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Post by limburger59 on May 14, 2023 20:38:39 GMT -8
to post 22 MAR 24 To unlock 24 MAR 24 Turn in AAR's no later than 6 APR 24 Next mission to post 5 APR 24
MISSION DATE: 29 March 44 MISSION # 18TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet Mission Brief:Map: FORMATION:HIGH | 80th SQDN |
| MID | 78th SQDN |
| LOW | 79th SQDN | LEAD: | Miss Holly |
| LEAD: | Laid Back Lady |
| LEAD: | Lucky Patch | TAIL: | Pride of Manitowoc
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| TAIL: | Black Marias’ Daughter
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| TAIL: | Arkansas Traveler |
WEATHER:
Takeoff: Poor Target: Good Landing: Good GAZETTEERZone | Modifier (QotS) | Weather/Resistance (TfT) | Fighter Cover | 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 100% Clouds/None | Fair | 3 Adriatic Sea | X | 100% Clouds/None | Fair
| 4 Adriatic Sea
| X | 100% Clouds/None
| Fair
| 5 Yugo / Albania | X | 100% Clouds/None
| Fair
| 6 Albania | X | 50% Clouds/None | Fair | 7 Yugoslavia | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light | Fair
| 8 Yugoslavia | X | 100% Clouds/None | Fair
| TARGET ZONE 9 Bulgaria FLAK: Outbound: Medium x3 Inbound: None | -1 | 50% Clouds/Moderate Resistance Target: Slightly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually
| Fair
| 8 Yugoslavia | -1 | 50% Clouds/Moderate
| Fair
| 7 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds/None | Fair | 6 Albania | -2 | 50% Clouds/Light | Fair
| 5 Albania / Yugo | X | 50% Clouds/None
| Fair
| 4 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Fair
| 3 Adriatic Sea | X | 100% Clouds/None
| Fair
| 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds/None | Fair
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Emergency Airfield: As the crow flies it is 320 miles (7 zones to Lecce) compared to 9 Zones to Giulia. Neutral Turkey is 200 miles from Sofia, but the closest airport that can handle your heavy bomber is an additional 100 miles to Istanbul. Shot Down: Over Water (if you didn't drown): Zones 2 to 3: you are rescued by the Royal Navy Over Land: Over Albania = Captured Over Bulgaria = Captured 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:
26 March 44 Mission 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard 27 March 44 Non-Operational Day 28 March 44 Bad Weather - Mission Scrubbed 29 March 44 Mission 18 Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Mar 8, 2024 14:22:00 GMT -8
80th Bombardment Squadron
LEAD Miss Holly TAIL Pride of Manitowoc
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 23, 2024 9:56:33 GMT -8
“The Russians continue to gain ground in the East, and we’re going to help them out by disrupting German supply efforts. This will be another one across the Adriatic,” Maj Harlan Bech, 509th S2 begins. “Which means you shouldn’t run into any opposition until well along the route. Your first encounter should take place around Pristina, Yugoslavia.” SSgt Dewbury indicates the location on the big wall map behind the Major. “It’s not expected to be heavy, but then again, that’s easy for me to say. I don’t have to face them. After that, you should be clear until you reach the target.”
“Jerry’ll Lilley follow you a bit as you leave the target, this time the Luftwaffe easing up near Pristina. But expect another round of attacks as you pass north of Tropoje.” Again SSgt Dewbury taps the location with his pointer.
“Ammunition continues to be in short supply for the Nazis and flak at the target is expected to be light on ingress, with none on egress.”
“Your escort today will be P-38 from the 82nd FG.”
“I don’t need to tell you that it’s raining outside right now. Metro says this will keep[ up through takeoff. However, the skies over the target ae projected to be relatively clear, as they will be here upon your return.”
“If you run into trouble over the target you can try to make for Lecce (OOC - 7 Zones with possible enemy resistance in Zones 4-7),” SSgt Dewbury taps the map. “It will cut about 100 miles of your route, but you’ll also be giving up the support of the formation and its escort. Another option it to try for Turkey (OOC - 4 Zones without escort and possible resistance). Though if you want an actual landing strip you’ll have to get to Istanbul (OOC - another 2 Zones), which isn’t much closer than Lecce and, Turkey being neutral you’ll be interned for the duration.”
“The Royal Navy will be on Lifeguard duty in the Adriatic, though they plan to stay well clear of any German Coastal batteries. If you go down over Yugoslavia hope you fall in with the Partisans (OOC - see Rules/Optional Rules/Optional Rules Index/Bailing Out and Escaping Capture). Again, remember they’re our Allies, not necessarily our friends. In fact, they’re not even each other’s friends, there are reports of conflicts between the various Partisan groups. So, watch yourselves.”
Pausing halfway through closing his briefing folder, Maj Beech looks up. “And, before some smart aleck can say it” there are a few chuckles as people recall the last briefing. “Remember your obligations under the Fighting Man’s Code and you’re required to provide under the Geneva Convention is, name, rank, serial number.” With that, Maj Beech turns the briefing over to a new face.
Instead of Maj. Stockwell, the Group S3, a Captain steps up to the podium. “Maj Stockwell was called away at the last moment, so, as the Assistant S3, I’ll be filling in,” The Capt announces nervously. “You’re target is the railyard in Sofia, Bulgaria. As Maj Beech pointed out, the Soviets are advancing from the East and the Sofia railyard is a critical choke point for supplies to the Nazis opposing them. Sofia is a also the capitol of Bulgaria, an ancient city with many sites of historical and cultural significance. So, do your best to avoid unnecessary collateral damage.” The Capt clears his throat, mindful of the fact that he is presuming to tell the bomber crews how to do their job.
“Nothing complicated about the route. Straight there and straight back again. As the S2 pointed out, if you make it to Turkey, you’ll be interned for the duration of the war. I’d just remind you that Uncle Sam didn’t train you to sit this one out.” The Capt pauses as there is an audible shuffling of feet and some grumbling about ‘REMF’s.’ “So, try to make it home and then you can tell me to buy you a drink,” he adds hoping to lighten the mood. Closing his folder, he Capt steps back from the podium, signaling the end of the briefing.
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 23, 2024 9:58:04 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 18 Lead: Laid Back Lady (cushedhat Tail: Black Marias’ Daughter (kageyone) 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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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Mar 24, 2024 7:36:06 GMT -8
Mission date:29 March 44 Target: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshaling Yard Mission/Bomber: 18/4 B-17G The A Train 80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force Formation: High Squadron Position: Middle
Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards Pilot: 1LT Dirk Ellington (4) (-) PH Co-Pilot: 2LT Edward Reese (4) (-) Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (4) (2) DFC Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (4) (0.5) PH Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (4) (1.5) PH Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (4) (0) Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (4) (0.5) Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (4) (0.5) Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (4) (1.5) PHx2 Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (4) (0.25)
Bombing: On target, 30%
Damage: 23 Peckham Points Superficial (x2): Starboard Wing (x1), Fuselage (x2) Starboard aileron Radio Room heat Repair overnight
Casualties: None
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited FW-190: 7 / 2 / 0.5 Me-109: 2 / 0 / 0 Me-210: 1 / 0 / 0
Awards: None
Flown with TFT
The weather was miserable when we arrived at the aircraft. Fortunately, takeoff and assembly went easily, especially because we were the High Squadron.
Zones 2 - 8: Nothing to report.
Zone 9 (Target): Four FW-190s jumped us at 12:00 Low, 1:30 High, 3:00 Level, and 9:00 High. the ones off the starboard side were intercepted. The one off the nose missed and broke off. The one off the port side was claimed by the Port Waist and Top. Flak was medium and we took a hit that knocked out the starboard aileron and got superficial hits on the starboard wing and fuselage. Weather over the target allowed a good aim and thirty percent of the bombs were in the box.
Zone 9 (Inbound): Nothing to report.
Zone 8: Two Me-109s came at us in a vertical climb and at 9:00 High. The escorts got the one that was climbing at us. The other at 9:00 High Got a superficial hit on the fuselage and knocked out the Radio Room heat. He came around again at 3:00 Low and was intercepted by the escorts. An Me-210 at 6:00 High was damaged, missed, and broke off.
Zone 7: I ordered the RO to come down to plug into another heater. Three more FW-190s attacked at 12:00 Level, 12:00 High, and 3:00 Low. The first one was intercepted, the second one was damaged, missed, and broke off. The One at 3:00 Low was claimed by the Ball Turret.
Zones 6 - 2: Nothing to report.
Landing was no problem despite the absence of the starboard aileron.
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 24, 2024 7:53:36 GMT -8
B-24J DELAYED ACTION (B24J-CF-42-52242)Pilot: 1st Lt Jerry Burch Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Middle Squadron: Middle Mission Date: 29 March 44 Mission Number: 018 Missions This Bomber: 7 Mission Target: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
CREW/POSITION/RANK | CURRENT MISSION | PREVIOUS CLAIMS | THIS MISSION | STRESS POINTS | STATUS | Pilot 1st Lt Jerry Burch | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank McAlister | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Terry Vickers | 7 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Bret Stevenson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Bart Dillon | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | R/O S/Sgt Bill Payne | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Mark Harrison | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Phil Merrick | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Henry Lyons | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Larry Sharp | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 60% B-24 Damage: 1 Hit Superficial x 1 (2)
Peckham Points: 02 Repair Time: Overnight Crew Chief: S/Sgt Jay Decker (+2 mod) Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A TYPE | ENCOUNTERED | DESTROYED | PROBABLE | DAMAGED | INTERCEPTED | Bf-109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Bf-110 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G-50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | He-112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Re-2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Confirmed Claims: 1 S/Sgt Bart Dillon 1 x Bf-110 Casualties: 0 Award/ Promotions Requests: 0 Stress Points this Mission: 0
After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules): Zone 1: Grey skies for take-off and form up. Zone 2 – 8: Nothing to report. Zone 9: As we approached the IP, one 190 and one a 110 tried their luck with only the 110 making it past our fighter screen. The 110 came in from 4:30 but Dillon hit what may have been a rocket under its wing as the fighters right-wing blew off and it spun to the ground.
The flak was a little heavier than advertised by S-2 and we took a minor hit. It didn’t bother Vickers much as he dropped for 60%.
INBOUND
No flak gave the fighters more of an opportunity to attack the formation. Surprisingly, we were ignored and our gunners supplied supporting defensive fire when they could. Zone 8-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: A safe landing brought an end to a successful mission.
A milk run as missions go with minuscule damage and an easy day for the ground crew. Here’s hoping for more missions like this.
1st Lt Jerry Burch, Pilot Commanding, 78th BS, 509 BG, 15th AF
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Mar 24, 2024 8:13:38 GMT -8
For the 79th Squadron:
Lead: Lucky Patch Tail: Arkansas Traveler
Now stay in formation, keep you eyes open for fighters, and destroy the target!
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Post by medic1 on Mar 24, 2024 9:38:35 GMT -8
B-17F INVADIN’ MAIDEN 5-BO-44-30823 Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin MarksSquadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H) 15th Air ForceLow Squadron: MiddleMission Date: 29 March 44 Mission Number: 018Missions This Bomber: 18Target: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
Crew/Position/Rank | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress Points | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici | 9 | 2 | .5 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy | 18 | 5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado | 18 | 10.5 | 1 | 1 | RTD | R/O T/Sgt Bruce Woodside | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Ball Gunner S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro | 18 | 10.5 | 1.5 | 1 | RTD | PSW Sgt Noreno Costa | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Mark Riley | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | RTD | TG Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit | 18 | 8 | 0 | 1 | RTD |
Bomb Run: OnOn Target: 30%B-17 Damage: 3 Hits Superficial x 1 (1) Port Wing x 2 -superficial x 2 (2) 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 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Bf-110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Me-410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
Confirmed Claims: 3 T/Sgt Ed Kostanaro .5 x Fw-190, 1 x Bf-109 S/Sgt Curt Mercado 1 x Bf-109 2nd Lt Craig Kellici .5 x Fw-190 Casualties: 0 Stress Points after mission: 4 T/Sgt Bruce Woodside, Sgt Noreno Costa, Sgt Mark Riley, Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit Award/ Promotions Requests: 0
After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules)Zone 1: The skies were overcast and gloomy on takeoff, but we all managed to lift off safely without any mishaps. Zone 2-8: Nothing to report. Zone 7: At the target zone we only had a single Ju-88 take notice of us, but he was shooed away by a P-38.
The S-2 had said that the flak would be light on ingress. Looks like he got that wrong as the Krauts were putting up what looked to be a medium effort at least. Regardless, it failed to cause any damage and Kellici hit the marshalling yard with 30% of our payload.
INBOUND
After the turn, Goring’s Goons came at us in two waves after our turn thanks to the absence of flak with two 109 roaring towards us. One never made it past our escorts while Mercado knocked down an obviously green pilot, his fire plastered the fighter causing pieces to fall off and the pilot bailed out.
A second wave of four 190 were next up with two turning away to engage our escorts to allow the remaining two, both rather new pilots it appeared, to press the attack. Costa shot down one at 7:30 high (denied at interrogation) while Kostanaro and Kellici tag teamed the other at 10:30 low. Their combined fire caught the 109 in the nose and it shuddered noticeably and, probably as an instinctive reaction, the pilot immediately yoked into a starboard turn, giving them an even greater target as they shredded a wing causing it to separate and flutter away as the 109 spiraled out of control. Zone 8-7: Nothing to report. Zone 6: Four 109 fanned out and came in for the attack with an Ace at 3 high, a green pilot at 12 high and another Ace with a veteran in tow at 9 low. Two of them just made a quick pass and disappeared. Kostanaro hit the vet at 9 low, the fighter was engulfed in flame and hung there momentarily, then exploded. The 3:00 Ace hit us for minor damage and circled around for another go from our 7:30, but Kostanaro was an Ace in his own right and bagged him (denied at interrogation). Zone 5-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: Landed safely and taxied to hardstand.
This mission had its moments of anxiety, but all told, we through in great shape, hitting the target and destroying several of Hitler’s dwindling Luftwaffe. S/Sgt Yates and his ground crew will have Invadin’ Maiden ready for the next mission.
1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 24, 2024 10:02:55 GMT -8
B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS LLS Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 29 Mar 44 MISSION NBR. 18/This Bomber 16 TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard SECONDARY TARGET: POSITION: Middle Squadron, Lead
Crew Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills] Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield, (16) [0] LC Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson, (16) [0] LC Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (16) [4 1/2] Navigator: Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison, (15) [3 1/6] Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton, (16) [20 1/6] LC *** Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (16) [0] LC Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (16) [11 5/6] LC Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson, (16) [2 5/6] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle, (10) [1] Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (16) [14 1/3] LC * = 1 Kill This Mission # = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: Fw 190 2=2 to P-38 Me 109 15=3 KIA, 3 Damaged, 6 to P-38, 3 Undamaged (3 Ace, 2 Green) 17
Claims: Only credited kills reported here Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton: ½ Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2) Peckham Points: 2 Peckham Points, AC ready 30 Mar 44.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia
Awards/Promotion Requests: Navigator: Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
While the lousy weather at takeoff may have caused some problems with the assembly, the formation was on its way soon enough. We linked up with the 82nd FG, which, as it turned out, was a good thing for us.
Jerry hit us when they first said he would, near Pristina (Zone 7), two waves of two Me 109s, each led by an Ace, bearing in. The Lightnings chased one off from the first wave and our double Ace gunner, TSgt Newton flamed the other. One bandit hit us, causing a few tenses seconds as 20mm rattled around in the bomb bay. Sgt Richard made sure he didn’t come back for more.
On target Ingress (Zone 9) we were challenged by an FW, chased off by the 82nd, and three 109s. WE sent one of the 109s off trailing thick smoke. Flak was light and inaccurate. Even so, 2LT Martell only managed a disappointing 20% on target.
While there was no flak coming off the target, there were plenty of bandits. Fortunately for us, the first wave sought their fortune elsewhere. Three Me 109s from the second wave made for us. The boys from the 82nd got one, TSgt Newton claimed another, and Sgt Richard sent the third limping for home.
Shortly after crossing back into Albania (Zone 8) we ran into more bandits. By now the boys in the Lightnings were feeling their oats, chasing off both 109s in the first wave and discouraging a follow-up act by the second wave. Then near Tropoje (Zone 6), drove off another three 109s, two in the first wave and one in the second. TSgt Newton finished the sweep by downing the remaining second wave 109, though the Gunnery Review Board apparently gave that one to the 82nd as well.
After that, we had a minor glitch over the Adriatic (Zone 4), when Sgt Richard reported a failure of the tail turret power. Thankfully we didn’t need it and it was back on line in short order (Zone 3). Still, I want TSgt Mason to check it out.
By our return, the skies had cleared over Giulia as promised and there were no problems with the landing. Other than a few bullet holes in the bomb bay and the erratic tail turret, there is little enough for TSgt Mason and his crew to fix. Lady should be ready to fly again tomorrow.
Paul Garfield, Capt USAAF, commanding B24D Laid Back Lady 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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Post by superbee on Mar 24, 2024 17:08:33 GMT -8
79th Squadron (low)
B17G Kettle Moraine (first mission for bomber and crew)
Mission #18 March 29, 1944 Sofia, Bulgaria (marshaling yard)
status: shot down by enemy aircraft over Sofia, Bulgaria
Bomb run: 30%
casualties: entire crew MIA
Mission Summary (3rd person, bird's eye view)
Loitering above a formation of B17's over Sofia, a Bulgarian-flown Me109G saw an opportunity when the low squadron of bombers began a 180 degree turn after dropping its bombs on the city below. Pushing the throttle to the firewall, the pilot nosed down into a steep dive, rapidly gaining speed as the bombers were approached from the rear.
Upon reaching maximum speed the pilot pulled up into a steep climb and fired two air-to-air rockets at the bomber formation just as the 109's nose rose above the horizon; the idea being to lob the rockets into the flight of B17's prior to initiating an overhead passing attack. The relatively inaccurate rockets exploded close enough to the bombers that some red-hot shrapnel fragments struck an inboard fuel cell in Kettle Moraine's port wing. The spewing fuel quickly ignited and the crew bailed out of the burning B17, which then slowly rolled onto its back and arced into the ground.
The co-pilot's parachute only partially deployed and he perished upon hitting the ground. The other nine airmen descended safely and were quickly rounded up by Bulgarian ground forces. The captured airmen were imprisoned at a POW camp in Shumen, Bulgaria. Unlike POW camps in Germany, officers and enlisted men of the crew remained together at Shumen.
When the Red Army overran Bulgaria in the fall of 1944, Shumen camp was liberated and the POW's were set free. Members of the Bulgarian resistance quickly helped the men cross the border into neutral Turkey, where they were comfortably (by war standards) interned for three months. In early 1945 - after brief negotiations - the nine surviving crewmen of B17G Kettle Moraine were returned to Allied-occupied southern Italy, and from there back to the United States.
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Post by kageyone on Mar 24, 2024 19:28:18 GMT -8
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Post by kageyone on Mar 24, 2024 21:33:50 GMT -8
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Mar 25, 2024 11:32:35 GMT -8
MISSION DATE: 29 March 44 MISSION # 18 TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet Miss Holly II B-17G-45BO-42-97204
CREW Captain FRANK DELOZIER - Pilot - Missions: 16 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 2nd Lt PERCY "Purse" JOHNSON - Co-Pilot - Missions: 14 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2, PH 1st Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD - Bombardier - Missions: 16 | Claims: 1.5 | Awards: AMx2 1st Lt HAMPTON "Hamp" RAWLINGS - Navigator - Missions: 16 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN - Engineer - Missions: 16 | Claims: 2 | Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt JOSE "Loco" AZZUCO - Radio Op - Missions: 16 | Claims: | Awards: AMx2 Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner - Missions: 16 | Claims: 6 | Awards: AMx3, DFC Sgt HAL CARTER - Port Waist - Missions: 16 | Claims: 1 | Awards: AMx2 S/Sgt HERBERT "H.R." RAYMOND - Starb Waist - Missions: 16 | Claims: 0.5 | Awards: AMx2 Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner - Missions: 16 | Claims: 3 | Awards: AMx2
BOMBING ON 30%
E/A/C none
CLAIMS none CASUALTIES none AWARDS ETC none DAMAGE none: 0 PP
AAR
Nearly a milk run in our new "G" model (Miss Holly II) with the only excitement being the flak - which missed us. We saw no e/a/c. Dropped ON target with 30%. DELOZIER
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Post by limburger59 on Mar 25, 2024 12:19:15 GMT -8
B-24 PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA LLS, LLS Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Middle Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 29 March 44 MISSION # 18 TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT William Hopkins (5) SW-DOW Co-Pilot: 2LT Andrew Doherty (2) Navigator: 2LT Richard Morrow (2) Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin Sherman (3) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Lawrence Costello (1) 1x 109 destroyed Radio Op: S/SGT John "Hangman" Gallows (2) Ball Turret: SGT Stanley Kendall (4) PH Right Waist: SGT Woodrow Neal (4) Left Waist: SGT Amir Sexton (4) LW Tail Gunner: SGT Rory Stellin (3) PH
Bomb Run: Off Target 0%
Casualties: 1LT William Hopkins: SW - shattered left leg - Died of Wounds 5 APR 44 SGT Amir Sexton: LW - cut face & lips, lost 5 teeth - RTD 12 APR 44
B-17 Damage: Superficial x2 (4) Light Wound (2) Serious Wound (5) Rubber Rafts destroyed (10) Bombardier Equip destroyed (10) #4 engine superficial (20)
Peckham Points: 51
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: 6 4x FW-190: 2 Driven Off 5x Bf-109: 1 Destroyed, 1 Damaged, 1 Driven Off 1x Bf-110: 1 Driven Off
Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 1 Confirmed, Probables = 0, Damaged = 1, Driven Off by Escort = 4
Awards: Purple Heart: 1LT William Hopkins, SGT Amir Sexton Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 1LT William Hopkins
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS - B-24 Variant):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
Outbound: Nothing to report.
Target Zone 9: The first wave of two fighters were intercepted by our escort, which allowed a second wave of four 109s to get through unmolested. Our Engineer, S/SGT Costello, on his very first mission, set one bandit on fire with his Top Turret for a confirmed aerial victory. SGT Neal also damaged one with his waist gun. The exchange wasn't worth it as both the pilot - LT Hopkins - and our port waist gunner were wounded. S/SGT Costello quickly left the Top Turret to assist our pilot and to eventually assist in flying MAMA back home. (OOC: A Lady Luck Smile was used to reroll an instrument hit, resulting in a serious wound to the pilot.) The bomb equipment was also damaged, leading to an eventual zero bombs on target.
While we rallied four FW-190s headed our way. Our Little Friends culled out two bandits, while we traded misses with the other two.
Inbound: In Zone 8 a 109 made a Vertical Dive on us, firing wide as he flashed past.
Eventually our Bombardier took over flying duties as he had been to flight school, allowing our rookie engineer to observe.
Back on the ground... 1LT Hopkins left leg needed to be amputated above the knee. Infection set in and he died of his wounds seven days after the mission.
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Mar 25, 2024 13:48:49 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).
We only had just a couple of days to bed in our new navigator, Mack. The boys are still a bit in shock at Bernie’s demise, and this latest trip might be just as bad.
A big surprise when the board was revealed and our ship’s name is the lead position. We either really impressed the boss last week on our shakedown flight, or we are short of experienced crews! Still, it did raise morale a bit, giving us the responsibility.
Mission: A decent take-off and climb out was the start of our first lead mission. It was also the start of an hour and a half of quiet, until a Me109 tried to engage us near Pristina, but was quickly intercepted.
We were not engaged over the target either, but a distant medium bomber lobbed some rockets into our formation from the starboard side. One exploded close enough to put some holes in the rear fuselage skin, but no serious damage or anyone wounded.
We were luckier with the flak, and Walcott had an easy run-in to the target, putting the bombs where they needed to be. On the egress, neither flak nor bandits bothered us, and we were soon on the way home.
Heading back towards the coast, a couple of Ju88s took us on. Again, one was intercepted, and Walcott quickly dealt with the other using the chin turret.
Over the Adriatic, we had more rockets fired at us, but they missed this time. This was quickly followed by a couple of FW190s, only one of which was engaged by the Lightnings looking after us.
The other had been left alone as he was diving in from directly above. Unfortunately, neither Magic, nor Southey could stop it. There was a tattoo of thumps around the aircraft, then the Jerry zoomed past us, continuing his dive away towards Italy.
A comms check revealed everyone OK and a few more holes in the Patch – two of which showed that a cannon shell had come right through our compartment behind me and Ryland.
And that was it for our first trip as lead ship. A quiet recovery to Giulia, and a smooth landing, despite the poor weather.
Nothing much to write up after this one, but with more opposition and a little less luck, it could have been a lot worse. Walcott is now smiling, and the gunners frowning, as the half kill that he was awarded on the Ju88 puts him in the lead over the rest of the crew. Worth a couple of drinks, at least. Nice to see the boys smiling again, but who knows what is around the corner?
1Lt Louis M. Marlowe, Pilot Commanding B-17G-55DL-44-6507 "Lucky Patch" 79th (H) BS, 509th (H) BG For a full mission history of "In Like Flynn", "Blitz Buggy", plus my three aircraft in the previous war, please see my (GarySK) post in the Tarmac forum
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Mar 25, 2024 14:56:31 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF Mission 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard MISSION DATE: 26 March 44 B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #15)Crew Commander: 1LT George McQuinn Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Middle Position: Middle TARGET: Marshalling Yard Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Prior Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | 1LT | George McQuinn | 17 | AM++ |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Howard Mills | 12 | AM+ |
| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Johnny Marcum | 17 | AM++ | .25 | RFD
| Navigator | 2LT | Pat Tobin | 17 | AM++ | .25 | RFD
| Engineer | S/SGT | Sam Harshaney | 14 | AM++, PH | 5.83 | RFD | Radio/ RW | T/SGT | John Whitehead | 17 | AM++ | 1.37 | RFD
| Ball Gunner | SGT | Bill Trotter | 17 | AM++, PH | 3.03 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Harry Kimberlin | 17 | AM++ | 2 | RFD
| Nose Gunner | SGT | Tommy Thompson | 12 | AM+ | 5.08 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Short | 17 | AM++ | 1.16 | RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 17th mission Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Percentage: Off-target, 0% Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repair and maintenance. Bomber Damage: 2 x Superficial Damage 4 Rubber rafts 10 Norden Bombsight 10 Pilot Compartment no effect 5 Bomb Bay no effect 5 Radio Room no effect 5 ball turret inop gunner trapped 20 1 hit left rudder 10 Top turret power temp out 5 Tail gun power temp out 5 Peckham Points: 79 Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 12
| Me109 | Fw190 | Me110 | Me210 | Me410
| Ju88C-6 | TOTAL | Escort Intercept | 1 | 3 | | | 1 | 2 | 7 | Undamaged |
| 1 | | | | | 1 | Damaged
| 1 | 2 | | | | | 3 | Probable/Denied
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| 1 | | | | | 1 | Destroyed |
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Casualties: Claims: Fw190 S/SGT Harshaney and SGT Thompson Denied Awards:
AAR
OUTBOUND Took off without any problems and with the weather it took a little longer than normal to asembl;e the formation. As we did our systems checks, a Top Turret power failure was discovered but Sam got everything working ok as we headed out over the Adriatic Sea As we approached the Pristina area, Dave reported that the tail gun controls were not working. Right on cue a Me109 attacked at our 12. Both Sam and Tommy scored hits, the Me109 missed and did Dave’s attempt at a passing shot. Just before we got to the target area Dave reported the tail gun problem was fixed. Will need to talk to our crew chief about these power issues when we get back.
TARGET AREA Once in the target area, we were attacked by 3 Fw190s. The guys from the 82FG took care of one. Tommy in the nose turret traded shots with the one at our 12, with all involved missing, as did Dave’s try at a passing shot. Sam in the top turret hit the Fw190 at our 9, but the Fw190 pressed the attack and scored multiple hits on us, breaking off after the one pass. Along with the superficial damage we took hits to pilot compartment, bomb bay, radio room for no effect, had our rafts shot up, a hit to the left rudder and had our bombsight knocked out. The most serious damage was to the ball turret. It was knocked out of action and jammed so that Bill was trapped in it. There was medium intensity flak but it did hit us. With the bombsight out Johnny released when we saw everyone releasing their loads but missed the aim point. After the bomb run the fight attacks resumed but the Lightings did their share to keep them off us. They intercepted a Me109 and a Me-410. They were followed by a pair of Fw190s with the Lightings picking one off while Sam and Tommy claimed the second one. For the finale a second pair of Fw190s made a run at us, once again out little friends took care of one while Sam and Tommy damaged the second at 1:30 H damaging it enough that it missed and broke off the attack.
INBOUND As we departed the target area and started back to base our escorts ran off a pair of Ju88C-6s. After that it was a quite flight back to base. The crew tried without success to get Bill out of the ball turret. We had to do the landing with him stuck in the turret. Fortunately, it was a good landing and once down the ground crew got him free. Bill was shaken by the incident, and I told our senior NCOs John and Sam to keep an eye on him for the next couple of days. Bob has been a good crew chief, so I made it a point of emphasis and asked him to pay extra attention to the controls/power for the turrets and tail gun. He assured me he would and that the Bama Beauty would be ready for the next mission after overnight repair and maintenance.
1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding B-24J Bama Beauty 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Post by limburger59 on Mar 25, 2024 15:03:06 GMT -8
B-17G: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: B-17F-75BO 42-18544 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group High Sqdn - Middle MISSION DATE: 29 March 44 MISSION # 18 (17th this bomber) TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria Bomb Run: Off Target 0% CREWPosition | Rank | Name | Current Mission | Previous Kills | Claims Today
| Confirmed Today
| Status | Stress | Notes | Pilot | 1 LT
| Peter "Pip" Dickins
| 16
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| Copilot | 2 LT
| Matthew Pocket
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| 1 | ♣
| Bombardier | 2 LT | Jack Dawkins
| 11
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| Navigator | 2 LT | Cyrus Redman
| 4
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| Engineer | S/SGT | Mike Dixon
| 13
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| Radioman | T/SGT | Luke Wopsle
| 15
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| 2 | ♣
| Ball Gunner | S/SGT | Bentley Drummle
| 16
| 1 |
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| RTD | 1 | ♣
| PWG | SGT | Henry Hubble | 15
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| RTD | 2 | ♣
| SWG | S/SGT | John Wemmick
| 16
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| Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Donners
| 14
| 1 | 1 | 1 | RTD
| 1 | ♣
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Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: Superficial x1 (1) Starboard Fuel Tank - Self Sealed (10)
Peckham Points: 11
Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)
B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia
Attackers: 2
| # | Claimed Destroyed
| Confirmed Destroyed
| Probable | Damaged | Run Off
| Bf-109 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
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| 2 | Bf-110 | 0 |
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| FW-190 | 6 |
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| 5 | Ju88 | 0 |
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| C205 | 0 |
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| Re2005 | 0 |
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| TOTALS
| 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Award/Promotion Requests: Air Medal - Second Oak Leaf Cluster for 15 Completed Missions: S/SGT Luke Wopsle, SGT John Hubble PROMOTED to T/SGT: S/SGT Wopsle In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)
In Zone 2 outbound we had two separate waves of FW-190s try to make a run at us. Two of the three Butcher Birds were run off by our escort. In the Target Zone two Bf-109s wanted a piece of our tail. The P-38s got one and our Tail Gunner dismantled the other one. Flak peppered our Starboard Wing and we had a short-lived fuel leak that quickly seal sealed. In the midst of the Flak our bombs were off target. There were E/A swarming around the formation as we headed home but the defensive fire of the other bombers in the 509th was so effective that we didn't get a clear shot at any of those bandits. On the inbound leg the formation was disrupted by rockets exploding among the formation. There were four instances of German fighters pointing their noses towards us, and all of them were discouraged by the boys in the P-38s.
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Mar 25, 2024 15:19:59 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Pride of the Badgers (18) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. GS Hoyt Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle
Mission Date: 29 March 44 Mission #: 18 Target: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. GS Hoyt (9) {0} AM, PH: 2 Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. CA Hamilton (1) {0} PH: 1 Bombardier: 2nd Lt. AN Robinson (6) {1} AM Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Sloat (18) {2} AM: 3, PH: 5 Engineer: 1st Sgt. A Bissett (18) {9} DFC, AM: 3 Ball Gunner: SSgt. E Dean (18) {15} DFC, AM: 3 Radio Oper.: SSgt. I Cooper (17) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Pt Waist G: Sgt. G Sager (3) {0} PH: 1 Stbd Waist G: SSgt. J Lewis (17) {3} AM: 3, PH: 4 Tail Gunner: SSgt. W Towney (17) {12} DFC, AM: 3, PH: 4
Bomb Percentage: 5%
Bomber Disposition: Navigator O2, PW Heat, Radio, Port Brake, Autopilot, Port Tailplane Root, Starboard Wing Root: 4, Control Cables: 2, Port Aileron, Engineer O2, Engine #1, Engine #3, Rudder. Bomb Controls, Pilot Window, Tail O2 out, Port Wing Root: 2, Starboard Tailplane Root, Rudder Controls, Starboard Elevator, Pilot Compartment O2 Fire, Chin Turret, Starboard Cheek Gun, Superficial Damage (493 Peckham Points) Declared Category E
Casualties: CA Hamilton: SW – invalided home W Sloat: LW – 1 day in hospital G Sager: KIA W Towney: LW – 1 day in hospital
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (17:109, 12:190, 1:110) 88: 2 Damaged: (3:109, 5:190, 1:110) Destroyed: (10:109, 3:190, 0:110) 88: 1 E Dean: 190, 190, 109, 109, 88, 109 W Towney: 109, 109, 109 J Lewis: 109 A Bissett: 109, 109, 109, 190, 109
Special Note: CA Hamilton: PH W Sloat: PH G Sager: PH W Towney: PH A Bissett: DFC for gunnery
Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lieutenant GS Hoyt Robinson, pilot commanding
One of Major Robinson’s first actions as commander of this squadron was to promote me to replace him. Lt. Hamilton was brought in to replace me. Good pilot.
We took off without incident and settled into formation. On the outbound flight were attacked by a 110 and a 190 in Zone 7. Dean got the 190. We were feeling pretty good entering the target zone. Then all hell broke loose.
We were attacked by four 109s followed by four 190s and then four more 190s. We shot down several of them, but when they were done with us the autopilot and control cables were dead and Engines #1 and #3 were out. Somehow Robinson managed to clip the target and we turned for home.
With two engines out we quickly started to fall behind the group. We were all alone and very far from Gulia. Did I mention that the radio was out too?
The Luftwaffe zeroed in on our crippled plane and hit us with wave after wave of fighters. Our gunners continued to fight on and the enemy losses started to mount too.
Hamilton was severely wounded and I brought Bisset down to help fly the plane. Sager was hit twice and died from his wounds in the air. We had oxygen fire in the pilot compartment that forced us down to 10,000 feet. The Pride of the Badger started to look more like a piece of Swiss Cheese than an airplane.
As we limped out over the Adriatic the Germans finally left us for dead and moved on.
We arrived back at base hours after the rest of the bombers and Bisset and I managed to land the plane. We skidded to the end of the runway and had to be towed back to the flight line.
The old Pride of the Badgers got us home one last time and it cost her everything. It also cost of Sgt. Sager’s life and is sending Lt. Hamilton home. We did make the Germans pay for it with 14 confirmed fighters shot down.
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Post by campsawyer on Mar 25, 2024 18:06:21 GMT -8
B-17F Double Bomb (B-17F-100BO 42-30333) Pilot: 1st Lt Paul Flores Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron Formation/Position: High/Mid 2 Mission Date: 29 Mar 44 Mission Number: 24 Missions This Bomber: 18 Base: Guilia, Italy Target: Marshalling Yards, Sofia BulgariaCrew | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Paul Flores | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Sanders | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Thompson | 16 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Cox | 16 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/SGT King | 15 | 5.6 | 0 | 0 | RTD - ACE | Radioman T/Sgt Ramirez | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Roberts | 18 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Scott | 18 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Brown
| 16 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Tail Gunner S/Sgt Thomas | 17 | 7.0 | 0.5 | 0 | RTD - ACE |
Bomb Run: On On Target: 20% B-17 Damage: Engine #2 fire damaged by rockets, Port Wing root cracks Peckham Points: 50 Repair Time: One day Crew Chief: SSGT Steve Taylor, dedicated Landing: Safe E/A | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | FW-190 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ME-109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ME-210 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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Confirmed Claims: .5xFW190 - SSGT Thomas, .5xFW190 - SGT Roberts Casualties: None Award/ Promotions Requests: After Action Report OutboundAfter the mission briefing we headed to the plane in the rain. Arriving there the rest of the crew was there as well as SGT Taylor checking on his patching of Double Bomb. In talking with SGT Taylor and SGT King we reviewed the port wing root repairs from the flak damage during the Skopjle raid. Taylor brief us that the damage was extensive, but was able to patch the broken joints, but outlined that there was a major crack that needed to extra patching. He was confident that it would fly without issue, but wanted King to be aware. The rest of the crew started their preflight check and we boarded the plane. Taxiing out was sloppy with the rain and there was bit of delay with the weather, but we had a good take-off and formed up without an issue. We eventually made it out of the weather and the rest of the outbound flight was uneventful with no encounters with fighters. We made it to Sofia and just when we were started to line up for the bomb run we were hit by a rocket in engine #2. The engine caught fire and we had to active the extinguishers that put out the fire, but the engine was done. Luckily, the damage was limited but the plane was a bit tough to trim out, but LT Sanders was able to rebalance the engines to help, but we still had a bit of a bounce and we went into the flak field. The flak was low and missed us. The target was slightly obscured but we stayed on the primary target. We were right in line were we needed to be and we had an adequate time for the run. LT Thompson took over and guided us in and released, but he was worried about the shaking affecting the target line up. We mad the turn back to base and SGT Roberts and SGT Thomas could judge out results and they did not look good. InboundAs we passed by the location where the rockets were shot as us, a second round came up, but missed this time. Next the Germans had fighters coming for us. Four FW190's broke through the initial fighter screen. One P-38 came to drive off one, but three others came in for us to deal with. LT Thompson, SGT King, Roberts and Thomas opened up on them. SGT Thomas and Roberts teamed up to bring down one FW190 attacking 6 o'clock low and SGT King drove one off from 12 high. All FW-190s missed with their shots and headed off after more P-38's came in to help. A second wave of FW-190's came in and we had to tackle one after another was driven off by fighters. SGT King and LT Thompson teamed up to drive off the 12 high attack as the FW-190 missed in his attack. No more encounters for the rest of the mission, but we had a bumpy right due to the rocket damage. We made it back to base with an issue and had a good landing. All crew were not injured and are RFD, but the A/C will need a new engine and the wing root crack has reappeared. SGT Taylor will evaluate the damage and report. Regards, 1st LT Paul Flores, Pilot, 80th BS, 509th BG, 15th AF
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wouter
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 14
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Post by wouter on Mar 26, 2024 4:30:31 GMT -8
B-17F Six Nights in Telergma 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Low Mission Date: 29 March 1944 Mission Number: 18 This Aircraft: 7 Target: Sofia, Marshalling Yard
Crew Position: Rank / Name - Missions (Kills) / Awards
Pilot: 1LT James 'Jim' Waggoner - 7 Co-Pilot: 2nd LT Alf Pelka - 7 Bombadier: 2nd LT Jerome McLaughlin - 7 Navigator: 2nd LT Irvin R. Lifson - 7 Engineer: S/SGT John M. Graves - 7 (1) Radio Operator: SGT George Powell - 7 Ball Gunner: SGT Samuel Kozemchok - 5 Port Waist: SGT James J. Woods - 7 Starboard Waist: SGT Ernest Philips - 7 Tail Gunner: SGT Floyd F. Daugherty - 7
Bomb Run: Off target, 0% Landing: Safe Casualties: None Peckham Points: Overnight repairs of ball turret
Enemy Aircraft Type Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged or Missed/ Claimed / Awarded FW 190 5 / 3 / 1 / 1 claim / 0,5 Awarded
Claims Position / Claimed / Awarded Engineer / 1 / 0,5 VC
Awards Air Medals for Ball gunner Kozemchok for his 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' Above the Adriatic, we had a power failure of the ball turret, locking Kozemchok inside. Philips was able to free him but the turret was unrepairable for the rest of the mission. Outbound above target one of the top turret guns jammed while being under attack of 2 FW190. Luckily our little friends chased them away. Flak missed and despite the full bomb run we missed the target. Returning over Yugoslavia Graves took a good shot at one of the FW190 attacking us. Fuselage split open, cockpit smashed and no chute was seen. After safe landing, Graves was rewarded with a shared credit.
Submitted by 1Lt James Waggoner
B-17F Six Nights in Telergma 79th BS, 509th BG, 15th AF, USAAF
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Post by caodwolf on Mar 26, 2024 15:05:32 GMT -8
B-24J: PLEASANT SURPRISE Pilot: 1Lt. R. Solsky Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 29-March-1944 Mission No.: 18 Mission this Bomber: 6 Target for Today: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: Middle Result: On-Target: 40% Finally we fly mainly over land. So much more to see than sun glare off an endless sea. This sortie to Sofia was smooth. No enemy fighters nor Flak to and over the target. After bomb release a trio of FW-190's showed up of which two were engaged. We exchanged fire and both of us went on our way. Short on fuel or ammo I suppose.
A couple rounds stuck the bomb bay but without the bombs we did not explode. TSgt Visentin manning the Top Turret got a piece of one as did the Tail gunner in a passing shot.
Landed back at base without further incident.
Over and out....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | R. Solsky | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | F. Pienta | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | C. Steinwedel | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | M. Wagner | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | TSgt | J. Visentin | 6 | --- | 1 | AM | OK | Radio Op | TSgt | R. Surovick | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Chin Turret | Sgt | B. Mentz | 8 | --- | 1 | AM | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | R. Huff | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Ball Turret | Sgt | B. Unger | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | T. Croker | 7 | --- | 2 | PH, AM | OK |
None
None
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | FW-190 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | TOTALS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | --- |
-Bomb Bay hit twice after bomb release. No effect.
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Post by limburger59 on Mar 27, 2024 8:59:52 GMT -8
B-17 BONNIE Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group High Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 29 March 44 MISSION # 18 TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Steven Kearney (9) AM Co-Pilot: 2LT Guy Tipton (3) Navigator: 2LT Daniel Webster (5) [1] Bombardier: 2LT Roman Dirigo (10) AM Engineer/TT: S/SGT Matthew Lowne (8) [.83] AM Radio Op: S/SGT Clinton "Volt" Watts (5) Ball Turret: SGT Hudsor "Tails" Rush (4) [3] Right Waist: SGT Jessup Spears (2) Left Waist: SGT Charles Howell (2) Tail Gunner: SGT Tony Marshall (10) AM
Bomb Run: On Target 96%
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: Superficial x2 (2) Port Waist Gun destroyed (10)
Peckham Points: 12
Disposition: Lands safely
Attackers: 4x Bf-109: 1 Probable (FBOA), 2 Driven Off by escort
Award/Promotion Requests: Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: 2LT Roman Dirigo, SGT Tony Marshall Air Medal - for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Daniel Webster, S/SGT Clinton Watts DFC Recommendation for 2LT Roman Dirigo for 96% bombs on target
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS - Beery Variant):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
A Flak burst peppering our waist did not deter our Bombardier, who looked to place all our bombs into rail cars in the marshaling yards. Numerous secondary explosions were noted..
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Post by kageyone on Mar 27, 2024 20:17:49 GMT -8
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
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Post by Keltos on Mar 28, 2024 2:38:58 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: 29 March 1944 Mission Number: 17 Mission of this bomber: 17 Formation: High Position: Middle Target: Sofia, Bulgaria Target Type: Marshalling Yard Bomb Run: On Target - 50% Lady Luck Smile #: 0 CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Henry Simmons | 18 | 0 | 0 | AM++ | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh
| 6 | 0 | 0 | AM / PH | RTD | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Sean Nelson
| 3 | 0 | 1 | PH | RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc | 10 | 0 | 1.83 | AM+ / PH | RTD | 1 | Engineer | M/Sgt Tim Burkey | 18 | 0 | 10 | AM++ / DFC | RTD | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Paul Stewart | 18 | 0 | 0 | AM++ / PH+ | RTD | 1 | Ball Gunner | S/Sgt Matthew Whalen
| 18 | 1 | 7.49 | AM++ | RTD
| 0 | Port WG | S/Sgt George Buck
| 18 | 0 | 2 | AM++ | LW | 0 | Starboard WG | S/Sgt Harvey McGinty
| 18 | 0 | 1.33 | AM++ / PH | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | S/Sgt Mark Withley
| 12 | 0 | 0 | AM+ / PH | RTD | 1 |
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Richard Weiner (the Dedicated) - 18 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Me-109 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Re-2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Claims:
- S/Sgt Matthew Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - full credit awarded - S/Sgt Matthew Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - no credit awarded Damage:
- Left Wing Superficial n/e x1: 10 - Radio heat inop: 10 - Engine #1 fire & inop: 50 - Rudder n/e: 10 - Light wound x2: 4 Peckham Points: 84pts - overnight repairing and maintenance Casualties:- S/Sgt George Buck: ear aches - 1 night in hospital - RTD on 30 march 1944 Awards:
- AM OLC: 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc Promotions:--AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Take off and assembly in poor weather went ok. Zone 2-7 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 8 Outbound: S/Sgt Buck alerted us that black smoke and flames were coming out of engine #1. We managed to extinguish the fire before it spread and shut down engine #1; after this the Radio Op. Stewart informed us that the rheostat of his Heat system had burned out and that it would move to the heat spare station. Zone 9 Outbound/Inbound (target Zone): We were attacked by 3 Fw-190s, two of which were intercepted while the third preferred to move away after being damaged by our shells. Port Waist gunner S/Sgt Buck complained of severe ear aches but he held his position. Flak around target was medium and quite accurate and caused some damages to the rudder and left wing with no effects. Bomb run was good and 2nd Lt. Sean Nelson placed a good bomb drop. Neither Flak nor GAF bothered us as we reversed course for base. Zone 8 Inbound: Three Me-110s attacked us at the same time: the escort managed to intercept the one at 12H while the S/Sgt Whalen managed to shoot down the one that attacked us in vertical climb; The third managed to avoid our blows and hit us by scratching only a little paint and making a few holes; On its second pass, however, it was shot down. A lone Fw-190 tried to harm us but quickly drove away after being badly damaged. Zone 7-2 Inbound: Nothing to report. Giulia Airbase: Landed safely in a sunny italian landscape. -------------------------------------------------
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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Post by limburger59 on Mar 28, 2024 20:02:18 GMT -8
B-17F: WOLF BAIT Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Low Squadron - Middle MISSION DATE: 29 MARCH 44 MISSION NBR. #18 TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Frederick Rogers (5) Co-Pilot: 2LT Ian "Old Spice" Narragon (3) Navigator: 2LT Dennis Sutton (4) Bombardier: 2LT Vernon Gray (3) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile Putman (10) [2] AM 3x E/A destroyed Radio Op: S/SGT Glen Peck (4) SW-IH Ball Turret: SGT Adrial "New York" Barrington (2) LW+LW 1.5x E/A destroyed Right Waist: SGT Ivan Malone (2) LW Left Waist: SGT Rodney Lazenby (5) PH LW+SW+KIA ½ x E/A destroyed Tail Gunner: SGT Charles Travis (4) [1]
Bomb Run: DNB – Bomb Bay Doors would not open
Casualties: SGT Rodney Lazenby: LW+SW+KIA – head wound S/SGT Glen Peck: SW-IH – broken ribs, inflamed lung – Invalidated Home SGT Adrial "New York" Barrington: LW+LW – face cut & torn tricep – RTD 7 APR 44 SGT Ivan Malone: LW – forearm grazed – RTD 3 APR 44
B-17 Damage: Superficial x15 (15) KIA Wound (10) Serious Wound x2 (10) Light Wound x4 (8) Structural N/E x3 (30) Control Cables x2 (20) Tail Guns destroyed x3 (40) Bomb Bay Doors x2 (15) Tail Heat out (10) Radio destroyed (10) Tailwheel damaged (10) Rudder x2 (20) S. Flap inop (10) Autopilot out (10) S. Fuel Tank – LEAK (10) Ditched at Sea (all remaining PP)
Peckham Points: 228 before ditching
Disposition: At the bottom of the Adriatic Sea
Attackers: 27 9x FW-190: 1 Destroyed, 2 Probables, 2 damaged, 1 Driven Off 1x ME-410: 1 Damaged 1x Bf-110: 1 Destroyed 16x Bf-109: 3 Destroyed, 2 Probables, 1 Damaged, 1 Driven Off
Award/Promotion Requests: Purple Hearts: S/SGT Glen Peck, SGT Adrial Barrington, SGT Ivan Malone Purple Heart (posthumous): SGT Rodney Lazenby Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 1LT Frederick Rogers, SGT Rodney Lazenby Air Medal – First OLC for 10 Completed Missions: S/SGT Emile Putman
AFTER ACTION REPORT : (QOTS + Jasta6's GAF Resistance Variant):
Spare crew assigned to spare bomber.
“Who names these Hanger Queens?”, mused SGT Putman, our Engineer and the most experienced member of our patchwork crew assembled out of the Spare Pool As far as I was concerned the nickname didn’t faze me, but our assignment to the Low Squadron was unsettling.
Take off and assembly was by the book. Wolf Bait purred as we crossed the Adriatic.
OUTBOUND – Zone 7: The Luftwaffe showed up and seemed enamored with one bomber – ours! Four out of five Butcher Birds got past the escort and converged on our back side. One 190 focused on our tail while another walked hits from our tail to the nose. When that second 190 tried to return our Ball Turret and Port Waist Gunner combined their efforts to blot the German from the skies. As we began to take inventory of the damage two more bandits showed up and our Ball Turret quickly set him on fire. Other than a bullet through the heart of the radio the tail suffered the wrath of the Luftwaffe; heat out, tail guns destroyed, tailwheel damaged, and control cables frayed. What we didn’t notice until almost an hour later was the damage to the Bomb Bay doors.
OUTBOUND – Zone 8: Since both the guns and the heat were out in the tail I moved SGT Travis to the backup rheostat in the Radio Room.
TARGET ZONE 9: The bandits and Flak decided to pick on other bombers giving us a smooth Bomb Run… until we discovered that the Bomb Bay doors would not open. My co-pilot and I pushed the engines to the max now to keep our overweight bomber in formation, but as we watched the Luftwaffe forming up for their runs we knew that the safety of the formation was our hope. The 509th matched our speed as the first of three waves headed our way.
The first wave was driven off, soon followed by a second wave with four 109s blazing away at us. The tail was hammered some more and this time our Engineer in the Top Turret set a 109 on fire. Then the third wave; four more 109s. Again it seems like our Tail absorbed a lot of damage, and again the Top Turret scored a confirmed aerial victory.
INBOUND – Zone 8: Three more waves! It seemed that the Luftwaffe was attracted to the fresh nose art on our bomber. Eleven total bandits overwhelmed our Little friends. So far we had avoided any wounds to the crew, but that first wave of five 109s peppered starboard wing and wounded everyone in the waist. (OOC: 12 hits: six wounds and 4 superficials). The second wave wounded our Radio Operator. The third wave mortally wounded our bomber, causing a significant fuel leak. (by a 109) In exchange our Engineer got his third kill of the mission, and his fifth overall; while three other E/A limped away as Probables.
INBOUND – Zone 7: Our Port Waist Gunner had absorbed three hits and was quite dead, so our Tail Gunner left the Radio Room and now became a Waist Gunner. We tried to stay in formation, but leaking fuel we had to be economical with our engines. We considered trying to salvo the bombs through the shut doors, but between the chance that wouldn’t work, plus the added drag from the damage, we decided to try and make it as far as we could. Two P-38s accompanied us, which was vital to our survival as the radio was unable to radio our position.
INBOUND – Zone 4: Out of fuel over the Adriatic. Now it seemed that Lady Luck was on our side. We ditched and everyone except for our dead waist gunner got out before our overweight bomber sank. The P-38s circled, wagged their wings and headed west. Now we just had to wait. Three hours later a British MTB showed up and plucked us out of the rafts.
Our Engineer, S/SGT Emile Putman achieves Ace status but is not promoted.
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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 29, 2024 5:29:11 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: High Formation Position: #17 Mission Date: 29th March 1944 Mission Number: 18 (Aircraft Mission #16) Target: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yards POSITION/RANK/NAME
| # Missions | TOTAL Confirmed | TODAY'S CLAIMS | Confirmed Claims | Crew Status | Notes: | Pilot 1Lt. Moeses I. Horst | 16 | - | - | - | RTD | 3x AM | Co-Pilot 2Lt. Slavisa J. Mackoff | 16 | - | - | - | RTD | 3x AM & 1xPH | Bombardier 2nd Lt. Richard D. Gustin | 12 | 0.92 | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH | Navigator 2nd Lt. Gary Z. Scarbro | 16 | 0.17 | - | - | RTD | 3x AM
| Engineer (TT) T/Sgt. Ernestor L. Pasiak | 14 | 4.92 | - | - | RTD | 2x AM & 1xPH
| Radio Operator S/Sgt. Reny O. Scaccia | 16 | - | - | - | RTD | 3x AM
| Ball Gunner Sgt. Evan F. Wiman | 16 | 2.25 | 1.5 | 0.5 | RTD | 3x AM & 1xPH
| Port Waist Gunner Sgt. Rami N. Mihollen
| 3 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | RTD
| 1x AM & 1xPH
| Starboard Waist Gnr. Sgt. Harald Wencke | 2 | - | - | - | SW-RTD | 1x AM & 1xPH (Abdomen wound, Intestine, 8-Week Recovery-RTD May 5th)
| Tail Gunner Sgt. Wilbern I. Perez | 16 | 1.75 | - | - | RTD | 3x AM & 1xDFC
| Crew Chief: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe]
| 18 | Hard Stand: | #26 |
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* Mission Note: Completed Sixteenth mission. Bomb Load: 10x 500lbs AN-M64 General Purpose Bombs Bomb Run: Off target, 0% in target zone. Crew Chief Report: S/Sgt. Alfred (Al) Falso [Ave. Joe] Hard Stand: #26 Pre Mission Repair status: (2D6=11; No Mechanical Failure rolls during this mission.) Post Mission Repairs & Crew Chief Experience roll: (2D6=5; Good Work on Aircraft repairs, 0.5 Experience Point)B-17 Damage: 146pts. Bomb Controls, nose landing gear, one hit causing a serious wound and one hole of superficial nature. Mechanical Issues: None Random Events: None Repair Time: Eight days to repair, RTA April 7th 1944. Replacement Bomber: Spare Bomber; “ Freya’s Betrayal” (B-24D-20-CF 42-64017) (66) Landing: Rough without noes gear deployed, crew survived. E/A Encountered: 11 EA Claimed:Claims: | Aircraft: | Confirmation: | PW | Bf 109G | Denied - No Credit Awarded | BT/PW | Bf 109G | Full Credit Approved | BT/PW
| Bf 109G
| Denied - No Credit Awarded
| BT/PW
| Bf 110C
| Denied - No Credit Awarded
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Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted
| Bf 109G | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Bf 110C
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | FW 190D | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Me 210A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Totals: | 16 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
P-38 Lightings Chased off eight enemy fighters. Two enemy fighters destroyed and two damaged. Luftwaffe Fighters: One Experte' and two Ace pilots encountered. Casualties this Mission: Sgt. Harald Wencke, Serious Wound. Abdomen, Inflamed intestine. Eight days recovery 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
| Left Waist Gun - Sgt. D.C. Freeland | 7 | 1.33 | 0 | 0 | Medical | Returns 17th April '44
| Right Waist Gun - Sgt. Harald Wencke
| 2 | - | - | - | Medical
| Returns 5th May '44
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Award/ Promotions Requests:Sgt. Harald Wencke - Purple Heart Replacements:
Starboard Waist Gun: Sgt. Kaleb S. Crofford After Action Report ( game system - TfT and various optional rules): "Active mission with a Dramatic Landing...”
-- Pg 2 -- Mission Debriefing
1st Lt Horst, 78th BS Pilot MISSION #16 (Groups 18) Date: March 29th, 1944 Target: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yards Plane: B-24D-210 "Stupid Dragon" Position: Low Cell (#17) Altitude: 20,000 feet 10x 500lbs AN-M64 Fragmentation Bombs Mission Report C04M18 -210
Zones 1-8 O/B: Takeoff went good. We say no enemy activity till the target zone.
Target Zones 9 O/B: We were jumped by three FW 190's. Our escort drove off one and our boys damaged both the other two. Flak was Moderate and intense. We took two hits which seriously injured Sgt. Kaleb S. Crofford and took out our Bomb controls. This damaged made it impossible to accurately place our eggs. Consequently we completely missed the target. We hit north of the marshaling in a business district area.
Target Zones 9 I/B: Coming off the target there was no flak, but the Luftwaffe made up for it. Three waves of mostly Bf 109s targeted our plane. Twelve enemy aircraft made passes without placing one hit. We contribute this to our boys destroying three Bf 109s and damaging two others.
Zones 1-8 I/B: Once clear of the target we encountered a Rotta of Butchers hit us. One was driven off by our P-38s, but the other FW 190 was Expertly maneuvered through to hit us on his second run at our bomber. Coming in from the 10:30 Level he hit us just below the navigator with a tremendous thud! We later found out this was our nose gear that was rendered useless. As we passed into Albania two lone fighter made half hearted passes. Which ended poorly for a Bf 110 as our boys shot it out of the air. Both crew in the 110 managed to bail out. Shortly after this a JU 88 flew well above our group and dropped bombs on us. One of the two bombs dropped passed well past the "Stupid Dragon" and exploded harmlessly below the group. This was the last encounter with the enemy.
Our landing was hair raising as we put our ship down on the side of the runway to stay out of the way of blocking others landing. This added to the damage the "Stupid Dragon" sustained. Our crew chief, Alfred (Al) Falso, informed us that it will take a week or more to repair.
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 Grondeaux on Mar 29, 2024 6:56:41 GMT -8
Ho Hum (B-24D-25-CO-41-24229) Hanger Queen & Spare Crew assigned to this mission78th Bombardment Squadron, Bomber Position: Middle squadron, middle Mission Date: 29 March 1944 Mission #: 18 Aircraft Mission #: 1 Target: Marshaling Yard, Sofia, Bulgaria Crew from the Spare Pool (Missions): Pilot: 1 LT Kent Moody (1) Copilot: 2LT Edward Cunningham (0) Bombardier: 2LT Oscar Howe (1) Navigator: 2LT Ernest Crowe (1) Flight Engineer: SSGT Thomas Walton (1) Radio Operator: SSGT Claude Weiss (1) Ball Turret Gunner: SGT Jason Ash (3) Left Waist Gunner: SGT Sidney Beck (6) Right Waist Gunner: SGT Cecil Baker (0) Tail Gunner: SGT Evan Fryberger (0) Bomb Run: On target, 40% Casualties: none Attackers: 2
| Spotted | Destroyed | Damaged | Driven off by Escort | ME-109 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Claims: none Credits: none Award/Promotion Requests: none In Hospital/Recovery: none Aircraft Damage: none 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) This mission was almost a milk run for us. Maybe a “skimmed milk run?” Aerial bombs were dropped on us over Sofia, both on our target run-in and on our target egress; both times to no effect. Flak was clear of us. Our sole attackers were a pair of ME-109s over Yugoslavia on the way home. One was run off by an 82nd FG Lightning. The other broke off before completing his attack run. V/r, 1LT Kent Moody, First Pilot B-24D Ho Hum 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Mar 29, 2024 13:45:23 GMT -8
AAR 509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 18 Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard B-17F All In (Mission #18) Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle TARGET: Marshalling Yard Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | 1LT | George Gill | 18 | AM++, PH |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Don Heffner | 7 | AM |
| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Billy Sullivan | 4 |
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| RFD | Navigator | 2LT | Myril Hoag | 18 | AM++,PH
| 1.5 | RFD | Engineer | S/SGT | Roy Hughes | 7 |
| 1.5 | RFD | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Vern Kennedy | 18 | AM++
| 1 | RFD
| Ball Gunner | SGT | SGT Russ Van Atta | 18 | AM++
| .5 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Julius “Moose” Solters | 18 | AM++
| .5 | RFD
| Right Waist | SGT | Jim Walkup | 10 | AM | .66 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Ewald "Ernie" Pyle | 5 |
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| RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 18th mission skill 2 Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50% Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance and repairs Bomber Damage: Ball turret power failure 10 Peckham Points: 10 Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 6 | Me109 | Me110 | Fw190 | Re2001 | Me210 | G55; | TOTAL | Escort Intercept |
| 1 | 2 |
| | | 3 | Undamaged |
| | 1 | | |
| 1 | Damaged |
| 1 | 1 | | | | 2 | Probable/Denied
| | | | | | | | Destroyed |
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Casualties: Claims: Awards: Air Medal SGT Walkup Air Medal SGT Pyle Promotions: AAR Despite the poor weather, takeoff and joining the formation went smoothly but a little slowly. OUTBOUND Flight to target area was uneventful. TARGET AREA Once in the target area we encountered no fighter activity and medium intensity which did no damage. Billy was on-target again assessed at 50% effectiveness. No flak on the way to the RP. As the formation started back our escorts chased off a Fw190 that was setting up for an attack. INBOUND As the formation headed back to base a trio of Fw190s made a sudden appearance, our fettle friends jumped one. The other two attacked one at our 12 and one at our six. Everything happened quickly that all out gunners missed as did the two fighters before going off to find other targets. While we were over Albania a pair of Me110s tried their luck. The boys from the 82th FG took acre of one. Russ and Ernie did enough damage to the one at our six that he took a wild long range shot that missed and broke off the attack. Just before we got to the coast Russ reported power loss in the ball turret. The crew couldn’t get the issue fixed but Moose and Jim were able to get Russ out of the turret. We had a saft landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance and repairs He said that several of the crew chiefs have said their bombers have had mechanical issues the last couple of missions. They are speculating that something is wearing out sooner that it should. 1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding B-17F All In 79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Post by kageyone on Mar 29, 2024 22:39:50 GMT -8
B-17-G 43-37555 "Wongo II" (airframe mission #6) 80th BS FORMATION: High DATE: 29 March 44 MISSION #18 TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
Approaching the IP Wongo II was seen to be under attack from her 6 by an FW-190 with markings indicating an Ace pilot. Shells entered the belly of Wongo just before she was vaporized. No chutes were observed; in fact no pieces of aircraft bigger than the size of your hand were seen.
Purple Hearts for the entire crew, two of whom were original crew since the Group started flying out of Italy.
Rank Name Missions Complete 1stLt JR Jackson 9 2ndLt Burt Lawson 8 2ndLt Maynard Vincent 1 2ndLt Thomas J Hendrickson 1 S/Sgt Wilmett Jarvis 6 S/Sgt Oliver Ortega 17 S/Sgt Bennie Akers 17 Sgt Elder Kane 16 Sgt Vance Petty Sgt Jake Evinson 6
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Post by caodwolf on Mar 30, 2024 7:17:10 GMT -8
B-17G: Old Shep Pilot: 1Lt. B. Pease Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron Mission Date: 29-March-1944 Mission No.: 18 Mission this Bomber: 5 Target for Today: Sofia, Bulgaria- Marshalling Yards Squadron Position: High Result: On-Target: 60% This was one hell of a day for our Tail Gunner Sgt Taylor. Over the Asiatic Sea he was found slumped over his guns passed out. A kink in his oxygen line was dealt with and he recovered . Over the target he shot down a ME-109 and was credited with his first Nazi kill.
Overall enemy resistance was light, a bit of Flak and a handful of German fighters were engaged. A clear run to the target in good weather. Bombs were dropped with good effect.
Back to Sgt Taylor, upon landing the Old Shep he earns not only a Nazi fighter splash but an Air Medal for his 5th mission, the chap from Iowa passes out on the tarmac. He's in the infirmary apparently recovering once again but he'll be out of action for few days.
That is all....
Position | Rank | Name | Missions Flown | Kills this Mission | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt | B. Pease | 17 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Co-Pilot | 2Lt | D. Diluzio | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Bombardier | 2Lt | A. Tharpe | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Navigator | 2Lt | S. Yezzi | 4 | --- | --- | --- | OK | Top Turret/Engineer | S/Sgt | G. Burdash | 17 | --- | 5 1/2 | AM, ACE | OK | Radio Op | S/Sgt | K. Whitmore | 6 | --- | --- | AM | OK | Port Waist | Sgt | C. Shoemaker | 6 | --- | --- | AM,PH | OK | Stbd Waist | Sgt | M. Comerota | 8 | --- | --- | AM, PH | OK | Ball Turret | S/Sgt | M. Lesjack | 11 | --- | 2 1/2 | AM | OK | Tail Turret | Sgt | K. Taylor | 5 | 1 | 1 | AM | OK-LW(2) |
2lt J Pate: RTD: 15-April
Air Medals
Sgt K Taylor
FTR | Spotted | Driven-Off | Damaged | Not-Damaged | Claimed - Credited | FW-190 | 3 | 1 | 2 | --- | --- | ME-109 | 3 | 2 | --- | --- | 1 1 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | TOTALS | 6 | 3 | 2 | --- | 1 1 |
-LW(2)
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