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Post by blaird on Jul 26, 2019 16:11:43 GMT -8
Good morning. I would like to join the campaign for the next game of B-17:QOTS/Target for Today that was posted in the AH Game Players Facebook Group. My name is Ed Kowynia. I play B-17:QOTS and am looking for a copy of TfT. Excited for the chance to join and play. Bomber name: "Bombing Betty" Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski Tail Gunner: Dallas Rodgers Please let me know any additional information you may need. Thanks, Ed |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron 
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Post by eddie on Jul 29, 2019 11:17:09 GMT -8
Mission 1 AAR for "Bombing Betty", 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Formation position: bomber stream Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 40% Bomber Damage Sustained: Stbd Wing Aileron inop, additional superficial hits to Stbd Wing, multiple superficial hits to tail, superficial hits to cockpit. (Peckham A/C=15 pts, Crew=2 pts, Total 17 pts) Crew Casualties Sustained: Stbd. Waist Gunner, Sgt. Kowolowski, Rt. Arm. Light wound (flak). Enemy Aircraft Claims: Me-109 credit to Top Turret, M.Sgt. Lee, confirmed by 1st Lt. Herman FW-190 credit to Ball Turret, Sgt. Hamilton, confirmed by Sgt. Kowolowski and Sgt. White. We took off and entered the "bomber stream" without incident. Regular course checks by 2Lt. Hoffman and constant monitoring of systems saw us to the target zone without incident. Once we entered the target zone nearing the oilfields, we were attacked by 2 FW-190 type fighters. Fire against the fighter at 10:30 Hi was ineffective. He made one pass at us, missed, and was gone. The 190 approaching from 3 Level was fired on by both the top and ball turrets as well as the waist position, tracers indicated our Ball Gunner scored direct hits to the engine of the fighter which exploded approximately 250 yards out. Waist and radio confirmed the tracer sightings and damage. Several flak hits were sustained as we started the bomb run with one tearing away the Starboard aileron. Additional superficial hits were sustained in the tail and one piece of shrapnel injured Stbd. Waist Gunner Sgt, Kowolowski in the right arm. Sgt. Terry was able to get a bandage on the arm and Sgt. Kowolowski was able to continue at his waist position. Sgt. Terry reported the wound as "minor." Bombardier placed approximately 40% of the bombs into the target area and we changed course to the return leg vector point. Additional superficial flak hits to the starboard wing were sustained on egress. Once clear of the target area, we encountered enemy fighters near Crete. Several Me-109s attacked and fire from the crew was ineffective. None of the fighters were able to hit the ship and they must have been low on fuel as they did not make any additional passes. Approximately 400 miles from base we were attacked again, this time by two Me-109's. Our fighter cover chased one off, the other attacked from 1:30 Hi putting several shells into the cockpit but luckily, all hits were superficial. On a return pass from 9 Level, M.Sgt. Lee fired a long burst from the Top Turret that tore the wing from the fighter and it went down. I witnessed from the #1 side cockpit window. We landed without incident and our Crew Chief reports he will have "Betty" ready for the next mission. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1639/mission-001-ploesti-romania#ixzz5v5zjIxJF |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Aug 19, 2019 19:32:47 GMT -8
Mission 2 AAR Mission Date: 15 June, 1942 Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Middle Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #2) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #2) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #2) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #2) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #2) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #2) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #2) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #2) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #2) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #2) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 60% Bomb result #11 Ship hit, dead in the water, listing (sinks on attempted return to Italy) Bomber Damage Sustained: Radio – out; Stbd Elevator – Inop; Stbd Wing, Outboard fuel tank – leaking (6 zones); Port Wing, #2 Engine – Out, (Prop feathered); Port Wing, Aileron – out; Superficial hits to both wings, nose, cockpit, and tail. (Peckham A/C=83 pts, Crew=2 pts, Total 85 pts) RAF Mechanics can make repairs to most systems overnight. They are not sure they have engine parts for our #2 so we may have to fly it back to base on three engines. We should be able to return to Fayid within the week. Crew Casualties Sustained: Tail Gunner, Sgt. Rodgers, Face laceration. Light wound (flak); RTD 1 day. Enemy Aircraft Claims: FW-190 credit to Top Turret, M.Sgt. Lee, confirmed by 1st Lt. Herman. We took off and formed up without incident. Approximately 700 miles from the target area, SE of Crete, we were jumped by several FW-190’s (Zone 5). Fighter cover, even though near the end of their range, got after them and we did not have to fire a shot. 450 miles from the target, about 100 miles SW of Crete a FW-190 came at us from 10:30 high, and an ME-110 climbed straight towards us from the deck (Zone 8). Our top turret thinks he hit the 190 but it kept on its attack. It fired at us, missed, and broke off on a banking turn to the far side of the formation. Our ball gunner fired at the Me-110 but missed. The 110 fired and put several shells through the radio room, one right through the radio. The 110 turned and reattacked from the front of the “Betty”. We fired and missed and so did our enemy. He broke off after that pass. Our radioman, Sgt. White said he would relay any needed information to a neighboring bomber using the blinker light and morse code. About 100 miles farther on (Zone 9), we were attacked by FW-190s again. This time three made it through to us, all attacking from the front. We opened up on all of them but missed all three. One at 10:30 fired ineffectively and went looking for another target. The one attacking from 12 Hi put several shells into the bomb bay! We thought we were gone for sure but the bombs did not detonate. The one attacking from 1:30 high put several shells through the tail and shot away a large part of the Stbd Elevator. It is inoperative. They re-attacked at 10:30 Level and 12 Hi. We could not hit the 10:30 plane, but he did not hit us either and flew off. Our Top, MSgt. Lee put a long burst into him, flamed his engine and he went down. We did not see a parachute. Several flak hits were sustained as we started towards the bomb run with one hit tearing away the port aileron. A piece of shrapnel went into the outboard fuel tank on the stbd wing and we had a pretty bad fuel leak that would not seal. It would force us to divert and we were hoping to be able to make it back towards Fayid but another close in flak burst caused a failure of our #2 engine. We were able to feather the prop but with the fuel leak and now an engine gone, 2nd Lt. Elliott and I made the decision to head to Malta after we dropped the bombs. Additional superficial flak hits were sustained in the tail, nose and cockpit. One piece of shrapnel injured Tail Gunner Sgt. Rodgers. He said it hit him the face below his eye but he was all right and would bandage it himself and could continue at his position. Our Bombardier, 2nd Lt. Davis said most of our bombs landed near a cruiser sized ship, most likely a warship but he was unable to identify it, and that it was slowing rapidly and probably dead in the water. It looked like it was listing over as well but was hard to tell. (Ship result #11). Our Navigator, 2nd Lt. Hoffman, got us a vector to Malta and we flew there with no further enemy sighted. We landed in Malta, a little dicey with no elevator and aileron, but we got her down safe. RAF mechanics think they can have us on our way tomorrow but we may need to transit back on three engines as they do not think they have the right parts for our engine. The RAF flight surgeon, Major Bootheby, indicated Sgt. Rodgers wound was minor and he would be fine to return to us with a bandage over it to help prevent frostbite and his oxygen mask from affecting the wound. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1646/mission-002-italian-fleet-sea#ixzz5x6ncXY1d |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Aug 19, 2019 19:55:31 GMT -8
Mission 3 AAR Mission Date: 26 June, 1942 Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Tail Bomber - Middle Squadron "Tail End Charlie" Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #3) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #3) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #3) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #3) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #3) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #3) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #3) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #3) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #3) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #3) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 30% Bomber Damage Sustained: None (Peckham points = 0) Crew Casualties Sustained: None Enemy Aircraft Claims: Me-110 credit to Ball Turret, Sgt. Hamilton, confirmed by 2nd Lt. Davis, Me-109 credit to Tail Gun, Sgt. Rodgers, confirmed by Sgt. White. We took off easily and formed up without incident. Approximately 100 miles from the target area, still over the Med and outside of our fighter cover zone, we were attacked by a FW-190 at 10:30 High, a Me 110 in a vertical climb from the front of our aircraft, and a Me-109 from 6 High. We put out a wall of fire towards all three and Ball Turret Gunner, Sgt. Hamilton, caused an engine fire in the Me-110 as verified by the Bombardier, 2nd Lt. Davis. He saw a parachute after the plane began to fall away reporting that it was not a clean jump as the chute caught fire on exit from the plane. The other two fighters made single passes, missing us, and broke off. (Zone 6) Over the target area, we were attacked by two seperate waves of enemy fighters. The first wave was two Me-109's with one attacking at 12 High and another at 6 High. Although all guns with a line of fire attempted to hit the enemy, all of our guns missed and they both flew right at us. They fired long bursts missing us completely and flew off to attack other bombers in the formation. As soon as they cleared we were attacked again by two Me-110's from 12 Low and 10:30 Low and another Me-109 from 6 High. While we missed both the low attacking fighters, Tail Gunner Sgt. Rodgers completely destroyed the 109 attacking our 6. Sgt. White confirmed the kill from the Radio gun port. There was no flak near us which was surprising and we were able to get bombs on target but only about 30% hit as reported by 2nd Lt. Davis. We had no flak hits on egress from the target area and saw no more fighters near us on the entire return flight. Weather was clear over base and we had a safe landing. Aircraft and crew will be ready for the next mission. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1646/mission-002-italian-fleet-sea#ixzz5x6ncXY1d |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Sept 9, 2019 9:56:23 GMT -8
Mission 4 AAR Mission Date: 8 July, 1942 Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Bomber stream Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #4) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #4) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #4) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #4) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #4) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #4) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #4) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #4) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #4) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #4) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 20% Bomber Damage Sustained: Control cable hit, superficial hits on bomb bay, port wing, stbd wing, radio room plus assorted non-essential areas (Peckham points = 16) Crew Casualties Sustained: None Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0 We took off easily and entered the bomber stream without incident. Excellent navigation by 2nd Lt. Ellis brought us to the target zone. Over the target zone, we caught a searchlight but we elected to stay on the bomb run as we were so close to the target. There was flak around us but nothing close enough to worry about and we took no hits even though the searchlight never left us. Once through the flak cordon we were attacked by a German night fighter. We threw out a hail of fire as he attacked from 12 level but we missed him and he missed us and broke off. I hope we rattled his cage enough to send him home and not onto another bomber in the stream. We reported bombs on target at about 20% according to 2nd Lt. Davis, and turned to the target area egress vector, again avoiding flak. It was not long after that the searchlight let go of us and went looking for another target. We got really lucky I guess, someone was watching out for us anyway. Just about 100 miles from base, we got jumped by a bunch of fighters, right after sunrise. Two Fw-190’s, a -109 and a -110. The crew must have been tired after the long flight because we did not hit anything coming at us and got filled full of holes for it but fortunately nothing too serious. Ship got a little sluggish on the controls as Sgt. Kowolowski reported in from the waist that several control cables had been shot away. Several fighters came around again and gave us a few more punctures but again, nothing serious. We continued to miss, even as one 190 came at us a third time. This time he missed and broke off. Going to have to get the crew to the gunnery range for some practice. Weather was clear over base and we had a safe landing. Aircraft and crew will be ready for the next mission. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1648/mission-004-bengasi-libya-night?page=2#ixzz5z3FewAIZ |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Sept 19, 2019 9:10:04 GMT -8
Mission 5 AAR
Mission Date: 14 July, 1942
Target: Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt – Troop formations
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Sqdn
Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #5)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #5)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #5)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #5)
Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #5)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #5)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #5)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #5)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #5)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #5)
Bomb Run: Off target, % HIT = na – bombs jettisoned over the Med
Bomber Damage Sustained: Tail guns inop plus assorted non-essential areas (Peckham points = 22)
Crew Casualties Sustained: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off easily and formed up with the Squadron without incident.
About 150 miles from the target an enemy fighter broke through the fighter screen and dove on us from 12 high. We fired at him but without effect. The enemy, flying a Fw-190 fired at us but missed and flew off to attack other targets through the Squadron.
In the target zone, again, enemy fighters broke through the screen and this time we were attacked by two Fw-190’s. One came in from 12 high, the other from 3 level. Our chin turret fired at the enemy at 12 high and caused some damage, 2nd Lt. Davis reporting his engine began smoking. He kept on and fired at us, missed and broke away, still smoking. Our fire against the fighter at 3 level was ineffective but he hit us. He put a few holes in Betty but one 20 mm shell went through the tail gunner position. Sgt. Rodgers reported in that he was unhurt but that the tail guns were wrecked. Completely inoperative. I hoped the Germans didn’t spot the damage and try and come at us from our 6!
Over the target flak was light with nothing near us but unfortunately the target was partially obscured according to 2nd Lt. Davis. He indicated he could not determine for sure if he was looking at the correct portion of the ridge or even if it was the right ridge. I made the call to abort the bomb drop to ensure we did not unintentionally bomb our Allied troops. We would jettison the bomb load over the Med.
We lucked out with no enemy attacking us until we were over the Med and jettisoned the bomb load.
Weather was clear over base and we had a safe landing. Aircraft and crew will be ready for the next mission.
Respectively submitted:
1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Sept 30, 2019 11:12:37 GMT -8
Mission 6 AAR
Mission Date: 17 July, 1942
Target: Bardia, Libya – Port Facilities
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Sqdn
Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #6)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #6)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #6)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #6)
Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #6)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #6)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #6)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #6)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #6)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #6)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 50%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Engine #1 out, Starboard inboard fuel tank leak - self sealed. Port inboard fuel tank leak - self sealed, Port waist MG jammed, unable to unjam during flight (Peckham points = 65)
Crew Casualties Sustained: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off and formed up at the Squadron rally point without incident.
The entire flight to the target zone saw no enemy fighters near us although we could see them attacking other portions of the formation.
In the target zone, while approaching the bombing run initial point, enemy fighters were all over us and we were attacked by 5 Fw-190’s. They all came in from high positions in a coordinated attacked. Not sure if this is a new tactic the Jerries are using or if it just worked out that way but it definitely overwhelmed the gun positions so that we could not concentrate our fire onto one or two enemy fighters. We had a fighter at 12 high, 1:30 high, 3 and 9 high and a last one at 6 high. My crew reported firing at every fighter but the only damage we could tell was some hits on the attacker at 9 high, based on a small smoke trail, although not enough to stop him. We were lucky though and every enemy but one missed us and flew on. The one attacking from 3 high walked hits all across both wings.
He knocked out our #1 engine but we were able to feather the prop. Sgt. White (Radioman) and M.Sgt. Lee (Engineer) also saw inboard fuel tank hits on both wings. They both reported some fuel spray but then miraculously both holes self-sealed. Fuel loss was minimal and 2nd Lt. Hoffman double checked the math with 2nd. Lt. Elliott and we determined we did not lose enough fuel to prevent us returning to base. 2nd Lt. Hoffman began planning a contingency return flight path just in case as well as some divert vectors should we need them. During this attack, Sgt. Terry’s waist gun, port side, jammed as well.
Over the target flak was light and the target was partially obscured by haze according to 2nd Lt. Davis. He indicated he could get enough of a look to get bombs on target. We did not want a repeat of the last mission where we had to jettison our bomb load. Apparently 2nd Lt. Davis got a pretty good look as about 50% of our bomb load was on target.
We had one enemy Fw-190 attacking us after we cleared the flak zone. He came in at a Vertical Dive. We fired at him and missed but he was travelling too fast and overshot so caused no damage.
There were no other enemy attacks on the return flight.
Weather was clear over base and we had a safe landing. Aircraft and crew will be ready for the next mission.
Respectively submitted:
1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Oct 15, 2019 18:34:26 GMT -8
Mission 7 AAR
Mission Date: 21 July, 1942
Target: Tel el Aisa, Egypt – Artillery emplacements
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Low Sqdn.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #7)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #7)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #7)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #7)
Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #7)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #7)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #7)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #7)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #7)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #7)
Bomb Run: Off target, % HIT = 0% (Norden bomb sight hit by flak shrapnel)
Bomber Damage Sustained: Norden bomb sight knocked out by flak, Starboard Waist Gunner’s suit heat out. Numerous superficial hits. (Peckham points = 32)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Pilot – 1st Lt. Herman, Light wound (left leg, minor, return to duty next day), Port Waist Gunner – Sgt. Terry, Serious wound (chest, 7 days recuperation), Light wound (right arm – minor).
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off and formed up at the Squadron rally point without incident.
About 200 miles from the target we were attacked by a single Me-109 that a friendly picked off for us.
In the target zone, as we approached the IP, there were fighters all over us. Our friendlies did a good job getting a lot of them off of us but we still had some to deal with. A couple of Fw-190s came in at 12 level and 1:30 level. We took one shell hit in the pilot compartment that did no damage. They both broke off. Another friendly went after a Me-109 that was on our tail and chased him off. Then we finally had some good gunnery by the port cheek and port waist that flamed a FW-190 and he limped off home but only after he put a shell through the port wing. It did not appear to do any damage. The other came in and missed and then broke off.
We got some heavy flak at the IP and a piece of shrapnel destroyed the Norden sight. I spoke on the intercom with 2nd Lt. Davis and he said he could watch for the drop from Straight Shooter in the Lead position and then drop the same time Joy’s Boys did to our port. He said the drop would probably be inaccurate but we might get lucky. At least the bombs would be in the vicinity and we might hit a secondary position. We agreed to stay with the group instead of aborting. We were not able to get any kind of assessment so at the writing of this report must assume our target hit percentage is 0%.
We took some flak on the egress as well. One piece of shrapnel went through the cockpit and into my leg. The doc indicated it is a fairly minor wound and to keep it clean and bandaged and I can return to duty tomorrow. Sgt. Terry, Port Waist Gunner, was reporting in a wound to his arm that was relatively minor and moments later, Sgt. Kowolowski radioed up that he had taken a much worse hit to the chest and collapsed to the floor. He indicated he was breathing but bleeding pretty badly. It turns out, according to the Flight Surgeon at the base hospital, that he has a torn up pectoral and will require 7 days of recuperation. At the same time, Sgt. Kowolowski’s suit heater was damaged. He indicated though that he could wait it out until we descended to 10,000 feet with the rest of the squadron.
Once we got out of the flak zone, there were a few more fighters but our friendlies chased them off and then we did not see any more enemy for the remainder of the mission.
We caught a big crosswind on landing but otherwise, the ship has minor damage and will be ready for the next mission, as will I. I will put in with personnel to draw a replacement while Sgt. Terry recuperates, but I sure would like to get him back when he is ready. He works well with Sgt. Kowolowski.
Respectively submitted:
1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Nov 4, 2019 11:21:27 GMT -8
Mission 8 AAR Mission Date: 22 July, 1942 Target: Suda Bay, Crete - Shipping Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: High Sqdn. Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #8) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #8) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #8) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #8) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #8) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #8) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #8) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Gene Buckland (Mission #3)(Temporary Replacement) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #8) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #8) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 50% Bomber Damage Sustained: Engine #3 out (prop feathered), Port Wing root hit, Bomb release mechanism out (post bomb drop), Co-Pilot and Radio O2 system hits (one each) Superficial hits. (Peckham points = 88) Crew Casualties Sustained: Pilot – 1st Lt. Herman, Light wound (right leg, minor, return to duty after two day recuperation) Enemy Aircraft Claims: 1 Bf-109, credit to 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis – Bombardier (Chin turret) We took off and formed up at the Squadron rally point without incident. The entire flight to the target zone saw no enemy fighters. Once in the target zone, the enemy seemed to be everywhere. We counted 4 Bf-109s all attacking from the front. One at 12 high, one at 12 level, one at 1:30 high, and one at 10:30 high. 2nd Lt. Davis, our Bombardier, manning the chin turret, fire-balled the 109 at 12 level, confirmed by both 2nd. Lt. Elliott and myself. The fighter at 10:30 high started smoking as we watched tracers move over it but it continued on its attack. We could not verify if the damage was from the cheek or waist. No other effective fire. All three surviving enemy fired at us, missed, and broke off for other parts of the formation. There was some flak but none near us and 2nd. Lt. Davis put the bombs on target at about 50% we believe. No flak on egress however, there were more enemy fighters just waiting for us to clear the flak zone. We counted 5 Fw-190s from all directions; 12 high, 1:30 high, 3 high, 9 high, and 6 high. There were reported hits and smoke trails to the enemy fighters at 3, 9, and 6 but no confirmation of kills. We took quite a bit of fire from the 190 at 1:30 high as well as the one at 9 high. We took two shell hits in the pilot compartment, one causing my leg wound and one that affected 2nd Lt. Elliott’s oxygen but he reported he was still getting air. Our Radioman, Sgt. White, indicated he had an oxygen hose shot up but that he was also still getting air and could fly on at our current altitude. We also took hits to the #3 engine that knocked it out. We were able to feather the prop. Part of the root of the port wing took a hit that caused the entire ship to shudder for a bit. We also have a hug hole through the bomb bay that destroyed part of the release mechanisms. The remaining fighters missed us and broke off. The 190 that attacked from 1:30 high, circled around and came at us from 12 level, the other re-attacked from 12 high. We missed the one at 12 high, but 2nd Lt. Davis, again on the chine turret shot up the 190 at 12 low and he started smoking. They both kept on their attack runs but missed us and flew off. About 100 miles from the target area, a lone 190, spotting us with only three engines came at us from 12 high. Our Top Turret, MSgt. Lee put several shells into him and he broke off. We did not see him go down though. We limped the Betty home on three engines. 2nd Lt. Elliott was able to bandage my wound and the flight surgeon said it was minor and to stay off of it today and tomorrow, especially given my still healing wound in the other leg from the previous mission. Our temporary waist gunner, Sgt. Buckland performed well. I am returning him to the replacement pool. Sgt. Terry is due back to us on the 28th. If I need a Waist Gunner before then, I will work with S-1 again. My Crew Chief reports he should have “Betty” ready for the next mission, assuming the repair and run up on her #3 goes as he plans. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1652/mission-008-suda-bay-crete?page=1#ixzz64L2Tjo69 |
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eddie
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Post by eddie on Nov 18, 2019 12:33:20 GMT -8
Mission 9 AAR
Mission Date: 30 July, 1942
Target: Pylos Bay, Greece – Port facilities
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Sqdn.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #9)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #9)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #9)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #9)
Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #9)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #9)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #9)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #8)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #9)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #9)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 92%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Rubber life rafts destroyed, multiple superficial hits. (Peckham points = 16)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Tail Gunner - Sgt. Dallas Rodgers, Light wound (right arm, minor, return to duty next day)
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 1 Bf-109, credit to Sgt. Marc Terry (Port Waist Gunner)
We took off and formed up at the Squadron rally point without incident.
The entire flight to the target zone saw no enemy fighters.
Once in the target zone, the enemy made an appearance, sending 3 Fw-190s towards us. Our gunnery was poor and all three got in, however, two missed and flew on. The third put “walking” hits all the way down “Betty’s” port side. Most of the hits were superficial but one shell went through the bomb bay. Radio Operator, Sgt. White reported the shell ripped through the rubber rafts, destroying both of them, so if we had to put down in the Med it was going to be a hard swim. Sgt. Rodgers reported in from the tail that he had taken some fragments in his arm when a shell shattered his Perspex screen but that he would be ok. He jokingly asked us to turn up the heat as his room was getting cold because of the hole in the window. We got a good laugh at that until we realized the fighter made a high banking turn for a re-attack from 12 level. Again, our gunnery was off but so was his and he flew off to attack a different part of the formation. The amount of fire from the combined chin and top turret was fearsome so apparently he thought better, counting his fortune elsewhere.
There was some flak but none near us and 2nd. Lt. Davis put the bombs on target at about 92%. Not sure what we hit, but Lt. Davis was able to track our bombs fairly well and reported massive secondary explosions on what would have been our bombing line. No flak on egress however, there were more enemy fighters just waiting for us to clear the flak zone.
We counted 4 Bf-109s from all directions; 12 high, 1:30 high, 1:30 high, and 12 level. There were reported hits to the enemy fighter at 12 level but it kept coming. The one at 10:30 high though, was fire-balled, and tracers clearly showed Sgt. Terry from the Port Waist position put shells on target. 2nd Lt. Elliott and I will confirm. Apparently Sgt. Terry was getting some payback for Jerry causing him to miss a mission with us due to his recovery in the hospital.
We were attacked repeatedly over the next 150 miles or so and while we did not shoot down any more enemy fighters, they must have been green pilots because none of them put shells anywhere near us.
My Crew Chief reports he will have “Betty” ready for the next mission, and the Flight Surgeon has cleared Sgt. Rodgers for the next mission. I will put him in for a Purple Heart. That will be his second.
Respectively submitted:
1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
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Post by eddie on Dec 2, 2019 11:37:22 GMT -8
Mission 10 AAR Mission Date: 3 August, 1942 Target: Malmeme, Crete – Airfield Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Low Sqdn., Lead Bomber Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #10) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #10) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #10) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #10) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #10) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #10) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #10) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #9) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #10) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #10) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 20% Bomber Damage Sustained: Port wing root, Port Waist Gunner suit heat out, Co-Pilot Oxygen out, #3 engine minor damage (Superficial), multiple other superficial hits. (Peckham points = 61) Crew Casualties Sustained: MSgt. Lee, Light wound (right leg, minor, return to duty after two days recuperation) Enemy Aircraft Claims: 2 probable, no confirmation We took off without incident and 2Lt. Ellis vectored us to the rally point where we took position as the Lead Bomber, Low Squadron, for the 80th. The entire flight to the target zone saw no enemy fighters. Once in the target zone, there were plenty of enemy fighters but none ventured near the “Betty.” Flak on the way to the target but nothing close enough to cause any damage. 2nd. Lt. Davis put the bombs on target at about 20%. Again, there was light flak on egress but nothing near us. Once we cleared the flak zone we were immediately jumped by two enemy fighters. Our gunnery smoked the engine on an Fw-190 attacking from 12 level, but he did not go down. He made a shallow banking turn away, we guess heading for his base. The Me-109 however, was a different story. He made several attack runs, hitting us several times, all superficial. The last run however, was from 6 hi and he put a shell into the wing root on the post side of the plane. Upon inspection on landing, the shell had torn away a large part of something our Crew Chief called the “Pickle Fork” as well as quite a bit of sheet metal. A running battle continued for the next 100 nautical miles or so, as we were attacked by 6 fighters. Seems we stirred up a real hornets nest with our attack. We counted 5 Fw-190s from all directions; 12 high, 10:30 level, 9:00 level, 6 High, one in a vertical dive that we did not even see until he was firing at us, and a Me-109 at 12 high for good measure. There were reported hits to the enemy fighter at 12 high but it kept coming, even though it was trailing some blue smoke. Some area fire by the Port waist gunner chased one away. Normally I do not condone spraying lead all over the sky, but this time it worked. Several enemy fired at us and it was hard to tell if they hit or not there were so many of them, but several broke off after their first pass. The fighter at 10:30 level put shells all over the number three engine. It sputtered for a second and then roared back to life. We took hits to the waist and tail as well from the 6 high attacker. The port gunner reported his suit heater must have been hit but that he would stay in his position. These fighters came around again, attacking from 12 high and 10:30 level. The enemy at 12 high fired a burst and then broke away. The one at 10:30 level came in quite close and fired into the pilot compartment and the nose. All superficial hits, except the one that caught MSgt. Lee in the leg, and the one that knocked out the co-pilots oxygen. The same fighter came at us from 10:30 level again. This time a shorter burst. He shot high and then broke away. Once we cleared this last fighter and entered the area our friendlies patrolled, there were no more enemy attacks. My Crew Chief reports he will have “Betty” ready in about a day. He is going to have to do some structure welding on the wing root. The Flight Surgeon has cleared MSgt. Lee for duty starting on August 6. Hopefully this will be our next mission, otherwise, I will get a temporary replacement. I will put MSgt. Lee in for a Purple Heart. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1850/mission-010-maleme-crete-airbase?page=2#ixzz66yp99GOV |
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eddie
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Post by eddie on Dec 26, 2019 14:04:36 GMT -8
Mission 11 AAR Mission Date: 7 August, 1942 Target: Tobruk, Libya – Port Facilities Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Lead Sqdn., Bomber Stream Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #11) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #11) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #11) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #11) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #11) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #11) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #11) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #10) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #11) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #11) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 20% Bomber Damage Sustained: None. (Peckham points = 0) Crew Casualties Sustained: None. Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0 We took off without incident and 2Lt. Ellis vectored us into the bomber stream. He constantly was checking airspeed, altitude and a vector against known stars trying to have us keep station and hopefully we do not fly into the tail of the bomber ahead of us or have the one behind use the wrong speed and fly into us. The entire flight to the target zone saw no enemy fighters and we saw none in the target area itself. Flak on the way to the target was light but nothing close to us. 2nd. Lt. Davis put the bombs on target at about 20%. Again, there was no flak on egress from the target area. We flew about 200 miles towards base and right after the sun came up we were attacked by two enemy 109’s. We fired on both, and possibly hit both, but either way, neither of them hit us and they flew off down the stream. We saw one other fighter, a Fw-190, about 100 miles farther towards base, but it was jumped by some friendly fighters and never made a pass at us. We completed the flight and landed without incident. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1862/mission-011-tobruk-libya-night?page=2#ixzz69Fkuzrh2 |
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eddie
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Post by eddie on Jan 11, 2020 11:43:57 GMT -8
Mission 12 AAR Mission Date: 10 August, 1942 Target: Port Lago Bay, Fournoi – Shipping Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Middle Sqdn. Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #12) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #12) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #12) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #12) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #12) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #12) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #12) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #11) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #12) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #12) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = per Mission special rules – Serious Damage, ship limps back to Italy, cargo never delivered to N.Africa. (die roll 10) Bomber Damage Sustained: Starboard wing flap inop, pilot window hit, superficial hits. (Peckham points = 38) Crew Casualties Sustained: None. Enemy Aircraft Claims: 4(3x Fw-190, 1x Bf-109) We took off without incident and 2Lt. Ellis set our flight path for the rendezvous. We formed up and headed to the target. The entire flight to the target area was enemy free and even though we were watchful for enemy fighters, it was a pretty peaceful flight. As soon as we neared the target area, there were fighters, it seemed, everywhere. We counted 5 190’s coming in after the “Betty” from all positions. 1:30 High, 3 High, and 6 High were all fired at ineffectually, however we apparently put enough lead into the sky to shake off their concentration as the enemy fired at us and then flew on. A fighter coming in at 12 High was fired at by 2nd Lt. Davis, our Bombardier. He put his shells right into the engine, flamed a 190 and it went down in a ball of flame. Another fighter coming at us from 9 High put it’s shells all over us. The starboard wing flap went inop, we heard shells ping around the bomb bay and we took one to the cockpit window. Fortunately it held. The enemy had pretty good nerves as he circled around and came at us again from 3 Level. He made one pass and flew off right as the flak started coming up. Flak on the way to the target was light but nothing close to us. 2nd. Lt. Davis put the bombs on target and thinks he tracked ours right onto an enemy ship. There was no flak on egress from the target area. We got jumped again as soon as we left the flak zone. Three more 190’s came at us. Not really sure what 2nd Lt. Davis had for breakfast but he flamed another one with the nose gun. Once again, shells right into the engine followed by a fireball and down it went. The other two coming in at 3 Level and 3 High missed us and broke off. A few seconds later, there were 109’s coming in from the front. 12 Low, Level and High. There was a fourth at 9 High. Master Sgt. Lee had the top turret trained on the fighter at 9 High. He must have hit the fuel take because it exploded into a huge fireball and pieces of plane just fell out of the sky. We took some shells into the nose but nothing penetrated. After their first pass, they all broke off. About 300 miles from base we were attacked by three 190’s. Our friendlies got after two of them and chased them off. The third came in at 12 High. At this point, I just feel 2nd Lt. Davis is tired of getting shot at because he flamed this one too. That is three confirmed kills on one flight. 4 total with M. Sgt. Lee’s kill. The previous 11 missions together, the gunnery on the “Betty” only came up with 7 kills, so apparently 2nd Lt. Davis has been practicing his gunnery and his bombing remains spot on. I would like to recommend him for a second DFC. We completed the flight and landed without incident. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1656/mission-porto-lago-aegean-greece?page=2#ixzz6AkjZ78rb |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Jan 26, 2020 20:48:53 GMT -8
Mission 13 AAR
Mission Date: 14 August, 1942
Target: Matruh, Egypt – Tank Farm/Supplies
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: High Sqdn.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #13)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #13)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #13)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #13)
Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #13)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #13)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #13)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #12)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #13)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #13)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 20%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Tail guns inoperative, superficial hits. (Peckham points = 25)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Light Wound (flak) Sgt. Kowolowski, Stbd. Waist Gunner (No hospital stay required. RTD
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off without incident, forming up with the squadron and heading to the target. We were jumped by about 5 fighters about 300 miles from base but our friendly air cover did its job and only two got into us. One came on from 12 High. Our Top Gunner, Mst. Sgt. Lee thinks he hit him but he did not go down. Regardless, there was no effective returned fire and he broke off. The other came at us from a very steep vertical dive and we never saw him. He missed and just kept on going.
About 100 miles farther on and very near the target zone we were jumped again. Again, our friendlies did a good job and three got through. One at 12 High and one at 1:30 high. We missed them and they us and broke off as some friendlies came into the area. Again, another vertical dive that we saw at the last minute and could do nothing about. This one put a few shells through the “Betty” but they did no damage. He circled around and as he was vectoring for an attack he fire-balled and a friendly flew by and gave us a wing waggle.
Flak on the way to the target was fairly heavy but nothing close to us. 2nd. Lt. Davis put the bombs on target, about 20% we think. On egress from the target, we took several flak hits. Some ineffective, just swiss-cheesing poor “Betty.” One piece of flak though destroyed the tail guns and another cause a minor wound to Sgt. Kowolowski at the Starboard Waist. He is fine, and will report back to duty later today. I put him in for his award. An Oak Leaf this time.
The remainder of the flight was uneventful and we landed safely. Crew Chief will have her ready for the next mission.
Respectively submitted:
1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Jan 27, 2020 11:50:02 GMT -8
Mission 14 AAR Mission Date: 20 August, 1942 Target: Ploesti, Romania – Oil Refinery Submitted by: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Low Sqdn. Pilot: 1st Lt. Leonard Herman (Mission #14) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #14) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #14) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #14) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #14) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #14) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Elmer Hamilton (Mission #14) - KIA Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #13) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #14) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #14) Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 20% Bomber Damage Sustained: Tail guns inoperative, Ball turret inoperative, Port Wing Aileron inoperative, Rudder root, Port Wing flap damaged, Tailwheel damaged, Port Wing Landing Gear inoperative, multiple superficial hits. (Peckham points = 128) Crew Casualties Sustained: KIA (on landing) Ball Gunner Sgt. Elmer Hamilton, Light Wound (flak) 2nd Lt. Davis, Bombardier (no hospital stay – flesh wound rt. Arm – RTD) Enemy Aircraft Claims: 1 Bf-109 to Tail Gunner We took off without incident, forming up with the squadron and heading to the target. Vectors to the target were issued and we were able to keep station within the squadron box. Approximately 250 miles They came at us from multiple angles. We were able to put some fire on all of them enough to disrupt their targeting of us. Our Tail gunner though, Sgt. Rodgers, flamed one attacking from 6 High and he went down, confirmed by Sgt. White at the radio room. In the target zone, about 60 miles from the IP, we were jumped by 4 Fw-190s. There were two attacking from head on and we fired at those and they broke off. One coming up from 3 Low peppered the Port wing full of holes, and also shot up the nose pretty good but did little damage. Another from 9 High put a few holes in the nose and bomb bay but the real damage was the 20mm shell that destroyed the tail guns. Sgt. Rodgers reported them completely destroyed and reported he was going to gather what ammo he could and try and help in another part of the bomber. Over the target area we took a bunch of flak hits. Our Bombardier was wounded, a flesh wound, and was able to continue. The tail wheel was blown away, several more holes in the port wing, and the port aileron went inop and the flap was partially shot away. Worst of all though, was the damage to the Ball turret. It was completely jammed. We had no rotation and could not get Sgt. Hamilton out of the turret. Sgt. Rodgers grabbed the tool bag and got to work trying to free it up. 2nd Lt. Davis was able to put the bombs on target in spite of his wound, and we think we hit about 20% effectiveness. We took more flak on the way out of the target zone. A huge shuddering hit to the tail and the rudder got a little sluggish. That is when Sgt. Hamilton reported a huge hit that left the Port Wing landing gear dangling under the plane. A few miles of flight on and he reported it was completely twisted and then tore away from the plane. We all knew what this meant if we could not get Sgt. Hamilton out of the ball but nobody said anything. We encountered a few more enemy fighters as we continued our flight away from Ploesti. Once we were back over the Med, Sgt. Rodgers manned the Top Turret so MSgt. Lee, who is a bit more mechanically inclined, could try to see what he could do to get Sgt. Hamilton out of the ball before landing. There were no more fighters the rest of the trip. Everyone tried the best they could but the ball turret would not give. With our Port landing gear gone and the tailwheel shot away, I tried to keep “Betty” on her Starboard side during landing but there was nothing that could be done. Sgt. Hamilton was killed on landing. Respectively submitted: 1st. Lt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1658/mission-014-ploesti-romania?page=1#ixzz6CGJkQ4xc |
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eddie
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Post by eddie on Feb 18, 2020 5:13:48 GMT -8
Mission 15 AAR Mission Date: 30 August, 1942 Target: Tobruk, Libya – Port Facilities Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty" XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp. Formation position: Middle Sqdn., Lead Bomber Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #15) Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott (Mission #15) Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #15) Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #15) Engineer: MSgt. Dustin Lee (Mission #15) Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #15) Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #1) Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #14) Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #15) Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #15) Bomb Run: Off target (Manual bomb release), % HIT = 0% Bomber Damage Sustained: Bomb release mechanism inoperative, Port landing gear inoperative, radio inoperative, multiple superficial hits. (Peckham points = 50) Crew Casualties Sustained: KIA 2nd Lt. Vernon Elliott – Co-Pilot, KIA MSgt. Dustin Lee – Engineer Enemy Aircraft Claims: 2 Bf-109 – 1 to Radio Operator Sgt. Philip White, 1 to Tail Gunner Sgt. Dallas Rodgers As Lead Bomber, we took off without incident, and 2nd Lt. Hoffman set vectors while we waited for the squadron to form up. I radioed to the Squadron to keep a tight formation and watch the boxes. Approximately 200 miles from the target zone, just beyond our fighter range, we were jumped by several enemy fighters. Mostly Me-109s, we had them at 12 Hi, Level, and Low, as well as 9 High. Our defensive fire was mostly ineffective and we ended up taking hits to the bomb bay and the port wing. 2nd Lt. Davis, Bombardier, reported the bomb release mechanism as severely damaged and he would have to drop manually. I radioed the squadron not to key on our bomb release. Our Ball Gunner reported in that the Port landing gear was pretty shot up from what he could see. In the target zone, about 70 miles from the IP, we were jumped by 109s again. There were two attacking from head on and we fired at those and they broke off. One coming in from 1:30 Hi peppered the Port wing full of holes and then came around again from the same angle. On this attack, our Engineer, MSgt. Lee was killed instantly, taking a direct hit to the chest. There was nothing anyone could do. The enemy fighter circled around again and shot up the port wing, again, and the cockpit. No serious damage was done on this pass and he flew off. I ordered our Radio Operator, Sgt. White, to try and remove MSgt. Lee and man the Top Turret. Over the IP we took some flak to the nose, shattering part of the port window, but nothing serious. Due to the bomb release mechanism being inoperative, our bombs were off target. We believe they fell slightly short of the target area. On egress from the target, we were attacked by 109’s again. Sgt. White, manning the top turret, shot down one 109 coming in at 12 high. Confirmed. A second came in right behind it, fired, missed, and broke off. We encountered 6 more enemy fighters as we continued our flight away from Tobruk. Four attacked the “Betty” from forward angles, and we were unable to hit them but they broke off and flew on to other parts of the formation. One came in from 6 high and Sgt. Rodgers swears he hit him and thought he saw smoke coming from the enemy’s engine, but he flew on towards us and attacked, putting shells into the radio room, knocking out the radio, and through the bomb bay. He re-attacked from 9 level, missed and broke off. A fighter in a vertical dive, that we did not see until he was hitting the “Betty” put some shells through the roof of the cockpit killing my co-pilot, 2 Lt. Elliott. He re-attacked from 6 level and Sgt. Rodgers fireballed him. Confirmed by Sgt. Lee in the top turret and Sgt. Spignatelli in the ball turret. There were no more fighters the rest of the trip. We had our Ball turret gunner evac the turret prior to landing due to the Port Landing gear being out and brought the “Betty” down. My Crew Chief says he can have her patched up for the next one. Respectively submitted: Capt. L. Herman, Commanding. SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370 Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1659/mission-015-tobruk-libya?page=2#ixzz6EJLcEksL |
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Mar 8, 2020 11:44:28 GMT -8
Mission 16 AAR
Mission Date: 31 August, 1942
Target: Alam-ei-Halfa, Egypt – Troop Concentrations
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: High Sqdn.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #16)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #1)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #16)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman(Mission #16)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #1)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #16)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #2)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #15)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #16)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #16)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 20%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Port Wing Root hit, Navigator’s equipment destroyed, Tail suit heat out, multiple superficial hits. (Peckham points = 52)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Serious wound: 2nd Lt. Ellis Hoffman, Navigator (severed arm, minor chest wound – invalided home)
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off without incident, and 2nd Lt. Hoffman set vectors while we waited for the squadron to form up. We were flying #2 position in support of the lead bomber.
There were no fighters until we went feet dry over Egypt. At that point we were attacked by a diving 190. Our Radio operator put a few shells into him and he fired at us. He missed and flew right by. We did not see him again. A few miles farther on, we were swarmed by fighters. There were 109s all over the sky. Our friendlies chased one of them off. We had to contend with enemy fighters at 12 level, 3 high, 1:30 high, and a vertical dive we did not see until it was passing by seemingly between the port wing and the port rear stabilizer. Way too close. We lucked out and none of them hit us and either flew off to different parts of the formation or broke off all together. Our gunnery was pretty poor. I would expect that from MSgt. Malinowski as this is his first mission but I need to speak to the rest of the crew about it.
We had no flak going into the bomb run and 2nd Lt. Davis put about 20% of the load on target. We could see dust clouds from the formation we were trying to hit and our bombs appear to have landed on the NorthEast side of the dust cloud formation as best we could tell.
Flak was much heavier on egress from the bomb run and we took several hits. One piece of shrapnel went through the nose cone and severed 2nd Lt Hoffman’s left arm at the elbow and looks like caused a chest wound as well. He will live but his flying days are over. 2nd. Lt. Davis kept his head and got a tourniquet on the arm right away as well as dressing the chest wound before he went back to manning guns.
There were enemy fighters all over us again in multiple waves. While we did not down any, and the friendlies helped with a few, we did not take any damage from them either.
A few more fighters about 150 miles from base, but again, they fired, missed, and flew off, chased by our fighter escort.
My two new crewmembers, Co-Pilot 2nd. Lt. Collins, and Engineer MSgt. Malinowski performed well for a first mission. I think they will fit in ok.
Our crew chief says he will have the “Betty” ready for the next one.
I am headed to personnel to see who they have to replace 2nd Lt. Hoffman as my Navigator. Hopefully we can get someone just as good.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Mar 12, 2020 10:34:46 GMT -8
Mission 17 AAR
Mission Date: 7 September, 1942
Target: Kastelli, Crete –Airfield
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Lead, Low Sqdn.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #17)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #2)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #17)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #1)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #2)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #17)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #3)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #16)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #17)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #17)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 75%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Norden bomb sight out, Tail suit heat out, multiple superficial hits, tail and starboard wing. (Peckham points = 24)
Crew Casualties Sustained: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 2
We took off without incident, our new Navigator 2nd Lt. Nelson seemed calm and confident as he set vectors while we waited for the squadron to form up. We were flying Lead bomber for this mission which had me a little nervous considering we had a rookie Navigator. At least we were low Squadron so he could key off the other squadrons if needed.
There were no fighters until we were about 150 miles from the target area. Friendly fighters rounded up and chased after 2 enemy fighters and then two more came at us. A -190 and a -109. We fired at both and they fired at us. Nobody hit anything and they broke off. More fighters going into the target area. A couple of Me-110’s came in from the front and low and a -109 from 12 High. Again, we failed to hit anything and they all fired and broke off. Again, no damage and no casualties.
We had no flak going into the bomb run and 2nd Lt. Davis got the eggs right in the basket. About 75% hit rate. Great bombing by him. Multiple impact explosions on the airfield and facilities.
No flak again on the way out but there were plenty of fighters. We had 109s at 12 high, level and low, and another at 9 high. Sgt. Spignatelli in the ball fireballed the one coming up from low, confirmed by 2 Lt. Nelson, and our Port Waist Gunner, Sgt. Terry, got the one at 9 high. MSgt. Malinowski in the Top knew it wasn’t his shooting and confirmed for the Port Waist. Two of the other fighters broke off, but the one at 12 high put some rounds into the nose, completely destroying the bomb sight. Luckily we had already dropped. The enemy fighter came around again at 3 level and we missed him. He shot up the tail knocking out the oxygen bottles. He also put some holes in the starboard wing. He looped over and rolled and then came in from 12 high. We fired and missed and he broke off. Looks like he ran out of ammo.
We got jumped again about 300 miles from base. Four enemy aircraft. They must have been low on fuel from some other sortie because they took one pass and flew off. No damage.
About 200 miles from base, another flight of enemy jumped us. Again, they must have been low on fuel. Our friendlies got two, the other 4 fired at us, missed and turned northeast as fast as they could fly.
Our crew chief says he will have the “Betty” ready for the next one.
Apparently I need to speak to the crew about our gunnery. We had plenty of chances and we did not suffer too badly, but we have got to do better.
We were wheels down safely with minimal damage and no casualties.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Apr 5, 2020 6:45:38 GMT -8
Mission 18 AAR
Mission Date: 13 September, 1942
Target: Bengasi, Libya – Port Facilities
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Bomber stream - Lead Sqdn.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #18)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #3)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #18)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #2)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #3)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #18)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #4)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #17)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #18)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #18)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 30%
Bomber Damage Sustained: None (Peckham points = 0)
Crew Casualties Sustained: None
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 0
We took off without incident. Our Navigator, 2nd Lt. Nelson seemed calm and confident as he set vectors although he did say he would be a bit more confident if the moon was up and he could use that to help navigate as well. We were flying in the lead squadron of the bomber stream for this mission. Just hopeful the guys behind were good at station keeping.
We encountered nothing the entire way, just a long boring trip hoping Nelson kept us on track.
As we got near Bengasi, we started to see searchlight beams criss-crossing the sky looking for us. None of them found our ship and we had no flak hits either. 2nd Lt. Davis, was up to his usual standards, and assuming what he was able to see on the ground was accurate from what little light was available, he believes he got about a 30% hit rate.
No flak again on the way out and luckily no lights or fighters either.
We flew all the way home without incident and as the sun was coming up we saw a few fighters in the distance. We were getting ready to fight them off when they turned away, outnumbered about 4 to 1 by our friendlies who must have been spoiling for a fight.
Our crew chief bought the crew a round of beers as his way to say thank you for not having to patch the Betty up. Told us it was about time we brought her back in one piece. Everyone got a laugh out of that one except the newer guys. We joked back telling MSgt. Conkel, our Crew Chief, that banging up Betty a little was our efforts at maintaining his job security. He got a chuckle out of that but said he would rather be back in Chicago, fixing auto engines.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Apr 6, 2020 11:37:56 GMT -8
Mission 19 AAR
Mission Date: 29 September, 1942
Target: Suda Bay, Crete – Port Facilities
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Squadron, middle position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #19)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #4)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #19)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #3)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #4)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #19)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #5)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #18)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #19)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers (Mission #19)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = 30%
Bomber Damage Sustained: Port wing root, #2 Engine (superficial), Tail Oxygen, assorted other superficial hits. (Peckham points = 56)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Sgt. Dallas Rodgers, Tail Gunner, KIA (flak)
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 3 (1xFW-190, 1xBf-109, 1xMe-110)
We took off without incident and formed up in the middle of the Squadron today. Should be a relatively safe place to be we are hoping. The crew commented on how nice it would be to hopefully get a little break. I reminded them of their responsibilities as a veteran air crew, especially for the new bomber crews and that we took Lead frequently because of that role. I also told them to knock off the chatter about a quiet mission, we do not need any jinxes.
We encountered nothing the entire way to the target and even when we made it to the target zone, when we saw some fighters, they were headed to other parts of the Squadron. There was a little flak when we made the IP but none near us and our Bombardier had a pretty clear view of the target aside from some moderate cloud cover. He indicated he was perhaps 30% effective on this run.
The flak found us as we banked towards home following bomb release and we took hits to the port wing including engine #2, but she kept on running. We felt a shudder a few seconds later and our Radio operator, Sgt. White said some flak shredded part of the tail. At that moment, Sgt. Rodgers, my Tail Gunner, came over the intercom saying he was hit. I asked how bad it was and got no response. Sgt. Kowolowski at the Waist said he would go check and reported a couple minutes later that Sgt. Rodgers was dead. Kowolowski said if he could get Rodgers out of the way, he would man the Tail gun but then Top was on the intercom calling fighters. Kowolowski apparently scrambled back to his Waist position.
We had enemy fighters come in from all directions. And it appeared they were all FW-190s. 12 high, 1:30 high, and 3, 6, and 9 high as well. Waist positions put a lot of lead all over the sky and the two fighters at 3 and 9 broke off under the hail of fire. 12 fired at us and missed and broke away. Top gunner and radio fired at the enemy at 6 and one of them hit him He did not go down, just started smoking. He fired and missed and flew on. The one attacking from 1:30 hit us doing some minor damage and circle around missed and flew on.
We flew on a little more and Rodgers being killed must have sunk in a little and I think the boys were getting a bit mad about it because when the next wave of fighters came at us, we downed three enemy fighters. We had two 190’s at 12 high and 12 low, a 109 at 1:30 level, and a Me-110 came in from 6 low. Nose gun fired at the fighter coming from 12 low and fireballed him, confirmed as we saw it from the flight deck. That makes our Bombardier an Ace. Five kills from the nose gun! Our Navigator got the 109 coming in from 1:30 and when he fireballed we thought he was going to crash into the Betty. He rose up, on fire, then began to roll over into a dive. When he did he began his dive and almost crashed into the port wing on his way down. Our Ball Turret got the Me-110 as well as he was climbing to attack. He was just off to starboard and Kowolowski confirmed the kill. He saw a few tracers as he was trying to train his gun. The last 190 broke off after firing.
The formation tightened up after that but we saw no more enemy the rest of the mission and got her down ok.
I will put in paperwork for the Purple Heart for Sgt. Rodgers and write a letter to his mother and father. I will also put in for an Air Medal for Sgt Spignatelli. This was his 5th mission.
I am buying beers for the crew tonight as 2nd Lt. Davis, my Bombardier, has his name added to the “Ace” board at the Fainting Goat. And we will have a toast to Sgt. Rodgers memory.
Our crew chief will have the Betty ready for the next one and I will go to S-1 for a replacement Tail Gunner.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Apr 25, 2020 21:03:07 GMT -8
Mission 20 AAR
Mission Date: 11 October, 1942
Target: Convoy at Sea – Supply Ships
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Low Squadron – middle position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #20)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #5)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #20)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #4)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #5)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Philip White (Mission #20)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #6)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #19)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #20)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #1)
Bomb Run: On target, % HIT = Ship damaged and slowed – no credit.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Pilot window hit, #3 Engine (out, prop feathered), multiple superficial hits all over ship. (Peckham points = 87)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Sgt. Steve Rhodes, Tail Gunner, LW
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 4 confirmed (3xFW-190, 1xBf-109)
We took off without incident and formed up in the middle of the Squadron. We expected it to be a long mission but at a lower altitude. We also expect to see a lot of enemy aircraft in spite of the briefing. Jerry needs to protect his shipping.
We encountered nothing the entire way to the target. Once we neared the target area there were enemy fighters everywhere it seemed. We encountered two waves of fighters on the way to the IP. Mostly FW-190s. The first wave did the most damage filling the Betty with holes but nothing too serious until a 20mm shell went right through the #3 engine knocking it out. We were able to get the prop feathered. Another shell went through the inboard fuel tank on the port side but luckily it sealed. More FW-190s in the second wave but our Navigator, 2nd Lt. Nelson, scored a direct hit and fireballed one of them. The other turned for home at that sight. Must have been green.
No flak near us on the bomb run and we know we damaged a ship because we watched it slow and start to maneuver out of the formation. I do not think we damaged it enough to sink it though.
As soon as we turned for home there were fighters all over us again. Mixed waves of FW-190s and Bf-109s. Our Ball Turret gunner, Sgt. Spignatelli got a FW-190, confirmed by Bombardier, and Starboard Waist gunner, Sgt. Kowolowski got his first kill. A Bf-109 exploded about 30 yards from us. Tracers were clearly his, confirmed by Radio Operator, Sgt. White who watched that fighter all the way in.
About 200 miles from the target zone we were jumped again and took a little more damage with nothing to show for it but the enemy broke off after one pass except for one stubborn pilot who had kill marks all over under his canopy. We missed him and he put a few holes in the Betty. He turned and made another pass and was lined up real nice on us when he ran out of ammo. We were lucky there. Three more fighters came at us about 100 miles farther on but they must have been real low on fuel, one burst and all three of them were gone.
About 400 miles from base we encountered more enemy. Three Bf-109s all coming in from the front. They all fired and flew by. It was then we started seeing friendly air cover. About 100 miles closer to base we were attacked again. This time they never made it near us as our fighters got in close and took care of them. We were starting to relax a little, about 200 miles from base when a FW190 came out of nowhere. Fortunately our Bombardier saw him coming in and got his 6th kill. He blew up about 150 yards in front of us and went down. While this was happening, we never saw the other FW-190 on a vertical dive. He put a few shells though the wing, started to circle for a re-attack and was swarmed by friendly fighter cover. That pass wounded our new Tail Gunner, Sgt. Rhodes. A minor wound, he is fit for duty.
I will be putting in for Air Medals for 2nd Lt. Collins, my co-pilot, and MSgt. Malinowski. This was their 5th mission.
Our crew chief will have the Betty ready for the next mission.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on May 6, 2020 20:29:26 GMT -8
Mission 21 AAR
Mission Date: 15 October, 1942
Target: Corinth Canal, Greece – Port Facilities
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: High Squadron – middle position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #21)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #6)
Bombardier: 1st Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #21)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #5)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #6)
Radio Operator: SSgt. Philip White (Mission #21)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #7)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #20)
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski (Mission #21)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #2)
Bomb Run: On target, 50% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Port wing root hit, #2 Engine (out, prop feathered), Tailplane x2, Sbrd Waist gun inop, Control cables, Sbrd Wing Flap, port waist suit heat out, multiple superficial hits all over ship. (Peckham points = 145)
Crew Casualties Sustained: SSgt. Stanislaw Kowolowski, Sbrd Waist gunner, Srs wnd and LW, invalided home (14 days hospital – abdomen, left leg), Sgt. Marc Terry, Port Waist gunner, LW and Frostbite, 1 day hospital.
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 1 confirmed (Me-110)
We took off without incident and formed up in the middle of the Squadron, flying in the High group. Another long mission but the CO said during briefing that that we need to continue in an effort to interdict shipping.
We encountered no enemy the entire way to the target. Once we neared the target area we were bounced low by some Me-110s. One of them shot us up from 6 o’clock and came around for a re-attack from 3 level. Top took a bead on him and fireballed him. Confirmed all over the ship. Fighters broke away from the group and the flak started. We took a lot of flak hits especially in the waist and tail. Flak knocked out the starboard waist gun, both waist gunners suffered light wounds, and my Port Waist Gunners suit heat got knocked out. He did not report that in because he did not want us to lose the protection of the formation.
In spite of the flak, we were able to get bombs on target effective at about 50%. We turned for home, avoided any more flak but we did get attacked by fighters again. 190’s this time. One of them blew a 20 mm cannon shell through the port wing root leaving a gaping hole. They also knocked out the #2 engine but we were able to feather the prop and with the bombs dropped we were able to maintain speed with the squadron on only three engines.
Fighters continued and caused quite a bit more damage. We lost the starboard flap, and took a couple of tailplane hits and at least one hit to control cables somewhere because she got a little sluggish on the controls. It was during this attack that SSgt. Kowolowski was seriously hit in the abdomen. He will be doing 14 days in the hospital and then will be going home. We will be sorry to lose him. There were no more fighters the rest of the way home.
Landing was a little rough with all the damage but she is home. My Crew Chief said he will work his magic on her. She should be ready in a couple days. SSgt. Kowolowski, like I reported, will be going home with another purple heart. That makes three for him and an enemy fighter to his credit. Sgt. Terry, my other Waist gunner will be back in a day. The frostbite he got will not do much damage. I reprimanded him for not reporting his suit heater being out. I will put in for the Purple Hearts and get a replacement gunner from the pool.
I will be putting in for an Air Medal for 2nd Lt. Nelson, my Navigator. This was his 5th mission.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on May 19, 2020 12:29:52 GMT -8
Mission 22 AAR
Mission Date: 23 October, 1942
Target: Tobruk, Libya – Port Facilities
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Low Squadron – middle position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #22)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #7)
Bombardier: 1st Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #22)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #6)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #7)
Radio Operator: SSgt. Philip White (Mission #22)(KIA)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #8)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #21)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Thompson (Mission #1)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #3)
Bomb Run: On target, 40% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Radio room Oxygen hit, multiple Port Wing aileron and wing flap hits, no effect, Starboard Wing aileron hit, no effect, Starboard tailplane root hit, multiple superficial hits. (Peckham points = 77)
Crew Casualties Sustained: SSgt. Philip White, Radio Operator, KIA.
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 2 confirmed (Me-109 - Starboard Waist, ½ FW-290 – Top Turret, ½ FW-190 – Ball Turret
Take off had no issues and we formed with the rest of the Squadron in the Low part of the formation.
We encountered three enemy fighters about 300 miles from base. We were still within friendly fighter range and out little friends chased off two of them. The third came in at 3 Level. Our gunners fired from Top, Ball and Waist, with no hits. That enemy pilot made us pay shooting up the Radio room and the starboard wing but with little damage. When he started to circle back to re-attack, our friendlies chased him off.
There were no more fighters until we got over the target. Once there we spotted a vertically climbing Me-110. Our Ball fired at it and missed. We lucked out and he missed us as well and broke away. I got on the intercom and let my crew know if they do not start hitting enemy fighters we would be lucky to survive! The flak started right after but nothing near us.
1st. Lt. Davis put bombs on target and we turned for home. Again, light flak on egress of the bomb run but nothing too near. Once we cleared the flak zone, we were attacked by a Me-109 at 3 Low and a Me-110 at 1:30 Low. My Starboard Waist Gunner walked tracers into the 109s engine and he flamed and dove out of control. My Ball Gunner confirmed the kill. The Me-110 missed and broke off. About 100 miles farther on, we had a diving Fw-190 come out of the sun. Both Top and Radio fired but both missed again. Luckily, the enemy missed as well and broke off. Again, no fighters until we were within about 200 miles of base, then all hell broke loose.
It seemed like an entire Luftwaffe air wing had been vectored to our location. We were jumped by at least 5 FW-190s and we only saw a couple of friendlies around. They chased off one of the enemy, and the rest came at us. 12 High, 1:30 High, 3 Hi, and 9 High. It seems like every gun on the Betty opened up at the same time. We damaged the one coming in at 1:30 and at 9 High but they kept coming. After making an attack pass, the fighters at 1:30 and 3 broke off. We took hits though from the other two. The radio room got shot up immediately killing my Radio Operator SSgt. Philip White. Another crew who had been with me since the beginning and had just gotten a promotion last week. We also took hits to the wings and tail causing some minor damage. They circled around and re-attacked from 12 Level and 9 Level. Top and Ball both put tracers into the fighter at 9 level and he started smoking and went into a dive. Looks like shared credit for that one. The one at 12 level fired and broke off. Nothing more for the remainder of the flight.
The Crew Chief said give him a couple hours and he will have Betty as good as new. I will put in for the Purple Heart for SSgt. White and get a replacement Radio Operator. My new Starboard Waist Gunner, Sgt. Thompson performed well on his first mission and has a kill to his credit. Hopefully the new guy will provide some incentive to my veterans. Either way, they are all going to the practice range first thing in the morning.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Jun 1, 2020 21:13:36 GMT -8
Mission 23 AAR
Mission Date: 28 October, 1942
Target: Pylos Bay – Port Facilities
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Squadron – Lead position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #23)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #8)
Bombardier: 1st Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #23)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #7)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #8)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Dale Benson (Mission #1)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #9)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #22)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Thompson (Mission #2)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #4)
Bomb Run: On target, 30% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Tail Oxygen hit, Rudder hit, Tailplane hit, Bombardier Heat out, multiple superficial hits. (Peckham points = 55)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Sgt. Marc Terry, Port Waist Gunner, Light wound (1 day recovery); Sgt. Bill Thompson, Starboard Waist Gunner, Light wound (1 day recovery).
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 1 confirmed (Me-109 – Tail gunner)
Take off had no issues and we took Lead forming up the rest of the Squadron. Our Navigator, 2nd Lt. Nelson, radioed vectors to the remainder of the Squadron.
There were no enemy fighters until we got over the target. Just before we executed our final turn towards the bomb run IP, there were multiple fighters attacking from primarily the front of the Bombing Betty. We opened up on all 5 and ended up hitting nothing. A couple of them broke off, but we did take hits from a Fw-190 at 12 low, and Bf-109s from 12 and 10:30 level. Hits to us caused minor damage but the fighters circled around and re-attacked. The 190 came at us from 3 level and our ball gunner, Sgt. Spignatelli got a hit but the fighter kept coming. The 109’s came back at 6 level and 10:30 level. Out Tail Gunner, Sgt. Rhodes, fireballed the 109 at 6, but we missed the one attacking at 10:30 level. Fortunately, they both broke off after firing and doing little or no damage.
We took several flak hits to the tail that caused some damage to the tail of the Betty. One flak hit in the nose, knocked out the heat for 1st. Lt. Davis, the Bombardier, but he stayed on the bomb run and put bombs on target about 30%. There was no flak on egress but there were some more enemy fighters that came at us as soon as we cleared the flak zone.
Three Bf-109’s attacked from 12 high, 12 level, and 1:30 high. We fired but missed the incoming fighters. They hit us in the nose, tail, and waist. There was only superficial damage to the Betty, but both waist gunners suffered minor wounds. The fighters came around again, fired for no effect and broke off for home.
There were no more enemy for the reminder of the trip. 1st Lt. Davis rotated around to keep warm, insisting we stay in formation to lead the Squadron. He reported continually he was fine but did end up with some minor frostbite. The flight surgeon reported he will be ready for the next mission. Both of my waist gunners will be ready for the next mission as well but I will put in for Purple Hearts for both of them.
My Crew Chief will have the Betty ready for our next mission.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Jun 18, 2020 18:40:29 GMT -8
Mission 24 AAR
Mission Date: 3 November, 1942
Target: Fuka, Egypt – Supply Depot
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Low Squadron – Middle position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #24)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #9)
Bombardier: 1st Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #24)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #8)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #9)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Dale Benson (Mission #2)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #10)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #23)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Thompson (Mission #3)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #5)
Bomb Run: Abort, 0% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Bomb bay doors inop. (Peckham points = 10)
Crew Casualties Sustained: none
Enemy Aircraft Claims: none
Take off was routine, and 2nd Lt. Nelson double checked our vectors from the morning briefing. 1st Lt. Davis kidded with him that we weren’t going far enough that we could not see the base from the air. 2nd Lt. Nelson gave it right back saying “I am doing this job because you get lost walking out of the Fainting Goat.” The crew got a laugh. I reminded them there are still Jerries out there no matter how far we are going.
There were no enemy fighters until we got over the target. When we were about 50 miles from the IP, a FW-190 and three Bf-109s came in at us. Friendly fighter cover chased off two but we still had 109’s to deal with at 12 High and 12 Level. Our fire was ineffective, as was one of the 109’s. The remaining 109 we thought did no damage other than some minor holes. He banked around and out friendlies were on him and chased him off. We heard some rattling in the bomb bay area and sent Master Sergeant Malinowski down to take a look. What we thought were minor hits damage the bomb bay door mechanism. We attempted to open the doors but they would not open.
I made the call to abort, especially as we were in the middle of the formation. We did not want to risk taking a bad hit or some flak and have bombs detonate especially if we could not drop them.
We encountered no enemy on the way home. On the return trip 1st Lt. Davis attempted to disarm the bomb load but was fearful he would cause an explosion as the turbulence was pretty bad.
I had my radioman inform the base we had a hot load of bombs on board and I had the crew bail out just east of the base, except for myself, and my co-Pilot, 2nd Lt. Collins. Once the crew was out, we landed on the far runway and pulled away from hardstands at the end of the runway onto the unused taxiway. The ordinance guys came out with the Crew Chief. They disarmed the bombs and our Crew Chief reported he would repair the damage in time for the next mission.
My crew reported in all unhurt except for a minor ankle sprain for my Tail Gunner, Sgt. Rhodes.
Even though we aborted, I am putting in the Air Medal for Sgt. Spignatelli, my Ball Turret Gunner. This was his 10th mission and it is not his fault some Jerry got a lucky hit.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 169
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Post by eddie on Jul 11, 2020 7:52:40 GMT -8
Mission 25 AAR
Mission Date: 8 November, 1942
Target: Sfax, Tunisia – Airfield
Submitted by: Capt. Leonard Herman, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
XO, 80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Squadron – Middle position.
Pilot: Capt. Leonard Herman (Mission #25)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #10)
Bombardier: 1st Lt. Douglas Davis (Mission #25)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #9)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #10)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Dale Benson (Mission #3)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #11)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #24)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Thompson (Mission #4)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #5)
Bomb Run: On target, 20% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: #3 Engine out, prop feathered, numberous superficial hits. (Peckham points = 46)
Crew Casualties Sustained: none
Enemy Aircraft Claims: none
I briefed the crew on the length of the mission and to remain alert even though we will probably not see many fighters since we are so far out in the Med. But just when you relax is when things go wrong. I also spoke with Lt. Collins, my co-pilot to make sure we are monitoring the gauges. There are not many places for us to go if things start to go wrong.
Take off was routine, and 2nd Lt. Nelson gave our vectors and we headed out over the Med.
About 500 nautical miles from Fayid we saw a 190 headed for us but the British friendlies were all over him.
There were no more enemy fighters until we got over the target. When we approached our final vector to the target, suddenly there were 109s all over the place. Friendly fighters chases off one of them and we were left with three, at 12 high, 3 high, and 9 level. Two of them exchanged fire with us and broke off. The one at 9 level however filled us full of holes and knocked out the #3 engine. We were close enough to bomb drop that we were not worried about being slowed enough to be out of formation and should be able to keep up with the squadron once we released the bombs. That 109 was persistent, and came back at us from 10:30 level, not once but twice. He must have had experience with -17’s because he knew exactly where our weakest gun angles were. He scored a few more superficial hits and then broke off.
We bombed on target but my bombardier, 1st Lt. Davis though we were only about 20% effective.
No flak on the way out, but again several fighters. Our friendlies chased off a couple, one fired at us and broke off, the other put a few holes in the Betty before a friendly got on him.
There were no more fighters the rest of the mission and we landed safety in Malta.
I will fill out the paperwork for the following awards.
1st Lt. Douglas Davis, Bombardier – Distinguished Flying Cross: completion of 25 missions.
2nd Lt. Thomas Collins, Co-Pilot – Oak cluster to Air Medal: completion of 10th mission.
MSgt. Dave Malinowski, Engineer - Oak cluster to Air Medal: completion of 10th mission.
Sgt. Steve Rhodes, Tail Gunner – Air Medal: completion of 5th mission.
Respectively submitted:
Capt. L. Herman, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
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Post by eddie on Aug 8, 2020 8:15:01 GMT -8
Mission 27 AAR
Mission Date: 30 November, 1942
Target: Near Bizerte, Tunisia – Ships at Sea
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Jake Taylor, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Middle Squadron – Middle position.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jake Taylor (Mission #1)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #11)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Michael Carlson (Mission #1)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #10)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #11)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Dale Benson (Mission #4)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #12)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Marc Terry (Mission #25)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Thompson (Mission #5)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #6)
Bomb Run: Off target, 0% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Nav equipment inop, Top Turret and Port Waist guns inop, Bomb controls out, control cables, numerous superficial hits. (Peckham points = 74)
Crew Casualties Sustained: 2nd Lt. T. Nelson, Navigator, Light wound; Sgt. D. Benson, Radio Operator, Light wound.
Enemy Aircraft Claims: Bf-109 by 2nd Lt. M. Carlson, Bombardier – witnessed and confirmed.
I briefed the crew on the mission and tried to let my veteran crew members know that while I am in command, I also value their opinion and experience. If they see something I should know, they should speak up and I will take what they have to say under advisement. I also spoke with Lt. Collins, my co-pilot to make sure we are monitoring the gauges, especially altitude and fuel. Finally, I made sure my Navigator, Lt. Nelson had updated all his charts.
We headed to the area where the enemy shipping was expected and luckily saw no enemy fighters.
When we sighted the enemy ships we were immediately attacked by a Me-110 coming up at us in a vertical climb. He had to be skipping waves because we were only at 5000 feet to begin with. Our ball turret thinks he damaged the 110 as he saw a puff of smoke after firing but the 110 continued its climb and put shells all down the belly. One shell tore through the navigators table and destroyed the equipment. Another shell wrecked the top turret guns as it passed right through the ship and between my co-pilot and me. The 110 circled back and came in at 6 high. Our radio operator put a tracer into him and he broke off and headed south, trailing smoke from his #2 engine.
We made a bomb run on a large freighter but the bombs overshot and we did not score any hits.
When we banked away from the ships there were Bf-109s all over the place. Several dove at us. Our fire was ineffective as was theirs and several broke off. One though put a few shells into the nose and my Navigator, Lt. Nelson, reported he had been wounded but it wasn’t bad. The 109 circled back and attacked head on but some lead from the nose gun caused him to break off.
The next 200 nautical miles was a running gun battle with several more Bf-109s and half a dozen FW-190’s. We got some friendly fighter cover and took some more damage, most notably to the bomb control equipment. My radio operator, Sgt. Benson was lightly wounded. My Bombardier, Lt. Carlson though, flamed a 109 and we watched as it dove out of control and crashed into the sea.
The remainder of the mission was without incident. When we landed I got quite the look of disgust from my crew chief, but I thanked him for taking care of the Betty so well that she was able to get us all home even though she was shot up pretty good. He seemed pleased at being recognized and I promised I would try to do better on my next mission.
This was Sgt. Terry’s 25th mission as Port Waist Gunner and he will be rotating home. I will speak to personnel about a replacement before the next mission.
I will fill out the paperwork for the following awards.
Sgt. Marc Terry, Port Waist Gunner – Distinguished Flying Cross: completion of 25 missions.
2nd Lt. Tim Nelson, Navigator – Purple Heart and Oak cluster to Air Medal: completion of 10th mission.
Sgt. Dale Benson, Radio Operator – Purple Heart
Sgt. Bill Thompson, Starboard Waist Gunner - Air Medal: completion of 5th mission.
Respectively submitted:
1st Lt. J. Taylor, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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eddie
80th Bomber Squadron
Posts: 169
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Post by eddie on Aug 23, 2020 6:46:49 GMT -8
Mission 28 AAR
Mission Date: 5 December, 1942
Target: Tunis, Tunisia – Harbor
Submitted by: 1st Lt. Jake Taylor, commanding
Bomber SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370; "Bombing Betty"
80th Bomb Sqdn, 509th Bomb Grp.
Formation position: Low Squadron – Middle position.
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jake Taylor (Mission #2)
Co-Pilot: 2nd. Lt. Thomas Collins (Mission #12)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Michael Carlson (Mission #2)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Tim Nelson (Mission #11)
Engineer: MSgt. Dave Malinowski (Mission #12)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Dale Benson (Mission #5)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Frances Spignatelli (Mission #13)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Tom Jeffries (Mission #1)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Bill Thompson (Mission #6)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Steve Rhodes (Mission #7)
Bomb Run: On target, 30% HIT.
Bomber Damage Sustained: Port wing brake out, Port Aileron hit but functional, numerous superficial hits. (Peckham points = 32)
Crew Casualties Sustained: Sgt. D. Benson, Radio Operator, KIA.
Enemy Aircraft Claims: Bf-109 by Sgt. S. Rhodes, Tail Gunner – witnessed and confirmed.
I briefed the crew on the mission and let them know we were likely to see a lot of enemy fighters so stay sharp and make sure they call them out on the intercom.
Well we did see a lot of enemy fighters but so did our friendly fighters. Those guys did a great job of keeping the fighters off of us about 400nm from base. They chased off three Me-110’s attacking in two different waves.
About 100nm further on, we were attacked by 2 Bf-109’s from the front. They both missed but when one of them went past us, my Engineer called him out to the Tail and my tail gunner nailed him. He just blew up mid-air.
When we got near the target there were fighters everywhere but for some reason, none of them came after the Betty. There were at least three waves of fighters that went by us and on to other bombers in the formation.
We took some flak over the target and one of those shells killed my Radio Operator, Sgt. Benson. There was nothing we could do for him but I do not think he suffered. We took some flak in the Port Wing but nothing seemed damaged.
Bombs were on target and my Bombardier thinks he hit about 30% of the target.
There was no flak on egress from the target but there were plenty more fighters. And once again, our friendlies kept most of them busy. A few got through but missed us and flew on.
About 400nm from base, we were attacked again with friendlies chasing a couple away and the one that did come in after us score superficial hits.
We had one more surprise from the German’s on landing. Seems like some of that flak destroyed the brakes on my Port Wing landing gear and we almost crashed on braking but there is enough runway here we were able to roll out.
My crew chief reports he will have the Betty ready for the next mission.
I will fill out the paperwork for the following awards.
Sgt. Dale Benson, Radio Operator – Purple Heart, Air Medal for 5th Mission – both posthumous.
Respectively submitted:
1st Lt. J. Taylor, Commanding.
SN: B17F-1-BO-41-24370
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