frugaldave

[blaird]

Jul 23, 2019 11:55:31 GMT -8 frugaldave said:

Please assign me to a squadron.

B-17 Name High Plains Grifter

Pilot: 1LT Eric Washington
Co-Pilot: 2nd LT Christopher Butler
Bombadier: 2nd LT Henry Hill
Navigator: 2nd LT Albert Lee
Engineer: MSGT Philip Flores
Radio Operator: SGT Roger Philips
Ball Gunner: SGT Gerald Rogers
Port Waist: SGT Patrick Gray
Starboard Waist: SGT Dennis Simmons
Tail Gunner: SGT Gary Peterson

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bombing Squadron, 509th Bombing Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: June 10 1942
Mission No. 001
Target: Ploesti Romania; Astra Oil Refinery

Crew
[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew
[1][0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[1][0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler
[1][0] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Henry Hill
[1][0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Albert Lee
[1][0] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[1][0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[1][0] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[1][0] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[1][0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Dennis Simmons
[1][0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Gary Peterson

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 10%

Claims (6):
Second Lieutenant Henry Hill (Me-109)
Second Lieutenant Albert Lee (FW-190)
Master Sergeant Philip Flores (Me-109, Me-110)
Sergeant Gerald Rogers (Me-109)
Sergeant Gary Peterson (Me-109)

Attackers: (24)
4 x 110
11 x 190
9 x 109

Casualties (7):
Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington (Head Wound, 6 weeks recovery)
Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Henry Hill (KIA)
Navigator: Second Lieutenant Albert Lee (KIA)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Dennis Simmons (KIA)
Tail Gunner: Sergeant Gary Peterson (KIA, Died of Wounds in Ambulance)
Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores (Hand laceration, RTD)
Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray (Broken arm, 5 weeks recovery)

B-17 Damage:
255 Points – 6 days repair time

Awards:
Purple Heart requested for wounded/killed crew members

Narrative Report:

Second Lieutenant Eric Washington was laying in the hospital bed. The squadron XO stopped by to visit the wounded. “Are they all like this, XO?” Washington asked, fighting back tears. “Christ” thought the XO, “why do they send us these kids? We can’t nurse-maid them all the time.” “Sometimes they are easy, sometimes they are hard” and with that, the XO walked towards the next wounded crewman.

I had an inkling this run would be a bad one. Not that I had any experience, this was our first mission. But we weren’t even half way to the target when we had a malfunction to our oxygen system. Fortunately the engineer (Msgt Flores) was able to get it working again.

After that, things went smoothly until we hit the target area. From then on, the flight was a nightmare. We had a 109 come at us from above, sending shells through every compartment, knocking out the intercom system. On his next pass, he did the same thing, this time from 6 high, knocking out the port waist gun and igniting an oxygen fire, which we were able to put out.

We dropped our bombs, knowing we were off target, but still managed to hit 10% within the designated area. As we turned to head home, more walking hits, this one knocking out the radio system. Now we had no communications within the aircraft or with other aircraft and had to drop below 10,000 feet.

I took some debris to the head, apparently fracturing some bone in my head. I don’t remember much after that. My co-pilot, Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler, ran the show after that. I do remember the engineer poking his head into the compartment and saying he was seeing any evidence of tail gunner activity. I found out later that Sergeant Gary Peterson (tailgunner) had taken a hit to his abdomen and was incapacitated. The engineer manned the tail gun for the remainder of the ride.

We had lost an engine and a second was spewing oil and we knew it wouldn’t last much longer. Sure enough, it seized after we landed. Three crew members died during the mission. Sgt Peterson was transferred to an ambulance but died on the way to surgery. Looks like I will be out of action for a while.


Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17E “Desert Rat” (Spare flying for High Plains Grifter)
80th Bombing Squadron, 509th Bombing Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: June 15 1942
Mission No. 002
Target: Italian Fleet at Sea

Crew
[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew
[2][0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Glenn Cranston (Spare Personnel)
[2][0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler
[1][0] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Henry Ingerson
[1][0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Gerald Foster
[2][2] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[2][0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[2][1] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[1][0] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Dan Grogan (Spare Personnel)
[1][0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Isaac Lassen
[1][0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant William Vogel

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 0%

Claims (5):
Master Sergeant Philip Flores (Me-109, Me-109, Me-109)
Sergeant Gerald Rogers (He-110)
Sergeant Dan Grogan (Spare) (Me-109)

Attackers: (39)
4 x 110
11 x 190
24 x 109

Casualties (5), Fatalities (3):
Light Wound:
Port Waist; Sgt Dan Grogan (Spare Pool); Foot Cut; RTD

Serious Wound:
Stbd Waist; Sgt Isaac Lassen; Chest Wound; Sent Home

KIA:
Navigator; 2ndLt Gerald Foster; Ruptured Intestines; KIA
Bombardier; 2ndLt Henry Ingerson; Shattered Ribs, Ruptured Lung; KIA
Tail Gunner; Sgt William Vogel; Facial Wound, Chest Wound; KIA

B-17 Damage:
143 Peckham Points – Ready next day

Awards:
Purple Heart requested for wounded/killed crew members

At the Base:
Second Lieutenant Glen Cranston threw his cigarette to the sidewalk. He was not looking forward to giving a status report to Second Lieutenant Eric Washington. Washington was the commander of the B17 “High Plains Grifter”. Cranston was pulled from the spare personnel pool to take Washington’s place while Washington recuperated from his head wound.

Cranston entered the hospital, located Washington and gave him a summary of the mission. Washington posed the rhetorical question, “What is it about Bombardiers named Henry? Two missions, two dead Henrys. Total dead after one mission? Four. How are we rewarded? Tail End Charlie on the next mission! Total dead after two missions? Seven.”

Cranston let Washington vent his anger, asked how his head was healing, and made an excuse to leave.

Narrative Report:
We took off without incident and took our position as Tail End Charlie. No enemy activity over the first half of the flight to the target zone. We were jumped by four 109’s and a 190, but they were driven off by fighter coverage or saw better opportunities. We took no hits and gave none.

Over the target is where we took most of our aircraft damage. The flak was heavy, killing the bombardier, wounding the navigator, knocking out the pea-shooter nose gun, and apparently the landing gear as we would find out later. Without a bombardier our bomb drop was off target and ineffective. We turned for home.

We were harassed by the enemy periodically on the return flight. The tail gunner was killed by a 109 attacking from 6 High and the navigator was killed when a 109 came in at 10:30 Level. The bombardier’s body continued to get shredded during this attack as well.

I anticipate remaining in the capacity of Acting Commander of B17F-1-BO-4124364 (High Plains Grifter) while First Lieutenant Eric Washington recovers from his head wound. The Grifter is scheduled to be completed tomorrow. Upon confirmation, I will return the Desert Rat to the spare bomber pool.


Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Glen Cranston, Commanding (Acting)
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1646/mission-002-italian-fleet-sea#ixzz5vk9722qs

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17E “High Plains Grifter”
80th Bombing Squadron, 509th Bombing Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: June 26 1942
Mission No. 003
Target: Tobruk, Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[3][0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Glenn Cranston (Spare Personnel)
[3][0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler
[1][0] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[1][0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[3][5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[3][0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[3][2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[2][1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Dan Grogan (Spare Personnel)
[1][0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[1][0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 20%

Claims (1):
Master Sergeant Philip Flores (half kill 109)
Second Lt Jack Boyle (half kill 109)

Attackers: (7)
109 x 3
190 x 2
110 x 2

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
31 Peckham Point (Heat and Oxygen Hits)

Awards:
None

At the Base:
June 15, 1942 (After Mission 02):
It was nearly 1930 as Cranston walked through the twilight, thinking about Washington’s mental state. What did Washington expect? We’re trying to kill them, they’re trying to kill us. Granted, Washington did have a lot of casualties on his first mission and even took a bad hit to his head. Maybe that explains it all.

Not like I’m a hero or anything, he mused. I only have two missions under my belt. It’s tough coming out of the spare pool, not having time to get to know the other crew members or them getting the chance to know me. Thing is, another couple of missions and I’ll be back in the pool and Washington will be back in the pilot seat. Sure hope he learns to cope.

Narrative Report:
My first flight in this aircraft (High Plains Grifter). Took a little getting use to its peculiar quirks. Co-pilot Second Lt Butler was a big help in that regard. The trip to the target zone was uneventful, not a single attack. This felt good after that last mission, and Butler said the first mission was even worse. No wonder Lt Washington was showing the strain.

Once over the target, things heated up. The first wave hit the oxygen system in the nose compartment, but we were able to keep it on line. One of our new crew members (Lt Jack Boyle) and our crusty veteran (Mst Sgt Flores) combined to take down a 109, our only kill of the mission.

The second wave to come at us took out the radio and nose compartment heat. We took no flak hits and were able to drop our bombs on target. We turned around and headed for home. Without heat, we needed to drop below 10,000 feet. Since most of the run was over water and our intel indicated there was not a lot of enemy activity, I decided it was best to do so.

We got back to base and touched down without incident. High Plains Grifter will be ready for the next mission.


Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Glen Cranston, Commanding (Acting)
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1647/mission-003-tobruk-libya?page=2#ixzz5y5cSVevl

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter”
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombing Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: July 8 1942
Mission No. 004
Target: Benghazi, Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[4][0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Glenn Cranston (Spare Personnel)
[4][0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler
[2][0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[2][0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[4][5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[4][0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[4][2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[3][1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Dan Grogan (Spare Personnel)
[2][0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[2][0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 20%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (0)

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
0 Peckham Point

Awards:
None

Narrative Report:
My kind of mission, no action to report. Being in the final squadron, we were a bit concerned, but all for nothing. Bomb run was on target, hitting 20%.

We got back to base and touched down without incident. High Plains Grifter will be ready for the next mission.


Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Glen Cranston, Commanding (Acting)
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter”
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: July 14 1942
Mission No. 005
Target: Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt - Troop Concentrations

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[5][0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Glenn Cranston (Spare Personnel)
[5][0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler
[3][0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[3][0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[5][5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[5][0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[5][2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[4][1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Dan Grogan (Spare Personnel)
[3][0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[3][0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 60%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (9)

109 x 9

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
0 Peckham Point

Awards:
None

At the Base July 12, 1942:

"So tell me, sir, what is a Grifter? Why did we name our plane the 'High Plains Grifter'?" Sgt Patrick Gray was the Port Waist Gunner on the B-17 "High Plains Grifter". He was recovering from a broken arm he had gotten during the raid on Ploesti back in June. He was due to be returned to duty in a week or two and had wandered down to see his commanding officer, Lt. Eric Washington. Washington had been hurt on that mission too, in form of a serious head wound. He would be returning to duty in about a month.  "Well," Lt. Washington started, "I named her after my dad. I grew up in Minot, North Dakota, that's where the "High Plains" comes from. My daddy was hardly ever home, working for the Great Northern Railway when he could.  Anyway, to answer your question, a grifter is someone who cheats other people. When I was growing up in Minot, I was always reminded that my dad was scheming ways to cheat people out of their money. You know, as a kid, you always want to believe your dad is the best person in the world. It was hard learning the truth as I grew older. He left a few years ago and I never heard from him. All the same, I think about him a lot and decided to name our bomber after him, maybe in a way, he can contribute to this war effort."

Narrative Report:

Another milk run. No enemy aircraft until the target zone. Nine 109's attacked in 3 waves, 5 of which were driven off by the friendly fighters. Sgt Grogan hit one fighter and we saw smoke, but he turned and ran.

We took no damage, hardly even used up ammo. Ready to go when needed.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Glen Cranston, Commanding (Acting)
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: July 21, 1942
Mission No. 007
Target: Tel el Aisa, Egypt - Artillery Concentrations

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[6]    [0]     Pilot: First Lieutenant Glenn Cranston (Spare Personnel)
[6]    [0]     Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Christopher Butler
[4]    [0.5]  Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[4]    [0]     Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[6]    [5.5]  Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[6]    [0]     Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[6]    [2]     Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[2]    [1]     Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[4]    [0]     Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[4]    [0]     Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 0%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (7)

109 (1)

110 (3)

C202 (3)

Casualties:
2nd Lt Butler - Shattered Should Blade - 9 Weeks Recovery - Transferred Out

B-17 Damage:
51 Peckham Point

Awards:

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Christopher Butler - Purple Heart

[OOC] - Sometimes real life gets in the way of the mission.

At the Base July 17, 1942 (Prior to Previous Mission):
"Sir, we have a problem." It was port waist gunner Dan Grogan's voice coming over the intercom. "What is it? We're just about to roll." First Lieutenant Glen Cranston was on loan for the spare pool. He and Grogan had both been assigned to the High Plains Grifter for the previous four missions as the regular crew members recovered from injuries. The B17 and its crew was just about to take off for the Bardia, Libya port facilities. "Well, sir, when you revved the engines, I saw a part of this plane flex where it ain't suppose to flex. Better get the ground crew to check it out." Cranston radioed headquarters and got permission to have the plane inspected. According to the mechanic, the damage had been done quite a while ago. The Grifter was lucky she didn't have a catastrophic failure while on a mission. The Grifter crew was told to stand down for this mission while the welders worked their magic.

Narrative Report:

We are happy to report the Grifter performed as intended, no issues from the structural repair completed last week. No enemy activity until the target area. A couple of 110's came at us, one driven off by our friends, the other got a couple of hits on us, but nothing major. As he came around for another attack, our hot hand Sgt Flores put some lead in him and he wisely broke off the attack. A second wave came at us consisting of a 109 and a 110. Both were driven off by friendly fighters. A third wave consisting of three C202's came at us, one was driven off by fighters. Apparently it was getting a little too close to the flak zone as the remaining two took shots at us and then broke off.

Flak over the target was heavy.We took several hits. Second Lt Butler took a hit that shattered his shoulder blade. Sgt Rogers (Ball Turret) lost his heat. I decided that Sgt Rogers would need to keep himself warm for the flight home as I wasn't going to jeopardize the plane or crew and drop below 10,000 feet. Unfortunately our run was off-target and we observed zero damage to the target. Outbound flak did not hit us.

No further enemy activity for the trip back. Sgt Rogers did manage to keep himself from being frost-bitten.  Lt Butler underwent surgery, recovery is expected to take 9 weeks. He is being taken off the roster of the 509th, so we will be getting another crew member before the next mission. Speaking of missions, this should be my last as a fill-in for 1st Lt Washington. He is due to be returned to duty tomorrow.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Glen Cranston, Commanding (Acting)
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz62dSnVmah

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: July 22, 1942
Mission No. 008
Target: Suda Bay, Crete - Shipping

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[2] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[1] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[5] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[5] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[7] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[7] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[7] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[3] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[5] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[5] [0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 40%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (2)
109 (2)

Casualties:

None

B-17 Damage:

None

Awards:

Air Medals:

    2nd Lt Jack Boyle

    2nd Lt Jose Daring

    Sgt Roy Denny

    Sgt Joseph Connor

Narrative Report:

My first mission back in the cockpit was all I could ask for. We cruised in formation to the target site before seeing any enemy aircraft. A couple of 109's came at us, but our crusty veteran Sgt Flores put some lead into one of them, forcing him to break off, the other one must have gotten scared because he followed his buddy.

No flak came near and we were able to deliver 40% of the bomb load on target. The ride home was uneventful.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz64pIYFdVu

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: July 30, 1942
Mission No. 009
Target: Pylos Bay, Greece - Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[3] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[2] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[6] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[6] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[8] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[8] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[8] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[4] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[6] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[6] [0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 30%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (1)
109 (1)

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
None

Awards:
None

Narrative Report:
Sometimes I think the first mission I made was just a bad dream. Either that or the head wound scrambled my brains. My two missions since I returned to duty have been the proverbial Milk Runs. This one more so than the previous. We saw nothing until the target area. A lone 109 came in at the 12 high position. We missed, he missed and was gone. Light flak missed us both outbound and inbound. No damage to the aircraft or crew. Very little ammo expended. We were able to deliver 30% of the bomb load on target. The ride home was uneventful.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz666tRl1hc

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: August 3, 1942

Mission No. 10

This Bomber: 08

Target: Maleme, Crete - Airbase

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[4] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[3] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[7] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[7] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[9] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[9] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[9] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[5] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[7] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[7] [0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 0%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (0)

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
None

Awards:
None

In the Cockpit:

"It's the smell." Just a simple statement from the copilot, 2nd Lt Walter Renee. The 8th mission of the Bomber "High Plains Grifter" was extremely boring.

"What's the smell?" asked Pilot Eric Washington.

"The submarines, sir. They stink like you wouldn't believe." Renee was a shipyard worker before joining the Army. He worked at the Mare Island Shipyard in Vallejo, California. He continued, "I guess it's a combination of diesel fuel, saltwater, and of course body odor. It saturates your clothes just from working onboard for the day. I get home and my wife makes me leave them outside until she can was them. But if you ask the crew members, they say 'What smell'. I wonder if these planes are like that."

"Well, I don't think so. But we are approaching the target area, so let's keep our focus on the mission."

Narrative Report:
This mission was even lighter than the last. We missed the target totally. As we were ready to release, one of the enemy aircraft attacking Delaware Dream came close to us, causing me to veer our aircraft. I guess it was enough to cause 2nd Lt Boyle to miss the target. We were not attacked at any point of the mission and took no flak hits.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz67QRzuMTn

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: August 10, 1942
Mission No. 12
This Bomber: 09
Target: Porto Lago, Greece - Ships

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[5] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[4] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[8] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[8] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[10] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[10] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[10] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[6] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[8] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[8] [0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 0%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (2)

190 x 2

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
None

Awards:

Air Medal:

1st Lt Eric Washington

Master Sergeant Philip Flores (2nd Award)
Sergeant Roger Phillips (2nd Award)
Sergeant Gerald Rogers (2nd Award)

In the Cockpit:
1st Lt Eric Washington was not pleased on the flight back to base. He was on his fifth mission as pilot of the High Plains Grifter. This flight, like the previous three, saw little or no enemy aircraft. The Grifter had sustained zero hits and used little ammo. That actually made him happy. Having spent 6 weeks in the hospital recovering from a head wound, he felt he didn't need any more action. No, the thing that was bothering him was the Grifter's targeting. "I'll have to get together with Jack", thought Washington. Maybe there is something we aren't doing right.

Narrative Report:

We took off in lousy weather without incident. The flight to the target area was uneventful. Once we reached the target zone we were attacked by two 190's. Sgt Rogers hit one, though not bad enough to shoot him down. Both planes missed us and went on looking for better targets. The one was trailing some smoke. Once over the target, the flak was light and we successfully navigated through it. Our bomb release was Off Target and we scored 0 hits. No enemy aircraft activity for us on the way back to base. Landing was normal.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz6AigO0RB4

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: August 14, 1942
Mission No: 13
This Bomber: 10
Target: Matruh, Egypt - Tank Farm

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[6] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[5] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[9] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[9] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[11] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[11] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[11] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[7] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[9] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[9] [0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 40%

Claims (0):

Attackers: (2)

190 x 1

110 x 1

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
None

Awards:

Air Medal:

Second Lieutenant Walter Renee

In the Cockpit:
"Well, that was certainly an improvement!" First Lt Eric Washington was pleased with this bombing run. The last two missions had resulted in big, fat goose eggs. This run resulted in 40% hitting the target. Lt Jack Boyle, the Bombardier was equally excited. "Yes, sir, we nailed those bastards!" After the last mission, Boyle and Washington got together with the maintenance crew for a review. What they found was that the moveable mirror in the Norden bomb sight was not aligned properly. A small adjustment was all it needed. Washington continued, "Well, it is only one run, but it sure feels good. Let's hope we can keep it up."

Narrative Report:

Another smooth run, though not without its moment of terror. No enemy aircraft on the way to the target, flak missed us, allowing for a 'smooth as silk' glide over the target. Bombs were on target and we estimated 40% hit the target area. As we turned and headed for home, two EA came at us. A 190 at 10:30H was hit by the Top Turret and the Port Waist and wisely chose to break off. We had a 110 come at us from below and fortunately went right past us without hitting us.

The rest of the flight home was enjoyable, all things considered.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz6BqtBYL8Z

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: August 20, 1942
Mission No: 14
This Bomber: 11
Target: Ploesti, Romania; Oil Refinery

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[7] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[6] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[10] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[10] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[12] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[12] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[12] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[8] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[10] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[10] [0] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 10%

Claims (2):

Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring - 190

Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor - 190

Attackers: (12)
190 x 10

110 x 1

109 x 1

Casualties (1):
Lt Jose Daring - Light Wound, Chest, 7 days recovery

B-17 Damage:
75 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:

Purple Heart:

Second Lieutenant Jose Daring

Air Medal:
Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle (2nd award)
Sergeant Roy Denny (2nd award)

Sergeant Joseph Connor (2nd award)

In the Cockpit:
1st Lt Eric Washington climbed into the pilot’s seat to begin the checks prior to today’s mission. He was exhausted, having not slept at all the night before. Today’s mission is Ploesti. His first mission was Ploesti. When the Grifter landed after that mission, there were 3 dead crew members on board. Another would die in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. The Grifter sustained enough damage to keep her on the ground for six days. He himself had suffered a head wound that would keep him out of action for 6 weeks. Would this be a repeat? Would he ‘lose it’ during the flight? How would he handle more dead crewmen?

Co-pilot Chris Butler had seen the skipper in these moods before and knew it was best to leave him alone, no small-talk, just business.
“Gear Switch ...”
“Gear Switch Neutral”
“Intercoolers ...”
“Intercoolers cold”
They continued in a matter-of-fact manner until they completed the checklist. Each man readied himself for the mission ahead.

Narrative Report:

We took off and had no incidents until the target zone. At that point it felt like we flew into a hornets nest. We were attacked by 4 190’s in the first of 2 waves. Two of them were knocked out of the sky, but one knocked out the Nose Gun and wounded the Navigator, 2nd Lt Daring. He is expected to be out for a week.

The second wave was another group of 4 190’s. We damaged two of them and all of them missed us.

Over the target we took heavy flak and absorbed 3 hits. Each wing root was hit. After all of this, our bombing run was off target but we still managed to put 10% on the target.

As we turned to return to base, we were jumped by more enemy aircraft. The tail gunner hit a 110 who was dumb enough to attack from 6 Low. The German was trailing smoke but didn’t go down. A 190 scored a hit on the tail causing superficial damage.

Once that wave was done, we had an unremarkable flight to base.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Read more: 509th-vbw.proboards.com/thread/1753/frugaldave#ixzz6DNB8anoi

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: August 30, 1942
Mission No: 15
This Bomber: 12
Target: Tobruk, Egypt - Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[8] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[7] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[11] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[11] [1] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[13] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[13] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[14] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[9] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[11] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[11] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 30%

Claims: (1)
Stbd Waist: Sgt Roy Denny - G50


Attackers: (10)
G50 x 9
109 x 1

Casualties: (None)

B-17 Damage:
0 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards: (None)

In the Cockpit:

"Got a letter from my wife yesterday." Co-Pilot Walter Renee wanted to break the silence during the flight to today's target, Tobruk Port Facilities, which was just ahead.

"Yeah, good news?" asked First Lt Eric Washington.

"Just the usual stuff. Remember, she's a nurse at the base hospital at MINSY".  MINSY was the Navy abbreviation for the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Walter had been a worker in the shipyard before joining the Army Air Force. "She was relaying news from a fellow nurse at Pearl Harbor. The USS Growler had just gotten back from a patrol in the Aleutians. The stories they would tell about their encounters with the Japs makes her glad I am flying planes and not on a submarine. She says it is so much safer!"

They both laughed. Then, over the intercom they heard Tail Gunner Joe Connor's voice,  "Bandit, 6 o'clock High!" 

Narrative Report:
A quiet run until the target area. Then we were first attacked by a lone G50 from 6 high. Tail Gunner Joseph Connor did enough damage that the enemy broke off after missing us. He was followed by 4 G50's. Stbd Waist gunner Sgt Roy Denny took one out, the others all missed us. No flak hit us and we delivered 30% on target. As we turned, we were again under attack but again we escaped without damage. Flight home was pleasant.

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: August 31, 1942
Mission No: 16
This Bomber: 13
Target: Alam-ei-Halfa, Troop Concentrations

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[9] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[8] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[12] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[12] [1] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[14] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[14] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[14] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[10] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[12] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[12] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 30%

Claims: (0)

Attackers: (0)

Casualties: (None)

B-17 Damage:
50 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:

Air Medal:

Sergeant Patrick Gray (2nd)

At the Base, Before the Mission:

Lt Eric Washington and his crew were walking towards the High Plains Grifter bomber. Washington turned to his Radio Operator Roger Philips. Philips had been on every mission of the Grifter, along with MSgt Flores and Sgt Rogers. Washington couldn't help but notice over time how intelligent the radio operator appeared. He (Philips) always had his head buried in technical books, anything that he could get his hands on.

"Sgt Philips."

"Yes Sir?"

"What are you reading about these days?"

"Well, sir, I'm trying to find anything I can about these so-called 'jet' engines. The Germans are working on getting a jet powered plane in the air and I hear the British are too. Fascinating stuff."

"Well, keep me informed on what you learn. One other thing, you aren't really 22 years old are you?"

Philips looked a little uneasy. "Well, sir..."

"You can level with me."

"Sir, I'm only 19. I lied about my age when I enlisted. I was out of work in San Diego. You'd think I could get a job in the shipyard, but even they said I was too young. That's when I figured I'd better start lying about my age if I wanted to help with this war."

"Well, Sgt, I'm happy to have you on my crew."

"Thank you, sir."

Narrative Report:

Our weapons were not fired in anger on this mission. We took a couple of flak hits over the target, hitting each wing root, but other than that, a quiet run."

Very Respectfully,

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: September 7, 1942
Mission No: 17
This Bomber: 14
Target: Kastelli, Crete - Airfield

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[10] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[9] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[13] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[13] [1] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[15] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[15] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[15] [2] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[11] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[13] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[13] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 30%

Claims: (2)

Mst Sgt Philip Flores (C202)

Sgt Gerald Rogers (Me109)

Attackers: (6)

C202 x 3

Me109 x 3

Casualties:

Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle - Light Wound, Shoulder Cut, RTD

Sergeant Roger Phillips - Light Wound, Skull Grazed, RTD

B-17 Damage:
41 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:
Air Medal:

First Lt Eric Washington (2nd)

Master Sergeant Philip Flores (3rd)
Sergeant Roger Phillips (3rd)
Sergeant Gerald Rogers(3rd)

Purple Heart:

Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
Sergeant Roger Phillips

Approaching Target Drop Zone:

Radio Operator Sgt Roger Philips spoke into the intercom, "Griff, radio traffic indicates enemy aircraft attacking."

'Griff' was the nickname given to the commander of the B17 "High Plains Grifter", Eric Washington. He made it quite clear to the crew that they were only to use that when they were airborne on a mission. Soon after that message came across, the Grifter was attacked by three Macchi C202 Folgore fighters. Philips had explained to Griff that 'Folgore' was 'Eye-talian' (as Philips pronounced it) for ''Lightning' or 'Thunderbolt'. Well, these certainly flashed out of nowhere as far as Griff was concerned.

Giff looked up just as one of the Thunderbolts attacked from 12High. Bombardier Jack Boyle was able to damage him enough that he missed and went on his way, light smoke trailing. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that flashes from another Thunderbolt at the 1:30 High position. Those flashes hit home as the Italian pilot delivered walking hits down the length of High Plains Grifter. Boyle reported he was hit in the shoulder, but didn't seem serious. Philips also reported over the intercom that he was going to need a new helmet as something grazed his head. Luckily, he too was OK.

"I got him! I got him!" It was Ball Gunner Gerald Rogers, elated as the remaining Thunderbolt exploded as it approached from 3 o'clock level.

The Grifter released on target, delivering 30% on area, turned and headed for base. Minor harassment from 109's as they left the area of Crete.

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: September 13, 1942
Mission No: 18
This Bomber: 15
Target: Benghazi, Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[11] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[10] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[14] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[14] [1] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[16] [5.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[16] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[16] [3] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[12] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[14] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[14] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 50%

Claims: (1)
Sgt Gerald Rogers (Re2001)

Attackers: (3)
Re2001 x 3

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
None

Awards:
Air Medal:
Second Lieutenant Walter Renee (2nd)

Narrative:

A quiet mission except over the target. The stars were beautiful, making me wish I were back in "The Magic City" of Minot, ND. No searchlights picked us up and we had our second best bombing run to date, putting 50% on the target. Once the sun came up, we were attacked by 3 Re2001's. Sgt Rogers took care of one, friendly fighters took care of one, and the third missed and moved on.

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: September 29, 1942
Mission No: 19
This Bomber: 16
Target: Suda Bay, Crete - Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[12] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[11] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[15] [0.5] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[15] [1] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[17] [6.5] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[17] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[17] [4] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[13] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[15] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny

[15] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 40%

Claims: (1)

Lt Jack Boyle (1/2 Me109)

MSgt Philip Flores (1/2 Me109)

Attackers: (2)
Me109 x 2

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
None

Awards:
Air Medal:
Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle (3rd Award)

Second Lieutenant Jose Daring (3rd Award)

Sergeant Roy Denny (3rd Award)
Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor (3rd Award)

At the Base, prior to mission:

"All right, listen up!" First Lt Eric Washington called to his crew. "We have had some pretty easy missions over the past couple of weeks. I don't know who has the rabbit's foot in his pocket, but keep it there."

MSgt Flores shouted, "I think it's Phillips, he's always playing with something in his pocket!" The rest of the crew laughed and joined in, ribbing the youngest member of the crew.

Washington continued, "I want you to know that we are making a difference. I heard a big part of the German army is encircled near a city called Stalingrad in the Soviet Union. They are having to air drop supplies. Everything we can do here to hurt the Germans, makes it that much harder for them to fight their battles. Keep up the good work. Now, let's go do our job."

Narrative:
Another easy run for the Grifter. Once again, no action until we got to the target. A Me109 came at us in a vertical dive. I don't know how he weaved between all the bombers. He must have been so busy congratulating himself that his aim was off. We braced for walking hits but he totally missed us! On the next wave, a single Me109 came at us but Lt Boyle and MSgt Flores shared the credit for blowing him out of the sky. We had no flak near us and put 40% on the target.

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: October 11, 1942
Mission No: 20
This Bomber: 17
Target: Ships at Sea, Supply Convoy

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[13] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[12] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[16] [1] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[16] [1] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jose Daring
[18] [7] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[18] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[18] [4] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[14] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[16] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roy Denny
[16] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 0%

Claims: (1)
Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle (1/2 Me110)
Sergeant Gerald Rogers (1/2 Me110)

Attackers: (10)

Me109 x 4

Me110 x 5

FW190 x 1

Casualties:

Navigator Second Lieutenant Jose Daring: LW - Toe Severed, 2 Weeks recovery

Starboard Waist Gunner Sergeant Roy Denny: SW - Chest Wound, Broken Ribs, Inflamed Lungs, 6 Weeks recovery

B-17 Damage:
18 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:

Purple Heart:

Second Lieutenant Jose Daring (Second Award)

Sergeant Roy Denny

During the Mission, Over the Target:

"Griff! Hold this damn thing steady!" shouted 2nd Lt Boyle.

"Easy there, Cowboy, we're a little bit busy dodging this flak!" returned Eric "Griff" Washington.

Just at the moment Boyle was about to release the bombs, flak exploded next to the High Plains Grifter. Boyle was momentarily blinded and knocked across the compartment. He got his bearings back and went over to the Norden bomb sight. "Griff, Cowboy here. The Norden took a direct hit. No way we can sight anything."

Griff replied, "Damn! Well, we aren't taking these babies back with us, let them go and hope for Lady Luck to show up." 

Narrative:
The milk runs ended for us on this mission. Or maybe not. We lost oxygen and had to drop out of formation but still made it back in one piece, though we did have two crew members wounded. Most of the mission was quiet, but those times when we were attacked, it was like a hornets nest. Things were OK until the flak hit us and knocked out the bomb sight. We released the bombs anyway but all we did was kill some fish. As we turned to head home, a 109 came at us from 12 High and put some serious hits on us, wounding the crew members and knocking out our oxygen. We dropped out of formation and were only attacked one time on the way to base.

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: October 15, 1942
Mission No: 21
This Bomber: 18
Target: Corinth Canal, Greece; Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[14] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[13] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[17] [1] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[1]  [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jim Sassaman (Spare Pool)
[19] [7] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[19] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[19] [4] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[15] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[3] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Chester Womack (Spare Pool)
[16] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 5%

Claims: (1)
Sergeant Patrick Gray

Attackers: (4)
FW190 x 4

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
10 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:

Air Medal (3rd Award)

Sgt Patrick Gray

Narrative:

Easy flight. Took a flak hit over the target on the Port Wing Flap, but no noticeable effect. The Grifter being checked over by the ground crew. Four 190's over the target, Sgt Gray took out one, the others left us alone after a single pass, one of them trailing smoke as he left.

Between the flak and the weather, we weren't able to put the bombs on target, though we did do a bit of damage it would appear.

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: October 28, 1942
Mission No: 23
This Bomber: 19
Target: Pylos Bay, Greece; Port Facilities

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[15] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[14] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[18] [1] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[2] [0] Navigator: Second Lieutenant Jim Sassaman (Spare Pool)
[20] [7] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[20] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips

[20] [4] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers

[16] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[4] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Chester Womack (Spare Pool)
[19] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
Off Target, 0%

Claims: (0)

Attackers: (0)

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
0 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:

Air Medal (4th Award)

Master Sergeant Philip Flores
Sergeant Roger Phillips

Sergeant Gerald Rogers

Air Medla (3rd Award)

First Lieutenant Eric Washington

Sergeant Patrick Gray

Narrative:

This mission should be used for a recruiting film.  We saw absolutely no enemy aircraft. We got hit by flak over the target but the only damage was a scratch on the bombardier. He pleaded for another purple heart, "Griff, I'm hit!" I asked "Where?" and he said he wasn't sure, he would let me know when we got back to base! Needless to say, it was a minor scratch. However, we were unable to get  a good drop on the target. Zero percent on the the target.

1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

[frugaldave]

After-Action Report
B-17F “High Plains Grifter” B17F-1-BO-41-24364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bomber Group (H), 9th Air Force
Mission Date: November 16, 1942
Mission No: 26
This Bomber: 20
Target: Bizert, Tunisia; Airfield

QotS Beery Module

[Current Mission][Previous Kills] Crew:
[16] [0] Pilot: First Lieutenant Eric Washington
[15] [0] Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee
[19] [1] Bombardier: Second Lieutenant Jack Boyle
[17] [1] Navigator: Lt Jose Daring
[21] [7] Engineer: Master Sergeant Philip Flores
[21] [0] Radio Operator: Sergeant Roger Phillips
[21] [4] Ball Gunner: Sergeant Gerald Rogers
[17] [1] Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Patrick Gray
[5] [0] Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Chester Womack (Spare Pool)
[19] [1] Tail Gunner: Sergeant Joseph Connor

Bomb Run:
On Target, 30%

Claims: (0)

Attackers: (8)

Me 110 (2)

Me 109 (3)

C202 (3)

Casualties:
None

B-17 Damage:
0 Peckham Points, Ready Next Day

Awards:
Air Medal (3rd Award)
Co-Pilot: Second Lieutenant Walter Renee

Narrative:
Our hat is off to the fighter pilots for our side. A majority of the enemy aircraft were driven off before they could do any damage. Those that made it past the fighter cover must have been too green or perhaps in a hurry to move past us, because there were no hits on our aircraft. We were unable to hit any of them as well. Overall, pleased with out bombing run of 30% on target.


1st Lt Eric Washington, Commanding
High Plains Grifter B17F-1-BO-4124364
80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group