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Post by limburger59 on May 15, 2023 18:53:32 GMT -8
to post 8 MAR 24 To unlock 10 MAR 24 Turn in AAR's no later than 23 MAR 24 Next mission to post 22 MAR 24
MISSION DATE: 26 March 44 MISSION # 17TARGET: Skoplje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet Mission Brief: Map: FORMATION:HIGH | 79th SQDN |
| MID | 80th SQDN |
| LOW | 78th SQDN | LEAD: | Gingersnap (Maj James)
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| LEAD: | Miss Holly |
| LEAD: | Pleasant Surpise
| TAIL: | Johnny B Good
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| TAIL: | Pride of Manitowoc
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| TAIL: | The Talkin Texan |
WEATHER:
Takeoff: Good Target: Good Landing: Good GAZETTEERZone | Modifier (QotS) | Weather/Resistance (TfT) | Fighter Cover | 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Good | 3 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Good
| 4 Yugoslavia
| -2 | 50% Clouds/Light
| Good
| 5 Yugoslavia | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light
| Good
| 6 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds/None | Good | TARGET ZONE 7 Yugoslavia FLAK: Outbound: Heavy x2 Inbound: None | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light Target: Slightly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually
| Good
| 6 Yugoslavia | -2 | 50% Clouds/None | Good
| 5 Yugoslavia | -1 | 50% Clouds/Moderate
| Good
| 4 Yugoslavia | 0 | 50% Clouds/Heavy | Good
| 3 Adriatic Sea | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light
| Good
| 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None
| Good
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Emergency Airfield: 210 miles from Skoplje (5 zones) is Lecce. Located on the heel of the Italian boot, it is a B-24 base with a nice long runway. As the crow flies, Foggia complex is 305 miles from Skoplje. Shot Down: Over Water (if you didn't drown): Zones 2 to 3: you are rescued by the Royal Navy Over Land: If you have to bailout over Yugoslavia roll 1d6 for each surviving Crew member. 1 Missing in Action (MIA) in the rugged snow covered mountains and never heard from again. 2-3 Captured by a German Patrol = POW. 4 Escaped aided by Partisans unless it is the Target Zone, then POW. 5-6 Escaped aided by Partisans. Escaped aided by Partisans: Two options: 1) Historical Option: When you return to Italy, your wounds will be treated, you will be debriefed and you will be sent back to the US. You know too much about the partisan locations, resources and operations. 2) Game Option: If you are really attached to a crewman, roll 2d6 and multiply that by the zone you are in. That is how many days it will take to get you back to the 509th. Calendar since last Mission:22 March 44 Mission 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas 23 March 44 Non-Operational Day 24 March 44 Non-Operational Day 25 March 44 Mission Aborted enroute to Valmontone, Italy (solid undercast) 26 March 44 Mission 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 8, 2024 9:27:49 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 17 Lead: Pleasant Surpise (caodwolf) Tail: The Talkin Texan (drewshotsfan) 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 Mar 8, 2024 15:41:39 GMT -8
80BS
Lead - Miss Holly Tail - Pride of Manitowoc
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Post by superbee on Mar 8, 2024 21:54:00 GMT -8
79th Bomb Squadron - Mission Formation Assignments
Mission #17: Skoplje, Yugoslavia
Lead bomber: Gingersnap
tail end Charlie: Johnny B Good
The 79th is the high squadron this mission.
Good luck !
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Post by drewshotsfan on Mar 9, 2024 2:05:07 GMT -8
Guys, can we have the target info please. Is it obscured etc? I'm about to take off :-) Thanks Drew
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 9, 2024 4:18:09 GMT -8
Guys, can we have the target info please. Is it obscured etc? I'm about to take off :-) Thanks Drew I see everything in the brief. What exactly are you not seeing, or seeing? Ed
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Post by drewshotsfan on Mar 9, 2024 4:56:27 GMT -8
Guys, can we have the target info please. Is it obscured etc? I'm about to take off :-) Thanks Drew I see everything in the brief. What exactly are you not seeing, or seeing? Ed Hi Ed Copied from Target Zone 7, below. There is no info for Target or TFT (which I know will be manual, but it's still blank). However, The Talkin' Texan has made it to the bomb run and rolled double 6, so it doesn't matter for us, but others will need the info (e.g. is the target clear or obscured) 50% Clouds/Light Target: TFT:
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 9, 2024 5:29:34 GMT -8
I see everything in the brief. What exactly are you not seeing, or seeing? Ed Hi Ed Copied from Target Zone 7, below. There is no info for Target or TFT (which I know will be manual, but it's still blank). However, The Talkin' Texan has made it to the bomb run and rolled double 6, so it doesn't matter for us, but others will need the info (e.g. is the target clear or obscured) 50% Clouds/Light Target: TFT: Copy
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Post by andy254 on Mar 9, 2024 6:49:41 GMT -8
Maj Harlan Beech, 509th S2, begins his briefing. "You shouldn’t run into any opposition until you reach Yugoslavia. Resistance will be light at first, the Nazi effort hampered by interference from the Yugoslav Partisans. But, once Jerry gets his act together expect it to intensify. You’ll likely so more bandits on your way home then you will be heading to, or over the target.”
"On target ingress, flak will be a bigger threat than the Luftwaffe. It is projected to be some of the heaviest flak you’ve faced thus far. On the plus side, continuing ammo shortages make it highly unlikely that you’ll be fired upon after you’ve dropped your bombs.”
“Highly unlikely,” someone can be heard to repeat skeptically in the brief silence while Maj Beech shifts to his next topic.
“Metro is forecasting good weather for the entire mission profile." This met with some skeptical laughter,
Ignoring the interruption, the S2 continues. “Your escort will again be P-38s from the 1st FG. They’ve gotten pretty used to this assignment, and will be with you the entire mission.”
At least this got a positive response as the room cheered.
Maj Beech waits for the cheering to die down. “If you run into trouble, the RN will be on Lifeguard duty. I’ve been told they’re even going to brave approaching the Yugoslavian coast. If you go down over Yugoslavia, hope you fall into Partisan hands (OOC - see Rules/Optional Rules/Optional Rules Index/Bailing Out and Escaping Capture). As always, remember, they are our allies, not necessarily our political friends. Cooperate, but don’t volunteer anything unnecessary.”
“Should you prefer to try to make it home on your own, there are two options. You may make a direct run for Giulia (OOC - 6 Zones with the last four over the Adriatic and Light resistance in Zones 6 & 5), or try for Lecce (OOC - 5 Zones, Zones 5 & 4 being over Yugoslavia and Zone 3 being Yugoslavia-Adriatic. All Zones over Yugoslavia have Light resistance),” SSgt Dewbury indicates the location on the big wall map. “Lecce is a Heavy base, so they should be able to accommodate you there. Bear in mind, in both cases you will be on your own without friendly fighter support.”
As the S2 prepares to hand the briefing over to the S3, a voice calls out, “You forget to remind us about the Fighting Man’s Code.”
Maj William H Stockwell, the S3 of the 509th, stepped up to the podium. Normally someone to clamp down on hecklers, the last remark must have amused him as there was a half-smile on his face and a laugh he suppressed by clearing his throat. After a few seconds to compose himself, he then began his part of the briefing.
"Skopje is a city in south-eastern Yugoslavia and the capital of the region known as North Macedonia. A lot of rail traffic used by the major and minor Axis Powers passes through there. Therefore, hitting its marshalling yard is a way to choke this traffic for a period of time to allow our Soviet and partisan allies opportunities to advance or consolidate their situations.
"A direct flight path across Albania would have telegraphed to the enemy where we are going. As it is, it is quite circuitous and intended to confuse the enemy so they deploy their fighter defences far away from where we are actually going. There is Nish Airfield in Serbia or Bucharest in Romania as potential targets by the first route change, then Sofia in Bulgaria before the second course change. By the time they realise, we will be on our way home. The only opposition over the target are some 150mm flak batteries.
"However, it is anticipated those fighters who went to the wrong place will want some honour. Wouldn't you if you were in their shoes?"
"Hell, yeah!" came a voice from near the back of the room. This caused some laughter. Stockwell waited for this to die down before continuing.
"Fortunately, with it taking them until after the egress to get there in force, there should not be any planes still laden with bombs. If you are on your own defending yourself, the chance of surviving those encounters is increased. However, as Maj Beech gave you the news, you are not alone. The 1st FG are up there with you and should eliminate or at the very least filter out a lot of what you have to face."
He snapped close his briefing folder before finishing with "Good luck up there in the wild blue yonder. All I ask is you use your training, do your best, and get yourselves home alive," and then stepped away.
The voice from earlier called out "At least you remembered, sir!"
As they watched the room disperse, Stockwell quietly said to Beech "They might be a rowdy bunch today, but with their morale as high as their spirits, they should do okay up there today."
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Post by drewshotsfan on Mar 9, 2024 8:36:35 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 17 Lead: Pleasant Surpise (caodwolf) Tail: The Talkin Texan (drewshotsfan) 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.) crushedhat,
***NEW TAIL POSITION REQUIRED***
Zone 7 Inbound. The Talkin' Texan is shot down by an Experte, Ace in a Bf109G-6, 5 chutes. Detailed AAR to follow
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Post by superbee on Mar 9, 2024 21:58:39 GMT -8
Gingersnap goes down in flames over Skopje, Yugoslavia - staggered by a direct hit flak burst and immediately finished off by opportunistic fighters. 6 or 7 airmen were observed exiting the burning B17. Some of the parachutes may have been on fire.
1. A 79th sqdn bomber will need to assume the lead slot from Zone 7 outbound back to Gulia.
2. The 79th sqdn will need a new CO, as Major James is now MIA.
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Post by kageyone on Mar 9, 2024 22:22:21 GMT -8
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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 10, 2024 3:24:47 GMT -8
limburger59 , crushedhat , drewshotsfan , For the 78th, for Mission 17 Lead: Pleasant Surpise (caodwolf) Tail: The Talkin Texan (drewshotsfan) 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.) crushedhat ,
***NEW TAIL POSITION REQUIRED***
Zone 7 Inbound. The Talkin' Texan is shot down by an Experte, Ace in a Bf109G-6, 5 chutes. Detailed AAR to follow With horror Lt Horst and his crew, in the " Stupid Dragon," watches " The Talkin' Texan" being ravaged by what looks to be an Experte' German ace. As the B-24 falls out of formation and plummets to earth, Lt Horst gets on the Interphone to the crew, "Well boys, looks like we are now T ail End Charlie from here on in. Stay sharp and Keep an eye out for those DAMN bandits." He then orders SSgt Scaccia to open a line to the " Pleasant Surpise" to inform them of the formation change. UPDATE: I did not see that the crew in " Orange's Crate" had already taken the TEC spot in Z7 I/B before my note here, but the " Orange's Crate" has dropped out of formation in Zone 4 I/B, so the " Stupid Dragon" will assume TEC at that point! Lt Hosey's Crew made it back to base in one piece!
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Mar 10, 2024 5:55:14 GMT -8
Mission date:26 March 44 Target: Skopje, Yugoslavia - Marshaling Yard Mission/Bomber: 17/3 B-17G The A Train 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force Formation: Middle Squadron Position: Middle
Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards Pilot: 1LT Dirk Ellington (3) (-) PH Co-Pilot: 2LT Edward Reese (3) (-) Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (3) (2) DFC Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (3) (0.5) PH Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (3) (1.5) PH Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (3) (0) Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (3) (0) Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (3) (0.5) Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (3) (1.5) PHx2 Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (3) (0.25)
Bombing: On target, 30%
Damage: 1 Peckham Points Superficial (x1): Fuselage (x1) Repair overnight
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited Me-109: 7 / 1 / 1 Ju-88: 1 / 0 / 0
Awards: None
Flown with TFT
We arrived at the aircraft with the sun shining and only a small cloud or two. After the last mission we had a good feeling about this one. Takeoff and assembly went easily in VFR weather.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: A trio of Me-109s attacked. The escorts took care of two of them. The third at 1030 Low was claimed by Navigator and Port Waist.
Zones 4 - 6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7 (Target): After the IP, we saw no enemy aircraft. Flak was heavy and we took a superficial hit to the fuselage but no other damage. Williams got a good look at the aim point and the drop was estimated at 30% in the box.
Zones 7 (Outbound) - 6: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: Things picked up and two waves of enemy aircraft attempted to attack. The escorts did a good job and none of them got close enough to get off a shot at us.
Zones 4 - 2: Nothing to report.
Landing was easy and another one is in the books.
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 Mar 10, 2024 7:08:18 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/Squadron Position: High/MiddleMission Date: 26 March 44 Mission Number: 017Missions This Bomber: 17Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard
Crew/Position/Rank | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress Points | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado | 17 | 10.5 | 0 | 2 | RTD | R/O T/Sgt Bruce Woodside | 17 | 2 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Ball Gunner S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro | 17 | 10.5 | 0 | 1 | RTD | PSW Sgt Noreno Costa | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Mark Riley | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | TG Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit | 17 | 8 | 0 | 1 | RTD |
Bomb Run: OffOn Target: 0%B-17 Damage: 4 Hits Port Wing x 2 -superficial (1) -#2 engine, superficial (35) Tail x 2 -superficial (1) -tailplane, N/E (5) Peckham Points: 42Repair Time: Overnight 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Me-410 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Confirmed Claims: 0 Casualties: 0 Stress Points after mission: 0 Award/ Promotions Requests: 0
After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules)“It looks like we’re gonna have a rough ride on the bomb run,” Costa said glumly as he jumped from the jeep. “Gonna be some heavy flak.”
“Actually, I don’t mind the flak that much.” Talking Spirit replied.
“What are you, nuts?” Riley turned to look at him shaking this head.
“You feeling a little flak happy there, chief?” Woodside asked.
“Everything is relative; Being shot at by impersonal flak from far below is better than being shot at by fighters a few yards in front of you like a shootout in a western movie - face to face. I’ll take flak any day over the fighters, because of the human element. Flak is impersonal, but it’s just plain scary to have a bunch of guys up there with you, coming at you with six machine guns and a 30 mm cannon each.”
“Yeah, but at least I can shoot back at the fighters. I get a chance to defend. Not true with the flak,” Mercado chimed in with his two cents. “Flak is a wild card in this game. Unpredictable, like the single bullet in a game of Russian roulette.”
“On the bomb run everyone knows that for the next 15 minutes there’s no safe place inside the bomber,” Costa said.
“Each to their own,” Talking Spirit replied as he climbed into their bomber. “The same can be said of the fighters.”
Zone 1: Beautiful weather again for takeoff. All had an easy time to form up in the skies, and once our escorts of P-38 from the 1st FG, we headed out. Zone 2-6: Nothing to report. Zone 7: At the IP we saw a few fighters massing for the attack. More of Goring’s Goons swelled their numbers until they were brave enough to swarm the squadron, with two 190 choosing us. But the 1st FG had something to say about it and neither fighter made it through to us.
The flak gunners set fighters from both sides scrambling.
“The Old Man’s ship is going down!” Mercado called out, the emotion clear in his voice.
The crew watched helplessly as their CO’s bomber started to burn and fall away from the squadron.
“Everybody watch for chutes.” Marks called out.
“There’s one . . . There’s another. . .”
“That guy’s chute is burning up! Poor bastard!”
We watched stunned as Gingersnap took hits and caught fire. We took the lead and were rocked as we took four hits, throwing off Kellici’s aim and missing the target completely.
INBOUND
After the turn, the flying goon squad took advantage of the absence of flak with two 410 roaring towards us. They never made it past our escorts. A second wave seemed ready to follow them in but seemed to change their minds when they observed the fate of the 410s and we left the target zone unmolested. Zone 6:Another wave of fighters seemed ready to make a nuisance of themselves but the presence of our little friends deterred any thoughts of glory for the Fatherland and they turned away. Zone 5: Nothing to report. Zone 4: Our P-38s chased off two waves of would-be attackers leaving our gunners with nothing to do but watch the show. Zone 3-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: Landed safely and taxied to hardstand.
With the exception of flak damage, it was another milk run for us. Unfortunately, the flak robbed the 79th of it's CO and was a factor in our missing the target, but the fine work of the 1st FG allowed us to save some taxpayers money as we saved a lot on unfired ammunition. Thanks to their diligence we haven’t had to fire a round in our defense for the past two missions. The only rounds expended were during the test firing. All aboard never received a hit and all returned safely.
S/Sgt Yates and his ground crew are already working on Invadin’ Maiden to get the ship ready for the next mission.
I’m off to the bar to buy every pilot of the 1st FG I can find a drink, then I’ll drink a toast to Major James. I guess Capt. Robinson will take over as CO once he’s out of the hospital. 1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Mar 10, 2024 10:34:36 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).
After a couple of days of training, and an aborted mission, we headed for the briefing on our first assignment outside of Italy.
The guys were still buoyed by the great gunnery performance in the previous trip, but veterans kept telling them that not every mission is so successful.
The mission itself looked pretty straightforward, and there was a definite appreciation of 1st FG when they were announced to be, once again, our escorts.
Outbound: A slightly concerning take-off, as a gust of wind made us yaw severely, but it was quickly corrected by Ryland before we left the ground successfully.
Things stayed quiet until we crossed the Yugoslavian coast south of Kotor. Three 109s came in on us: one ahead and below us, another above and off our starboard bow, and the last from directly above. The Lightnings dealt with the one at our 130, and Crawford nailed the one ahead of us. No flames, nor explosion, and no sign of damage – it just rolled over and dived earthwards. Mitchell missed the diver, but he missed us too, and sped away home.
The quiet resumed until we hit the target zone. Another two Me109s greeted us, high and low off our 9 o’clock. The escorts got rid of the low one, and Mitchell disposed of the other as it moved into position to fire on us, chopping off part of its port wing, sending it earthwards out of control.
The flak then started up, much thicker than our last trip. Several voices came on the com at the same time as the Major's plane, ahead of us, took a direct flak hit that knocked it out of formation, going into a steep dive that didn't look under control, flames billowing behind it.
I called for focus on our own mission, as the formation adjusted for the missing aircraft. Walcott called, “Bomb doors open – autopilot engaged; my aircraft,” as the bombsight took control of the plane. A couple of minutes later, he followed with “Bombs away! Wait – bomb release fail. Trying again – no go skipper, your aircraft - turn for home.”
The Patch, with the bombs still on board, was very heavy to move, and it seemed that we might have trouble keeping up with the squadron, but Mitchell dived down from his turret to adjust revs and mixture to allow us to maintain position in the formation.
I ordered Walcott to leave the bomb bay doors open, despite the drag, in case they failed to open again after they were shut. He confirmed that and began going through the procedure to try and get the release system working again.
Inbound: The same as our previous mission, there was no flak on the egress from the target. The Jerries' ammo situation must be serious. However, we were joined by three more 109s, all higher than us: ahead, off our starboard side, and off our port bow. Our escorting fighters must have been busy elsewhere, as all three made it into position to take us down.
Mitchell hit the one ahead of us, but although the bandit started smoking, it pressed its attack, missed us, then went into an inverted dive and headed for home. The quick manoeuvre threw off Haley’s aim on the tail guns, so he didn’t add to Magic’s damage.
Sanford missed the one off our starboard side, and Middleton also missed the one off our port bow. However, Stone – on the left cheek gun, took out that one as its port wing erupted in flames and pilot broke off his attack.
Unfortunately, the cheers were cut short as the one left with us hammered several shots into us before circling around to off our starboard bow for another run. Most caused little damage, but there was a scream from someone, then a horrible wet gurgling over the com, which sounded like, “I’m hit.”
A quick com check found that it was Stone, in the nose. Walcott rushed back there, abandoning his bomb release checks, and very quickly gave us the bad news. “Bernie’s gone, guys – huge hole in his chest – he was dead before I got here.” This brush with the harsh reality of war silenced the plane for a few seconds before the defensive chatter started again.
Crawford and Sanford missed the final bandit, but Walcott had moved back to the chin turret controls, and took revenge for the death of our friend by removing the 109s port wing, sending it earthwards.
As we moved clear of the target area, I had Walcott stay in the nose, with its three guns, and detailed Mitchell to check out the bomb release system. I really didn’t want to be landing with a full bomb load, as that is a recipe for disaster. I then got Southey to leave his radio and take over the top turret until Mitchell had finished.
As we headed back towards the coast, after a few minutes, Walcott reported that he had got Stone’s body into a body bag and cleaned up the area a bit. He also mentioned that the bombsight had been hit in the attack.
Shortly after that, as we got close to Andrejivica, Mitchell reported, “Got it! Loose plug on the final connection to the bomb bay junction box. Try the bombs again, sir.”
[Mechanical failure in zone 3 put this system out; a random event (Internal damage repaired) over the target zone allowed it to be fixed.]
While it would have been better not to do this until over the sea, I ordered Walcott to jettison the bombs – which worked perfectly. “Bomb bay doors closed,” Walcott announced. I ordered all crew back to their normal stations, and Magic came to adjust the engines now the extra weight was gone.
The last action of the day came over Podgorica, when two Me110s attacked us from directly beneath and low behind us. The fighters dealt with the one underneath us, and Crawford winged the one in our 6, with Haley missing.
The 110 missed as well, and decided that it was lunchtime, heading off for home.
We saw a few more Jerries on the rest of the journey: two Ju88s and an FW190, but the escorts ensured that none got close enough to open fire.
Firing a red flare as we approached Giulia was a new experience, but our landing was good, and we were soon at our hardstanding.
Walcott and Mitchell gently manoeuvred Stone’s body out of the front hatch into the arms of the waiting medics. We stood in silence as the ambulance drove it away.
I wrote the first of what I hope will be very few of these letters. As Bernie was engaged, not married, I addressed it to his parents. However, I will go through his personal effects before they are shipped home to see if I can get an address for Maggie, his fiancée, and send her a letter too. I raised the paperwork for his Purple Heart and twisted a wry smile as the Gunnery Board awarded him half a kill for the 109 he downed.
Only Crawford missed out on any kind of award for the aircraft shot down today, but there was no celebration this time, just a sombre gathering to remember our fallen comrade.
The advice given to me four days ago was correct – not every mission is dead Jerries and 60% of your bombs on target; sometimes, the Jerries hit back.
1Lt Louis M. Marlowe, Pilot Commanding B-17G-55DL-44-6507 "Lucky Patch" 79th (H) BS, 509th (H) BGFor a full mission history of "In Like Flynn", "Blitz Buggy", plus my three aircraft in the previous war, please see my (GarySK) post in the Tarmac forum
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Post by caodwolf on Mar 10, 2024 12:14:36 GMT -8
B-24J: PLEASANT SURPRISE Pilot: 1Lt. R. Solsky Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 26-March-1944 Mission No.: 17 Mission this Bomber: 5 Target for Today: Skopje, Yogislavia - Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: Low Cell Lead Result: On-Target: 30% Flying as the Low Cell Leader has a great responsibility to keep track of all the bombers in the squadron, lead them to the target, bomb the target and head back for home.
That's exactly what we did. The skies were swarming with German fighters almost the entire mission, especially on the inbound. But our Escorts kept most at bay. One ME-109 was riddling the nose and cockpit with bullets until Sgt Mentz manning the Chin Guns knocked him out of the sky notching his first kill. Well Done Mentze.
The majority of the crew earned their Air Medal after today's sortie.
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 | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | F. Pienta | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | C. Steinwedel | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | M. Wagner | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | TSgt | J. Visentin | 5 | --- | 1 | AM | OK | Radio Op | TSgt | R. Surovick | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Chin Turret | Sgt | B. Mentz | 7 | 1 | 1 | AM | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | R. Huff | 3 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | B. Unger | 5 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | T. Croker | 6 | --- | 2 | PH, AM | OK-RTD |
None
Air Medals
2Lt R Steinwedel 2Lt M Wagner 1Lt R Solsky 2Lt F Pienta Sgt. J Visentin Sgt R Surovcik Sgt B Unger
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | ME-109 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 1 | FW-190 | 2 | 2 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | TOTALS | 17 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 1 1 |
-Rudder hit -Nav equipment inop -Tail gun gun jam
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Post by Grondeaux on Mar 10, 2024 12:54:39 GMT -8
B-24D-10-CO-42-40220 Kipling’s Error78th Bombardment Squadron, spare bomber & crew assigned to this mission Bomber Position: Low squadron, middle Mission Date: 26 March 1944 Mission #: 17 Aircraft Mission #: 2 Target: Marshaling Yard, Skopje, Yugoslavia Crew (Missions): Pilot: 1LT Everett Galloway (0) Copilot: 2LT Andrew Doherty (0) Bombardier: 2LT Oscar Howe (0) Navigator: 2LT Richard Morrow (0) Flight Engineer: SSGT Thomas Stewart (0) Radio Operator: SSGT Terence Faloni (3) Ball Turret Gunner: SGT Patrick Brenner (0) Left Waist Gunner: SGT Guy Rosenbloom (0) Right Waist Gunner: SGT Gilbert Goldberg (0) Tail Gunner: SGT Leland Young (0) Bomb Run: On target, 30% Casualties: SGT Guy Rosenbloom: KIA (head/facial wound) SSGT Thomas Stewart: frostnip, both ears (RTD) SGT Patrick Brenner: KIA (trapped in ball turret when landing with gear out) SGT Gilbert Goldberg: superficial frostbite, left foot (RTD) Attackers: 12
| Spotted | Destroyed | Damaged | Driven off by Escort | ME-109 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | FW-190 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ME-210 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Claims: none Credits: none Award/Promotion Requests: none In Hospital/Recovery: none Aircraft Damage: 232 Peckham points (98 from landing with gear out, #3 engine out w/fire (mechanical), right main gear, left tailplane (n/e), tail auxiliary hydraulic system, left rudder, suit heating system (mechanical), 1 x KIA, 2 x superficial). Aircraft available again on 4 April. 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, Chris Riches’ Enhanced Fighter Attacks (Simple Version) Kipling’s Error had an uneventful flight up to the vicinity of Skopje. All enemy aircraft attempting to attack us were intercepted by the P-38s of the First Fighter Group. Excellent coverage by our escorts continued on our run-in to the IP, with only a single FW-190 penetrating the screening Lightnings. That one, however, achieved two cannon hits on us, taking out the tail hydraulic system and the right landing gear. The hit to the hydraulic system prevented us from retracting the ball turret. This was to have fatal consequences later. [Also rolled a Lady Luck Smiles] On our bombing run, SGT Rosenbloom was struck in the face by shrapnel from flak, killing him instantly. Shortly after exiting the target zone, we experienced a suit heating system failure. Given the level of expected opposition in Zone 4, I opted to remain in formation. Our escorts continued to keep the majority of enemy fighters away from us. Once we were out over the Adriatic, I left the formation and descended to warmer air. By this time Stewart, Brenner, and Rosenburg were feeling the effects of frostbite. Shortly before reaching Giulia, our number three engine burst into flame. We were able to put out the fire and feather the propeller. Our backup hydraulic pump kicked into action. As we began our descent to land, it became apparent that our right landing gear was unable to extend. Despite all efforts to extricate him, SGT Brenner remained trapped in the ball turret which could not be retracted. We were faced with horrible certainty that he would be killed upon landing. Brenner remained calm and relayed a farewell message to his family. I commend him for his courage as certain death approached. We successfully landed Kipling’s Error. Brenner, of course, was killed by the impact. V/r, 1LT Everett Galloway, First Pilot B-24D Kipling’s Error 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 10, 2024 14:59:51 GMT -8
MISSION DATE: 26 March 44
MISSION # 17 80th Bombardment SquadronTARGET: Skoplje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard CREW Captain FRANK DELOZIER - Pilot - Missions: 15 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt PERCY "Purse" JOHNSON - Co-Pilot - Missions: 13 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2, PH 1st Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD - Bombardier - Missions: 15 | Claims: 1.5 | Awards: AMx2 1st Lt HAMPTON "Hamp" RAWLINGS - Navigator - Missions: 15 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN - Engineer - Missions: 15 | Claims: 2 | Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt JOSE "Loco" AZZUCO - Radio Op - Missions: 15 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner - Missions: 15 | Claims: 6 | Awards: AMx3, DFC Sgt HAL CARTER - Port Waist - Missions: 15 | Claims: 1 | Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt HERBERT "H.R." RAYMOND - Starb Waist - Missions: 15 | Claims: 0.5 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner - Missions: 15 | Claims: 3 | Awards: AMx2
BOMBING ON 30%
CASUALTIES 2xLW Sgt Hal Carter, results of anoxia
AWARDS & PROMOTIONS Purple Heart - Sgt Hal Carter
CLAIMS none
ENEMY A/C 4x Me109 - 2x DO 1x DAM
DAMAGE 3x Engine out - 75 O2 system - 10 85 Peckham Points
AAR
Leading the 509th, Miss Holly took off at 0851 hours in good weather.
Thirty minutes out from the target, #3 engine ran away and had to be feathered.
Over the target, we took a superficial hit from flak. Dropped ON target for 30%.
On the inbound run, starboard waist gunner Raymond reported that port gunner Carter had passed out. Raymond found a kink in Carter's o2 hose and revived him.
We were then attacked by 4 109s, one of whom knocked out the #1 engine. We were down to two engines. We could not keep airspeed up to maintain formation, so we dropped out of the lead.
Feeling quite alone in the sky, we flew the next hour in suspense, but to our immense surprise, we met no opposition.
Then, just as we prepared to enter the landing pattern, engine #2 conked out. We had one working engine at this point. Our altitude dropped precipitously. We fired off two green flares and came in for landing immediately, landing east to west on the runway.
Miss Holly slammed down on the runway and that was it for her. She's Cat-E. The crew is shaken up, but safe. DELOZIER
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Post by kkirch22 on Mar 10, 2024 23:31:54 GMT -8
AAR FOR ANGRY ARI, B-17G-20BO-42-31598:
Aircraft Commander: 1st Lt. Kyle Kirch. Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group. High Squadron - Middle. MISSION DATE: March 26, 1944. MISSION NUMBER: 17 (This bomber: 4). TARGET: Skopje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard. Repairs and Maintenance: Standard Repairs and Maintenance
Mission Crew: (Prior missions) - [Prior kills] - {Stress Points} Pilot: 1st Lt. Kyle Kirch (3) {0} Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Andrew Walker (3) {1} Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Joe McChesney (3) [0] {1} Navigator: 2nd Lt. Richard "Dick" Roden (3) [0] {1} Engineer: T/Sgt. Roy Schultz (3) [0] {0} Radio Operator: S/Sgt. Brent Wickie (9) [0] {1} Ball Gunner: Sgt. Lais Laifeng (3) [0] {1} Port Waist: Sgt. Ralph Taylor (8) [1] {1} Starboard Waist: Sgt. Matthew Gabriels (3) [0] {2}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Ned Green (3) [0] {0}
Crew Chief: Sgt. Geoff Culver (-1 Mod.).
Bomb Run: ON/30%
Casualties: 2nd Lt. Andrew Walker, Light Wound. Torn Flexor. RFD: 16 APR 44 Sgt. Ralph Taylor, Light Wound. Cut Thigh. RFD: Immediate.
Damage: #2 Engine Out, inboard left fuel tank hit and leaking, 1 right wing root hit, 13 Superficial hits.
Peckham Points: 97, Overnight repair +1 day transfer from Lecce.
Landing: Safe at Lecce Airfield.
Claims: N/A
Award/Promotion Requests: 2nd Lt. Andrew Walker: Purple Heart (Auto Awarded) Sgt. Ralph Taylor: Purple Heart (Auto Awarded) S/Sgt. Brent Wickie: Air Medal (Auto Awarded)
Currently In Hospital: Sgt. Eli Stone. RFD: 15 MAY 44 2nd Lt. Andrew Walker. RFD: 16 APR 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.)
Takeoff normal, and nothing to report until we reach the target zone where all hell broke loose. The enemy fighters, which hadn't been making passes at our formation but could be seen at the edges suddenly were seen to dart skyward or below the formation. Ralphie got over the intercom "Bad sign. Flak will be up soon." I braced myself for the worst. S-2 said the flak today would be the heaviest we've seen so far. Considering my bar is pretty low after the last few raids, I wasn't exactly excited to see what the worst the Group had seen had to offer. There was a few minutes of eerie silence as the formation turned in and settled onto the bomb run. Then, all at once, storm clouds. Thick black flak puffs seemed to be erupting in every possible inch of sky around the aircraft. Within a matter of seconds it sounded as if a crew of fairies was outside the aircraft pitching fistfuls of nuts and bolts against the air-frame. Each burst we saw seemed to make the plane shudder and shake. I nervously darted my eyes between the cockpit window, craning my head to attempt to see around flak clouds and keep myself in position, and glancing at the instruments to make sure nothing had been punched.
This, I suppose, is where our luck runs out. Scanning the skies ahead of me through the flak, waiting as we creep closer to the target, I see a nightmare unfold. Formation lead "Gingersnap" is out ahead to my right side, guiding our cell. Suddenly a massive flak cloud erupts under the middle of her air-frame, and a great shower of flame and sparks can be seen. The aircraft instantly begins to fall out of formation and later Lais reports seeing the aircraft fall below the formation, enemy tracers streaming into it before turning the aircraft into a burning wreck. Some chutes are spotted, but I am too shocked to say anything. The squadron CO was on that aircraft... What the hell have we got ourselves into? Invadin' Maiden slides gently into the lead aircraft position and takes over for the cell lead but before I can think much more on what I've witness, a massive explosion to my left and below sends my ears ringing. Slightly dazed I look around to find the right side of the cockpit splashed with some blood and hear 2nd Lt. Walker over the radio "Shit! Shit! I'm hit, somewhere in my leg... It doesn't feel too bad though... Holy shit! Check the left wing skipper!" Sure enough, as I glance left my heart nearly jumps out of my throat. The #2 engine is beginning to spit flames! I immediately punch the extinguisher and watch the fire choke out of life. No sooner than the prop is feathered does the aircraft shake violently again, this time from a hit on the right side wing root reported by the Top Turret gunner. By this time we've made it over the target and McChesney works his magic, despite the heavy flak and shells knocking the aircraft around he still manages to drop some bombs on target! Only 30% sure, but given the circumstances I would have been happy to get those damn things out of my bombay with 0% accuracy.
The formation begins its turn back and a final barrage of flak is sent into the formation. This one shakes the aircraft just as bad as the first, and punches a hole through our left inboard fuel tank that fails to seal. A piece of shrapnel flying through the waist manages to hit our new replacement Ralphie as well, but does only superficial damage to his thigh and he's able to patch himself up. With the amount of fuel being lost, even with Schultz working full time on the transfer pumps we'd be hard pressed to make it to Giulia even on a straight run, so the emergency secondary airfield at Lecce is selected. Due to the circuitous route taken by the formation for this mission, if we want to land at Lecce we would have to leave the formation to do so. With a quick report to the cell that we will be attempting a solo return we are given well wishes and good-lucks and I turn the bomber on a heading more or less direct to Lecce. The return flight home is more disturbing than dangerous. A couple lone fighters jump us, but their half-hearted attempts at passes result in nothing but misses and them pulling away. Our gunners did their best but were unable to land anything but a disabling shot on a 110. By the time we reach Lecce the aircraft is damn near running on fumes, and I'm in no hurry to keep us airborne any longer than needed. As soon as I see the italian coast I begin to drop the aircraft out of the scattered clouds and into the safe confines of a US airbase. The landing was smooth thankfully, and the wounded crewmen including my copilot were sent out by ambulance to the aid tent.
Ralphie will be back in action right away and can catch the flight back to Giulia with us, but Walker will stay here for a few days recovering and be sent back up to the base after a few weeks. I hope S-1 doesnt mind all the replacements we've been needing... The loss of our CO will no doubt have mood around the squadron low when we get back to base, although I didnt know the Major very well, I know by the quality of the squadron that he was a high caliber officer and will be missed. I sincerely hope he was able to find his way into the arms of some partisans or at least a camp. Anything must be better than burning to death at 20K+ feet...
The men will rest here tonight while the base mechanics get our aircraft in flying order, which should thankfully only take the night. In the morning we'll set out for Giulia and rejoin the boys at base for a hopefully much less eventful mission #5 for our crew, and finally ditch our "Replacements" status.
- 1st Lt. Kyle Kirch, 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomb Group.
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Mar 11, 2024 5:07:08 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: 26 March 1944 Mission Number: 17 Mission of this bomber: 5 Formation: Low Position: Middle Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 30% CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Mitch Armstead | 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt. John Webb
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. John Griffis
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Charles Rutherford | 5 | 0 | .33 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Engineer | S/Sgt Colin Jones | 5 | 0 | 1 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Nose Gunner | Sgt Dennis Lindsay | 5 | 0 | 1.5 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Erik Sinnott
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RTD
| 0 | Port WG/Radio Op. | S/Sgt Lee Hanson
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RTD
| 0 | Starboard WG | Sgt Fred Campbell
| 5 | 0 | .5 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | Sgt James Rivera
| 5 | 0 | 1.5 | AM
| RTD
| 0 |
Crew Chief: S/Sgt John Ziegler (Average Joe) - 5 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | Me-109 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Me-210 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 |
Claims:--Damage:
- Superficial x2: 4 - Autopilot: 10 Peckham Points: 14pts - overnight repairing and maintenance Casualties: --Awards: Air Medal for 5th mission to all crew AAR (flown with TFT)Giulia Airbase: Take off and assembly in a sunny sky. After 10 minutes Autopilot system stopped working. Attempts to repair by the S/Sgt Jones were unsuccessful Zone 2-3 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 4 Outbound: A couple of Fw-190 were driven off by P38s. Zone 5 Outbound: A couple of Me-109 and a Fw-190 were driven off by the guys of 1stFG. A lone Fw-190 in vertical dive was damaged and preferred to escape. After 5 minutes a couple of Fw-190 attacked us: one was driven off while the second avoided our shots and caused some superficial damage. On its second pass was heavily damaged and went away. Zone 6 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 7 Outbound/Inbound (Target Zone): No GAF on us and despite heavy Flak we di not suffered damage. Bomb run and drop were successfull. Flak and GAF not observed while turning toward homebase. Zone 6 Inbound: Nothing to report. Zone 5 Inbound: Attacked by Me-109 and Fw-190 in three waves but all Jerrys were driven off by P38s. Zone 4 Inbound: Attacked by 2 Fw-190s, one intercepted by the escort, the second damaged us despite being also damaged by our hits. On the second pass, after both his and our bullets missed, he preferred to move away. Zone 3 Inbound: A lone Me-109 tried to get close to us, but a P-38 engaged it in a dogfight. Zone 2 Inbound: Nothing to report. Giulia Airbase: Landed safely. It was an easy mission despite our position in the low formation, thanks to the efficiency of the 1st FG pilots. ------------------------------------------------- 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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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 11, 2024 9:57:37 GMT -8
B-24J Next Objective B-24J-15-CF-42-99776 Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Low Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 26 MAR 1944 Mission Number: 17 This Aircraft: 6 Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia, Marshalling Yard CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Alexis Vaillancourt | 5 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Arlo Perot | 5 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Emmanuel Rosas | 2 | 1.5 | PH | RTD 9 APR 44 | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Cory McIntyre | 5 | 0 | PH | RTD 23 APR 44 | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Abraham Leeker | 5 | 0 | AM | RTD | 1 | Radio Op / Rt Waist | T/Sgt Bruce Woodward | 5 | 1 | AM | RTD | 0 | NT / Rt Waist | Sgt Reese Giles | 5 | 1 | AM | RTD | 3 | Ball Turret | T/3rd Tristen Townsend | 5 | 2 | AM, PH | RTD | 2 | Left Waist / NT | Sgt Brendan Burgess | 5 | 0.5 | AM | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | T/3rd Finnley Griffith | 5 | 1 | AM | RTD | 1 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt King Solis | 14 | | | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 40 %Casualties: 2Lt Emmanuel Rosas, LW 2Lt Cory McIntyre, LW T/3rd Tristen Townsend, LW Damage: #2 Engine Oil Leak Bombardier – LW Navigator – LW Ball Gunner – LW Peckham Points: 16 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) Day to Repair Landing: Safe Enemy AircraftType | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Me-109 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | 0 | Fw-190 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | Me-110 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
ClaimsPosition | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Navigator | 2 | 1.5 | 0 | Top | 1 | 0 | 0 | Right Waist | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Awards: Air Medal1Lt Alexis Vaillancourt 2Lt Arlo Perot 2Lt Cory McIntyre T/Sgt Abraham Leeker T/Sgt Bruce Woodward Sgt Reese Giles T/3rd Tristen Townsend Sgt Brendan Burgess S/Sgt Finnley Griffith Purple Heart2Lt Emmanuel Rosas 2Lt Cory McIntyre T/3rd Tristen Townsend Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTNot until we were over Yugoslavia proper did we encounter any enemy fighters, a pair of FW-190s. Escorts drove off one, with Lt McIntyre knocking down the second. T/Sgt Leeker clipped the 190 but did little more than chip some paint. We faced no more enemy fighters until after our bombs were released. Flak over the target was heavy, but brief, causing no damage. Lt McIntyre got a good look and was able to plant 40% on target. On egress from the target Talkin’ Texan was observed being shot down. Skirting the north end of Albania we faced a pair of Bf-110s and a solo FW. Escorts shooed them all away. The Adriatic was in sight when we were swarmed by enemy fighters. Escorts drove off two 109s. That left four more for us and a solo FW. Lt McIntyre, T/Sgt Leeker, and Sgt Giles each knocked one out of the skies. The remaining pair were just clipped. One of the 109s hit us good. Lt Rosas, Lt McIntyre, and T/3 Townsend all took minor hits. Once clear of the coast we saw no more enemy planes. Halfway across the Adriatic #2 engine began to leak oil. It soon rectified itself, and #2 gave us no more trouble. We fired off red flares and waited our turn in the pattern. Our wounded were carted away to hospital. LTs McIntyre and Rosas will be out for two and four weeks respectively. T/3 Townsend got a plaster and was released. Submitted by, 1Lt Alexis Vaillancourt, Pilot B-24J Next Objective 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 148
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Post by eddie on Mar 11, 2024 12:54:29 GMT -8
Mission 17 AAR Mission Date: 26 March, 1944
Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia – Marshalling Yard
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Jake Williams, commanding Bomber SN: B17G-15VE-42-97484; "The Girl Next Door" 80th Bomb Sqdn., 509th (H) Bombardment Grp., 15th AF
Formation position: Middle Sqdn.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jake Williams (Mission #6) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Eugene Bates (Spare Crew Pool - Mission #4) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Barney Healey (Mission: #5) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Michael Andrews (Mission #6) Engineer: TSgt. Stanislaw Ignatowski (Mission #6) Radio Operator: SSgt. Brett Davidson (Mission #6) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Francis Spignatelli (Mission #6) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Carson (Mission #6) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Angus McDonald (Mission #6) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Mike Pope (Mission #6)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = On Target, 30%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Radio room heat out, #4 Engine out, Tail guns inop., multiple superficial hits (Peckham points = 72)
Crew Casualties Sustained: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: None
We took off with the middle squadron’s rotation and formed up with the rest of the squadron at the rally coordinates.
We encountered no enemy fighters until we were only about 100 miles from the bomb run initial point. There was a single FW-190 that looked like it was headed into to make an attack run on us however, it was picked up by our friendly escorts. It looks like they got him because as he dove away from us, it started belching out black smoke.
Almost immediately after, the flak started. There was a lot of it and it was very accurate. We took several hits. One knocked out the #4 engine but we were able to feather the prop and continue on to the bomb run. I switched over controls to the Bombardier and we were hit by flak again. It knocked out the radio room heater and nearly tore the tail guns from the ship according to the tail gunner. Either way, they were inoperative. Luckily, our fighter cover was very effective and no enemy came near our 6.
The target area was partially obscured with low clouds and some mist but our bombardier put bombs on target in spite of that and the flak.
On egress from the bomb run, there were quite a few enemy fighters all over but anyone that lined up on our ship was almost immediately jumped by a P-38. Those guys seemed to be everywhere.
About 150 miles from the target, a Bf-109 dove straight down on us. It was coming way to fast for our escorts to pick it up. We fired at it and must have unnerved him just enough that he jinked to the side and missed us. He just dove past and we did not see him again.
Several other fighters attacked and all we chased off by friendly fighters.
We saw enemy fighters most of the way back but none got even close before escorts were all over them. The remainder of the return trip was without incident and we landed safely.
Our Crew Chief reported #4 was a total loss and will have to be replaced but assured me he and the crew will have her ready to go by the next mission, even if it’s tomorrow and they have to work all night.
I know S1 has been busy with losses far greater than ours. 2nd Lt. Healey, our Bombardier who was assigned to us permanently from the Spare Crew Pool just completed his 5th mission with us, I am just waiting for confirmation of other missions he may have flown. If none, I will submit him for his Air Medal for 5th Mission complete.
I am most happy to report no Purple Heart requests for this 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 limburger59 on Mar 11, 2024 20:05:38 GMT -8
B-24 KNOCKOUT Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group High Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 26 March 44 MISSION # 17 TARGET: Skoplje, Yugoslavia
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Kent Mooney (1) Co-Pilot: 2LT Stanley Heath (2) Navigator: 2LT Ernest Crowe (1) Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin Sherman (3) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Jason Glasser (4) [.83] Radio Op: S/SGT Bartholomew Fuller (3) PH Ball Turret: SGT Stanley Kendall (3) PH Right Waist: SGT Woodrow Neal (3) Left Waist: SGT Amir Sexton (3) Tail Gunner: SGT Rory Stellin (1)
Bomb Run: On Target 30%
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: 6 2x FW-190: 1 Driven Off 4x Bf-109: 4 Driven Off
Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 0 Confirmed, Probables = 0, Damaged = 0, Driven Off by Escort = 5
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS - Beery Variant):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Mar 12, 2024 0:00:08 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: 26 March 1944 Mission Number: 17 Mission of this bomber: 17 Formation: High Position: Middle Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 40% Lady Luck Smile #: 0 CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Henry Simmons | 17 | 0 | 0 | AM++ | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM / PH | RTD | 2 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Sean Nelson
| 2 | 0 | 1 | PH | RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc | 9 | 0 | 1.83 | AM / PH | RTD | 1 | Engineer | T/Sgt Tim Burkey | 17 | 0 | 10 | AM++ / DFC | RTD | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Paul Stewart | 17 | 0 | 0 | AM++ / PH+ | RTD | 0 | Ball Gunner | Sgt Matthew Whalen
| 17 | 0 | 6.49 | AM++ | RTD
| 0 | Port WG | Sgt George Buck
| 17 | 0 | 2 | AM++ | RTD
| 0 | Starboard WG | S/Sgt Harvey McGinty
| 17 | 0 | 1.33 | AM++ / PH | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | S/Sgt Mark Withley
| 11 | 0 | 0 | AM+ / PH | LW | 1 |
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Richard Weiner (the Dedicated) - 17 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-110/Me-410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:--Damage:
- Left wing Superficial n/e x1: 10 - Radio inop: 10 Peckham Points: 20pts - overnight repairing and maintenance Casualties:-- Awards:
- AM: 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh Promotions:--AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Easy take off and assembly in good weather. Zone 2-6 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 7 Outbound/Inbound (target Zone): No GAF in the zone while heavy Flak caused some superficial damage to left wing with no effect and some shrapnel into radio room irreparably damaged the radio. Target approach and drop were accurate and precise. No flak nor GAF on egress. Zone 6 Inbound: Nothing to report Zone 5 Inbound: A couple of Fw-190 were driven off by 1st FG birds. Some german rockets exploded near our ship but no damage were reported. Zone 4 Inbound: We were attacked by 2 Fw-190s: while one was intercepted by the escort fighters, the second moved away after an exchange of mutual fire without damage to both. 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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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 12, 2024 5:19:43 GMT -8
B-17G Sunny Side Up B-17G-20BO-42-31473 Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Squadron Position: Middle Aircraft Position: Middle Mission Date: 26 MAR 1944 Mission Number: 17 This Aircraft: 1 Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia, Marshalling Yard CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Mission | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 2nd Lt Mylo Boyle | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Jaiden Frye | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Abdullah Kane | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 1 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Enrique Hyde | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Engineer | S/Sgt Magnus Matthews | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Radio Op / Rt Waist | T/Sgt Gael Deadmon | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | NT / Rt Waist | T/3rd Blake Stanton | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | T/3rd Nigel Harrell | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Left Waist / NT | T/4th Erik Templeton | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | T/3rd Miles Rowland | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt Josia Stanton | 13 | | | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 60 %Casualties: None Damage: None Peckham Points: None Landing: Safe Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-109 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims: None Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTBeginners luck. Escorts drove off four of seven enemy fighters, we tagged one, none hit us. The flak over the target was heavy as predicted, but wide of the mark. Definitely beginner’s luck. Lt Hyde dropped 60% on target, on our first mission. Of the seven enemy fighters that attacked us, five of them were over the Yugoslavia coast, on the return trip. Turned out to be much ado about nothing. A lot of swarming, but no harm done, to either side. Submitted by, 2Lt Mylo Boyle, Pilot B-17G Sunny Side Up 80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Mar 12, 2024 10:21:26 GMT -8
MISSION DATE: 26 March 44 MISSION # 17 TARGET: Skoplje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard B-17G-20BO-42-31571 Little Green Men80 BS
CREW1LT Thomas Marz - Pilot - Missions: 0 | Claims: WA | Awards: 2LT Alfred Tucker - Co-Pilot - Missions: 0 | Claims: MI | Awards: 2LT William Smith - Bombardier - Missions: 0 | Claims: MS | Awards: 2LT Charles Smith - Navigator - Missions: 0 | Claims: TN | Awards: TSGT James Hensley - Engineer - Missions: 0 | Claims: FL | Awards: SSGT Walter Stroud - Radio Op - Missions: 0 | Claims: GA | Awards: SGT Wellington Finfrock - Ball Gunner - Missions: 0 | Claims: GA | Awards: SGT John Neal - Port Waist - Missions: 0 | Claims: PA | Awards: SGT Andrew Brush - Starb Waist - Missions: 0 | Claims: NH | Awards: SGT Bertram Gilliam - Tail Gunner - Missions: 0 | Claims: LA | Awards: CLAIMS none CASUALTIES none AWARDS & PROMOTIONS none
DAMAGEbbdr controls out 10 port flap 10 port aileron 10 superficial 4 tail turret out 20 TOTAL 64ENEMY A/CTYPE D/O DAMAGED CLAIM Me109 1 1 0 After Action ReportOur first mission. Takeoff and assembly effected with little trouble. Smooth flying until over the target. Flak got us in the nose - specifically, the Norden Bombsight and bombardier controls were shot to pieces. William 'Wild Bill' Smith, the bombardier, was unhurt, but he was unable to drop the bombs. I manually salvoed them from the cockpit. Where they fell is anyone's guess - somewhere over the target. Disappointing. Leaving the target area an experte Me109 got in on us three times. He hit us seven times, resulting in one ruined parachute, four superficials, the port aileron, and most seriously, he knocked out the tail turret. We got some damage on him and he turned away from us and flew off.
An hour out from Giulia we met another lone Me109, but he was driven off by the fighters. 1LT Thomas Marz - cmdg, Little Green Men
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Mar 12, 2024 17:58:03 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Badgers (17) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. Steven "Stevie" Kearney Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: High Position: Middle
Mission Date: 26 March 44 Mission #: 17 Target: Skoplje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. S Kearney (8) {0} AM Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. GS Hoyt (8) {0} AM, PH: 2 Bombardier: 2nd Lt. AN Robinson (5) {1} AM Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Sloat (17) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Engineer: 1st Sgt. A Bissett (17) {4} AM: 3 Ball Gunner: SSgt. E Dean (17) {9} DFC, AM: 3 Radio Oper.: SSgt. I Cooper (16) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Pt Waist G: Sgt. G Sager (2) {0} Stbd Waist G: SSgt. J Lewis (16) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Tail Gunner: SSgt. W Towney (16) {9} DFC, AM: 3, PH: 3
Bomb Percentage: 0%
Bomber Disposition: Starboard Flap, Superficial Damage (14 Peckham Points)
Casualties: n/a
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (2:109, 1:190, 0:110) Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) Destroyed: (2:109, 0:190, 0:110) E Dean: 109 J Lewis: 109
Special Note: AN Robinson: AM
Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lt. Steven "Stevie" Kearney, acting commander
With Captain Robinson still in the hospital, I am pleased to be the latest temporary pilot assigned to the Pride of the Badgers. 2nd Lt. Hoyt, accustomed to his pilot’s duties as the squadron XO, pretty much runs the plane himself. He really is due for a promotion and his own command.
The biggest news in this crew today is the so called “Badger Ace Race” between SSgt Dean and SSgt Towney. When we took off this morning Towney was in the lead by a single confirmed aerial victory.
We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. The outbound flight was quiet all the way to the target zone where we were greeted by a pair of 109s coming at us from 4:30. Lewis shot down one of them and Dean tied it up by shooting down the other.
The flak guns zeroed in on us and made the bomb run a bumpy ride causing Robinson to be off target (-1 modifier).
We turned for home and saw a single 190 on the way home. We missed him he missed us and we landed safely back at base.
I leave the Pride of the Badgers in capable hands with minimal damage and no casualties.
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Post by kageyone on Mar 12, 2024 21:42:27 GMT -8
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Post by limburger59 on Mar 13, 2024 19:32:13 GMT -8
B-17 BACHELOR'S BEDLAM Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group High Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 26 March 44 MISSION # 17 TARGET: Skoplje, Yugoslavia
Mission Aborted over the Adriatic - No Mission Credit for Crew
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Frederick Rogers (4) Co-Pilot: 2LT Joseph Goodman (1) Navigator: 2LT Dennis Sutton (3) Bombardier: 2LT Vernon Gray (2) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile Putman (9) [2] AM Radio Op: S/SGT Frederick Simmons (1) Ball Turret: SGT Patricio Vechitto (1) Right Waist: SGT Ivan Malone (1) Left Waist: SGT Rodney Lazenby (4) PH Tail Gunner: SGT Morris Fields (1) [.83]
Bomb Run: DNB
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: None
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS Variant for B-24):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
The number 2 engine developed an oil leak while the group was forming up, and it persisted as we started our journey over the Adriatic. The decision was made to jettison our bombs, shut down #2, and return to home.
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