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Post by limburger59 on May 14, 2023 20:11:49 GMT -8
to post 19 APR 24 To unlock 21 APR 24 Turn in AAR's no later than 4 MAY 24 Next mission to post 3 MAY 24
MISSION DATE: 5 April 44 MISSION # 20TARGET: Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage Bombing Altitude: 22,500 feet Mission Brief: Here is a documentary on Operation Tidal Wave in 1943. Here is a documentary on the entire Ploesti campaign.
Map: FORMATION:HIGH | 79th SQDN |
| MID | 80th SQDN |
| LOW | 78th SQDN | LEAD: | All In |
| LEAD: | Statement of Charges
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| LEAD: | Laid Back Lady | TAIL: | Oconomowoc |
| TAIL: | Wild Child |
| TAIL: | Pleasant Surprise
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WEATHER:
Takeoff: Good Target: Good Landing: Good GAZETTEERIn Zones 10 through 12 Romanian fighters may be encountered. Both TFT and QOTS players may use - Table 5-3SB - found on Steve Dixon's website, to possibly run into them. Due to the enemy concealing the targets with Smoke Pots the bomb run is at a -1 for QOTS. (-2 for TFT)Zone | Modifier (QotS) | Weather/Resistance (TfT) | Fighter Cover | 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds / None | Fair | 3 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds / None | Fair
| 4 Yugoslavia
| -2 | 50% Clouds / Light
| Fair
| 5 Yugoslavia | -1 | 50% Clouds / Moderate
| Fair
| 6 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds / None | Fair | 7 Yugoslavia | X | Haze/None | Fair
| 8 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds / None
| Fair | 9 Bulgaria / Romania | -2 | Haze/Light | Poor | 10 Romania | X | 50% Clouds / None
| None
| 11 Romania | 0 | Haze/Heavy
| None
| TARGET ZONE 12 Romania FLAK: Outbound: Heavy x4 Inbound: Heavy x2 | 0 | Haze/Moderate Target: Completely Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually
| None
| 11 Romania | -2 | Haze/Light
| None
| 10 Romania | -1 | Haze/Moderate
| Good
| 9 Romania / Bulgaria | X | 50% Clouds / None
| Good
| 8 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds / None
| Good | 7 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds / None | Good | 6 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds / None | Good
| 5 Yugoslavia | X | 50% Clouds / None
| Good
| 4 Yugoslavia | 0 | Haze/Moderate | Good
| 3 Adriatic Sea | -2 | 50% Clouds / Light
| Good
| 2 Adriatic Sea | X | 50% Clouds / None
| Good
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Emergency Airfield: Neutral Turkey is 200 miles (4 zones) from Ploesti, but the closest airport that can handle your heavy bomber is an additional 100 miles (6 zones total) to Istanbul. Assume Light (QOTS -2) resistance from enemy fighters if you're making the run to Turkey. Shot Down: Over Water (if you didn't drown): Zones 2 to 3: you are rescued by the Royal Navy Over Land: Over Turkey = Interned Over Romania = Captured Over Bulgaria = Captured 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:2 April 44 Mission 19 San Stephano, Italy - Harbor Installations 3 April 44 Non-Operational Day 4 April 44 Non-Operational Day 5 April 44 Mission 20 Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Apr 17, 2024 6:10:22 GMT -8
80th Bombardment Squadron Mission 020 Ploesti
Positions
LEAD - Statement of Charges TAIL - Wild Child
DELOZIER
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Post by crushedhat on Apr 18, 2024 14:02:07 GMT -8
“A long one,” 509th S2, Maj Harlan Beech starts his briefing. “Your first encounter with the Luftwaffe will occur as you cross the coast into Yugoslavia.” SSgt Dewbury’s pointer taps the big wall map to indicate the location. “You can expect resistance to increase as you near Novibazur. “After that, things should quiet down a bit, until you reach the Bulgarian-Romanian border near Vidin, where you may encounter fighters of the Romanian Air Force as well as the Luftwaffe. Things will really heat up as you near the Slatina-Gratia area.”
Fighter resistance over the target itself will actually be a bit less, though you’ll face the heaviest flak of the ware so far, both on ingress and egress. To make the game more challenging, Jerry is expected use smoke pots to obscure the target.”
“The flight home won’t be a picnic either. Fortunately, most of the fighters will be rearming and refueling as you cross back over the Slatina-Gratia line, so it shouldn’t be as intense as it was going in. It will pick up as you near Craiova, then should drop off till you’re near Niksic and the coast, with some fighters likely chasing you for the first 50 miles or so over the Adriatic.”
“Fighter support for this mission is a mixed bag. To the target, you’ll be escorted by elements of the 325th FG. They’ll reach the limits of their P-47s near Vidin and you’ll be on your own after that for a bit.” Maj Beech waits for the grumbling to die down, only to have it renewed as he points out, “That means you’ll be on your own during the heaviest air action. Lightnings of the 1st FG are to meet you near Craiova and escort you home.”
“Metro is forecasting good weather all around, though with the aforementioned smoke pots in play, tat likely won’t do you much good over the target.”
“If you run into trouble over Romania, you can try for neutral Turkey some 400 miles to the SE. Of course, if you want an actual landing field you’ll have to go 100 miles into Turkey. Bear in mind that you won’t have any fighter escort…”
“Won’t have any anyways!” someone shouts from the audience, eliciting a few chuckles.
Ignoring the outburst, Beech continues, “…and you’ll be interned for the duration of the war.”
“The Royal Navy will be on Lifeguard duty in the Adriatic should you go down in the drink. They’re pretty effective, as several of you in this room can attest.”
If you have to go down over land, try to make it to Yugoslavia where you have a chance of falling in among the Partisans. Just remember…”
Gain Beech is interrupted as several voices chime in, “They’re our allies, not our friends.”
“Exactly,” the S2 confirms his usual cautionary note. “And, should you fall into German hands…”
This time the entire room joins in the refrain of, “Remember the Geneva Conventions and the Fighting Man’s Code.”
May Stockwell, 509th S3 takes over. The briefing. He pauses to fix the assembled airmen with a stern glare before proceeding. “A modern army runs on petroleum. And for the Hun, that petroleum comes from Ploesti. That’s why we’ve got to hit it, and why Jerry will defend it vigorously.”
“Given the distance you’ve got to cover there isn’t much room for deceptive tactics. Thus, you’ll be flying a straight route in and out again. We know from past experience that Ploesti is a tough nut to crack. The job isn’t made any easier by the fact that for most of the mission you’ll be flying over Nazi occupied and defended territory. Add in the absence of fighter cover in the target area and you’ve got your work cut out for you. But, if you remember you’re training, use good formation flying, and use your guns effectively, you’ll be alright.”
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Post by crushedhat on Apr 18, 2024 14:02:46 GMT -8
For the 78th, for Mission 20 Lead: Laid Back Lady (crushedhat) Tail: Pleasant Surprise (caodwolf) 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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Post by wolverinetoddy on Apr 19, 2024 17:54:16 GMT -8
For the 79th Squadron:
Lead: All In Tail: Oconomowoc
It's going to be a long flight today, men. Watch your fuel gauges, stay in formation, and turn that target into an inferno!
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Post by wolverinetoddy on Apr 19, 2024 19:02:02 GMT -8
B-17 Name: Oconomowoc (2) Crew Commander: 1st Lt. GS Hoyt Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Formation: High Position: Tail
Mission Date: 5 April 44 Mission #: 20 Target: Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage
Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status Pilot: 1st Lt. GS Hoyt (11) {0} AM: 2, PH: 2 Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. J Callis (2) {0} Bombardier: 2nd Lt. AN Robinson (8) {1} AM Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Sloat (20) {2} AM: 4, PH: 5 Engineer: 1st Sgt. A Bissett (20) {11} DFC, AM: 4 Ball Gunner: SSgt. E Dean (20) {15} DFC, AM: 4 Radio Oper.: SSgt. I Cooper (19) {2} AM: 3, PH: 4 Pt Waist G: Sgt. J Sanderson (2) {1} PH Stbd Waist G: SSgt. J Lewis (19) {3} AM: 3, PH: 5 Tail Gunner: SSgt. W Towney (19) {13} DFC, AM: 3, PH: 4
Bomb Percentage: 20%
Bomber Disposition: Port Flap, Nav Equipment, Control Cables, PW Heat, Rudder, Intercom, Radio, Superficial Damage (133 Peckham Points)
Casualties: J Sanderson: SW – invalided home J Lewis: KIA E Dean: FB – 1 day in hospital
Claims (BY TYPE): Attacked: (9:109, 0:190, 3:110) Damaged: (4:109, 0:190, 1:110) Destroyed: (3:109, 0:190, 1:110) A Bisset: 109, 109 J Sanderson: 110 W Towney: 109
Special Note: J Sanderson: PH J Lewis: PH W Sloat: AM A Bissett: AM E Dean: AM W Sloat promoted to First Lieutenant
Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lieutenant GS Hoyt Robinson, pilot commanding
The crew huddled around Sloat waiting for the pilots to arrive from the briefing looking at the mission map.
“Good Lord, that's far.” Cooper shook his head using his thumb to estimate the distance to the target. “Yes, it is sergeant” I replied from over his shoulder. “Do your jobs and with a little luck we will all get home.”
We took off without incident and settled into our position at the back of the formation.
Enemy fighters found us about half way across Yugoslavia. Bisset got one of them and the other two ran away.
It was quiet until we crossed the Romanian border and more 109s attacked us. Sanderson got one of them.
As we approached the target the flak got heavy. Somehow we arrived over the target with barely a scratch. Robinson hit the target and our luck ran out with the flak. On the way out we took substantial flak damage including a shell the exploded very close to the waist killing Lewis and severely wounding Sanderson.
We saw a few more fighters as we few away from the target. Bisset got another one and so did Towney.
We arrived safely back at base. Dean picked up a touch of frostbite. He’ll be fine in a day or two. Sanderson is going to be ok, but he will not be flying with us again. I am off to find some bourbon and write a letter to Lewis’ parents.
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mpgutis
80th Bomber Squadron Commander
Posts: 316
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Post by mpgutis on Apr 21, 2024 7:39:59 GMT -8
Mission date:5 April 44 Target: Ploesti, Romania - Marshaling Yard/Oil Storage Mission/Bomber: 20/6 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 (6) (-) PH, AM Co-Pilot: 2LT Edward Reese (6) (-) AM Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (6) (2) DFC, AM Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (6) (1.0) PH, AM Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (6) (2.5) PH, AM Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (6) (0) AM Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (6) (0.66) AM Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (6) (0.5) AM, PH Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (6) (2.5) PHx3, AM Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (6) (0.41) AM
Bombing: On target, 40%
Damage: 33 Peckham Points Heating system out - 10 Rafts destroyed - 10 Wounds - 10 Superficial x3: Fuselage x2, Port Wing x1 - 3 Repair in one day
Casualties: SGT Randy Peterman - Broken rib and inflamed lung (3 days) SGT Vincent Meoli - Inflamed heart (3 days)
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited FW-190 12 / 3 / 3 Me-109: 4 / 0 / 0 Ju-88: 2 / 2 / 0.66
Awards: SGT Randy Peterman - PH SGT Vincent Meoli - PH
Flown with TFT
I will pull no punches. This mission was a stone cold bitch! The only good thing I can say about it was that we were flying as Middle Squadron and The A Train was in the middle of the squadron. Little did I know...
Takeoff was in the clear, a pleasure for a change. Assembly went without problems and we were on our way.
Zones 2 - 4: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: Two waves came at us. Three FW-190s came at us at 12:00 High, 3:00 Low, and 1:30 High. The escorts got the first guy. The one at 3:00 was damaged, missed us, and broke off. The last one was claimed by the Top Turret. The second wave was another FW-190 but the escorts intercepted him.
Zones 6 - 10: Nothing to report.
Zone 11: Here's where things got interesting. For no obvious reason, the entire heating system packed up and would not function. An Me-109 dove on us and destroyed our Life Rafts and got a Superficial Hit on the fuselage and dove away.
Zone 12 (Target): I made the tough decision to dive to 10,000 feet where it would be warmer. I was going to be damned if we would come all this way just to abort. Three more FW-190s came at us at 12:00 High, 1:30 Level, and 6:00 Level. The first one was damaged, missed, and broke off. The second one was claimed by the Port Waist and Navigator. The last one was damaged, missed, and broke off. Flak was nightmarishly heavy but our low altitude worked in our favor and we only took a Superficial Hit to the fuselage. The bomb run was on target and we estimated that 40% were inside the box.
Zone 12 (Outbound): Flak was still heavy and we took a Superficial Hit to the Port Wing and Sergeant Meoli took a serious wound, knocking him out. Two more waves of fighters attacked. A pair of Me-110s at 3:00 Low and 6:00 Low came at us and the Top Turret claimed the first one and the Ball Turret and Tail Gun claimed the other. The second wave was A pair of FW-190s at 10:30 High and in a Vertical Dive. The first one was damaged but got a Superficial Hit on the fuselage. He came around at 6:00 High and was claimed by the Top Turret and Tail Gun. The other was damaged, missed, and broke off.
Zone 11: A German plane from somewhere salvoed rockets at us but missed.
Zone 10: Two more waves attacked. Three Me-109s attacked at 12:00 Hit and Level and 3:00 Low. The escorts took care of the first and last but the other seriously wounded the Port Waist Gunner. He came around at 10:30 Low and was damaged, missed, and broke off. The second wave was an FW-190 at 12:00 High but the escorts dealt with him.
Zones 9 - 5: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: Lady Luck shined on us with no further attacks.
Zone 3: Another two FW-190s attacked at 12:00 High and 1:30 High but the escorts prevented them from getting to us.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
The landing was no problem. As the waist gunners were being carried off they both swore that there was no blood and that they would be ready for the next flight. I said that we'd see.
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Post by caodwolf on Apr 21, 2024 7:40:27 GMT -8
B-24J: PLEASANT SURPRISE
Pilot: 1Lt. R. Solsky Assignment: 15th Air Force, 509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron Mission Date: 5-April-1944 Mission No.: 18 Mission this Bomber: 6 Target for Today: Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yards / Oil Storage Squadron Position: Low - Tail-end-Charlie Result: DNB The following was compiled from several Radio Operators logs flying in the Low Squadron:
1100 Zone 11 Outbound: Noted Pleasant Surprise Engine #3 on fire....extinguished. Remains in formation.
1110 Zone 11 Outbound: Pleasant Surprise drops bomb load to remain in formation as TEC
1130 Zone 11 Outbound: Radio signal received Pleasant Surprise "leaking fuel". Remains in formation.
1215 Zone 12 - Target Zone: Another Pleasant Surprise radio intercept "....lost another engine....leaving formation....god speed....."
That was the last heard from the crew. The Pleasant Surprise is overdue and deemed lost.
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Post by medic1 on Apr 21, 2024 8:15:19 GMT -8
B-17F INVADIN’ MAIDEN 5-BO-44-30823 Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin MarksSquadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H) 15th Air ForceHigh Squadron: Middle Mission Date: 5 April 44 Mission Number: 020 Missions This Bomber: 20 Target: Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage
Crew/Position/Rank | Current Mission | Previous Claims | This Mission | Stress Points | Status | Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici | 11 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Curt Mercado | 20 | 11.5 | 2 | 0 | RTD | R/O T/Sgt Bruce Woodside | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Ball Gunner S/Sgt Ed Kostanaro | 20 | 13 | 0 | 1 | RTD | PSW Sgt Noreno Costa | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | RTD | SWG Sgt Mark Riley | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | RTD | TG Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit | 20 | 9 | 0 | 2 | RTD |
Bomb Run: OffOn Target: 10%B-17 Damage: 10 Hits Nose x 1 -superficial (1) Port Wing x 1 - superficial (1) Starboard Wing x 2 - superficial (1) -#2 engine out & feathered (35) Radio Room x 1 - superficial (1) Waist x 1 -starboard MG inop (10) Tail x 4 - rudder x 2, N/E (10) -tail wheel damaged (10) -autopilot inop (10) Peckham Points: 79Repair Time: Overnight Maintenance Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, (+2 modifier)Landing: Safe at GiuliaE/A Type | Encountered | Destroyed | Probable | Damaged | Intercepted | Bf-109 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Bf-110 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | G-55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IAR-80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ju-88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Re-2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TOTALS | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Confirmed Claims: 2 S/Sgt Curt Mercado 2 x Bf-109 Casualties: 0 Stress Points after mission: 1 S/Sgt Curt Mercado Award/ Promotions Requests: Oak Leave Cluster to AM - 1st Lt Franklin Marks, 2nd Lt Ted Masini, 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy, S/Sgt Curt Mercado, T/Sgt Bruce Woodside, T/Sgt Ed Kostanaro, Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit Promotions - To Captain, 1st Lt Franklin Marks To 1st Lt, 2nd Lt Tom Cassidy To T/Sgt, S/Sgt Curt Mercado To M/Sgt, T/Sgt Bruce Woodside To M/Sgt, T/Sgt Ed Kostanaro To S/Sgt, Sgt Charlie Talking Spirit
After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules)Zone 1: We had a beautiful day for the mission that was about to be marred by a lot of death and destruction. We lifted off without any problems or gremlins tagging along and formed up as the high squadron. Zone 2-3: Nothing to report. Zone 4: The boredom we all felt was interrupted by the appearance of two of Goring’s Goons in 190s. It turned out to be no cause for alarm as P-47s swooped into brush them away and we continued to drone on endlessly towards our target in faraway Romania. Zone 5-11: Nothing to report. Zone 12: Two 109 singled us out and came in from 3 and 9:00 positions. Mercado shot down the 9 o’clock fighter, but his claim was denied later. The remaining 109 struck us in the tail section, damaging the tail wheel, which we’d find out about later. This fighter was in turn damaged by defensive fire from Kostanaro, and failed to render us any further damage.
The fighters cleared off as the flak started to burst all over the sky. It was heavy from the very beginning of the bomb run and we could only watch the deadly black puffs multiplying at an alarming rate. At five miles above the earth the air is so thin that it doesn’t carry sound waves very well. When the flak exploded close enough to be heard, it was too close. It was also muffled. The BOOMP-FFFF! An eighty-eight shell at Earth atmosphere could have broken an eardrum – at least. But the sound itself was not that frightening at this altitude. What the fragments of metal could do, however was of more consequence. We were bracketed by several bursts that sent shrapnel into Invadin’ Maiden in several places, the worst of it destroying the autopilot, rendering the starboard waste MG useless and knocking out the #2 engine, which we were able to feather. Massini began transferring fuel from the useless engine as we needed every drop to keep up with the squadron on only three.
The Krauts didn't need smudge pots to obscure the target - at least from us. The slapping around we took coupled with our now useless autopilot factored in to our missing a target, but somehow Kellici managed to get a few bombs onto the target for 10%.
INBOUND
After the turn the flak was still heavy and accurate, aerating our bomber for three more hits, thankfully all of the minor variety.
Finally, out of the killing zone of the flak, the fighters roared in looking to pick off damaged bombers of which we were one of. three Romanian 109s came in from different angles and our B-17 shook from the recoils of our defensive fire as Costa damaged one at 9 level. Upon being hit, this fighter pulled up and turned to starboard giving Mercado a fine target, his fire hitting the spinner and prop. Fragments flew off and the fighter fell trailing clouds of smoke and exploded.
The 10:30 hit us in the nose and circled around to come in at 4:30 where Mercado again pumped some accurate fire into it with a burst that hit the fuselage and along the port wing root and it went into a steep dive in flames. Zone 11-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: When it came to our turn to land we were caught completely off guard to find that our tail wheel was heavily damaged and we started to skid all over. We successfully fought for control and managed to work ourselves off to the side and out of the way of everyone behind us. (I rolled a 5 for landing, -2 for the useless tail wheel)
Speaking strictly for myself, this was a long and unnerving mission that left me Deeply disappointed, having flown through the worst flock of ever seen only to miss the target. On the plus side, we all came through it unscathed and ready to risk our lives on another mission that I’m sure will come sooner than later.
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 superbee on Apr 21, 2024 9:25:05 GMT -8
B-17G Quincy Queen (2) 79th Squadron Formation: high sqdn
Mission 20 Mission Date: 5 April 44 Target: Ploesti,, Romania (marshalling yard / oil storage facilities) Post Mission Status: bombed target and landed at Gulia (heavily damaged and 5 casualties) Pilot: 1Lt Jim Norton
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| Credited Missions Flown
| AE destroyed
| decorations | status
| pilot
| 1Lt Jim Norton
| 2
| 0 | PH | fit
| co-pilot | 2Lt Curt Tobin
| 2
| 0 |
| fit
| bombardier | 2Lt Al Swift
| 2
| ½ | PH
| SW-IH
| navigator
| 2Lt Dan Beam
| 2
| 2½
| PH
| LW
| flight engineer
| S/Sgt Elmer Dayton
| 2
| 1
| PH
| LW
| radio operator
| S/Sgt Mitch Crew
| 2
| 0 |
| fit
| ball turret gunner
| Sgt Mickey Smith
| 2
| 1
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| fit
| port waist gunner
| Sgt Anton Ourada
| 2
| 0 | PH
| LW
| starboard waist gunner
| Sgt Bob Aiello
| 2
| 0 | PH
| LW
| tail gunner
| Sgt Kermit Steen
| 2
| 0 |
| fit
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Casualties: 5 • 2Lt Al Swift: SW-IH (hospitalized 14 before evacuation out of theatre) • 2Lt Dan Beam: LW (1 day recovery) • S/Sgt Elmer Dayton: LW (1 day recovery) • Sgt Bob Aiello SW (3 days recovery) • Sgt Anton Ourada (hospitalized overnight for observation) Bomb Run: 5% EA encountered: 24 Claims: 5 • 2Lt Dan Beam: 2 Me410’s, ½ Me110 • 2Lt Al Swift: ½ Me110 • S/Sgt Elmer Dayton: Me410 • Sgt Mick Smith: Me410
| EA encountered
| intercepted by escorts
| destroyed by gunners
| FCA | FBOA | Me110's | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | FW 190's
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Me410's | 11 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Me109's | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | totals | 24 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Damage to B17G: 243 Peckham Pts (30 hits) B17G’s status: will require 4 days to repair (10 April 44) Award Recommendations:
- Purple Heart: 2Lt Al Swift, 2Lt Dan Beam, S/Sgt Elmer Dayton, Sgt Bob Aiello, Sgt Anton Ourada
Mission Narrative:Smooth sailing across the Adriatic Sea and then diagonally northeast across Yugoslavia. At the Romanian border we were met by a pair of Me110’s which conducted a hammer / anvil type of attack on us. The 110 attacking us from our 6 was cut off by one of our fighters. Rather unexpected help, as we were told to expect scant fighter cover from this point onward. The 110 coming at us from dead on hit our #1 engine, swung around for a second firing pass, and was blasted out of the sky by the 50 caliber Brownings in the nose. Keeping a nervous eye on the #1 engine and its associated gauges, we continued our flight northeast, directly at the intended target – the oilfields at Ploesti. Closing in on the IP, we were buzzed by an FW diving at us out of the sun. The 190 missed us, our gunners missed it, and the fighter continued towards the squadrons below us. (OOC – During this encounter, the crew accumulated a greatly appreciated “lucky rabbits foot”!) Just as Ploesti came into view, so did two flights of German fighters – the dreaded FW190’s, diving at us from all angles. The gunners put out a veritable wall of lead – and reported many apparent hits on these attackers. But the Germans resolutely continued their assault, before finally breaking off the engagement – possibly having exhausted their ammo. (14 hits from this engagement damaged control surfaces, gunnery stations, and wounded one crewman. Potentially lethal damage included another engine hit (superficial), fuel cell hit (self sealed), and a hit to the bomb bay (negated by the use of the recently acquired rabbits foot.) As the fighter engagement ended, the squadron ran into a wall of flak. The B17 shuddered as it was struck by shrapnel from near misses. The bombardier at this point was rattled and distracted, and the target was partially concealed by thick clouds of smoke. One or two bombs from our load may have struck the intended target area. As we reversed course and began the homeward flight back to Italy, the flak barrage continue to inflict more damage and injury. Four more crewmen were lacerated by the sharp, jagged shrapnel which easily pierced the metal skin of our B17.
Flying out of the flak brought us no relief, as we were met by three waves (8 total) of twin engine interceptors of a type that we were not familiar with (possibly Me410’s?). At this point we caught a break; it turned out the big German fighters were easier to hit and destroy than the Focke Wulf’s. And their pilots were neither as skilled nor as determined as the 190 pilots had been. Defensive fire savaged the EA, destroying 2 and damaging 4 others. The survivors disengaged and flew away to presumably regroup elsewhere. With no new threats in sight, the able bodied crewmen were able to tend to their wounded crewmates (5 in all) and to more closely assess battle damage. It appeared that the wounded men’s injuries were stabilized, and that the B17 – although riddled with holes – was capable of staying with the formation and getting us back to Gulia. Impatiently we slogged back across southern Romania and then Yugoslavia. The lovely Adriatic was waiting for us, as were three more of the Me410’s. A “little friend” chased off one, and our gunners destroyed the other two. After sticking a somewhat dicey landing (-2 for damaged tail wheel and inoperable flaps; rolled a “4”), and seeing that our wounded were cared for, several of the able-bodied crewmen and I made our way to the base chapel to thank God for getting us back from Ploesti. (4th consecutive mission with a fuel tank hit. ) 1Lt Jim Norton Pilot – B17G Quincy Queen
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Post by royalblue on Apr 21, 2024 11:43:46 GMT -8
B-17G – Statement of Charges80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force Pilot: 1Lt Samuel French
Mission Date: 05 April 1944
Mission: 20 Previous Missions in Bomber: 4 Target: Ploesti, Romania Target Type: Marshaling Yard / Oil Storage
Formation: Middle Position: Lead
CREW
Position | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Pilot | 1Lt Samuel French
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | LW
| Co-Pilot | 2Lt Joseph Bonetti
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | SW | Bombardier | 2Lt Isaac Goldman
| 5 | 0 | 1 | AM | RTD | Navigator | 2Lt Howard Bush
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Engineer | S/Sgt Paul Danowski
| 5 | 2 | 2 | AM | RTD | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Michael Schwartz
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Ball Gunner | Sgt Charles Beasley
| 5 | 1 | 4 | AM
| KIA | Port WG | Sgt Luis Rosa
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD
| Starboard WG | Sgt Patrick Flanagan
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM | RTD | Tail Gunner | Sgt Theodore Fields
| 5 | 1 | 2
| AM | RTD
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Bomb Run: Off Target - 5%
Enemy Aircraft:
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged
| Bf-109 | 8
| 0
| 4 | 1 | Fw-190
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| Total | 9
| 0
| 4
| 1
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Claims:
- S/Sgt Danowski: x2 Bf-109
- Sgt Beasley: x1 Bf-109 - Sgt Fields: x1 Bf-109
Damage:- Superficial damage to nose, bomb bay, and starboard wing (x8) - Pilot compartment heat out
- Starboard flaps destroyed - Bomb controls destroyed - Landing gear inoperable - Ball turret mechanical malfunction
Peckham Points: 161: Repaired in 4 days (3 + 1 for negative landing modifier)
Casualties:
- 1Lt French: Frostbite - Minor, out of hospital in time for next mission
- 2Lt Bonetti: Frostbite - Severe, amputation required, invalided home
- Sgt Beasley: Killed on landing
Awards:
- All crew: Air Medal for 5th mission
Promotions: - None
After-Action Report:
At the time of interrogation 1Lt French was being escorted to the hospital and was unable to attend the debriefing. The following information was delivered by the aircraft's Bombardier; 2Lt Goldman.
OUTBOUND
Zone 1/Takeoff: Good takeoff.
Zones 2-11: Nothing to report. Zone 12/Target: We got swarmed over the target area. Four 109s from all around. I think Beasley got one of them, but they put some holes in us and knocked out the heat in the pilot compartment. The flak started up not long afterwards and the next hit nearly gave *me* a new hole. It busted up the bomb controls real good, and tore up our starboard wing flaps too. I did the best I could, but between all that and the damn smoke pots I was just glad I got even close to the target area with my bombs.
INBOUND
Zone 12: As we were leaving the target area we got pounced on again, this time we were ready for them and Fields and Danowski gave 'em hell. Took down a 109 each.
Zone 11: Nothing to report.
Zone 10: More fighters, Danowski downed another 109 but we missed his 190 friend; fortunately he missed us too and buzzed off as our fighter cover approached. French made the call to keep us in formation as the lead bomber. I caught snippets of him and Bonetti arguing about it over the intercom.
Zone 9: Nothing to report.
Zone 8: Out of the blue I heard Beasley shout over the intercom; his turret had stopped turning. French yelled for the guys back there to crank him back in position manually and get him out of there. They tried, dammit they really tried, but as we got closer and closer to the airbase I could still hear them back there struggling. Something was wrong with the crank and Beasley's turret was stuck in the closed position.
Zones 7-2: At some point on the return trip both of those poor boys in the cockpit caught frostbite. The medics said Bonetti's probably going to lose a foot, but I think French will be alright. Well at least as far as the frostbite is concerned...
Zone 1/Landing: When we came in for a landing... the landing gear, it didn't... I'm sorry sir I... I really don't think I can talk about the landing right now. Everyone saw what happened out there.
I could feel the cold beginning to seep into my bones, and I cursed that Jerry pilot's luck as a shiver ran down my spine. I knew it could be a lot worse though; we may have taken a beating over the target but at least we were all still alive. I glanced over at my co-pilot Joe Bonetti. He had been quiet ever since I made the call for us to stay in formation for the return trip, and I could tell he wasn't happy with my decision. It wasn't an easy one to make either, and I had told him as much when he first voiced his dissenting opinion when we made for the return leg of our journey. The thought had certainly crossed my mind; 10,000 feet would have been a hell of a lot warmer, but I knew we'd be sitting ducks all alone down there with half the flight still left to go. Besides, we had a job to do. As lead plane for the entire group there was more than a little pressure weighing on me - and 2Lt Bush - to guide everyone back in as close to one piece as possible.
My thoughts were interrupted by a cry over the intercom from Sgt Beasley. "Hey! Uh, somethings wrong with my turret it won't move."
Dammit, I thought. There goes my best gunner for the rest of the flight. "Rosa, Flanagan, grab the manual crank and get him out of there" I responded, the cold evident in my voice. The young Sergeant was small enough I figured he would have no problem squeezing into one of the other compartments until we landed.
The icy silence between Bonetti and I picked up right where it had left off.
We were nearing the Adriatic when I looked over again at my co-pilot. His skin was turning a not-so subtle shade of blue. "Joe, are you... OK over there?" I already knew the answer, and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt for it. I told myself there was no other choice, that dropping out of formation could get the whole crew killed if we were alone when the next attack hit, that the rest of the Group was counting on us. But there was still a little voice in the back of my head that asked, what if it was just my pride?
"I can't feel my feet Sam." He whimpered back to me, his words hanging in the air in front of us with the cold.
"I'm sorry Joe, I-" My reply was cut short by a panicked outburst from Sgt Flanagan over the intercom. "Sir! Sir, it's Chuck we... we can't get him out. He's stuck in there! This damn turret won't budge!"
I swore under my breath. "Alright, just... tell him to close his eyes as we come in for a landing and we'll have the mechanics pop him out when we're on the ground." It wouldn't be a particularly fun experience for Sgt Beasley but it was the only answer I could give. If the turret was stuck that badly there was really nothing else we could do for him until we were on the ground.
The frost accumulating on my instrument panels finally started to clear as the formation began descending over the Adriatic. I had barely enough feeling left in my extremities to keep the plane flying, and I could tell Joe was even worse off than me. The damaged flap on our starboard wing had kept us engaged at the controls the entire flight back; I knew we were in for another rough landing. After we fought our wounded bird into approach position for the runway I reached over in the cockpit to flip the switch that would lower the landing gear.
Nothing happened.
Precious seconds started to fly by as the runway loomed closer and closer. I shouted over the intercom for the rest of the crew to look at the wings and tell me what they saw. Beasley's panicked voice, shaking more than shouting, came back. "Sir, what's going on? The landing gear's not moving." My heart dropped like a stone. I kept flipping the switch to bring the landing gear down but it was useless. Nothing happened, and I knew the hydraulics must have been shot up somewhere over the target. I heard shouts from behind me in the fort as the rest of the crew now tried desperately to either manually rotate the turret or hand crank the landing gear down. Neither was successful.
As I pulled the aircraft out of approach S/Sgt Schwartz radioed the tower and started explaining the situation. For an agonizing eight minutes we debated with them as I circled the runway. We all knew there was only one option left.
....
I fell, more than jumped, out of the crew hatch and immediately dropped to my knees; the contents of my stomach almost beating me to the ground. My ears were ringing. Medics and mechanics swarmed around us like bees. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't, nothing came out.
Behind me the rest of my crew began to spill out of our wounded fort. Most of them at least. Bonetti yelled in pain as his right foot hit the ground, and he crumpled onto the concrete. Goldman and Bush ran to pick him up, gently laying him on a stretcher with help from a team of medics. I felt hands lift me on my feet, and unfamiliar voices in my ear tell me I was going to the hospital. "No" I whispered back, but they ignored me. I turned my head to look at my crew, my boys. Danowski was standing next to a Jeep talking to a Major and fighting back tears. Schwartz was sitting on the ground next to him, his head in his hands. Rosa and Flanagan were being ushered away from the misshapen wreck of our plan by a group of mechanics. Fields had been the last to leave, unwilling to go near the spot where Beasley's ball turret had once been. Danowski had finally coaxed him out of his own turret, and now the tail gunner simply stood still; staring motionless into space, oblivious to the buzz of aidmen around him.
The doors to the Dodge WC54 slammed closed in front of me, momentarily bringing my focus back to the present. I lurched sideways as the ambulance took off at full speed for the hospital. Joe, still on the stretcher, laid across from me sobbing quietly.
OOC: Had a few very unfortunate dice rolls this mission. Apologies if it was a little heavy, but I felt like the situation deserved a proper write-up. A very similar incident is related in chapter 5 of the book Masters of the Air.
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daveh
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 5
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Post by daveh on Apr 21, 2024 14:20:40 GMT -8
B-17 Wild Child/ 80th Bombardment Squadron/509th Bombardment Group/15th Air Force Date: 5 April 1944 Mission: Ploesti, Romania-Marshalling Yard/ Oil Storage Formation: Middle Position: Tail
Crew: Pilot-1Lt Michael Smyser Co-Pilot- 2Lt JT Thomas Navigator-2Lt Chase Lester Bombardier- 2Lt Brian Borden Engineer-S/Sgt Alex Timmerman Radioman-S/Sgt Tyler Albright Ball Turret Gunner-Sgt Lucas Hardwick Port Waist Gunner-S/Sgt Robert Killion Starboard Waist Gunner-S/Sgt Jay Blanchard Tail Gunner-Sgt David Hodo
Damage: 37 Points Bombing Accuracy: 50% Aircraft Claimed: 3 (SSgt Timmerman-Me-109, 2LT Borden-FW-190, Sgt Hodo-Me110) Casualties: SSgt Killion (torn Deltoid-out for 24 hours) Game System Used: Target for Today
Mission Debrief:
Take off was made difficult by a Rudder issue that seemed to fix itself, so I made the decision to form up and continue with the Mission. We had no sooner crossed into Yugoslavia, then we were jumped by 2 Me-109s one came in at 12:00 high and SSgt Timmerman was right on him. The fighter went down in flames, and I am told the pilot ejected safely. Another came in at 6:00 level, but he made only 1 pass, and failed to do any damage to us. It wasn't long before we were again jumped, this time by 2 FW-190's 1 came in at 12:00 level and 2LT Borden hit him and we saw his engine explode, our second victory of the day no chute was seen by the crew. Another at 12:00 high was damaged and forced to break off. As our heartrates began to get back to normal, we settled down and not far from the target zone, we got jumped by a swarm of enemy fighters, 6 FW190's and 2 Me110's came at us from all directions-the boys managed to damage several of the 190's but we took a lot of hits-luckily nothing serious but 2 Me110s came in at our 6:00, Sgt Hodo knocked 1 out of the sky, our third of the day, but the other one managed to shoot up the left waist area-SSgt Kilion was lightly wounded and the Me110 was forced to break off. SSgt Kilion reported in and told me he was in pain but could continue at his station. As we entered the target area, we got jumped by an Me109 and an Me410-both we damaged, but managed to hit us as well-again, no serious damage was done and we entered a heavy flak area-to my relief we were able to get through the flak and 2Lt Borden was able (somehow) to put bombs on the target, then we hit that flak again. By some miracle, we made it out of that shooting gallery without getting hit. As we made our turn for home, that rudder malfunction almost caused a midair collision, but we were able to get her back in formation and the rudder seemed to ease up and function properly again. We were jumped by 2 Me210's before leaving Romania, the boys we up on their guns and drove both of them off, damaging both.
The rest of the flight proved uneventful, the rudder acting up as we landed, but we got her down safely. I checked in with Doc-SSgt Kilion has sprained/torn his Deltoid he is out for 24 hours so if we go tomorrow, I will need a replacement port waist gunner. The aircraft should be ready to go tomorrow, but I asked the Crew chief to check out that rudder.
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Apr 21, 2024 15:58:14 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 / Lead Mission Date: 5 APR 1944 Mission Number: 20 This Aircraft: 9 Target: Ploesti, Romania, Marshalling yard / Oil Storage CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Missions | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 1st Lt Alexis Vaillancourt | 8 | 0 | AM | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Arlo Perot | 8 | 0 | AM | RTD | 1 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Callahan Quinn | 4 | .5 | PH | RTD | 1 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Benjamin Galardi | 6 | 0 | AM, PH | RTD | 0 | Engineer | T/Sgt Abraham Leeker | 8 | 1.83 | AM | RTD | 1 | Radio Op | T/Sgt Bruce Woodward | 8 | 1.5 | AM | RTD | 1 | Rt Waist | Sgt Walter "Wally" Heath | 6 | 0.5 | AM | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | T/3rd Tristen Townsend | 8 | 2 | AM, PH | RTD | 3 | Left Waist | Sgt Brendan Burgess | 8 | 0.5 | AM | RTD | 1 | Tail Gunner | T/3rd Finnley Griffith | 8 | 1 | AM | RTD | 2 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt King Solis | 16 | | | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 30 % Casualties: None Damage: Cockpit Windows 1X 10 Bombardier Heat 1X 10 Superficial 11X 22 Right Wing Root 1X 25 Peckham Points: 67 Peckham Points, one (1) day(s) to repair Landing: Safe Enemy AircraftType | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Me-109 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Me-210 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-110 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Ju-88 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-109(R) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-410 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
ClaimsPosition | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Navigator | 3 | .5 | 0 | Top | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Right Waist | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Ball | 1 | 1 | 0 | Left Waist | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTAll was quiet for the first hour plus of the mission. Once over Yugoslavia rockets were fired into the squadron. We took no hits or damage. Right on the heels of the rockets a Junkers 88 attacked. T/3 Griffith in the tail tagged the 88 but did not deter him. The pilot of the 88 missed us. Firing at the Junkers T/3 Townsend, in the ball, reported a jam. He cleared it shortly after the 88 flew off. Deeper into Yugoslavia a lone FW-190 was making an approach against us but was driven off by our escorts. The next 45-50 minutes was quiet. That abruptly ended as we crossed through Bulgaria into Romania. A pair of FWs and a single 109 attacked. We had already lost our escorts, leaving it all up to us. Our new navigator, Lt Quinn shot down one 190, without credit. The second FW was also shot down. The 109 was tagged hard, and he returned the favor, striking the cockpit, hitting the windscreen. We had about a 20 minute break before being attacked by a pair of BF-110s. Sgt Burgess, left waist, smashed open the cockpit of the first 110, without credit. Lt Quinn shot down his second enemy aircraft, still without credit. Approaching the IP we were swarmed with three waves of enemy fighters. First in was a 190. Lt Quinn tagged the 190. The 190 did not return. We faced another 190. Lt Quinn tagged the 190 which failed to return the favor. Finally, a pair of 210s made a last attempt before we hit the flak belt. We took 3 hits from the flak, all minor. Even with the swarming fighters and the accurate flak, Lt Galardi put 30% on target. Flak accuracy was as effective on target egress, getting solid hit on the right wing root. The defending fighters continued their stiff defense. Rockets were fired once again through the squadron, this time finding their mark, but to no effect. We then faced a trio of 109s. On their first pass we did not hit any. However, two 109s tagged us. We took hits to both flaps. On the second pass Lt Quinn hit the remaining 109, damaging its right wing severely. Not out of the woods, another trio of enemy fighters attacked. Lt Quinn once again knocked down an enemy fighter, shooting down a 410 by smashing its cockpit and killing the pilot. Our only damage suffered was loss of heat for the bombardier Lt Galardi. On the second pass one of the 190s got a few minor hits on us. Clearing the target area, we faced another pair of 210s. Escorts drove off one of the 210s, we drove ff the other. Lt Quinn once again tagged an enemy fighter. Pleasant Surprise in TEC and Laid back Lady in lead both dropped out after the target area. We slipped into Lady’s slot, taking over the lead. With the Adriatic nearing, a last ditch shot was made by a single 190 and a single 109. Both were driven off by the escorts. Submitted by, 1Lt Alexis Vaillancourt, Pilot B-24J Next Objective 78th 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 Apr 21, 2024 16:05:10 GMT -8
Mission #: 020 Mission Date: 5 April 1944 Target: Ploesti Cmdr: Cpt Frank DeLozier Aircraft: Holey Moley Aircraft: B-17G-20BO-42-31549 Group/Squadron: 509/80
CREW Captain FRANK DELOZIER - Pilot 2nd Lt PERCY "Purse" JOHNSON - Co-Pilot 1st Lt RICHARD "Woody" WOOD - Bombardier 1st Lt HAMPTON "Hamp" RAWLINGS - Navigator T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN - Engineer S/Sgt JOSE "Loco" AZZUCO - Radio Op Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner Sgt HAL CARTER - Port Waist S/Sgt HERBERT "H.R." RAYMOND - Starb Waist Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner
BOMBING ON 30%
CASUALTIES none
CLAIMS Sgt CHARLES "Eddy" EDWARDS III - Tail Gunner 1/2 Sgt EMILIO "Emmy" CANTOLO - Ball Gunner 1 1/2 T/Sgt SAMUEL "Sammy B" BATEMAN - Engineer 1
ENEMY A/C Enc Int Dam Des Me109 7 1 Me210 2 1 1 FW190 7 3 1 1 TOTAL 16 3 3 2
DAMAGE 70 PP: swing, pwing, aileron, elevator
AAR
We had a smooth flight until just before the target. Then five 109s attacked. One came in at 3:00 level, and hit both wings with shells going through and through. On the come-around, he walked shells down from the nose, wings, waist and tail, resulting in the port elevator becoming inoperative. In a successive run, he was ineffective but
left us with a lot of holes in the ship.
In the target zone, things got really hot with three waves of fighters sweeping in from all points of the compass. In the first wave two 210s came in at 9:00. We got a piece of one and destroyed the other. Enemy gunnery was ineffective.
The second wave came in behind and to our starboard. We damaged two of the three. Again their fire was ineffective.
Finally, a lone 190 came at our six, but the tail and ball gunners share the credit for his destruction. The flak was incredible but, amazingly, missed us inbound and out.
We dropped our load ON target with est 30% target coverage.
As we turned southwest to come home, three 190s attacked from 6:00, 9:00 and 3:00. The ball turret gunner got the one at 6:00. The other two were ineffective in their attacks.
Just as it seemed to calm down, about 30 minutes later three more 190s came at us, but our escort drove them all off. A tip o' the hat to them. From then to Giulia we had no e/a activity and landed safely.
DELOZIER
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Post by kageyone on Apr 21, 2024 22:15:38 GMT -8
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Apr 22, 2024 5:52:26 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 20 Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage MISSION DATE: 5 April 44 B-17F All In (Mission #20) Crew Commander: CPT George Gill Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: High Position: Lead TARGET: Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | CPT | George Gill | 20 | AM++, PH |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Don Heffner | 9 | AM |
| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Billy Sullivan | 6 | AM |
| RFD | Navigator | 2LT | Myril Hoag | 19 | AM++,PH
| 1.5 | KIA | Engineer | S/SGT | Roy Hughes | 9 | AM | 1.5 | SW - 4 weeks | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Vern Kennedy | 20 | AM++
| 1 | SW - 4 weeks
| Ball Gunner | SGT | SGT Russ Van Atta | 20 | AM++
| .5 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Julius “Moose” Solters | 20 | AM++
| .5 | RFD
| Right Waist | SGT | Jim Walkup | 12 | AM+ | .66 | KIA
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Ewald "Ernie" Pyle | 7 | AM |
| RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (the Mechanic) 20th mission skill 3 Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure Bomb Percentage: on-target, Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In need 5 days to complete repairs before it is mission ready Bomber Damage: 2LT Hoag KIA 10 S/SGT Hughes SW 5 S/SGT Kennedy SW 5 SGT Walkup SW- died of wounds 5 Left wing flap inop 10 Elevators controls inop 10 Waist no effect 5 Superficial damage x 3 Nose gun inop 10 Tail guns inoperable 20 Top Turret guns inop 20 1 x right wing root hit 25 1x hit rudder 10 Fuel Transfer Pump – no effect 5 Radio Room- oxygen out 10 Right Waist Gunner heat out 10 Navigator heat out 10 radio inop 10 Bomb Bay door- inop 10 bomb bay no effect 5 Peckham Points: 198 Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 16 | Me109 | Me110 | Fw190 | Re2005 | Me210 | G55; | TOTAL | Escort Intercept | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| | | 6 | Undamaged | 1
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| | | | | 1 | Damaged | 4 |
| 3 | | | | 7 | Probable/Denied
| 1 | | 1 | | | | 2 | Destroyed |
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Casualties: 2LT Hoag KIA SGT Walkup KIA Abdomen punctures abdominal cavity died in surgery S/SGT Hughes Broken ribs, return to duty in 4 weeks S/SGT Kennedy Abdomen injury return to duty in 4 weeks Claims: S/SGT Hughes Me109 Denied 2LT Heffner and S/SGT Hughes Fw190 Denied Awards: 2LT Hoag PH AM(oak leaf cluster) S/SGT Hughes PH S/SGT Kennedy PH AM(oak leaf cluster) SGT Walkup PH CPT Gill 20 AM(oak leaf cluster) SGT Van Atta AM(oak leaf cluster) SGT Solters AM(oak leaf cluster) Promotions To: S/SGT Julius “Moose” Solters AAR OUTBOUND With the good weather, we took off without a problem, the rest of the squadron formed up on us and then we joined up with the formation. As we were in the vicinity of Novibazur, a pair of Me109s tried to attack and were intercepted by the jugs from the 325th. As we were crossing from over Bulgaria into Romania two Me109s attacked. The Jugs were near the end of their combat range and starting to depart but a couple were able to pick off one of the Me109s. Roy in the Top Turret turned the other into a fire ball. Just before we got the the target area we were attacked by a flight of 4 Me109s. The one at our twelve traded shots with Billy on the nose gun with both missing. Jim the right waist gunner did enough damage to the one at our 3 that it missed and broke off the attack. Roy in the top turret did enough damage to the one at 9/H that the engine was smoking as it broke off the attack. While Rus damaged the one at 9/Lo it raked us, hitting the nose and waist with no injuries reported and knocking out our elevator controls and left wing flap. When it tried to reattack Russ hit its engine causing it to miss and break off the attack. TARGET AREA Once in the target area, about half way to the IP, we were attacked by a Fw190 and a Romanian Me109. Billy and Roy shot up the Fw190 with a chute observed as it started down. Jim hit the Me109 which took a wild off target shot at us before breaking off the attack. There was heavy flak but not calibrated to our altitude on the bomb run to the target. Billy was on-target assessed as 30% effective. The flak after the bomb run had made their adjustment and we took a couple of hits for superficial damage, a hit that took out our nose gun and a hit to the right wing root. INBOUND As we departed the target area Myril our navigator reported that the hit of the nose just before we were in the target area had taken out the heat to his suit but that he was doing fine. As we passed in the vicinity of Craiova, a pair of Me110s made an appearance but the Lighting from the 1FG had joined up with us and quickly saw them off. Things were quite until we were over Yugoslavia. Billy reported that Myril appeared to be suffering severe frostbite. But Myril said he was good enough that we should stay in formation. Shortly afterwards we were jumped by a flight of 4 Fw190s. Three got through the escorts. Roy damaged the one at our 12 and it broke off the attack after missing us. The other two attacked at our 6. We missed the Fw190 coming in low and it hit the radio room knocking out the radio, seriously wounding Vern in the abdomen, and. hitting the bomb bay for no effect. Ernie did some major damage to the other coming in high but it pounded us as it made it’s one attack: taking out the tail guns, a hit on the rudder, damaging the Fuel Transfer Pump, jamming the bomb bay doors shut, taking out the top turret guns, and seriously wounding Roy, seriously wounding Jim and taking out his suit’s heat, knocking out the Oxygen in the radio room, and killing Myril. As we came over the coast I decided to drop out of the formation and descend to 10,000 feet. With the radio out I wasn’t able notify the squadron that someone needed to take over the lead. Despite the damage to multiple control surfaces we were able to make an acceptable landing at Giulia Airfield. The ambulances were quick to arrive, but we were told that SGT Walkup died in surgery, too much blood loss from his abdominal wound. S/SGT Hughes and S/SGT Kennedy will recover but it will be a month before they are back on flight status. T/SGT Johnson reports the All In need 5 days to complete repairs before it is mission ready Off to have some bourbon and write letters to Myril’s and Jim’s families. Moose and I will be the only original crew members flying the next time we go up. The good news is the Moose was promoted to S/SGT. CPT George Gill, Pilot Commanding B-17F All In 79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Keltos
Multiple Squadrons
Posts: 459
Member is Online
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Post by Keltos on Apr 22, 2024 6:37:02 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: 5 April 1944 Mission Number: 20 Mission of this bomber: 20 Formation: High Position: Middle Target: Ploesti, Romania Target Type: Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage Bomb Run: DNB Lady Luck Smile #: 0 CREWPosition | Rank - Name | Missions | Mission Kills | Total Kills | Awards | Status | Stress Point | Pilot | 1st Lt. Henry Simmons | 20 | 0 | 0 | AM+++ | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh
| 8 | 0 | 0 | AM / PH+ | LW | 0 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt. Sean Nelson
| 5 | 0 | 0 | AM
| RTD | 0 | Navigator | 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc | 12 | 0 | 1.83 | AM+ / PH | SW | 1 | Engineer | M/Sgt Tim Burkey | 20 | 0 | 11 | AM+++ / DFC | RTD | 0 | Radio Op. | S/Sgt Paul Stewart | 20 | 0 | 0 | AM+++ / PH+ | SW | 1 | Ball Gunner | S/Sgt Matthew Whalen
| 20 | 0 | 8.49 | AM+++ / DFC / PH | LW | 0 | Port WG | S/Sgt George Buck
| 20 | 0 | 2.5 | AM+++ | RTD | 0 | Starboard WG | S/Sgt Harvey McGinty
| 20 | 0 | 1.33 | AM+++ / PH | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | S/Sgt Mark Withley
| 14 | 0 | 0 | AM+ / PH | RTD | 1 |
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Richard Weiner (the Dedicated) - 20 missions
E/A Encountered
Type | No. | Intercepted | Destroyed | Damaged | Fw-190 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Me-109 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Me-110 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | IAR 80 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Total | 17 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
Claims:
- S/Sgt Matthew Whalen: 1 Me-110 claimed - full credit awarded - S/Sgt George Buck: 1 Me-109 claimed - half credit awarded - M/Sgt Tim Burkey: 1 IAR 80 claimed - full credit awarded Damage:
- Superficial x15: 15 - Systems n/e x2: 10 - Windscreen 1st: 10 - Pilot O2 out: 10 - Copilot O2 out: 10 - Autopilot inop: 10 - Interphone out: 10 - Bomb bay controls: 10 - Ball gunner heat system out: 10 - Right Wing n/e: 5 - Ruderr 1st: 25 - SW x2: 10 - LW x2: 4 Peckham Points: 139pts - two days repairing and maintenance - RTD on 8 April 1944 Casualties:
- S/Sgt Paul Stewart: broken rib and inflamed lung - 8 weeks in hospital - RTD on 1 June 1944 - 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc: shattered tarsak bone - 2 weeks in hospital - RTD on 19 April 1944 - 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh: shoulder cut - 2 days in hospital - RTD on 8 April 1944 - S/Sgt Matthew Whalen: forearm cut - 2 days in hospital - RTD on 8 April 1944 Awards:
3rd OLC to AM: 1st Lt. Henry Simmons, M/Sgt Tim Burkey, S/Sgt Paul Stewart, S/Sgt Matthew Whalen, S/Sgt George Buck, S/Sgt Harvey McGinty. Purple Heart: 2nd Lt. Edwin Leblanc, 2nd Lt.Cody "M&Ms" Marsh, S/Sgt Paul Stewart, S/Sgt Matthew Whalen. Promotions:
- Promotion to Captain: 1st Lt. Henry Simmons - Promotion to T/Sgt: S/Sgt Paul Stewart AAR (flown with TFT)
Giulia Airbase: Good weather over the base. Take off and assembly went ok. Zone 2-4 Outbound: Nothing to report. Zone 5 Outbound: German bomber dropped bombs on us from above our formation. No damage reported. Zone 6-10 Outbound: Nothing to report. In Zone 10 fighters from 325th FG left us alone. Zone 11 Outbound: We were attacked by a flock of 5 Me-109s. Of these, only one was damaged and preferred to move away. While the other four made several raids on us, causing us countless damage and injuring the crew. When this hell ended, we were attacked by a Me-110 and a Me-109 (of the Romanian Air Force), but these did not have an easy life, because they were both shot down. Later we were attacked by 3 Fw-190s: two of them moved away after a few exchanges of shots. The third, after having made a few holes in the first wave, came back to hit us again but was heavily damaged and preferred to escape by disappearing into the clouds. Zone 11 Inbound: Decided to abort: To continue the mission with the damage and injuries would have been suicide. Went out of formation and descended to 10.000 feet. Bombs jettisoned over romanian countryside. We were attacked by 2 Me-110s that did not bother us and by 1 IAR 80, a fighter of the Royal Romanian Air Force also produced in Romania, which was shot down by M/Sgt Burkey. Zone 10 Inbound: The escort fighters of the 1st FG arrived to support us just as we were attacked by an Fw-190 and a Me-109, which were driven away. Zone 9-5 Inbound: Nothing to report Zone 4 Inbound: The escort fighters intercepted 2 Fw-190s and drove them away from us. Zone 3-2 Inbound: Nothing to report Giulia Airbase: Land safely. The wounded crewmen were loaded into ambulances and taken to the hospital. -------------------------------------------------
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 crushedhat on Apr 22, 2024 8:51:18 GMT -8
B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS LLS Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group MISSION DATE: 5 Apr 44 MISSION NBR. 20/This Bomber 18 TARGET: Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage SECONDARY TARGET: POSITION: Low Squadron, Lead
Crew Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills] Pilot: Capt Paul Garfield, (18) [0] LC Co-Pilot: 2LT Elliott Peterson, (18) [0] LC Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (18) [4 1/2] *## Navigator: Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison, (17) [3 1/6] ## Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton, (18) [23 1/6] LC *****### LW-RTD 6 Apr Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (18) [0] LC LW-RTD 6 Apr Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (18) [11 5/6] LC ### Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson, (18) [2 5/6] ##### LW x2-RTD 8 Apr Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle, (12) [1] LC SW-DOW Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (18) [14 1/3] LC *****# * = 1 Kill This Mission # = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: Fw 190 8=1 KIA, 3 Damaged, 1 to P-47, 3 to P-38(1 Ace, 2 Green) Me109 24=10 KIA, 8 Damaged, 2 to P-38, 4 Undamaged (11 Ace, 3 Green) Me 110 4=3 KIA, 1 to P-47 (2 Ace) Me 210 2=2 KIA (2 Green) Me 410 1=1 to P-38 Ju 88 4=2 KIA, 2 Damaged (1 Ace) IAR80 1=1 KIA (1 Green) 44
Claims: Only credited kills reported here Bombardier: 2LT Charles (Charlie) Martell: 2 Me 109 Navigator: Navigator: 2LT Bruce Ellison: IAR80, ½ Me 210 Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton: 4 Me 109 Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston: Fw 190, Me 110 Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson: ½ Me 110, IAR80 Tail Gunner: Sgt Douglas (Doug), Richard: 1 ½ Me 110, 5/6 Me 109
Bomb Run: DNB
B-24 Damage: Superficial x19 (38), LW x4 (8), Sw x1 (5), Tail Suit Heat Out (10), #3 Engine Out (15+25), Radio Out (10), BT Mechanism Inop (20), LT Wing Root x1 (25), Bombsight (10), Rt Wing Flap Inop (10), Instrument: Aielrons (10), BT Suit Heat Out (10), LW Gun Inop (10), Instrument: Prop Feathering (10), Autopilot: Mechanical Failure (10), Top Turret Power: Mechanical Failure (20) Peckham Points: 246 Peckham Points (-5 Landing Mod), Ac ready 11 Apr 44.
Casualties: Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton: LW-RTD 6 Apr Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson: LW-RTD 6 Apr Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson: LW x2-RTD 8 Apr Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle: SW-DOW
Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia
Awards/Promotion Requests: Engineer: TSgt Michael Newton: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf for achieving Triple Ace Status; Purple Heart Radio Operator: Sgt Daniel (Danny) Garson: Purple Heart Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Peter Carson: Purple Heart, 4th award Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Ringle: Purple Heart, posthumous
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Looks like that last pass took out #3,” 2LT Elliott Peterson informs Capt Paul Garfield.
“Feather it,” Garfield answers.
“Right,” Peterson says as he reaches for the switch. “I’ll let Danny know to inform the Squadron we’re aborting.”
“Negative,” Garfield replies. For a moment Peterson worries that his CO may opt to continue the mission alone, as they won’t be able to stay in formation on three engines with a full bomb load. Garfield’s crazy enough to try such a thing.
“Instead Grafield tells the bombardier, “Charlie, Jettison the bombs.” Turning to Peterson he explains, “We may not be able to bomb the target, but we can still lead the formation and add our guns to the supporting fire.”
Knowing there is little point I arguing with Garfield, Peterson sighs and settles in for a long flight.
Takeoff and assembly went well. He Luftwaffe showed up as briefed once we hit the enemy coast (Zone 4). A pair of 110s and a 109 made for us. The boys of the 325th chased off one bandit and we made short work of the other two, including an ace.
Near Novibazur (Zone 5) we ran into more EA, four FWs and a 109. The Jugs drove off one of the 190s, leaving us to deal with the other four bandits. While we flamed two and managed to tag the other two, we took our lumps as well, the most serious being the loss of the #3 engine, Sgt Richard’s heat going out, and Sgt Ringle taking an abdominal hit. With the loss of #3, I had to jettison the bombs in order to remain in formation and continue to lead the Squadron. Sgt Ringle was moved to the radio room and made as comfortable as possible. With not immediate enemy action expected, Sgt Richard moved to the waist for heat.
At the Bulgaria/Romania border (Zone 9), we saw some fighters forming up, but none bothered us. As we approached the Saltin-Gatia line (Zone 11) Sgt Richard moved back to man the tail gun, figuring her could withstand the cold a little while. It’s a good thing he did as it hit the fan. First up was a pair of Me 110s, an Me 109, and a Romanian IAR80. While the Romania pilot seemed pretty green, two of the Luftwaffe fighters sported plenty of kill marks. While they knocked out or radio, only the Romanian pilot made it home. Then we hit a cold spell and 2LT Martell reported the nose gun was froze solid. This was followed up by five 109s. They managed to knock out the ball turret, trapping Sgt Blaston inside, at a cost of two bandits down ands another trailing thick smoke.
Target ingress (Zone 12) started with a pair of Me 210s and a 109. While the 109 was an ace, the 210s seemed pretty green. All three bandits went down, though not before destroying the bombsight. Fortunately, with no bombs on board we didn’t need it. The second wave was occupied elsewhere and left us alone. The third attacking wave consisted of a pair of Ju 88s and an Me 109. One of the 88s got shot out of the sky and the 109 was limping for home. While heavy, the flak missed us. With no bombs to drop and his gun not working, 2LT Martell had more than enough time to brin the nose gun back into operation.
Flak on target egress was not a problem, but we came out of it into a hornet’s nest. Four 109s bore in. One Jerry hit the silk and we nagged up a couple of others. One must’ve been either crazy or very inexperienced as he almost rammed us; one of three close calls this mission. Once again, he second wave was too busy harassing others to bother us. The third wav included a pair of 88s, and a 109. Jerry was able to take out the Rt wing flap at the cost of two fighters and their crews. By now Sgt Richard was starting to feel the cold, so he moved back to the waist.
Heading back home (Zone 11), another three waves of EA struck about the time the autopilot went on the fritz. The first wave was a 190 and 109 from the Luftwaffe as well as a Romanian 109. The Romanian pilot was good, knocking out the aileron controls, the left waist gun, the O2 for the ball turret, and wounding TSgt Newton in a series of passes before we finally knocked him out of the sky. Surprisingly, the second wave again left us alone. Not so the third. Three 109s, two of them aces, hit us. They took out the prop feathering controls and wounded Sgt Carson, though not so badly that he couldn’t soldier on. While we didn’t flame any of these guys, we did send two off trailing oily smoke. From the ball turret, Sgt Blaston reported Pleasant Surprise going down. He couonted eight chutes, though one was in flames. With Sgt Blaston trapped in the ball turret and no oxygen, I had no choice but to drop out of formation and descend to angels 10.
Near Craiova (Zone 10) we Ran into a pair of 109s. By now, some Lightnings form the 1st FG found us and chased off one bandit while we made short work of the other. Being at low altitude, we did experience some ground fire, but suffered no damage.
As we crossed into Bulgaria (Zone 9) we took advantage of the temporary lull in the action to shift some ammo around as some of the guns were almost empty. Entering Yugoslavia (Zone 8) we saw some enemy fighters in the distance, but none approached. While we’d been experiencing sporadic fire form the ground, it finally had a telling effect (Zone 7), wounding Sgt Carson a second time; he’s asking if he qualifies for two Purple Hearts.
Back at the coast (Zone 4) we ran into more enemy fighters. Our personal escort of P-38s took out three of the four bandits in the first wave; a pair of FWs and an Me 410, while we made short work of the remaining 109. The Lightnings chased off the 190 and 109 that made up the second wave, and discouraging anyone form following us out over the Adriatic.
As we prepared to land the power for the top turret failed. At least it waited till now. With one engine out and no aileron controls the landing was a bit dicey, especially for Sgt Blaston trapped int eh ball turret. This is the second such landing in a row for him and I’d like the Flight Surgeon to have a talk with Sgt Blaston. Needless to say, TSgt Mason wasn’t very happy with what we did to ’his bird.’ After a thorough scolding, he tentatively promised to have Lady back in shape in about a week. Doc says that while TSgt Newton and Sgt Garson will be back on Flight Status tomorrow, Sgt Carson will require a few days of hospitalization. Unfortunately, Sgt Ringle succumbed to his injuries. That’s the third right waist gunner we’ve lost. I hope the next one isn’t superstitious.
Paul Garfield, Capt USAAF, commanding B24D Laid Back Lady 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
New Crewman: Right Waist Gunner Sgt Ralph Burgess, replacing Sgt John Ringle, DOW mission 20.
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Post by medic1 on Apr 22, 2024 9:50:13 GMT -8
B-24J DELAYED ACTION (B24J-CF-42-52242)Pilot: 1st Lt Jerry Burch Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron Low Squadron: Middle/Tail Mission Date: 5 April 1944 Mission Number: 020 Mission This Bomber: 9 Mission Target: Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage
CREW/POSITION/RANK | CURRENT MISSION | PREVIOUS CLAIMS | THIS MISSION | STRESS POINTS | STATUS | Pilot 1st Lt Jerry Burch | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank McAlister | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Bombardier 2nd Lt Terry Vickers | 9 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Navigator 2nd Lt Bret Stevenson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | RTD | Engineer S/Sgt Bart Dillon | 8 | 0 | 2.5 | 1 | RTD | R/O S/Sgt Bill Payne | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | RTD | Ball Gunner Sgt Mark Harrison | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | RTD | PWG Sgt Phil Merrick | 6 | 0 | .5 | 0 | RTD | SWG Sgt Henry Lyons | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | RTD | Tail Gunner Sgt Larry Sharp | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | LW |
Bomb Run: Off On Target: 00% B-24 Damage: 18 Hits Superficial x 3 (6) Nose x 2 -superficial (2) -bomb sight inop (10) Flight Deck x 2 -window, no effect (5) -radio inop (10) Port Wing x 3 -superficial (2) -#1 engine, superficial (20) -flap inop (10) Starboard Wing x 2 -superficial (2) -outboard fuel tank, sealed (5) Bomb Bay x 2 -superficial (2) -doors, superficial (2) Waist x 2 -superficial (2) -PWG oxygen, no effect (5) Tail x 2 -port rudder, no effect (5) gunner LW (2) Peckham Points: 90 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 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 0 | Bf-110 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | C-202 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | C-205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fw-190 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 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 | 0 | Re-2001 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | TOTALS | 18 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
Confirmed Claims: 6 S/Sgt Bart Dillon 2.5 x Bf-109 Sgt Mark Harrison 2 x Bf-109 Sgt Larry Sharp 1 x Bf-110 Sgt Phil Merrick .5 x Bf-109 Casualties: 1 Sgt Larry Sharp, torn flexor muscle. RTD 12 April 44 Award/ Promotions Requests: PH Sgt Larry Sharp AM (2nd Award) 2nd Lt Hank McAlister, Sgt Henry “Honri” Lyons promotion review - Sgt Henry “Honri” Lyons CmrCErqX1-6 Stress Points this Mission: 2 1st Lt Jerry Burch, 2nd Lt Hank McAlister, Sgt Larry Sharp
After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules): Zone 1: The weather was excellent on takeoff and we had no problems on takeoff and form up. Zone 2 – 10: Nothing to report. Zone 11: Somewhere over the Olt River area we were forced to fight off two waves of fighters. Dillon damaged a German Ace at 3 level while he put a harmless hole in the fuselage. The Ace returned at 6 low where Sharp’s twin fifties shredded a wing and the pilot bailed out safely. A 110 at 6 low was taken out by Harrison while another 109 was also damaged by our defensive fire.
The 2nd wave consisted of two 109 with one claimed but denied at interrogation. Zone 12: At the IP the sky was filled with bombers and fighters, but we somehow were ignored by the Krauts. Pleasant Surprise fell out of formation with two engines out and we were the closet to the formations rear and took over the duty, despite the crews grumbling. I couldn’t blame them as we were giving the flak gunners a longer look to find our range.
The old saying “the flak was thick enough to walk on” didn’t do justice to the seemingly solid carpet tossed up by Jerry. Just a few feet in front of my windshield a shell exploded. I grabbed my chest automatically, then looked at my hands in fear expecting them to be covered with blood – while at that moment feeling no physical pain. There was no sign of blood on my hands. I doubted what I saw and looked down to my chest. No blood. I looked at McAlister. He was okay and hard at work helping hold us in formation. As closely as the flak exploded it made no sense to not have done a great deal of damage, but there wasn’t even a nick or mark on the windshield. The only effect it had was on my mind, which was wholly devoted to trying to protect myself. It was then that I noticed a gaping hole in the left side of the ship large enough to pass a basketball through- right next to my foot!
Then we were rocked by more explosions as the flak units seemingly found our range. The number one engine was hit but continued to function without a hiccup, and outboard fuel tank was ruptured thankfully self sealed, and we took hits in the nose and waist as well.
Between the flak knocking us silly, smudge pots on the ground as well as smoke rising from hits caused by other bombers, we missed the target miserably and turned for the rally point.
INBOUND
Next Objective took over the lead as Laid Back Lady left formation. This mission was taking its toll on the 78th! While the flak was still brutal, we took only a hit to a rudder that didn’t have any effect on its operation. Fighters eagerly awaited us beyond it in three waves, the first containing three 109.
An ace at 10:30 high was damaged by Dillon, throwing off his aim and he peeled off for parts unknown. Sharp kayoed another at 6 high but the third at 12 high hit us for three that seemed to do no major damage. The fighter came back for another try but nothing came of it.
Another five 109 came in to take their place with two at 3 high and low, one at 6 level and another two at 9 high and low. During this heated battle we damaged several of the fighters and down three, although one was denied later.
The third wave had two 190 and a climbing 110. Although the 6:00 bandit was damaged, he walked hits up and down the fuselage destroying the bomb site, radio, and wounding Sharp in the tail. He returned at 4:30 and was shot down by Dillon, who also had this claim denied. Zone 11: We were forced to defend ourselves again from three 109, damaging two of them while the third on our tail blew off the port wing flap and struck the starboard wing as well. Circling around and attacking from 9 high, the 109 was tagged team by Dillon and Merrick who raked it with fire and sent it down in flames. Zone 10-2: Nothing to report. Zone 1: We managed to land ok and taxied to our hard stand where an ambulance was waiting for Sharp. He'll be fine after a week of working this charm on a nurse at the hospital.
We took a bit of a beating on this one. Adding insult to injury, we missed the target!
The ground crew is already hard at work getting Delayed Action ready for the next mission.
1st Lt Jerry Burch, Pilot Commanding, 78th BS, 509 BG, 15th AF 1-6
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tomt1999
80 Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 142
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Post by tomt1999 on Apr 22, 2024 12:13:16 GMT -8
Mission #: 020Mission Date: 5 April 1944 Target: Ploesi Cmdr: 1LT Thomas MarzAircraft: Little Green Men Aircraft: B-17G-20BO-42-31571 Group/Squadron: 509/ 80CREW1LT Thomas Marz - Pilot 2LT William Smith - Bombardier 2LT Charles Smith - Navigator TSGT James Hensley - Engineer SSGT Walter Stroud - Radio Op SGT Wellington Adelbert Finfrock KIA - Ball Gunner SGT John Neal KIA - Port Waist SGT Andrew Brush KIA - Starb Waist SGT Bertram Gilliam - Tail Gunner BOMBING ON TARGET 50%CASUALTIES 2LT Alfred Tucker thigh cut, 1 day recuperation SGT Wellington Adelbert Finfrock KIA - hit in forehead with flak fragment. SGT John Neal KIA - hit in chest, ruptured aorta, bled out. SGT Andrew Brush KIA - hit in stomach, ruptured intestines.AWARDS Order of the Purple Heart:2LT Alfred Tucker Order of the Purple Heart (posthumous):SGT Wellington Adelbert Finfrock SGT John Neal SGT Andrew Brush CLAIMS 1x FW190 - 2LT Charles Smith (1)DAMAGEUnrepairable, Cat-E283 Peckham Points as follows:
- BIP 100
- Engine hit 15
- Engine #4 out 25
- waist oxygen out 10
- waist guns out 20
- waist heaters out (x3) 30
- ball guns out 20
- port wings 2x superficial 2
- pilot comp 1x superficial 1
- radio out 10
- radio oxygen out 10
- tail oxygen out 10
- KIA (x3) 30
ENEMY A/C 4x FW190, 1 DAM, 1 DEST 3x Me109 1x Me109 Ro AARA rough mission for us. We lost three crew members and another wounded. In terms of "war effort", we dropped ON target for 50% before the you-know-what hit the fan. An uneventful approach to the target was interrupted by the #4 engine running away. It was able to be feathered. We boosted power to the other three engines to keep in formation. The flak missed us before our bomb run. And plastered us after. Four shell hits including a burst-inside-plane that nearly tore off the tail of the aircraft (from what I saw after we landed). It did kill both waist gunners, SGT John Neal of Millbourne, Penna. and SGT Andrew Brush of Webster, New Hampshire. In addition, ball gunner SGT Wellington Adelbert Finfrock of Omega, Georgia was also killed at this time. As soon as we cleared the inbound flak, the fighters got in on us. Without our waist and ball guns, we were unable to do more than one hit on one a/c, but it shot up our radio and lightly wounded 2LT Alfred Tucker, the co-pilot. Unable to hold formation, we dropped down to about 9000 feet, holding our breath in hoping the ship stayed together and the fighters forgot about us. Incredibly, most of the way back they did, when, after a couple of strange gremlins (three random events in a row), three 109s dropped down on us from on high. The chin gunner, Navigator 2LT Charles Smith, destroyed one coming in at 12:00 High at this time. As we were circling the base, the decision was made to land rather than bail, even though the ship was badly shot up. If I had known how badly at that time, I would've ordered abandon ship. It is a miracle the tail stayed on at all when I put her down. Still, she's Cat-E. And we need three new crew members. 1LT Thomas Marz
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ChefEd
78th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 471
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Post by ChefEd on Apr 22, 2024 13:00:07 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: 5 APR 1944 Mission Number: 20 This Aircraft: 4 Target: Ploesti, Romania, Marshalling Yards / Oil Storage CrewPosition | Rank / Name | Mission | Kills | Awards | Status | Stress | Pilot | 2nd Lt Mylo Boyle | 4 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Co-Pilot | 2nd Lt Jaiden Frye | 4 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 1 | Navigator / NT | 2nd Lt Abdullah Kane | 4 | 2 | 0 | RTD | 1 | Bombardier | 2nd Lt Enrique Hyde | 4 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Engineer | S/Sgt Magnus Matthews | 4 | 1 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Radio Op / Rt Waist | T/Sgt Gael Deadmon | 4 | 0 | 0 | RTD | 0 | NT / Rt Waist | T/3rd Blake Stanton | 4 | 1 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Ball Turret | T/3rd Nigel Harrell | 4 | 2 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Left Waist / NT | T/4th Erik Templeton | 4 | 0.5 | 0 | RTD | 0 | Tail Gunner | T/3rd Miles Rowland | 4 | 0.5 | 0 | RTD | 0 | | | | | | | | Crew Chief | S/Sgt Josia Stanton | 16 | | | Skill +0 | |
Bomb Run: On Target, 50 %Casualties: None Damage: Radio Out 10 Engine HIT 1X 15 Left Aileron Out 10 Right Wing Root 1X 25 Left Elevator Out 10 Aileron Controls Out 10 Superficial 3X 3 Peckham Points: 83 Peckham Pints, One (1) day(s) to repair Landing: Safe Enemy Aircraft:Type | Encountered | Driven Off | Damaged | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Fw-190 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Me-110 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Me-210 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | IAR80 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claims:Position | Claimed | Awarded | Probable | Top | 2 | 1 | 0 | Navigator | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Awards: None Promotions: None AFTER ACTION REPORTLt Hyde must eat more than his fair share of carrots. In four missions he has averaged 50% on target. The man should be teaching bombing. We didn’t face as many enemy fighters as we anticipated, but those that we tangled with gave us quite the scrap. Of the twelve enemy fighters we faced, one went uncontested, four were driven off, and the rest left humbled or shot down. That being said, we did not come out unscathed, though we did emerge without injury. In the final tally, we had our radio knocked out, the ailerons rendered useless, one elevator damaged, a wing root hit, one engine hit, and a lot of aeration in the fuselage, particularly from the flak. Submitted by, 2Lt Mylo Boyle, Pilot B-17G Sunny Side Up 80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF
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GaryK
79th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 236
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Post by GaryK on Apr 22, 2024 14:21:48 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).
Sharp intakes of breath all round when the target for this mission was revealed. Everyone has heard about the disastrous Liberator raid last year from Libya. At least we are closer here, and there is a lot less enemy territory we will be flying across, and we have fighters now that can see us almost all the way there and back.
Mission: Nothing much to tell on the way out to the target. A few fighters shaped up to attack us as we crossed from Bulgaria into Romania, but the escorts did their job and saw them off.
The fun started just before the target, with a FW190 coming directly down on us, and our first view of an FAR aircraft – an Me109 – low in our 1030 area. Nobody could hit the FW (and he failed to hit us), but Crawford smashed the 109, which went down in flames.
A group of five 190s quickly took their place all around us, as we were now out of our escorts’ range. Walcott clipped the one in our 1030 with the cheek gun, but not fatally. However, cheers from Middleton and Haley signalled the demise of the bandits off our port side, and behind us.
The three remaining enemies all missed, and then repositioned themselves ahead of us, high and low, with the third low in our 130 position. Our gunners were less effective this time, with only one managing to damage the 190 ahead and above us.
We paid the price – a fusillade of shots hit us, with reports from all around the plane. Most urgent was Mack’s call from the nose area: “Fire! Fire in the nose!!” The only other immediate damage was Middleton’s report of his left waist gun being out of action.
Mack soon came back on the com, stating that the fire was out, but neither he, nor Walcott, had any O2 feed. I ordered him back to the radio room, after transferring all of the walk-round bottles to Walcott to allow us to stay in formation until after the target. All of the remaining bandits broke away for home, with Haley missing an opportunity shot at one as it did so.
Moving into the target zone, two more 190s engaged us – one from directly above, the other high in our 1030. Neither them, nor us, managed any contact, and the one at 1030 moved to low off our 130. This time, Crawford was on target again, causing the left wing to separate and the pilot to go down with his plane.
The flak was like a black curtain ahead of us, as it opened up during our closing with the oil storage area. Again, we took multiple hits, but the only noticeable damage was Southey’s report that the radio was now unserviceable.
Despite the heavy cloud below us, Walcott reckoned that he had a solid fix on the target, and we soon joined the group in the tight turn for home, with the flak again giving us something to remember it by, with a few more inconsequential holes in the plane.
Moving clear of the flak, we were joined by two FW190s – one level ahead of us, the other high off our right side – plus an Me210, high behind us. Both 190s were hit, but pressed their attacks. These missed, so they headed off home. Haley managed to destroy the 210’s fin and rudder, causing it to spiral out of control. No chutes were seen.
Just as we thought we were clear, bombs exploded in our formation, with some serious damage to our right wing, but the plane was still responding to the controls.
Unable to use the radio to inform the formation of our predicament, I waggled the wings a few times, and began the descent to ten thousand feet before Walcott ran out of oxygen bottles.
At this low level, we were dodging flak every few minutes. In addition, the first bogeys engaged us near Craiova – two FWs and a 109. With our fighters back with us, they dealt with the 190 approaching from our 1030 area, but the other was a vertical attack. This – amazingly – was destroyed by Southey using the radio room gun, and the 109 was taken out by Walcott on the chin turret.
Just after entering Bulgarian airspace, we were hit by flak. No serious damage, but Sanford reported that his heated suit had failed, which at this altitude, wasn’t a problem.
The flak got us again a few miles later, with yells then coming from Middleton, in the waist area, before he cut his mic. I sent Southey back to see what was happening, and a minute or two passed before Sanford came on to tell us that it looked like Middleton had a shrapnel wound in his left calf. It had probably broken a bone, as he couldn’t stand. As his gun was already out of action, I told Southey to take him back to the radio room, in case he later needed help if we had to bail out.
We managed to avoid any more flak, and bogeys, until we were heading out over the Yugoslavian coast. Another two FW190s came in on us, with one of them in yet another vertical dive attack, the other high ahead of us. He was joined at our level by a 109, before the escorts chased him off.
Walcott missed the 109, and Mitchell failed to hit the diving 190. Southey’s luck ran out as he reported his gun jamming. The 190 dove away, while the 109 smashed some shots into us before moving to our 130 high, with Haley missing the shot at it as it repositioned. Sanford called in that he had been hit, but it was only a scratch on his face. Only Mitchell was able to damage our remaining enemy, who pushed his second attack, but missed us totally. He then dove away back towards Yugoslavia.
Southey reported that Middleton was comfortable, and appeared fine, other than his damaged leg. I got Mitchell to fire off red and yellow flares as we entered final approach to Giulia. Ryland went through the pre-landing checklist, but when he selected the gear down, we had a red tailwheel warning. I warned Haley that it was going to get noisy back there once we touched down. We also got no movement on the flaps when they were selected to the landing position, along with a red warning light. I alerted the whole crew to the fact that we were coming in faster than normal, and this could be a bumpy landing. However, with Mitchell on the engines, plus Ryland and I communicating well, we touched down and taxied in without incident.
There was some cheering as we turned off the runway, having survived our trickiest mission so far.
We were met by an ambulance at the hardstanding, and the medics took Middleton and Sanford away with them, despite the latter’s protestations about his injury. They reckoned it needed proper cleaning and probably a stitch or two.
Sgt. Warwick was unhappy at the damage to ‘his’ plane, but happy to see us all back, even with the injuries to a couple. He reckons that it will take a couple of days to get the Patch back together.
A much more serious test than previously, and a notable mission in which we wave goodbye to our ‘rookie’ status. Air Medals all round, apart from Mack, of course, plus Purple Hearts for Middleton and Sanford. Some bad news about the former – it turned out that the shrapnel had fractured his left fibula, so he is grounded until the second week of next month. I will contact S-1 and get a replacement until Middleton can re-join us.
A few drinks to unwind after our toughest mission so far were taken in good cheer, as Middleton’s leg will be ok in just over a month, and Sanford’s injury just needed cleaning in the end. However, I do not want to spend that length of time at low level again, as it is like betting against the house – eventually, the house always wins.
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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Post by kageyone on Apr 22, 2024 23:24:27 GMT -8
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Post by Grondeaux on Apr 23, 2024 6:04:02 GMT -8
B-24J Maiden America II78th Bombardment Squadron Bomber Position: Low squadron, middle Mission Date: 5 April 1944 Mission #: 20 Aircraft Mission #: 2 Target: Marshaling yard/oil storage, Ploesti, Romania Crew at Mission StartPosition | Rank | Name | Missions | Credits | Stress | Awards | Notes | Pilot | 1LT
| Schuyler King
| 2 |
| 1 |
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| Copilot | 2LT
| Stanley Heath
| 0 |
| 0 |
| Replacement | Bombardier | 2LT | Arthur Dodd | 2 |
| 1 |
| | Navigator | 2LT | Vincent Jenkins
| 2 |
| 0 |
| | Nose Turret Gunner | SGT | Willie Wilkins | 3 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Replacement | Flight Engineer | TSGT | Samuel Ellison
| 2 | 1 | 2 | PH |
| Ball Turret Gunner | SGT | Milton Egan | 2 | 0.5 | 0 |
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| Left Waist Gunner | SGT | Leroy Glass | 2 |
| 0 |
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| Right Waist Gunner | SSGT | Claude Weiss
| 2 |
| 0 |
| Replacement | Tail Turret Gunner | SGT | Theodore Casey
| 2 |
| 0 |
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Crew Chief: SSGT Nicholas Otto (50 skill points; roll every third zone) Bomb Run: On target, 50% Casualties: 1LT Schuyler King, KIA 2LT Stanley Heath, POW 2LT Arthur Dodd, KIA 2LT Vincent Jenkins, POW SGT Willie Wilkins, POW TSGT Samuel Morrison, POW SGT Milton Egan, POW SGT Leroy Glass, POW SSGT Claude Weiss, POW SGT Theodore Casy, POW Attackers: 15
| Spotted | Destroyed | Damaged | Driven off by Escort | ME-109 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | FW-190 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ME-110 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Claims: none Credits: none Award/Promotion Requests: none In Hospital/Recovery: none Aircraft Damage: Aircraft lost. 272 Peckham points when abandoned (burst in plane x 1, control cables x 2, left aileron, right aileron, bomb release mechanism, rubber rafts, bomb bay doors, backup hydraulic pump, wing fuel tank, navigator’s equipment, bombardier oxygen, left flap (n/e), right waist machine gun, elevator controls, landing gear controls x 2, 1 x serious wound, 21 x superficial) AFTER ACTION REPORT – Using TFT (Variants used: TFT Axis Fighter Aircraft Add-on Module, Jasta 6’s Table 5-3 Placement Variant, Variant Tables for Take-Off and Mechanical Failure, Bruce Peckham’s German Fighter Pilots variant, Fuel Tank Fires, Seriously Wounded Bail Out, On the Subject of Bombs, my variation to Nolan Bryant’s Crew Chiefs, Combat Fatigue, Chris Riches’ Enhanced Fighter Attacks (Simple Version), Timothy Smith’s Victory Claims variant ----------------------------------------------------- Maiden America II’s second and final mission was beset by problems. The copilot fainted from lack of oxygen in Zone 8 outbound, but he revived. Both ball turret guns were jammed. She was attacked by three ME-110 nachtjagers in Zone 11. Among the many hits they inflicted was one to the wing fuel tank which began losing fuel at a prodigious rate. The navigator calculated the aircraft would reach the target, barely. Heavy opposition continued over Ploesti with attacks by multiple enemy fighters and with flak damage received during the bombing run. After the bombing run and now running on fumes, Maiden America II turned for home and had a flak shell burst in the now-empty bomb bay. It immediately fell out of formation. LT Schuyler rang the bailout bell and the crew abandoned ship. Eight crew were able to parachute to safety and were quickly rounded up and sent to PoW camp. LT Schuyler and 2LT Dodd were lost. (Of 15 attacking fighters, four were Experten and one an Ace. Only one Novice.)
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Post by limburger59 on Apr 23, 2024 11:38:53 GMT -8
B-24D: KIPLING’S ERROR Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group Low Squadron - Middle MISSION DATE: 5 APR 44 MISSION #: 20 TARGET: Ploesti, Romania
“Cursed…”
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Everet Galloway (3) Co-Pilot: 2LT Andrew Doherty (3) Navigator: 2LT Forrest "Candy Man" Sweet (3) Bombardier: 2LT Vernon Gray (4) Engineer/TT: S/SGT Thomas Walton (3) [2] Radio Op: S/SGT John Gallows (4) Ball Turret: SGT Jason Ash (5) [1] Right Waist: SGT Woodrow "Woody" Neal (5) Left Waist: SGT Gerald "Jerry" Rodgers (2) Tail Gunner: SGT Jonny Tinney (2) [.5]
Bomb Run: DNB – Mission Aborted over Yugoslavia
Casualties: SGT Gerald Rodgers – LW - RTD 8 APR 44
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2) PWG Light Wound x1 (2) Tail Heat out (10) Mechanical Failure – Oil Leak #2 engine (25) + FIRE (total) Mechanical Failure – Oil Leak #1 engine (25)
Peckham Points: Total
Disposition: Down in Flames
Attackers: 8 6x Bf-109: 1 Probable, 1 Damaged, 3 Driven Off 2x Bf-110: 1 Damaged
TOTALS: Confirmed Destroyed = 0, Probables or Denied = 0, Damaged = 2, Driven Off by Escort = 3
Awards: Purple Heart: SGT Gerald Rodgers Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Jason Ash, SGT Woodrow Neal
AFTER ACTION REPORT : QOTS Variant for B-24
Spare crew assigned to a Spare Bomber
The #2 engine sputtered on takeoff. It gave us a heart attack but after a few seconds it roared into life and lifted us over the end of the runway. It was a premonition…
Four 109s lined up to make a run at us in Zone 4. Three got past the escort, missed us, and kept going; one with a number of .50 caliber holes in it.
In Zone 5, a couple 110s avoided our Little Friends. We hit one and the other hit us harder, wounding SGT Rodgers and knocking out the heat for our Tail Gunner. I moved SGT Tinney to the Flight Deck, planning to return him to the Tail once we reached the Target Zone.
In Zone 8, engine #2 sprung an oil leak, which wouldn’t stop. I shut down engine #2, jettisoned our bombs, and turned for home. It was tempting to stay with the formation, but between running on three engines, no heat in the tail, and 200 miles before the 509th reached Ploesti, aborting the mission while still over Yugoslavia. One benefit to turning around was that our escort was nearing the extremes of their range, so they were starting to turn around too. Another benefit was that descending to 10,000 feet allowed our Tail Gunner to return to his station.
In Zone 7 a 109 shadowed us for a few minutes until our Little Friends jumped him.
In Zone 6 engine #1 sprung an oil leak! Now we were down to two engines, crawling through the skies. Fortunately a couple P-47s were able to stick with us, which discouraged a lone 109 which showed up in Zone 3.
Due to our slowed speed, we reached Zone 1 only twenty minutes before the formation. With our bomber struggling with two engines out on the same wing I decided to fire up engine #2 again just for the landing. Unfortunately “fire up” was not a figure of speech, as the engine soon caught fire, spreading to the wing. We were at 3000 feet so I rang the bail out alarm and pointed the B-24 away from the base. Everyone got out safely, and as we floated to earth we watched Kipling’s Error explode.
Kipling's Error should have been named simply "Error". She was cursed...
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Post by kozzackkelt on Apr 23, 2024 16:28:11 GMT -8
B-17G: PRIDE OF MANITOWOC (B-17G-4923SL-43- 23186) Pilot: 2LT. Tomasz Gadzynski Missions for this bomber: 6 Squadron: 80th Formation/Position: Middle - Mission Date: 5 April 1944 Mission Number: 20 Target: Ploesti, Romania / Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage
CREW (missions) {StressPts} E/A Wounds Pilot: 2LT. Tomasz Gadzynski (6) {1} KIA Co-Pilot: 2Lt. James McCoy (6) {} KIA Bombardier: 2Lt. Gregory Floros (6) {1} [B%: 20-40-30-60-7 -O] [+] KIA Navigator: 2Lt. Michael Quintin Stephenson (6) {2} [-] KIA Engineer: Sgt. David Russell (6) {1} [+-] KIA Radio Operator: Sgt. Barry Manchester (6) {} POW. Liberated May 1945 Ball Turret: Sgt. Steve Cole (6) {1} KIA PWG: Sgt. Lorenzo Manicotti (6) {} KIA SWG: Sgt. Tom Murphy (4) {} KIA Tail Gunner: Sgt. Evely Caliberi (2) {} KIA
BOMB RUN: D. N. B.: 0%
PRIDE OF MANITOWOC hit by flak on approach to target. Flying in the center of the 80th Middle formation, several adjacent aircraft saw the flak hit to the pilot compartment. PRIDE OF MANITOWOC was seen nosing down, and only a single parachute was observed from the stricken bomber.
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 151
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Post by rhreiss on Apr 23, 2024 18:05:59 GMT -8
509th BG, 15AF Mission 20 Ploesti, Romania - Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage MISSION DATE: 5 April 44 B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #17) Crew Commander: 1LT George McQuinn Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle TARGET: Marshalling Yard / Oil Storage Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Prior Kills Awarded | Status | Pilot | 1LT | George McQuinn | 19 | AM++ |
| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | Howard Mills | 15 | AM+ |
| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Johnny Marcum | 19 | AM++ | .25 | RFD
| Navigator | 2LT | Pat Tobin | 19 | AM++ | .25 | RFD
| Engineer | S/SGT | Sam Harshaney | 16 | AM++, PH | 5.83 | RFD | Radio/ RW | T/SGT | John Whitehead | 19 | AM++ | 1.37 | KIA | Ball Gunner | SGT | Bill Trotter | 19 | AM++, PH | 3.03 | RFD
| Left Waist | SGT | Harry Kimberlin | 19 | AM++ | 2 | RFD
| Nose Gunner | SGT | Tommy Thompson | 14 | AM+ | 5.08 | RFD
| Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Short | 19 | AM++ | 1.16 | RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (The Dedicated) skill +1 19th mission Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure rolls during this mission. Bomb Percentage: On-target, 20% Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repairs and maintenance. Bomber Damage: Superficial Damage X 3 6 T/SGT Whitehead KIA 10 Right Wing No effect 5 Ball Turret Gunner heat out 10 Peckham Points: 31 Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 14
| Me109 | Fw190 | Me110 | Me210 | Me410
| Ju88C-6 | TOTAL | Escort Intercept | 3 | 3 | | | | | 6 | Undamaged |
| | | | | | | Damaged
| 1 |
| 1 | | | | 2 | Probable/Denied
| 1 | | | | | | 1 | Destroyed | 1 | 1 | 3 | | | | 5 |
Casualties: T/SGT Whitehead KIA Claims: S/SGT Harshaney Me109 Shared 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded S/SGT Harshaney Me110 Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit S/SGT Harshaney Fw190 Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson Me109 Denied SGT Thompson Me110 Full Credit Awarded SGT Trotter & SGT Short Me110 Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit Awards: T/SGT Whitehead Purple Heart Air Medal 2LT Howard Mills
AAR This was a tough mission for the entire group. Even though we didn’t have much damage to the Bama Beauty, we lost our senior NCO T/SGT Whitehead. He was a leader looked up to by the rest of the enlisted crew and respected by myself and other officers. His loss has hit the crew hard.
OUTBOUND With the good weather we took off and joined the formation without any problem. Once over Yugoslavia a pair of Me109s attacked. A jug from the 325th took care of one and Sam turned the other into a fireball. As we neared Novibazur area a Fw190 was seen off by the boys from the 325th. After that nothing until the jugs had to turn back and we were in the Slatina-Gratia area. First a trio of Me110s attacked Sam and Tommy each claimed a kill on the two attacking from our front and Dave claimed the one at our six. They were followed by a Fw190 whose wing was shot up by Sam with a chute observed. Finally just before the target area a pair of Me110s tried their luck, damaged one which missed us and Bill and Dave shot the second one up with a chute observed.
TARGET AREA Once in the target area, rockets were fired into our formation, one bursting near us but no damage. The flak on bomb run was heavy but effective. While Johnny was on-target, it was assessed as only 20% effective. On the way to the IP the flak continued to be heavy and the gunners had found our altitude. We were hit multiple times, about half of them for superficial damage, a hit on the right wing, as we found out later taking out heat to the ball turret, and shrapnel hitting out radio operator T/SGT Whitehead in the head killing him. As we reformed at the RP a Fw190 and a Romanian Me109 attacked at our 12 and 1. Sam and Tommy each did enough damage to their target that both fighters missed us and broke off the attack.
INBOUND We started back Bill reported that he has lost heat in the ball turret, and bombers with damage started leaving the formation to drop down to lower altitudes. I decided to join them. Once down to under 10,000 feet we could see Laid Back Lady & Pleasant Surprise from our squadron along with Irascible Girl from the 79th. Shortly after that the boys from the 1FG showed up and some of them were paying attention to those of us at the lower altitudes. A flight or 4 Me109s tried to attack us and our little friends intercepted three of them. Sam and Tommy turned the fourth one into a fireball. Shortly before we got to the Adriatic coast our escorts took out a pair of Fw190 that tried to attack. We circled the field while those with wounded abord landed in front of us until there was a break in traffic. We had good landing at Giulia Airfield. The crew gathered round as John’s body was removed. T/SGT Patrick says we will be ready to go after overnight repair and maintenance.
1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding B-24J Bama Beauty 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF
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Post by kageyone on Apr 23, 2024 21:28:13 GMT -8
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Post by kageyone on Apr 24, 2024 22:18:52 GMT -8
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Post by limburger59 on Apr 25, 2024 11:40:18 GMT -8
B-17F THE LOST ANGEL Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group High Squadron – Middle MISSION DATE: 5 April 44 MISSION # 20 TARGET: Ploesti, Romania
CREW from the Spare Pool Position – Rank (Current Mission) Pilot: 1LT Arnold Michael (2) PH Co-Pilot: 2LT Joseph Goodman (2) Navigator: Casey "Kick" Stand (4) Bombardier: 2LT Daniel "Hatchee" Coloosa (5) DFC Engineer/TT: S/SGT Sterling "Jazz" Nelson (3) [1] Radio Op: S/SGT Clinton Watt (6) AM Ball Turret: SGT Stanley Kendall (6) AM PH Right Waist: SGT Amir "Charlie" Sexton (5) Left Waist: SGT Dilbert "Tarheel" Swensen (1) Tail Gunner: SGT Charles Travis (5) [1]
Bomb Run: On Target 20%
Casualties: None
B-17 Damage: Superficial x9 (9) Structural N/E x3 (30) #3 Engine superficial (20) Radio destroyed (10) Port Brake out (10)
Peckham Points: 79
Disposition: Barely lands safely due to loss of port-side brake
Attackers: 10 2x FW-190: 1 Probable, 1 Driven Off 6x Bf-109: 1 Destroyed, 1 Probable, 1 Damaged, 2 Driven Off 1x Bf-110: untouched 1x ME-410: untouched Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 1 Confirmed, Probables = 2, Damaged = 1, Driven Off by Escort = 3
Award/Promotion Requests: Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Daniel Coloosa, SGT Amir Sexton, SGT Charles Travis
AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):
A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen
Outbound, we were spectators as the defensive prowess of both our escort and the gunners on other bombers kept the Luftwaffe away.
The Target Zone was a different story. We faced enemy fighters both coming and going, and all damage was suffered in the Target Zone. Our gunners hit four of the seven bandits, destroying one.
Returning to Italy we watched our escort run off all three bandits that took an unhealthy interest in us.
As we touched down in Italy we had a wild ride when we discovered that the port brake wasn’t working.
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