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Post by caodwolf on Feb 15, 2024 17:23:52 GMT -8
B-17G: Old Shep Pilot: 1Lt. B. Pease Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron Mission Date: 20-March-1944 Mission No.:15 Mission this Bomber: 2 Target for Today: Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: MidHighle Result: On-Target: 40% With a rookie Bombardier, Navigator and Co-Pilot we commence our sortie to the Marshalling Yards at Bolzano, Italy. German fighter resistance was minimal with almost all driven off by our own fighter escort. Flak over target was intense causing a leak in the starboard fuel tank but fortunately it self-sealed. We thanked the Boeing Company for their engineering excellence.
Bombs were dropped with good effect. The return to Foggia was uneventful.
That is all....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | B. Pease | 14 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | D. Diluzio | 1 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | A. Tharpe | 1 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | S. Yezzi | 1 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | S/Sgt | G. Burdash | 14 | --- | 5 1/2 | AM, ACE | OK | Radio Op | S/Sgt | K. Whitmore | 3 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Port Waist | Sgt | C. Shoemaker | 3 | --- | --- | PH | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | M. Comerota | 5 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | M. Lesjack | 8 | --- | 2 1/2 | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | K. Taylor | 2 | --- | --- | --- | OK |
2lt J Pate: RTD: 15-April None
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | FW-190 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | --- | ME-109 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ME-110 | 2 | 2 | --- | --- | --- | ME-210 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ME-410 | 1 | --- | 1 | --- | --- | TOTALS | 13 | 10 | 2 | 1 | --- |
-Stbd inboard fuel tank hit: self-seal -Stbd wing root hot -Stbd Waist gun jam
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Feb 15, 2024 18:21:28 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Annie Oakley (2) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. J Van Dorn Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle
Mission Date: 20 March 44 Mission #: 15 Target: Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. J Van Dorn (15) {0} AM: 3, PH: 2 Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. E Dickinson (2) {0} PH Bombardier 2nd Lt. CW Barnes (2) {0} PH Navigator: 2nd Lt. A Schreiner (2) {0} Engineer: MSgt. C Lambkin (2) {0} Ball Gunner: Sgt. D Miller (2) {1} Radio Oper.: Sgt. C Arlin (2) {0} Pt Waist G: Sgt. A Charles (8) {1} AM, PH: 3 Stbd Waist G: Sgt. G Hitchcock (3) {2} PH Tail Gunner: Sgt. C Boughton (2) {0}
Bomb Percentage: 5%
Bomber Disposition: Crash landed (n/a Peckham Points)
Casualties: J Van Dorn: KIA A Charles: KIA E Dickinson: LW – overnight in hospital CW Barnes: LW – 1 day in hospital G Hitchcock: SW – invalided home
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (1:109, 5:190, 0:110) Damaged: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110)
Special Note: J Van Dorn: AM, PH A Charles: PH E Dickinson: PH CW Barnes: PH G Hitchcock: PH
Mission Description: Filed by 2nd Lt. E Dickinson, acting commander
I am writing this on behalf of 1st Lt. J Van Dorn who died during the mission.
We took off without incident and headed off towards the target.
The outbound trip was quiet and we saw no enemy fighters all the way to the target.
Then the flak guns opened. Annie took significant damage from flak including blowing a whole in the port outboard fuel tank. Lt. Van Dorn made some adjustments to the engines to minimize fuel consumption.
Barnes clipped the target and we turned for home. Pulling away from the target we were attacked by a pair of 190s. I winced in pain as a bullet grazed my arm and looked over to check on Lt. Van Dorn. He was dead.
I brought Lambkin down to help fly the plane and Hitchcock up to man the top turret.
Lambkin and I nervously watched the fuel gauges and did everything we could think of to try to conserve more fuel. We were attacked by another group of 190s that hit Hitchcock and Barnes and killed Charles.
We continued to creep slowly towards the coastline and the fuel held. We crossed the coastline and the fuel held. When I spotted the Royal Navy lifeguard ship I took her down and landed next to a RN destroyer. We had barely gotten the life rafts inflated when the navy launch arrived to pick us up.
I am sorry to report that Lt. Van Dorn and Sgt. Charles didn’t make it. Hitchcock is being sent home with wounds deemed too severe to ever fly again.
The crew formerly of the Annie Oakley await assignment to a new aircraft and for a new pilot commander to be appointed.
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Post by kageyone on Feb 15, 2024 22:12:01 GMT -8
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Post by dwgarvin on Feb 16, 2024 16:16:33 GMT -8
Wow, what a mission. This was mission 15 for the Squadron, but only our third. The run in was pretty easy. We hit some light flak going in, but it missed us. But things sure got hairy around the target! We were jumped by an Me 109 and an Me 110. Well, didn't you know it, but Clarence in the Ball Turret nailed that Me 109! The Me 110 sure did give us a start, but it missed its attack and peeled away. I guess he knew that the flak was setting up for us. That said, we lucked out and didn't get any hits. This must have given Norm a steady flight, because we actually hit the target for the first time this time! He figures about a third of our bombs were on target. Heading back was no milk run, but we lucked out, that's for sure. Our Squadron got jumped and an FW came in on us from 1030 high, and boy, the tracers reaching out to that little fighter must have scared the daylights out of him. He did fire at us, but he missed high, then he turned away.
After that, heading home, there was almost nothing of note. I think other parts of the squadron got hit, but nothing came near us, so we landed and off to the club! We got to celebrate just a bit, now that we have actually contributed to the war with some bombs on target!
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 148
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Post by eddie on Feb 17, 2024 8:56:28 GMT -8
Mission 15 AAR Mission Date: 20 March, 1944
Target: Bolzano, Italy – Marshalling Yard
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Jake Williams, commanding Bomber SN: B17G-15VE-42-97484; "The Girl Next Door" 80th Bomb Sqdn., 509th (H) Bombardment Grp., 15th AF
Formation position: High Sqdn.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jake Williams (Mission #4) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #4) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Barney Healey (Mission: #3) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Michael Andrews (Mission #4) Engineer: TSgt. Stanislaw Ignatowski (Mission #4) Radio Operator: SSgt. Brett Davidson (Mission #4) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Francis Spignatelli (Mission #4) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Carson (Mission #4) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Angus McDonald (Mission #4) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Mike Pope (Mission #4)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = On Target, 20%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Rudder damage; Control cable damage, Navigation equipment inop. (Peckham points = 35)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Sgt. Angus McDonald – Serious wound, Right upper leg wound, outer thigh (flak), will recover for next mission.
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off and formed up with the rest of the 80th at the rally point. It was comforting to see our “Little Friends” above the Squadron on the starboard side, and below and a little to the front of the Squadron on the port side. We had been assured they would be with us throughout the mission.
We were attacked by two FW-190’s about 450 miles out. One broke off and came straight toward our Girl but missed and broke off. Our top and nose fired at him but there were apparently no hits scored. The second FW got jumped by one of our fighters before he would line up to attack us. The remainder of the flight was clear of enemy fighters all the way to the target area.
Once in the target zone we encountered other FW-190 that was chased off by friendly fighters again. We took some flak hits that caused some minor damage but also wounded the Starboard Waist Gunner pretty severely in the leg. The Port Waist gunner got a belt and dressing around it pretty quickly to stop the bleeding. Flak tore through the Navigators table as well, destroying the navigation equipment and the charts. The Navigator assured me we would need to navigate by flying close to the coast if we had to break away from the Squadron but that he could get us home.
The target area was slightly obscured but the Bombardier assured me we were pretty close to on target, maybe dropping at the edge of the marshalling yard.
We were attacked by three Me-110’s exiting the target area. Our Bombardier put some rounds into the one attacking from 12 low causing a puff of smoke but he did not go down. He missed us and broke off his attack though. Another, attacking at 10:30 missed and broke off and the third was jumped and shot down by a P-38. Shortly after, another FW-190 appeared on an attack run for us but was immediately jumped by “friendlys” and disappeared.
We saw some flak bursts about 600 miles from base where intelligence said to expect it, but nothing near us.
The remainder of the flight back to base was quiet. No enemy seen. Our Starboard Waist gunner radioed in that there was not need for a flare and to let the more seriously wounded get in first. We took his word for it since this was his second wound. Unlucky in one way, lucky in another I suppose. The Doc reported we would have him back in a day or two.
We landed without incident. I will submit Sgt. McDonald for a Purple Heart. “The Girl Next Door” and crew will be operational for the next mission.
Respectfully submitted: 1st Lt. J. Williams, commanding SN: B17G-15VE-42-97484 80th Bomb Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group H, 15th AAF
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Feb 17, 2024 15:06:10 GMT -8
MISSION 015 BOLZANO 20 March 1944 80th BS, 509th BG B-17F-110BO 42-30616 "Miss Holly"
CREW Captain FRANK DELOZIER - Pilot - Missions: 13 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt PERCY "Purse" JOHNSON - Co-Pilot - Missions: 11 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2, PH 2nd Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD - Bombardier - Missions: 13 | Claims: 0.5 | Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt HAMPTON "Hamp" RAWLINGS - Navigator - Missions: 13 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN - Engineer - Missions: 13 | Claims: 1 | Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt JOSE "Loco" AZZUCO - Radio Op - Missions: 13 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner - Missions: 13 | Claims: 4 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt HAL CARTER - Port Waist - Missions: 13 | Claims: 1 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt HERBERT "H.R." RAYMOND - Starb Waist - Missions: 13 | Claims: 0.5 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner - Missions: 13 | Claims: 3 | Awards: AMx2
BOMBING - ON 40%
CASUALTIES: Co-Pilot Johnson - Light Wound - cut to thigh
CLAIMS: Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO 1x me 410, 1x Me110. TOTAL: 2, gunner total: 6 ACE 2nd Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD 1x Me110
AWARDS & PROMOTIONS Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Air Medal (2nd Oak Cluster)
ENEMY A/C: A/C ENC D/O DAM DEST FW190 4 0 2 0 Me410 1 0 0 1 Me109 9 4 2 0 Me110 2 0 0 2 G55 1 0 1 0 Re2005 1 0 0 0 TOTAL 18 4 5 3
DAMAGE 4x Superficial - 4 Aileron - 10 TOTAL PP 14
AAR
Thanks to excellent escorts and excellent gunnery, we had a successful mission to Bolzano. We took a few hits but nothing too serious.
We encountered 18 e/a/c over the entire mission. They appeared constantly from beginning to end it seemed.
Ninety minutes in, we saw two waves of fighters far off to the west. Either the escorts got them or they didn't see us - we were unmolested.
At Ancona we saw the flak miss us. Then three 190s and a 410 came at us. The escort had had seemingly melted away. We got in a couple hits on them and they one on us. On their second pass, a shell through the cockpit grazed the Co-Pilot's thigh.
Thirty minutes on and the Jerries still wanted to tangle. A lone 190 went round and round us, scoring a superficial hit while our gunnery missed him.
In the target zone me again skipped by the flak, but three 109s attacked us. We damaged one and one us. Woody Wood, the bombardier, held us steady all through the attack and dropped his eggs on target.
Turning towards home, we were busy for the two hours, handling the attacks of eight e/a/c. Then a break for an hour before two 110s approached us. Before they could attack, both were splashed. Landing was effected with no issues.
DELOZIER
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Post by limburger59 on Feb 17, 2024 17:16:06 GMT -8
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Post by Grondeaux on Feb 19, 2024 9:24:14 GMT -8
B-24J Maiden America78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Middle squadron, middle Mission Date: 20 March 1944 Mission #: 15 Aircraft Mission #: 1 Target: Marshalling yard, Bolzano, Italy Bomb loadout: 10 x M64 500 lb. GP bombs Crew at Mission StartPosition | Rank | Name | Missions | Credits | Stress | Awards | Notes | Pilot | 1LT
| Schuyler King
| 0 |
| 0 |
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| Copilot | 2LT
| Noel Wien
| 0 |
| 0 |
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| Bombardier | 2LT | Arthur Dodd | 0 |
| 0 |
| | Navigator | 2LT | Vincent Jenkins
| 0 |
| 0 |
| | Nose Turret Gunner | SGT | Elmer Morrison | 0 |
| 0 |
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| Flight Engineer | TSGT | Samuel Ellison
| 0 |
| 0 |
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| Ball Turret Gunner | SGT | Milton Egan | 0 |
| 0 |
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| Left Waist Gunner | SGT | Leroy Glass | 0 |
| 0 |
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| Right Waist Gunner | TSGT | Herbert Rodriguez
| 0 |
| 0 |
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| Tail Turret Gunner | SGT | Theodore Casey
| 0 |
| 0 |
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Crew Chief: SSGT Nicholas Otto (49 skill points; roll every third zone) Bomb Run: On target, 40% Casualties: none Attackers: 12
| Spotted | Destroyed | Damaged | Driven off by Escort | ME-109 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | FW-190 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ME-109 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | C.205 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RE.2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Claims: SGT Elmer Morrison: 1 x ME-109 TSGT Samuel Ellison: 2 x ME-109 SGT Milton Egan: 1 x ME-109 TSGT Herbert Rodriguez: 1 x ME-109 Credits: SGT Elmer Morrison: ½ x ME-109 TSGT Samuel Ellison: 1 x ME-109 SGT Milton Egan: ½ x ME-109 Award/Promotion Requests: SSGT Nicholas Otto (crew chief) promoted to TSGT In Hospital/Recovery: none Aircraft Damage: 2 Peckham points (1 x superficial) 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) We’d been warned about the weather and they weren’t kidding. Our take off run was uneventful, despite not being able to see much. We make squadron assembly only with some difficulty, and eventually slot into the middle of the 78th’s formation. OutboundZones 2-5: Nothing to report. Zone 6: We get our baptism of fire when a coastal flak shell detonates close enough to us to rock the plane. No damage, though. Zone 7: Nothing to report. Zone 8: Our accompanying P-38s chase off a pair of ME-109s and an ANR RE.2005. That’s followed by a lone ME-109 coming in from 3:00 level, It runs into a hail of bullets from our gunners and falls from the sky. There’s whooping and hollering over the intercom. Target Zone (9)No fighters single us out on our run-in to the target. We pick up a hole in our right wing from the flak. Dodd puts all his bombing practice into use and gets a decent bombing result. At least, that’s what Egan says. While no fighters target us as we turn for home, a rocket swooshes in from our six then explodes nearby. No damage. InboundZone 8: Nothing to report. Zone 7: A pair of Focke-Wulfs approach, with one getting distracted by a Thunderbolt. The remaining FW takes some damage and breaks off before firing at us. Another RE.2005 gets in a dogfight with a P-47. An accompanying ME-109 comes in from 12:00 level and is shot down by Ellison and Morrison. The German bails out of his falling fighter. Zone 6: The coastal flak is well clear of us. Two FW-190s and an ANR ME-109 charge in. A Jug takes on one FW. We trade fire with the remaining fighters and escape unharmed. Zone 5: A Liberator drops out of formation and parachutes appear. Zone 4: The intel was right about us being hounded on the way home. Another ME-109 with a C.205 in tow are chased off by the 325th FG. Zones 3-2: Nothing to report. Landing: Uneventful for us. But after we touchdown one of the older Ds comes in hot, has its gear collapse and crashes, then bursts into flames. That's sobering. V/r, 1LT Schuyler King, Command Pilot B-24J Maiden America 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Post by rcastillo on Feb 19, 2024 10:19:07 GMT -8
B-17G Arkansas Traveler 79th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Low Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 20 March 1944 Mission #: 15 Aircraft Mission #: 4 Target: Marshalling Yard @ Bolzano, Italy
Pilot - 1LT Philip Knapp (4) Co-Pilot - 2LT Billy Nichols (4) Bombardier - 2LT Clyde French (4) Navigator - 2LT Anthony Walters (4) Engineer - S/SGT Edward Conley (4) Radio Operator - S/SGT Jerry Jones (4) Ball Gunner SGT Jim Moss (4) Port Waist Gunner - SGT Jacob Jensen (4) Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Wesley David (4) Tail Gunner - SGT Wallace Mcfarland (4)
Bomb Run: On target 30%
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: Bombardier 1/2 x 190, 1 x 110 Navigator 1 x 109 Port Waist Gunner 1 x 190
Tail Gunner 1/2 x 110
Engineer/Top Turret 1x 110
Disposition - Aircraft safe at home base.
B-24J Puddle Jumper 78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Middle Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 20 March 1944 Mission #: 15 Aircraft Mission #: 1 Target: Marshalling Yard @ Bolzano, Italy
Pilot - 1LT LowellnRodgers POW Co-Pilot - 2LT Sam Lester POW Bombardier - Francis Elliott POW Navigator - 2LT Irvin Ingram POW Engineer - T/SGT Robert Blake POW Radio Operator - T/SGT Lee Melton POW Ball Gunner - SGT Elbert Grimes POW Port Waist Gunner - SGT Keith Gray POW Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Lonnie Gill POW Tail Gunner - SGT Louis Warren POW
Bomb Run: DNB
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: None
Disposition - Shot down by flak on the run into the target. Crew successfully bails out but is captured by the Germans.
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Feb 19, 2024 13:10:59 GMT -8
B-17G "In Like Flynn"
Extract from Red Cross representative interview with Sgt. Oscar Carter, held on 19 March 1944 at Camp P. G. 118 near Bolzano.
"We'd dropped our bombs on the main target, and turned for home. There warn't no bogeys on the egress from the target, nor no flak either - strange! A few seconds later there was explosions all round the plane - Roger in the tail reckoned he'd seen rockets coming in from behind us.
I could see oil and flames coming from number 4 engine. I could hear Perez confirm he'd used the first extinguisher, but the flames got worse. After he pulled the second extinguisher, the fire went out and the prop got feathered. With no bombs on board, we'd no trouble keeping up with the squadron, so we was set fair for home - until just near the coast.
A whole bunch of 109s jumped us, and even with those Jugs what had just taken over our escort chasin' off several, we still had some on us. None I could see, more's the pity. One suddenly came under our nose, but at the same time, I could hear the thumps that meant we'd eaten some cannon shells. This time, I saw number 1 engine spit flames, and heard it start to rev up. Perez was as cool as ice, calling out the extinguishers. No luck this time, and the revs kept increasing as the whole bird started to shake and rattle.
Next thing, the skipper's voice comes over the com: "Bail out, bail out, bail out." This was followed by three rings on the emergency alarm bell, in case anyone's com was out. I started praying I wouldn't be forgotten, but within seconds, Alby and Leo had me out of the turret. We got our chutes on, and then exited through the rear main entrance when we heard the single long peal on the bell. The skipper held the kite level while we all got out, and I was counting the seconds as the plane started to dive. Thankfully, the last chute appeared, meaning that the skipper got out ok. Looking around, I could see that all of us had made it out, but I wasn't sure if any of my buddies were injured.
After landing, we were picked up pretty quickly by the German Army. I ended up in Padua with Albert, Leo and Dale. Dunno what happened to the others. I got shifted here within a week, and found Perez here. He was with the officers when he landed and was swept up, but he reckons that they got took to a different camp.
Please tell my maw that I'm fine. We ain't treated too bad here, and hopefully our ground pounders will be turning up soon. I sure hope all the other guys are OK.
Sgt. Carter was liberated from P. G. 118 after the final German surrender in 1945. All other crew members survived, and were reunited after liberation on their way home to the USA.
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Feb 19, 2024 17:22:12 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Ypsilanti Girl (1) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. H Whiting Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: High Position: Middle
Mission Date: 20 March 44 Mission #: 15 Target: Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. H Whiting (15) {0} AM: 3 Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. I Ingersoll (2) {0} Bombardier: 2nd Lt. A Edwards (6) {0} AM Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Wight (1) {1} Engineer: MSgt. L Aldrich (15) {11} AM: 3, PH: 2, DFC Ball Gunner: Sgt. A Blake (15) {8} AM: 3, PH, DFC Radio Oper.: Sgt. J Cobb (1) {0} Pt Waist G: Sgt. A Eno (8) {0} AM Stbd Waist G: Sgt. W Hammond (10) {4} AM: 2, PH Tail Gunner: Sgt. JG Lamb (1) {0}
Bomb Percentage: 50%
Bomber Disposition: Engine #4, Superficial Damage (26 Peckham Points)
Casualties: n/a
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (1:109, 1:190, 0:110) Damaged: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (0:109, 1:190, 0:110) W Hammond: 190
Special Note: H Whiting: AM L Aldrich: AM, promoted to 1st Sgt. A Blake: AM, promotes to Staff Sgt.
Mission Description: File by 1st Lt. H Whiting
After my first mission in command where I lost three men, missed the target, and crashed the plan, I earned a trip to the Major’s office and learned some new words that I think made my mother blush way back in Michigan.
We have made good use of the last five days off to train up the new crew members and get acquainted with our new airplane. The Ypsilanti Girl flies like a dream.
We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. The outbound flight was quiet all the way to the target zone. We were attacked by a single 109 that Blake filled with holes.
The flak guns found us and blew out Engine #4. Ingersoll’s quick action got her feathered and enabled us to stay in formation through the bomb run.
Edwards was right on target and we turned for home. A single 190 tried to chase us away. Hammond made him pay dearly for that decision.
The rest of the trip home was quiet and we landed without incident.
Later that evening the crew of the Ypsilanti Girl were in the pub celebrating our luck and Blake and Aldrich’s promotions when I saw Colonel Moody sitting alone at the bar. He beckoned me over to sit down next to him. “Yes, sir?” I said sitting down. He did not say anything. The Colonel held up two fingers and the bartender took a bottle off the top shelf, poured two glasses, and set them down in front of the Colonel. Colonel Moody smiled and slid one of the glasses over to me.
I picked it up and he toasted me. “Nice work today, son.”
No drink I have ever had in my life tasted so good.
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Post by kageyone on Feb 19, 2024 21:49:15 GMT -8
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Feb 20, 2024 7:25:41 GMT -8
After-Action ReportScrewball Express (B-17F-40BO-42-5175)Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Commander: 1st Lt. Arnold "Arnie" Michael Mission Date: 20 March 1944 Mission Number: 15 Mission of this bomber: 5 Formation: High Position: Middle Target: Bolzano, Italy Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 60% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Arnold "Arnie" Michael | 1 | 0 | 0 | PH | LW | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. Cody "M&Ms" Marsh
| 3 | 0 | 0 | PH
| LW | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. William "Billy" Kirby
| 3 | 0 | 0 | PH
| KIA | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Vernon "Gator" Tipton | 1 | 0 | 0 | PH
| SW | 0 | Engineer | S/Sgt Edward "Judge" Justice | 5 | 0 | 1.83 | AM / PH | LW | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Bartholomew "Bart" Fuller | 2 | 0 | 0 | PH | RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Stanley "Brick" Kendall
| 2 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD
| 0 | Port WG | Sgt Lowell "Low" Price
| 4 | 0 | 0 | PH | LW
| 0 | Starboard WG | Sgt Jason "Bubba" Martineaux
| 1 | 0 | 0 | PH
| LW | 0 | Tail Gunner | Sgt Robert "Bobby" Curry
| 4 | 0 | 0 | PH
| SW
| 0 |
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Me-410 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Total | 11 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
Claims:--Damage: CAT/E after landing in water. Peckham Points: sunk at sea Casualties:
- 1st Lt. Arnold "Arnie" Michael: LW superficial thigh cut - RTD - 2nd Lt. Cody "M&Ms" Marsh: LW skull surface grazed - RTD - 2nd Lt. William "Billy" Kirby: KIA shattered cervical spine - 2nd Lt. Vernon "Gator" Tipton: SW cracked parietal bone - 3 weeks in hospital, rtd on 11 April 1944 - S/Sgt Edward "Judge" Justice: LW torn calcaneal tendon - 1 week in hospital, rtd on 28 March 1944 - Sgt Lowell "Low" Price: LW abdomen superficial cut - 1 day in hospital, rtd on 22 March 1944 - Sgt Jason "Bubba" Martineaux: LW torn pectoralis muscle - 3 weeks in hospital, rtd on 11 April 1944 - Sgt Robert "Bobby" Curry: SW cracked occipital bone - 5 weeks in hospital, rtd on 25 April 1944 Awards:Air Medal: S/Sgt Edward "Judge" Justice PH: 1st Lt. Arnold "Arnie" Michael, 2nd Lt. Cody "M&Ms" Marsh, 2nd Lt. William "Billy" Kirby (posthumous), 2nd Lt. Vernon "Gator" Tipton, S/Sgt Edward "Judge" Justice, Sgt Lowell "Low" Price, Sgt Jason "Bubba" Martineaux, Sgt Robert "Bobby" Curry AAR (flown with TFT)Giulia Airbase: Take off and assembly ok even if the weather was terrible. Zone 2-5 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 6 Outbound: Light and inaccurate coastal flak, no damage reported. Attacked by 2 Fw-190 and 1 Me-410 all intercepted by P38s. A second wave of 2 Me-109 was intercepted too. Zone 7 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 8 Outbound: Attacked by 2 Fw-190 and a lone italian Me-109. All enemy planes were driven off by P38s. Zone 9 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): No Jerry approaching IP but Flak around target was intense and cause some superficial damage. Bomb run executed with no interference. No Flak nor GAF while returning home. Zone 8 Inbound: Attacked by 2 Me-110 and a C-205 (italian ANR): last one and Me-110 from 9 low were both intercepted by escort, while Me-110 from 6 level even if heavily damaged before moving away he managed to place some shots that rendered the tail guns inoperable, slightly wounded the Sgt Price and irreparably damaged the fuel transfer pump Zone 7 Inbound: The navigator 2nd Lt. Tipton calculated that with the remaining fuel we could continue through three zones. Zone 6 Inbound: Coastal flak caused engine #3 oil tank leak, self-sealed. Zone 5 Inbound: A lone Me-109 was driven off by escort. Zone 4 Inbound: A lone Me-110 in vertical climb was driven off by escort. Still in the open sea, we moved to ditch. The landing on the water was very hard and almost all the crew suffered some injuries. The 2nd Lt Kirby hit his head with a mortlae wound, the 2nd Lt. Tipton managed to take the body out and load it into a lifeboat. After about 1 hour at sea we were spotted and rescued by a British destroyer ------------------------------------------------- 1st Lt. Arnold Michael
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Post by kageyone on Feb 20, 2024 23:30:31 GMT -8
San Antonio Rose reported a malfunction of the fuel transfer system after bombing. She makes it to Zone 4 and attempts to land near to a British MTB that had been dispatched to rescue the crew. The MTB skipper reports that the aircraft attempted to land in severely choppy seas. The aircraft appeared to stall and the port wing struck a wave. The aircraft then cartwheeled, striking the waves multiple times and disintegrating. No survivors were found although several bodies were recovered.
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Post by medic1 on Feb 21, 2024 7:42:14 GMT -8
B-24J DELAYED ACTION (B24J-CF-42-52242)Pilot: 1st Lt Jerry Burch Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: Middle/Middle Mission Date: 20 March 44 Mission Number: 015 Missions This Bomber: 4 Target: Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
CREW/POSITION/RANK | CURRENT MISSION | PREVIOUS CLAIMS | THIS MISSION | STRESS POINTS | STATUS | Pilot 1st Lt Jerry Burch | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank McAlister | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Terry Vickers | 4 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Cam Moore | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Thomas Walton | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | RTD | R/O S/Sgt Bill Payne | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Mark Harrison | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Phil Merrick | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Henry Lyons | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Larry Sharp | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | RTD |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 20% B-24 Damage: 8 Hits Superficial x 2(4) Port Wing x 1
-wing root (25) Starboard Wing x 1 - superficial (2) Bomb Bay x 1 -life rafts destroyed (10) Waist x 1 - superficial (2) Tail x 2 -superficial (2) -tailplane, superficial (2) Peckham Points: 48 Repair Time: Overnight Crew Chief: S/Sgt Jay Decker (+1.5 mod) Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Bf-110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | G-50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | He-112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-410 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Re-2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | TOTALS | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Confirmed Claims: 3 S/Sgt Thomas Walton 1 x Bf-109, 1 x Fw-190 Sgt Larry Sharp 1 x Bf-109 Casualties: 0 Award/ Promotions Requests: 1 AM (1st Award) 2nd Lt Hank McAlister Stress Points this Mission: 4
After Action Report (using QOTS): Zone 1: Miserable weather on takeoff. We all rose above the dark clouds and formed up. We rendezvoused with our escorts and made our way out over the sea. Zone 2–5: Nothing to report. Zone 6: Some sporadic coastal flak that didn’t amount to anything. Zone 7: Nothing to report. Zone 8: Two fanatical Italian 205s appeared, but our escorts were just as fanatical to defend us and the two were quickly dispatched to the earth in flames. Zone 9: Once in the target zone, things heated up as we saw Goring’s Goons all over the sky breaking up into little groups to take runs at the group. It seemed the fighters were intent on attacking other bombers and we were left alone to sail into the flak field where the 88 gunners were coming dangerously close to getting our range, rocking us about with three close bursts that all caused nothing but minor damage. Through it all, Vickers was able to keep his focus despite the close flak bursts and drop for 40% on target.
INBOUND
As advertised, there was no flak as we turned away from the target towards the rally point. This gave the fighters more time to attack the squadron with two 109 singling us out. Once again our escorts were Johnny on the spot and chase them off. Zone 8: Encountered two 410, but they failed to make it past our little friends. Zone 7: Three 109 made it through our fighter screen and fanned out to come at us from 6, 9, and 730 positions. Our new waist gunner, Merrick, knocked a few pieces off of the 7:30 whose pilot snapped off a wide burst and left. The 6:00 made the mistake of flying level too long allowing Sharp to line it up perfectly, his tracers blowing off the spinner and prop and setting the engine on fire. The pilot was able to bail out.
The remaining 109 hit us twice but failed to do anything major to us. He returned for another try at 1:30 high where our temporary gunner, engineer Walton, raked him with accurate fire, ending his flying career. Zone 6: Some light, inaccurate flak was encountered over the coast, but despite this, the formation looked very tight. Zone 5: We lost one of ours as The Schmoo was observed ditching into the sea. Zone 4: Three 190 made an appearance and decided that we looked like a good target. One turned away to engage a little friend and another missed us and moved on. The remaining 190 made a pass that destroyed our life rafts and damaged the port wing root. He circled around and came in at 6 high where our engineer recorded his second confirmed victory of the day, his well aimed fire hitting the spinner and prop, blowing fragments off and the fighter fell trailing clouds of smoke and exploded a few thousand feet below. Zone 3-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: We took our turn in the landing order as bombers with wounded and serious damage landed first. One bomber, Bones, crashed landed killing several onboard. When our turn came we made a good landing and made our way to our hardstand.
We were a happy bunch as existed and inspected the aircraft. Our joy was somewhat subdued as crew chief Decker berated us for damaging “his” girl, complaining of the hours that he and his ground crew would have to pull repairing the wing root. Despite the low amount of serious damage, he says that he’ll have the ship ready to go by tomorrow.
1st Lt Jerry Burch, Pilot Commanding, 78th BS, 509 BG, 15th AF
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Post by superbee on Feb 23, 2024 8:55:33 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron: After Mission Summary
Mission 15 March 20, 1944 Target: Balzano, Italy (airfield)
13 B17’s sortied: Invadin Maiden; Johnny B Good; Rajun Cajun; Pride of the Badgers; Irascible Girl; Butcher’s Daughter; All In; Angry Ari; Six Nights in Telergma; Annie Oakley; Make It Rain; Arkansas Traveler; In Like Flynn;
12 B17’s bombing target: Invadin Maiden; Johnny B Good; Pride of the Badgers; Irascible Girl; Butcher’s Daughter; All In; Angry Ari; Six Nights in Telergma; Annie Oakley; Make It Rain; Arkansas Traveler; In Like Flynn
Bombers aborting mission: Rajun Cajun (no mission credit)
Bombers lost: Annie Oakley (flak damage); In Like Flynn (air to air rockets)
Lead bomber: Irascible Girl
Tail end Charlie: Invadin Maiden
Crewmen KIA: 6
Crewmen SW-IH: 2
Crewmen wounded and returning to action: 6
Crewmen MIA: 10
Bomb run avg: 23%
High bomb run: 50% (Irascible Girl)
Awards for gallantry in action and meritorious achievement
- Distinguished Flying Cross: Sgt Matthew Whalen (5 cumulative EA destroyed)
| encountered | intercepted by escorts
| destroyed | FCA | FBOA | FW190's | 40 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 2 | Me109's | 49 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 1 | Me110's | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | C205's
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | G55's | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Re2001's | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | totals | 105 | 29 | 19 | 14 | 4 |
Butcher’s Daughter (group spare)
Bomb Run: 10% Purple Heart: Sgt Earl Williamson (posthumous) Air Medal: 1Lt Harvey Taplyn
In Like Flynn (shot down over target – entire crew MIA) Bomb run: did bomb the target – no accuracy estimate available
Invadin’ Maiden (tail end charlie) Bomb run: 30% Air Medal: Sgt Mark Riley Air Medal (3rd award): 1Lt Franklin Marks; 2Lt Ted Masini, 2Lt Tom Casssidy, S/Sgt Curt Mercado; T/Sgt Bruce Woodside; S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro Promotions: Curt Mercado to T/Sgt; Bruce Woodside to M/Sgt; Ed Kostanaro to T/Sgt; Charlie Talking Spirit to S/Sgt
Pride of the Badgers Bomb run: 30% Purple Heart: Sgt E Parker (posthumous); Capt WW Robinson Air Medal (3rd award): Capt WW Robinson; 2Lt W Sloat; M/Sgt A Bissett; Sgt E Dean Promotions: A Bissett to 1st Sgt; E Dean to S/Sgt
All In Bomb run: 40% Air Medal (3rd award): 1Lt George Gill; 2Lt Myril Hoag; S/Sgt Vern Kennedy; Sgt Julius Solters Promotions: Vern Kennedy to T/Sgt; Russ Van Atta to S/Sgt
Six Nights in Telergma (forced to return out of formation following bomb run) Bomb run: 5% Air Medal: 1Lt James Waggoner; 2Lt Alf Pelka; 2Lt Jerome McLaughlin; 2Lt Irvin Lifson; S/Sgt JJohn Graves; Sgt George Powell; Sgt James Woods; Sgt Ernest Phillips; Sgt Floyd Daugherty
Irascible Girl (sqdn lead plane) Bomb run: 50% Purple Heart: 2Lt Arthur Bowers (posthumous), 2Lt Jason Ponder; 2Lt Edwin Leblanc; S/Sgt Harvey McGinty Air Medal (3rd award): 1Lt Henry Simmons; T/Sgt Tim Burkey; S/Sgt Paul Stewart; Sgt Matthew Whalen; Sgt George Buck; S/Sgt Harvey McGinty Distinguished Flying Cross: Sgt Matthew Whalen (5 cumulative EA destroyed) Promotions: Tim Burkey to M/Sgt; Matthew Whelan to S/Sgt; George Buck to S/Sgt
Angry Ari Bomb run: 30%
Annie Oakley (ditched in Adriatic Sea) Bomb run: 5% Purple Heart: 1Lt. J Van Dorn (posthumous); Sgt. A Charles (posthumous); 2Lt. E Dickinson; 2Lt. CW Barnes; Sgt. G Hitchcock Air Medal (3rd award): 1Lt. J Van Dorn (posthumous)
Make it Rain Bomb run: 33%
Rajun Cajun (failed to meet up with squadron at rally point and so returned to base) Bomb run: DNB
Johnny B Good Bomb run: 0% Purple Heart: 2Lt John Campbell (posthumous), Sgt Kevin Drake
Arkansas Traveler Bomb run: 30%
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Feb 24, 2024 9:47:28 GMT -8
80th BOMB SQUADRON Mission #15, Bolzano, Italy - Marshaling Yard AAR
For the first time in several missions, the crews seemed to be back to what one might describe as normal. The story had gotten around about the new squadron CO, Major Simmons. He had been one of the original pilots in the 918th Bomb Group. When command was given to Brigadier General Frank Savage, Simmons had done something to incur Savage's wrath. He had been assigned as command pilot of the infamous Leper Colony. On his (overall) 19th mission, an Me-109 had bored straight in on the Leper Colony. One of its rounds shattered the windscreen, knocking his mask off, and a piece of the windscreen slashed him in the face. Another round had killed the co-pilot. Bleeding badly, he nonetheless, guided the bomber back to England where he landed, roughly, but safely. Savage told him that he had earned his way out of the Leper Colony and earned the Air Force Cross. While recuperating, he had been promoted to major. When sufficiently recovered to return to duty, he received emergency orders to report to the 509th to take command of the 80th Bombardment Squadron. So far, the crews liked what they saw.
"Gentlemen, I'm not here to grade your missions. You all know how things went for you and, by now, you know about our losses. While I grieve for our lost crewmen, that's the unfortunate thing about war. Overall, though, I was rather pleased with the accuracy of your drops. The squadron averaged 35.6% in the box. In particular, I want to commend one of our newest bombardiers, Second Lieutenant Roberts aboard The A Train. He put 94% in the box. The only question I have for you, Lieutenant, is was it beginner's luck?" That drew a round of laughter and the young man in question turned a bright red. "That earned you a DFC but I'd love to see more of the same...that goes for all of you. Second best was Screwball Express at 60%. Unfortunately, they had to ditch due to damage and while there was only one man we lost plus a bunch of assorted injuries, the aircraft sank. Gunnery remains good with 28 claims of which 16 and a third were confirmed. Sergeant Emilio Cantolo also earned a DFC for his fifth and sixth kills. Congratulations to our newest ace!" That drew another round of applause.
"Okay, men, that's all I've got for you. Kick back and relax, there'll be another mission soon enough and we've got the Low Squadron. Dismissed!
----------------------------- STATISTICAL ADDENDUM
THE A TRAIN On Target, 94% - Best in squadron 5 EA claimed, 4.5 credited 1LT Dirk Ellington - PH 2LT Reed Williams. - DFC SGT Vince Melli - PH
MISSISSIPPI QUEEN - Cat-E on landing Off target, 0% 1 EA claimed, 1 credited 2LT Robert Orleans - PH, posthumous 2LT Ben Weinstein - PH, posthumous SGT Jay Piper - PH, posthumous SGT Bill Ruhlman - PH, posthumous
JOHNNY B GOOD Off target, 0% 2LT John Campbell - PH, posthumous SGT Kevin Drake - PH
BONNIE On target, 30% SSG Zander Berger - AM SGT Sidney Beck - AM SGT Wesley Snipes - AM
MISS BURKE COUNTY - Shot down Crew - PH, posthumous
PRIDE OF MANITOWOC On target, 20% 1 EA claimed, 1 credited
DOUBLE BOMB On target, 40% 4 EA claimed, 4 credited 2LT Sanders - PH, AM TSG Ramirez - AM SGT Roberts - AM SGT Scott - AM
WIMPY On target, 40% 6 EA claimed, 2.33 credited 1LT Landry Velez - AM 2LT Santino Richards - AM 2LT Roberto Ford - AM TSG Finnegan Fields - AM SGT Paul Nelson - AM T4 Tobias Mace - AM, promotion to SSG SSG Tripp MacDougal - AM T4 Kingsley Griffin - AM, promotion to SSG
OLD SHEP On target, 40% SGT M. Comerota - AM
THE GIRL NEXT DOOR On target, 20% SGT Angus MacDonald - PH
MISS HOLLY On target, 40% 3 EA claimed, 2 credited 2LT Percy Johnson - PH SGT Emilio Cantle - DFC, AM
GREAT EXPECTATIONS On target, 50% 2 EA claimed, 1 credited
YPSILANTI GIRL On target, 50% 1 EA claimed, 1 credited 1LT H. Whiting - PH MSG L. Aldrich - PH SGT A. Blake - PH
WONGO II On target, 30% 2LT Billy Kowalski - PH 2LT Ernie Black - PH SGT Walter White Feather - AM
SCREWBALL EXPRESS - Shot down On target, 60% - Second best in squadron 1LT Arnold Michael - PH 2LT Cody Marsh - PH 2LT William Kirby - PH, posthumous 2LT Vernon Tipton - PH SSG Edward Justice - PH, AM SGT Lowell Price - PH SGT Jason Martineaux - PH SGT Robert Curry - PH
SAN ANTONIO ROSE On target, 20% Crew - PH
GEORGIA PEACH On target, 40% 1 EA claimed, one credited SSG John Swain - PH
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Viscar
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 16
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Post by Viscar on Feb 24, 2024 12:37:49 GMT -8
Delayed After action report ilot: 1LT John Alderman B-17: Georgia Peach B-17F Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 20 March 44 MISSION NBR:15 TARGET: Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard Position | Name | Mission | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1LT John Alderman | 13 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM | RTD | CoPilot | 2LT John Honea | 13 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM | RTD | Bombardier | 2LT Ralph Steward | 13 | 1 | 1 | AM, AM | RTD | Navigator | 2LT Michael Artelli | 13 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM, PH | RTD | Engineer | S/SGT Michael Wynn | 13 | 0 | 1/2 | AM, AM | RTD | Radio Room | S/SGT John Swain | 4 | 0 | 1/3 | PH | LW Forearm cut - RTD | Ball Gunner | SGT Andy Brown | 13 | 0 | 5 3/4 | AM, AM, AM | RTD | Left Waist | SGT Tony Ford | 13 | 0 | 1 | AM, AM | RTD | Right Waist | SGT Collin MacLeod | 4 | 0 | 1/2 |
| RTD | Tail Gunner | SGT Dexter McConnell | 13 | 0 | 3 | AM, AM | RTD |
Bomb Run: On Target - 30% B-17 Damage: Right Wing Flap inop O2 system onboard inop Navigator heat inop Casualties: SGT Swain - LW Forearm cut - RTD Peckham Points: 43 Claims: 2LT Ralph Steward - ME-410 - Denied Enemy Aircraft Type | Number | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Broke Off | FW-190 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ME-109 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | RE2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ME-410 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Airbase: No issues on take off Outbound: Fairly quiet heading toward the target until we neared the target. The escorts kept enemy fighters from engaging the formation. Target Area: Moderate FLAK over target. Oxygen system onboard was damaged by FLAK. Extreme cold caused the Top Turret guns to jam. Engineer was able to clear the jam. No fighters. Bombardier put bombs within 30% of target area. Inbound: Dropped out of formation due to oxygen system out. Bombs were dropped on formation from above. Missed. Received light ground fire during return trip home. Several waves of fighters attacked bomber. Their gunnery was bad, only received light damage. Had a rocket attack on bomber. Missed compeltely. Airbase: Landed safely. Mission completed.
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Post by caodwolf on Feb 25, 2024 7:52:45 GMT -8
78TH BOMB SQUADRON
AFTER-ACTION REPORT
MISSION 15 - Bolzano. Italy
As the CO Major Jopp and XO Captain Garfield enters the room the chatter subsides.
At the same time, Sgt Wallace bellows: “Boxcars… Attention! ” … and everyone rises.
"At ease !" bellows out the XO as Major Jopp opens up his file and begins... "Initial bombing indicates we dropped a whopping 35% on target at the Bolzano Marshalling Yards ! That's what I'm talkin about and sets a new record for the Flying Boxcars ! We did lose two birds, well three actually when you consider the Bones was CAT-E. She took alot of punishment. The Schmoo and the Puddle Jumper who was on their 1st mission were lost. (19) chutes were counted."
"Speaking of first mission, Staff Sgt Thomas Walton manning the Top Turret on the Delayed Action on his first mission downed and was credited with a '109 & '190" A wave of a applause quickly subsides as the briefing continues.
"The Red Cross just reported yesterday (10) of our comrades are reported to be POW's with another (7) as deceased. I regret to inform you that 1Lt Jimmy Stewart was on that list. This leaves (54) as MIA".
The Major glances over and quick-nods to his XO, who begins to walk toward the aisle. The two begin to leave.
“Boxcars… Attention” and the assembled throng rises again.
"Dismissed!"
Player | Bomber | % on Target | Damage | Kills | crushedhat | Laid Back Lady | DNB | 10 | --- | limburger59 | Bones (Spare) | DNB | CAT-E | --- | kageyone | Black Maria's Daughter | 30% | --- | 1 | kageyone | Orange Crate | 20% | 14 | 2 | medic1 | Delayed Action | 20% | 48 | 3 | grondeaux | The Schmoo | 50% | LOST | 1 | grondeaux | Maiden America | 40% | 2 | 2 | chefed | Next Objective | 30% | 9 | 2 | caodwolfs | Pleasant Surprise | 40% | 31 | --- | rhreiss | Bama Beauty | 50% | 12 | 1 | drewshotsfan | The Talkin' Texan | 25% | --- | --- | keltos | Black Shadow | 40% | 12 | 1/3 | rcastillo | Puddle Jumper | DNB | LOST | --- | | Average Results | 35% | | 12 1/3 |
Bombers Lost
The Schmoo Bones (spare) CAT-E Puddle Jumper
Top Bombers
Bama Beauty 50% The Schmoo 50% Pleasant Surprise 40% Maiden America 40%
Awards / Promotions
SGT Thompson AM-Ace Sgt. B Mentz AM Sgt Joshua AM Sgt Finnlinson AM Sgt Garfunkle AM Sgt Schultze AM 2nd Lt Hank McAlister AM
KIA
2LT Giuseppe Patrizzio S/SGT Joseph Viya S/SGT Philip Potter SGT Thomas Gardner SGT Nathan Herskrowitz
MIA
1LT Steven Canyon 2LT Ryan Ballard 2LT Paul Zeller 2LT Gary Corrigan SGT Timothy Richmond TSGT Henry Cupp SGT George Adkins SGT Sven Olafsson SSGT Luigi Marconi SGT Julian Graves SGT Keith Gray SGT Lonnie Gill SGT Louis Warren
Casualties
SGT Kimberlin LW 2LT Alger LW 1LT Herman Mickelson LW 2LT Armino D'Angelo LW LT Charles Freya LW (2) SGT Isaac Schulmann LW-SW SGT Archibald Brockner LW 2Lt Callahan Quinn SW Lt Winkler LW 2nd Lt Fred Thomas SW
PURPLE HEART
SGT Kimberlin 2LT Alger 1LT Herman Mickelson 2LT Armino D'Angelo LT Charles Freya SGT Isaac Schulmann SGT Archibald Brockner 2Lt Callahan Quinn Lt Winkler 2nd Lt Fred Thomas 2LT Giuseppe Patrizzio S/SGT Joseph Viya S/SGT Philip Potter SGT Thomas Gardner SGT Nathan Herskrowitz
POW Reported by Red Cross Mission 10
1LT Fred Wheeler 2LT Michael "The Bird" Fowler 2LT Thomas "Fitz" Fitzpatrick 2LT Dewey "Slapshot" Spencer S/SGT Charles "Chuck" Kramer S/SGT Roland "Free" Mason SGT Sheamus "Shane" O'Donovan SGT Howard "Howie" Ellis SGT Barney "Barns" Stackhouse SGT Ralph "Little" Prince
KIA Reported by Red Cross Mission 9
2Lt Burt Jones LT James Stewart 2LT Dean Andrews 2LT Elbert Garner 2LT Jim Hampton T/SGT Ivan Jacobson SGT Clifton Buckley
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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 Feb 25, 2024 17:53:02 GMT -8
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, Giulia Airfield Squadron Position: Middle Formation Position: #4 Mission Date: 20th March 1944 Mission Number: 15 (Aircraft Mission #13) Target: Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard POSITION/RANK/NAME
| # Missions | TOTAL CLAIMS | TODAY'S CLAIMS | Confirmed Claims | Crew Status | Notes: | Pilot 1Lt. Moeses I. Horst | 13 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM | Co-Pilot 2Lt. Slavisa J. Mackoff | 13 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH | Bombardier 2nd Lt. Richard D. Gustin | 9 | - | 1.33 | 0.92 | RTD | 1x AM & 1xPH | Navigator 2nd Lt. Gary Z. Scarbro | 13 | - | .5 | 0.25 | RTD | 2x AM
| Engineer (TT) T/Sgt. Ernestor L. Pasiak | 11 | - | 0.83 | 0.67 | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH
| Radio Operator S/Sgt. Reny O. Scaccia | 13 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM
| Ball Gunner Sgt. Evan F. Wiman | 13 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH
| Port Waist Gunner Sgt. Rami N. Mihollen
| 7 | - | 1 | 0.5 | RTD
| 1x AM & 1xPH
| Starboard Waist Gnr. Sgt. Duncan C. Freeland | 13 | - | 0.33 | 0.17 | 2xLW | 2x AM & 2xPH, Out four weeks wound recovery
| Tail Gunner Sgt. Wilbern I. Perez | 13 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xDFC
| Crew Chief: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe]
| 15 | Hard Stand: | #26 |
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* Mission Note: Completed Thirteen mission. Bomb Load: 10x 500lbs AN-M64 General Purpose Bombs Bomb Run: on target, 30% in target zone. Crew Chief Report: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe] Hard Stand: #26 Pre Mission Repair status: (2D6=7; Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.) Post Mission Repairs & Crew Chief Experience roll: (2D6=5; Good Work on Aircraft repairs, 0.5 Experience Point)B-17 Damage: 93pts. Ball Turret Malfunctioned, Port Wing Wing Spar damaged 20%, Bomb Release Mechanism Malfunctioned ( after Bomb Run), Control Cables in Tail, Starboard Elevator, Flight Deck Window, Two hits causing Light wounds. Five holes of superficial nature. Mechanical Issues: #56; Ball Turret Malfunctioned. Random Events: #11 Roll for Mechanical Failure; Mech Roll #89 Bomb Release Mechanism Failure. (Peckham RE Charts) Repair Time: One day for repairs, RTD March 20th 1944. Replacement Bomber: None Landing: Good E/A Encountered: 12 EA Claimed:Claims: | Aircraft: | Confirmation: | NG/SW/TT | Bf 109G | Half Credit Approved | NG/SC | Bf 109G | Half Credit Approved | NG/TT | Bf 109G | Full Credit Approved
| Port Waist | FW190D | Half Credit Approved
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Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted
| Bf 109G | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | Bf 110C
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | FW 190D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | JU 88C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Me 210A | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Totals: | 19 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
P-38 Lightings Destroyed one Bf 109F near Cavalese, Italy. Luftwaffe Fighters: We saw two Ace German Pilot, as they had elaborate tail decoration. Casualties: Sgt. D.C. Freeland 2x Light Wounds. in Thorax, Torn pectoralis Major and Torn pectoralis Minor Muscle. Recuperating:POSITION/RANK/NAME | # Missions
| TOTAL CLAIMS | TODAY'S CLAIMS | Confirmed Claims | Crew Status | Notes:
| Sgt. D.C. Freeland | 7 | 1.33 | 0 | 0 | Medical | Returns 17th April '44
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Award/ Promotions Requests:Sgt. D.C. Freeland - Purple Heart Replacements:
Sgt Christopher P. Plant (SW) replacement for Sgt Freeland After Action Report ( game system - TfT and various optional rules): "Flight up the Adreatic costing us one of our best gunners' for many weeks...”
-- Pg 2 -- Mission Debriefing
1st Lt Horst, 78th BS Pilot MISSION #13 (Groups 14) Date: March 20th, 1944 Target: Bolzano, Italy - Marshaling Yards Plane: B-24D-210 "Stupid Dragon" Position: Meddle Cell (#4) Altitude: 20,000feet 10x 500lbs AN-M64 Fragmentation Bombs Mission Report C04M15 -210
Zones 1-8 O/B: Take off was tricky with the poor weather, but with LT Mackoff's help we managed to get off the ground and assembled without incident. We didn't have any trouble till the coast when flak and two waves of enemy fighters came up to meet us. The Flak was very light and inaccurate. Both wave of fighters, two JU 88's and two Me 210's, were driven off by our little friends. Target Zone 9 O/B: Again over the IP and Target we skated through with the the help of the PP-38's and the Krauts inaccurate flak. Our bomb run was good with 30% of our bombs on target. Target Zone 9 I/B: Coming off the target we had a mechanical failure of in the ball turret. This rendered it nearly useless, Sgt Wiman had to operate it by hand. As if they knew we were hampered, the Luftwaffe pounced on the " Stupid Dragon." We were hit hard as a flight of Bf 109's attacked. Two were driven off, but one made two passes. hitting the wing and wounding Sgt Freeland. Upon his return our gunners teamed up to destroy the Hun. Zones 8-1 I/B: After a brief respite the Luftwaffe returned with massed attacks. First two swarms Bf 109s and a pair Me 210 ripped through our ranks. Two Bf 109s and a single Me 210 target our ship. the Me 210 causing multiple hits. Luckily our gunners damaf\ged all three enemy aircrafts forcing them to break off. Then a second flight of Bf 109s swooped in. This looked like the entire Geschwader was attacking us. Three Bf 109s sought out th " Stupid Dragon." One was destroyed and one was damaged. Though the one with a highly decorated tail hit us causing damage. On its return we our gunners sent it home smoking. Things were quite for awhile, but the two very skilled Butcherbird pilots worked us over. Making two passes they hit us for minor damage and then broke off. Though we must have hir one hard as it shortly flipped over and spun into the Sea. That was the last of the Luftwaffe. We made it back to base and landed in Good weather. Sgt Freeland will be out of action for near a month. 1st Lt. Moeses Horst
Pilot of, " Stupid Dragon" (B-24D-145-CO 42-41210) 78th BS, 509th BG(H), 15th USAAF. Giulia , Italy- Station 164 (Circle)
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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 Feb 25, 2024 17:53:43 GMT -8
Sorry for being late, been busy and lost my first attempt at my AAR.
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