limburger59 - 80th Sqdn / 509th Group CO

[limburger59]

B-17G: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: B-17F-75BO 42-18544
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    High Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 12 April 44 
MISSION # 21 (20th this bomber)Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Aircraft Assembly Plant

Bomb Run: On Target  20%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1 LT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	19				RTD		♣
Copilot	2 LT	Matthew Pocket	19				RTD	1-1	♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	14				RTD		♣
Navigator	2 LT	Cyrus Redman	7		.5	0	RTD	+1
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	16	.83	.5	.5	RTD		♣
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	18	.5			RTD	2	♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	19	1	1	1	RTD	1	♣
PWG	SGT	Henry Hubble	18	.33			RTD	2	♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	19				RTD	+1	♣
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Donners	17	2			RTD	1	♣

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage: None

Peckham Points: 0 

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 3	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	1					1
Bf-110	2					2
FW-190	0
ME-410	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	3	0	0	0	0	3

Award/Promotion Requests:  None

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

Milk Run

[limburger59]

B-17G: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: B-17F-75BO 42-18544
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 12 April 44 
MISSION # 22 (21st this bomber)
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Aircraft Assembly Plant

Bomb Run: On Target  44%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1 LT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	20				RTD		♣
Copilot	2 LT	Matthew Pocket	20				RTD	+1	♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	15				RTD	+1	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Cyrus Redman	8	.5			RTD	1
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	17	1.33			RTD		♣
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	19	.5			RTD	1+1	♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	20	2			RTD	1	♣
PWG	SGT	Henry Hubble	19	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	20				RTD	1-1	♣
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Donners	18	2			RTD	1+1	♣

Casualties: S/SGT John Wemmick: LW - skull deflects shrapnel, concussion - RTD 18 APR 44

B-17 Damage: 
Superficial x3  (3)
Light Wound (2)
S. Tailplane Root (25)

Peckham Points: 30

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 7	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	4					4
Bf-110	0
FW-190	3					1
ME-410	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	7	0	0	0	0	5

Award/Promotion Requests:  Purple Heart: S/SGT John Wemmick (this is his third Purple Heart!)
    Air Medal - third oak leaf cluster for 20 completed missions: 1LT Peter "Pip" Dickins, Matthew Pocket, S/SGT John Wemmick, S/SGT Bentley Drummle
    Air Medal - second oak leaf cluster for 15 completed missions: 2LT Jack Dawkins
    Promotions: 1LT Peter "Pip" Dickins promoted to Captain, 2LT Matthew Pocket promoted to 1LT

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

If is wasn't for the three close flak bursts that had half the crew peeing in their pants (lots of bad stress rolls) this could have been another milk run. Our Little Friends drove off five of the seven bandits that seemed interested in us, while the majority of the enemy fighters seemed fixated on other bombers. 

[limburger59]

B-17G: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: B-17F-75BO 42-18544
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 20 April 44 
MISSION # 23 (22nd this bomber)
TARGET: Rome, Italy

Bomb Run: On Target  40%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	21				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	1 LT	Matthew Pocket	21				RTD	1	♣♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	16				RTD	1	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Cyrus Redman	9	.5			RTD	1
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	18	1.33			RTD		♣
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	20	.5			RTD	2	♣♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	21	2			RTD	1	♣♣
PWG	SGT	Henry Hubble	20	.33			RTD		♣♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	21				RTD		♣♣
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Donners	19	2			RTD	2	♣

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:  None

Peckham Points: 0

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 2	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	2					2
Bf-110	0
FW-190	0
ME-410	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	2	0	0	0	0	2

Award/Promotion Requests:  
    Air Medal - third oak leaf cluster for 20 completed missions: T/SGT Luke Wopsle, SGT Henry Hubble
        Promotions: SGT Henry Hubble is promoted to S/SGT

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

Milk run, thanks to the defensive gunnery of the 509th and our Little Friends.

[limburger59]

B-17G: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: B-17F-75BO 42-18544
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    High Sqdn - LEAD
MISSION DATE: 21 April 44 
MISSION # 24 (23rd this bomber)
TARGET: Rome, Italy

Bomb Run: On Target  50%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	22				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	1 LT	Matthew Pocket	22				RTD	1	♣♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	17				RTD	1	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Cyrus Redman	10	.5			RTD	1
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	19	1.33	.5	.5	RTD		♣
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	21	.5	1	1	RTD	2	♣♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	22	2			RTD	1	♣♣
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	21	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	22		.5	.5	RTD		♣♣
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	Dave Donners	20	2			RTD	2

Casualties: Capt. Peter Dickins; LW - foot cut - RTD 25 APR 44
        S/SGT Henry Hubble: LW+LW - foot & shoulder grazed - RTD 27 APR
        SGT Dave Donners - LW+LW - leg & face cut  - RTD 25 APR 44

B-17 Damage:  
Superficial x11  (11)
Light Wounds x5 (10)
S. Tailplane Root (25)
Control Cables (10)
Tail Wheel (10)
Pilot Compartment Heat Out (10)
Rudder (10)
Structural N/E x2 (20)

Peckham Points: 106 - RTD 25 APR 44

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 31	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	19	1	1	4		7
Bf-110	3	1	1			1
FW-190	8			1	1	2
ME-210	1
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	31	2	2	5	1	10

Award/Promotion Requests:  Purple Heart: Capt. Peter Dickins,  S/SGT Henry Hubble, SGT Dave Donners
    Air Medal - third oak leaf cluster for 20 completed missions: SGT Dave Donners
    Air Medal - first oak leaf cluster for 10 completed missions: 2LT Cyrus Redman,
            Promotions: SGT Dave Donners is promoted to S/SGT

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

        "It was warm leading the squadron... until it got very cold."

OUTBOUND - ZONE 6: After watching some rockets streak through the formation we eyeballed four E/A converging on our bomber. Our escort ran off one while S/SGT Dixon and S/SGT Wemmick teamed up to knock another bandit out of the sky. In exchange we had a fist sized hole punched through our fuselage. 


TARGET ZONE 10: Multiple waves of fighters tried to stop our visit to Vienna. The first wave saw four bandits try to molest us. One superficial hit, but the scariest part of when one of the krauts almost rammed us. We will forever be debating whether that 109 tried to ram us or if the German pilot was just as freaked out as we were. (OOC: Rolled a collision, and then used the lucky charm from Mission 20 to reroll a near miss.) 

We were spectator's during a second wave, but the Butcher Birds showed up for a third wave. Three got by our Little Friends and in the midst of all the cannon shells I consider the Great Expectations was lucky  with the worse damage being a cut to my left foot.

Flak added a couple more ventilation holes to our skin, yet it did not deter 2LT Dawkins from placing half our bombs in the designated zone. 

Leaving Austria we suffered some more inconsequential damage from more Butcher Birds. 


INBOUND - ZONE 7: Three waves hit the formation, with nine Germans especially interested in our B-17. A third were run off by the 31st FG, a third were hit by our defensive gunnery - 1 kill and 2 probables, leaving three to punch holes in our bomber. The heat to the entire flight deck was knocked out and our Port Waist Gunner suffered a couple minor wounds.  (OOC: S/SGT Hubble used a personal lucky charm to reroll a serious wound.)


INBOUND - ZONE 6: After traversing Zone 6, the lack of heat was getting severe, so the Great Expectations relinquished her role as Squadron Lead and descended to warmer air at 10,000 feet.

INBOUND - ZONE 4: We were sure happy that a couple P-51s decided to stick with us, as three 109s caught up to us over Yugoslavia. Two of the bandits became preoccupied with the Mustangs, leaving a lone fighter to make multiple passes at us until he limped away trailing smoke.

Three more 109s showed up; this time two getting past our Little Friends. The nose gun jammed as they made their first pass at our nose. Then one attacker decided to try a run at our "Six" and poured a stream of bullets into the tail, wounding our gunner, damaging the control cables, chopping up the tail wheel and making a lot of mischief in the tail structure. He and his wingman tried a third pass, and they must have run out of ammo.  (OOC: SGT Donners also used a personal lucky charm to reroll a serious wound.)

[limburger59]

Notes for Spare Wicked Witch on Mission 24

B-17F WICKED WITCH
        Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Low Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 21 APRIL 44
MISSION # 24
TARGET: Vienna, Austria

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                            (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Arnold "Arnie" Michael                                 (3)                         KIA
Co-Pilot: 2LT Ian "Old Spice" Narragon                        (8) AM
Navigator: 2LT Elmer "Milk Dud" Horton                      (5)                         KIA
Bombardier: 2LT Jim "Walla Walla" Washington            (1)                         KIA         .5x 109 + .5x 110 destroyed
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile “Plug” Putman                   (14) [5.5] AM / DFC                 .5x 109 + .5x 110 destroyed
Radio Op: S/SGT Bartholomew "Bart" Fuller                (4) PH
Ball Turret: SGT Chester "Bad Boy" Goode                  (4) [.33]                                 .5x 109 destroyed
Right Waist: SGT Ivan "Ruskie" Malone                       (8) [1] PH AM          KIA           1x 109 destroyed
Left Waist: SGT Pasquale "Patsy" DiGenarro                (5)                          KIA          .5x 109 destroyed
Tail Gunner: SGT Leland "Lee" Young                          (3)                          KIA

Bomb Run: DNB - Bomb Bay Doors would not open

Casualties: Bombardier 2LT Jim "Walla Walla" Washington KIA
        Navigator 2LT Elmer "Milk Dud" Horton LW+KIA
        Tail Gunner SGT Leland "Lee" Young  KIA
        P. Waist Gunner SGT Pasquale "Patsy" DiGenarro KIA+LW+KIA
        S. Waist Gunner SGT Ivan "Ruskie" Malone  LW+KIA+SW
        Pilot 1LT Arnold "Arnie" Michael  - KIA when damaged parachute did not open.
        Ball Gunner SGT Chester "Bad Boy" Goode - SW broken leg - RTD 6 June 44

B-17 Damage:
Light Wound x3 (6)
Serious Wound x1 (5)
KIA Wound x6 (60)
Superficial x26 (26)
Structural N/E x3 (30)
#1 engine superficial (20)
Control Cables x3 (20)
Rudder x2 (20)
P. Wing Root x1 (25)
S. Wing Root x2 (50)
S. Tail Root x2 (50)
P. Elevator out x2 (15)
S. Flap out (10)
Top Turret inop (20)
SWG Heat out (10)
Tail Heat Out (10)
Tail Oxygen out x2 (15)
Ball Turret Oxygen out (10)
Radio destroyed (10)
Bomb Bay Doors inop (10)
Bomb Release inop (10)
Nav Equip destroyed (10)
Autopilot out (10)

Peckham Points: 452 

Disposition: Crashed into the Adriatic - accumulated damage from various E/A

Attackers: 24
        11x FW-190: 2 Destroyed, 2 Probable, 3 Damaged
        1x Bf-110: 1 Destroyed, 1 Probable
        10x Bf-109: 1 Destroyed, 3 Probables, 1 Driven Off

Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 4 Confirmed, Probables = 6, Damaged = 3, Driven Off by Escort = 1

Award/Promotion Requests: Purple Heart (posthumous): 1LT Arnold Michael, 2LT Jim Washington, 2LT Elmer Horton, SGT Leland Young, SGT Pasquale DiGenarro, SGT Ivan Malone
       Purple Heart: SGT Chester "Bad Boy" Goode

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

“Who names these hanger queens?”, our devoutly religious pilot shuttered as he saw the name and nose art on the Wicked Witch. Lt Michael proclaimed that when he got a regular bomber it would have a name the crew could write their moms about. He told me that if we had had more time he would have asked the Chaplain to perform an exorcism on the nose art. Thus began the cursed flight of the Wicked Witch.
— 2LT Ian "Old Spice" Narragon , Co-Pilot

OUTBOUND: In Zone 6 we faced an eclectic mix of German fighters. We took a jolt to the starboard wing root, but otherwise felt positive about the encounter as the crew scored a definite kill on a 110, a Probable on a 190, and watched our escort chase away a 109. A fourth 109 got away. (OOC: The Bomb Bay doors were rendered inoperable, but the crew wouldn’t discover that until over Vienna.)

In Zone 8 the bandits were dealt with by the gunners on other bombers.

TARGET ZONE 10: Five 109s in the first wave all got past our Little Friends. One killed our Tail Gunner, while his buddy walked hits from our nose to our tail, destroying the radio and knocking out oxygen to our Ball Turret and Tail. We popped open the ball to hand our Ball Gunner a walkabout bottle, and Lt Michael ordered him to the radio room to use the spare connection there. In the meantime, those two fighters tried to make another pass at us and our gunners hit both, turning one into a fireball and staggering the other which limped away.

A second wave was inconsequential, and Flak peppered our starboard wing, missing all the vital organs.

Then we discovered that the Bomb Bay doors would not open, and could not be forced to open! Our overweight bomber began to fall back. There was a brief discussion about dropping the bombs through the doors, but the concern was that if that got rid of the bombs the added drag from the damaged opened doors would slow us down more than the full bomb bay. Since we could no longer keep up with the formation it was decided to descend to 10,000 feet so our Ball Gunner could return to his station and so the S. Waist Gunner could take over the Tail Stingers.

As we tried to escape Austria five Butcher Birds found us. When the skies cleared we had destroyed one and damaged two others, but we had two more dead and a third wounded. Control cables damaged to the point where attempts at evasive maneuvers were worthless. Various other hits to wings and control surfaces. Since we were at 10,000 feet, the destruction of the heating system in the Waist was no big deal, especially since the PWG was ordered to take over the Nose Gun.

INBOUND:

Zone 7 and four more Butcher Birds. Again we killed one 190 and the Luftwaffe killed our SWG who was manning the Tail. A lot of additional damage throughout this cursed B-17.

Without our Navigator, and with the Navigation equipment destroyed, we loitered too long in Zone 7 allowing three more E/A to locate us and to work us over. Our PWG, who had taken over the Nose Gun, was killed during this encounter. Our Top Turret was also knocked out of action.

In Zone 5 we had our final encounter with the Luftwaffe. Took more damage when they discovered that our Tail was naked, but thanks to our Ball Gunner one of the 110s left us on only one engine.

We finally crossed the Adriatic. With a full bomb bay, damaged control surfaces, and no Autopilot: LT Michael decided not to attempt to land the Witch. Our Radio Operator, Engineer, and Ball Gunner were ordered to Bail out. After that the Bomber it painfully wrestled back towards the sea and I am ordered out with Lt Michael planning to let go of the controls to follow me once I left the plane.

LT Michael exits the bomber as it approaches the Adriatic. His parachute was damaged and he plunges to the earth as the Wicked Witch immediately spins into the sea.

Co-pilot, Radio Operator, and Engineer make it to the ground with minor bumps and bruises. The Ball Gunner breaks his leg and will be grounded for 7 weeks.

- interrogation report of 2LT Ian Narragon, Co-Pilot

[limburger59]

B-17G: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: B-17F-75BO 42-18544
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 24 April 44 
MISSION # 25 (24th this bomber)
TARGET: Ploesti, Romania 

Bomb Run: DNB - jettisoned bombs before the Target Zone

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1LT	Steven Kearney	12				RTD	1	Temp from Spare Pool
Copilot	1 LT	Matthew Pocket	23				RTD	1+1	♣♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	18				LW	1+1
Navigator	2 LT	Cyrus Redman	11	.5			KIA	1+1
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	20	1.33			LW	+1
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	22	.5			LW	2+1
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	23	2			RTD	1+1	♣♣
PWG	SGT	Augustus Winstead	1	.33			LW	+1	Temp from Spare Pool
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	23		.5	.5	RTD	+1	♣♣
Tail Gunner	SGT	Morris "The Imp" Fields	6	1.83			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool

Casualties: 2LT Cyrus Redman:  KIA - multiple wounds
        2LT Jack Dawkins: LW -  torn vastus - RTD 24 MAY 44
        S/SGT Mike Dixon: LW - shoulder cut - RTD 28 APR 44
        T/SGT Luke Wopsle: LW - toe severed - RTD 14 MAY 44
        SGT Augustus Winstead (spare): LW  - forearm cut - RTD 28 APR 44

B-17 Damage:  
Superficial x2  (22)
Light Wounds x5 (10)
KIA Wound (10)
#4 Engine - Fire (65)
S. Wing Root (25)
P. Wing Root (25)
Oxygen Fire in Radio Room (25)
Control Cables (10)
Radio out x2 (15)
Structural N/E (10)
Ins: Elevators out (10)
Cockpit Window x1 (10)
Nav. equip destroyed (10)
Mechanical Failure: Oxygen system (10)

Peckham Points: 257 - written off as CAT-E

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 27	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	8	2	2		1
Bf-110	3
FW-190	10	2	2	1	2
ME-410	1
Romanian 109	4	1	1	2	1
Romanian IAR80	1	1	1
TOTALS	27	6	6	3	4	0

Award/Promotion Requests:  Purple Heart (posthumous): 2LT Cyrus Redman
        Purple Heart (posthumous): 2LT Jack Dawkins, S/SGT Mike Dixon, T/SGT Luke Wopsle,     
        Air Medal - third oak leaf cluster for 20 completed missions: S/SGT Mike Dixon, SGT Augustus Winstead

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Capt. Peter Dickins: RTD 25 APR 44
            S/SGT Henry Hubble: RTD 27 APR 44
            SGT Dave Donners: RTD 25 APR 44

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

        "What did you do to my beautiful bomber!?!?." -- Captain Dickins to 1LT Kearney 

OUTBOUND - ZONE 11: The Axis waited until our escort turned around to take their shot at us. First wave and a lone 190 decided to pick on us, setting the #4 engine on fire. It was decided to jettison the bombs in order to stay with the formation. (It became a moot point half an hour later when the oxygen system failed and we ended up being all alone anyways... only we'd be deeper into Romania.)

TARGET ZONE 12: Three Bf-110s tried to deter our bomb run, clueless that they were wasting their time on a bomb-less bomber. Damage from those fighters and the Flak seemed to be minor, with the exception of our Radio Operator losing a toe, until the Oxygen system shut down. We blamed the Flak but learned back in Italy that it was a freak Mechanical Failure that led to the lonely nightmare flight back to Giulia. Oh, the rookie on the Port Waist gun jammed it.

After the Bomb Run we made the turn, and once out of the vicinity of the Flak guns we descended to 10,000 feet.

Four bandits followed us down, and inflicted superficial damage to our B-17, plus a light wound to our Engineer. In exchange he teamed up with our wounded Radioman to blow a 109 out of the skies.

INBOUND - ZONE 11: Even down an engine our evasive maneuvers seemed to have an impact, though we still took damage and dished out damage. Navigator wounded, radio destroyed, and a lot of cosmetic damage in exchange for a Romanian IAR-80 turned into a fireball. Without the radio we would be unable to inform our Little Friends that we were all alone over the rugged Balkans. 

INBOUND - ZONE 10: More drastic evasive maneuvers as three waves of fighters found us and made repeated firing passes. By the time the eleven bandits left us alone we had a dead navigator, two more wounded, damage to the elevators and both wing roots, and an oxygen fire in the Radio Room. After the skies cleared I ordered that all the remaining oxygen bottle be jettisoned. It had been twelve missions sine the Great Expectations had a fatality onboard... also a Navigator. On the plus side three enemy fighters were destroyed and two more damaged.

INBOUND - ZONE 4: We groped our way westward, hoping that a friendly fighter would discover our Radio-less, Navigator-less, and Navigation equipment-less ship. Those who had made the previous journey to Ploesti remembered roughly where the setting sun was located so that became our beacon. In Zone 4 three more bandits found us. Again evasive maneuvers seemed to help us more than the Krauts as damage was superficial while our Tail gunner knocked down his second of the mission.

Giulia: It was a rough landing. The B-17F was in sad shape, and may have been repairable, but brass decided that the Great Expectations needed to be retired for parts as the new B-17Gs were now flowing into the Med.

  (OOC: Four personal lucky charms were used to reroll wounds.)

[limburger59]

Prep Page for Mission 28

B-24D TEMPTACIOUS
        Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
High Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 5 May 44
MISSION # 28
TARGET: PLOESTI, Romania

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                      (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Tobias Tanner                                    (7)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Andrew Doherty                            (9) AM                                        LW
Navigator: 2LT Oliver Curtis                              (7)[.33]
Bombardier: 2LT Charles Freya                          (7)[1] PH                                     LW
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Irvin Marshall                     (12) [6.25] AM DFC “Ace”              LW
Radio Op: S/SGT John Gallows                          (10)
Ball Turret: SGT Jason Ash                                 (8)[1] AM
Right Waist: SGT Kaiden Williams                       (11) AM                                       LW
Left Waist: SGT Merle Hawkins                           (3)                                              SW-DOW
Tail Gunner: SGT Evan Fryberger                       (5)[.5]      1x Bf110 destroyed       LW

Bomb Run: Off Target = 0%

Casualties: SGT Merle Hawkins: SW-DOW - Abdominal wound - Died in Surgery
            2LT Andrew Doherty: LW - torn glut - RTD 13 May 44
            2LT Charles Freya: LW - foot cut - RTD 7 May 44
            S/SGT Irvin Marshall: LW - leg cut - RTD 9 May 44
            SGT Kaiden Williams : LW - torn gastrocneminus - RTD 5 June 44
            SGT Evan Fryberger: LW - Thigh cut + Frostbite to left ear - RTD 11 May 44

B-24 Damage:
Superficial x15 (30)
S. Wing Root (25)
S. Rudder x2 (20) inop
P. Rudder x1 (10)
Waist PWG Heat out (10)
Tail Gunner Heat out (10)
Tail oxygen (10)
Rubber Rafts (10)
Mechanical Failure: #2 engine Turbo Supercharger out (10)
Light Wound x5 (10)
Serious Wound (5)

Peckham Points: 150- RTD 11 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia

Attackers: 12
        7x FW-190: 1 Damaged (FCA), 1 Driven Off by Escort

        4x Bf-110: 1 Confirmed Destroyed, 1 Probable (FBOA), 1 Damaged (FCA), 1 Driven Off by Escort
        1x Bf-109: 1 Damaged (FCA)

Award/Promotion Requests: Purple Heart (posthumous): SGT Merle Hawkins
        Purple Heart: 2LT Andrew Doherty, 2LT Charles Freya, S/SGT Irvin Marshall, SGT Kaiden Williams, SGT Evan Fryberger
        Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: S/SGT John Gallows

        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Evan Fryberger


AFTER ACTION REPORT: (QOTS - B-24 Variant)

A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen






B-17F Unfinished Business
        Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Middle Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 5 May 44

MISSION # 28

TARGET: PLOESTI, Romania

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Nathaniel "Nate" Sutherland                    (12) AM+ PH
Co-Pilot: 2LT Joseph "Joey" Goodman                      (4)
Navigator: 2LT Forrest "Candy Man" Sweet              (5) PH
Bombardier: 2LT Steven "Stevie" Cox                      (5) [.5]
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile "Plug" Putman                (15) [6.5] AM+ DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT Christopher "Varnish" Varney         (6) AM
Ball Turret: SGT Patricio "Italy" Vechitto                   (3)
Right Waist: SGT Sidney "Sid" Beck                        (11)[.5] AM+
Left Waist: SGT Glen "Mac" McPherson                     (3)
Tail Gunner: SGT Albert "Tiny" Plimson                     (4)[1]                               1x 190 destroyed

Bomb Run: Off Target 5%

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:
#3 Engine: out (feathered) (40)
S. Wing Root x2 (50)
P. Wing Root (25)
Superficial x12 (12)
Rudder (10)
Control Cables (10)
Radio destroyed (10)
Interphone out (10)
RR Oxygen x1 (10)
S. Fuel Tank - Self Sealed (10)


Peckham Points: 187 – Repairs to be completed 6 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 9
        8x FW-190: 1 Destroyed, 1 Probables, 4 Driven Off
        1x  Ju88:    1 Driven Off
        
Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 1 Confirmed, Probables (FBOA) = 1, Damaged (FCA) = 0, Driven Off by Escort = 5

Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Forrest "Candy Man" Sweet, 2LT Steven "Stevie" Cox
        Air Medal - Second Oak Leaf Cluster for 15 Completed Missions: S/SGT Emile "Plug" Putman 

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

The 

[limburger59]

B-17G: BONNIE (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations)
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Middle Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 29 April 44 
MISSION # 26 (14th this bomber)
TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia

Bomb Run: On Target  40%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	23				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	1 LT	Matthew Pocket	24				RTD	2	♣♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	19				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	8	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	21	3.83			RTD	1
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	23	2			RTD	3	♣♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	24	2			RTD	2	♣♣
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	22	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	24	.5			RTD	1	♣♣
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	Dave Donners	21	2			RTD	2

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:  None

Peckham Points: 0

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 0	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	0
Bf-110	0
FW-190	0
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	0	0	0	0	0	0

Award/Promotion Requests:  

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

        "Milk Run."

[limburger59]

B-17G: BONNIE (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations) ♣♣
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    High Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 2 MAY 44 
MISSION # 27 (15th this bomber)
TARGET: Larissa, Greece

Bomb Run: On Target  50%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	24				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	1 LT	Matthew Pocket	25				RTD	2	♣♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	20				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	9	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	22	3.83			RTD	1
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	24	2			RTD	3	♣♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	25	2			RTD	2	♣♣
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	23	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	25	.5			RTD	1	♣♣
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	Dave Donners	22	2			RTD	2

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:  Mechanical Failure - Radio out

Peckham Points: 10

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 5	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	3
Bf-110	0
FW-190	2				1
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	5	0	0	0	1	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 
    Air Medal - Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for 25 Completed Missions: 1LT Matthew Pocket, S/SGT Bentley Drummle, S/SGT John Wemmick
    Air Medal - Third Oak Leaf Cluster for 20 Completed Missions: 2LT Jack Dawkins

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

       Three of the original crew of the Great Expectations from Mission #1 completed there 25th mission today!

[limburger59]

B-17G: BONNIE (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - Squadron LEAD Bomber
MISSION DATE: 5 MAY 44 
MISSION # 28 (16th this bomber)
TARGET: Ploesti, Romania

Bomb Run: On Target  40%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	25				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	2LT	Guy Tipton	6				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Bombardier	1 LT	Jack Dawkins	21				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	10	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	23	3.83	1	.5	RTD	1
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	25	2			RTD	3	♣♣
Ball Gunner	SGT	Leslie Sampson	6	2.5			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	24	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	SGT	Julius Hernandez	1				RTD	1	Temp from Spare Pool
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	Dave Donners	23	2			RTD	2

Casualties: S/SGT Dave Donners: LW - torn flexor - RTD 13 May 44

B-17 Damage: 
Superficial x4 (4)
Light Wound (2)
P. Wing root (25)
P. Tail plane root (25)

Peckham Points: 56

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 12	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	5
Bf-110	0
FW-190	3			1
ME-210	4	1	.5
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	12	1	.5	1	0	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 
    Air Medal - Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for 25 Completed Missions: Captain Peter "Pip" Dickins, T/SGT Luke Wopsle
    Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: 2LT Daniel Webster

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

       Ploesti...

        I ordered, begged, cajoled the three members of the original crew that completed their 25th mission over Larissa to go home to their loved ones, especially now that today's target was revealed. That left three surviving members of the maiden flight of the Great Expectations to continue the legacy.

        Was being assigned the Squadron Lead an honor or the final nail in the coffin?

        Ploesti...

Outbound - Zone 9: Once our escort began to dwindle the Luftwaffe pounced. We faced three waves of fighters, totaling nine bandits. Somehow we came out of the scrum with inconsequential damage while one bandit limped away trailing smoke. (Used a Lady Luck's Smile to avoid being crippled.)

Target Zone 12: Again, three waves, but the enemy went after other bombers for the most part. We did take some damage, including a wound to our Tail Gunner, and this time our Engineer knocked a 210 out of the skies.

Flak was intense yet we were untouched as our bombs hit the refinery.

Inbound: Nothing to Report. (The last saved Lady Luck's Smile was used to prevent a Mechanical Failure.)

We survived! T/SGT Wopsle will head home immediately, but I will fly one more mission, as I believe that I owe it to S/SGT Hubble to get the last man from the original crew cobbled together back in Dalhart, Texas to his mama.

[limburger59]

B-17F: BELLE WRINGER (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Middle Sqdn - Middle 
MISSION DATE: 10 MAY 44 
MISSION # 29 (3rd this bomber)
TARGET: Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard

Bomb Run: DNB - Aborted Mission due to Suit Heater Failure - No Mission Credit

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	25				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	2LT	Russel “Russ” Pratt	2				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Bombardier	1 LT	Jack Dawkins	21				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	10	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	23	3.83			RTD	1
Radioman	T/SGT	Desmond “Desi” Anderson	1				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Ball Gunner	SGT	Chester “Bad Boy” Goode	4	.83			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	24	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	SGT	Varney “Tater” Coultrain	0				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	David "Hot Stuff" Sutter	5	.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage: 
Mechanical Failure - Bombardier Suit Heating Rheostat shorted out (10)

Peckham Points: 10

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 0	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	0
Bf-110	0
FW-190	0
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	0	0	0	0	0	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 
    Air Medal - Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for 25 Completed Missions: S/SGT Henry Hubble Nope
    Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: Chester “Bad Boy” Goode Nope

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Tail Gunner: S/SGT Dave Donners (23) AM+++ PH++:  RTD 13 May 44

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

   As we climbed past 10,000 feet our Bombardier plugged his suit into the rheostat and was greeted by sparks. Our Engineer declared the rheostat irrepairable and we returned to base with no mission credit. S/SGT Hubble will need to wait one more mission to get his ticket home.   

[limburger59]

B-17F: BONNIE (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    High Sqdn - Middle 
MISSION DATE: 11 MAY 44 
MISSION # 30 (17th this bomber)
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk #1

Bomb Run: On Target 40% 

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	26				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	2LT	Russel “Russ” Pratt	3				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Bombardier	1 LT	Jack Dawkins	22				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	11	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	24	3.83			RTD	1
Radioman	T/SGT	Desmond “Desi” Anderson	2				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Ball Gunner	SGT	Chester “Bad Boy” Goode	5	.83			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	25	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	SGT	Varney “Tater” Coultrain	1				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	David "Hot Stuff" Sutter	6	.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x3 (3)

Peckham Points: 3

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 4	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	0
Bf-110	0
FW-190	4					4
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	4	0	0	0	0	4

Award/Promotion Requests: 
    Air Medal - Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for 25 Completed Missions: S/SGT Henry Hubble 
    Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: Chester “Bad Boy” Goode 

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Tail Gunner: S/SGT Dave Donners (23) AM+++ PH++:  RTD 13 May 44

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

I flew a 26th mission in order to get SGT Hubble his 25th mission. Henry is the last of the original ten man crew of the Great Expectations that crossed the Atlantic in late 1943. Four of those men were invalidated home early still breathing, and six survived the magic number of 25 - albeit with nine Purple Hearts between them.

It was nice to see our escort plowing the road in front of us, and the minor damage from Flak we'll accept as a parting gift from the Germans.     

[limburger59]

B-17F: HOOSIER HONEY (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - Middle 
MISSION DATE: 14 MAY 44 
MISSION # 31 (4th this bomber)
TARGET: Porto Santo Stefano, Italy - Railroad and Dock

Bomb Run: Off Target 0% 

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1 LT	William “Bill” Sims	9				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Copilot	2 LT	Russel “Russ” Pratt	4				LW		Temp from Spare Pool
Bombardier	1 LT	Jack Dawkins	23				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	12	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	25	3.83			RTD	1
Radioman	S/SGT	Frederick “Freddie” Simmons	8				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Ball Gunner	SGT	Patricio “Italy” Vechitto	8	1			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
PWG	SGT	Salvatore “Patsy” Gennaro	1				LW		Temp from Spare Pool
SWG	SGT	Paul “Pauline” Hess	1				RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	Dave Donners	24				KIA

Casualties: S/SGT Dave Donners: SW + KIA - Multiple hits to Thorax
            2 LT Russel Pratt: LW - cut hand - RTD 17 May 44
            SGT Salvatore Gennaro: LW - cut chest - RTD 17 May 44

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x12 (12)
Structural N/E x2 (10)
Light Wound x2 (4)
Serious Wound (5)
KIA Wound (10)
Interphone out (10)
Radio Room Oxygen out (10)
S. Outboard fuel tank - Self Sealed (10)
Nose Heat out (10)
P. Tail Root x2 (50)
Tail Guns destroyed x2 (30)
Rudder x3 (30)
Mech Failure: #3 Turbo Super-Charger out (10)

Peckham Points: X

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 8	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	0
Bf-110	4			3
FW-190	4			1	2
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	8	0	0	4	2	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 
    Air Medal - Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for 25 Completed Missions: S/SGT Mike Dixon
    Purple Heart (posthumous): S/SGT Dave Donners
    Purple Heart: 2 LT Russel Pratt, SGT Salvatore Gennaro

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone flying

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

All the original crew members of the Great Expectations are home - either invalidated home early or having completed 25 missions. Engineer Mike Dixon joined the crew on Mission #4 and Tail Gunner Dave Donners joined the ship on Mission #6.

OUTBOUND: Nothing to report. 

TARGET ZONE 6:  Multiple light waves swarmed out of range of the formation, with two 110 deciding to make a run at the Hoosier Honey. Both were damaged enough to be counted as "Probables" but one stuck to their attack long enough to walk hits from our nose to our tail. He knocked out the oxygen in the Radio Room, wounded our Port Waist Gunner, and most significantly he knocked out the Interphone system. Without the interphone we could not turn over command of the bomber to our Bombardier. He tried to release his bombs when he saw other bombers dropping, but believes that all hits were outside the port district.

Flak did slightly wound my Co-Pilot.

After the bomb run we descended to 10,000 feet for the sake of our Radio Operator needing to breathe. 

Another pair of 110s attacked us. We tagged one - earning our third probable of the day, while what seemed to be a trainee couldn't handle our evasive maneuvers.  

OUTBOUND Zone 4: Two pairs of 190s found us and again Evasive Maneuvers seemed to be the difference between life and death. Our tail took a beating during our dance, and after the skies cleared we discover SGT Donners did not survive his 24th mission. He had earned three purple hearts already, and sadly his fourth would be posthumous. (Out of 13 hits suffers in Zone 4, 8 were to the Tail.)


OUTBOUND Zone 2: The #3 Turbo Super-Charger crapped out on us, but as we were below 14,000 feet the point was moot.

[limburger59]

B-17G: BLUES IN THE NIGHT (B-17G-90BO 43-31507) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - Middle 
MISSION DATE: 14 MAY 44 
MISSION # 31 (4th this bomber)
TARGET: Porto Santo Stefano, Italy - Railroad and Dock

Bomb Run: Off Target 40% 

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1 LT	Les Brown	1				RTD
Copilot	2 LT	Benny Goodman	1				RTD
Bombardier	2 LT	Tommy Dorsey	1				RTD
Navigator	2 LT	Gene Krupa	1				RTD
Engineer	T/SGT	Gerry Mulligan	1				RTD
Radioman	S/SGT	Ed Palermo	1				RTD
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Joe Loos	1				RTD
PWG	SGT	Chick Webb	1				RTD
SWG	SGT	Benny Carter	1		1	0	RTD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ray Anthony	1				RTD

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x3 (3)

Peckham Points: 3

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated) (Inherited from Great Expectations)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 2	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	0
Bf-110	2	1		1
FW-190	0
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	2	1	0	1	0	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone flying

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

Newly arrived in Italy, we barely had time to meet our ground crew before being ordered to get some sleep as we were flying tomorrow. Oh, Low Squadron... some of the boys are concerned we're being offered up as 20MM cannon fodder.

OUTBOUND: Nothing to report. 

TARGET ZONE 6: Wow, pretty smooth sailing, as our bombs found the target. Maybe those rumors that the war would be over by Christmas are true.  

OUTBOUND Zone 4: Rockets were lobbed into the formation, with one explosion scarring our Port Wing. That attack was soon followed by fighters. Two 110s pointed their guns at BLUES. Our Tail Gunner damaged one that may not have survived. Benny in the waist knocked down the other bandit but was denied credit. Five other gunners claimed the same E/A, but I believe Benny and am buying him a drink to celebrate.

[limburger59]

B-17G: BLUES IN THE NIGHT (B-17G-90BO 43-31507) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Middle Sqdn - Middle 
MISSION DATE: 15 MAY 44 
MISSION # 32 (2nd this bomber)
TARGET: Nice, France - Marshaling Yard

Bomb Run: DNB - Aborted Mission - Heated Suit Failure
                    Abort was over enemy occupied territory after the group faced enemy fighters so the mission is credited.

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1 LT	Les Brown	3				RTD
Copilot	2 LT	Benny Goodman	3				RTD
Bombardier	2 LT	Tommy Dorsey	3				RTD
Navigator	2 LT	Gene Krupa	3				RTD
Engineer	T/SGT	Gerry Mulligan	3				RTD
Radioman	S/SGT	Ed Palermo	3				RTD
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Joe Loos	3				RTD
PWG	SGT	Chick Webb	3				RTD
SWG	SGT	Benny Carter	3				RTD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ray Anthony	3	1			RTD

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage: None

Peckham Points: 0

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated) (Inherited from Great Expectations)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 0	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	0
Bf-110	0
FW-190	0
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	0	0	0	0	0	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone flying

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

OUTBOUND: While over Yugoslavia (Zone 4 outbound) the Navigator got a bit too excited watching other bombers fending off bandits. He snagged the cord to his F-2 Electrical suit, ripping it out of the suit. The mission was aborted after the skies cleared and Blues returned to base without jettisoning her bomb load. 

 

[limburger59]

B-17G: BLUES IN THE NIGHT (B-17G-90BO 43-31507) 
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    Low Sqdn - TAIL
MISSION DATE: 22 MAY 44 
MISSION # 34 (4th this bomber)
TARGET: Latisana, Italy - Railroad Bridge

Bomb Run: Off Target - 8%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	1 LT	Les Brown	4				RTD
Copilot	2 LT	Benny Goodman	4				RTD
Bombardier	2 LT	Tommy Dorsey	4				RTD
Navigator	2 LT	Gene Krupa	4				RTD
Engineer	T/SGT	Gerry Mulligan	4				RTD
Radioman	S/SGT	Ed Palermo	4				RTD
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Joe Loos	4				RTD
PWG	SGT	Chick Webb	4				RTD
SWG	SGT	Benny Carter	4				RTD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ray Anthony	4	1			RTD

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage: None

Peckham Points: 0

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated) (Inherited from Great Expectations)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 3	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	1	1	0
Bf-110	0
FW-190	0
ME-210	2
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	3	1	0	0	0	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone flying

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

Multiple waves found us on the return trip, but seemed to ignore our exposed tail until the final wave noticed us. The 109 coming up behind us was smoked by our Tail Gunner, but his claim was denied and given to a gunner with more missions under his belt. Smacked of hazing.

 

[limburger59]

B-24 KNOCKOUT
        Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
High Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 22 May 44
MISSION # 34
TARGET: Latisana, Italy

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Kent “Moon Man” Mooney                          (9) AM
Co-Pilot: 2LT Gilbert “Gil” Webber                             (5)
Navigator: 2LT Lee “Tallahassee” Holder                    (3)
Bombardier: 2LT Charles “Charlie” Freya                   (11) [1.5] AM PH       
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Jason “Glass” Glasser                 (12) [3.18] AM     
Radio Op: S/SGT Theo “Morris Code” Morris               (10) AM
Ball Turret: SGT Leland “Lee” McNamara                    (5)
Right Waist: SGT David “Squeaky” Michell                  (4)                   LW
Left Waist: SGT Varney “Tater” Coultrain                    (4).                  SW-IH
Tail Gunner: SGT Tony “Badger” Marshall                   (17) [.5] AM+

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Casualties: SGT David “Squeaky” Michell - LW - foot cut, RTD 29 May 44
                   SGT Varney “Tater” Coultrain - SW - foot amputated - Invalidated Home

B-24 Damage:
Superficial x10 (20)
Light Wound (2)
Serious Wound (5)
P. Flap out (10)
Interphone out (10)
Navigator Heat out (10)
Ball Gunner Heat out (10)
Tail Guns destroyed (20)
P. Empennage root (25)

Peckham Points: 112 - Repairs completed 27 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 4
        3x Bf-109: 1 Damaged
        1x FW-190: 
        
Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal - first oak leaf cluster for 10 Completed Missions: S/SGT Theo “Morris Code” Morris
        Air Medal - for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Leland McNamara, 2LT Gilbert Webber

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-B24 variant):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen