zone 4) we ran into a trio of 190s. The P-47s engaged one and TSgt Newton flamed the other two, including an ace, though the Review Board isn’t crediting him with either. Unfortunately, TSgt Newton’s downing of the Ace didn’t happen till after Jerry short up the nose, injuring both LTs Martell and Ellison. While 2LT Martell was able to soldier on, Ellison’s injuries were more serious.
Arriving back at Giulia, the rain-slicked runway and lack of elevator control made the landing challenging, but not too much so.
While 2LT Ellison’s injury is serious, not so much as it originally appeared. Doc says he’ll spend about a week harassing the nurses and then return to flying duty. TSgt Mason says he and his crew will have Lady back in flying condition by tomorrow.
Paul Garfield, Capt USAAF, commanding B24D Laid Back Lady 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Dec 31, 2023 13:00:09 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 12 Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard B-17F All In (Mission #12) Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Lead TARGET: Marshalling Yard Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | 1LT | George Gill | 12 | AM+, PH |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | 2LT Don Heffner | 1 |
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| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Louis “Buck” Newsom | 12 | AM+
| 3.16 | RFD
| Navigator | 2LT | 2LT Myril Hoag | 12 | AM+
| 1.5 | RFD
| Engineer | S/SGT | Roy Hughes | 1 |
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| RFD | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Vern Kennedy | 12 | AM+
| 1 | RFD
| Ball Gunner | SGT | SGT Russ Van Atta | 12 | AM+
| .5 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Julius “Moose” Solters | 12 | AM+
| .5 | RFD
| Right Waist | SGT | Jim Walkup | 4 |
| .66 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Ralph “Red” Kress | 12 | AM+
| 2.75 | RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 12th mission skill 1 Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures. Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30% Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance. Bomber Damage: Peckham Points: Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 0 | Me109 | Me110 | Fw190 | Ju88C-6 | Me210 | G55; | TOTAL | Escort Intercept |
| | | | | | | Undamaged |
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| | | | | | | Probable/Denied
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Casualties: Claims: Awards: AAR After Regensburg, this was milk run, The string of bad weather gave the new crew members time to get used to the routine and get to know the crew. Our new co-pilot is another Pennsylvania boy, who played baseball at Penn State. Our new engineer S/SGT Roy Hughes used the extra time to work with our crew chief and familiarize himself with the quirks of the All In. OUTBOUND We took off without any problems and despite the poor weather quickly found the assembly aircraft. The rest of the squadron followed and formed up on us. With the bad weather we made it to the target area without incident. TARGET AREA Once in the target area, we reached the IP without incident. There was light ineffective flak as we made our bomb run. Myril was assessed as on-target but only 30% effective. After everyone regrouped at the RP we headed back. INBOUND The flight back to base was without incident with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield, T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance. 1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding B-17F All In 79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Dec 31, 2023 16:57:45 GMT -8
Mission 012 - Certaldo RR 80th Bombardment Squadron Miss Holly - B-17F-110BO 42-30616
CREW Captain FRANK DELOZIER - Pilot - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt PERCY JOHNSON - Co-Pilot - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 PH 2nd Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD - Bombardier - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt HAMPTON "Hamp" RAWLINGS - Navigator - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 T/Sgt SAMUEL BATEMAN - Engineer - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt JOSE "Loco" AZZUCO - Radio Op - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 Sgt HAL CARTER - Port Waist - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 Sgt HERBERT "H.R." RAYMOND - Starboard Waist - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2 Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner - Missions:10 Awards: AMx2
BOMBING: ON target, 20%
CLAIMS none
CASUALTIES none
AWARDS/PROMOTIONS Air Medal: entire crew (second)
ENEMY AIRCRAFT 1x Fw190 1x C205 IT (damaged -2)
AAR
This mission is best summed up by the words of our ball gunner and native North Carolinian Emmy Cantolo: "This one went off smoother than a sow's ear". Cantolo frequently blesses us with his Appalachian aphorisms.
The only enemy aircraft we saw was over the target. One 190 missed us and an Eyetal job 205-something also missed us. Carter, the port waist gunner, swears he got a piece of him, but we have no confirmation of anything.
Dropped on the target for 20%.
The entire inbound journey was trouble-free and we landed safely at home.
DELOZIER
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Post by kageyone on Dec 31, 2023 19:25:41 GMT -8
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Post by kageyone on Dec 31, 2023 19:29:24 GMT -8
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Post by caodwolf on Jan 1, 2024 8:37:51 GMT -8
B-24D: BONKERS
Pilot: 1Lt. J Sweeney Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 7-Mar-1944 Mission No.: 12 Mission this Bomber: 11 Target for Today: Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: Middle Result: On-Target: 50% According to multiple reports, the Bonkers caught fire as the squadron exited the target zone. (10) chutes were spotted.
Lost over Certaldo.
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Jan 1, 2024 10:26:16 GMT -8
Mission 012 - Certaldo RR 80th Bombardment Squadron Mississippi Queen - B-17G-20BO-42-31564 CREW1LT Leslie "Cap" West - Pilot - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: 2LT N.D. "Brains" Smart - Co-Pilot - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: 2LT Robert "Frenchie" Orleans - Bombardier - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: 2LT Ben "Benny" Weinstein - Navigator - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: S/Sgt David "Sparks" Krieger - Radio Op - Missions: 4 Claims: 0.5 Awards: M/Sgt Felix "Pappy" Pappalardi - Engineer - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: S/Sgt John "J.B." Brodsky - Ball Gunner - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: Sgt Jay "New Guy" Piper - Port Waist Gunner - Missions: 3 Claims: 0.5 Awards: Sgt Bill "Billy" Ruhlmann - Starboard Waist Gunner - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: Sgt Ned "Tex" Pepper - Tail Gunner - Missions: 4 Claims: Awards: BOMBING: ON 50% CLAIMS none CASUALTIES none AWARDS/PROMOTIONS none ENEMY AIRCRAFT1x Me109 4x FW190: 3x D/O 1x C205 I: 1x DAM DAMAGEPort waist gun INOP. 10x Pechkam Points AARTook off at 0655 and into a 10/10 cloud bank. Assembly was effected with some difficulty. After reaching altitude, during weapons check, the port waist gun froze up. Both the gunner and engineer tried and failed to repair it. It remained inoperative for the rest of the mission. The gunner, Jay "New Guy" Piper, reported feeling helpless at his position with no weapon. Halfway to Certaldo, we were accosted by a 109 and an Italian 205 who had eluded our escort. We got a piece of the 205. Their gunnery was ineffective. At the target, the escort really had our backs as they drove off three 190s in two waves. One got through to us. No damage. We were hit by Friendly Fire with only superficial effect. Friendly fire is not friendly! We missed the flak and dropped on target for a 50% effective rate. The inbound trip was uneventful except for a history lecture by ball gunner J.B. Brodsky on Certaldo's most famous son, Giovanni Bocaccio - evidently some kind of writer. Brodsky has a history degree from Swarthmore in Philly and knows so much... stuff. Landing was nominal. Les West
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Post by kozzackkelt on Jan 1, 2024 11:54:34 GMT -8
B-17G: CRAB CATCHER (B-17G-352YT-43-03655) Pilot: 2LT. Jacob Kramer Missions for this bomber: 2 Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force Squadron Position: HIGH Formation Mission Date: o7 March. 1944 Mission Number: 12 Target: Certaldo, Italy / Marshalling Yard
CREW (missions) {Stress Pts} E/A Wounds Pilot: 2LT. Charles Jerome (2) {2} KIA Co-Pilot: 2Lt. Frank Reynolds (1) {} KIA Bombardier: 2Lt. Marco Salgado (2) {1} [B%: 40- --] [++] POW ~ Liberated May 1945 Navigator: 2Lt. Steven Mosley (2) {} [++] KIA Engineer: Sgt. Pete Lamont (1) {1} [+] KIA Radio Operator: Sgt. Ivan Hershovsky (2) { } POW ~ Liberated May 1945 Ball Turret: Sgt. Claude Deveroe (2) {} [++] 1xMe110, 1xMe210 P Waist Gunner: Sgt. Barry Hershman (1) { } KIA SB Waist Gunner: Sgt. Wilson Fayette (1) { } KIA Tail Gunner: Sgt. Ole Petersen (1) {-} KIA
BOMB RUN: D N B
Enemy Aircraft Encountered: 2 0xFw190, 2xMe109, 0xMe110, 0xMe210
E/A Damaged: 1 E/A Probable: 0 E/A: Destroyed: 0 E/A Driven off by fighter escort: 1
Condition of B-17G CRAB CATCHER: CRAB CATCHER HIT BY FLAK OVER TARGET. Port outboard fuel tank set aflame - then it exploded. Only two parachutes were observed.
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Post by limburger59 on Jan 1, 2024 16:52:42 GMT -8
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Post by kageyone on Jan 1, 2024 20:00:41 GMT -8
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Post by kageyone on Jan 1, 2024 21:19:46 GMT -8
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Jan 2, 2024 3:36:22 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).
A massive break ensued after the ‘meat grinder’ (CO’s description) of the Regensburg mission. The 78th’s B-24s suffered the worst, but every squadron lost planes to the opposition, as well as to the Alps – many didn’t make it over, or couldn’t make it back, due to failures preventing them from climbing high enough. Those that did manage to get over going north and were damaged after that ended up in Switzerland. Better than dead, but still a loss for the Group.
The two-week break was not planned that way, but the terrible late winter weather saw our missions on 26 February and 3 March aborted en-route due to visibility.
The break, however, appears to have benefited Perez. While still gruff when the Luftwaffe is mentioned, his position as one of the senior NCOs on the squadron means that he has been given the responsibility of honing the training of the newer gunners in the unit. This appears to have given him a new, more positive, focus and I hope that this continues.
There was some trepidation at what this mission’s target was going to be, but the revelation of the target and route was a pleasant surprise. Not too much in the way of opposition, not too much flak, but – unfortunately – less fighter cover.
Mission: The trip turned out to be relatively short, but relatively active as well.
Despite the promise of few attacks throughout the trip, we ended up with quite a few groups of Luftwaffe planes looking to make it our last.
The first couple of groups came in on us as we flew near Rieti – a Ju88 and Me109, followed by a Me110. Our fighters were few, but effective, seeing off the Ju and the 110.
The remaining Me109 dived down on us in our six o’clock, but Perez nailed its starboard wing, causing the pilot to lose control.
For, I think, the first time ever, we saw no enemies attacking us on our approach to the target. The flak was also ineffective. Long released our bombs over the target, but commented ruefully, “I don’t think I’ll be getting a medal for this drop!” The post-op recce confirmed that – only 30% of our bombs hit the target.
A couple of Me109s tried to attack us on our egress, but the fighters were on the ball again, chasing both off.
On our return trip, the only attack on us came in roughly the same place as the one on our way out. First, a couple of Me109s swooped in on our port side. Our escorts got one, and that was quickly followed by Carter and Haley causing the other one to break off and spin earthwards.
A wave of three more followed up, including one from directly above us, but – again – our escorts managed to chase one away. A real good job today by those guys, considering how few there were. We were left with a 109 diving on us from above, plus one high off our starboard bow. Long, on the right cheek gun, plus Stafford in the waist, opened up on it and Stafford managed to put some lead into the cockpit area which probably killed the pilot, as the plane immediately dived out of control.
Ward, on the radio room gun, plus Perez in the top turret tried to take out the very fast-approaching 109 above us. Ward couldn’t get a bead on it, but Perez struck it in the rear fuselage, causing the tail section to snap off. This fatal damage had the aircraft zoom past us and continue down, out of control. Ozzy reported that he saw no chute before it left his sight.
The rest of the trip home was quiet, and despite the filthy weather, Sperry and I managed a smooth landing at base.
A really good mission, with no damage to the plane, and no casualties. Even better, the gunnery board were in a generous mood – for a change – and our gunners got a decent amount of credit for their efforts.
The post-flight admin had no casualty or damage reports to complete, and no letters home to devastated families. All I had to do was apply for the OLCs due to me, Sperry and Ozzy for completing our tenth mission.
While everyone enjoyed the post-mission night in the Club, there is always the nagging thought that the next one might be more like the Regensburg trip. However, the ground fighting appears to be going well, with slow progress against tough defence, so this may result in fewer opposing planes in the future.
1Lt Franco Vorelli, Pilot Commanding B-17G-50BO-42-102379 "In Like Flynn" 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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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Jan 3, 2024 2:41:23 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: 7 March 1944 Mission Number: 12 Mission of this bomber: 12 Formation: Low Position: Middle Target: Certaldo, Italy Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 20% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Henry Simmons | 12 | 0 | 0 | AM+ | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Jason Ponder
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Arthur Bowers
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc | 4 | 0 | 1.5 |
| RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Tim Burkey | 12 | 0 | 6 | AM+ / DFC | RTD | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Paul Stewart | 12 | 0 | 0 | AM+ / PH+ | RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Matthew Whalen
| 12 | 0 | 3.83 | AM+ | RTD
| 0 | Port WG | Sgt George Buck
| 12 | 0 | 2 | AM+ | RTD
| 0 | Starboard WG | S/Sgt Harvey McGinty
| 12 | 0 | 0 | AM+ | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | S/Sgt Mark Withley
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD
| 0 |
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Richard Weiner (the Dedicated) - 12 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-210/Me-410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:--Damage:
- Superf x1: 1 - Left Wing n/e: 10 Peckham Points: 11pts - overnight repairing Casualties:--Awards:--Promotions:--AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Poor weather. Take off and assembly were ok despite rain and clouds Zone 2-5 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 6 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): Ligth and ineffective flak and no Jerrys approaching the target. Bombs drop was sufficient. No Flak in egress. Some rockets were lobbed into formation from aft causing some superficial damage. Zone 5-2 Inbound: Nothing to report Giulia Airbase: Landed safely. It was a milk run mission just to ensure a good start for new crew members from US. -------------------------------------------------
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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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Jan 3, 2024 4:34:41 GMT -8
After-Action ReportB-24J-15-CF-42-99782 – “Polly Peppermint”78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force
Commander: 1st Lt. J. Leger Mission Date: 7 March1944 Mission Number: 12 Mission of this bomber: 1 Formation: Middle Position: Middle Target: Certaldo, 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. Jason Leger | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. William Fuller
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Timothy Evans
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Jay Huffman | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Paul Thiessen | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA | 0 | Nose Gunner | Sgt Fred Lyons | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| POW | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Cody Vaughn
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA
| 0 | Port WG/Radio Op. | S/Sgt Johnny Shaw
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| KIA
| 0 | Starboard WG | Sgt Matthew Knight
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| POW | 0 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Glen Seymore
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| POW
| 0 |
Crew Chief: S/Sgt James Kane (the Dedicated +1) - 1 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:--Damage: Right wing shredded Peckham Points: bomber crashed Casualties: all crew MIA Awards: AAR (flown with TFT)Witnesses reported that, after dropping the bombs, the Polly Peppermint was attacked by three enemy fighters, one of which repeatedly hit the right wing causing it to detach. The plane, out of control, began a dive to the ground. Only 3 parachutes were seen exiting the plane.
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Jan 3, 2024 9:31:56 GMT -8
B-24J Next Objective B-24J-15-CF-42-99776 Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: High Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 7 MAR 1944 Mission Number: 12 This Aircraft: 1 Target: Certaldo, Italy, Marshalling Yard CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Alexis Vaillancourt | 1 |
| | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Arlo Perot | 1 |
| | RTD | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Callahan Quinn | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 1 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Cory McIntyre | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Abraham Leeker | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | Radio Op / Rt Waist | T/Sgt Bruce Woodward | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | NT / Rt Waist | Sgt Reese Giles | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 1 | Ball Turret | T/3rd Tristen Townsend | 1 | 0.5 | | RTD | 1 | Left Waist / NT | Sgt Brendan Burgess | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | T/3rd Finnley Griffith | 1 | 0 | | RTD | 1 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt King Solis | 9 | | | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 50 %Casualties: None Damage: Tail O2 Tail Suit Heat Superficial X2 Peckham Points: 24 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) Day to Repair Landing: Safe Enemy AircraftType | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
ClaimsPosition | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Ball | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTNext Objective and her crew were in Italy for two weeks before their first combat mission. Nothing in their training prepared them for the conditions. They could deal with the cold, but the wet and the mud were new to them all. They were miserable from day one. To compound their personal misery from the weather, the crew was experiencing something akin to shock. They had arrived a few days after the raid on Regensburg, Germany. The empty seats in the mess halls. The torn and damaged aircraft. The empty hardstands. The general weariness apparent on the faces of men and officers. Though civilly welcomed to the squadron, few of the squadron would discuss the raid. Those who did discuss it did convey how difficult the mission was, while clearly avoiding any details of the experience. For two weeks the crew of Next Objective acquainted themselves with the base, and the surrounding area, when what little time they had allowed it. The bulk of their time was in training, along with two scrubbed missions. Next Objective slid from side to side as she trundled down the runway. The B-24 was difficult enough to fly, without Mother Nature throwing in her weight. Finally airborne, the bomber made her way to join up with the Squadron, then the Group. It took everything Lieutenants Vaillancourt and Perot had to keep the bomber in formation as they climbed through the angry and roiling clouds. The Group finally arrived at their cruising altitude. Most of the flight at this altitude was in sunshine, but a few areas of dark and thick clouds placed themselves into the Group’s flight path. The bomber and her crew made their way to the target. The entire flight was over Italy. That was good, as much of the crew, it turned out, had little swimming skills. The bad part was the entire flight was over mountains, leaving few if any places to set down, if necessary. In the event they might need to land, the low cloud cover would conceal any of the mountains in their path until too late. Lt McIntyre, bombardier, kept a running monologue of what he could see (mostly couldn’t see) below and ahead of them. He frequently interjected his doubts about hitting the ‘pickle barrel’ once they reached the target. With Spoleto below we saw a few enemy fighters harassing the rest of the Group, but not Next Objective. None of the crew complained. We finally passed the mountains, exposing the hills, and a few promontories of Tuscany. As we approached the target Next Objective was still ignored by the enemy fighters. Lt McIntyre did not complain. He maintained complete focus, never moving from the eye piece of the bomb sight. The predicted light flak did not affect him. He kept his focus. Even with this focus, his continuing monologue did not cease. He kept calling out “ Clouds… clouds… farms… clouds…” Lt Quinn kept feeding location to Lt McIntyre. Lt McIntyre, with a single syllable stopped Lt Quinn’s feed of information. “ Clouds… clouds… CLEAR… target… AWAY.” The bomber immediately lifted as her load left the aircraft. Lt McIntyre returned control of the bomber to the flight deck. Not until we reached the RP did any enemy fighters seem to take any notice of us. A pair of Focke-Wulfs attacked. The first made a head on approach. He was driven off by our escorts. The second made a diving attack from directly above us. T/Sgt Leeker, in the top turret missed the intruder. The FW peppered the tail of the bomber. On that pass he took out the tail gunner’s heat and O2. The intruding FW made a second pass from directly behind. This slow approach gave our tail and ball gunners an easy target. Each got hits on the bandit. The review board credited T/3rd Griffith’s fire from the tail a half credit for tearing the wing from the enemy fighter. Griffith and Townsend did not see the enemy pilot bail out. Once this wave of enemy fighters passed, T/3rd Griffith reported his heat and O2 out. I signaled the lead plane we were dropping out, and heading below 10,000FT. At that altitude we spent the entire return flight in the clouds, being buffeted and tossed about the entire flight back. Once on the ground, I told S/Sgt Solis I will give him and his men a case of beer, after they finished with Next Objective. Besides the damage, they would have the unenviable task of cleaning out the vomit left behind by the crew, due to the rough ride home. Submitted by, 1Lt Alexis Vaillancourt, Pilot B-24J Next Objective 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Jan 3, 2024 10:06:31 GMT -8
B-17F Wimpy B-17F-27BO-41-24585 Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: High Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 7 MAR 1944 Mission Number: 12 This Aircraft: 12 Target: Certaldo, Italy, Marshaling Yard CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Landry Velez | 12 | 0 | AM+ | RTD | 2 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Santino Richards | 12 | 0 | AM+, PH | RTD | 4 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt George Sheets | 9 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Roberto Ford | 12 | 1 | AM+ | RTD | 1 | Engineer | T/Sgt Finnegan Fields | 12 | 9.33 | AM+ | RTD | 0 | Radio Op / Waist | Sgt Paul Nielson | 12 | 0 | AM+ | RTD | 2 | NT / Waist | T/3rd Ari Watkins | 12 | 4 | AM+, PH | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | T/4th Tobias Mace | 12 | 3 | AM+ | RTD | 3 | Left Waist / NT | S/Sgt Tripp MacDougal | 12 | 0 | AM+ | RTD | 1 | Tail Gunner | T/4th Kingsley Griffin | 12 | 3 | AM+ | RTD | 2 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt Josia Stanton | 9 | | 0 | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %Casualties: None Damage: None Peckham Points: None, Ready next day Landing: Safe Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Bf-110 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Fw-190 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bf-109 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Ball | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTThe weather. What more can be said about it? Lousy. Not a cake walk, but this mission was easier than most. The only enemy fighters we encountered enroute to the target were driven off by our escorts. Flak was light and ineffective. Lt Sheets dropped a respectable 30% on target. Frustrating to the crew were the rockets lobbed through the formation as we made for the RP. “ Cowardly Curs” was the mildest of epithets thrown by the crew at the pilot who fired the rockets at us. Frustrating that we could not fire back. We were about a third of the way back to Foggia when a trio of Bf-110 Zerstörers attacked us. Our escorts drove off two of the enemy, while T/4th mace made short work of the third. Despite the 110 blowing up in a great ball of fire, Mace was denied any credit for the kill. Submitted by, 1Lt Landry Velez, Pilot B-17F Wimpy 80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF Santino looks a bit wound up, after the last mission. I will drag him out to town to blow off some steam tonight. Hopefully that will relax him a bit. Mace’s anger at being denied a clear kill was visible, however, learning his lesson from the last time he was denied credits for kills, he kept his mouth shut.
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Jan 3, 2024 17:01:35 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 12 Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #7) Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Middle Position: Middle TARGET: Marshalling Yard Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Prior Kills
Awarded | Status | Pilot | 2LT | George McQuinn | 11 | AM+ |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Howard Mills | 7 | AM |
| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Johnny Marcum | 11 | AM+ | .25 | RFD
| Navigator | 2LT | Pat Tobin | 11 | AM+ | .25 | RFD
| Engineer | S/SGT | Sam Harshane | 8 | AM, PH | 3.16 | RFD | Radio/ RW | S/SGT | John Whitehead | 11 | AM+ | .5 | RFD
| Ball Gunner | SGT | Bill Trotter | 11 | AM+, PH | 2.16 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Harry Kimberlin | 11 | AM+ | 1.5 | RFD
| Nose Gunner | SGT | Tommy Thompson | 6 | AM | 4.08 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Short | 11 | AM+ | 1 | RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 10th mission Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure plus a Lady Luck Smile that can be used to try and mitigate one mechanical oriented damage result this mission.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, Bomber Disposition: Ready at overnight repairs and maintenance Bomber Damage: Peckham Points: Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 2
| Me109 | Fw190 | Me110 | Me210 | Me410
| Re2005 | TOTAL | Escort Intercept |
| 1 |
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| | | 1 | Undamaged |
| | | | | | | Damaged
| 1 |
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| 1 | Probable/Denied
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| Destroyed |
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Casualties: Claims: Awards:
AAR It was good have S/SGT Harshaney back even though S/SGT Marshall had fix it well with the crew. The crew has mixed thought about this mission, after so many aborted or scrubbed mission the last two weeks some ready to go and others were betting that we would have another mission aborted enroute to the target. It turned out to be a relative uneventful mission for us.
OUTBOUND We took off and joined up on the squadron lead without incident, although the poor weather and rain made for a tricky takeoff and some stressful flying conditions while ascending and finding the assembly aircraft. Once the group had formed up it was an uneventful flight to the target area.
TARGET AREA Once we were in the target area there was some light resistance. Our escorts ran off a Fw190. A Me109 with Italian markings made a pass at up but he must have been pretty green. S/SGT Harshaney dinged it and it broke off the attack after taking a wild shot a us. The light flak was well away from us and 2LT Marcum was on-target despite the bad weather but at only 30% effectiveness.
INBOUND Nothing to report on the flight back We made a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick says he will have the Bama Beauty ready for a mission tomorrow.
1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding B-24J Bama Beauty 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Post by mistermickman on Jan 3, 2024 17:56:11 GMT -8
B-17G Bumble Lips 80th Squadron 509th Group 4/7/44 Mission 12 Target: Certaldo Marshalling Yard, Italy Position | Rank | Name | Kills | Missions | Awards | Pilot | 1st Lt. | Frank Miller
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| 1 | | Co Pilot | 2nd Lt. | Patrick Nicholson |
| 1 | | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. | Angelo Klein |
| 1 | | Navigator | 2nd Lt. | Leeland Blanchard |
| 1 | | Engineer | T/SGT | Sidney Webb |
| 1 | | Radio Operator | T/SGT | Thomas Ibanez |
| 1 | | Ball Turret | SGT | Thomas Bowman |
| 1 | | Port Waist | SGT | Oscar Tarango |
| 1 | | Starboard Waist | SGT | Carl Byrd |
| 1 | | Tail | S/SGT | Vincent Sherman |
| 1 |
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Bomb Run: 30% on target Casualties: None Damage: 0 Peckham Points Status: Landed safe at Giulia AAR: Nothing to report in any zone, no fighters encountered nor damage sustained. The definition of a milk run mission.
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Jan 3, 2024 19:38:33 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Badgers (12) Crew Commander: Captain WW Robinson Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle / Out of Formation
Mission Date: 7 March 44 Mission #: 12
Target: Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: Capt. WW Robinson (12) {0} SS, AM: 2, PH Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. GS Hoyt (3) {0} PH Bombardier: 2nd Lt. R Moore (3) {0} PH Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Sloat (12) {0} AM: 2, PH: 3 Engineer: MSgt. A Bissett (12) {4} AM: 2 Ball Gunner: Sgt. E Dean (12) {4} AM: 2 Radio Oper.: Sgt. I Cooper (11) {1} AM, PH: 4 Pt Waist G: Sgt. E Parker (1) {1} Stbd Waist G: Sgt. J Lewis (12) {1} AM: 2, PH: 3 Tail Gunner: Sgt. W Towney (11) {7} AM, PH: 2
Bomb Percentage: DNB
Bomber Disposition: Tail Turret, Starboard Inboard Fuel Tank, Engine #1 (62 Peckham Points)
Casualties: R Moore: SW – dies of wounds
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (1:109, 3:190, 0:110) 2: 88 Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (1:109, 1:190, 0:110) 2: 88 W Towney: 88 J Lewis: 88 E Parker: 190 A Bissett: 109
Special Note: R Moore: PH
Mission Description: Filed by Captain WW Robinson, pilot commanding
It has been a couple of frustrating weeks here “sunny” Italy. Despite what the travel bureau might lead you to believe it never seems to stop raining around here. I lost count a few days ago how many missions had to be scrubbed or aborted because of weather. On yet another cloudy morning the powers that be had decided we are going to try it again.
After slip sliding our way down the runaway all the planes in the squadron managed to take off and settle into formation. We settled into our usual position right in front of the tail bomber.
The outbound flight was quiet until we arrived in Zone 4. We were attacked by a pair of Ju-88s. Towney got the one coming in from behind. Dean nicked the one coming up from below. The German hosed the underside of the plane including the starboard wing. I could hardly believe the speed that the fuel gauge on the starboard fuel tank sank to empty. Lewis did knock him down on his second pass. Sloat and Bisset ran some quick numbers and got on the intercom.
“Sloat to Robinson. Sir, I ran your numbers twice. No chance on making it to the target. Heck, with what is left in the tanks we will be lucky to get home.”
After letting loose a string of expletives that would have made a sailor blush, I responded. “Thanks, Sloat. Copper signal the squadron that we are aborting. Sloat plot us a course home. Everyone, keep your eyes open. The escorts will not follow us home.”
We dropped out of the formation and turned the Pride of the Badgers around. No sooner than we had left the formation than the Germans zeroed in on our wounded bird. We were attacked by a 109 and three 190s. One of them hit Moore. Another knocked out the tail turret. A third hosed the port wing and knocked out Engine #1. We did get two of them.
The rest of the flight home was quiet as we nervously watched the fuel gauges. Bisset fiddled with the engines the best he could to save fuel and I think we were lucky that #1 being out meant we were using less fuel.
We arrived back at base early and shot a flare for an emergency landing. Hoyt and I brought her down on fumes.
The ambulance met us on the tarmac and carried Moore off to the hospital. He was hit pretty bad and died of his wounds on the operating table. The docs said there was not much they could do.
Another frustrating day for the Pride of the Badgers. Two aborted missions in a row. Dead crewmen on two missions in a row.
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Post by dwgarvin on Jan 4, 2024 6:14:08 GMT -8
INAUGURAL MISSION!
Mission date: 7 March 44
Target: Certaldo, Italy - Marshaling Yard
Mission/Bomber: 12/1
B-17F Make it Rain 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
CREW: Pilot 2LT Garry Kemp from Providence, Rhode Island
Co-Pilot 2LT Tommy Randall, Logan, West Virginia
Bombardier 2LT Norman James, Jackson, Tennessee
Navigator 2Lt Marshall Johns, Madison, Wisconsin
Engineer T/Sgt James Landauer, Manhattan, New York
Radio Operator T/Sgt Scott Savage, Fairfax, Virginia
Ball Turret Sgt Clarence Pearce, Davenport, Florida
Port Waist Sgt Jimmy Alba, The Bronx, New York
Starboard Waist Sgt John Kaplan, Stockton, California
Tail Sgt Everett Boone, Mitchell, South Dakota
Formation: Low Squadron
Bombing: Off target, 0%
Damage: 1 hit (superficial damage, 1 Peckham Point)
Casualties: None
Awards: None
Kills: Confirmed, 1 x Me-110 by T/Sgt Landauer in the top turret.
(AAR using QotS) (AAR in form of a discussion with a member of the ground crew)
"I have to tell you, Gus, it wasn't really what I expected. I half expected the entire Luftwaffe to be shooting at us the entire way! Don't get me wrong, they tried their best, but I guess nothing's like what you'd expect. For the first 100 miles or so, there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. No FLAK, no planes. It was almost as if I were sight seeing! Except for the clouds. But then they jumped us, just over 100 miles out. 3 Me 110s, one at 12 High, one at 3 High and one at 1030 High. Our escorts drove off one of them, the one coming at us from 12 O'clock. I didn't really see what happened with the plane at 9 O'clock, but from the whooping and hollarin' I found out that Jimmy shot it down! Apparently it just seemed to fold in half and then down to the clouds it went. But the one at 1030 came in and I could see it all the way. Our guys were firing at it, but it pressed on the attack. I think some of his bullets hit us, but the boys said everything was fine. That plane came in again, right from in front of us. Jimmy said he hit it, but it came in anyway. I think it missed us and then it just went away. Then it was quiet again for about another 50 miles or so. Just before we started lining up on the target, maybe 15 minutes or so beforehand, we got jumped by two of their Me-109s. Another one at 12 o'clock high and again about 10:30, this time level. The escorts once again drove off the fella in front of us, but the other guy kept coming. Marshall got on the gun because Norm was getting ready to set up for the bomb run. He swears he hit the target, and maybe he did! The guy shot at us and missed wide and then dropped below the clouds. He seemed fine to me; maybe he was out of gas or something. Well, once we got to the target, I did it just like in training. The problem was the FLAK. It wasn't heavy or anything but it did shake us up, Because of that, Norm thinks we missed the target with our bombs. We'll get 'em next time. But you know what? Now that the bombs were dropped and we were turning around, it was right then that I started getting pretty nervous. We have to now fly back over the same ground we just covered, and for all I know, those fighters are just sitting there waiting for us. And by golly they were!
No sooner had we started back for home when some FW-190s were on us. I saw two coming in at 12 o'clock, probably wing men, but our fighters got up there and started tangling with them, so we were away for now. We had about another 100 miles or so of relative peace when they really started hitting us. I think four or five planes came after us alone! I know I saw an Me-109 at 12 o'clock coming for us, but it veered off to go after one of our fighters. Then the boys started calling out. 12 o'clock high! Me 109! 1030! 3 O'clock. I really lost track of what was happening and tried to keep the plane in formation, but it was tough. We didn't get hit and I think we hit one of the planes, but with so much lead flying around up there, it was hard to tell! All I know is this: about 50 miles or so before landing, the formation was all over the place. It seemed to happen so fast! At first I thought I was all alone, but it turned out that in my excitement I had veered a bit too low, ended up in the clouds and when I came up, I was maybe a mile behind the rest of the guys. And they were all messed up as well. I'm sure the CO is going to give us a good talking to when we get the debriefing.
Anyway, we landed well enough and looking at the bird from outside, I think we got off quite lucky. Think you can patch her up? I gotta run and get some chow in me. Later!"
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Viscar
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 16
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Post by Viscar on Jan 4, 2024 7:19:44 GMT -8
Pilot: 1LT John Alderman B-17: Georgia Peach B-17F Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 07 March 44 MISSION NBR:12 TARGET: Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard Position | Name | Mission | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1LT John Alderman | 10 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | CoPilot | 2LT John Honea | 10 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Bombardier | 2LT Ralph Steward | 10 | 0 | 1 | AM | RTD | Navigator | 2LT Michael Artelli | 10 | 0 | 0 | AM, PH | RTD | Engineer | S/SGT Michael Wynn | 10 | 0 | 1/2 | AM | RTD | Radio Room | S/SGT John Swain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Ball Gunner | SGT Andy Brown | 10 | 0 | 5 1/3
| AM, AM | RTD | Left Waist | SGT Tony Ford | 10 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Right Waist | SGT Collin MacLeod | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | Tail Gunner | SGT Dexter McConnell | 10 | 0 | 3 | AM | RTD |
Bomb Run: On target - 50% B-17 Damage: N/A Casualties: N/A Peckham Points: 0 Claims: N/A Enemy Aircraft No fighters encountered Airbase: No issues on take off Outbound: Nothing to report. Target Area: Light FLAK over target. No fighters Inbound: Again, nothing to report. No fighters encountered. A good mission to break in new crewmembers. Airbase: Landed safely. Mission completed.
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Post by medic1 on Jan 4, 2024 10:30:30 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/MiddleMission Date: 7 March 44 Mission Number: 012Missions This Bomber: 12Target: Certaldo, Italy – Marshalling Yard
Crew/Position/Rank | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress Points | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | LW | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado | 12 | 6 | 2 | 2 | RTD | R/O T/Sgt Bruce Woodside | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Ball Gunner S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro | 12 | 5.5 | 2 | 1 | RTD | PSW Sgt Noreno Costa | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Mark Riley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | RTD |
Bomb Run: OffOn Target: 0%B-17 Damage: 11 Hits Superficial x 3 (3) Nose x 1 -superficial (1) Cockpit x 2 -pilot’s oxygen N/E (5) -Pilot LW (2) Port Wing x 2 -aileron N/E (5) -wing root (25) Starboard Wing x 1 -flap N/E (5) Waist x 1 -superficial (1) Tail x 1 -rudder N/E (5) Peckham Points: 52Repair Time: Overnight Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, (+2 modifier)Landing: Safe at GiuliaE/A Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | Bf-109 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Bf-110 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-410 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 14 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Confirmed Claims: 6 S/Sgt Curt Mercado 2x Me-410 S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro 1 x Me-410, 1 x Bf-109 Sgt Noreno Costa 1 x Bf-109 Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit 1 x Bf-109 Casualties: 1 1st Lt Franklin Marks LW, thigh cut - RTD Stress Points after mission: 0 Award/ Promotions Requests: 2 PH 1st Lt Franklin Marks
After Action Report After a couple missions of good weather we’re finally back to the usual winter Italian weather and took off into grey skies.
After climbing above it and traveling a few hundred miles we were attacked by three 410. One was chased off by an escort while Kostanaro peppered one, the Messerschmitt flamed and began to disintegrate in midair. Mercado took care of another at 7:30, hitting the engine and cockpit. The fighter immediately catching fire and spiraled towards the ground.
Things heated up for us considerably in the target zone as we encountered three waves. In the first, three 109 evaded our escorts. Talking Spirit clobbered one at 6:00, but one at 10:30 low put a couple of minor hits into us. He returned to try again at 7:30 high and was taken out by Costa. The third fighter failed to cause damage and left for other targets. This was followed up by a second wave of four109 who also made it through our fighter screen. Both Mercado and Kostanaro thought they had each bagged their second of the mission but both were denied later. The Krauts at 9 high and 3 low both hit causing some minor damage. One came back at 12 low where Kostanaro took him out, this claim holding up. A third wave of 2 410 were next, with some P-47s finally arriving to take care of one of them. The remaining 410 hit the nose and put one into the cockpit wounding me with a cut to my thigh. Have enjoyed success he came back at 6 high but ran into Talking Spirits twin 50s and the 410 exploded in clouds of black and white smoke.
The flak, although light, hit the port wing root and starboard flap, knocking us about, and combined with the poor weather threw off Kellici’s aim and we missed the target.
INBOUND
After the turn two waves of fighters tried to block our exit. Two 190 were chased off in the first wave by our little Lightning friends, and the second wave saw one 109 and a110 with the 110 falling to P47s. Kostanaro took out the remaining fighter at three low but once again was denied his claim.
After that things were relatively quiet with the only excitement being a 190 that was chased off by little friends on the way home.
I decided that my wound, while painful, did not need immediate attention as I was sure that there were far worse injuries to other air crews needing critical attention than mine. Therefore I didn’t bother firing off any flares to alert the ground and landed normally after the more more damaged bombers landed.
We took some damage, but will be in flying shape by morning. Once again we had a disappointing bombing result and we can only hope that our luck will improve next mission.
1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
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Post by kozzackkelt on Jan 4, 2024 10:59:12 GMT -8
B-17G: MISS BURKE COUNTY (B-17G-664VK-43- 23001) Pilot: 2LT. John Osipoff Missions for this bomber: 1 Squadron: 80th BS: Formation/Position: High Mission Date: o7 March 1944 Mission Number: 12 Target: Certaldo, Italy / Marshalling Yard
CREW (missions) {StressPts} E/A Wounds Pilot: 2LT. John Osipoff (1) {} Co-Pilot: 2Lt. R. Ransom Morrison (1) {} Bombardier: 2Lt. Michael McRae (1) {} [B%: 0] Navigator: 2Lt. Will Vincil (1) {} Engineer: Sgt. Diego Santiago (1) {} Radio Operator: Sgt. Byron Metcalf (1) {} Ball Turret: Sgt. Zander Holtman (1) {} P Waist Gunner: Sgt. Pete Iverness (1) {} SB Waist Gunner: Sgt. Vince Boyardee (1) {} Tail Gunner: Sgt. George Gainer (1) {}
BOMB RUN: OFF Target: 0%
Enemy Aircraft Encountered: 3 3xFw190, 0xMe109, 0xMe110, 0xMe210
E/A Damaged: 0 E/A Probable: 1 E/A: Destroyed: 0 E/A Driven off by Fighter Escort: 2
Condition of B-17G ~ MISS BURKE COUNTY: No Damages. However, repairs to flap controls, which failed while over target. ( Report of maintenance crew chief Michael Coporatto ) Routine maintenance and inspections will be performed.
Mission AAR: Take off was on time and smooth in poor weather. MISS BURKE COUNTY formed up with squadron at HIGH Level. No encounters with E/A until reaching target zone. On approach to target, approached by three Fw190 E/A. Two were pounced on by escort fighters and the third, coming in at 12 high, was struck by defensive gunfire by our top turret. Attacking E/A fired at us, scoring no hits. We were not hit by flak. According to photo record, our bombs were OFF TARGET ( dropped prematurely ). Flaps controls not responding. No encounters with E/A on return leg. Landed safely.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Osipoff, 2LT, USAF Pilot- B-17G MISS BURKE COUNTY 80th BS / 509th BG Foggia, Italy
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