Medic1 - Multiple squadrons

[medic1]

B-17F PREFERRED RISK 27BO-42-102673

Pilot: 1st Lt Emmett Markland
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force
Formation/Position - Low / Middle
Mission Date: 31 Oct 43
Mission Number: 050
Missions This Bomber: 3
Target: Antheor France - Bridge

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	THIS MISSION	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Emmett Markland	3	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Tom Shelby	3	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Dan Zatorsky	3	1	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Matt O'Connell	3	0	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Doug Tasker	3	1	0	RTD
RO S/Sgt Al Boychuk	3	0	0	RTD
Ball Turret S/Sgt Rick Larimer	3	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Terry Hardy	1	0	0	RTD
SWG Sgt Virgil Kennard	1	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Askook Loneclaw	3	1	1	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 5 Hits
Superficial x 1 (1)
Nose x 1
-compartment heat out (10)
Port Wing x 2
-superficial (1)
-#1 engine out & feathered (35)
Waist
-SWG MG jam (10)
Tail x 1
-rudder, no effect (5)
Peckham Points: 62
Repair Time: Overnight 
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Mike Novak (average, mod rating 1/2)
Landing: Safe at Maison Blanche.
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	5	1	1	1	0
Bf-110	1	0	0	0	0
C-202	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	1	0	0	0	0
G-50	0	0	0	0	0
Re-2001	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	6	1	1	1	0

Claims: 1
Sgt Askook Loneclaw 1 x Bf-109
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action report(using QOTS):

Zone 1: We took off in inclement weather but we had no issues doing so and formed up. The same couldn’t be said of Apache Gold, who crashed on take-off. It looked bad for her crew and I hoped that some of them made it out.

Zone 2-5: Nothing to report.

Zone 6:

While the Luftwaffe threw fighters at the squadron, we only had to contend with a single climbing 110. While Larimer failed to hit him, the bandit proved just as inept and flew off after one pass.
The flak was also off the mark, but the combination of it and the weather worked against us and Zatorsky obviously failed to hit anywhere close to the bridge.
INBOUND

We came out of the flak and into a gaggle of five 109 (12 Lev, 1:30, 3 & 6 H and a VD). One their 1st pass, O’Connell damaged the 1:30, Kennard jammed his MG, Tasker nailed the 6 H (denied at interrogation) and Loneclaw also got the better of the 1”30 as it presented itself passing his tail position.
But the German’s weren’t toothless and the 12:00 hit the port wing twice, knocking out the 31 engine that we were able to feather. The 3:00 hit the rudder, was wasn’t any worse for the wear.
These two fighters returned to attack abreast of each other as they came in at 12:00 Lev. Tasker scared one off, the pilot breaking off without firing and left his buddy to attack alone. Maybe he worked better that way as he hit us twice more, one hit destroying the heat controls to the nose section.
He returned to try again from his favorite position and Tasker jammed his twin fifties trying to take him out. The buzzard must have been low on ammo as he didn’t come back after that attempt.
Zone 5: The guys in the nose reported how they were beginning to feel like a couple of popsicles and I had Boychuk radio the squadron that we were leaving the formation, and I dropped down to a toastier altitude. Tasker also reported that he was able to get his MG’s back into working order.
Zone 4-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: We landed without any problems on a slick runway and only three engines. Another dismal performance turned in by us again as we missed the target.

And as far as we could tell, only one other crew missed hitting the target. Almost without exception the 80th dropped for 40% or better! We're really dragging the squadron down

1st Lt Emmett Markland 80th BS

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Mission Date: 15 Nov 43
Mission Number: 051
Missions This Bomber: 7
Target: Athens Greece - Eleusis A/D

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Duncan Brewster	7	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mark Janowski	6	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	7	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	7	2	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	7	6	0	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	7	.5	0	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	7	2.5	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	6	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	6	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	7	7.5	3	LW

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 75%
B-17 Damage: 9 Hits
Superficial x 3 (3)
Port Wing x 1
-superficial (1)
Starboard Wing x 1
-main landing gear inop (25)
Waist x 1
-SWG suit heat out (10)
Tail x 3
-superficial (1)
-TG LW (2)
-wing root (25)
Gremlin Oxygen System Destruction (10)
Extra Gear Up Damage Plus Damage added to Repair Time (140)
Peckham Points: 217
Repair Time: 5 Days
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	2	0	1	0
Bf-110	1	0	1	0	0
Fw-190	3	1	0	1	0
Ju-88	5	0	0	0	2
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	13	3	1	2	2

Confirmed Claims: 3
Sgt Tom Welch 2 x Bf-109, 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 1
Sgt Tom Welch LW – Leg cut. Treated and RTD
Award/ Promotions Requests:
PH Sgt Tom Welch
DFC Sgt Tom Welch


After Action report(using QOTS):
(Note: Optional rules I used on this mission:
Crew Chief Status: www.mediafire.com/folder/ybg5dh4ucqyg9/EJEMPLO_EN_INGLES#7p88um9u1tc5l
Mechanical Failure optional table created by our XO, limburger59: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1644/qots-mechinaical-failure-chart
Oxygen and Heat options 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1084/options-trivia-variants-bombs-oxygen
Expanded German fighter pilot skill: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1491/bruce-peckhams-german-pilot-variant
GAF Placement Variant created by our own jasta6: boardgamegeek.com/filepage/113956/gaf-placement-variant-v10
“We may have left the sand back in Africa, but Italy seems to have as much mud as they have.” Lt Corby complained as he jumped out of the truck and slashed into the muck.
“Cheer up, Gus,” Lt Rossetti answered as his leap from the vehicle sent a splash of mud around him. “We’re about to fly over historic Athens. Over Greece, a country that has produced many breakthrough innovations and significant intellectual discoveries such as the development of philosophy and the sciences. And it’ll be sunny at 20,000 feet.”
“You forgot to mention all the wars the Greeks have fought throughout history.” Arellano, the ball gunner added.
“And all I hear is that they were Greek Gods,” Waist gunner Mansfield said, “And I find out that they’re just Godda- “
“Don’t you finish that thought!” his waist partner Mazzini cautioned. “My Sister-in-Law is Greek.”
“Damn Greeks.” Mansfield smiled.
Mazzini connected a right cross across Mansfield jaw. Several others of the crew got between the two and herded them into Angel in De Skies.
“Aren’t you going to do anything about that?” asked Janowski.
Brewster looked about him. No one outside of the crew seemed to have noticed.
“I didn’t see a thing.” He said, shrugging his shoulders. “And Mansfield deserved that.”
He then pulled the two aside and had a private word with them before he climbed in.
Zone 1: In gloomy weather and a slick runway, we took off without any mishaps or incidents and formed up. Corby reported a problem with his oxygen, but Dunson was able to get it flowing again before it was needed.
Zone 2-5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6: Two 109 (3 H & 6 Lev) began the festivities. Dunson had some hits on the 3:00 which might have had an effect for the Jerrie's poor return fire, and Welch plastered the fighter on our six, which began to burn with its engine on fire.
Zone 7: Another two 109 (6 & 10:30 H) met us at the IP. Cassidy spray fired at the 6 H, causing the fighter to break right into Welch’s fire and it erupted into a fireball.
The fighters disappeared at the first sign of flak. Although the weather was against us, Rossetti found the target and plastered it with about ¾ of our payload.
INBOUND
The flak was about the same intensity on the way to the rally point, and Welch report that some shrapnel had cut his leg. He was able to stay at his post.
Two Ju-88’s were flying above us after we had left the flak behind. They dropped a couple of bombs on us that whipped past everyone so fast that no one broke formation.
Two 190’s moved in after the two 88’s left (3 Lev & 1:30 H). Dunson caught a piece of the 1:30, but it was Welch who recorded his third of the day as he caught the fighter as it passed him.
The other 190 was piloted by an Ace who ran at us three times, but only caused slight damage before he called it a day, himself taking a bit of damage from Welch.
But Goering’s Goons weren’t willing to go home just yet as another 190 came out of the sun on us.
The intercom came alive as another 190 roared in from above.
“Look at that Son of a Bitch fly!” Cassidy called out as he sprayed fired at the Focke-Wulf.
“That ain’t no ordinary pilot! He’s gotta be one of their big guns! Dammit! I thought I had the bugger!” Dunson yelled.
The 190 struck the fuselage and dropped away.
Arellano watched the fighter from his ball turret. “He’s coming back again! 3 o’clock low!”
“Come on, you guys! Get him!” Brewster called out.
The German fighter smoothly evaded the fire of Angel in De Skies and sent a burst into the bomber.
Mazzini winced as a slug whizzed by him and caused some sparking of severed wiring that he quickly pulled apart to eliminate the threat of a fire.
Welch also ducked instinctively as a hole appeared in his window.
“Skipper,” Arellano called, I see fluid leaking out from the right wheel well. There’s a lot of twisted metal as well. I think the main gear is toast.”
Before Brewster could comment, the fighter returned and sent another burst into the tail section, then winged away.
“There’s a fist sized chunk missing out of the port stabilizer root, Skipper.” Welch reported.
“As long as it’s still attached.” Brewster replied.
Janowski scanned the gauges. “The hydraulic fluid will be long gone before we get home.”
“We’ll crank it down, if we can, when the time comes.”
“What if we can’t?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“That Kraut must have hit my heat controls, Skipper.” Mazzini interrupted their conversation. “I’m starting to get cold back here.”
“Aw crap!” Janowski sighed. “Now we have to leave formation. And we’re going to be sitting ducks. Better have Cassidy call it out.”
Brewster sat silent for a minute as he contemplated all of the options, discarding each almost as he thought of them.
“Wait a minute, Mark. Maybe not.” He activated his intercom. “Mansfield. How’s your heat?”
“I’m good, Skip.”
“Okay. You man both MG’s. Mazzini, unplug yourself and grab a portal oxygen bottle and hustle to the radio room and plug in to the spare heat and oxygen there. Then make yourself useful and standby the RR’s gun.”
“Roger. I’m on my way.” Mazzini disconnected and picked up an air canister. “That’s bloody brilliant! Why haven’t we thought of this before?” He said to Mansfield. “Now you can give that sore jaw of yours a rest, unless you enjoy talking to yourself.”
“If I do, at least I’ll get to have an intelligent conversation” Mansfield shot back
Zone 6: Another two high flying 88’s that looked to drop some more bombs on us. But they were looking at us and missed a couple of Lightning Riders who took care of them.
Zone 5: Yet another 88 (3 Lev) and a 110 (10:30 H). The 88 missed and was gone, but Dunson set an engine of fire of the 110. Interrogation listed it as a probable.
Zone 4: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: Janowski adjusted his face mask, took a couple of breathes, then looked at Brewster.
“I was about to ask you if you were having trouble with your oxygen as well.”
Then the rest of the crew started to report in that they were all experiencing oxygen failures.
“We have a gremlin stowaway.” Dunson said as he dropped out of his turret. “I’ll grab a canister and see if I can fix this.”
“Give it a shot, Drew. But we have to drop out of formation in case you can’t.
Cassidy, let the squadron know that we’re dropping to Angels eight due to gremlins.”
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We found that despite our best efforts, we couldn’t drop the starboard main gear.
Brewster and Janowski talked over their slim choices. Brewster decided on no landing gear at all, believing that it would be easier to control the aircraft during rollout.
“Okay, Drew. Fire off a yellow (flare).” He said to the engineer.
“You know, Skipper, we could all bail out and let this bird crash. We might get get ourselves one of those new 17 Gees.”
“We could all bail out and our chutes might not open, either. I’ll take my chances riding her down. Fire the flare.”
“Should I fire a red as well. Welch is wounded.”
Even though they were in a serious situation, Brewster had to laugh.
“Drew, no matter what happen,s there’s going to be an ambulance when we come to a stop.”

The crew assumed crash positions and between Jakowski and myself, we managed to affect a rather smooth landing, all things considered.

S/Sgt Yates and his ground crew are happy that the crew are all safe but have made their displeasure known at the long hours that they’ll be pulling over the next five days to get the Angel back to flying status.

Lost in all of this is Rossetti’s fantastic bomb drop and Welch’s triple score. When I mentioned to Welch that he’ll be up for a DFC because of this, he stated that he’d rather receive a promotion with the slight increase in pay that would come with it. He sends most of his pay home to help out his folks back on their farm in Oklahoma.

1st Lt Duncan Brewster, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

(Rolled a 10. Crew Chief S/Sgt Clancy Yates & ground crew had excellent teamwork, adding +1 to Yates’s modifier for the next mission. His modifier is now 2.5)

[medic1]

B-17F PREFERRED RISK 27BO-42-102673

Pilot: 1st Lt Emmett Markland
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force
Formation/Position - Low / Middle
Mission Date: 15 Nov 43
Mission Number: 051
Missions This Bomber: 4
Target: Athens Greece - Eleusis A/D

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	THIS MISSION	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Emmett Markland	4	0	0	KIA
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Tom Shelby	4	0	0	KIA
Bombardier 2nd Lt Dan Zatorsky	4	1	0	KIA
Navigator 2nd Lt Matt O'Connell	4	0	0	KIA
Engineer T/Sgt Doug Tasker	4	1	0	KIA
RO S/Sgt Al Boychuk	4	0	0	KIA
Ball Turret S/Sgt Rick Larimer	4	0	0	KIA
PWG Sgt Terry Hardy	2	0	0	KIA
SWG Sgt Virgil Kennard	2	0	0	KIA
Tail Gunner Sgt Askook Loneclaw	4	2	0	KIA

Bomb Run: DNB
On Target: N/A
B-17 Damage: See Landing
Peckham Points: To Infinity and Beyond!
Repair Time: Never
Landing: Bomb load detonated on landing
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:
PH Posthumously for entire crew

After Action report(using QOTS):

Zone 1: Preferred Risk was seen to take on without any problems. Shortly thereafter she reported that the #1 engine supercharger had failed and they were aborting and returning to base.
With no place to jettison her payload, one of the bombs must have jarred loose in the bomb bay and she exploded just after touching down with the loss of the entire crew.
As we were recovering what remains we could find and clearing the wreckage, Elusive Lucy attempted to land after having to abort. . .

S/Sgt Mike Novak, Former Crew Chief of Preferred Risk

(I had this written out and originally had the crew jettison the bomb load. And then I read limburger’s AAR and realized that I had forgotten about not jettisoning over Italy. So I re-rolled the landing with the -4 modifier – SNAKE EYES!!)

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 16
Mission Date: 15 Nov 43
Mission Number: 051
Mission Target: Athens, Greece – Air Drome

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks	16	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini	16	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	15	0	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	5	.5	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt James Morrell	16	10	5	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	15	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Burl Whitmore	16	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Jeff Taliaferro	5	.5	0	KIA
SWG Sgt Carl Dixion	2	0	1	SW/DOW
Tail Gunner Sgt Drake Nolan	16	7	1	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 30%
B-24 Damage: 12 Hits
Superficial x 3 (6)
Nose x 3
-superficial (2)
-navigator’s oxygen, no effect (5)
-bombardier’s bombsight inop (10)
Port Wing x 2
-wing root (25)
-superficial (2)
Starboard Wing x 1
-superficial (2)
Bomb Bay x 1
-superficial (2)
Waist x 1
-PWG KIA, SWG SW (15)
Tail x 1
-starboard elevator inop (10)
Peckham Points: 79
Repair Time: Repairs completed overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered: 17

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	4	1	0	0
Bf-110	3	1	1	1	0
Fw-190	9	2	0	0	3
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	1	1	0	0	0
TOTALS	17	8	2	1	3

Confirmed Claims: 8
T/Sgt James Morrell 3 X Bf-109, 1 x Bf-110, 1 x Fw-190
2nd Lt Rod McLaren 1 x Fw-190
Sgt Bruce Weyburn 1 x Me-410
Sgt Drake Nolan 1 x FW-190
Casualties: 2
S/Sgt Jeff Taliaferro KIA-abdomen & groin cut, inflamed bladder
Sgt Bruce Weyburn SW-head/mouth area-lower jaw removed. DOW in surgery
Award/ Promotions Requests:

PH Posthumously S/Sgt Jeff Taliaferro
PH Posthumously Sgt Bruce Weyburn
OLC (2nd awarded) for 15 missions - 2nd Lt Rod McLaren
AM 2nd Lt Gus Cousins, S/Sgt Jeff Taliaferro (posthumously)
No promotions awarded

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: We were held up slightly as Judgement Day had an engine catch fire and aborted, adding to the gloominess of the lousy weather. We took off and formed up without any further mishaps.
Zone 2-5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6: Two 190 (9 & 10:30 H) with a Me 410 (3 Lev) became our first challengers with the crew equal to the thrown gauntlet. Morrell (TT) ripped the wing off of 9 high, the fighter spiraling down giving the pilot little change to escape. Weyburn (RW) scored heavy hits against the 410 and it caught fire and fell out of control. The last 190 escaped.
Zone 7: At the IP two 109 (3 H & Lev) tried to deter us from our mission but Morrell cut the opposition in half as he hammered the 3 high and the pilot was forced to bail out. The other goon rendered our right elevator useless and added a superficial hit as well. He returned (10:30 Lo) but nothing came of it.
The flak was all off but McLaren (BOMB) wasn’t, finding a hole in the murk and dropped for 30%.
INBOUND
The flak was off and it all burst well away from us. But two 109 (10:30 & 9 H) and a 110 (12 Lev) tried to make up for it once we had cleared the field. Morrell had his third confirmed of the day, taking out the 9 H. The others fired wide and moved on to other targets.
Zone 6: Another two 109 (6 & 1:30 H) Nolan (TG) took care of the 6:00 but his buddy retaliated with his own deadly fire as he took out Taliaferro and Weyburn in the waist. That buzzard came back at 21 high where Morrell added him to his score card. Whitmore (tunnel gunner) reported that Taliaferro was gone and Weyburn wasn’t far behind, and he was doing what he could for him.
We saw our lead, Pink Flamingo drop out and Bohica took over to guide us home.
Zone 5: More fighters attacked the squadron and Dumbo was lost as she lost a wing. We saw only three chutes before we had to turn our attention to two 110 (6 Lo & 12 H) who attempted to do the same to us. Whitmore sent the 6:00 into the clouds trailing heavy smoke with Nolan getting a piece of him as well (denied at interrogation). The 12:00 hit us three times, but all hits were minor. He returned for another try at 12 H but ran into the hot hand of Morrell, who had his incredible fifth score of the day!

Zone 4: It seemed that the German’s were determined to chase us all the way to Foggia as we were jumped by three 190 (12 Lo,9 Lev & H). McLaren caught the head on bandit napping while Morrell thought he had his sixth of the mission, but it was awarded to some other crew’s gunner at interrogation. The last 190 drilled four into us with a hit to Cousins (NAV) oxygen being the worst of it. On his return he destroyed McLaren’s bombsite. Another attack yielded nothing and he was off.
Zone 3: Four 190 were setting up to take runs at us when our noticeably absent fighter escort finally decided to join the party and chased off three of them. The remaining fighter made a halfhearted attempted and bugged out.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: We fired off red flares and landed safely despite the weather. 

Taliaferro was dead and Weyburn died later on the operating table. Their deaths put a damper on Morrell’s banner day.

Chief Ralston and his ground crew are affecting repairs at an excellent level (crew chief earns +1 to skill points) and should have Dangerous Critter ready for the next mission.

In the meantime, I have a couple of letters to write and replacements to find.

1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Mission Date: 24 Nov 43
Mission Number: 052
Missions This Bomber: 8
Target: Toulon, France - Sub Pens

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Duncan Brewster	8	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mark Janowski	7	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	8	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	8	2	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	8	6	1	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	8	.5	0	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	8	2.5	1	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	7	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	7	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	8	10.5	2	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 3 Hits
Port Wing x 1
- main landing gear break inop (25)
Bomb Bay x 1
-rafts destroyed (10)
Tail x 1
-superficial (1)
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.
Peckham Points: 36
Repair Time: Overnight
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	9	4	1	1	2
Bf-110	1	0	0	0	1
Fw-190	1	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	1
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	11	4	1	1	6

Confirmed Claims: 4
Sgt Tom Welch 2 x Bf-109
S/Sgt Drew Dunson 1 x Bf-109
Sgt Frankie Arellano 1 x Bf-109
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:


After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: We had really good weather for the mission and had no issues taking off or forming up.
Zone 2: The German’s were out hunting early and we had a Fw-200 high above following the squadron. The Krauts were now aware that we were on our way somewhere.
Zone 3-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: Encountered two waves from the IP to the flak field/
1st Wave – A lone 190 that was shooed away by a P-38.
2nd Wave – Two 109 (12 H, 12 lev & 6 Lev) with Welch peppering the 6:00 that set its engine on fire and forced the pilot to jump. The 12:00 evaded our fire but missed us as well. As he past the tail, Welch took him out as well, but was denied at interrogation.
The flak was all around and we took some damage around the wheel well on the port side and the tail, the hits knocking us about just as Rossetti released and our drop was off target.
INBOUND
The flak was about the same intensity on the way to the rally point but none of it found us. However, we had three 109 (12 H, 12 Lo & 6 Lo) with a 110 (12 Lo) tagging along. A Lightning latched onto the 110 and removed him from the equation, and Arellano fired several bursts at the rear 109, the fighter becoming engulfed in flames. It flipped over and dropped towards the ground.
The low head on attacker destroyed our rafts and returned 9 H where he was damage by Dunson and quickly snapped off a wide burst and dove away. The remaining 109 also missed but as he left, he presented Welch with a good view of him was set on fire, spiraling out of control towards the ground.
Zone 6: We had a 109 at 3 H that was taken care of by Dunson. The pilot bailed but his chute failed to open.
Zone 5: Another 109 came at us but all that happened from this was a waste of ammo for both sides.
Zone 4-3: Nothing to report.
Zone 2: Two more of Goering’s Goons in 109’s were about to run at us but some P-38’s on their way home engaged and we sailed on unmolested.

Zone 1: We found out on landing that the port brake had been shot out. Janowski and I were able to compensate for it and we landed safely.

S/Sgt Yates says that the ship will be ready tomorrow. That’s about the only good news after our disappointing bomb drop.

1st Lt Duncan Brewster, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 17
Mission Date: 24 Nov 43
Mission Number: 052
Mission Target: Toulon, France - Sub Pens

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks	17	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini	17	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	16	1	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	6	1.5	1	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt James Morrell	17	15	1	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	16	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Burl Whitmore	17	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	1	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	1	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Drake Nolan	17	8	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-24 Damage: 5 Hits
Port Wing x 2
-inboard fuel tank leak (10)
-#2 engine oil tank fire. 2 extinguishers used, engine out & feathered (110)
Starboard Wing x 1
-superficial (2)
Bomb Bay x 0
-superficial (2)
Waist x 1
- superficial (2)
Tail x 1
- superficial (2)
Peckham Points: 128
Repair Time: 2 days
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2) Crew Chief: No mechanical fails this mission.
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	9	2	1	0	5
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	9	2	1	1	5

Confirmed Claims: 2
2nd Lt Gus Cousins  1 x Fw-190
T/Sgt James Morrell 1 x FW-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: The weather was much more agreeable for the mission and we took off and formed up without any mishaps.
Zone 2-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: Four 190 (2 @ 12 H, 12 Lev &1:30 H) singled us out in the target zone with one 12 H running afoul of a Lightning. Morrell heavy damaged the other 12 H, but it is a probable at best. Cousins was able to keep his MG trained on a novice pilot at 1:30 and took him down and the last 190 escaped damage and moved on.
The flak burst all around but we sailed through it without a scratch. McLaren was his usual steady self and put at least 20% on target.

INBOUND

The flak was more accurate and we took five hits that roughed us up a bit. Three were superficial to the right wing, waist and tail, but the port wing wasn’t so lucky. One hit the inboard fuel tank causing a leak and damaged the fuel transfer pump. The other hit the #2 oil tank and set it on fire, taking two extinguishers to put out it before we were able to feather the prop. After applying more throttle to the other engines, we were able to keep up with the squadron.
As we were fighting the fire, we were fortunate that the fighters left us alone.

Zone 6: I conferred with engineer Morrell who calculated our fuel loss. He figured that, barring any more damage to the fuel tanks that we should have enough juice to make it back to Giulia – maybe. It would be close.
After some discussion I decided that we would not divert to Calvi which we would be passing by soon, but stay with the squadron, and hope that we had made the right call.
Zone 5: (Random event: Lady Luck) Morrell recalculated his figures and said that it was still pretty touch and go. I ordered the crew to jettison all extra gear, flak jackets, helmets, thermoses, letters, charts and empty ammo boxes. I also had Towns chuck the rafts out the waist windows as I didn’t want any drag caused by opening the bay doors.

Zone 4: Recalculated our fuel again, and it’s still a crap shoot.
Zone 3: Three 190 (1:30 Lev, 12 & 3-Ace H) choose to pick on us. Some P-38’s dropped in and mixed it up with two of them (1:30 & 3) and Morrell caused the last one to explode in a bright fireball.
Zone 2: We seemed to be attracting fighters (2 x 109) that in turn attracted our P-38’s. As we left the dogfight behind, Morrell again recalculated our fuel situation. I ordered all remaining gear ditched. Our machine guns and all ammo went out the windows, followed by our chutes, nav gear, personal stuff such as letters. I had Towns radio our situation and then chuck the radio.

Zone 1: Minutes away from landing, the #4 engine sputtered and died, starved for fuel.

We threw out our high-altitude gear and lined up the runway. We fired off a yellow flare then tossed the flare gun and all other flares.
The #1 died as we were almost down. The one remaining engine fought a losing battle and we hit the ground harder that any of us would have liked, but we were down, and more importantly, safe.

Chief Ralston and his ground crew are affecting repairs  and should have Dangerous Critter ready in two days.

The crew to a man said that they had faith in me to get us home. Truth is, it was too close and if I had to do it again I think I would have landed at Calvi. But that's a debate we'll be having in the bar tonight.

1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Mission Date: 27 Nov 43
Mission Number: 053
Missions This Bomber: 9
Target: Rimmi, Italy – Marshaling Yard

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Duncan Brewster	9	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mark Janowski	8	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	9	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	9	2	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	9	7	0	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	9	.5	0	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	9	3.5	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	8	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	8	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	9	12.5	1	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 5 Hits
Starboard Wing x 1
- superficial x 1 (1)
Bomb Bay x 1
- superficial x 1 (1)
Tail x 3
-superficial (1)
-suit heat out (10)
-tailwheel (10)
Peckham Points: 13
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission. Excellent repair work following mission and earns another skill point (+3 next mission)
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	4	1	1	0	1
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	1	1	0	1

Confirmed Claims: 1
Sgt Tom Welch 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: We had good weather again for the mission and had no issues taking off or forming up.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: (Random Event: Rabbit’s Foot) Goering’s Goons didn’t seem very interested in us and we were free of attacks, lending our guns to the overall formation defense until the fighters peeled off when the flak opened up.
The flak was a tad on the accurate side as we took three hits, one rendering Welch’s suit heat controls useless and another damaging the tailwheel. This had an effect on Rossetti’s release and our drop was off target - again.
INBOUND
The flak was about the same intensity on the way to the rally point and we were struck twice more, but causing minor damage in the right wing and bomb bay.
Three 190 (12 & 1:30 H, 10:30 Lev) took issue with us and Dunson thought that he had added another goon to his score, but it was downgraded to a probable by the boys at interrogation.
But Welch’s tally stood up as he jumped all over the 10:30 passing the tail, his bursts causing the 190 to flip over and drop a few hundred feet before exploding.
After that, another 190 started to move in against us, but one of those fat jug looking new P-47’s jumped all over him and racked himself up a score.
Zone 2: Welch was starting to feel the cold and we informed the squadron of the issue and that we were dropping to angels eight.
Two thunderbolts followed us down and kept us company. We didn’t have any problems with the krauts thanks to them as it seemed that they had seen enough of the P-47’s over the target zone.

Zone 1: We fired off a yellow flare and when we came in, we had surprisingly little trouble landing with a damaged tailwheel (rolled an 11).

S/Sgt Yates says that the ship will be ready tomorrow.

I plan on having a quiet chat with Rossetti about missing two drops in a row. I know that there are factors at play, but I really hate fighting our way to a target and coming away with nothing to show for it.

1st Lt Duncan Brewster, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 18
Mission Date: 27 Nov 43
Mission Number: 053
Mission Target: Rimmi, Italy – Marshaling Yard

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks	18	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini	18	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	17	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	7	2.5	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt James Morrell	18	16	0	LWx2
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	17	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Burl Whitmore	18	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	2	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	2	0	0	LW
Tail Gunner Sgt Drake Nolan	18	8	0	SW/IH

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-24 Damage: 5 Hits
Port Wing x 1
-superficial (2)
Waist x 1
-RWG LW (2)
Tail x 1
-TG SW (5)
Gremlins x 1
-engineer suffers anorexia (4)
Peckham Points: 13
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	4	0	0	0	4
Fw-190	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	0	0	0	4

Confirmed Claims: 0
Casualties: 3
T/Sgt James Morrell-Hypoxia (treated as LW x 2). Treated and RTD next day.
S/Sgt Patrick Kellici-LW. Torn concaneal tendon. RTD 4 Dec 43
Sgt Drake Nolan-SW/IH. Broken rib, inflamed lung.
Award/ Promotions Requests:

PH S/Sgt Patrick Kellici
PH Sgt Drake Nolan

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: The skies were clear and we took off and formed up without any mishaps.aps.
Zone 2: 1st wave - Random event: Rabbit’s Foot.
2nd Wave – a 110 showed up but didn’t get a chance to run at us as our P-47’s showed what they could do.
Zone 3: 1st wave – three more 110’s arrived as we entered the target zone, but our escorts again tore into them, clearing the way in front of us.
2nd wave – Random Event: Tight Formation
Seeing the formation flying so tight, the AA burst all around us and hit home, wounding Kellici. McLaren put at least 20% on target and we turned for the rally point and home.

INBOUND

The flak badly wounded Nolan and put a hole in the port wing. After that, while the Luftwaffe left us alone, the gremlin air force appeared. Morrell dropped from his turret, appearing to be struggling to breathe. Towns checked him out and reported that his oxygen hookup was working fine. Investigating further, he found ice building up in his mask and hose and worked to clear the blockage while using handheld canisters on Morrell. Once he had that situation in hand, he manned the turret while I sent McLaren to make Kellici and Nolan comfortable and take over the tail guns.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: We fired off red flares and the ambulances were waiting for us.

Nolan’s wound has earned him a ticket home. He’s a popular member of the crew and will be missed.

Kellici and Morrell came off luckier. Morrell will be held for observation and released tomorrow while Kellici gets to goldbrick for a week before he flies again.

Ralston and his ground crew assure me that the Critter will be ready for tomorrow if need be.

1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding

1-6BPJqm5aZ

[medic1]

B-17F HAT TRICK
Pilot: 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Mission Date: 27 Nov 43
Mission Number: 053
Missions This Bomber: 9
Target: Rimmi, Italy – Marshaling Yard

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Jack Quigley	1	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank Singer	1	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Quinton Seagrave	1	0	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Steve Liotti	1	0	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Steve Rabb	2	0	0	RTD
Radio Op S/Sgt Judd Dandridge	1	0	0	RTD
Ball Turret S/Sgt Alberto Marcucchi	1	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Petr Zatorsky	1	0	0	RTD
RWG Sgt Collin Scales	1	0	0	RTD
TG Sgt Art Clayborn	1	0	1	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-17 Damage: 4 Hits
Superficial x 4 (4)
Peckham Points: 4
Repair Time: Overnight
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	1	0	0	1
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	1	0	0	1

Confirmed Claims: 1
Sgt Tom Welch 1 x Bf-109
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: We were thankful to be allowed to take part in the mission and didn’t encounter any problem or gremlins on the takeoff or form up.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: Five 109 (VD, 12 H, 2x 12 Lev & 1:30 H) met us in the target zone. For all of our escorts we could see engaging the Krauts all over the sky, only one came to our aid and took out the 12 H.

After that, the only damage was a couple of holes from one of the 12 Lev (the others having missed us and moved on). He returned and plopped another couple of holes in us, but as he whizzed by the tail, Sgt Clayborn plucked his feathers and that boy just dropped out of the sky.

The flak was scary stuff but didn’t harm us none, and our bombardier on this jaunt, Lt Duchene, put 20% into that yard, ruining somebodies’ day.

INBOUND

The flak was still scary stuff, but again burst away from us. We came out of that with a real tight looking formation (Random Event) which combined with the P-47’s probably scared the Krauts off.
Zone 2: Nothing to report

Zone 1:

We landed just fine, breezed through interrogation and then hot footed it to the bar to celebrate getting a mission in and a milk run to boot!

1st Lt Jake Quigley, Pilot Commanding

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Middle / Tail
Mission Date: 2 Dec 43
Mission Number: 054
Missions This Bomber: 10
Target: Marseille France - Sub Pens

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Duncan Brewster	10	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mark Janowski	9	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	10	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	10	2	1	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	10	7	0	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	10	.5	1.5	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	10	3.5	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	9	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	9	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	10	13.5	1.5	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 30%
B-17 Damage: 12 Hits
Superficial x 1 (1)
Nose x 2
-superficial x 2 (2)
Cockpit x 1
-top turret MG’s inop (20)
Port Wing x 1
-wing root (25)
Starboard Wing x 2
-flap inop (10)
-outboard fuel tank, se;f sealed (5)
Bomb Bay x 1
- superficial x 1 (1)
Radio Room x 1
-cables, ailerons inop (20)
Waist x 1
-SWG MG inop (10)
Tail x 2
-superficial (1)
-rudder, N/E (5)
Gremlin x 1
-PWG MG inop due to extreme cold (10)
Peckham Points: 100
Repair Time: Two days, RTD 4 Dec 43
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	3	0	1	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	3	1	0	1	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	7	4	0	2	0

Confirmed Claims: 4
2nd Lt Gus Corby 1 x Bf-109
T/Sgt Simon Cassidy 1.5 x Bf-109
Sgt Tom Welch 1 x Fw-190, .5 x Bf-109
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:
OLC for 10 missions-1st Lt Duncan Brewster, 2nd Lt Del Rossetti, 2nd Lt Gus Corby, S/Sgt Drew Dunson, T/Sgt Simon Cassidy, Sgt Frankie Arellano, Sgt Tom Welch
Promotions-none

After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: We had good weather again for the mission and had no issues taking off or forming up.
Zone 2-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: At the IP and Goering’s Goons were out to to make our lives miserable.
1st Wave – had three 190 (6 H & Lev, 12 Lo-Ace) and no little friends to help out. The Angel shook as our gunners opened up, their tracers filling the sky.
Arellano hit the Ace at 12 Lo and he seemed to be in some difficulty. Welch easily picked him up as he passed the tail and set him on fire. The pilot didn’t get out and that’s one less goon for Herr Goering to send against us. Welch also damaged the 6 H who missed us and dropped away.
The last buzzard put two minor holes in us as well as hitting the port wing root. He swung around and tried again from 12 Lo but didn’t have any results and left.
2nd Wave – A diving 109 with another at 6 H. Cassidy spray fired at the diver and said that the fighter seemed to fly into his bursts, scoring hits along the wing root and fuselage causing the fighter to drop away out of control. After that buzzard went down, he focused on the 6 H along with Welch, their tag team efforts dropping that 109 as well.
The flak was brutal and blew off our port flap and hit the rudder. Rossetti managed to concentrate despite the knocking about and hit the target with 30% onto the sub pens.

INBOUND

The flak wasn’t any kinder to us after we had turned and made our way to the rally point and gave us a few anxious moments when a fuel tank took a hit. But thanks to those beautiful engineer people at Boing, it sealed itself.
Once away from the flak we had our usual greeting committee waiting for us.
1st Wave – Random Event: Bad Luftwaffe comms.
2nd Wave – Two 109 (VD, 6 H) who eagerly moved in as the sky seemed clear of any little friends nearby.
Welch hit the 6 H, which missed us as he took evasive action from our tail gunner’s fire. But the diver walked hits all along the Angels length, taking out the top turret and SWG guns and our ailerons. He must have been feeling pretty good about himself as he returned and tried again at 10”30 Lev, but Corby pumped accurate fire that shattered the fighter’s canopy and it dropped out of control and spiraled towards the earth.
Zone 6-4: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: We had a gremlin blowing some really cold air into us and Mansfield reported that his MG was frozen up and out of action.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We fired off a yellow flare and when we came in, we had surprisingly little trouble landing with a damaged tail wheel (rolled an 11).

We fired off a yellow flare and when we came in, we had surprisingly little trouble landing without one flap and both ailerons (rolled a 10).

S/Sgt Yates says that the ship will take a couple of days to make ready or the next one.

1st Lt Duncan Brewster, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 19
Mission Date: 2 Dec 43
Mission Number: 054
Mission Target: Marseille France - Sub Pens

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks	19	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini	19	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	18	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	8	2.5	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt James Morrell	19	16	1	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	18	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Burl Whitmore	19	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	3	0	0	LW/RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	3	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Ted Zavidow	1	0	3	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-24 Damage: 11 Hits
Superficial x 2 (4)
Nose x 2
-superficial (2)
-bombsight destroyed (10)
Flight Deck x 1
-superficial (2)
Port Wing x 2
-wing root (25)
-#1 oil tank leak, self-sealed (5)
Starboard Wing x 1
-wing root (25)
Waist x 1
-PWG LW (2)
Tail x 2
-superficial (2)
-oxygen system hit (5)
Gremlins x 1
-PW MG (10)
Peckham Points: 93
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	12	3	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	2	1	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	3	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	17	4	0	0	4

Confirmed Claims: 4
S/Sgt Ted Zavidow 2 x Bf-109, 1 x FW-190
T/Sgt James Morrell 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 1
Sgt Owen Scoles – cut arm. Treated and RTD.
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: The skies were clear and we took off and formed up without any mishaps.
Zone 2: The Krauts were out early and we had two 190’s that we swatted down without taking any damage.

Zone 3-6: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: The Luftwaffe was as thick as the flak that we would experience after we had fought through them. We encountered three waves totaling twelve fighters, with P-38’s chasing three away. Our new tail gunner Zavidow nailed two, running his score up to three for this mission.

We also took our licks from them, seven times. The worst of them punching a hole in an oil tank that self-sealed and a hit to a wing root.
The flak was bad, but we only had one hit to the other wing root. But McLaren kept his focus and managed 20% onto the target.
INBOUND

We took another flak hit which destroyed the bombsight, Mac narrowly missed getting hit by the shrapnel.
Three 210 charged us once we cleared the flak with one falling to a little friend and Zavidow damaging another. The last one wounded Scoles and hit the oxygen system. Both continued to work just fine. The 210 returned to try again and was taken out by Morrell (denied at interrogation).
Zone 6-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: We landed safely at Giulia. Scoles was able to walk out on his own with just a scratch and after a quick trip to have the wound dressed was RTD.

Ralston and his ground crew assure me that the Critter will be ready for tomorrow if need be.

1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Tail
Mission Date: 6 Dec 43
Mission Number: 055
Missions This Bomber: 11
Target: Brenner Pass - Railroad Loop

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Duncan Brewster	11	0	0	SW-IH
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mark Janowski	10	0	0	KIA
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	11	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	11	3	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	11	7	0	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	11	2	0	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	11	3.5	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	10	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	10	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	11	15	1	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 30%
B-17 Damage: 10 Hits
Superficial x 3 (3)
Cockpit x 2
-top turret oxygen, N/E (5)
-pilot SW, co-pilot KIA (15)
Port Wing x 3
-superficial (1)
-outboard fuel tank leak, self-sealed (5)
-#1 engine out & feathered (25)
Gremlin x 1
-radio room MG jammed (10)
Peckham Points: 64
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.
Landing: Somehow safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	2	0	0	1	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	5	0	1	0	1
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	1	1	0	0	0
TOTALS	8	4	1	1	1

Confirmed Claims: 1
Sgt Tom Welch 1 x Me-210
Casualties: 2
1st Lt Duncan Brewster SW-broken rib, inflamed lung (IH)
2nd Lt Mark Janowski KIA-decapitated
Award/ Promotions Requests:
PH 1st Lt Duncan Brewster
PH Posthumous 2nd Lt Mark Janowski
OLC for 10 missions-2nd Lt Mark Janowski, Sgt Curtis Mansfield, S/Sgt Tony Mazzini

Promotions-

Sgt Curtis Mansfield qejlCtCp1-6

S/Sgt Tony Mazzini 1-6

After Action report(using QOTS):

The mission started out well, like all the others before.

In zone three we encountered a single 190 which was immediately chased away by one of our little friends.

In zone five, formation fire managed to fend off some would-be attackers, or as a skipper calls them Goering's Goons.

We had some nervous moments over the Alps due to the weather, provide and slamming into any Peak's. Just after we had made our final turn, two 190 came at us from 12 High and an ace at 9 level. The 12:00 put three rounds into us and disappeared in the gloom. The ace showed us his stuff with three minor hits, another hitting my oxygen controls with no effect and punching a hole in our outboard port fuel tank that self-sealed. The worst of it, he struck the cockpit removing Co-pilot Janowski's head and severely wounding the skipper.

I dropped out of my turret just in time to see the Skipper feebly switch on the autopilot. As the flak started to pop off, I wrestled what was left of Janowski out of his seat and called to the navigator, Lt Corby, to come on up and help me. I also ordered Mazzini to man both waist guns and had Mansfield move up to the cockpit to remove Janowski's body, move the skipper to the radio room and make him comfortable, and then take over the top turret. Although severely wounded, the skipper protested being moved saying that we needed his help to fly the Angel. That’s our Skipper, putting plane and crew first.

I radioed Lieutenant Rosetti and asked how we looked in regards to being on course to drop on target, and if we are off how much control he had to get back on track? He replied that it appeared that our course was on target, and when it came time he dropped for 30%.

Inbound

Somehow, between Corby and myself we managed to make the turn with the Squadron and remain in formation.

After the flak field, we were attacked by two 109's and a 210. Arellano damaged a 109 who returned fire and knocked out the number one engine, and Corby and I managed to successfully feather the prop. Cassidy reported his MG jammed as he fired at the 210, but Welch dropped him.

I found myself having a meaningful conversation with God as we spent some anxious moments flying through the Murk, praying not to slam into some Mountainside. Obviously, we didn't.

We came under attack again by two 190, with an ace at 6 level. Thankfully nothing came of this.

Managing to keep up with the Squadron, formation fire drove off another wave and later we noticed that we were being tailed by a FW-200, but that was the last we saw of enemy fighters.

We circled the field and fired off our flares, said our prayers, dropped the landing gear and somehow didn't crash and burn (I rolled an 11-6=5).

They tell me the Skippers War is Over.

Report filed by Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson, Angel in De Skies

1-6·1-6

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: 1st Lt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 20
Mission Date: 6 Dec 43
Mission Number: 055
Mission Target: Brenner Pass - Railroad Loop

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Franklin Marks	20	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Ted Masini	20	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	19	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	9	2.5	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt James Morrell	20	17	2	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	19	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Burl Whitmore	20	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	4	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	3	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Ted Zavidow	2	3	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 50%
B-24 Damage: 5 Hits
Nose x 1
-superficial (2)
Port Wing x x 1
-aileron inop (10)
Starboard Wing x 1
-aileron inop (10)
Tail x 2
-superficial (2)
-tailplane empennage, N/E (5)
Peckham Points: 29
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	2	0	0	0	1
Bf-110	2	1	0	0	1
Fw-190	3	1	0	0	2
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	3	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	7	2	0	0	4

Confirmed Claims: 2
T/Sgt James Morrell 1 x Fw-190, 1 x Bf-110
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

OLC to AM: 1st Lt Franklin Marks, 2nd Lt Ted Masini, T/Sgt James Morrell, Sgt Burl Whitmore
Promotions-1st Lt Franklin Marks promoted to Captain, 2nd Lt Ted Masini promoted to 1st Lt, T/Sgt James Morrell promoted to M/Sgt, Sgt Burl Whitmore promoted to S/Sgt

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: The weather was a bit ugly but didn’t hamper us any. We managed to form up without any mishaps or gremlins.
Zone 2-5: Nothing to report.

Zone 6: The weather created visibility problems and we had a near miss with a mountain peak (rolled a 9). McLaren had a closer look at it from his seat and the nose and commented on needed a clean pair of underwear.

The Luftwaffe picked their moment and pounced on the squadron with a single 190 choosing to try and chew our tail. A Thunderbolt from above put an end to that nonsense.
The flak was moderate as advertised, with a chunk rendering the port aileron useless. The target was playing hide and seek with use as MacLaren would sight it and lose it over and over in the soup. But He managed to keep it in sight long enough to dial it in and dropped for about 50%!
INBOUND

The flak was lighter and only punched the air well away from us. The buzzards hit us with two waves after we were clear of it:
1st Wave – One 190 at 6 H that blew off the rightwing aileron with cannon fire with two hits to the tailplane for good measure. He came calling again from 12 H but ran into Morrell’s twin fifty fire and his flames light up the clouds briefly as he fell through them.
2nd Wave – Two 110 (10:30 H & 3 Lev) with Morrell swatting down his second of the day at 3:00 and the other buzzard missing us and moving off to other TOO’s (targets of opportunity for those who don’t know).
Zone 5-4: Nothing to report
Zone 3: Proof that you have to be alert and not lulled asleep over the lack of action for endless miles. A 190 (10:30 Lev) and two 109 (12 H & VC-Ace) took care of any boredom as they were lining us up. They also kept our escorts on their toes as P-47’s ripped into the 190 and the 109 Ace. The remaining 109 hit us in the nose but ran into more P-47’s when he tried to come back for another crack at us.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: It was a little dicey as we landed without ailerons onto a slick runway, but we didn’t crack up and all things considered, we had a good mission.

Ralston and his ground crew are already at work getting the Critter ready for whenever the next mission planned for.

1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: High / Tail
Mission Date: 10 Dec 43
Mission Number: 056
Missions This Bomber: 12
Target: Sofia Bulgaria - Marshaling Yard

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	1	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	1	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	12	2	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	12	3	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	12	7	0	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	12	2	0	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	12	3.5	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	11	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	11	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	12	16	0	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 2 Hits
Nose x 1
-superficial (1)
Bomb Bay x 1
-superficial (1)
Peckham Points: 2
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	2	1	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	2	1	0	0	0

Confirmed Claims: 1
2nd Lt Del Rossetti 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0

After Action report(using QOTS):

Zone 1: We didn’t have idea weather conditions but it didn’t cause any issues as we all took off on time without a hitch.
Zone 2-5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6: (Random Event: Bad Luftwaffe comms) Our first, at least Morland’s and my first experience with enemy fighters, turned out to be a non-event. We seemed to be invisible to them as they never came near us.
The crew had told me what to expect with flak, but their words didn’t do the experience any justice. And they tell me it was just light stuff!
I gave control to the bombardier, Rossetti, who said that he was having trouble finding the target. He finally dropped our payload, evident by the sudden rise in our ship as we shed the weight, but it was clear that Rossetti had missed the target, Disappointing.
INBOUND
There wasn’t any flak on our way to the rally point, but the fighters, the crew calls them Goering’s Goons, attempted to intercept the squadron but was kept at bay by the formations fire. We did take a hit in the empty bomb bay from an errant round fired by some careless gunner.
A second wave of Goering’s Goons fared no better than the others as they couldn’t penetrate the squadron's defensive fire.
Zone 5: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: Two Fw-190’s took notice of us and winged in with one coming in at 12 H and the other in a steep diving attack. The diver didn’t hit us but his buddy put a harmless round into the nose, then swung back for another try at 12 Lev. I had a good view of Rossetti’s tracers impacting the Kraut, lacing the inside wing, fuselage and engine. The fighter went into a spin and before it entered the clouds below, caught fire.
Zone 3-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: The weather was still miserable on landing at Giulia, and although the mission was disappointing from achieving a successful bomb drop, we survived the mission to have another try on another day.

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: Capt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 21
Mission Date: 10 Dec 43
Mission Number: 056
Mission Target: Brenner Pass - Railroad Loop

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot Capt Franklin Marks	21	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 1st Lt Ted Masini	21	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	20	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	10	2.5	0	RTD
Engineer M/Sgt James Morrell	21	17	2	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	20	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner S/Sgt Burl Whitmore	21	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	5	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	4	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Ted Zavidow	3	3	0	RTD

Bomb Run: O
On Target: 0%
B-24 Damage: 5 Hits
Nose x 2
-superficial (2)
-bombsight inoperable (10)
Flight Deck x 1
-superficial (2)
Waist x 2
-superficial x 2 (4)
Peckham Points: 18
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	1	1	0	2
Bf-110	1	0	0	0	1
Fw-190	2	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	7	1	1	0	3

Confirmed Claims: 1
T/Sgt James Morrell 1 x Bf-109
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

AM - Sgt Owen Scoles
OLC - 2nd Lt Rod McLaren, T/Sgt Emmett Towns (4th awarded), 2nd Lt Gus Cousins (2nd awarded),
Promotions - 2nd Lt Rod McLaren to 1st Lt, T/Sgt Emmett Towns to M/Sgt

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: The weather was a bit ugly but didn’t hamper us any. We managed to form up without any mishaps or gremlins.
Zone 2-3: Nothing to report.

Zone 4: We noticed a Fw-200 shadowing us. We figured that he must be signaling our position and the crew test fired all weapons anticipating unwanted visitors.
Zone 5: The unwanted company arrived as expected in two waves.
1st Wave – Two 109 (9 Lev & 1:30 H) came in first. The 9:00 had a its canopy shattered by Morrell’s fire. It rolled onto it back and dropped into the cloud cover below. The other 109 returned our fire and put one into the waist area and another that hit in the nose. Coming back for another try at 6 H, Morrell and Zavidow both put lead into him and he seemed to be in some difficulty and was last seen ducking into the clouds, fate unknown.
2nd Wave – Two 190’s (12 H & VD) were next up, with the head on attacker striking us in the waist, flight deck and one in the nose that rendered the bomb-sight useless. He came back at 12 low, missed us and moved on. The other 190 missed and we returned the favor.
Zone 6: (Random Event-Rabbit’s Foot) The Luftwaffe appeared to be somewhat upset by our presence and they raced in to oppose the squadron. A 110 in particular took exception to our existence and was lining us up for a head on attack, but a P-38 invited him to dance.

The flak was the light variety and was well off the mark. Unfortunately, so was our bomb drop, courtesy of the Luftwaffe’s damage to our bomb-sight earlier.
INBOUND

There wasn’t any flak to speak of and the Luftwaffe swarmed in to try and inflict more damage. A lone 109 attempted to take a run at us but met a fiery end at the hands of a Lightning Rider.
Zone 5: Another 109 appeared set to strafe us from 12 H but he thought better of his life choices when he spied a P-38 moving up behind him.

Zone 4-3: Nothing to report
Zone 2: Nothing to report Nothing to report (except for an unknown mech failure that became known only prior to our landing attempt).

Zone 1: With little battle damage to ourselves, we waited for all the priority landings to get clear of the runway. As we were getting ready to turn and line up the field the landing gear refused to deploy (Mech Fail #16 on limburger59’s chart) and we signaled the tower and aborted the landing.

With an eye on the fuel gauges, we circled the field as Morrell made his way to the bomb bay and manually cranked down the uncooperative gear (the first attempt I rolled was a 5, failure. The rabbit’s foot came into play and the re-roll was a 4). After some great effort on his part the panel indicated that the gear was down and locked and we landed like greenhorns as the slick conditions almost had us slid off the runway (rolled a 4).

The mission ended with a failed drop and some drama as we landed.

McLaren might have had a chance to place something on target with all of his experience and expertise, but the weather made it neigh impossible to have any success without a working bomb-sight.

1st Lt Franklin Marks, Pilot Commanding

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Mission Date: 19 Dec 43
Mission Number: 057
Missions This Bomber: 13
Target: Augsberg Germany - Messerschmidt Factory

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	2	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	2	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	13	3	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	13	3	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	13	7	0	RTD
Radio Op T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	13	2	0	RTD
Ball Turret Sgt Frankie Arellano	13	3.5	2	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	12	0	0	RTD
RWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	12	0.5	0	RTD
TG Sgt Tom Welch	13	16	2	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 2 Hits
Starboard Wing x 1
-superficial (1)
Bomb Bay x 1
-bomb release (10)
Peckham Points: 11
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	7	1	0	0	1
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	6	3	0	0	2
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	13	4	0	0	3

Confirmed Claims: 1
Sgt Frankie Arellano 2 x Fw-190
Sgt Tom Welch 1 x Bf-109, 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0

After Action report(using QOTS):

Zone 1: We had some nice weather as we took off and assembled for the outbound leg of the mission.
Zone 2-4: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: A 109 was seen lining us up out of the sun, but a P-38 made a beautiful deflection shoot and ended the Krauts flying career.
Zone 6: Nothing to report except that over the Alps all the crew reports that the new suit heaters are functioning without any glitches or gremlins.
Zone 7: We saw plenty of fighters working over the squadron, but we were left alone. Our gunners gave fire support as best they could.
The flak popped off but was all off the mark. Despite everything in our favor, Lt Rossetti missed the target – again.
INBOUND
More flak wide of us, but beyond the fighters eagerly waited for us, two waves of them as we came out of it.
1st Wave – Two 190 (12 Lo & H) came straight at us, with the high one falling to a Lightning. The low 109 missed on his pass but as he flashed by the tail fell victim to Welch’s (TG) twin fifties.
2nd Wave – Four 109 (6 Lo, 12 Lev, 6 H-Ace, 12 H) attacked in pairs on our 12 and 6. The Kraut Ace had to turn away to face a P-38 while Arellano (BT) defensive fire scored direct hits on the 6 Lo, setting the engine on fire and forcing the pilot to bail out. After that, both sides expended ammo in a contest to see who could miss who by the widest margin.
Zone 6: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: More 190 (10:30 Lo-Green, 1:30 Lev, 6 Lo & 9 H) keyed in on us with A P-38 helping out and removed the 6 Lo from the equation. Welch (TG) again proved his Ace status as he got a bead on the green Kraut as he passed the tail. This one never had a chance to bail out as he exploded in a bright fireball.
The 9:00 hit us in the bomb bay and came back for another run at 12 Lev. From this position he put a minor hit into the right wing and decided to try again from 6 Lo. Turned out to be his undoing as Arellano (BT) joined the Ace club when the 190 was hit hard and black smoke poured from the engine and flames darted from the fuselage. The plane banked to port and the pilot bailed out.
Zone 4-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: The weather was miserable on landing at Giulia, and so was my mood as we landed.

The gunners acquitted themselves well, but I am less than satisfied with our bombardier, Lt Rossetti. He may have had an excuse last mission, but we had fine weather over the target and the flak was a nonissue.

I foresee many training runs in our future before the next mission. 

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: Capt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 22
Mission Date: 19 Dec 43
Mission Number: 057
Mission Target: Augsberg Germany - Messerschmidt Factory

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot Capt Franklin Marks	22	0	0	SW/IH
Co-Pilot 1st Lt Ted Masini	22	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	21	2	0	LW
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	11	2.5	0	RTD
Engineer M/Sgt James Morrell	22	19	.5	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	21	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner S/Sgt Burl Whitmore	22	0	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	6	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	5	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Ted Zavidow	4	3	.5	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 50%
B-24 Damage: 7 Hits
Superficial x 2 (4)
Nose x 1
-bombardier LW (2)
Flight Deck x 1
-pilot SW (10)
Right Wing x 3
-#1 engine out (35)
-aileron N/E (5)
-landing gear inoperable (60+27 landing damage)
Peckham Points: 143
Repair Time: 3 Days
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	5	0	0	1	0
Bf-110	1	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	7	1	1	0	2
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	13	1	1	1	2

Confirmed Claims: 1
M/Sgt James Morrell 0.5 x Fw-190
S/Sgt Ted Zavidow 0.5 x Fw-190
Casualties: 2
Capt. Franklin Marks - broken sternum, inflamed heart invalidated to States
PH 1st Lt Rod McLaren leg grazed RTD
Award/ Promotions Requests:

PH and invalidated home Capt Franklin Marks
PH 1st Lt Rod McLaren
AM - S/Sgt Patrick Kellici

After Action Report (using QOTS):

Here we are with over half the crew getting close to winning that ride home, and the war has to cruelly rear its head and smack you hard along the side of yours.

As a reminder of the long odds of making it home in one piece, the skipper earned his early ride home with a million-dollar wound.

We hadn't any difficulties until we reach the target Zone, where we encountered two waves of fighters. We lost the number three engine but made it through them to the flak field.

Mac did a wonderful job of dropping 50% of our payload dead on target and we made it back through the flak once more, then with the help of some little friends, through the waiting fighters.

After we had made it over the Alps, we were jumped by two 190's that were responsible for the damage. Frank took a hit to his chest and I could tell right away that it was bad. Mac also suffered a wound, but it was nothing like the Skipper's.

We took some more damage including the right main landing gear, but in the end, Jimmy and Ted were able to take the Kraut down. No one felt sorry for him as he burned all the way down.

We moved the skipper to the Radio Room, making him as comfortable as we could and when it came time Jimmy helped me land the plane. It was tricky, challenging and nerve-wracking as we landed on one wheel, but we skidded to a halt and the emergency and ambulance crews were Johnny-on-the-spot.

It looks like Dangerous Critter will take about three days to get back up to flying duty. If only we could do the same but the skipper.

1st Lt Ted Masini, Co-Pilot, Dangerous Critter

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747

Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Mission Date: 10 Jan 44
Mission Number: 058
Missions This Bomber: 14

Target: Skopje Yugoslavia - Airfield & Marshalling Yard

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	3	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	3	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	14	3	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	14	3	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	14	7	1	RTD
Radio Operator T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	14	2	0	RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Frankie Arellano	14	5.5	1	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	14	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	13	.5	1	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Tom Welch	14	18	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 30%
B-17 Damage: 4 Hits
Superficial x 2 (2)
Starboard Wing x 1
-superficial (1)
Bomb Bay x 1
-doors, superficial (1)
Peckham Points: 4
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.

Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	2	0	0	0	1
Bf-110	2	1	0	0	1
Fw-190	5	2	0	1	2
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	9	3	0	1	4

Confirmed Claims: 1
Sgt Frankie Arellano 1 x Bf-110
S/Sgt Drew Dunson 1 x Fw-190
S/Sgt Tony Mazzini 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0

After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: Despite the lousy weather we managed to take off without any mishaps.
Zone 2: Jerry was out early on with two 190 (10:30 H & VD-Green) who tried to ruin our day. The tables turned on one of them as his day was literally shot to hell by a Lightning strike. The other 190, although a green pilot, had by dumb luck come at us from such a steep angle that we couldn’t get a shot off. But he did and put three into us although none were much cause for concern.

 He decided to press his luck and came again from 12 H where he showed how green he was, roaring in too close and became such a big, fat target that Dunson had no problem setting him on fire. He managed to bail out, the wiser for his experience.

Zone 3: Two 110 came up to meet us (10:30 Lo & VC) with one getting run off by some little friends. The other (VC) came under withering fire from Arellano’s twin fifties that set his starboard engine on fire and caused the fuel tank to explode and snap off the wing. The 110 corkscrewed so violently towards the earth that no one had a chance to get out. Sometime after that we picked up a hitchhiker in the form of an Fw-200 that shadowed us, letting all unfriendlies know where we where and where we were going.
Zone 4: Another two waves met us at the IP. A single 109 was above us and while I’m not sure what his tactic was, he didn’t get a chance to try it out as he fell to a P-38. Dunson said that he thought that the Kraut was lining us up to drop a bomb on us.

 A second 109 appeared at 12 Lo, but both sides swapped spit at each other and we parted.

 The flak posed little threat and Rossetti dropped 30% onto the airfield and marshalling yards. Several buildings, vehicles and planes caught on the field were seen to be burning fiercely as we made our turn for the rally point.


INBOUND

No flak meant more fighters and three 190 (9 H, 6Lev & 12 H) fanned out to attack from different areas of the clock. A Lightning invited the 6:00 to a dance and Rossetti damaged the head on attacker, throwing off his aim. The 9:00 hit us once and returned at 3 Lev where Mazzini clobbered him at 200 yards and black smoke poured from the engine. Flames darted from the fuselage, the plane banked to port and the pilot bailed out.

 More fighters were driven off by formation fire and we where free from fighters.

Zone 3-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1:

We landed without any issues. The weather was still dark at Giulia, but our mood was light. We hit the target, bagged three fighters, didn’t have any casualties and S/Sgt Yates and his crew will be knocking off early tonight.

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: Capt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 22
Mission Date: 19 Dec 43
Mission Number: 057
Mission Target: Augsberg Germany - Messerschmidt Factory

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot Capt Franklin Marks	23	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 1st Lt Ted Masini	1	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	22	2	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	12	2.5	0	RTD
Engineer M/Sgt James Morrell	23	19.5	0	RTD
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	22	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner S/Sgt Burl Whitmore	23	0	0	SW/IH
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	7	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	6	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Ted Zavidow	5	3.5	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 50%
B-24 Damage: 3 Hits
Superficial x 1 (2)
Flight Deck x 1
-Turret MG's inop (20)
Waist x 1
-ball gunner SW (5)
Peckham Points: 27
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	1	0	0	0	1
Bf-110	3	0	0	0	2
Fw-190	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	0	0	0	3

Confirmed Claims: 0
Casualties: 1
S/Sgt Burl Whitmore – shrapnel lodged in brain; IH
Award/ Promotions Requests:

PH S/Sgt Burl Whitmore
AM - S/Sgt Ted Zavidow

After Action Report (using QOTS):
Zone 1: We had terrible weather on take off, but we broke through the clouds into bright sunlight and formed up.
Zone 2: We saw a flight of 109’s but they didn’t bother with us and tailed one of the other squadrons.
Zone 3: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: We encountered two waves before the target, both consisting of a single 190, with both getting run off by P-38’s. At least these guys aren’t pissed at us for the alleged assault on some Lightning Riders by one of our pilots.
Mac had a clear look at the target and drop for 50% for the second mission in a row. There was a lot of buildings and equipment burning as we made our turn for the rally point.
INBOUND
The fighters were waiting, and a lone 190 evaded our escorts and screamed in from 1:30 Lo and spit three into us. Those hits knocked out the top MG’s and severely wounded Whit at the tunnel MG. The fighter returned for another run but failed to add to the damage.

Zone 3: Our escorts remained vigilant all the way home and intercepted a 109 that started to run at us. That Kraut didn’t make it home.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: The weather was still lousy when we landed, which was less than perfect as we came down a bit hard and almost lost control (I rolled a 3).

This would have been as close to a milk run as one could get if it wasn’t for the piece of the Third Reich in Whitmore’s head. Here we are, so close to going home and we keep taking causalities. We lost the Skipper last mission and now we lose Whit. He gets to go home early now, but I doubt if he’s even conscious of the fact.

Two more missions to go. We just have to come back from them.

1st Lt Ted Masini, Pilot Commanding, Dangerous Critter, 78th BS

Replacement Tunnel Gunner: Rod Sotelo

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747

Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Mission Date: 18 Jan 44
Mission Number: 059
Missions This Bomber: 15

Target: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling Yard

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY 	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	4	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	4	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	15	3	0.5	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	15	3	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Drew Dunson	15	8	0	RTD
Radio Operator T/Sgt Simon Cassidy	15	2	0	RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Frankie Arellano	15	6.5	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Curtis Mansfield	15	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Tony Mazzini	14	1.5	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Tom Welch	15	18	0.5	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 40%
B-17 Damage: 3 Hits
Pilot’s Compartment x 1
Starboard Wing x 1
Radio Room x 1
All superficial (3)
Peckham Points: 3
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.

Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	5	1	0	0	4
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	5	1	0	0	4

Confirmed Claims: 1
2nd Lt Del Rossetti 0.5 x Fw-190
Sgt Tom Welch 0.5 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:
Premotion Review:
S/Sgt Drew Dunson
T/Sgt Simon Cassidy
Sgt Frankie Arellano
Sgt Curtis Mansfield
S/Sgt Tony Mazzini
Sgt Tom Welch

After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: We had excellent weather on takeoff and we formed up without any issues or complications.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: Three 190 came along to try and spoil our day, but our escorts tore into two of them (one an Ace), cutting our opposition down considerably.
The lone Jerry to get through came in at 12 Lo, and Rossetti hammered him, his tracers slamming into the propeller and engine of the fighter. The 190 slowed considerably and belched black smoke from the engine. As he passed the tail, the engine caught fire and Welch put a long burst into him that raked his port wing and exploded the fuel tank. The pilot never made it out and Rossetti and Welch were shared credit for the E/A.
Zone 4: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: We were expecting a hornet’s nest over the target area, but the fighters ignored us (random event – Bad Luftwaffe coms) and the worst of it came from the carpet of heavy flak the Krauts laid out for us. We were buffeted by three bursts that put some minor holes in three areas of the Angel, but despite the knocking around we took Rossetti was able to keep his concentration on the target and dropped for 40%.

INBOUND

No flak after the turn for the rally point, and only one 190 tried to strafe us, but he wound up having to turn off to meet a pair of P-38’s.
Another fighter wave were driven off by formation fire, and after that we where free from fighters.
Zone 4: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: Another lone 190 who turned from hunter to hunted as he fell to a Lightning jockey.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: We landed without any issues.

The mission turned out to be almost a perfect milk run, except for three minor holes in the Angel. Even so, S/Sgt Yates and his boys are ecstatic about the minimal amount of work needed on our gal and that they’ll be able to knock off early today.

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-44-40382 DANGEROUS CRITTER
Pilot: Capt Franklin Marks
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 22
Mission Date: 19 Dec 43
Mission Number: 057
Mission Target: Augsberg Germany - Messerschmidt Factory

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Ted Masini	24	0	0	POW
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Tom  Eisley	2	0	0	POW
Bombardier 2nd Lt Rod McLaren	23	2	0	POW
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Cousins	13	2.5	0	POW
Engineer M/Sgt James Morrell	24	19.5	0	POW
RO T/Sgt Emmett Towns	23	0	0	KIA
Tunnel Gunner S/Sgt Burl Whitmore	24	0	0	KIA
PWG Sgt Owen Scoles	8	0	0	KIA
SWG S/Sgt Patrick Kellici	7	0	0	KIA
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Ted Zavidow	6	3.5	0	KIA

Bomb Run: DNB
On Target: N/A
B-24 Damage: 1 Hit
BIP
Peckham Points: Too many to count
Repair Time: Not going to happen
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: More of an impact with the ground
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	2	0	0	0	2
Fw-190	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	2	0	0	0	2

Confirmed Claims: 0
Casualties: 5 KIA 5 POW
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action Report (using QOTS):

Dangerous critter was hit by flak that sheared off her port wing, Five chutes were seen.

As reported by a member of the 78th Bomb Squadron

[medic1]

B24D-CO-42-72991 INCENDIARY SUE
Pilot: 1st Lt  Joe Waldron
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 01
Mission Date: 18 Jan 44
Mission Number: 059
Mission Target: Pisa, Italy - Marshalling Yard

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron	1	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Dave Arnock	1	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Tony Romsberg	1	0	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Ken Hamilton	1	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Roy Stelmach	1	0	1	RTD
RO T/Sgt Roger Druce	1	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Bill Kadlec	1	0	1	RTD
PWG Sgt Eyota Little Buffalo	1	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski	1	0	1	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Luis Ferlito	1	0	1	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-24 Damage: 5 Hit
Superficial x 1 (2)
Nose x 1
-bombardier LW (2)
Starboard Wing x 1
-superficial (2)
Waist x 1
-RWG suit heat out (10)
Tail x 1
-superficial (2)
Peckham Points: 18
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	2	0	0	0	2
Fw-190	8	4	0	1	1
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	10	4	0	1	3

Confirmed Claims: 4
S/Sgt Roy Stelmach 1 x Fw-190
Sgt Bill Kadlec 1 x Fw-190
S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski 1 x Fw-190
Sgt Luis Ferlito 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 1
2nd Lt Tony Romsberg LW, shoulder cut – treated and RTD
Award/ Promotions Requests:
PH 2nd Lt Tony Romsberg LW, shoulder cut – treated and RTD

After Action Report (using QOTS):

Zone 1: The crew was excited and anxious as we lifted off for our maiden combat mission of Incendiary Sue, named after my fiery redheaded gal back home.
Zone 2: A gaggle of fighters tried to attack us, but the box formation we flew did what it was designed to do and repelled them. The various fields of covering fire were more than they wanted to deal with. But a second group of fighters made it through our escorts and defensive fire to work over the crew in Trade School and they were forced to abort. At least the limp home isn’t a long one home and we wished them well.
Zone 3: Two 110’s aimed to feast on us but our escorts took exception to their uninvited appearance and chased both off. Have to buy those fighter jocks a beer sometime.
Zone 4: Nothing to report
Zone 5: At the IP, pandemonium broke out all over the skies. Hordes of fighters appeared all stirred up like a hornet’s nest. A 190 approached from our rear but Ferlito set him ablaze and the pilot was forced to bail out. Ferlito wins the pool as the first gunner to bag a Jerry.

The flak started exploding all over the sky, turning the bright blue into an ugly black carpet as a welcome mat to historic Pisa. Hamilton said later that the flak was so bad that he was hiding under his navigator’s desk and had considered sitting on his helmet to protect his future generation.

We watched in horror as Dangerous Critter took a direct hit to a wing which folded up and then snapped off. It was a wonder that five men made it out. Then we were rocked about as bursts exploded all around us and sent pieces of shrapnel into the right wing, waist and tail areas. The slapping about we took jarred Romsberg and he dropped our eggs off the mark
INBOUND
The fighters were waiting for us after the turn and we faced off against two waves of fighters. In the first, we encountered four 190 with one getting scorched by a Lightning. Kadlec blew the prop off of one coming in at 6 Lo and Stelmach flamed another at 3 H. The now lone 190 must have turned yellow watching his buddies go down as his quick burst was so off the mark, we thought that he had fired at someone else.

The second wave had three 190 with no helpers from our little friends. Hamilton had crawled out from under his desk and damaged one at 10:30 H while the big man in name and stature, Malinowski, shattered the canopy and horizontal stabilizer of another at 3 H. The last fighter spit at us from 12 Lo and hit the airframe and lightly wounded Romsberg, cutting his shoulder. He came back for another crack at us but we just traded shots and he was off. At about this time we noticed that Phabulous Phyllis flying at the squadrons tail position had taken a beating.
Zone 4: Phabulous Phyllis reported that she had to drop out of formation. A little after that, Little Buffalo, our native Sioux PWG, reported that he was getting extremely cold, but that he would hang in there. His heating controls had been hit but had gone unnoticed at the time. I decided not to chance losing a member of the crew to frostbite on our first mission and had R/O Druce alert the squadron that we also were leaving formation.

We could see Phabulous Phyllis in the distance but were unable to close up with them.
Zone 3: Nothing to report.
Zone 2: We were happy as clams when we sighted the coast. But some Jerries came along and we all braced for another fight. Then, the Krauts must have figured that Phabulous Phyllis, who was still in sight, was an easier target as they broke off from us and made a beeline for her (I had rolled a “no attack” result).

Phyllis's crew dropped one of the buzzards but were roughed up pretty good in the exchange from what we could see. But they fought off them off and continued to sail for home.
Zone 1: We made it home and made a fine landing.

There isn’t much damage to our crate and Romsburg was treated for his scratch and released. Even though we missed the target on our first mission, I was proud of my crew as they acquitted themselves well, destroying four fighters and damaging another.

But we also witnessed the deaths of some fine men. And if a seasoned crew of 24 missions like the Dangerous Critter can’t complete their tour, what chance do we have, having only flown one? Food for thought.

1st Lt Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron, Pilot Commanding, Incendiary Sue, 78th BS

[medic1]

B-17F ANGEL IN DE SKIES 5-BO-43-31747
Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Mission Date: 27 Jan 44
Mission Number: 059
Missions This Bomber: 15

Target: Istres France - Airdrome

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY 	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	5	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	5	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	16	3.5	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	16	3	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Drew Dunson	16	8	1	RTD
Radio Operator M/Sgt Simon Cassidy	16	2	1	RTD
Ball Gunner S/Sgt Frankie Arellano	16	6.5	0	RTD
PWG S/Sgt Curtis Mansfield	16	0	0	RTD
SWG T/Sgt Tony Mazzini	15	1.5	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Tom Welch	16	18.5	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 50%
B-17 Damage: 3 Hits
Pilot’s Compartment x 1
-superficial (1)
Port Wing x 1
-flap inoperable (10)
Bomb Bay x 1
-superficial (1)
Peckham Points: 12
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.

Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	1	1	0	0	0
Bf-110	2	0	0	0	1
Fw-190	7	1	2	1	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	10	2	2	1	1

Confirmed Claims: 2
T/Sgt Drew Dunson 1 x Bf-109
M/Sgt Simon Cassidy 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:
AM (1st Awarded) 1st Lt Dan Shantz, 2nd Lt Mike Morland

After Action report(using QOTS):
Zone 1: The weather continues to hold for us and we had no issues on takeoff and form up.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: Two 110 with one running into our escorts. The other came at us from below but his fire was wide and he moved off to other would-be victims. A second wave failed to get by the combined squadron defensive fire.
Zone 4: Another wave of fighters that couldn’t crack our D-fire.
Zone 5-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: Yet another wave of would-be attackers that couldn’t get paste the hail of bullets of our formation fire.
Zone 8: Three 190 fanned out to attack from various positions of the clock. Cassidy caught one of them at 6 H with some accurate shooting, which began to burn with its engine on fire. The pilot popped the canopy and fell away, his chute opening below us. Both Corby and Dunson dropped the other two but both were later denied at interrogation.
 Another wave of Goering’s Goons winged in after we had dispatched the first wave. Three 190 came in head on from 12 Lo and two at 12 H with the fourth at 9 Lo. Dunson chewed some pieces off of one of the high ones, but the 9:00 struck us in the bomb bay, which thankfully didn’t set of any of the bombs.
 He returned at 1:30 and rendered a wing flap useless with another that zipped through the cockpit (after we landed, Morland found a bullet hole in the sleeve of his jacket). The Jerry came back for another run but he just spent his ammo and left.
 The flak was all away from us and Rossetti had a fine drop of 50% and he left a lot of buildings, planes and equipment burning below as we turned for the rally point & home.
INBOUND

No flak found us after the turn for the rally point, and only one wave of fighters tried to move on us, but once again formation fire deterred that (I rolled a lot of those this mission).

Zone 7: Nothing to report.

Zone 6: A 109 at 12 H ran into the slugs of Dunson’s twin fifties. It shuttered, tried to climb and then just fell out of control like a falling leaf. The pilot never made it out.
 A second wave was once again repulsed by fierce D fire.
Zone 5-4: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: For the sixth time this mission, formation fire kept another wave of Goering’s Goons at bay.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1: We landed without any issues.

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-42-72991 INCENDIARY SUE
Pilot: 1st Lt Joe Waldron
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 02
Mission Date: 27 Jan 44
Mission Number: 0609
Mission Target: Istres France - Airdrome

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron	2	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Dave Arnock	2	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Tony Romsberg	2	0	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Ken Hamilton	2	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Roy Stelmach	2	1	0	RTD
RO T/Sgt Roger Druce	2	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Bill Kadlec	2	1	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Eyota Little Buffalo	2	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski	2	1	0	LW/RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Luis Ferlito	2	1	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-24 Damage: 6 Hit
Superficial x 1 (2)
Nose x 1
-superficial (2)
Pilot's Compartment x 1
-superficial (2)
Bomb Bay x 1
-superficial (2)
Waist x 1
-RWG LW (2)
Tail x 1
-superficial (2)
Peckham Points: 12
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	1	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	3	0	0	1	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	0	0	1	0

Confirmed Claims: 0
Casualties: 1
S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski LW, shoulder cut – treated and RTD
Award/ Promotions Requests:

PH S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski

After Action Report (using QOTS):

Zone 1: We took off on time and formed up.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: A lone fighter tried to penetrate our formation but was driven off by defensive fire.
Zone 4-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: Our defensive fire warded off another would be attack wave.
Zone 8: Three 190 swept in at 6 H, 12 Lev and 9 H. Our gunners missed hitting anything they aimed at and two Jerries replied in kind. The third was an Ace who walked hits all over, doing superficial damage except for a flesh wound to Malinowski. The Ace returned for another run but failed to add to any damage he had caused on his first pass.
We lost Pineapple Princess to flak and watched her spin like a top towards the ground. Her crew obviously pinned inside due to centrifugal force.
The flak was all wide of us and Romsberg dropped 20% onto the Airdrome area.
INBOUND

The flak was again well away from us and once clear of it a single 190 came in at 10:30 H. Hamilton’s tracers were seen to impact his engine and prop area which possibly threw off the pilots aim as he snapped off a quick wide burst and left in a hurry.
Zone 7-2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We made it home and landed safely.

Our second mission without much damage to our gal Sue, making the ground crew happy. Malinowski complained that he only had a scratch and didn’t need to go to the hospital and I had to order him to get into the ambulance. He was treated and released.
 Again, we witnessed the deaths of more good men. Making it to 25 missions seems an impossibility and they may as well make it a hundred missions before getting shipped home.

1st Lt Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron, Pilot Commanding, Incendiary Sue, 78th BS

[medic1]

B-17G VICIOUS VIXEN 5-BO-44-22727
Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: High / Middle
Mission Date: 2 Feb 44
Mission Number: 061
Missions This Bomber: 1

Target: Maribor Yugoslavia - Airdrome

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	6	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	6	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	17	3.5	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	17	3	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Drew Dunson	17	9	0	RTD
Radio Operator M/Sgt Simon Cassidy	17	3	0	RTD
Ball Gunner S/Sgt Frankie Arellano	17	6.5	0	RTD
PWG S/Sgt Curtis Mansfield	17	0	0	RTD
SWG T/Sgt Tony Mazzini	16	1.5	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Tom Welch	17	18.5	0	RTD

Bomb Run: Off

On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 0 Hits
Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Routine Maintenance
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.

Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	2	0	1	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	2	0	1	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	0	2	0	0

Confirmed Claims: 0
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests:

After Action report(using QOTS):

We received a brand-new B-17G for this mission, which we christened as the Vicious Vixen for her maiden combat flight. I heard that our old F model, Angel in De Skies went to some rookie crew in the 80th. She’s a good ship and always brought us home.
I also heard that the newbies are a little choked at us as they believe that we were given the G model that they ferried over from the States. Maybe we do have that very bomber, but we’ve put in our time and deserve it.

Zone 1: We lifted off in lousy weather that almost ended the mission before it began (I rolled a 4). We hit a huge water puddle which forced the bomber to start to shift towards the starboard and it seemed that we were about to crash off to the side when the plane lifted off and disaster was averted.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: Two 190 that were obviously flown by a couple of green pilots made it through our fighter screen to arrive at 1:30 H and 9 Lo.
Mazzini plucked the feathers of the high buzzard but it was denied at interrogation and he was unable to add to his score. After that, everyone missed each other and we continued on our way.
Zone 4: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: The Manitowoc II was seen taking a beating from Goering’s Goons as they protected the squadrons tail. Then a couple of goons decided it was our turn.
Two 109 had no trouble getting past our token escort force to run at us from 12 H & Level. The only thing that came of this was Welch hitting the low fighter as it passed the tail. This claim was also denied at interrogation.
The flak was as advertised and wasn’t anything to write home about. But with the weather working on the Krauts side, Rossetti missed anything worthy of being hit.
INBOUND

No flak after the turn for the rally point, and only one wave of fighters tried to move on us, but formation fire deterred that notion.

Zone 4: We could see some E/A in the distance, but they decided not to bother as some little friends were seen to move off in their direction.
Zone 3-2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We dropped through the clouds and returned to the ugly weather, landing without any issues.

Not the way I would have expected to Christian a new plane – drop off target and no fighters claimed. But we didn’t have any battle damage or wounded, so there’s that to be thankful for.

Better luck next mission we hope.

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-42-72991 INCENDIARY SUE
Pilot: 1st Lt Joe Waldron
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Missions This Bomber: 02
Mission Date: 27 Jan 44
Mission Number: 0609
Mission Target: Istres France - Airdrome

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron	3	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Dave Arnock	3	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Tony Romsberg	3	0	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Ken Hamilton	3	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Roy Stelmach	3	1	0	RTD
RO T/Sgt Roger Druce	3	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Bill Kadlec	3	1	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Eyota Little Buffalo	3	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski	3	1	1	LW/RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Luis Ferlito	3	1	0	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-24 Damage: 5 Hit
Superficial x 2 (4)
Bomb Bay x 1
-doors (10)
Waist x 2
-RWG LW (2)
-superficial (2)
Peckham Points: 18
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	1	2	1	0
Bf-110	1	0	0	0	1
Fw-190	1	0	0	0	1
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	6	1	2	1	2

Confirmed Claims: 1
S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski 1 x Bf-109
Casualties: 1
S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski LW, shoulder cut – treated and RTD
Award/ Promotions Requests:

PH S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski

After Action Report (using QOTS):

Zone 1: The weather was pretty foul on take-off but we managed to get our bird into the air without any mishaps.
Zone 2: We saw two gaggles of Krauts, but neither one came near us. (Random encounter-bad Luftwaffe coms)
Zone 3-4: Nothing to report
Zone 5: Once we had reached the IP, the fighters started to appear in droves, and we saw many of our squadron mates fighting them off. As for us, some supporting fire helped to drive off a wave of them, but we took so called friendly fire in our waist section that thankfully didn’t hit anyone.
 

After that incident, a 190 started to come in at 9 Lo but was forced to turn and meet a P-47 “Jug.” Then, just before the flak field a 110 tried his luck, but he had the same result with a little friend.
The flak is still something that I’m not used to, but it wasn’t as scary as our first two missions. The cloud cover was an obstacle that we couldn’t overcome, and Romsberg failed to find the target. When he released, it was later than some of the others and was obviously off target.

 The flak was again well away from us and once clear of it a single 190 came in at 10:30 H. Hamilton’s tracers were seen to impact his engine and prop area which possibly threw off the pilots aim as he snapped off a quick wide burst and left in a hurry.
INBOUND
There wasn’t any flak after the turn, and a 109 came up from our six where Ferlito missed him but Kadlec pumped some accurate fire into him. The fighter dipped into the clouds and we could only call it a probable.
Zone 4: Nothing to report.
Zone 3: Half way home and we encountered two fighter waves, with the first warded off by defensive fire. The second had three 109 that came in at 3 Lev, and two at 9 H & Lo. The 3:00 was a green pilot who ran into the Big Ski’s fire, his wing crumpling and forced the 109 into a corkscrew fall to earth miles below.
 

The 9 lo hit us in the airframe and waist, grazing Ski’s shoulder. The 9 H hit the doors of the bomb bay. They both returned and Stelmach damaged one at 9 level who in return put a minor hole in the ship. This fighter returned yet again but not having any more success, left. The last 109 came in at 10:30 and missed, but was tagged by Ferlito as he past the tail (denied at interrogation).
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We left the sunny sky and dropped through the clouds to a miserable thoroughly soaked field. Despite the lousy conditions we made a near perfect landing and taxied to our hardstand.

Again, we had little damage to our sweet gal Sue. And again, Malinowski complained that he only had a scratch and didn’t need to go to the hospital. As I pushed him into the ambulance, he was complaining about his second scratch in two missions and that things came in three’s. While we missed the target for the second time in three missions, at least we did some damage to the Luftwaffe.

1st Lt Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron, Pilot Commanding, Incendiary Sue, 78th BS

[medic1]

B24D-CO-42-72991 INCENDIARY SUE
Pilot: 1st Lt Joe Waldron
Squadron: 78th Bombardment Squadron (Composite), 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation/Position: Low / Tail
Missions This Bomber: 03
Mission Date: 15 Feb 44
Mission Number: 062
Mission Target: Monte Cassino, Italy - German Observation Posts and Fortifications

CREW	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron	3	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Dave Arnock	3	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Tony Romsberg	3	0	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Ken Hamilton	3	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Roy Stelmach	3	1	0	RTD
RO T/Sgt Roger Druce	3	0	0	RTD
Tunnel Gunner Sgt Bill Kadlec	3	1	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Eyota Little Buffalo	3	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Marcus Malinowski	3	2	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Luis Ferlito	3	1	1	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 30%
B-24 Damage: 0 Hit
Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Routine after flight maintenance
Crew Chief: T/Sgt Greg Ralston (good, mod base =1+1/2)
Landing: Safe at Giulia
E/A Encountered:

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROB/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	7	0	0	0	7
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	4	1	1	0	2
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	11	1	1	0	9

Confirmed Claims: 1
Sgt Luis Ferlito 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0

After Action Report (using QOTS):

Zone 1: We took off into the clear wild blue yonder and formed up, taking our place at Tail End Charlie.
Zone 2: We saw four 190 as we crossed over the coast. Our escorts enthusiastically tore into two of them, cutting our opposition in half. These two came in at 6 H and Lo. Ferlito took out the high and Kadlec the lo but had his denied at interrogation.

The flak was harmless as all bursts were well away from us. With the fine weather, Romsberg had an easy time sighting the old monastery and dropping 30% onto it.

INBOUND

Again, the flak posed no problem to us. But the fighters certainly tried to make up for it, three waves of them in fact. Trouble for them was the 1st fighter group. The Lightnings didn’t let a single one of them get a sniff of us.
Zone 1: We landed without any issues and taxied to our hardstand.

This was a milk run for us. On the way to interrogation, I saw the Padre looking mighty sour. I wonder how he feels about the bombing of Monte Cassino?

1st Lt Pilot 1st Lt Joe Waldron, Pilot Commanding, Incendiary Sue, 78th BS

[medic1]

B-17G VICIOUS VIXEN 5-BO-44-22727
Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Middle / Middle
Mission Date: 15 Feb 44
Mission Number: 062
Missions This Bomber: 2

Target: Monte Cassino, Italy - German Observation Posts and Fortifications

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	7	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	7	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	18	3.5	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	18	3	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Drew Dunson	18	9	0	RTD
Radio Operator M/Sgt Simon Cassidy	18	3	0	RTD
Ball Gunner S/Sgt Frankie Arellano	18	6.5	0	RTD
PWG S/Sgt Curtis Mansfield	18	0	0	RTD
SWG T/Sgt Tony Mazzini	17	1.5	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Tom Welch	18	18.5	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 30%
B-17 Damage: 8 Hits
Nose x 1
-superficial (1)
Cockpit x 1
-top turret MG's inoperable (20)
Radio Room x 1
-superficial (1)
Bomb Bay x 1
-superficial (1)
Waist x 2
-superficial (1)
-ball turret MG's disabled (20)
Tail x 2
-superficial (1)
-SB tailplane wingroot (25)
Peckham Points: 70
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.

Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	9	1	1	0	7
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	9	1	1	0	7

Confirmed Claims: 1
T/Sgt Drew Dunson 1 x Bf-109
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0

After Action report(using QOTS):

“I don't feel good about this.” moaned Cassidy as they disembarked from the truck. “I mean, we and God are supposed to be on the side.”
“Yeah,” Mazzini added. “I'm a good Catholic. And if I wrote home to my mother and told her about this, she'd disown me. She would say that I personally fired at God himself.”

“God hasn’t got anything to do with it!” Colby retorted. Besides, if God's mad at anybody, he's mad at the German's. With all the death and destruction that they have caused, you think he'd be happy that we're cleaning out his house of them.”

“I thought that the Krauts and us had an agreement about them not using the monastery?" Welch asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the religious argument it threatened to break into.

“Apparently, High command thinks otherwise,” Shantz answered as he took Welch’s opening to end the topic of bombing a religious site. “We have our orders, and I plan to carry them out. So, if you gentlemen don't mind, get in the damn plane.”

“I'll get in. But I'll be saying a prayer for us all.” Mazzini said glumly.”

Zone 1: We were wheels up and in formation, taking our place as the middle squadron.

Zone 2: Just after we had crossed the coast, one of Goering’s Goons in 109 had his eye on us. He should have been watching out for our P-38’s as he was sent down in flames.
 The flak bracketed us as we took shrapnel that struck the tail section and another in the waist that damaged Arellano’s MG’s. I ordered him out of his useless ball turret, but he elected to stay in position hoping to scare a Kraut off as the turret drive was still functioning.
 “I told you God would be mad at us!”
“Shut up Mazzini! Watch for fighter’s”
Despite the jostling we took, Rossetti managed to put 30% on target.
INBOUND

The flak was kinder as we turned for home. But once clear of it we faced some opposition from 10 fighters in three waves. Only two made it past our escorts who were vigilant hunters today.
Of the two that ran at us, Dunson caught one with a burst that hit the fuselage and along the port wing root and it went into a steep dive in flames. But his buddy walked hits along our length in returnThe worst of it knocking out Dunson’s guns and narrowly missing him, as well as a strike to a tailplane wingroot.
That fighter returned for another try but turned from hero of the Reich to coward of the county when he saw some Little Friends lining him up.

Zone 1: We landed without any issues and made our way to interrogation and then hit the bar early.

“I gotta find the Father now.” Griped Mazzini.

“Knock it off.” Colby needled him. “You act so pious yet mission in and mission out you try and break one of the ten commandments – Thou shalt not kill.”

Shantz shook his head and hurried away from the scene. He had just come out of one battle and didn’t feel the need to enter into another

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS

[medic1]

Peggy the Pinup Girl B-17F-75-B0 42-29919 (spare bomber and crew)
Pilot: 1st Lt Derrick Bruce
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Mission Date: 15 Feb 44
Mission Number: 062
Missions This Bomber: 2

Target: Monte Cassino, Italy - German Observation Posts and Fortifications

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Derrick Bruce	1	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Bill Ward	1	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Tom Shoring	1	0	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Bret Stevenson	1	0	0	LW
Engineer T/Sgt Juan Vasquez	1	0	0	RTD
Radio Operator S/Sgt Chatan Bad Water	1	0	0	RTD
Ball Gunner S/Sgt Jamson Bostic	2	0	1	RTD
PWG S/Sgt Franco Gamboa	1	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Terry Vetter	1	0	1	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Harvey Strong	1	0	1	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 20%
B-17 Damage: 3 Hits
Nose x 1
-navigator LW (2)
Port Wing x 1
-aileron, N/E (5)
Radio Room x 1
-radio destroyed (10)
Peckham Points: 17
Repair Time: Overnight
Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	6	3	0	0	3
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	4	1	0	1	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	10	4	0	1	3

Confirmed Claims: 4
2nd Lt Tom Shoring 1 x Bf 109
Sgt Jamson Bostic 1 x Bf-109
S/Sgt Terry Vetter 1 x Bf-109
Sgt Harvey Strong 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 1
2nd Lt Bret Stevenson, cracked ribs. RTD 17 Feb 44
Award/ Promotions Requests: 1
PH 2nd Lt Bret Stevenson

After Action report(using QOTS):

Zone 1: No issues on takeoff and form up.

Zone 2: We encountered two waves of fighters who attacked as we reached the coast.

In the first, two of the three 109 were chased off by P-38’s, and Sgt Bostic took out the one that made it to us at 3 low.

On the second wave the escorts only chased off one of four 190’s. Bostic damaged one, and one hit a wing aileron without any effect. That fighter returned and wounded our navigator before tail gunner Strong nailed him as he tried to close again on our rear.
We sailed through the flak field and dropped 20% on target.
INBOUND

The flak found us and destroyed our radio and hit a wing. After we left the flak behind, three 109 came in with one tangling with our little friends. Lt Shoring shot down one at 12 low and S/Sgt Vetter flamed another at 3 level.

Zone 1:We fired off a flare to single that we had wounded and landed safely.

Lt Stevenson will have light duties for a day or two before being cleared for flight duty.

1st Lt Derrick Bruce, Pilot Commanding, 80th BS

[medic1]

B-17G VICIOUS VIXEN 5-BO-44-22727
Pilot: 1st Lt Dan Shantz
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force
Formation/Position: Low / Middle
Mission Date: 11 March 44
Mission Number: 063
Missions This Bomber: 3

Target: Toulon France - Sub Pens

NAME/POSITION	MISSION#	CLAIMS	TODAY	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Dan Shantz	8	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Mike Moreland	8	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Del Rossetti	19	3.5	2	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Gus Corby	19	3	0	RTD
Engineer T/Sgt Drew Dunson	19	9	0	RTD
Radio Operator M/Sgt Simon Cassidy	19	3	0	RTD
Ball Gunner S/Sgt Frankie Arellano	19	6.5	1	RTD
PWG S/Sgt Curtis Mansfield	19	0	0	RTD
SWG T/Sgt Tony Mazzini	18	1.5	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Tom Welch	19	18.5	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 30%
B-17 Damage: 4 Hits
Superficial x 1 (1)
PC x 2
-engineer’s oxygen, N/E (5)
-instruments, elevators out (20)
Waist x 1
- superficial (1)
Gremlins x 1
-SWG MG jammed (10)
Peckham Points: 39
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Yates, average, modifier +2. No mechanical fails this mission.

Landing: Safe at Giulia

A/C TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE/DENIED	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	4	1	1	0	1
Bf-110	4	0	0	1	1
Fw-190	6	2	0	0	1
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-210	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	14	3	1	1	3

Confirmed Claims: 3
2nd Lt Del Rossetti 1 x Bf-109, 1 x Bf-190
S/Sgt Frankie Arellano 1 x Bf-190
Casualties: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 1
DFC 2nd Lt Del Rossetti - Ace Status

After Action report(using QOTS):

Zone 1: We were wheels up and in formation, taking our place as the squadron lead

Zone 2: Just after we had left the coast, two 109 chanced across us. One was sent down in flames by an escort while the other was undeterred by some damage to him by Dunson. The Kraut returned fire and hit Dunson’s oxygen controls but didn’t have any effect on it.
The 109 returned at 12 Lo but ran into some spirited fire from Rossetti who riddled the fighter which immediately turned over and dived towards the ground below.
Zone 3-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: Encountered two waves in the target zone.
1st wave – driven off by defensive fire.
2nd wave – two 110 traded shots, but nothing came of it for either side.
The flak didn’t cause us any problems and Rossetti plopped 30% into the sub pens.
INBOUND

There wasn’t any flak on the way to the rally point but two waves of Goring’s Goons of 190’s tried to make up for the lack of it.
1st wave – three 190’s with one turning away to meet one of our fighters. Rossetti became an Ace as he hit the 12 H on the port side of the engine and fuselage and it went into a steep dive in flames.
2nd wave – Another three 190. Mazzini jammed his MG firing at a 1:30 H. Arellano hit the 6 Low’s engine and along the port wing root and fuselage. It dipped and headed for the ground trailing fire and black smoke. No chute was seen.
 The 1:30 hit us with three, knocking out the elevator controls. A return run failed to add to his damage and he was gone.
Corby reported that during these encounters we had drifted off course and had to burn some fuel to get us back on course and schedule.
Zone 6: Two 110 Aces swoop in to test us. One was turned away by a little friend while the other was damaged by Rossetti. The Jerry missed us in return and moved off.
Zone 5-3: Nothing to report.
Zone 2: So close to home and ran into a couple of 109. The only thing that was note worthy was that Dunson fired a long burst at the 12 H, it wobbled and shuttered and left in bad state.
Zone 1: We landed without elevators and almost lost it on landing (I rolled a 3) before coming to a stop.

Overall, we had a pretty successful day. The ground crew will have the Vixion ready to go by tomorrow.

1st Lt, Dan Shantz, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS