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Post by limburger59 on May 15, 2023 18:56:44 GMT -8
to post 23 FEB 24 To unlock 25 FEB 24 Turn in AAR's no later than 9 MAR 24 Next mission to post 8 MAR 24
MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 MISSION # 16TARGET: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet Mission Brief: We're hitting one of the Luftwaffe airfields that harassed us on missions to Bolzano and Regensburg. Map: FORMATION:HIGH | 78th SQDN |
| MID | 79th SQDN |
| LOW | 80th SQDN | LEAD: | Laid Back Lady |
| LEAD: | All In
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| LEAD: | The Minuteman | TAIL: | Black Shadow |
| TAIL: | Rajun Cajun
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| TAIL: | The Butcher’s Daughter |
WEATHER:
Takeoff: Good Target: Good Landing: Good GAZETTEER Expect Coastal Flak batteries.
In Zones 6 and 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 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Good | 3 Adriatic Sea | X | Haze/None | Good | 4 Adriatic Sea
| -2 | 50% Clouds/Light | Good | 5 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Good | 6 Adriatic Sea/Italy Coastal Flak: Light x1 | -1 | Haze/Moderate | Good | TARGET ZONE 7 Italy FLAK: Outbound: Light x3 Inbound: None | -1 | 50% Clouds/Moderate Target: Slightly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually
| Good | 6 Italy/Adriatic Sea Coastal Flak: Light x1 | -1 | Haze/Light | Good | 5 Adriatic Sea | -2 | Haze/Light | Good | 4 Adriatic Sea | 0 | 50% Clouds/Moderate | Good | 3 Adriatic Sea | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light | Good | 2 Adriatic Sea | X | Haze/None | Good |
Emergency Airfield: None Shot Down: Over Water (if you didn't drown): Zone 5 or greater: roll a d6: 1-4 = captured, 5-6 = rescued by fishermen, passed on to Partisans, eventually returned to base and reassigned to the U.S. (You know too much about the Partisans.) Zones 2 to 4: you are rescued by the Royal Navy Over Italy: captured Calendar since Last Mission:
20 March 44 Mission 15 Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard 21 March 44 Non-Operational Day 22 March 44 Mission 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
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Post by superbee on Feb 22, 2024 10:05:50 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron - Mission Formation Assignments
Mission #16: Verona, Italy (airfield)
Lead bomber: All In
tail end Charlie: Rajun Cajun
The 79th is the lead (middle) squadron this mission.
Good luck !
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Post by crushedhat on Feb 22, 2024 10:17:34 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 16 Lead: Laid Back Lady (crushedhat) Tail: Black Shadow (keltos) Garfield, Paul, Cpt, USAAF, XO, 78th (H) Bomb Squadron (OOC - if assigned Lead or Tail, please submit your mission early in case someone else needs to take over those positions.)
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Feb 22, 2024 11:09:14 GMT -8
For the 80th: The Minuteman LEAD
The Butcher's Daughter TAIL
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Post by andy254 on Feb 24, 2024 13:55:43 GMT -8
“Another one up the Adriatic,” begins 509th S2, Maj Harlan Beech. “Unfortunately, this route is within easy reach of the Italian mainland the entire way. Which means, you’ll be within striking distance of the Luftwaffe the entire way there and back.” Maj Beech waits for the grumbling to die down before continuing. “On the positive side, resistance should be light until you’re over the mainland proper, when it will get more intense; aided in part by those Italians still loyal to the Fascist cause. An exception may be as you pass near Ancona.” SSgt Dewbury dutifully points out the location on the big wall map behind the S2. “Intel indicates there may be more EA in the vicinity on your inbound leg.”
“Continuing ammunition problems mean that flak should by light on target ingress, with little to none expected on egress. As on the last mission, you can also expect flak as you cross the coast, both outbound and inbound.”
“On the weather front, Metro is forecasting relatively clear skies for the duration of the mission.”
“Your escort will be the veteran P=-38s of the 1st FG, who have assured us they will stick by your side the entire mission.” This brings a few cheers form the assembled aircrews.
“The RN will be on Lifeguard duty till just shy of Ancona. If you end up in the drink further out, hope you meet up with some sympathetic fishermen. If you run into trouble, you can try for Yugoslavia (OOC - 2 turns with not aircover and Light Resistance the second turn). But, if you’re anywhere south of Pescara you’re just as likely to make it back to Giulia. If you do end up in Partisan hands (OOC - see Rules/Optional Rules/Optional Rules Index/Bailing Out and Escaping Capture) remember, they’re our Allies, not necessarily our friends. In other words, cooperate, but remain wary.”
“As always, should you end up in German hands…” By now the aircrews are familiar enough to repeat along, “…remember your rights under the Geneva Conventions, and your duty under the Fighting Man’s Code.” With that, the S2 turns over the podium to 509th S3, Maj Stockwell.
Stockwell steps up to the podium, an incredulous expression on his face to the room's repetition as if it was something sacred. He pauses for a moment, shrugs and then begins his part.
"Verona is our target today. Once again, we're back in 'Romeo & Juliet' country, which will mean nothing to any green crews who haven't heard my lecture on the city in Shakespearean times, have studied the great bard or are even aware of who William Shakespeare was." He looks around and sees one very some blank faces. He focuses on one of them. "He's a British playwright, son, back from long before George Washington was a lustful thought."
He quickly got back on track.
"Anyway, we're hitting their airfield. This is located west of the historical town itself and we will be specifically targeting the dispersal areas.
"Ideally, we'll find all of their planes lined up down there ready to be blown up along with the dispersal pans, taxiways and other parts of the dispersal areas. Realistically, they will be up in the air dogfighting with the P-38s escorting us. Worst case, they will have got through the 'little friends' and be giving us all a hard time.
"Your fighter escort today are seasoned veterans and will be able to filter out a lot of the enemy aircraft that come your way. Despite this, they will not be able to protect you as well if you are swamped with more than one wave of enemy aicraft after you.
"As regards flak, the odds are in your favour at being hit. This includes crossing the enemy coast on the ingress, over the target and crossing the enemy coast again on the egress.
"Good luck up there in the wild blue yonder. All I ask if you use your training, do your best, and get yourselves home alive."
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Feb 25, 2024 6:33:09 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas B-17F All In (Mission #16)Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Middle Position: Lead TARGET: Airdrome Dispersal Areas Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | 1LT | George Gill | 16 | AM++, PH |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Don Heffner | 5 |
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| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Billy Sullivan | 2 |
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| RFD | Navigator | 2LT | Myril Hoag | 16 | AM++,PH
| 1.5 | RFD | Engineer | S/SGT | Roy Hughes | 5 |
| 1.5 | RFD | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Vern Kennedy | 16 | AM++
| 1 | RFD
| Ball Gunner | SGT | SGT Russ Van Atta | 16 | AM++
| .5 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Julius “Moose” Solters | 16 | AM++
| .5 | RFD
| Right Waist | SGT | Jim Walkup | 8 | AM | .66 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Ewald "Ernie" Pyle | 3 |
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| RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 16th mission skill 2 Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure rolls during this mission. Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30% Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance Bomber Damage: Peckham Points: Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 2 | Me109 | Me110 | Fw190 | Re2001 | Me210 | G55; | TOTAL | Escort Intercept |
| 2 |
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| | | 2 | Undamaged |
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| | Damaged |
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| Probable/Denied
| | | | | | | | Destroyed |
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Casualties: Claims: Awards: AM: 2LT Heffner, S/SGT Hughes Promotions: AAR We were selected as the Group lead for this mission, Myril is one of the most experienced navigators in the squadron so one day for mission planning wasn’t a problem. OUTBOUND With the good weather we has a smooth takeoff and were able to quickly find the assembly aircraft. Once the formation was ready we headed north to the target. The flight over the Adriatic was uneventful. Once we reached the coast we were greeted by light ineffective flak. That was followed by rockets lobbed into the formation from the rear, which missed us. TARGET AREA Once in the target area, we didn’t encounter any enemy fighters on the way to the IP and flak during the bomb run was ineffective. Billy was on-target assessed at 30% effective. After that we reached the RP with no additional flak or fighters encountered. INBOUND As the formation started back to base a pair of Me110s tried to attack us but were stopped by our little friends. As we passed over the coast there was light ineffective flak. After that it was a routine flight back to base with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. Don and Roy received Air Metals for completing their 5th mission. 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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Post by medic1 on Feb 25, 2024 6:56:46 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: Middle/MiddleMission Date: 22 March 44 Mission Number: 016Missions This Bomber: 16Target: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
Crew/Position/Rank | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress Points | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado | 16 | 10.5 | 0 | 2 | RTD | R/O T/Sgt Bruce Woodside | 16 | 2 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Ball Gunner T/Sgt Ed Kostanaro | 16 | 10.5 | 0 | 1 | RTD | PSW Sgt Noreno Costa | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Mark Riley | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | TG Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit | 17 | 8 | 0 | 1 | RTD |
Bomb Run: OnOn Target: 30%B-17 Damage: 0 Hits Peckham Points: 0Repair Time: Routine Maintenance Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, (+2 modifier)Landing: Safe at GiuliaE/A Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | Bf-109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bf-110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fw-190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Confirmed Claims: 0 Casualties: 0 Stress Points after mission: 0 Award/ Promotions Requests: 0
After Action Report Zone 1: Beautiful weather was a welcome change for takeoff, reducing the chance of mishaps and made for an easy time for all to form up in the skies. It also made meeting up with our escorts from the 1st FG easier, as sometimes the weather works against us in that regard. Zone 2-5: Nothing to report. Zone 6: Just over the coast we encountered some light flak. It was mostly inaccurate stuff and quite scattered. Zone 7: All gunners checked their guns and stood by alert watching for fighters. The wait wasn’t long as three Italians still loyal to the brutal regime of dictatorship made a beeline for us. But their plans were cut short as P-38s overwhelmed them and only one managed to escape and we never had to fire a round.
The flak gunners also couldn’t find our range and Kellici had an easy time for the first time in several missions, enjoying a smoother ride while dropping for 30%.
INBOUND
After the turn Goring’s Goons seemed preoccupied and we left the target zone unmolested.
Zone 6:Some light flak over the coast that was just as ineffective as we had experienced on our way in. Zone 5-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: Landed safely and taxied to hardstand.
A milk run for us. We hit the target, never had to fire a gun, never received a hit and all returned safely. One can’t ask for more than that. S/Sgt Yates and his ground crew are also all smiles as they’ll be able to knock off early, only having normal maintenance to get the ship ready for the next mission. 1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Feb 25, 2024 7:09:46 GMT -8
Mission date:22 March 44 Target: Verona, Italy - Aerodrome Dispersal Area Mission/Bomber: 16/2 B-17G The A Train 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force Formation: Low Squadron Position: Middle
Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards Pilot: 1LT Dirk Ellington (2) (-) PH Co-Pilot: 2LT Edward Reese (2) (-) Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (2) (2) DFC Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (2) (0) PH Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (2) (1.5) PH Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (2) (0) Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (2) (0) Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (2) (0) Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (2) (1.5) PHx2 Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (2) (0.25)
Bombing: On target, 60%
Damage: 106 Peckham Points Superficial (x4): Fuselage (x3), Tail (x1) Pilot Compartment oxygen (10) Intercom system (10) Starboard Outboard fuel tank, sealed x2 (20) Bomb Controls (10) Flaps (10) Port Waist oxygen (10) Pilot Compartment fire damage (25) Light wounds x3 (6) Two days for repair
Casualties: 2LT Mark Ventura - LW, thigh cut, superficial SSG Stanley Ruzinski - LW, thigh cut, superficial SGT Vince Meoli - LW, leg graze, superficial
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited FW-190: 7 / 1 / 0 Me-109: 7 / 1 / 1 Ju-88: 2 / 0 / 0
Awards: 2LT Mark Ventura - PH SSG Stanley Ruzinski - PH SGT Vince Meoli -PH
Flown with TFT
We arrived at the aircraft with a spare crewman to man the starboard waist gun position because Meoli was not scheduled to be released from the hospital until later today. We climbed aboard to discover Meoli checking his machine gun. I was about to order him off the aircraft but the look on his face was so pathetic that I dismissed the spare. The smile I received was beatific. I warned him to stay out of trouble.
The weather, for a change, was forecast as good for takeoff, target area, and landing. Takeoff was without incident and assembly was in the clear.
Zones 2 - 6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7 (Target): We had had a quiet mission but when we hit the IP, everything went south very quickly. A pair of Ju-88s took a run at us. One was intercepted by the escorts. The other one was at 1:30 Low and he missed us and broke off. One of the Ball Turret machine guns jammed. Three FW-190s came at us and the P-38s got one off the nose. Another off the nose high was damaged and broke off. One at 3:00 Low, however, knocked out the intercom system, hit the outboard starboard tank which fortunately sealed, got two superficial hits on the fuselage, lightly wounded Ruzinski in the top turret, knocked out the cockpit oxygen and caused a fire which was quickly controlled with one bottle, and got walking hits that knocked out the bomb controls, disabled the flaps, knocked out the port waist oxygen, and got a superficial hit on the tail. He came around at 12:00 High and was claimed by Top Turret and Bombardier. The flak was light but damn accurate. We took a superficial hit to the fuselage, another hit to the starboard outer fuel tank which sealed again, and lightly wounded the Nav and Meoli at the right waist. With all that was going on and with the bomb controls out, Williams had to bomb manually and he got a great result with 60% in the box.
Zone 7 (Inbound): The flak disappeared post target and the Ball gunner was able to get the jammed MG working. A single FW-190 came at us at 6:00 Level but the escorts got him. We then had Lady Luck smile on us.
Zone 6: An Me-109 at 12:00 Level came at us but was seen off by a Little Friend.
Zone 5: Two waves of enemy aircraft came at us, the first was three Me-109s and the second was three FW-190s but the Little Friends did a spectacular job and none of them got a shot at us.
Zone 4: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: Three more Me-109s came at us. The Little Friends got one, one missed us diving on us, and the last one at 1:30 High was claimed by the Bombardier and Starboard Waist.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Landing was a bit rough without the flaps but was otherwise without incident.
1LT Dirk Ellington Aircraft Commander, The A Train 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
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Post by medic1 on Feb 25, 2024 8:00:20 GMT -8
B-24J DELAYED ACTION (B24J-CF-42-52242)Pilot: 1st Lt Jerry Burch Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: High/Middle Mission Date: 22 March 44 Mission Number: 016 Missions This Bomber: 5 Target: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
CREW/POSITION/RANK | CURRENT MISSION | PREVIOUS CLAIMS | THIS MISSION | STRESS POINTS | STATUS | Pilot 1st Lt Jerry Burch | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank McAlister | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Terry Vickers | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Cam Moore | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Bart Dillon | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | R/O S/Sgt Bill Payne | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Mark Harrison | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Phil Merrick | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Henry Lyons | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Larry Sharp | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 30% B-24 Damage: 2 Hits Superficial x 1 (2) Tail x 2 -tailplane, superficial (2)
Peckham Points: 4 Repair Time: Overnight Crew Chief: S/Sgt Jay Decker (+2 mod) Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Bf-110 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 1 | 0 | 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2005 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | TOTALS | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
Confirmed Claims: 0 Casualties: 0 Award/ Promotions Requests: 6 AM (1st Award) - 1st Lt Jerry Burch, 2nd Lt Terry Vickers, 2nd Lt Cam Moore, S/Sgt Bill Payne, Sgt Mark Harrison, Sgt Larry Sharp Stress Points this Mission: 0
After Action Report (using QOTS): Zone 1: Excellent weather made for a welcome change for takeoff and form up. Zone 2 – 5: Nothing to report. Zone 6: Some sporadic coastal flak that didn’t amount to anything. Zone 7: Shortly after the IP, four Re-2005s arrived, with one failing to push past our fighters. In the ensuing run and gun battle, the only damage was scored by our side, Dillon knocking some pieces off one at 1:30 high.
Although the flak was light, we took two minor hits. Regardless, Vickers was able to keep his focus and drop for 30%.
INBOUND
E/A massed waiting for us after the turn. At first, they seemed reluctant to attack as we noticed a wave veer off for some unknown reason. But a second group of three 2005 was made of tougher stuff and swarmed in, only to find that our P-38s were tougher. Not one Italian fighter made it to us and we left the target zone with only some light flak damage. Zone 6: Some light, inaccurate flak was encountered over the coast followed by an attempted attack from a 190 that found our little friends quite determined that he was going to Valhalla instead. Zone 5: Nothing to report. Zone 4: We encountered two waves of E/A patrolling quite far out from the coast. However, our escorts were still highly vigilant in their duties and chased them all off. Zone 3-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: A safe landing brought an end to a successful mission.
The ground crew doesn’t have much to do to get Delayed Action ready for whenever our next mission is. The crew will be having a good time in the bar tonight as most of us celebrate having made it to five mission.
1st Lt Jerry Burch, Pilot Commanding, 78th BS, 509 BG, 15th AF
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Post by crushedhat on Feb 25, 2024 11:47:05 GMT -8
B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS LLS Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 22 Mar 44 MISSION NBR. 16/This Bomber 14 TARGET: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas SECONDARY TARGET: POSITION: High Squadron, Lead
Crew Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills] Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield, (14) [0] LC Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson, (14) [0] LC Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (14) [4 1/2] Navigator: Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison, (13) [2 2/3] # Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton, (14) [18 2/3] LC # Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (14) [0] LC Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (14) [10 1/3] LC * Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson, (14) [2 1/3] # Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle, (8) [1/2] # Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (14) [10 5/6] LC ** * = 1 Kill This Mission # = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: Fw 190 4=2 KIA, 1 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace) Me 109 12=2 KIA, 2 Damaged, 6 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (3 Green) Re 2001 1=1KIA (1 Ace) 17
Claims: Only credited kills reported here Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson: Me 109 Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle: ½ Re 2001 Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard: ½ Fw 190, 1/3 Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x 3 (6), Rt Wing Root x1 (25) Peckham Points: 31 Peckham Points, AC ready 23 Mar 44.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia
Awards/Promotion Requests: None
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Looks like that ass-chewing I gave Mason did some good,” Capt Paul Garfield smiles atr his co-pilot, 2LT Elliott Peterson. After having to abort eh last two missions due to mechanical failures, this time Laid Back Lady manages to assume the position as Squadron Lead.
“Yeah,” Peterson responds, adding under his breath, “So far.”
It appeared that the morale talk I gave to TSgt Mason and his crew paid off as, unlike that last two times, we managed to stay in the air this mission.
As briefed, we ran into the Luftwaffe near Arcona (Zone 4). Two Me 109s bore in on us only to be chased off the boys of the 1st FG. WE hit the Italian coast (Zone 6), but weren’t bothered by any bandits. The coastal flak was desultory at best.
We were challenged by four 109s on target ingress (Zone 7). Two fell to the P-38s and we sent the other two limping for home. Flak was the biggest problem. Though light as briefed, several shells burst near enough to pepper Lady enough to damage the right wing root. The effect of missing the last two missions was evident in 2LT Martell only putting about 20% of bombs within the CEP.
The absence of flak on target egress meant the skies were wide open for Jerry, Multiple waves of EA hitting us. First in was a trio of 109s. The lightnings got two and we flamed the third. Then it as a pair of 109s and an Re 2001 bearing the triple axe. One 109 fell to the 1st FG and we knocked the other two bandits out of the sky, although the Kraut managed to put a few holes in us. After that, the crew was feeling pretty lucky (OOC – Random Event: Ace for a Day).
As we headed back over the Adriatic (Zone 6) we encountered more EA, though none sought to brave the combined fire of the formation to reach us. Just as well, as TSgt Newton reported the power on his turret failed. Fortunately he was able to bring it back on line before our next encounter. Again, the coastal flak was ineffective.
Opposite Arcona (Zone 4) we ran into more fighters, four FWs and a 109. The Lightnings chased off one 190 and we managed to down tow others without suffering any significant damage. While we could see another wave of EA forming up, they didn’t press home the attack. The same was true for the bandits we encountered a little later (Zone 3). After that, it was like a Sunday drive back to Giulia and landing.
TSgt Mason says he’ll look into the top turret power and otherwise should have Lady ready to fly again tomorrow.
Paul Garfield, Capt USAAF, commanding B24D Laid Back Lady 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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Post by kkirch22 on Feb 25, 2024 23:47:11 GMT -8
AAR FOR ANGRY ARI, B-17G-20BO-42-31598:
Aircraft Commander: 1st Lt. Kyle Kirch. Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group. Middle Squadron - Middle. MISSION DATE: March 22, 1944. MISSION NUMBER: 16 (This bomber: 3). TARGET: Verona, Italy - Airdromes. Repairs and Maintenance: Standard Repairs and Maintenance
Mission Crew: (Prior missions) - [Prior kills] - {Stress Points} Pilot: 1st Lt. Kyle Kirch (2) {0} Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Andrew Walker (2) {0} Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Joe McChesney (2) [0] {0} Navigator: 2nd Lt. Richard "Dick" Roden (2) [0] {1} Engineer: T/Sgt. Roy Schultz (2) [0] {0} Radio Operator: S/Sgt. Brent Wickie (8) [0] {1} Ball Gunner: Sgt. Lais Laifeng (2) [0] {1} Port Waist: Sgt. Tom Settler (2) [0] {1} Starboard Waist: Sgt. Matthew Gabriels (2) [0] {2}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Ned Green (2) [0] {0}
Crew Chief: Sgt. Geoff Culver (-1 Mod.).
Bomb Run: ON/90%
Casualties: Sgt. Tom Settler, Serious Wound. Broken Ribs. RFD: 22 APR 44
Damage: Left Landing Gear Brake out. 2 Superficial Hits.
Peckham Points: 17, Overnight repair.
Landing: Safe at Base.
Claims: 2nd Lt. Joe McChesney: 1x Claim, Full Kill Awarded. Sgt. Lais Laifeng: 1x Claim, Denied. Sgt. Ned Green: 1x Claim, Full Kill Awarded.
Award/Promotion Requests: Sgt. Tom Settler: Purple Heart (Auto Awarded) 2nd Lt. Joe McChesney: Distinguished Flying Cross (Auto Awarded)
Currently In Hospital: Sgt. Eli Stone. RFD: 15 MAY 44 Sgt. Tom Settler. RFD: 22 APR 44
AFTER ACTION REPORT NARRATIVE: (Using TfT, Ghost's Simplified/Less Deadly Tables, and Advanced Flak and New Bomb Run Procedures.)
Mission started off exciting with a brief jump on some gauges as we took off, after a moment of panic everything settled down and we coasted the bird into formation. No further mechanical issues arose, and we set out across the Adriatic.
Nothing to report until we got near the coast of Italy. 2 Bf109s jumped the bird from 12 O'Clock, one was chased off by our escort and the second was taken out by Green on a passing shot as he zipped around to our rear. As soon as we were feet dry, some coastal flak batteries put up light but accurate fire. One shell managed to hit our left landing gear and cut the brakes out, which caused some difficulty on landing but was a result much preferable to having a direct engine hit.
Coming over the target zone we once again had an eerily quiet run into the target itself, with sporadic and light flak, none of which hit our aircraft. These guys must have gone to a different school than the coastal gunners! We hit our IP satisfactorily and our cell lead "All In" set up a beautiful and textbook stable run for us! (Note to self, have Sgt. Gulliver bring 1st Lt. Gill some wine out of my... souvenir collection...) Despite a slightly obscured target, 2nd Lt. McChesney had no issues finding the target and put down a bomb run the likes of which I'd never even heard of, even stateside under perfect training conditions! Reports are saying 90% of his bombs landed on target, and he'll be put in for a DFC for the performance.
Turning around for the rally point, we faced an assault by enemy aircraft and saw further excitement as 2nd Lt. McChesney managed to gun down a fighter coming in for a 12 O Clock attack on the plane, sending the enemy spiraling out of control and in flames. Sgt. Laifeng in the ball turret claims to have shot down an Italian 109 as well, but the review board didn't see it that way sadly. In either case, top notch work from our gunners today kept our plane in good shape despite the more active attacks on us this mission.
Leaving Italy, headed for the coastline we got some more excitement from those Coastal Flak crews who really seemed to be on their damn game today, once again hitting our plane this time with 2 shells. One only caused superficial damage, but the second shell burst near the left waist and sent pieces of shrapnel punching through the aircraft into Sgt. Settler, who only suffered a broken rib thanks to his flak jacket but was still out of action for the remainder of the mission. He's expected to return in a months time.
The rest of the flight home was uneventful, with a few enemy fighter waves showing up but being chased off by defensive fire or friendly fighters before reaching our aircraft. Managed to set the plane down safely despite the failed landing gear brake, and had Sgt. Settler rushed off to the medical tent to have his wounds treated.
2nd Lt. McChesney's outstanding performance today will get him a DFC, but I hope he doesn't let it go to his head. It's still early days in this tour and I fear the crew might become complacent, even despite the injuries we've been taking. Stories from other pilots and squadrons tell me this kind of luck can't be milked forever. In any case, the men will get a few days rest (hopefully) and do some celebrating for the awarded kills and excellent bomb run and we'll be ready for action again whenever we get the call.
- 1st Lt. Kyle Kirch, 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomb Group.
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Post by kageyone on Feb 26, 2024 1:09:15 GMT -8
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Feb 26, 2024 2:04:36 GMT -8
After-Action ReportB-24J-1-CF-42-64086 – “Black Shadow”78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force
Commander: 1st Lt. M. Armstead Mission Date: 22 March 1944 Mission Number: 16 Mission of this bomber: 4 Formation: High Position: Tile End Charlie Target: Verona, Italy Target Type: Airdrome Dispersal Areas Bomb Run: On Target - 40% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Mitch Armstead | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. John Webb
| 4 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. John Griffis
| 4 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Charles Rutherford | 4 | 0 | .33 |
| RTD | 0 | Engineer | S/Sgt Colin Jones | 4 | .5 | 1 |
| RTD | 0 | Nose Gunner | Sgt Dennis Lindsay | 4 | 0 | 1.5 |
| RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Erik Sinnott
| 4 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD
| 0 | Port WG/Radio Op. | S/Sgt Lee Hanson
| 4 | 0 | 0 |
| RTD
| 0 | Starboard WG | Sgt Fred Campbell
| 4 | .5 | .5 |
| RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | Sgt James Rivera
| 4 | 0 | 1.5 |
| RTD
| 0 |
Crew Chief: S/Sgt John Ziegler (Average Joe) - 4 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Me-109 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | Me-210 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2005 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Claims:
- S/Sgt Colin Jones: 1 Me-109 claimed - half credit awarded - Sgt Fred Campbell: 1 Me-109 claimed - half credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial x4: 8 - Rudder x1: 25 - Navig. Eq.: 10 - Engine #2 out: 25 - Engine #1 Oil tank: 10 Peckham Points: 78pts - overnight repairing and maintenance Casualties: --Awards: -- AAR (flown with TFT)Giulia Airbase: Take off and assembly in a good weather. Zone 2-5 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 6 Outbound: Coastal flak caused no damage. Zone 7 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): As we entered zone 7, S/Sgt Hanson reported that he saw a trail of oil leaking from the #1 engine. I decided to shut down the engine to avoid further problems. We were attacked by 2 Fw-190s and 2 Me-109s in two successive waves, but the fighters of the 1st FG were ready to intercept them and drive them away from us. The Jerrys seemed very fierce in defending their base: we were attacked by 1 Fw-190, 1 Me-109 and a Re-2205 of the ANR. The last two were intercepted by the escort, while the Fw-190, although damaged, managed to hit us causing much damage. On the second passage it was further damaged and preferred to move away. The Flak around the lens was light and inaccurate, and we were not damaged. This allowed us to carry out a good bomb drop. During the egress the Flak did not fire a shot and the enemy fighters left us alone. Just before leaving the zone, engine #2 began to lose power and despite our attempts to restore it, it shut down altogether with no possibility of restarting it. Zone 6 Inbound: We communicated to the rest of the squadron the need to leave the formation and abandon the TEC position. We descended to 10,000 feet. Fortunately, the coastal flak was so inaccurate that it did not cause us any damage. However, we were attacked by 2 Me-109s: one was removed from the escort while the second was shot down. Zone 5-2 Inbound: Despite the fact that we were alone and at low altitude, no enemy fighters came to bother us. Giulia Airbase: With two engines out and the rudder damaged, grounding the ship was a bit complicated, but we managed to do it without damage. ------------------------------------------------- Mitch Armstead, 1st Lt, USAAF, Commanding Commanding B-24J: Black Shadow B-24J-1-CF-42-64086 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Feb 26, 2024 5:40:41 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: 22 March 1944 Mission Number: 16 Mission of this bomber: 16 Formation: Middle Position: Middle Target: Verona, Italy Target Type: Airdrome Dispersal Areas Bomb Run: On Target - 40% Lady Luck Smile #: 1 (used during this mission to avoid Pilot KIA)CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Henry Simmons | 16 | 0 | 0 | AM++ | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh
| 4 | 0 | 0 | PH | RTD | 2 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Sean Nelson
| 1 | 0 | 1 | PH | RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc | 8 | 0 | 1.83 | AM / PH | RTD | 1 | Engineer | T/Sgt Tim Burkey | 16 | .5 | 10 | AM++ / DFC | RTD | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Paul Stewart | 16 | 0 | 0 | AM++ / PH+ | RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Matthew Whalen
| 16 | 1 | 6.49 | AM++ / DFC | RTD
| 0 | Port WG | Sgt George Buck
| 16 | 0 | 2 | AM++ | RTD
| 0 | Starboard WG | S/Sgt Harvey McGinty
| 16 | 0 | 1.33 | AM++ / PH | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | S/Sgt Mark Withley
| 10 | 0 | 0 | AM+ / PH | LW | 1 |
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Richard Weiner (the Dedicated) - 16 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Me-110/Me-410 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Re-2005 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
Claims:- T/Sgt T. Burkey: 1 Me-110 claimed - half credit awarded - Sgt M. Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - full credit awarded - S/Sgt M. Withley: 1 Me-110 claimed - no credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial x1: 1 - Port Aileronn/e: 5 - Light Wound x1: 2 Peckham Points: 8pts - overnight repairing and maintenance Casualties:
- S/Sgt Mark Withley: LW skull grazed - RTD Awards:
- AM 1st OLC: S/Sgt Mark Withley - PM: S/Sgt Mark Withley Promotions:--AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Easy take off and assembly in good weather. Zone 2-5 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 6 Outbound: Coastal light flak approaching northern italian coast but no damage reported. We were attacked by 3 Fw-190s, 3 Me-110s and 1 Me-109s in three successive waves, but our escort did a great job intercepting all of them, except for one Me-110 which was shot down by our gunners. Zone 9 Outbound/Inbound (target Zone): No GAF while approaching target and flak above it was light and inaccurate, no damage were reported. Bomb run was good: an exceptional work done by Lt. Nelson on his first mission on our bomber after his training in the US. No flak on egress. A Me-109 and an italian Re-2005 were intercepted by 1st FG angels, while a Me-109, avoided our shots (probably a veteran) and caused some damage and light wounding our tail gunner. On his second passage he wasn't so lucky: he was shut down by our shots and no chute observed. Zone 6 Inbound: Coastal light flak: no damage. Zone 5-2 Outbound: Nothing to report. Giulia Airbase: Landed safely. -------------------------------------------------
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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Viscar
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 16
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Post by Viscar on Feb 26, 2024 10:22:11 GMT -8
Pilot: 1LT John Alderman B-17: Georgia Peach B-17F Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 MISSION NBR:16 TARGET: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas Position | Name | Mission | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1LT John Alderman | 14 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM | RTD | CoPilot | 2LT John Honea | 14 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM | RTD | Bombardier | 2LT Ralph Steward | 14 | 0 | 1 | AM, AM | RTD | Navigator | 2LT Michael Artelli | 14 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM, PH | RTD | Engineer | S/SGT Michael Wynn | 14 | 1/2 | 1 | AM, AM | RTD | Radio Room | S/SGT John Swain | 5 | 1 | 1 1/3 | AM, PH | RTD | Ball Gunner | SGT Andy Brown | 14 | 1 | 6 3/4 | AM, AM, AM | RTD | Left Waist | SGT Tony Ford | 14 | 0 | 0 | AM, AM | RTD | Right Waist | SGT Collin MacLeod | 5 | 0 | 1/2 | AM | RTD | Tail Gunner | SGT Dexter McConnell | 14 | 2 | 4 1/2 | AM, AM | RTD |
Bomb Run: On Target - 30% B-17 Damage: #4 engine runaway - was able to feather the engine Right wing fuel tank hit - self sealed Control cables hit Radio Room oxygen knocked out Casualties: N/A Peckham Points: 56 Claims: S/SGT Wynn - ME-109 - 1/2 credit approved SGT Swain - ME-109 - approved SGT Brown - JU-88 - approved SGT McConnell - ME-109 - approved SGT McConnell - ME-109 - 1/2 credit Enemy Aircraft Type | Number | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Broke Off | FW-190 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| ME-109 | 3 |
| 2 |
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| JU-88 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
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| ME-210 | 2 | 2 |
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Airbase: No issues on take off Outbound: Fairly quiet heading toward the target until we neared the target. A pair of ME-109s attacked before the target zone. Both were shot down. The bomber formation was disrupted for Georgia Peach. Target Area: Several waves of fighters attacked, but all were driven off by escorts. Light FLAK over target. After turning around for home, several more waves of fighters attacked. The #4 engine was hit and started running away. The pilot and copilot were able to feather the engine. The right wing fuel tank was also hit, but self sealed. Bombardier put bombs within 30% of target area. Inbound: About halfway back to base, a rocket attack was fired into formation. Aircraft was hit and the radio room oxygen was knocked out. Bomber dropped out of formation. Surprisingly no fighters attacked aircraft during return trip. Airbase: Landed safely. Mission completed.
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Post by limburger59 on Feb 26, 2024 14:45:04 GMT -8
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Post by limburger59 on Feb 26, 2024 15:33:37 GMT -8
B-17F PRIVATE DIX Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Middle Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 MISSION # 16 TARGET: Verona, Italy
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Frederick Rogers (4) Co-Pilot: 2LT Eugene Bates (3) Navigator: 2LT Elmer Horton (2) Bombardier: 2LT Steven Cox (1) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Victor Mendoza (8) [3] AM Radio Op: S/SGT Clinton Watts (4) Ball Turret: SGT Gavin O'Callahan (8) [3.83] AM .5 x Bf-109 destroyed Right Waist: SGT Walter Heath (5) Left Waist: SGT Amir Sexton (2) Tail Gunner: SGT Jonny Tinney (1) .5 x Bf-109 destroyed
Bomb Run: Off Target 0%
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: 11 5x FW-190: 1 Probable, 3 Driven Off 3x Bf-109: 1 destroyed (confirmed), 2 Driven Off 1x Ju88: 1 Driven Off Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 1 Confirmed, Probables = 1, Damaged = 0, Driven Off by Escort = 6
Award/Promotion Requests: Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Walter Heath
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
In Target Zone 7, as we approached Verona, a Ju88 seemed interested in us, but attracted a number of our Little Friends.
The actual bomb release was late.
Turning back for home the formation faced multiple waves, with two having an unhealthy interest in Private Dix. Our escort dealt with two of the 109s that tried to attack us, while a third 109 unwisely tried to attack our six. He was dismantled by the combined firepower of the Ball Turret and Tail Guns.
In Zones 5 and 4 the Butcher Birds tried to molest us. Three of the five ran away from our Little Friends, and our Ball Gunner damaged the fifth.. Two limped away damaged in exchange for the loss of a rudder panel.
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Post by royalblue on Feb 26, 2024 21:49:38 GMT -8
B-17G – Statement of Charges80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force Pilot: 1Lt Samuel French
Mission Date: 22 March 1944
Mission: 16 Previous Missions in Bomber: 0
Target: Verona, Italy Target Type: Airdrome Dispersal Areas
Formation: Low Position: Middle
CREW
Position | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt Samuel French
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD
| Co-Pilot | 2Lt Joseph Bonetti
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD | Bombardier | 2Lt Isaac Goldman
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD | Navigator | 2Lt Howard Bush
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD | Engineer | S/Sgt Paul Danowski
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Michael Schwartz
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD | Ball Gunner | Sgt Charles Beasley
| 1 | 0
| 0 | None
| RTD
| Port WG | Sgt Luis Rosa
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD
| Starboard WG | Sgt Patrick Flanagan
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD | Tail Gunner | Sgt Theodore Fields
| 1 | 0 | 0 | None
| RTD
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Bomb Run: On Target - 50%
Enemy Aircraft:
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged
| Fw-190 | 2
| 2
| 0 | 0
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Claims: - None
Damage: - Superficial x1 - Bomb bay x1
Peckham Points: 11 - Repaired overnight
Casualties: - None
Awards: - None
Promotions: - None
After-Action Report:
OUTBOUND Zone 1/Takeoff: Clear skies for takeoff. Joined squadron without incident.
Zone 2-5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6: Received ineffective fire from coastal flak batteries as we made our way inland.
Zone 7/Target: As we neared the target airfield our formation was attacked by a small group of enemy aircraft. The majority of them seemed to have chosen other targets; however, I did witness a pair of Fw-190s approach us, roughly to our 11 o'clock high, before being intercepted and destroyed by P-38s of the 1st FG.
The flak started up again with renewed vigor not long after the fighter attack was repulsed. A few minutes after the barrage began I felt my aircraft shudder from what I could only assume meant we had taken a hit; Sgt Flanagan confirmed this over the radio moments later and reported that we had received superficial damage to our starboard wing. I would find out after landing that we had also taken a burst of flak to our bomb bay. Judging by the impact angle of the metal, I determined that it must have occurred prior to jettisoning our ordnance. Whether our survival can be officially attributed to luck or to providence I am not sure; but it was clear to me that we had only narrowly avoided a quick and fiery demise over our target.
We were otherwise unbothered and so proceeded to line up for the bombing run. 2Lt Goldman was able to place 50% of our bombs on target.
INBOUND
Zone 7: No further attention from the enemy's fighters or flak guns as we left the target zone.
Zone 6: Received ineffective coastal fire as on outbound flight. This time the enemy also attempted to lob rockets into the aft of our formation; we received no damage.
Zone 5-2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1/Landing: Landed safely.
I dropped down out of the hatch and landed on the tarmac with a grunt. What a milk run! I thought to myself as I stretched my legs, most of my crew spilling out of the fort behind me. Sure it hadn't been that way for everyone in the squadron, we lost our lead plane after all; the crew of The Minutemen were God-knows-where in the Adriatic right now. For a moment I felt a knot in my stomach, knowing that could just as easily have been us if we weren't so lucky over the target. But, and a part of me felt guilty just for thinking it, it wasn't us. We'd survived our first mission practically unscathed, and I started to think that at this rate maybe we really could end the war by Christmas. This would definitely be worth celebrating tonight!
"Sir! Get back up here and take a look at this!" Danowski shouted at me from inside the bomb bay, bringing me back down to earth for a second time today.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." I replied as I pulled myself back up into the giant green aircraft.
Once back inside the plane I saw Staff Sergeant Paul Danowski standing alone in the bomb bay. A stocky man with a round face, "Ski" as we affectionately called him, was the son of Polish immigrants and my senior enlisted crewman on-board the Statement of Charges. We were easily the greenest crew in the whole squadron but Ski had already proven himself to me as a competent, if somewhat temperamental, flight engineer back in the States. I trusted him implicitly, and my curiosity was piqued when I heard him uttering a string of Polish curses as I walked up.
"Look." He pointed down to a group of scattered fist sized holes in the bomb bay doors.
It quickly dawned on me the implication of what I was staring at. The only time the plane had been hit was when we were still on approach to the target, meaning the flak had narrowly missed impacting our bombs and potentially detonating them inside the plane.
"You think we just used up all our luck in one go, Sir?"
I swallowed hard, that knot in my stomach moving up to my throat. "I... it's an easy fix right?" I avoided the question.
"Sure, sure. Will be an easy enough fix for the mechanics." Danowski answered me halfheartedly. We both stood quiet for a moment, either unwilling or unable to look away from the holes.
Suddenly a shout interrupted our silence: "Hey Frenchy! Sergeant Ski! C'mon already!" 2Lt Joe Bonetti, my spirited co-pilot, yelled from outside the fort. "We're gonna be late for interrogation if you two don't hurry up!"
Wordlessly we both exited the plane. S/Sgt Danowski's words still echoed in my head. I hadn't wanted to admit it out loud, but I was worried he was right. In a world where men trusted a lucky rabbit's foot as much as a prayer, it didn't seem out of the question that we just used the last of a finite and intangible resource we could never get back.
The rest of the crew was preparing to board a deuce and a half truck to take us to our post-flight interrogation as we walked up. Our two inseparable waist-gunners, Sergeants Flanagan and Rosa, seemed to be in the middle of telling another tall-tale as we joined the group. "Christ Sam, you look like you just saw a ghost." Pointed out 2Lt Howard Bush, our navigator, turning to look at me and Ski with surprise. "What is it?"
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Post by kageyone on Feb 26, 2024 22:52:40 GMT -8
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Feb 27, 2024 15:02:57 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF Mission 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #13)Crew Commander: 1LT George McQuinn Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle TARGET: Airdrome Dispersal Areas Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Prior Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | 1LT | George McQuinn | 15 | AM+ |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Howard Mills | 11 | AM+ |
| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Johnny Marcum | 15 | AM+ | .25 | RFD
| Navigator | 2LT | Pat Tobin | 15 | AM+ | .25 | RFD
| Engineer | S/SGT | Sam Harshaney | 12 | AM++, PH | 5.33 | RFD | Radio/ RW | S/SGT | John Whitehead | 15 | AM+ | 1.37 | RFD
| Ball Gunner | SGT | Bill Trotter | 15 | AM+, PH | 3.03 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Harry Kimberlin | 15 | AM+ | 1.5 | RFD
| Nose Gunner | SGT | Tommy Thompson | 10 | AM | 5.08 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Short | 15 | AM+ | 1.16 | RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 14th mission Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50% Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repair and maintenance. Bomber Damage: Peckham Points: Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 13
| Me109 | Fw190 | Me110 | Me210 | Me410
| Re2005 | TOTAL | Escort Intercept | 4 | 3 | | | | 1 | 8 | Undamaged |
| 2 | | | | | 2 | Damaged
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| 1 |
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| 1 | Probable/Denied
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| 1 |
| | | | 1 | Destroyed | 1 |
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Casualties: Claims: Fw190 S/SGT Harshaney Denied Me109 S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Kimberlin Approved = Full Credit Awarded Awards: Air Medal: 1LT McQuinn 2LT Marcum 2LT Tobin T/SGT Whitehead SGT Trotter SGT Kimberlin SGT Thompson SGT Short
AAR
OUTBOUND Take off and joining the formation was uneventful. About half way up the Adriatic we encountered enemy fighters. The boys for the 1st FG took care of a Fw190 at our 12, and Sam in the top turret shot up a Fw190 attacking in a vertical dive. Bill in the ball turret reported a chute as its dive turned into a death spiral. As we passed over the coast there was light ineffective flak. Shortly afterwards rockets were fired into the format from our 6 but none went off near us. That was followed by three Fw190s that managed to get past the Lightings and tried a pincer attack. All out gunners engaged and although none reported any hits their fire was effective enough that the fighters missed.
TARGET AREA Once in the target area, a pair of Me109s and a Re2005 tried to attack. The 1st FG escorts saw off the Re2005 and one of the Me109s. Sam and Harry took out the Me109 at our 9, shredding the Left wing, with no chute observed. The flak on the run from the IP to the target was ineffective and stopped after we hit the target. Johnny continued to be steady with another run on-target for 50% effective assessment. As we reached the RP our little friends chased off a pair of Fw190s that were setting up for a run at us.
INBOUND The was light ineffective flak as we passed back out over the Adriatic. Shortly afterwards 3 Me109s showed some interest but were chased off by the Lightings. We had a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick says he will have the Bama Beauty ready after overnight repair and maintenance.
1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding B-24J Bama Beauty 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Post by kageyone on Feb 27, 2024 22:26:58 GMT -8
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Post by campsawyer on Feb 28, 2024 12:02:04 GMT -8
B-17F Double Bomb (B-17F-100BO 42-30333) Pilot: 1st Lt Paul Flores Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: Low/High 9 Mission Date: 22 Mar 44 Mission Number: 21 Missions This Bomber: 16 Base: Guilia, Italy Target: Airdrome, Verona ItalyCrew | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Paul Flores | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Sanders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Thompson | 14 | 0 | .5 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Cox | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/SGT King | 13 | 0 | 5.6 | 0 | RTD - ACE | Radioman T/Sgt Ramirez | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Roberts | 16 | 0 | 2.3 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Scott | 16 | 0 | .3 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Brown
| 14 | .5 | 1.5 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner S/Sgt Thomas | 16 | 0 | 7 | 0 | RTD - ACE |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 95% B-17 Damage: Superficial Wing hitsx2 Peckham Points: 2 Repair Time: Overnight repair Crew Chief: SSGT Steve Taylor, dedicated Landing: Safe E/A | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | FW-190 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | ME-109 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ME-210 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
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Confirmed Claims: SSGT Brown .5 ME109 Casualties: None Award/ Promotions Requests: After Action Report OutboundWe have good weather for take off but it might be a heavier resistance for this mission. We will need to be on watch for the length of the mission and call out anything that you see. We have good cover with the full fighter group up to support us. SGT Taylor gives us a green light on Double Bomb and we climb in. Take off is good with no incidents and once into formation we head out over the Adriatic. No encounters for a first hour, but then we hear that rockets had been fired at our tails, but missed completely. We continue to have no encounters until we get to the occupied coast, where light AA misses us but keeps us on our toes. Our first enemy planes are encountered over the target, four FW190's come at us but a flight of P-38's intercept three of them, leaving one for us to deal with. He came in at 3 o'clock level and SGT King. Roberts and Brown open fire and SGT Brown is able to get the kill as it got close. Two more FW190's come in but P-38's drive them off. Our bombing run line up is good and we get the full run at the target. Flank is light and insignificant and LT Thompson gets a good line on the target. We release and start the turn for home, estimates on our bombs are as high a 95%. InboundAfter the turn, four more FW190's approach and attack us. One is intercepted but we have to tackle three of them. We damage two and the other one missed us. Next we have M109's attack, two are driven off but one scores superficial damage, before they break off. We make it to the coast in the running battle and two more FW190's come in. But a P-38 shadowing them intercepts one and we had to handle the other. First pass we both miss but the second pass we damage him and he breaks off. The rest of the trip home there was no encounters and we made a good landing. Damage was superficial and is repaired overnight. Regards, 1st LT Paul Flores, Pilot, 80th BS, 509th BG, 15th AF
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Post by limburger59 on Feb 28, 2024 12:49:28 GMT -8
B-24 TEMPTACIOUS Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group HighSquadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 MISSION # 16 TARGET: Verona, Italy
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT William Hopkins (4) Co-Pilot: 2LT Timothy Reece (2) Navigator: 2LT Joel Zaremba (2) Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin Galardi (4) PH Engineer/TT: S/SGT Jason Glasser (3) [.83] Radio Op: S/SGT Glen Peck (3) Ball Turret: SGT Hudsor Rush (3) [3] Right Waist: SGT Woodrow Neal (2) Left Waist: SGT Kaiden Williams (5) Tail Gunner: SGT Charles Travis (3) [1]
Bomb Run: On Target 30%
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: Superficial x2 (4) Navigator's Oxygen out (10)
Peckham Points: 14
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: 9 4x FW-190: 3 Driven Off 1x Bf-109: 1 Driven Off 2x Bf-110: 2 Driven Off 2x C205: 2 Driven Off Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 0 Confirmed, Probables = 0, Damaged = 0, Driven Off by Escort = 8
Award/Promotion Requests: Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Kaiden Williams
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS Variant for B-24):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
While in formation, many waves of German fighters were driven off by the overwhelming defensive firepower of the 509th. (Three out of 4 die rolls ended in a 6.)
After loosing oxygen in the nose due to a Flak hit, a couple aggressive Little Friends stayed with us and drove off seven of the bandits that tried to take advantage of our being out of formation. The three E/A that got through to make one pass on our Liberator were run off before they could try a successive pass.
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Feb 28, 2024 18:54:30 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Badgers (16) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. Harvey "Keg" Taplyn Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Middle Position: Middle
Mission Date: 22 March 1944 Mission #: 16 Target: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. H Taplyn (6) {0} Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. GS Hoyt (7) {0} AM, PH: 2 Bombardier: 2nd Lt. AN Robinson (4) {1} Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Sloat (16) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Engineer: 1st Sgt. A Bissett (16) {4} AM: 3 Ball Gunner: SSgt. E Dean (16) {8} DFC, AM: 3 Radio Oper.: Sgt. I Cooper (15) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Pt Waist G: Sgt. G Sager (1) {0} Stbd Waist G: Sgt. J Lewis (15) {1} AM: 3, PH: 4 Tail Gunner: Sgt. W Towney (15) {9} DFC, AM: 3, PH: 3
Bomb Percentage: 0%
Bomber Disposition: No damage (0 Peckham Points)
Casualties: n/a
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110) Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110) W Towney: 109
Special Note: I Cooper: AM, promoted to Staff Sgt J Lewis: AM, promoted to Staff Sgt W Towney: AM, promoted to Staff Sgt
Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lt. Harvey "Keg" Taplyn, acting commander
While Captain Robinson recovers in the hospital, I have been assigned temporary command of the Pride of the Badgers. This veteran well-oiled machine of a crew has made my stay with the bomber very easy.
We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. The outbound flight was quiet all the way to the target. The escorts were extremely effective in keeping the Germans away.
As we approached the target flak was minimal. Unfortunately, Robinson missed the target entirely and we turned for home.
On the way home we encountered a single Me 109 over Zone 4. Towney shot him down.
We arrived safely back at base. Since the plane is unscathed and in need of minimal maintenance it will allow us to fly some practice bomb runs for Robinson. I am not amused that he literally was unable to hit a target the size of an airfield.
I am also pleased to announce that Copper, Lewis, and Towney have all been approved for promotion to Staff Sergeant.
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Post by kageyone on Feb 28, 2024 23:12:47 GMT -8
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Post by drewshotsfan on Feb 29, 2024 9:51:54 GMT -8
THE TALKIN' TEXAN MISSION 4 (Group Mission 16 – Verona, Italy)
B-24D: The Talkin’ Texan (B-24D-150-CO 42-41227) Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron (The Flying Boxcars), 509th Bombardment Group High Squadron – Position 16 MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 MISSION NBR: 16 TARGET: Verona, Italy – Airfield Dispersal Areas
CREW *Awards* (Missions completed) [Claims] {Stress} <Other notes> Pilot: 1LT Benjamin C. CRISP (3) Co-Pilot: 2LT Martin M. JAWORSKI (3) Bombardier: 2LT Kenneth P. ALGER (3) [0-0-2] {1} Navigator: 2LT Stephen S. SOMERS (3) [0-0-1] Engineer: S/SGT George E. Eagle *PH* (2) [0-0-0] <Missed Mission 3, hospitalised> Radio Operator: T/SGT Randall J. PERDUE (3) Ball Gunner: SGT Joseph T. GUERRERO (3) [2-0-1] Port Waist: SGT Michael K. CAMARILLO (3) [0-0-1] Starboard Waist: SGT Virgil O. GOODMAN (3) [0-0-0] <Joined crew from Mission 3 onwards> Tail Gunner: SGT Clyde T. SHARP (3) [0-0-1]
BOMB RUN: Mission aborted
LANDING: Good
CASUALTIES: 0
DAMAGE (PECKHAM POINTS): Mechanical failure - #1 engine fire, extinguished and shut down (25)
TOTAL PECKHAM POINTS: 25 = Repaired overnight
CREW CHIEF: SGT William HILL: Average. Starting skill points: 33, current skill points: 24
CLAIMS: Destroyed [0]
CLAIMS: Damaged [0]
Driven off by Fighter Escort: NA
CLAIMS EVALUATION BOARD DECISION: NA Approved Destroyed: [0]
Approved Damaged: [0]
Denied Destroyed: [0]
Denied Damaged: [0]
MISSIONS COMPLETED: 3 MISSIONS ABORTED (NON-COMBAT): 1 (Mission #4)
Award/Promotion Requests: None
In Hospital: 0
AFTER ACTION REPORT “The Talkin’ Texan’s” fourth mission, another flight up the Adriatic at 22,000’ to bomb dispersal areas at the airfield just west of Verona. Take off in good weather and find station as position 16 in the low cell, and the 78th is the high squadron for today.
ZONE 2 Outbound #1 engine fire! Extinguished and bomb load jettisoned into the Adriatic. Dropped out of formation, descending to below 10,000’ and set course to RTB.
Good landing back at base. We’ve experienced mechanical issues on every mission. The crew are getting a bit twitchy, with rumours starting to circulate that either “The Talkin’ Texan” is jinxed or our crew chief isn’t up to the job!
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Post by kozzackkelt on Feb 29, 2024 16:21:13 GMT -8
B-17G: PRIDE OF MANITOWOC (B-17G-4923SL-43- 23186) Pilot: 2LT. Tomasz Gadzynski Missions for this bomber: 2 Squadron: 80th Formation/Position: LOW Mission Date: 22 March 1944 Mission Number: 16 Target: Verona, ITALY / Airfield Dispersal Area
CREW (missions) {StressPts} E/A Wounds Pilot: 2LT. Tomasz Gadzynski (2) {} Co-Pilot: 2Lt. James McCoy (2) {} Bombardier: 2Lt. Gregory Floros (2) {1} [B%: 20-40] Navigator: 2Lt. Michael Quintin Stephenson (2) {1} .5xMe109 Engineer: Sgt. David Russell (2) {} [+] .5xMe109 Radio Operator: Sgt. Barry Manchester (2) {} Ball Turret: Sgt. Steve Cole (2) {1} PWG: Sgt. Lorenzo Manicotti (2) {} SWG: Sgt. Lester Nessman (1) {} Tail Gunner: Sgt. Jack Winslow (2) {2}
BOMB RUN: ON Target: 40%
Enemy Aircraft Encountered: 11 2xFw190, 9xMe109, 0xMc205, 0xMe110, 0xMe210, 0xMe410
E/A Damaged: 0 E/A Probable: 1 E/A: Destroyed: 1 E/A Driven off by Fighter Escort: 7
Condition of B-17G ~ PRIDE OF MANITOWOC: 7xSuperficial hits ( Report of maintenance crew chief Dustin Rhodes ) Repairs or replacements, routine maintenance and inspections will be performed.
Mission AAR: Take off was on time and smooth in good weather. PRIDE OF MANITOWOC formed up with squadron at Low level. There were no encounters with E/A until reaching designated target area. We were hit by flak as we crossed the coastline, just two holes punched into the nose and radio sections. On approach to target, we were attacked by a number of E/A. Escort fighters quick to pounce, driving away several of 'em. We were not hit by enemy gunfire, and our defensive gunfire shot down a single Fw190 lined up on us from 10:30 high ( Lt. Quintin and Sgt. Russell). We were not hit by flak. Lt. Floros hit target with estimated (based on photo evidence), 40% of our bombs. Turned for home. A number of Luftwaffe fighters, mostly '109's, made runs at us, but our fighter escort continued to aggressively go after enemy fighters. Landed safely at Guilia. By the way, one of our units weathermen, Sgt. Lester Nessman, flew with us in place of the wounded Sgt. Nelson. While he performed just fine, this will probably be Sgt. Nessman's last flight with us as he seemed to have problems maintaining silence on the intercom. SSgt. Rhodes, maintainance supervisor, said PRIDE OF MANITOWOC should be ready for next mission.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tomasz Gadzynski, 2LT, USAF Pilot- B-17G PRIDE OF MANITOWOC 80th BS / 509th BG Guilia, Italy
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Mar 1, 2024 4:22:55 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).
Arriving with our plane shortly after the Bolzano mission concluded, Maj. James wasted no time in calling me in for a chat. “Hello, Lieutenant. I’m afraid that there won’t be much time for local training. See that your aircraft is prepped and ready to fly by 0800 tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Welcome to the war, son.”
There wasn’t much more I could do, other than say, “Yes, sir!” salute, and leave. The Major joined us yesterday for a one hour check flight, which seemed to go ok. While not smiling, his comment of, “You’ll do fine, gentlemen,” was apparently high praise. He ordered us to attend our various briefings in preparation for the mission to Verona
That was quite an experience, with some muffled groans as the more experienced aircrew saw the route north so close to the coast, then the murmur of approval when we heard that the 1st FG will be with us all the way. These jockeys have covered the Group several times, and have a reputation as hard fighters, who really do their best for us mud-movers. I was happy to see that the Major had tucked us into the middle of our Squadron’s formation, probably as safe as you can get, as we are the middle squadron in the Group’s formation.
Not all the crew who trained with us stayed with us. We’ve picked up a new navigator, radio operator, waist gunner and tail gunner, but they seem to be competent, judging by the shakedown flight.
Outbound: We lined up for take-off with my instructor’s words clear in my memory: “Taking off is the second most dangerous part of every mission – you have tons of explosive on board, and you have to persuade something heavier than air to leap joyfully into it.”
No such trouble here – max sustained power from Mitchell on the engines, release the brakes, and we were rolling. Ryland’s calm call of, “V1…,” then a few seconds later, “VR,” got us into the air without a hitch.
With good weather and the rest of the Squadron clearly visible, Stone’s course correction was hardly needed, and the Group was soon formed up to turn towards Verona.
Things stayed quiet until most of the way up the Adriatic coast, until we were attacked by a couple of waves of bogeys east of Bacucco. The single 190 ahead of us was quickly chased off by the Lightning boys, and the follow up wave’s single 190 was also dealt with by them. That left an ANR Me109 coming in on us from level on our starboard bow.
Several guns fired in anger for the first time, and Mitchell’s burst stitched across the Italian’s right wing flying controls, resulting in a spin from which the pilot was lucky to escape. A huge cheer flooded the com, as everyone celebrated our first kill.
The coastal flak further north failed to connect, and we proceeded into the target area. The first opposition was a couple of Destroyers, but the escorts saw both the 110s off. They were quickly back to deal with two of the three FW190s in the next wave, leaving only one dead ahead of us. Mitchell was again first to open fire, but while bits flew off, the bandit didn’t deviate from his attack. Walcott then found the range with the chin turret, resulting in a ball of fire erupting from the engine, enveloping the aircraft, resulting in it breaking off and diving earthwards, out of control.
The final defensive group were more Me110s – a trio this time, but the Lightnings quickly reduced that to a single aircraft, slowly climbing up directly below us. “This should be fun,” anticipated Crawford in the ball turret. Sure enough, in a couple of bursts, the gunner must have hit a fuel line, as there was fire around both engines, as well as the cockpit. The doomed aircraft turned turtle and dived, with Crawford reporting no chutes making it out of the plane.
The bomb run went without a hitch, with Walcott pleased with the drop.
Inbound: As predicted by intel, there was no flak on the egress from the target. However, there were three more waves of aircraft. The three FW190s, an Me109, Me410 and an ANR Re.2005 were all dealt with by our little friends, leaving a single 109 ahead and above us.
Mitchell was again first to open fire, and – again – hit the Jerry. This time, something terminal happened in the engine, as the prop stopped moving, causing the aircraft to flip over, then stall and fall away towards the ground, shortly followed by the pilot bailing out.
“Goddam it, Mitchell!” exclaimed Walcott, “Have you got magic in those guns, or something?”
This resulted in the gunners all chanting, “Magic! Magic!” until I got them quiet again. This is how nicknames are born.
The coastal flak missed us again, and we weren’t bothered by enemy attacks until off Ancona, when three more 110s thought we were a likely target. The Lightning guys dealt with one, leaving one coming up directly underneath us, and one low off the tail
Hughes, on the tail guns, joined in the ‘one hit – one kill’ party, causing the 110’s fuel tank to explode, preventing any crew escaping. Crawford was unable to repeat his earlier performance, but did enough to scare the Jerry so much he missed us, and then decided to head for home.
The rest of the trip was quiet, and we put our bird down gently, bringing a successful end to our first mission.
Quite a few of the Squadron wandered over to congratulate us, and there was lots of chat on the way to debrief between the gunners, describing their shots in more and more detail (as well, of course with more and more hyperbole!)
Poor old Magic, who had two claims in, suffered the worst from the vagaries of the Gunnery Board, only getting credit for half of a kill. Walcott and Crawford both got full credit, with Haley receiving a third of his.
Still, it was enough of an award to keep us in the bar for a while to celebrate. We also chipped in to the collection to send over some booze to the 1st FG, who did a lot of the donkey work today.
More experienced pilots keep telling me that not every sortie is like this, but we should enjoy this one before reality hits home.
1Lt Louis M. Marlowe, Pilot Commanding B-17G-55DL-44-6507 "Lucky Patch" 79th (H) BS, 509th (H) BGFor a full mission history of "Lucky Patch", "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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Post by blaird on Mar 1, 2024 9:27:54 GMT -8
B-17: Johnny B Good Commander: 1LT Phillip Andrews Squadron 80th Squadron MISSION DATE: 22 March 1944 MISSION NBR. 016 Formation/Position - Low / Middle TARGET: Verona Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas Flown with Queen of the SkiesPos | Rank | Name | Awards | Current Mission | Total Claims | Claims this mission | Status | Pilot | 1LT | Phillip Andrews |
| 2 | N/A |
| RTD | Co-Pilot | 2LT | Jacob Henderson |
| 1 | N/A |
| RTD | Bombardier | 2LT | Eric Masterson |
| 3 | 0 |
| RTD | Navigator | 2LT | Leroy Rose |
| 3 | 0 |
| RTD | Engineer | S/SGT | William "Wild Bill" Jordan |
| 3 | 0 | FW-190 | RTD | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Theo "Morris Code" Morris |
| 8 | 0 |
| RTD | Ball Gunner | S/SGT | Joseph "Joey" Zaballa |
| 3 | 0 | 1/2 Bf 110 / 1/2 FW 190 | RTD | PWG | SGT | Greg Sturn |
| 3 | 0 | 1/2 Bf 110 | RTD | SWG | SGT | Jason Goodrow |
| 1 | 0 | 1/2 FW 190 | RTD | Tail Gunner | SGT | Richard O'Connor |
| 3 | 0 |
| KIA |
Fighters Encountered
| Bf-109 | FW-190 | RE-2001 | ME-110 | Undamaged | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Fighter Cover | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | FCA -1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | FBOA -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fighter Destroyed | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Bomb RunOn Target 50% Casualties
SGT Richard O'Connor - KIA DamageSuperficial x8 Starboard Waist Oxygen Control Cables x1 Starboard Wing Root x1 Peckham Points:
0 Landing:Safe at Awards:None Take Off And AssemblyTake off went smooth as butter, We had a new co-pilot aboard the Johnny B Good for this trip out. Zone 2-3Nothing to Report Zone 4We had a pair of Bf-110's come in after the Johnny. Our little friends drove away one of them, meanwhile Zaballa and Sturn both hit the other which we watched go down as flames spread across its wing. Zone 5-6Nothing to Report Zone 7 As we neared the IP we had three more Bf-110's decide the Johnny needed their attention. Masterson, Zaballa, and O'Connor all missed their shots. As did one of the two 110's. But the 110 on our tail hit us. Our waist turned to swiss cheese, but no actual damage other than some new ventilation. As the 110 made a second pass, Jordan hit the 110 while Masterson missed. The hits from Jordan must have strartled the Jerry pilot, who missed us and broke off. Then the flak started. and we made it passed without taking a hit. Then the bombs were away, and we laid our bombs onto the target for a good spread. Then it was time to go home. The flak missed us on the egress, but the fighters were waiting when we left the flak field. four FW-190's came after us. The fighters got one, leaving us the other three. Masterson missed a 190, but Jordan hit it and we watched the pilot hit his silks. Rose hit another 190, but his shots seemed to just bounce off the 190 with no damage. Zaballa and Goodrow both hit the last 190 which we watched explode. We took a hit to the pilot compartment but no actual damage. On the second pass, Zaballa, Goodrow, and Jordan all missed, meanwhile the 190 hit the Johnny again. We took a hit to the starboard waist oxygen supply, the starboard wing root, a superficial hit, and a hit to the control cables in the waist. On the third pass, O'Connor missed, but the 190 chewed up our tail feathers. O'Connor was killed, and we took three superficial hits to the tail then the 190 broke off to reload. Zone 6We had a RE-2001 dive on us, Jordan hit it while Morris missed, the 2001 missed us and kept diving towards the deck. Zone 5Nothing to report, SGT Goodrow went from the waist to the tail to keep an eye out behind us. Zone 4Engine 1 cut out (random event) but we were able to get it re-started, some gremlin must of crawled into the engine, we'll have the crew chief take a look at it. Zone 3Goodrow found a picture in the tail that must of come loose when O'Connor took his hits. (rabbit foot) Zone 2Nothing to report Back at baseLanding was successful. Report Filed by, 1LT Phillip Andrews, Johnny B Good, 80th Bombardment Squadron (H), Pilot Commanding Mission Flown with Limburger's Variant Tables for Take-Offs and Mechanical Failures Aircraft History
Mission Number | Aircraft | Pilot | Target | Bombing % | Status | 1 | Johnny B Good | 1LT Brad Johnson | Styer Austria Ball Bearing Plant | DNB | 1LT Brad Johnson - SW-DOW SGT Jacob Alverson - SW-RTD | 2 | Johnny B Good | 1LT Phillip Andrews | Bolzano Italy Marshalling Yard | Off Target 0% | 2LT John Campbell - KIA SGT Kevin Drake - SW-IH | 3 | Johnny B Good | 1LT Phillip Andrews | Verona Italy Airdrome Dispersal Areas | On Target 50% | SGT Sturn and Zaballa - Bf-110 |
Crew Status Position | Rank and Name | Return Date | Radio Operator | SGT Jacob Alverson | 27 April 1944 |
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Post by limburger59 on Mar 1, 2024 12:35:25 GMT -8
B-17F BACHELOR'S BEDLAM Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Middle Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 22 March 44 MISSION # 16 TARGET: Verona, Italy
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Nate Sutherland (9) Co-Pilot: 2LT Louis Drake (1) Navigator: 2LT Forrest Sweet (1) Bombardier: 2LT Vermont Gray (2) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile Putman (9) [2] AM Radio Op: S/SGT John Gallows (1) Ball Turret: SGT Wallace Wells (5) Right Waist: SGT Ivan Malone (1) Left Waist: SGT Gerald Rodgers (1) Tail Gunner: SGTTony Marshall (8) AM
Bomb Run: On Target 30%
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: 0
Award/Promotion Requests: Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Wallace Wells
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
Wow, a textbook Milk Run. Thank you Middle Squadron!
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