ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 2, 2024 7:26:56 GMT -8
B-17G Fearless Fosdick B-17G-20BO-42-31474 Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Low Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 22 MAR 1944 Mission Number: 16 This Aircraft: 1 Target: Verona, Italy, Airfield
Crew
Position | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Landry Velez | 16 | 0 | AM++ | POW | 3 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Santino Richards | 16 | 0 | AM++, PH | POW | 5 | Navigator | 2nd Lt George Sheets | 13 | 0.5 | AM+ | Grounded | 1 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Roberto Ford | 16 | 2.33 | AM++ | Grounded | 1 | Engineer | T/Sgt Finnegan Fields | 16 | 11.33 | AM+++, DFC | POW | 0 | Radio Op | Sgt Paul Nielson | 16 | 0 | AM++ | Grounded | 4 | Right Waist | Sgt Collin Cordell | 8 | 0 | AM+ | Grounded | 0 | Ball Turret | S/Sgt Tobias Mace | 16 | 4.33 | AM++ | Grounded | 3 | Left Waist | S/Sgt Tripp MacDougal | 16 | 0.5 | AM++ | Grounded | 2 | Tail Gunner | S/Sgt Kingsley Griffin | 16 | 4.5 | AM++ | POW | 1 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt Josia Stanton | 12 | | 0 | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: DNB, Abort
Casualties: None
Damage: Crash Landed Combat Damage Fuel Transfer Pump Out Radio Compartment Heat Out Left Wing Root 1 Hit Right Landing Gear Out Right Wing Aileron Out Superficial X1
Peckham Points: All
Landing: Crash Landed in Yugoslavia
Enemy Aircraft:
Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0.83 | 0 | Bf-109(I) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:
Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Bombardier | 2 | 0.83 | 0 | Top | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Awards: None
Promotions: None
AFTER ACTION REPORT Recorded Sunday, 2 APRIL 1944 – Redacted of compromising Partisan information
We were flying to Verona in our brand-new G-Model. It was close enough to the F that we all felt we didn’t need much time to acclimate to the bird before our next mission. Wimpy, our last plane, was damaged and force landed at a fighter strip about 50 miles from home. She was totaled, but we were all fine. Skip, Lt Velez, headed to Capt Pierce’s office as soon as we finished debriefing, to get another plane. We were lucky that the Group just had a few delivered. Skip persuaded Capt Pierce to let us have one right away. The ink wasn’t dry on the req when Lt Velez was sending Josia, our crew chief, and his crew to get our new plane to prep her. After a meal and a few hours of sack time, we headed over to our hardstand to take a look around our new plane.
Lt Ford, our bombardier, got into the nose and sat there. He was staring at the gun controls he would need to learn. A lot different than swinging a single barrel around. Josia and Finn, T/Sgt Fields, our engineer, started up the auxiliary power, so we could all check our systems. Josia gave Lt Ford a quick lesson on the chin turret controls. Lt Ford seemed to have a pretty god handle on it.
After about an hour with our new plane, S/Sgt Mace reminded us we had to name her. It was agreed that since our last plane was Wimpy another cartoon name should bring us luck. Wimpy brought us luck for 15 missions and brought us back alive on her last. Griff, S/Sgt Griffin, tail gunner, suggested Lil Abner or Daisy Mae. We figured too common, Mace suggested Fearless Fosdick. We liked it. So, we christened her as such.
Rumors were around that we had another mission tomorrow, the 22nd, so we headed back to the barracks, to draw new gear, eat, and rest.
The next day was dry and seeming warmer than it had been for the past few weeks. A good sign. We were woken early for briefing. Breakfast was steak and eggs. There was the usual gallows humor about the meal being for a condemned man. At briefing we were informed we were to head up the Adriatic and attack an airfield near some town called Verona. The S3, Major Stockwell, said something about Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare. I hadn’t read them, but I heard of them. The S2, Major Beech, mentioned we would probably face German fighters all the way up and back. For the most part he was wrong.
We didn’t see any enemy fighters until just south of Venice. That was when all hell broke loose. Our fighter escorts were tight the whole way up the Adriatic. When we needed them most, they were nowhere to be seen.
When it was all over, we had faced eight Focke-Wulfs and a single Italian 109 in what seemed forever, but was only a matter of a few minutes. It was enough.
First, we faced a pair of 190s and the Italian. One of the 190s broke off early. I heard someone say he saw an escort. No one could confirm it.
The remaining 190 came at us from dead ahead. Lt Ford learned the chin turret real fast. He sheared the left wing off of the fighter, for a kill. No one saw a chute. Lt Sheets, firing the left cheek damaged the Italian 109, who missed us.
Right on the heels of these first three, three more 190s came at us. Lt Ford, probably beginners’ luck with his kill, completely missed the 190 in his sights. The 190’s rounds hit us in the bomb bay. Time seemed to stand still as we waited for the ‘boom’. It didn’t come. We would learn shortly that the fuel pump had been nixed. Collin, my partner in the waist, damaged his target, stitching up his fuselage. That 190 missed us. The remaining 190 came at us from 1030. Lt Sheets and Finn drove him off.
The first 190 came around again. Not satisfied with his earlier work, tried again. Of the three of us who fired at him, only Mace, in the ball, got any hits, but not enough. Coming in at 9 o’clock, he stitched us from wing tip to wing tip. Later it was determined he had taken out the radio room heat, the starboard aileron, and the starboard landing gear.
The third and last wave of three more 190s attacked. Still no escorts. Griff, in the tail, tagged his target, who missed us. The second 190 also missed us, even though we got no hits on him. The last 190 came at us from straight ahead. Lt Ford and Finn targeted him. Both hit him real good, for a kill.
As quickly as it started, it ended. Lt Velez called for a check-in. Everyone reported in, with no injuries. Finn reported the fuel pump issue and calculated we had about 45 minutes of flying time left. Not enough to get home. Nielson reported his suit heat out. Lt Velez called for the abort. He had Nielson call it in. Lt Velez and Lt Richards decided we should try for Yugoslavia. We had just enough fuel to make the Yugoslavia mainland, a fair distance below the Italian border. No one wanted to try a water landing, and landing this far north in Italy, we would surely all end up in a POW camp. At least Yugoslavia would give us some chance at keeping our freedom, at least for a little while.
Lt Velez dropped us down below 10,000 feet and turned southeast toward Yugoslavia, and killed a few fish, when he had Lt Ford drop our load. For the next 30 minutes only water below us as we headed for what we hoped would be survival and possibly safety. We finally crossed the Yugoslavian coast as we maintained our descent.
Lt Velez’ and Lt Richards’ plan was to land us close to the coast, but not too close. The land below us was not comforting. It was hilly and rocky. Not the best place to land a large bird with a broken leg. The command crew finally found a suitable place to land. We took crash positions and waited.
When the dust settled Fosdick was in a sad state. The second plane in three days to bring us down safely. No one was hurt, beyond a few bumps and bruises. Bumps and bruises on top of the ones from the last mission, which hadn’t healed yet.
We started off westward, as a group. As we continued toward the Adriatic we began to hear trucks. Lt Velez had us break up into pairs. Figured if we split up it would be harder to catch any or all of us. Cordell and I paired up, both waist gunners, and took off like rabbits. Collin was older than me, but I grew up in the hills of Arkansas. He was a city boy from New Jersey. He agreed I was best suited to keep us safe.
We kept moving in the darkness that soon fell. Sometime during the night, we got separated. It was too risky to call out for each other. I holed up during the next day and took off again after dusk. The next morning found me at gun point. Turned out I was found by some local resistance. Even with the language barrier I was able to convince them I was one of the good guys.
Playing hide and seek for the next several days, I finally arrived at the Adriatic. I lost count of the days. Another day or two and I was put on a small fishing boat, and we headed out westward. Late in the day we were stopped by a Brit patrol boat. I was taken aboard, and eventually brought home.
It turned out I was rescued by the British on April 1st. So, here it is, April 2nd, and that is my story.
Related by, S/Sgt Tripp MacDougal, Gunner B-17G Fearless Fosdick 80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
Epilogue
- 1st Lt Landry Velez and 2nd Lt Santino Richards were captured several days after the crash landing and spent the rest of the war in a Luft Stalag.
- 2nd Lt Sheets and 2nd Lt Ford were separated. Both eventually were repatriated to Allied forces. Lt Sheets arrived in Italy on May 11th, 50 days after the crash. Lt Ford reached Italy on April 28th.
- T/Sgt Fields and Sgt Nielson also got separated. T/Sgt Fields was captured and ended up in a Luft Stalag. Sgt Nielson arrived back in Italy with Lt Ford.
- S/Sgt Mace and S/Sgt Griffin were also separated. S/Sgt Griffin was captured and transported to a Luft Stalag with Lts Velez and Richards, and T/Sgt Fields. S/Sgt Mace arrived in Italy a few days before Lt Sheets and Sgt Nielson.
The two officers were sent back to the States to become instructors. The enlisted men were assigned to ground billets in England. All six would eventually be flying again before the end of the wat, but not together.
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Post by caodwolf on Mar 2, 2024 8:59:50 GMT -8
B-17G: Old Shep Pilot: 1Lt. B. Pease Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron Mission Date: 22-March-1944 Mission No.: 16 Mission this Bomber: 3 Target for Today: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Squadron Position: Low Result: On-Target: 40% About half way to the target, the Ball Turret gunner is getting cold. So cold he needs to be extracted out of his ball cage. His suit heater is malfunctioning so that means the Ball Turrets 50's are unmanned. . Sgt Lesjack huddles into the Radio Room still shivering.
I left my rabbit foot in my locker today and that oversight got us into trouble with the loss of elevator controls shortly after this ball turret commotion.
Enemy fighter action was limited and our Friendlies kept most at bay. Bombs were dropped on target with good effect. Flak was nil. Given the 80th occupied the low squadron we expected more action.
Did note two B-17's and one B-24 spiraling out of control on fire or smoking. We were too far away to note chutes.
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 | 15 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | D. Diluzio | 2 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | A. Tharpe | 2 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | S. Yezzi | 2 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | S/Sgt | G. Burdash | 15 | --- | 5 1/2 | AM, ACE | OK | Radio Op | S/Sgt | K. Whitmore | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Port Waist | Sgt | C. Shoemaker | 4 | --- | --- | PH | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | M. Comerota | 6 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | M. Lesjack | 9 | --- | 2 1/2 | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | K. Taylor | 3 | --- | --- | --- | OK |
2lt J Pate: RTD: 15-April None
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | FW-190 | 5 | 4 | 1 | --- | --- | ME-109 | 1 | 1 | --- | --- | --- | ME-110 | 2 | 2 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | TOTALS | 8 | 7 | 1 | --- | --- |
-Ball Turret gunner suit heat failure -Instruments: Elevators out
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Post by Grondeaux on Mar 2, 2024 12:03:54 GMT -8
B-24J Maiden America78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: High squadron, middle Mission Date: 22 March 1944 Mission #: 16 Aircraft Mission #: 2 Target: Airfield, Verona, Italy Crew at Mission StartPosition | Rank | Name | Missions | Credits | Stress | Awards | Notes | Pilot | 1LT
| Schuyler King
| 1 |
| 1 |
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| Copilot | 2LT
| Noel Wien
| 1 |
| 0 |
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| Bombardier | 2LT | Arthur Dodd | 1 |
| 0 |
| | Navigator | 2LT | Vincent Jenkins
| 1 |
| 0 |
| | Nose Turret Gunner | SGT | Elmer Morrison | 1 |
| 0 |
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| Flight Engineer | TSGT | Samuel Ellison
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
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| Ball Turret Gunner | SGT | Milton Egan | 1 |
| 0 |
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| Left Waist Gunner | SGT | Leroy Glass | 1 |
| 0 |
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| Right Waist Gunner | TSGT | Herbert Rodriguez
| 1 |
| 0 |
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| Tail Turret Gunner | SGT | Theodore Casey
| 1 |
| 0 |
| Replacement |
Crew Chief: TSGT Nicholas Otto (51 skill points; roll every third zone) Bomb Run: Off target, 0% Casualties: SGT Elmer Morrison, broken right fibula (SW) 2LT Noel Wien, broken ribs (SW) TSGT Samuel Ellison, right thigh cut (LW) TSGT Herbert Rodriguez, toe severed (LW) Attackers: 19
| Spotted | Destroyed | Damaged | Driven off by Escort | ME-109 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | FW-190 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 6 | ME-210 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RE.2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Claims: none Credits: none Award/Promotion Requests: none In Hospital/Recovery: SGT Elmer Morrison, RTD 16 June 2LT Noel Wien, RTD 5 May TSGT Herbert Rodriguez, RTD 7 April Aircraft Damage: At the bottom of the Adriatic. 199 Peckham points at the time of ditching (engine #2 out, engine #4 superficial, left wing root, left landing gear brakes, control cables, left inboard fuel tank, navigator’s equipment, bomb controls, aileron controls, elevator controls, landing gear controls, 12 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), Timothy Smith’s Victory Claims variant Nice day for flying. Unevenful take off and squadron assembly. We head up the Adriatic to Verona. OutboundZones 2-4: Nothing to report. Zone 5: Egan calls in that the ball turret power has gone out. He quickly gets it restored. Zone 6: Coastal flak well clear. A trio of FW-190s attacks. A Lightning takes on one, and we trade fire with the remaining pair. No damage to us. Target Zone (7)A pair of FW-190s make a run, accompanied by a twin-engine fighter in a vertical climb. Maybe a 210? Whatever it is, it is quickly engaged by a P-38. One of the Focke-Wulfs nail us and the Maiden shudders as 20mm rounds hit the left wing. The number two engine bursts into flames, but we get the fire out quickly. A bullet whizzes through the flight deck. That certainly catches my attention. Morrison calls in that one of his fifties has jammed. The flak is clear of us. We manage to stay more-or-less in formation long enough to drop our bombs. The best that can be said of our results is that we hit the ground. A 190 and a pair of 109s greet us as we turn for home but are driven off by our escort. We are then jumped by five FWs. Four break through the P-38s. They clobber us. While everyone is okay, we have a leak in the left inboard fuel tank that looks serious. Jenkins’ navigation equipment is shot to pieces. Morrison‘s remaining gun has jammed and Ellison has jammed one of his guns as well. At least we can stay with the 78th while Jenkins starts calculating our fuel consumption. InboundZone 6: The coastal flak is once again clear of us. Both Ellison and Morrison report their weapons are permanently out of commission. "Navigator to pilot. Bad news.... we're not going to make to home. I think we'll get over friendly territory, but no way will we make it to Foggia. We're losing too much fuel." Zone 5: Unfortunately, the fuel gauges tell me that Jenkins… as usual… is right. We aren’t going to make it. Zone 4: The enemy’s not finished with us yet. A 190 drops on us like a falcon. An accompanying RE.2005 is shooed away by the 1st FG. The Maiden again shudders with 20mm impacts. The control systems get shot to hell and the plane gets more sluggish than usual. Zone 3: Decision time. Jenkins says we’re about out of time. Jump or ditch? That’s the question. We start descending. “Pilot to crew. We’re almost of gas. Keep your eyes peeled for the Royal Navy.” “Left waist to pilot. Looks like a small warship at nine o’clock low.” Together, Wien and I have been able to keep the Maiden under control, although not without some difficulty. I decide to ditch near the ship. At least that way we’ll all be in one place and have the life rafts. Assuming, that is, I can get us down in one piece. The crew takes up their crash positions and we hit the water. We remain mostly in one piece and the Maiden stays afloat long enough for us all to scramble out and get in the rafts. The most serious injury is to Morrison, who has a broken leg. We don’t have to wait very long before a Royal Navy Motor Gunboat approaches and fishes us out of the water. The hot tea the sailors give us tastes wonderful. [ Detailed ditching variant, played later using Joe Carter’s Survival at Sea (which I forgot I had): Despite the sluggish controls, we get the Maiden down safely on the Adriatic with no injures to the crew. She stays afloat long enough that everyone gets out, but we can free only two of our three rafts. The good news is that we can also grab the emergency radio. We clamber aboard the rafts but as there is only room for eight of us, we’ll have to take turns in the water. We tie the two rafts together, so we don’t get separated. Glass has to be talked into going into the water when it’s his turn. Turns out, he is afraid of sharks. Well, who in their right mind isn’t? We convince him to go over the side, but he’s not happy about it. Fortunately, we don’t see any sharks. We spot a two-engine aircraft approaching our location. We drop a dye marker into the water, fire off a flare, crank up the emergency radio and start flashing our signal mirrors to get its attention. But he doesn’t see us. Damn. The crew’s morale plummets, and we resign ourselves to spending a night in the rafts or clinging to the sides of the raft. Or both. March 23 dawns as another nice day. The Adriatic has gentle swells and clear visibility. Given that our rescue wasn’t immediate, I decide we should break out the fishing gear to supplement our rations. It’s not like we have anything else to do besides keep a lookout. Our efforts are rewarded by catching three small fish. Unfortunately, a seagull makes off with one of them. Still, it’ll help stretch our emergency rations, and it’s nice to know that we can catch food. Fresh water, however, is another matter. We spot another twin-engine aircraft. Out come the signal mirrors and we again crank up the emergency radio. Our efforts are rewarded when he spots us and flies low overhead, waggling his wings, then circles overhead. I find out later it’s an RAF Warwick. There’s whooping and hollering from the crew. It isn’t long before we spot a dot on the horizon that gradually gets larger as the ship makes a beeline towards us. It’s a Royal Navy Motor Gunboat. They fish us out of the water and provide us with hot tea and blankets. The tea is wonderful. So is the rum they give us.] [While I like the fact that this variant had the entire crew make it through their experience unscathed, I played the scenraio using the TfT rules and will stand by the results. Hopefully, I won't have another plane have to ditch but I will use this variant if it does. I kind of liked it.] V/r, 1LT Schuyler King, First Pilot B-24J Maiden America 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Mar 2, 2024 14:46:44 GMT -8
MISSION 016 VERONA 80BS 22 March 1944 80th BS, 509th BG B-17F-110BO 42-30616 "Miss Holly" Low Squadron, High Section, Tail
CREW Captain FRANK DELOZIER - Pilot - Missions: 14 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt PERCY "Purse" JOHNSON - Co-Pilot - Missions: 12 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2, PH 2nd Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD - Bombardier - Missions: 14 | Claims: 1.5 | Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt HAMPTON "Hamp" RAWLINGS - Navigator - Missions: 14 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN - Engineer - Missions: 14 | Claims: 1 | Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt JOSE "Loco" AZZUCO - Radio Op - Missions: 14 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner - Missions: 14 | Claims: 6 | Awards: AMx3, DFC Sgt HAL CARTER - Port Waist - Missions: 14 | Claims: 1 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt HERBERT "H.R." RAYMOND - Starb Waist - Missions: 14 | Claims: 0.5 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner - Missions: 14 | Claims: 3 | Awards: AMx2
BOMBING - ON 30%
CASUALTIES - none
CLAIMS T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN 1x Me109 IT
AWARDS & PROMOTIONS - none
ENEMY A/C: A/C ENC D/O DAM DEST Me109 4 3 1 0 Me109 IT 1 0 0 1 FW190 4 2 0 0 TOTAL 9 5 1 1
DAMAGE none (and one parachute)
AAR Smooth sailing to and from the target. The only resistance we met was in the target zone and once on the inbound leg.
Inbound, two waves of five aircraft total approached us, but our
little Friends drove every single one of them away. Bombing was on target with est. 30%.
Turning for home, a German 190 and an Italian 109 attacked us, hitting the bomb bay (which was empty by then thank goodness) and the pilot's compartment.
A loud crash heralded a shell ripping into me (I thought) from behind, throwing me violently forward against my harness. This was accompanied by a burning sensation in my hind quarters. I told the co-pilot, "Brains" Smart, that I was hit.
He took control of the aircraft while I gingerly felt around under my hind end. Looking at my hands and seeing no blood made me feel much better. It had torn into my chute instead of my butt. Brains held the aircraft for another 5 minutes or so while I regained a sense of composure.
During this time, the top turret, operated by "Sammy B" Bateman, splashed the Italian. I was unaware of this action as I was otherwise engaged.
An hour from Guilia, three German a/c evaded the escort and attacked us. They missed and we got a piece of one. Landing was effected safely.
DELOZIER
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Post by caodwolf on Mar 3, 2024 7:46:14 GMT -8
B-24J: PLEASANT SURPRISE Pilot: 1Lt. R. Solsky Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 22-March-1944 Mission No.: 16 Mission this Bomber: 4 Target for Today: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Squadron Position: High Result: On-Target: 20% Enemy action approaching, over and leaving the target was intense with accurate Flak. But it was nothing we or our Escorts could not handle. The worst for us was jammed tail guns.
Target was clear and ordnance was dropped with good effect.
On the return over the Adriatic Sea white missile trails came out nowhere ! No bombers were hit but it was a spooky event. A couple of our Escorts peeled off in the direction from which they came.
Nothing further to report. Landed back at base.
Over and out....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | R. Solsky | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | F. Pienta | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | C. Steinwedel | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | M. Wagner | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | TSgt | J. Visentin | 4 | --- | 1 | --- | OK | Radio Op | TSgt | R. Surovick | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Chin Turret | Sgt | B. Mentz | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | R. Huff | 2 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | B. Unger | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | T. Croker | 5 | --- | 2 | PH, AM | OK-RTD |
None
Sgt T Croker - Air Medal (5 missions)
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | ME-109 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | FW-190 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | --- | ME-110 | 7 | 6 | 1 | --- | --- | JU-88 | 2 | 1 | --- | 1 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | TOTALS | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | --- |
-Tail Turret gun jam (both barrels)
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Mar 3, 2024 12:26:29 GMT -8
016 VERONA 22 March 1944 80th BS, 509th BG B-17F "Bosom Buddies" (replacing Mississippi Queen) CREW 1LT Leslie "Cap" West - Pilot - Missions: 7 | Claims: | Awards: AM 2LT N.D. "Brains" Smart - Co-Pilot - Missions: 7 Claims: Awards: AM 2LT Irvin Welch - Bombardier - Missions: 0 Claims: Awards: 2LT Harold Wilkerson - Navigator - Missions: 0 Claims: Awards: S/Sgt David "Sparks" Krieger - Radio Op - Missions: 7 Claims: 0.5 Awards: AM M/Sgt Felix "Pappy" Pappalardi - Engineer - Missions: 7 Claims: Awards: AM S/Sgt John "J.B." Brodsky - Ball Gunner - Missions: 7 Claims: 1 Awards: AM S/Sgt Jerome Carey - Port Waist Gunner - Missions: 0 Claims: Awards: Sgt Carl Stevens - Starboard Waist Gunner - Missions: 0 Claims: Awards: Sgt Ned "Tex" Pepper - Tail Gunner - Missions: 7 Claims: Awards: AM
BOMBING - ON 40% CLAIMS none CASUALTIES 9 KIA
1LT Leslie "Cap" West - Pilot 2LT N.D. "Brains" Smart - Co-Pilot 2LT Irvin Welch - Bombardier S/Sgt David "Sparks" Krieger - Radio Op M/Sgt Felix "Pappy" Pappalardi - Engineer S/Sgt John "J.B." Brodsky - Ball Gunner S/Sgt Jerome Carey - Port Waist Gunner Sgt Carl Stevens - Starboard Waist Gunner Sgt Ned "Tex" Pepper - Tail Gunner
AWARDS/PROMOTIONSPurple Heart (posthumous) for those listed above.
Purple Heart for: 2LT Harold Wilkerson - Navigator
ENEMY AIRCRAFT 4x FW190 2x Me109 DAMAGE - total - crashed in seaAARAfter Action report of 2LT Harold Wilkerson, navigator and sole-surviving member of the West crew. We had no trouble until the trip back. Dropped the eggs on target 40%. Ninety minutes from home, disaster struck. A Me109 got inside the fighters and raked us on two successive passes from 9:00. The first pass put out the radio and nicked the port wing. We didn't see no fuel or nothing leaking out. The second pass, he walked his shells along the fuselage from nose to tail. I was manning the port chin gun and a shell ripped through the plexiglass next to me, leaving a gaping hole through which came an icy wind, instantly freezing my face. At this point, the outboard port wing fuel cell exploded, throwing me into the plexiglass nose, through it, and out into the sky. I had enough sense to pull my rip cord. My last sensation was feeling the heat of the aircraft fireball on my face. I came to when I hit the Adriatic. Luckily, a Limey boat was on the scene within minutes. They told
me that they had watched me all the way down. I never saw my crew members again. I would assume that they are gone, either by not being able to get out of the aircraft or drowning. Rest in Peace, brothers.
This was my first mission.
Harold Wilkerson, 2LT
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 3, 2024 12:56:04 GMT -8
B-24J Next Objective B-24J-15-CF-42-99776 Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: High Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 22 MAR 1944 Mission Number: 16 This Aircraft: 5 Target: Verona, Italy, Airfield CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Alexis Vaillancourt | 4 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Arlo Perot | 4 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Emmanuel Rosas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Cory McIntyre | 4 | 0 | | RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Abraham Leeker | 4 | 0 | | RTD | 1 | Radio Op / Rt Waist | T/Sgt Bruce Woodward | 4 | 1 | | RTD | 0 | NT / Rt Waist | Sgt Reese Giles | 4 | 0.5 | | RTD | 3 | Ball Turret | T/3rd Tristen Townsend | 4 | 2 | | RTD | 1 | Left Waist / NT | Sgt Brendan Burgess | 4 | 0.5 | | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | T/3rd Finnley Griffith | 4 | 1 | | RTD | 1 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt King Solis | 13 | | | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %Casualties: None Damage: None Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, Ready next day Landing: Safe Enemy AircraftType | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Me-110 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
ClaimsPosition | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Top | 1 | 0 | 1 | Tail | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Ball | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTNot a bad day at the office. We faced fourteen enemy aircraft the entire flight. All fourteen were either driven off, shot down, or damaged. None were able to inflict any damage on our plane. Flak was also very present, but ineffectual. Even being swarmed in the target zone, and under fire from flak, Lt McIntyre dropped 30% on target. Once we left the target, we didn’t see any enemy aircraft until well south over the Adriatic. Six enemy fighters appeared, but all were driven off by our vigilant escorts. Submitted by, 1Lt Alexis Vaillancourt, Pilot B-24J Next Objective 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Mar 3, 2024 19:04:24 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Bowling Green Belle (1) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. E Dickinson Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle
Mission Date: 22 March 44 Mission #: 16 Target: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. E Dickinson (3) {0} PH Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. C Lambkin (1) {0} Bombardier 2nd Lt. CW Barnes (3) {0} PH Navigator: 2nd Lt. A Schreiner (3) {0} Engineer: MSgt. C Lambkin (3) {0} Ball Gunner: Sgt. D Miller (3) {2} Radio Oper.: Sgt. C Arlin (3) {0} Pt Waist G: Sgt. O Keles (1) {1} Stbd Waist G: Sgt. HH Waldo (1) {2} Tail Gunner: Sgt. C Boughton (3) {0} Bomb Percentage: 20% Bomber Disposition: None (n/a Peckham Points) Casualties: n/a
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (1:109, 0:190, 1:110) Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110)
Special Note: n/a
Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lt. E Dickinson, pilot commanding
With the death of Lt. Van Dorne, I have been promoted to First Lieutenant and been given command of the crew formerly of the Annie Oakley. We have been assigned a brand-new bomber that we have christened the Bowling Green Belle after my wife back in Ohio. The last couple of days have been a real scramble for the ground crew, the air crew, and their new commander to get ready to fly. We are as ready as the crew and the men and women of Boeing can make us.
We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. The outbound flight was quiet all the way to the target. Barnes was on target and the group turned for home.
As we pulled away from the target a single 109 got through the fighter defenses and attacked us. Miller shot it down.
We saw one more fighter, a 110 over Zone 3. We missed him and he missed us.
We landed safely back at base. A solid first mission for the Bowling Green Belle and her crew.
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Mar 4, 2024 17:19:20 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Ypsilanti Girl (2) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. H Whiting Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle
Mission Date: 22 March 44 Mission #: 16 Target: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. H Whiting (16) {0} AM: 3 Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. I Ingersoll (3) {0} Bombardier: 2nd Lt. A Edwards (7) {0} AM Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Wight (2) {1} Engineer: 1st Sgt. L Aldrich (16) {12} AM: 3, PH: 2, DFC Ball Gunner: SSgt. A Blake (16) {8} AM: 3, PH, DFC Radio Oper.: Sgt. J Cobb (2) {0} Pt Waist G: Sgt. A Eno (9) {2} AM Stbd Waist G: Sgt. W Hammond (11) {4} AM: 2, PH Tail Gunner: Sgt. JG Lamb (2) {0}
Bomb Percentage: 0%
Bomber Disposition: Superficial Damage (2 Peckham Points)
Casualties: n/a
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (0:109, 13:190, 0:110) Damaged: (0:109, 5:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (0:109, 3:190, 0:110) Eno: 190, 190 Aldrich: 190
Special Note: n/a
Mission Description: File by 1st Lt. H Whiting
It was all hands on deck to get a new engine installed and tested in the Ypsilanti Girl on a two day turn around, but we made it and she was ready to fly this morning.
We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. The outbound flight was quiet all the way to the target. We were hit by some flak which was just enough to throw Edwards off target.
The flight home was much different. Most of the way home we faced wave after waive of FW 190s attacking the plane. Aldrich got one and Eno got two of them. We damaged five more fighters. Fortunately for us their aggressiveness was not matched by their marksmanship and we sustained almost no damage.
We arrived safely back at base.
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wouter
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 14
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Post by wouter on Mar 5, 2024 11:28:22 GMT -8
B-17F Six Nights in Telergma 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Middle Aircraft Position: 4 Mission Date: 22 March 1944
Mission Number: 16 This Aircraft: 6 Target: Verona
Crew Position: Rank / Name - Missions (Kills) / Awards
Pilot: 1LT James 'Jim' Waggoner - 6 Co-Pilot: 2nd LT Alf Pelka - 6 Bombadier: 2nd LT Jerome McLaughlin - 6 Navigator: 2nd LT Irvin R. Lifson - 6 Engineer: S/SGT John M. Graves - 6 Radio Operator: SGT George Powell - 6 Ball Gunner: SGT Samuel Kozemchok - 4 Port Waist: SGT James J. Woods - 6 Starboard Waist: SGT Ernest Philips - 6 Tail Gunner: SGT Floyd F. Daugherty - 6
Bomb Run: On target, 2% Landing: Safe Casualties: None Peckham Points: 2 superficial hits
Enemy Aircraft Type Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded
ME109 3/ 3 /0 / 0 claim / 0 Awarded ME110 3 / 2 / 1 / 0 claim / 0 Awarded FW 190 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 claim / 0 Awarded
Claims Position / Claimed / Awarded No claims
Awards Air Medals for the whole crew except our Ball gunner Kozemchok for their 5th mission
AFTER ACTION REPORT Using TfT, Mandatory rules + optional rules 'Limburger Variant Mech Failures', Ilmarainen 'More Detailed Bomb Run Procedures', Joe Carter's 'Simplified & Less Deadly variant' Well, will not take up any of your valuable time with this AAR, sirs. We left, we dropped bombs and we returned. McLaughlin was a little shaky by the flak when dropping the bombs. Whatever EA we encountered was driven off by our little friends. Daugherty and Kozemchok lost two shots at a persistent Me110 but that was all the action we saw. After landing I reminded the jubilant crew this war is not over.
Submitted by 1Lt James Waggoner
B-17F Six Nights in Telergma 79th BS, 509th BG, 15th AF, USAAF
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Post by superbee on Mar 9, 2024 3:35:12 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron: After Mission Summary
Mission 16 March 22, 1944 Target: Verona, Italy (airfields)
12 B17’s sortied: All In; Invadin Maiden; Angry Ari; Irascible Girl; Pride of the Badgers; Lucky Patch; Johnny B Good; Bachelor’s Bedlam; Bowling Green Belle; Six Nights in Telergma; Private Dix; Arkansas Traveler
12 B17’s bombing target: All In; Invadin Maiden; Angri Ari; Irascible Girl; Pride of the Badgers; Lucky Patch; Johnny B Good; Bachelor’s Bedlam; Bowling Green Belle; Six Nights in Telergma; Private Dix; Arkansas Traveler
Bombers aborting mission: none
Bombers lost: 0
Lead bomber: All In
Tail end Charlie: Rajun Cajun
Crewmen KIA: 1
Crewmen SW-IH: 0
Crewmen wounded and returning to action: 2
Crewmen MIA: 0
Bomb run avg: 29%
High bomb run: 90% (2Lt Joe McChesney in Angry Ari)
Awards for gallantry in action and meritorious achievement: • Distinguished Flying Cross: 2Lt Joe McChesney (90% estimated accuracy bomb run)
| encountered | intercepted by escorts
| shot down
| FCA
| FBOA | FW 190's
| 20 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Me109's | 14 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Me110's / 410's
| 23 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 1 | C205s | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | R2005's | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re2001's | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | totals | 62 | 39
| 10 | 4 | 4 |
Invadin Maiden Bomb run: 29%
Pride of the Badgers Bomb run: 0% Air Medal (3rd award): Sgt I Cooper, Sgt J Lewis, W Sgt Towney Promoted to S/Sgt: Sgt I Cooper, Sgt J Lewis, Sgt W Towney
All In (group lead bomber) Bomb run: 30% Air Medal: 2Lt Don Heffner, S/Sgt Roy Hughes
Lucky Patch (first mission for B17 and crew) Bomb run: 33%
Bachelor’s Bedlam (group spare) Bomb run: 30% Air Medal: Sgt Wallace Wells
Six Nights in Telergma Bomb Run: 2% Air Medal: 1Lt James Waggoner; 2Lt Alf Pelka; 2Lt Jerome McLaughlin; 2Lt Irvin Lifson; S/Sgt John Graves; Sgt George Powell; Sgt James Woods; Sgt Ernest Phillips; Sgt Floyd Daugherty
Irascible Girl Bomb run: 40% Purple Heart: S/Sgt Mark Withley Air Medal (2nd award): S/Sgt Mark Withley
Angry Ari Bomb run: 90% Purple Heart: Sgt Tom Settler Distinguished Flying Cross: 2Lt Joe McChesney (90% estimated accuracy bomb run)
Bowling Green Belle (first mission ) Bomb run: 0%
Private Dix (group spare) Bomb run: 0% Air Medal: Sgt Walter Heath
Johnny B Good Bomb run: 50% Purple Heart (posthumous): Sgt Richard O’Connor
Arkansas Traveler
Bomb run: 20% Air Medal: 1Lt Phillip Knapp; 2Lt Billy Nichols; 2Lt Clyde French; 2Lt Anthony Walters; S/Sgt Edward Conley; S/Sgt Jerry Jones; Sgt Jim Moss; Sgt Jacob Jensen; Sgt Wesley David; Sgt Wallace McFarland
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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 Mar 9, 2024 6:53:30 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: #10 Mission Date: 22nd March 1944 Mission Number: 16 (Aircraft Mission #14) Target: Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas POSITION/RANK/NAME
| # Missions | TOTAL Confirmed | TODAY'S CLAIMS | Confirmed Claims | Crew Status | Notes: | Pilot 1Lt. Moeses I. Horst | 14 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM | Co-Pilot 2Lt. Slavisa J. Mackoff | 14 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH | Bombardier 2nd Lt. Richard D. Gustin | 10 | 0.92 | 1 | 0.33 | RTD | 1x AM & 1xPH | Navigator 2nd Lt. Gary Z. Scarbro | 14 | 0.17 | - | - | RTD | 2x AM
| Engineer (TT) T/Sgt. Ernestor L. Pasiak | 12 | 3.42 | 1.5 | 1 | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH
| Radio Operator S/Sgt. Reny O. Scaccia | 14 | - | - | - | RTD | 2x AM
| Ball Gunner Sgt. Evan F. Wiman | 14 | 2.25 | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH
| Port Waist Gunner Sgt. Rami N. Mihollen
| 8 | 2.25 | 0.5 | 0 | LW
| 1x AM & 1xPH (Neck wound, Muscle, 1Week Recovery-RTD Mar 29th)
| Starboard Waist Gnr. Sgt. Christopher P. Plant | 5 | - | - | - | LW | 1x AM & 1xPH, Replacing Sgt Freeland till 17th April '44 (LWR Extrem., Quad, 2Week Recovery-RTD Apr 5th)
| Tail Gunner Sgt. Wilbern I. Perez | 14 | 1.75 | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xDFC
| Crew Chief: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe]
| 16 | Hard Stand: | #26 |
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* Mission Note: Completed Fourteenth mission. Bomb Load: 10x 500lbs AN-M64 General Purpose Bombs Bomb Run: on target, 20% 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=4; Good Work on Aircraft repairs, 1.0 Experience Point)B-17 Damage: 39pts. 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: Overnight to repair, RTD March 23th 1944. Replacement Bomber: None Landing: Good E/A Encountered: 12 EA Claimed:Claims: | Aircraft: | Confirmation: | NG | Bf 109G | Third Credit Approved | TT | Bf 110C | Full Credit Approved | TT/PW | FW 190D | Credit Denied
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Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted
| Bf 109G | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Bf 110C
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | FW 190D | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Totals: | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
P-38 Lightings Chased off six enemy fighters. Luftwaffe Fighters: All German Pilot were of average skill. 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:
| Left Waist Gun - Sgt. Rami N. Mihollen
| 8 | 3.85 | 0.5 | 2.25 | Medical
| Returns 29th March '44
| Right Waist Gun - Sgt. Christopher P. Plant
| 5 | - | 0 | 0 | Medical
| Returns 5th April '44
| Right Waist Gun - Sgt. D.C. Freeland | 7 | 1.33 | 0 | 0 | Medical | Returns 17th April '44
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Award/ Promotions Requests:Sgt. R.N. Mihollen - Purple Heart Sgt. C.P. Plant - Purple Heart Replacements:
Sgt. Sgt. Terry J. Jordan (LW) replacement for Sgt. R.N. Mihollen Sgt Harald Wencke (SW) replacement for Sgt C.P. Plant Sgt Christopher P. Plant (SW) replacement for Sgt Freeland After Action Report ( game system - TfT and various optional rules): Pending...
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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Post by rcastillo on Mar 9, 2024 7:26:26 GMT -8
B-17G Arkansas Traveler 79th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Middle Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 22 March 1944 Mission #: 16 Aircraft Mission #: 5 Target: Airdrome @ Verona, Italy
Pilot - 1LT Philip Knapp (5) Co-Pilot - 2LT Billy Nichols (5) Bombardier - 2LT Clyde French (5) Navigator - 2LT Anthony Walters (5) Engineer - S/SGT Edward Conley (5) Radio Operator - S/SGT Jerry Jones (5) Ball Gunner SGT Jim Moss (5) Port Waist Gunner - SGT Jacob Jensen (5) Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Wesley David (5) Tail Gunner - SGT Wallace Mcfarland (5)
Bomb Run: On target 20%
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: No enemy claims
Disposition - Aircraft safe at home base.
B-24J Shady Lady 78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: High Squadron, Middle Mission Date: 22 March 1944 Mission #: 16 Aircraft Mission #: 1 Target: Airdrome @ Verona, Italy
Pilot - 1LT Lew Wallace (1) Co-Pilot - 2LT Juan Kane (1) Bombardier - 2LT Charlie Kline (1) Navigator - 2LT Larry Hoover (1) Engineer - T/SGT Russell Stafford (1) Radio Operator - T/SGT Larry Sherman (1) Ball Gunner - SGT Clifton Duarte (1) Port Waist Gunner - SGT Archie Hogan (1) Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Clarence Shepherd (1) Tail Gunner - SGT Glenn Mcdowell (1)
Bomb Run: DNB (Abort due to bomb doors rendered inoperable by German cannon fire)
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: None
Disposition - Aircraft safe at home base.
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Mar 9, 2024 8:33:32 GMT -8
80th BOMB SQUADRON Mission #16, Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas AAR
As Captain Delozier called the squadron to attention and Major Simmons paced down the aisle, there was an indefinable difference in the room. Simmons had now been in command for three missions and the confidence radiating from the crews was almost palpable. There was a rumor going around that someone had referred to the major as Scarface. Rumor also had it that the major knew about it and was amused.
"Seats!" The crews sat down and waited. "Well, gentlemen, Losing three aircraft is not how I like to see the results of a mission. That's three out of fourteen aircraft and that loss rate would make 8th Air Force sit up and take notice. That's really the bad news about this mission. We also had one abort so it's really three out of thirteen. The good news is that there were some outstanding bombing results. Double Bomb put 95% of its bombs in the box. Second Lieutenant Thompson, the man responsible, is the newest winner of a DFC. Second best in the squadron was The A Train at 60%. Overall, the squadron put almost 44% of its eggs in the basket.
"Air-to-air kills continues to be good with 25 claims and almost 17 credited. You gunners keep it up. Even with good coverage by the fighters, the more we can kill the fewer they have left to kill us.
"Okay! Keep doing what you're doing. Hopefully, we will continue to have good fighter coverage. We've got the high squadron on the next mission. Get out of here and relax as much as you can." Pause. "Dismissed!"
----------------------------- STATISTICAL ADDENDUM
THE A TRAIN On target, 60% - Second best in squadron 2 EA claimed, 1 credited 2LT Mark Ventura - PH SSG Stanley Ruzinski - PH SGT Vincent Meoli - PH
THE MINUTEMAN - Lost in action On target, 50% 3 EA claimed, 3 credited Crew - PH, posthumous
GEORGIA PEACH On target, 30% 5 EA claimed, 4 credited
GREAT EXPECTATIONS - Aborted
STATEMENT OF CHARGES On target, 50%
WONGO II On target, 40% 3 EA claimed, 1 credited SGT Walter White Feather - PH SSG Wilmett Jones - AM SGT Elder Kane - AM SGT Jake Evinson - AM
DOUBLE BOMB On target, 95% - Best in squadron 1 EA claimed, 1 credited 2LT Thompson - DFC
PRIDE OF MANITOWOC On target, 40% 1 EA claimed, 1 credited
JOHNNY B GOOD On target, 50% 3 EA claimed, 1 credited SGT Richard O'Connor - PH, posthumous
FEARLESS FOSDICK - Lost in action 3 EA claimed, 0.83 creedited 4 POW
OLD SHEP On target, 40%
MISS HOLLY On target, 30% 1 EA claimed, 1 credited
BOSOM BUDDIES - Lost in action On target, 40% 2LT Harold Wilkinson - PH Remaining crew - PH, posthumous
YPSILANTI GIRL Off target, 0% 3 EA claimed, 3 credited
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 148
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Post by eddie on Mar 9, 2024 20:38:11 GMT -8
Mission 16 AAR Mission Date: 22 March, 1944
Target: Verona, Italy – Airdrome Dispersal Areas
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: Low Sqdn.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jake Williams (Mission #5) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #5) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Barney Healey (Mission: #4) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Michael Andrews (Mission #5) Engineer: TSgt. Stanislaw Ignatowski (Mission #5) Radio Operator: SSgt. Brett Davidson (Mission #5) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Francis Spignatelli (Mission #5) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Carson (Mission #5) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Angus McDonald (Mission #5) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Mike Pope (Mission #5)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = On Target, 20%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Radio room O2 out, fire extinguished, Starboard Waist gun Inop., Navigation equipment inop. (Peckham points = 69)
Crew Casualties Sustained: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins – KIA, gun round to chest, Sgt. Bill Carson – Lt wound, left arm, will recover for next mission.
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 2, confirmed. TSgt. Stanislaw Ignatowski – FW-190; Sgt. Mike Pope – Me-110
After take-off we formed up with the rest of the 80th as the low squadron at the rally point. We were told there would be friendly fighter cover the entire mission but we did not see them join up until about 150 miles after take-off when they joined with our bomber formation.
We were nearly to the target zone when we were attacked by an FW-190 and an Me-110. Before they could turn towards us, the fighters got after them and we continued on towards the target area. There was some light flak from the coast but nothing near us.
Once in the target zone we encountered another Me-110 that again was chased off by friendly fighters. There was quite a bit of flak but again, nothing near enough to us to cause any damage.
The target area was partially obscured with low clouds and some mist. The Bombardier was fairly positive we hit the target but was unsure how effective the drop was.
Exiting the target area there were FW-190s, it seemed, everywhere. Friendly fighters got after three of them before they could form up on us for an attack run but 2 did get through. One attacked from 12 high, one from 6 high. Our guns opened up and our Engineer scored direct hits on the fighter attacking from 6 high. It fire-balled about 150 yards astern. The one attacking from 12 high though was missed and he fired right at us. A machine gun round hit the windshield square, came right through it, and hit my Co-Pilot in the chest. He was killed instantly. Aside from the hole caused by the shell, the rest of the windshield somehow remained intact.
Several other fighters attacked and all we chased off by friendly fighters.
We were attacked about 200 miles after the bomb drop. Again FW-190s with two being jumped by our escort. Three came in. One from 12 high, one from 1:30 high, and one from 6 high. Our guns disrupted the attacks from 1:30 high and 6 high. Those fighters fired at us, missed, and then flew by. The one attacking from 12 high, put rounds all over our ship. Rounds into the nose destroyed the navigators equipment, and rounds into the radio room caused an oxygen fire. Our Radio operator extinguished the fire. When the fighter tried to re-attack, our escorts were on him and chased him out of the area.
After that attack, with the radio operators oxygen out, he came up front, and with the engineer removed 2nd Lt. Collins body from the co-pilots seat. Our Engineer took over helping me fly the aircraft, and our Radio Operator manned the top turret.
As soon as we finished that crew movement, we were attacked again. Two Me-110s this time from 10:30 level and 12 Low. Our escort must have been busy because no one picked up these two enemy fighters. The one attacking from 12 low missed and flew on. The one attacking from 10:30 put some rounds into the ship, causing a slight arm injury to the port waist gunner. The enemy passed by, looped around behind us and lined up to attack again from 6 o’clock. The tail gunner opened fire and he went down trailing smoke and fire.
The remainder of the flight back to base was quiet. No enemy seen.
We landed without incident.
I will submit 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins for a Purple Heart. I would also like him to receive the Air Medal. This would have been his 5th mission completed if he had made it. I would like his wife to know he was recognized.
I will also submit Sgt. Bill Carson for a Purple Heart.
Finally, the following crew have completed their 5th mission and I would like to submit them for the Air Medal: Pilot: 1st Lt. Jake Williams Navigator: 2nd Lt. Michael Andrews Engineer: TSgt. Stanislaw Ignatowski Radio Operator: SSgt. Brett Davidson Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Francis Spignatelli Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Carson Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Angus McDonald Tail Gunner: Sgt. Mike Pope
Further, I need to check with S-1 on the status of 2nd Lt. Barney Healey, our Bombardier. This was his 4th mission with The Girl Next Door, however he was permanently assigned to us from the “spare pool” and I want to make sure I know how many missions were under his belt to ensure he receives credit for his missions as well.
I also will inquire with S-1 on a replacement for 2nd Lt. Collins prior to next mission.
“The Girl Next Door” and crew will be ready 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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Post by caodwolf on Mar 10, 2024 13:16:25 GMT -8
78TH BOMB SQUADRON
AFTER-ACTION REPORT
MISSION 16- Verona. 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.
Major Jopp removes his hat and approaches the podium. " Another good mission with 30% on target The Airdrome was hit pretty hard by all three squadrons so will be out of action for awhile. We did lose the Maiden American who had to ditch in the frigid Adriatic but were all picked up by the Royal Navy. Apparently Lt King landed the B-24 right next to their destroyer !"
Continuing: "Congrats to Sgt. Joshua who became an Ace with this 5th credited Nazi fighter. Well done son...."
"The Talkin'Texan had to abort due to an engine fire and ....The Black Maria's Daughter claimed the highest on-target with 55%. NO KIA and NO MIA's !
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 | 20% | 31 | 2 1/3 | limburger59 | Temptacious (Spare) | 30% | 14 | --- | kageyone | Black Maria's Daughter | 55% | 30 | 6 | kageyone | Orange Crate | 30% | --- | 1 | medic1 | Delayed Action | 30% | 4 | --- | jasta6 | Stupid Dragon | 20% | 39 | 1 1/3 | grondeaux | Maiden America | 0% | LOST | --- | chefed | Next Objective | 30% | --- | 1 | caodwolfs | Pleasant Surprise | 20% | 21 | --- | rhreiss | Bama Beauty | 50% | --- | 1 | drewshotsfan | The Talkin' Texan | ABORT | 25 | --- | keltos | Black Shadow | 40% | --- | --- | rcastillo | Shady Lady | DNB | 10 | --- | | Average Results | 30% | | 13 2/3 |
Bombers Lost
Maiden America
Top Bombers
Black Maria's Daughter 55% Bama Beauty 50% Black Shadow 40%
Awards / Promotions
1st Lt Jerry Burch AM 2nd Lt Terry Vickers AM 2nd Lt Cam Moore AM S/Sgt Bill Payne AM Sgt Mark Harrison AM Sgt Larry Sharp AM 1LT McQuinn AM 2LT Marcum AM 2LT Tobin AM T/SGT Whitehead AM SGT Trotter AM SGT Kimberlin AM SGT Thompson AM SGT Short AM Sgt Ed Phillips AM Sgt Irv Joshua AM SGT Kaiden Williams AM
KIA
None
MIA
None
Casualties
S/Sgt Arty Garfunkle Invalid Sgt Ellis Kramer LW Sgt Ben Virden LW SGT Elmer Morrison SW 2LT Noel WieN SW TSGT Samuel Ellison LW TSGT Herbert Rodriguez LW Sgt. D.C. Freeland LW
PURPLE HEART
S/Sgt Arty Garfunkle Sgt Ellis Kramer Sgt Ben Virden SGT Elmer Morrison 2LT Noel WieN TSGT Samuel Ellison TSGT Herbert Rodriguez Sgt. D.C. Freeland
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