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Post by crushedhat on Jul 14, 2020 18:45:20 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 16 November 1942
MISSION NBR. 26/This Bomber 6
TARGET: Bizerte, Tunisia, Sidi Ahmed Airfield
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (12) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (121 [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (11) [2 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (12) [3 5/6] LC #
Engineer: TSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (12) [12 1/3] LC ###
Radio Operator: Sgt Mike Polowski (12) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (11) [4 5/6] LC *####
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (12) [3 1/3] LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Rauche (7) [1 1/2] #
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (12) [9] LC ##
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 14=7 KIA, 6 to Friendly Fighters, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 4 Green)
Re 2001 4=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 to Friendly Fighters, 1 Undamaged (2 Green)
18
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: Me 109
Engineer: TSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: 1 ½ ME 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: 4 Me 109; Re 2001
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: ½ Re 2001
Bomb Run: On target, 30%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), Co-Pilot O2 Out (10), Lt Outboard Fuel Tank Leak (10)
Peckham Points: 24 Peckham Points, AC ready 17 Nov 42.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: TSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: promotion to MSgt
Radio Operator: Sgt Mike Polowski: promotion to SSgt
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: promotion to SSgt, DFC, 1st Oak Leaf for achieving Double Ace w/5 confirmed KIA in 1 mission
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: promotion to SSgt
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: promotion to SSgt
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Aah, Skipper?” Sgt Randy Myers’ voice comes over the interphone. “We’re trailin’ a stream o’ something underneath the port wing.”
1LT Derek Walters wants to respond with an expletive. Instead he quickly glances out the window. “There’re some holes there,” he admits to his Co-Pilot, 2LT Jack Hope. “That Eye-Tie that dove on us must’ve punctured a fuel tank.” Walters takes a quick look at the fuel gauges to confirm his assessment, then calls for the Engineer, TSgt Lee Brown as he and Hope bring Roll n Tuck to a lower altitude, the Re 2001 also having knocked out Hope’s oxygen.
“We’re leakin’ alright,” Brown confirms as the plane levels off at Angels 10.
“Malta’s closer’n Maison Blanche,” Hope offers.
“I think we’ve got enough gas to make it home,” Brown counters.
“I hope you’re right,” Walters tells Brown. To Hope’s disappointed face he says, “Cheer up, Jack. She’ll be there next time.” Hope turns crimson at being reminded of his not so subtle tryst in the village outside RAF Hal Far.
Takeoff and assembly went well despite the poor weather conditions over Maison Blanche and we were soon winging our way toward Tunisia. Things were quiet until we ran into a couple of Luftwaffe patrols over the Med (Zone 4). The new P-38s quickly proved their worth, taking out two bandits in the first wave and the only one in the second. That left us free to concentrate on a lone EA, which quickly became the first of Randy’s (Sgt Myers) five confirmed kills on this mission.
The skies over the target (Zone 5a) were lousy with EA, our having to thread our way through three waves. Nestled in the middle of the formation, the first wave never got to us. A trio of Me 109s form the second wave bore in on us. One fell to the P-38s and we made short work of the other two. Then the Regia Aeronautica gave it a go with a quartet of Re 2001s. WE flamed one, shot up another, and a third went to our Little Friends. The fourth one however managed to knock out Jack’s (2LT Hope) O2 as well as hole the left outboard fuel tank. Pushing on through the Flak Ralph (2LT Peter) managed to drop at least 1/3 of our eggs on a hanger complex.
Dropping to a more breathable altitude as we came off the target we passed through some lighter Flak unscathed to face four more Me 109s. Theses didn’t fare any better then their earlier brethren; the P-38s claiming one while we got two more. I now had to decide with the fuel leak whether to head for Malta or try to make it home. Lee (TSgt Brown) figured we had enough to make Maison Blanche so that’s the way I turned the plane. As I did so, we caught some desultory ground fire but took no damage.
Crossing back into Algeria (Zone 4) we saw some EA, but their attention seemed to be on the formation and they left us alone. A little further on (Zone 3) and now well clear of the formation we encountered a trio of Me 109s. Once more the boys form the 94th were Johnny-on-the-Spot, leaving us to have to deal with only two bandits. And deal we did, both Jerries hitting the silk. After that is was home to Maison Blanche and a text-book landing despite the rain.
TSgt Raleigh was relatively pleased to see Roll n Tuck all in one piece and says he’ll have her up and running by tomorrow. Thankfully, no one got injured and, Randy (Sgt Myers) got approved for a total of five confirmed kills in this one mission, making him a double ace.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Aug 7, 2020 13:03:53 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 30 November 1942
MISSION NBR. 27/This Bomber 7
TARGET: Ships at Sea in the Mediterranean
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (13) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (13) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (12) [2 1/2] LC *#
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (13) [4 1/3] LC #
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (13) [13 6/6] LC **####
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (13) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (12) [7 5/6] LC #####
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (13) [3 5/6] LC ###
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Rauche (8) [2] ###
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (13) [10] LC ###
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 15=7 KIA, 3 Damaged, 3 to Friendly Fighters, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace, 4 Green)
C 202 6=6 KIA (1 Ace, 4 Green)
21
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: Me 109
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: ½ Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: 2 Me 109, C 202
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: 2 Me 109, C 202
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Rauche Me 109, C 202
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target
Freighter: Near Miss
CL1: Dead in the Water, Listing
B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 1 Dec 42
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: DFC for seriously damaging an enemy warship
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: DFC 2nd Oak Leaf for making Triple Ace while achieving 3 ½ KIA in one mission
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: DFC 2nd Oak Leaf for achieving 3 KIA in one mission
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Wow Ralphie!” In his excitement, ball turret gunner SSgt Randy Myers completely forgets about Military courtesy as he informs bombardier 2LT Peter of the results of his bomb run. “One of the cruisers is listing.”
“Still think it was a mistake to hang around and search some more?” 1LT Derek Walters asks his co-pilot, 2LT Jack Hope.
Hope simply shrugs and smiles before saying, “Let’s see what the trip home brings.
As it turns out, the trip home brings plenty of EA, but no damage to Roll n Tuck.”
Takeoff and assembly went as well as it could given the weather conditions; we witnessed a near collision ahead of us (rolled a 2 on Takeoff, but since all the Bombers are PCs, didn’t see any of them lose their planes).
Roger (2LT Lake) was initially having problems figuring out where the formation was going (Nav Off in Zone 2) but quickly got his bearings (Nav On the rest of the way).
As we neared the hunting ground and just before the formation split up (Zone 5) we encountered a lone C 202. An obviously green pilot, he soon found himself swimming. Then, it was every plane for itself.
We scoured the seas (Zone 6 1st Turn) but found no ships, though the Luftwaffe found us easy enough. We watched as the first wave diverted to what we assume was one of the other bombers just over the horizon. Then a pair of Me 109s made for us. We flamed one but the other got away, although he didn’t hit us either. Then it was three more 109s, an ace and his wingmen. At the end of that engagement we were still untouched thought the Luftwaffe was short two fighters.
If we were going to rejoin the formation it was time to head to the rally point. But I didn’t come all this way just to bring my bombs back home so decided to search some more (Zone 6 2nd Turn). Initially the seas seemed as empty as before and then SSgt Rice though he saw something. Going to investigate we found five freighters escorted by a DD and a trio of Cruisers. As we began our bomb run the warships threw up a curtain of Flak but it didn’t find us. Those freighters must lead charmed lives, None taking any significant damage. It was a different story for the Regia Marina that took the brunt of our attack, Ralph (2LT Peter) giving them a good pasting. As we pulled away one cruiser listing precariously. With all the mayhem going on onboard, it’s not surprising that their Flak wasn’t very effective. A couple of C 202s tried to interfere with our departure. They won’t be doing that again.
While we were excited about our results, it’s always unnerving flying alone. And, it didn’t take long for the enemy to find us (Zone 5) as four Me 109s bore in. The Krauts’ bad luck streak seemed to continue as we took no damage while downing one bandit and sending the other three off with something to remember us by.
Things heated up fast when an entire squadron of 109s hit us (Zone 4). Fortunately, by this time we’d linked up with a flight of P-38s who cut the number of bandits in half. Of the remaining three, none went home.
A little further on (Zone 3) and the Regia Aeronautica gave it a try. The first wave appeared a ways off and managed to siphon away our Little Friends, leaving us to deal with the second wave on our own (Hate it when I roll multiple waves and the first ends up being “None” and the Supporting Fighter Roll ends up being X(0).) Wee left three C 202s in the water off the Algerian coast.
After that things quieted down until we reached Maison Blanche where the still lousy weather made the landing a bit tricky. Still, with 2LT Peter’s results as well as MSgt Brown becoming a triple ace and SSgt Myers a Double ace, it was a good mission. Even TSgt Raleigh was happy to see not one bullet hole in ‘his plane.’
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
(OOC – My dice were hot on this one. Not looking forward to the mission that balances the scales. Had to remember to add in the extra EA for being OOF in the Target Zone.)
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Post by crushedhat on Aug 15, 2020 20:23:49 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 5 December 1942
MISSION NBR. 28/This Bomber 8
TARGET: Tunis, Tunisia, Harbor
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (14) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (14) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (13) [4] LC #
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (14) [4 5/6] LC #
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (14) [17 5/6] LC *##
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (14) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (13) [9 5/6] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (14) [5 1/3] LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Rauche (9) [3 1/2]
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (14) [11 1/2] LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 4=1 KIA, 3 to Friendly Fighters (1 Green)
Me 109 6=2 KIA, 4 to Friendly Fighters
C 202 5=2 KIA, 3 to Friendly Fighters
15
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: ½ C 202
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: 1 ½ Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: C 202
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: ½ C 202
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 6 Dec 42
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: DFC for achieving Ace status
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: DFC for achieving Ace status
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Keep this up, Lootent, and I jus’ may havta give ya’ll some of my premium stock,” TSgt Bobbie Raleigh tells 1LT Derek Walters as the crew chief looks over the bomber just returned from its second mission in a row with no visible damage.
“keep your hooch,” Walters tells Raleigh, much to the chagrin of his crew. “I’m more’n happy to bring her, and us, home in one piece.” Silently he wonders how long this unusual run of luck can hold.
Takeoff and assembly went well, much better than last time when we witnessed a near mid-air collision, and we settled down in the middle of the middle formation. It proved to be a charmed spot to be in, Roll n Tuck not having to deal with any EA until we crossed the border into Tunisia (Zone 4) when a trio of Me 109s made their way through the formation. Two of the EA were jumped by the escorting P-38s while Ralph (2LT Peter) and Lee (MSgt Brown) made short work of the third.
Further into Tunisia (Zone 5) a pair of C 202s tried their luck but didn’t get past the Little Friends. Gotta buy those guys a drink.
ON target ingress (Zone 6) we were challenged by four Fw 190s. Three fell to the Twin-Tailed Devils while the fourth got beat up as he approached our nose. SSgt Rice finished him off as he passed by the tail. Then it was into the Flak which, while of moderate intensity wasn’t accurate enough to cause us any damage. 2LT Peter put 40% of our payload within the CEP, damaging a pier, a warehouse, and some loading cranes.
Flak on target egress was little and no less accurate. Coming out of the Flak filed we were met by a more aggressive response than we had going in. First up was another trio of 109s, which met that same fate as their earlier comrades. Then the Regia Aeronautica gave it a try with three C 202s. The escort chased one off and we flamed the other two.
While we saw more fighters on our way home (Zone 5, 2 waves of None), none came close enough to be a problem. After that it was clear flying back to Maison Blanche and TSgt Raleigh’s elation upon seeing ‘his airplane’ once again unscratched. Both 2LT Lake and SSgt Gundermann scored their fifth confirmed kill this mission to achieve Ace status.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
(OOC – Another one where the dice wee on my side. Now I’m really getting worried!)
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Post by crushedhat on Sept 4, 2020 8:00:29 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 21 December 1942
MISSION NBR. 29/This Bomber9
TARGET: Sfax, Tunisia, Harbor
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (15) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (15) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (15) [4 1/2] LC #
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (15) [5 1/3] LC
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (15) [19 5/6] LC #
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (15) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (14) [10 1/3] LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (15) [5 5/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Rauche (10) [3 1/2] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (15) [12 1/2] LC #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 5=1 KIA, 2 Damaged,, 2 to Friendly Fighters (2 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 190 7=1 KIA, 4 Damaged, 2 to Friendly Fighters (2 Ace)
Re 2001 4=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace, 1 Green)
16
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: Fw 190
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: Re 2001
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Re 2001
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: Instruments: Flap Control Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 10 Peckham Points, AC ready 22 Dec 42
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: Air Medal,, 2nd Oak Leaf
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski: air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: DFC, 2nd Oak Leaf for becoming Triple Ace
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt John Rauche: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf, Promotion to SSgt
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf, DFC for becoming Ace
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“I don’ know, Lootent. Three in a row an’ no holes.” TSgt Robert Raleigh looks unbelievingly at ‘his bomber.’
“Three’s the charm,” 1LT Derek Walters counters his Crew Chief’s disbelief. Clapping Raleigh on the shoulder, Walters leans in and whispers, “But the Flap Controls went all haywire on us. Let’s not let the Gremlin Air Force do what the Krauts can’t. Okay, Bobbie?”
“Hey Skipper!” one of the men gathered round the utility truck sent to pick up the crew shouts. “Let’s go!”
“Yeah,” chimes in 2LT Jack Hope. “The S2’s hootch may not be the best, but it’s better’n nothing.”
Leaving Raleigh to ride his crew on Roll n tuck’s maintenance failings, Walters joins his crew.
Another milk run, not that I’m complaining. Takeoff and assembly went well despite the lousy weather, and we took up our position in the Low Squadron. It didn’t take long for things to heat. We were still over Algeria (Zone 3) when an Me 109 made for us,, only to be quickly chased off by a P-38.
As we crossed into Tunisia (Zone 5) three more Jerries tried their luck, two 109s and an Fw 190. The 190 fell to our Little Friends while we sent both 109s off trailing smoke.
Four Re 2001s contested our approach to the target (Zone 6). We flamed one, Charlie (SSgt rice) earning his confirmed Ace status, and sent another limping for home. Flak was light and inaccurate. Ralph (2LT Peter) was not, putting 40% of payload within the CEP despite the overcast. As we came out of the Flak field a pair of 109s came at us, both leaving the worse for the experience. We could see another wave forming up, but I guess seeing what happened to their friends discouraged them.
Back near the border (Zone 5) four Fw 190s hit us. To be more accurate, I should say tried to hit us; one being shot down and another damaged while missing us completely. On into Algeria (Zone 4) and we could see multiple waves of EA, though only one managed to make its way to us, a pair of Me 109s. The P-38s drove off one and we helped the other die for the Fatherland.
After that it was smooth flying until we came in to land when we discovered the Flap Controls weren’t working. On top of the rain-slicked tarmac it made the landing a bit dicey, but everything turned out alright.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Sept 7, 2020 17:35:17 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 27 December 1942
MISSION NBR. 30/This Bomber 10
TARGET: Sousse, Tunisia, Power Facilities
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Bumped from Lead by Honey Bun during Assembly
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (16) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (16) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (16) [5] LC #
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (16) [5 1/3] LC
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (16) [21 1/3] LC #
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (16) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (15) [11 5/6] LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (16) [5 5/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (11) [3 1/2] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (16) [13] LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 3=1 Damaged, 2 to Escort (1 Ace)
G 50 3=2 KIA, 1 to Escort (1 Green)
6
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: ½ G 50
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: G 50
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice 50
Bomb Run: On Target, 50%
B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 28 Dec 42
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Whoa!” 2LT Jack Hope exclaims as he watches while two bombers nearly collide in the thick soup over Maison Blanche. It is followed almost immediately by his shouted, “Hard left!”
Reacting instinctively, 1LT Derek Walters throws roll n Tuck into a hard left turn, banking away for whatever threat Hope was seeing. The interphone is filled with gripes and complaints from the other crewmen thrown about by the unexpected violent maneuver.
Bringing the big plane back to level, Walters asks, “What is it, Jack?”
“That F…” Catching himself, Hope resumes, “Capt Beaudin and Honey Bun just slipped into our spot as Squadron Lead. Another few seconds and we would’ve been goners. “Polowski, get me…”
“Can it, Jack.” Walters places a restraining hand on his co-pilot’s arm. To his radio operator he says, “As you were, Polowski.”
Turning back to Hope, Walters tells him, “I’ll deal with Beaudin once we’re back on solid ground. For now, just concentrate on the mission.”
Other than almost colliding with Capt Beaudin’s plane as they unexpectedly jumped into the Squadron Lead position during assembly, this proved to be another milk run.
As we neared Tunisia (Zone 4), we were met by three G 50s of the Regia Aeronautica. The escorting P-38s engaged one while the other two fell to our guns. Those were to be the only EA we encountered until over the target, although we did run into an unusually cold patch once over the border (Zone 5). Roger (2LT Lake) reported one of his guns freezing up, but he was able to bring it back on line as we neared the target.
There was virtually no opposition as we began our bomb run (Zone 6), and 2LT Lake put a solid 50% of payload within the CEP. Falk on the way out wasn’t anymore effective, though this time we did run into some EA. A pair of Fw 190s made for us but were intercepted by our Little Friends. I guess that discouraged a second wave that was forming up for an attack.
Once back in Algeria (Zone 4) with our fighter cover thinned out a lone 190 gave it a try. The markings on his tail may have indicated he was an ace, but he got the short end of that stick, leaving with something to remember us by.
After that it was easy flying home followed by a smooth landing. I’m beginning to worry that I’m setting TSgt Raleigh up with unrealistic expectations. As soon as I’m done with this report I plan to look Capt Beaudin up and find out just what happened up there during assembly.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Sept 21, 2020 20:00:04 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 11 January 1943
MISSION NBR. 31/This Bomber 11
TARGET: Gadames, Libya - Railway Bridge
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron Lead
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (17) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (17) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (17) [5 1/2] LC **#
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (17) [5 1/3] LC *##
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (17) [21 5/6] LC *#
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (17) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (16) [11 5/6] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (17) [5 5/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (12) [3 1/2] LC ##
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (17) [14] LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 9=2 KIA, 4 Damaged, 3 Undamaged (2 Ace, 3 Green)
Me 110 1=1 KIA
Re 2001 5=1 KIA, 3 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 3 Green)
C 202 5=5 KIA (2 Ace, 2 Green)
Total 20
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: C 202
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: ½ C 202
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: C 202
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: ½ C 202
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: C 202
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: C 202
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x3 (2), Bomb Bay Doors: NE (5)
Peckham Points: 7 Peckham Points, AC ready 12 Jan 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: Mention in Dispatch for achieving Quadruple Ace
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
No one knocked us out of Lead position this time and we were soon winging our way across the Sahara. Things remained surprisingly quiet until we reached the target (Zone 6) when we could see multiple waves of EA forming. First in was a trio of C 202s. They didn’t fair very well it being three up and three down (in flames that is), then on to the next inning. Then the Luftwaffe gave it try, sending in four Me 109s and a 110. They didn’t fair any better than their Italian allies, losing three with another limping off badly damaged. Flak on target ingress was light and inaccurate, leaving Ralph (2LT Peter) plenty of time to focus on the bridges. Maybe that’s why it seems so disappointing to achieve only 20% within the CEP.
We were able to avoid the first wave forming up on target egress, but then faced five Re 2001s of the Aeronautica Regia. We downed one and damaged a couple of others with no skin off our nose.
Heading back out over the desert we faced more Italian fighters, a pair of C 202s. One pilot hit the silk, the other never got the chance as his plane blew up in midair. I guess the spectacle was enough to discourage a second wave that was forming up.
It wasn’t long (Zone 4) before the Luftwaffe gave it another go, two Me 109s bearing in and then leaving with something to remember us by. This was followed up by three more 109s. While two hit us neither did much damage and we sent one off trailing oily smoke.
Nearer home (Zone 2) the Gremlin Air Force attacked, Randy (SSgt Myers) reported the Ball Turret had stop[ed working. Quick action on the part of SSgts Gundermann and Rauche soon had it back in operation, much to SSgt Myers’ relief.
There were no further problems with the flight or the landing. The crew’s all in one piece and TSgt Raleigh says Roll n Tuck will be good as new by tomorrow.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Oct 15, 2020 21:11:47 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 30 January 1943
MISSION NBR. 32/This Bomber 12
TARGET: Bizerte Tunisia – Ferryville Harbor
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (18) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (18) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (18) [8] LC * LW RTD 2 Feb
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (18) [7 1/3] LC * LW RTD 1 Feb
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (18) [21 5/6] LC # LW RTD 1 Feb
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (18) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (17) [12 1/3] LC LW RTD 31 Jan
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (18) [5 5/6] LC **
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (13) [4 1/2] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (18) [15] LC *#
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 9=3 KIA, 2 Damaged, 4 Undamaged (1 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 109 6=3 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 2 Green)
C 202 3=3 to P-38
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: Me 109
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammmie) Gundermann: Fw 190, Me 109
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Fw 190, Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 50%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x5 (10), LW x4 (8), Instruments: Rudder (10), Intercom Out (10), Autopilot: NE (5), Top Turret Inop (20), Ball Turret Inop (20), O2 Out (10), Rt Rudder x2 (20)
Peckham Points: 103 Peckham Points, AC ready 1 Feb.
Casualties:
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (18) [8] LC * LW RTD 2 Feb
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (18) [7 1/3] LC * LW RTD 1 Feb
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (18) [21 5/6] LC # LW RTD 1 Feb
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (17) [12 1/3] LC LW RTD 31 Jan
Landing: AC and crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: Purple Heart
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: Purple Heart
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: Purple Heart
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: Purple Heart 1st Oak Leaf
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: air Medal 2nd Oak Leaf
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
This is the mission that made up for all those earlier milk runs. I think just about everyone used up their luck. Things started going wrong right from the get go when a rough running engine almost made us abort on Takeoff. Fortunately it settled down and we were able to take our place in the formation.
As we drew nearer that target (Zone 4) the sky started to get a little crowded with EA. The first wave managed to soak off all out fighter escort. Then, we nearly collided with a formation of Hs 129s on their way to give some poor dogfaces a pounding. After that, the show started in earnest as Me 109s bore in on us. With the escort already soaked off, we had to deal with this threat ourself, which we did handily, downing two and sending the third limping for home.
As we approached the target (Zone 5) it was a repeat of the show just finished. Once more the first two waves of enemy fighters drew off the P-38s, leaving us to handle four Fw 190s. While we claimed two and damaged the other two, Jerry got his licks in as well; takin out both the Top and Ball Turrets, wounding Sgt Brown and trapping SSgt Myers in the Ball Turret in the process. At first we thought MSgt Brown was dead, but it turns out he was just temporarily out (Used his LC to turn KIA into an LW). The Flak missed us and 2LT Peter put 50% of payload within the CEP.
Coming off the target, the Flak gunners found their range,, SSgt Gundermann reporting that the O2 reserve tank was spewing the precious gas out a shrapnel hole. Once more the first wave of enemy fighters managed to draw off all out support, Next time lets try to find an escort that isn’t so gung ho dogfighting! That left us to face 5 Fws without our Top or Ball Turrets. Despite the handicap we managed to flame one bandit without getting too chewed up, though we did lose control of the rudder.
Crossing the border back into Algeria (Zone 4) and it was Déjà vu all over again. (Rolled multiple multi-wave assaults with the first always being None and my fighter support always being 1(0)) This time at least one of the glory boys came to our aid. Still one bandit walked his fire our entire length, wounding both 2LT Peter and SSgt Myer who remained trapped in the Ball Turret.
A little closer to home (Zone 3) and it was the Italian’s turn as 3 C 202 made for us and we finally saw the escort we’d been briefed to expect, the P-38s chasing them all off. After that it was relatively quiet, though we did have to drop out of formation before reaching home (Zone 2) when the leaking O2 gave out.
Needless to say, TSgt Raleigh wasn’t nearly as pleased as he had gotten accustomed to being upon our return. After calming down, he figured he could have Roll n Tuck back in the air in a couple of days. Doc says the same bout our injured. SSgt Myers is just glad to be out of his fishbowl.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Oct 28, 2020 19:26:27 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 7 February 1943
MISSION NBR. 33/This Bomber 13
TARGET: Cagliari, Sardinia – Seaplane Base
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle Out, Lead Home
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Derek Walters (19) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (19) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (19) [9] **
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (19) [8 1/3] LC
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (19) [22 1/3] **#
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (19) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (18) [12 1/3] LC *
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (19) [7 5/6] LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (14) [4 1/2] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (19) [6] LC **
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
C 202 9=6 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-38 (1 Ace, 3 Green)
G-50 3=2 KIA, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace)
12
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: ½ C 202
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: C 202, ½ G 50
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: C 202
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: C 202
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: ½ G 50
Bomb Run: On Target, 50%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2)
Peckham Points: 2 Peckham Points, AC ready 8 Feb 43.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter: DFC for achieving Ace status with 5 1/3 confirmed KIA
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: MID for achieving Double Ace status with 10 confirmed KIA
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“There goes Syracuse Rosie,” 2LT Jack Hope comments dispassionately as the 78th’s Lead bomber falls out of formation. “Wonder who’ll take over lead?” Hope doesn’t have long to wait to find out as 1LT Derek Walters ups the throttles on Roll n Tuck’s four Pratt and Whitney Wasp engines. “I had to ask,” he mutters as Roll n Tuck slides into the Lead position.
Takeoff and Assembly went well and we didn’t encounter any resistance till nearing the target (Zone 4), when a pair of C 202s made for us. The escorting P-38s made short work of that threat before chasing off after a flight of German Do 217 bombers.
Three more 202s challenged us as we began our bomb run (Zone 5). Let’s just say they won’t be doing that again. Unfortunately, Syracuse Rosie in Squadron Lead didn’t fair as well and we took over as she fell out of formation; the boys reported seeing ten chutes, so they all got out alive. Flak on Target ingress was light and ineffective and 2LT Peter put 50% of bombs within the CEP. Flak on Target Egress was no more of a problem than it was going in. As we emerged from the Flak field we were met by four C 202s, downing three while suffering no damage ourselves.
Heading home (Zone 4) we engaged three G-50s. While one, an Ace, hit us, it was only superficial damage. In return, we downed two of the bandits. After that it was quiet flying the rest of the way home.
I’m putting 2LT Peter in for a DFC for achieving recognized Ace status, and SSgt Rice deserves a Mention in Dispatches for becoming a confirmed Double Ace.
1LT Derek Walters, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Nov 13, 2020 9:45:04 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS, LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 14 February 1943
MISSION NBR. 34/This Bomber 14
TARGET: Palermo, Sicily - Harbor
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (20) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (20) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (20) [11] LC
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (20) [8 1/3] LC LC ##
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown (20) [24 1/3] LC **#
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski (20) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (19) [13 1/3] LC ###
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (20) [8 1/3] LC LC ##
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (15) [4 1/2] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (20) [8] LC LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 2=2 Damaged (1 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 12=7 KIA, 2 Damaged, 2 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (3 Ace, 5 Green)
14
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: ½ Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: 1 ½ Me 109
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: ½ Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x3 (6), Bomb Controls (10), Rt Aileron: NE (5)
Peckham Points: 21 Peckham Points, AC ready 15 Feb 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters: Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 2LT John (Jack) Hope (20): Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to 1LT
Bombardier: 2LT Ralph Peter (20): Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to 1LT
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (20): Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to 1LT
Engineer: MSgt Leland (Lee) Brown: Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to SFC
Radio Operator: SSgt Mike Polowski: Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to TSgt
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: Aior Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to TSgt
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: Air Medal 2nd Oak Leaf
Tail Gunner: SSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Air Medal 3rfd Oak Leaf, Promotin to TSgt
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Takeoff and assembly went well, the lousy weather notwithstanding, and we were soon flying over the blue waters of the Mediterranean safely nestled in the middle of the middle squadron.
Things remained quiet until near the target (Zone 7) when we were spotted by a pair of Ca 314 Recon aircraft (rolled 2 waves, both ended up being a Ca 314).
Knowing our Approach was likely reported, we braced for the worst as we hit the coast of Sicily (Zone 8). It was therefore a bit of a surprise when the welcoming committee consiste3d on only a pair of Me 109s and a single Fw 190, although both of the 109s’ tail sported enough kill marks to show they were aces. Even so, we only suffered minor damage at their hands while downing two of the three bandits. Flak on target ingress was of moderate intensity, though thankfully inaccurate. Even so, 2LT Peter only managed to put about 205 of payload on the target.
Flak on egress was no more effective, though there were a lot more enemy aircraft in the sky by now. Ion a repeat performance, we were met by another pair of 109s and an Fw, with 2 more aces in the mix. They faired the same as their predecessors. The second wave was held at bay by fire from the rest of the formation. After that, four more 109s bore in, though by the way they flew they must’ve been second-stringers; we downed two and damaged as third, suffering nothing in return.
Heading back home we encountered more resistance over the Med (Zone 6) when a quartet of Me 109s hit us, though by now the P-38s had rejoined us and chased off two off the bandits. While the other two managed to inflict some damage, we flamed one and the other limped off trialing heavy smoke.
After that (Zone 5) a Condor (Fw 200) was spotted in the distance. The P-38s harrying him must’ve occupied his attention as we had not further encounters on the way home.
Even with the low ceiling and rain-slicked tarmac the landing was textbook prefect, and TSgt Raleigh didn’t have much to complain about. With this being the 20th mission for much of the crew, the boys are looking forward to sewing another stripe on their sleeves, or exchanging their gold for silver.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Nov 25, 2020 21:24:27 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS, LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 22 February 1943
MISSION NBR. 35/This Bomber 15
TARGET: Battle of Kasserine Pass - Troops
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle, 8,000 Ft
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (21) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (21) [0] LC
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter (21) [11] LC*#
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (21) [9 1/3] LC LC #
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown (21) [26 5/6] LC ###
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski (21) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (20) [14 5/6] LC LC ###
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (21) [9 1/3] LC LC ###
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (16) [4 1/2] LC #
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (21) [9] LC LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 12=4 KIA, 6 to P-38, 2 Undamaged (3 Ace, 2 Green)
Re 2000 3=1 KIA, 2 to P-38
G 50 4=2 KIA, 1 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 1 Green)
19
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter: ½ Me 109, ½ G 50
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: Me 109
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown: Re 2000
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: Me 109, ½ G 50
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: 1 ½ Me 109
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: G 50
Bomb Run: On Target, 30%
B-24 Damage: #4 Engine Fire (15+25+25), Rt Rudder x1 (10), Auxiliary Hydraulics (10)
Peckham Points: 85 Peckham Points, AC ready 23 Feb 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, promotion to TSgt
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Skipper?” SSgt Randy Myers’ voice sounds nervous over the interphone. “Don’t blow this one. OK?”
“Don’t worry, Randy,” Capt Derek Walters responds. “The runway’s pretty hard to miss.”
Not particularly mollified, Myers watches the hard-packed surface from his position trapped in the ball turret. The ground appears to be reaching up to grab him. Despite the horror, or perhaps because of it, he can’t seem to tear his eyes form the view. Even so, he instinctively recoils up against the back of his glass cage as the bif bomber sets down, leaving mere feet between him and his becoming a smear on the the tarmac.
As the bomber slows he roll down the runway Walters’ voice sounds in Myers’ ear, “Smooth enough for ya, Randy?”
Relieved laughter sounds throughout the plane as Myers’ voice cracks with a, “Yeah.”
Takeoff and assembly went well, and we didn’t encounter any opposition until halfway to the target (Zone 3) when several waves of EA attacked. Despite their best efforts, the Krauts weren’t able to penetrate the formation deep enough to hit us.
It was a different story a bit further on (Zone 4). SFC Brown commented that it looked like luck was on our side (Random Event: Lady Luck Smiles). AS if to prove him right, a pair of Me 109s bore in on us; the escorting P-38s driving off one bandit and the combined fire of five .50s making short work of the other.
It was similar story as we began out bomb run (Zone 5), fire from the formation keeping the enemy fighters at bay. Unfortunately, all the firepower in the world couldn’t keep the Flak from finding us and knocking out our #4 engine. Thankfully the fire extinguisher system worked and we were able to quickly drop our bombs on target, achieving 30% effects.
Flak was less effective on target egress, though we ran into three waves of EA. First up were four Me 109s. Our luck seemed to return as our Little Friends downed two and we flamed the other two. Then it was four G 50s. Again the P-38s chased off one, and we knocked two of the others out of the sky. But, the fourth dove past us, knocking out the auxiliary hydraulics and trapping SSgt Myers int eh ball turret in the process. After that another quartet of 109s gave it a go. The P-38s and we each claimed one.
Heading for home (Zone 4) and the combined fire of the formation kept the enemy at bay. Our last tangle (Zone 3) involved a pair of Me 109s, which never made it past the P-38s, followed by a trio of Re 2000s. Thanks to the aggressive escort, we only had to deal with one of the Eye-Ties, who won’t be causing anyone any further problems.
After that it was home and a tense landing, what with one engine out and Randy (SSgt Myers) trapped in the ball turret. I’m happy to report that the landing went well, though SSgt Myers may be needing a new pair of trousers. TSgt Raleigh says he’ll have Roll n Tuck patched up and ready to fly by tomorrow.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Nov 29, 2020 22:06:46 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS, LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 24 February 1943
MISSION NBR. 36/This Bomber 16
TARGET: Kasserine, Tunisia - Troops
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Tail, 8,000 Ft
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (22) [0] LC LW RTD 25 Feb 43
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (22) [0] LC LW RTD 25 Feb 43
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter (22) [12 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (22) [9 2/3] LC LC
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown (22) [28 1/3] LC
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski (22) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (21) [16 1/3] LC LC #
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (22) [10 2/3] LC LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (17) [4 5/6] LC #
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (22) [10] LC LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 6=1 KIA, 4 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (2 Green)
C 202 2=1 KIA, 1 to P-38 (1 Ace)
8
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: ½ C 202
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: C 202
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), LW x2 (4)
Peckham Points: 8 Peckham Points, AC ready 25 Feb 43.
Casualties:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters: LW RTD 25 Feb 43
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope: LW RTD 25 Feb 43
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters: Purple Heart 2nd award
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope: Purple Heart 2nd award
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: DFC for achieving Ace Status
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
The Flak explodes just outside the cockpit, peppering it with shrapnel. Both the pilot and co-pilot are hit.
“Derek! Derek!” 1LT Jack Hope screams at the man seated to his left. Capt Derek Walters head and face is covered in blood.
“I’m OK…I think,” Walters replies before realizing that he’s trying to see through a red haze. “You?”
"Piece of shrapnel tore my arm, but I can manage,” Hope answers, still shocked at the amount of blood on his pilot. “But you…”
Reaching up, Walters wipes a hand across his forehead. Withdrawing it, he can see it is bright red. “Head wounds always bleed out of proportion to the injury,” he seeks to reassure his co-pilot, and himself. “Let’s concentrate on getting this baby home.”
Take off and assembly went well despite the poor weather over Maison Blanche. Maybe the S2 was right and we are getting used to operating in this soup. At any rate, we were soon in our position as Tail-End-Charlie of the high Squadron.
We didn’t run into any enemy activity until well into the mission (Zone 4), when a pair of C 202sa and a lone Me 109 came at us. Our Little Friends chased off tow of the bandits, leaving us free to concentrate on the remaining one. The Eye-Tie paid the ultimate price.
On target ingress (Zone 5) we were challenged by five more 109s, this time from the Luftwaffe. Once more the P-38s were on the job, reducing the final number we had to face to two. TSgt Rice flamed one. While the other bandit missed us with his guns, he nearly rammed us. After hat, the Flak didn’t seem so bad, missing us entirely. Ralph (1LT Peter) found a brief opening in the clouds, enough to put 20% of payload on target. Flak on egress was more effective. We took several hits, mostly superficial though both 1LT Hope and I were hit. At first I thought I’d been hit bad, but it turned out to be less severe (used a Lucky Charm to turn a SW into an LW) By now the boys in the Twin-Tailed Devils were feeling their oats and no enemy EA got near us (rolled two wave, both ended up as Random Event: Aggressive Little Friends).
Back over Algeria (Zone 4) we saw an attack wave forming up in the distance, but the P-38s dove in and broke that up. After that, it was a quiet flight back to Maison Blanche and a smooth landing.
TSgt Raleigh and his boys will have Roll n Tuck ready to fly again tomorrow. Doc says the same for me and 1LT Hope.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Dec 29, 2020 16:10:53 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS, LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 5 March 1943
MISSION NBR. 37/This Bomber 17
TARGET: Outside Bizerte, Tunisia - Shipping
SECONDARY TARGET: Bizerte, Tunisia, - Shipping
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle, 5,000 Ft
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (23) [0] LW – RTD 7 Mar 43
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (23) [0] LC LW – RTD 6 Mar 43
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter (23) [12 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (23) [9 2/3] LC LC
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown (23) [28 1/3] LC **
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski (23) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (22) [16 5/6] LC LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (23) [10 2/3] LC LC # LW – RTD 6 Mar 43
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (18) [5 1/3] LC
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (23) [11] LC LC KIA
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 to P-38, 3 Undamaged (3 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 5=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 3 to P-38 (2 Ace)
Me 110 1=1 to P-38
C 202 3=1 KIA, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace)
Re 2001 1=1 KIA (1 Ace)
G 50 4=2 Damaged, 1 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace, 1 Green)
20
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown: C 202
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: 1/3 Me 109, Re 2001
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: ½ Re 2001
Bomb Run: Off Target, No Effect
B-24 Damage: Superficial x4 (8), KIA x1 (10), LW x3 (6), Autopilot Inop (10), Tail Guns Inop (20), RT Aileron Inop (10), Navigator 02 (10), Tail Heat (10), Instruments: Ailerons Mechanical Failure (10), Instruments: Elevators Mechanical Failure (10), Instruments: Flaps (10), Instruments: Rudder (10)
Peckham Points: 128 Peckham Points + 2 days (-4 Landing Mod), AC ready 9 Mar 43
Casualties:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (23) [0] LW – RTD 7 Mar 43
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (23) [0] LC LW – RTD 6 Mar 43
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (23) [10 2/3] LC LC # LW – RTD 6 Mar 43
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice (23) [11] LC LC KIA
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters: Purple Heart, 3rd Award
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope: Purple Heart, 3rd Award
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: Purple Heart
Tail Gunner: TSgt Charles (Charlie) Rice: Purple Heart, posthumous
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Takeoff and assembly went well, with things remaining quiet until near the target (Zone 4) when another bomber came out of nowhere right in front of us (Random Event: Mid-air Collision). I was able to avoid hitting it, though the sudden maneuver threw the boys for a loop, almost literally. We were all too busy trying not to get killed that nobody got a good enough look to ID the errant plane. I’m assuming it came from one of the other squadrons as all ours seemed to be in place when we looked around. From there, things started to deteriorate.
Entering the target area (Zone 5), we split off in search of prey. It’s then that all the lights and instruments flickered (Mechanical Failure: Electric Systems rerolled using a LLS). I thought we were done for, but it most systems quickly came back on line, thought the aileron controls no longer worked. This was to prove to be the first of multiple control failures.
We managed to locate a target fairly quickly, a collection of warships. Of course, they were heavily defended, and our escort seemed to be busy somewhere else. The welcoming committee consisted of a trio of Me 109s and an Fw 190, including a pair of aces. A lone P-38 arrived on scene to chase of one of the bandits and we flamed one, possibly two. The Fw, coming at us in a steep dive, raked us over good, knocking out the autopilot and the Flap controls. This was followed up by a lone Re 2001 that took out the rudder controls before we managed to knock him out of the sky. Then the Flak form the warships started, making mincemeat out of our tail. We lost both the tail turret and TSgt Rice (used both LC and ended with a KIA). With the autopilot out, we couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with our bombs.
The Flak missed us on target egress, though we managed to draw a lot of enemy attention. At least all the bursting flak caught the attention of some Little Friends as well, the P-38s chasing off the first wave, a pair of 109s. After being soaked off by the first wave, there were fewer Little Friends around, only one of the five Fws that bore in, the tails of the remaining four all festooned with ace’s kill marks. We managed to down one in exchange for TSgt Gundermann, 1LT Hope, and myself all suffering light wounds, though at first it looked like Jack’s (1LT Hope) was much worse (used a LC to reroll a KIA). Then four G 50s gave it a go, the only casualty being inflicted by a P-38.
Thankfully we were able to link back up with the formation (Zone 4), and they kept the nextr mave of fighters at bay. Another wave came in, and a lone Me 110 managed to slip through, but was driven off by a p-38.
As we headed back over Algeria (Zone 3) we lost our escort but picked up a trio of C 202s, including two aces, though neither side can claim any prizes form the encounter.
Back at Maison Blanche (Zone 1) the weather had worsened, and so did our situation as the elevator controls inexplicably failed. The crew decided to take their chances and stay with the plane. Despite all the control surfaces (Rudder, Flap, Ailerons, Elevator) being out, 1LT Hope and I managed to bring Roll n Tuck in. Of course, TSgt Raleigh wasn’t very happy with her condition, saying it’ll take a couple of days to fix everything. I let TSgt Raleigh know that I wasn’t happy with the multiple system failures. And od course, all the boys are upset about Charlie (TSgt Rice). With only two missions remaining for most of us, I’ll be requesting a tail gunner from the spare pool for the next couple of missions. Doc says that Jack (1LT Hope), Rammie (TSgt Gundermann), and I will all be back on flight status before Roll n Tuck.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Jan 13, 2021 21:17:29 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 10 March 1943
MISSION NBR. 38/This Bomber 18
TARGET: Carloforte, Sardinia - Industry
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (24) [0]
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (24) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter (24) [12 1/2] LC *
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (24) [9 2/3] LC LC
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown (24) [30 1/3] LC
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski (24) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (23) [18 1/3] LC LC #
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (24) [10 5/6] LC LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (19) [5 1/3] LC
Tail Gunner: Sgt Harley Skott (7) [0] #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
G 50 2=2 driven off by P-40
Re 2001 4=2 KIA, 2 Undamaged (3 Green)
6
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter: Re 2001
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: 1/3 Re 2001
Tail Gunner: Sgt Harley Skott: Re 2001
Bomb Run: Off Target, 0%
B-24 Damage: Bomb Release Mechanism: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 10 Peckham Points, AC ready 11 Mar 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests: None
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“What’d the Old Man want the other day? Typical ass chewing?” 1LT Jack Hope asks Capt Derek Walters as they wait their turn to taxi for takeoff.
“No. He wanted to know if I’d stick around after my 25th,” Derek answers.
“And keep flying?” The incredulity in Hope’s voice gives way to a loud guffaw. “As if that’d happen.”
“I told him I’d think about it,” Walters half whispers.
“I’m sure that’d go over with Delores.” Incredulity returns to Hope’s voice.
“There’s our signal,” Derek says, indicating it’s their turn to taxi and ending the conversation.
Takeoff and assembly went well and we were soon on our way across the Med nestled snugly in the middle of the low squadron. Thi8ngs remained quiet for the early part of the mission. (OOC – Zone 2 rolled a mechanical failure: Bomb Release Mechanism, but wouldn’t find that out till into the bomb run.)
Nearing Sardinia (Zone 4) we ran into some resistance, two G 50s making for us. The escorting P-40s chased off the Eye-Ties.
More of the Regia Aeronautica challenged us as we began our bomb run (Zone 5), four Re 2001s attacking. Ralph (1LT Peter) bagged one while Tsgt Myers and our new tail gunner, Sgt Skott, combined their fire to down another. The other two bandits missed and moved on. Then it was into the Flak, which missed us as well. A moment later and 1LT Peter’s voice, spouting expletives, came over the interphone. It seems the Gremlin Air Force had hit once again, the bomb release acting up. By the time Ralph (1LT Peter) was able to get the bombs away we were past the target.
Flak on egress was no more effect than it had been on ingress, though there were now more EA in the sky, two waves trying to reach us. Neither managed to get past the fire from the rest of the formation.
Heading for home (Zone 4) we saw a wave of bandits forming up in the distance, but they didn’t press the attack, apparently deterred by the arriving P-40s.
After that, it was smooth flying and an easy landing despite the drizzle over Maison Blanche. Roll n Tuck and her crew should be ready to fly again tomorrow.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Jan 26, 2021 10:13:13 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 4 April 1943
MISSION NBR. 39/This Bomber 19
TARGET: Naples, Italy - Harbor
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (25) [0]
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (25) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter (25) [13 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (25) [9 2/3] LC LC *
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown (25) [30 1/3] LC *
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (24) [18 5/6] LC LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (25) [10 5/6] LC LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (20) [5 1/3] LC
Tail Gunner: Sgt Harley Skott (8) [1/2] KIA
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 4=2 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 2 Green)
G 50 2=2 KIA (2 Ace)
6
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown: ½ G 50
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers : 1/3 Me 109
Bomb Run: Off Target, 0%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), KIA x1 (10), Lt Wing Root x1 (25), Tail Turret Inop (20), Bomb Release Mechanism: Mechanical Failure (10), Suit Heat System: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 79 Peckham Points, AC ready 5 Apr 43
Casualties: Tail Gunner: Sgt Harley Skott: KIA
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf; promotion to TSgt
Tail Gunner: Sgt Harley Skott: Purple Heart, posthumous
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“It’s gettin’ kinda cold back her, Skipper,” SSgt Johan Rauche announces over the interphone.
“Here too,” TSgt Mike Plolowski chimes in.
“Let me check it out,” SFC Lee Brown offers. A few minutes later Brown reports, “Gremlin Air Force has struck again. Suit heat system is out.”
“Turn for home?” 1LT Jack Hope asks the pilot.
“I didn’t come this far just to Turn back. Especially if doing so negates out 25th mission. We can hit the target and then descend to warmer temps. Everyone should be OK till then.”
Chalk another one up for the Gremlin AF, Roll n Tuck suffering failure of both the suit heat system and the bomb release, again.
Takeoff and assembly went well for what for many of us, was our magic 25th mission. It started out quietly enough, remaining so until we approached Italy (Zone 7), when the crew started reporting problems with the heat system. I figured we could still hit the target before serious a serious frostbite threat set in, so decided to remain in formation. It was then that a pair of GF 50s hit, only to go down in flames.
Approaching the target (Zone 9), we were challenged by two waves of EA. The first wave never made it past the formation’s defensive fire. Next up a trio of Me 109s gave it a go. While we downed two of the bandits they got their revenge, shredding the tail turret and Sgt Skott along with it. The Flak was ineffective, not so the Gremlin AF, 1LT Peter declaring the bomb release was on the fritz again. By the time we got ‘bombs way’ we were past the shipping. Flak on egress was no more effective than on ingress and once again the formation’s fire kept the bandits at bay.
Heading back over the Med (Zone 8) I dropped to warmer temps to avoid over half the crew suffering frostbite. It turned out to be a fortuitous move as we watched an enemy fighter wave form up and attack the rest of the formation. As we flew over Sardinia (Zones 6 and 5) we took some ground fire, but no damage. Our last enemy encounter was an inconclusive engagement with a lone 109 shortly thereafter (Zone 4). After that it was an easy, if somber due to Sgt Skott’s death, flight back to Maison Blanche.
Roll n Tuck should be ready to fly again tomorrow, hopefully with her demons exorcised. While most of the boys made their 25, we’ve decided to go pone more to see Randy (TSgt Myers) home as well. Needless to say, we’ll need someone to fill in as tail gunner.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Feb 10, 2021 20:58:53 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 10 April 1943
MISSION NBR. 40/This Bomber 20
TARGET: La Maddalena, Sardina - Harbor Facilities
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters (26) [0]
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope (26) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter (26) [13 1/2] LC #
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake (26) [10 2/3] LC LC #
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown (26) [31 1/3] LC ##
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski (26) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (25) [20 1/6] LC LC #
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann (26) [11 1/6] LC LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (21) [5 1/3] LC #
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (3) [0] *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 3=2 KIA, 1 Damaged (2 Green)
C 200 2=2 KIA (1 Green)
5
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter: ½ C 200
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake: 1/3 Me 109
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown: C 200, ½ Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers (25): C 200
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Me 109
Bomb Run: Off Target, 0%
B-24 Damage: Oxygen System: Mechanical Failure (10, Nose O2: NE due to O2 system being out, (5), Autopilot (10)
Peckham Points: 30 Peckham Points, AC ready 11 Apr 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf; MID for achieving 25 confirmed kills
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Capt Derek Walters was having problems breathing. Looking at his co-pilot, Derek could see that 1LT Jack Hope was in a similar strait. Then, their new tail gunner, Sgt Hector Valverde chi9med in, “I’m not getting’ any oxygen.”
Confirming the situation, SFC Lee Brown announced, “The Gremlin Air Force’s struck again. The O2 system is down.”
“What’re we gonna do Skip?” Jack asks Derek, both men aware of the fact that if they turn back now TSgt Randy Myers won’t get his 25th mission credit; and both aware of the fact that this is the second time in a row that systems have failed just short of the target.
“What’d we do last time, Jack?” Derek reminds his co-pilot that on the previous mission they decided to press on to earn them their 25.
“We didn’t come this far to turn around,” Hope repeats his CO’s words from before. With a resigned, “Right.”
“We’re dropping out of formation,” Walters informs the rest of the crew. “But we’re going in. So stay sharp.”
Me and the boys decided to fly one more mission so that Randy (TSgt Myers) could get his 25. Little did we think that the Gremlin Air Force would almost deny it to us. Then again, I don’t know if I’ve flown a mission where something didn’t fail.
Takeoff and assembly went well. In fact, this was shaping up to be a classic milk run till we hit the coast of Sardinia (Zone 5), when the oxygen system decided to fail. Well, we’d all agreed to see Randy through to his 25, so we pressed on, even if it meant hitting the target out of formation. As it turned out, that proved to be an advantageous decision.
On target ingress (Zone 6) we saw several waves of fighters form up. The first wave was preoccupied with the larger formation ahead of us, leaving us to contend with the second string, a pair of C 200s. We made short work of them. The Flak gunners had a hard time bringing their guns around form the formation, though now flying at Angles 10 we did pick up some ground fire that knocked out the autopilot, although we’d already missed that target by that point. The Flak on target egress missed us and the Regia Aeronautica was busy harassing the rest of the formation as we headed for home. While we drew some more ground fire, none hit.
About halfway home (Zone 4) we ran into a trio of Me 109s; flaming tow and sending the third off trailing smoke. In a fitting end to his 25th mission, Randy (TSgt Myers) downed his 25th confirmed kill.
While we arrived back at Maison Blanche after the rest of the formation, we arrived in one piece. Most of the crew will be rotating Stateside, so Roll n Tuck will need new handlers. Let’s hope she behaves better for them. In any case, TSgt Raleigh says she’ll be ready to fly again tomorrow.
Derek Walters, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Feb 15, 2021 13:00:57 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 11 May 1943
MISSION NBR. 41/This Bomber 21
TARGET: Trapani, Sicily - Airfiled
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle – TEC Zone 6 Home
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (10) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (5) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (10) [1]
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (3) [0]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (11) [9 1/2] LC *#
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (11) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (11) [0] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (9) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (22) [5 5/6] LC *#
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (4) [1] *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 4=2 KIA, 2 Damaged (2 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 110 1=1 Undamaged (1 Ace)
C 202 2=2 KIA (2 Green)
7
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: Me 109, ½ C 202
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: 2 Me 109
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: ½ C 202
Bomb Run: On Target, 50%
B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 12 May 43.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker: Air Medal
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell: Medal, 1st Oak Leaf
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: MID for achieving double ace status
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
1LT Chico Rodriguez was glad he’d had over three weeks to drill his crew. Granted, m,ost of them were experienced. But, being drawn from the spare pool, they hadn’t worked together before as team; and knowing how each other will react makes the difference between life and death in combat. Well, now they were going to find out.
“It’s our turn, Chico,” 2LT Duane parker, the co-pilot intrudes on Chico’s thoughts.
“Yes. It is,” Chico responds, hoping the training will pay off.
We were all happy to finally be assigned to a bird of our own and start consistently racking up mission credit. Still, we’d heard rumors, confirmed by her sole remaining regular crewman, SSgt John Rauche, that Roll n Tuck hosted a resident gremlin. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any mechanical difficulties on our maiden flight. Maybe she just didn’t like her former crew.
The flight to the target proved as uneventful as the S2 had promised. That all changed once we approached Sicily (Zone 7). First, MSgt Zetticci reported seeing an Rs-14 shadowing the formation. Whatever the reason, the Italians knew we were there and a wave of C 202s quickly appeared. Wo of them made the mistake of challenging us. One of the pilots managed to hit the silk. The other went down with his plane. Then a lone Me 109 attacked, not fairing nay better. The weeks of getting the boys made at me for driving them to drill as a team was really paying off as two of our three kills thus far were joint efforts. The flak spared us, though we did see My Baby get her nose blown off. Glad to hear they made it home. Sgts Valverde and Peres both reported that it looked like at least half our bombs hit the airfield.
Flak on egress, though as intense as on ingress, was as equally inaccurate, at least as regards us. A Trio fo 109s and a twin-engine 110 greeted us as we came out of the Flak field. What Little Friends were present were busy elsewhere. Still, we flamed one bandit and sent tow others limping for home, taking no damage ourselves. As we watched Pink Flamingo fall out of formation we slid back into Tail-End-Charlie position. Glad they made it home as well.
Heading for home (Zone 6) there were plenty of bandits in the air, three waves attacking. None of them made it through the formation’s fire deep enough to bother us (rolled one X1 ‘None’ and twoX6 ‘No Attackers’) at the back.
After that, it was quiet flying over the desert and an easy landing back at Maison Blanche. Both the crew and Roll n Tuck are ready for our next mission.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 8, 2021 19:30:17 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 28 May 1943
MISSION NBR. 42/This Bomber 22
TARGET: Bologna, Italy – Railyard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (11) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (6) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (11) [1] LC
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (4) [0]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (12) [11] LC #
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (12) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (12) [0] LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (10) [0] #
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (23) [7 1/3] LC
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (5) [2] #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 110 1=1 KIA
C 202 5=2 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace, 2 Green)
6
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: 1/3 C 202
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: C 202
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: C 202
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: C 202
Bomb Run: On Target, 50%
B-24 Damage: Instruments: Rudder (10), Rt Tailplane x1 (25), Rt Rudder x1 (10), Suit Heat System: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 55 Peckham Points, AC ready 29 May 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf, Promotion to SSgt (rolled a 3 - denied)
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Air Medal
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Still think we were crazy?” A smug smile forms on SSgt Joh Rauches’ lips as he addresses Sgt Scott Drayer. While both men are starting to shiver with the failure of the suit heart system, Rauche’s sense of vindication provides him with the inner warmth of satisfaction after having been ribbed buy his new crewmates about he and his former crewmates ‘superstition’ about Roll n Tuck being infested with Gremlins.
Unable to deal with the ‘I told you so’ look in Rauche’s eyes, Drayer turns and gazes out the opening in the port waist, pretending to look for bandits despite being deep in friendly territory.
Takeoff and assembly went well, followed by an uneventful flight across the Mediterranean. Out first action didn’t happen until target ingress (Zone 8), when we were challenged by three C 202, two of them bearing the markings of an ace. While most of the exchange was ineffective on both side, one bandit did manage to shoot up our tail, Sgt Valverde chewing him up in return. Flak on target ingress was light and inaccurate. Once again, 2LT Sewel managed to put 50% of payload within the CEP.
Flak on target egress was no more of a problem that it was going in. Coming out of the Flak, two more 202s challenged us. The pilots of both learned what it is like to hang in the sky from a parachute.
Nearing the Italian coast (Zone 7) a lone Me 110 climbed up to meet us, only to have Sgt Perez blow out an engine. One chute was seen, not sure if it was the pilot or his gunner. Over Corsica (Zone 6) MSgt Zettici noticed an strange B-17 off the formation’s starboard flank. He did not recognize its markings and it soon broke away (Random Event: Shadowing B-17).
After that it was quiet flying till we were almost home (Zone 2), when the suit heat system failed for no apparent reason; although SSgt Rauche had an explanation, Roll n Tuck’s resident Gremlin. Perhaps I was too quick to dismiss the concerns of her former crew.
Even with the mechanical failure, TSgt Raleigh says he’ll have Roll n Tuck back in flying shape by tomorrow.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
m05nCNj3
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 23, 2021 19:30:57 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 5 Jun 1943
MISSION NBR. 43/This Bomber 23
TARGET: Marsala, Sicily – Radar Installation
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (12) [0] LC LW RTD 7 Jun
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (7) [0] SW RTD 12 Jun
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (12) [1] LC#
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (5) [0]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (13) [11 1/2] LC **##
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (13) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (13) [1 1/2] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (11) [1/2] LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (24) [7 1/3] LC * LW RTD 8 Jun
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (6) [1/2] # LW RTD 9 Jun
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 11=6 KIA, 5 to P-38 (4 Ace)
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: 2/3 Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: Me 109
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche : Me 109
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x 2 (4), LW x3 (6), SW x1 (5), Bombs: NE (5), Tail Guns Inop (20), Rt Rudder x 1 (10), Instruments: Ailerons (10), O2 Fire in Cockpit (10+25), #2 Engine Fire: Mechanical Failure (25+25)
Peckham Points: 145 Peckham Points, AC ready 7 Jun 43.
Casualties:
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez: LW RTD 7 Jun
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker: SW RTD 12 Jun
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche LW RTD 8 Jun
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: LW RTD 9 Jun
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez: Purple Heart
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker: Purple Heart, 2nd award
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: Purple Heart
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Purple Heart
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Roll n Tuck is on her landing approach when a buzzer suddenly gets 1LT Chico Rodriguez’ attention. “Now?” is all he can think as, looking out the window he sees the #2 engine has spontaneously burst into flame. “Maybe there’s something to Rauche’s claim about resident gremlins after all, Chico thinks as he slams the fire extinguisher button.”
Takeoff, assembly, and the flight to the target were remarkably uneventful. Of course, once we got to Sicily things changed quickly.
While the escorting P-38s drove off two of the four attacking Me 109s on target ingress (Zone 7), and 2LT Sewell and MSgt Zetticci flamed the third, the remaining bandit hit us, taking 2LT parker out of action. Jerry got greedy, which cost him as SSgt Rauche sheared off his wing on Jerry’s next pass. While the Flak was heavy, it was also inaccurate; though accurate enough to get Paladin. The boys counted ten chutes. After dropping 40% bombs on target we began our egress. This time we weren’t as lucky with the Flak, though it only did minimal damage. The bigger problem was the reception committee waiting for us as we came out of the Flak field. By now I’d had 2LT Challee come up to take over the right-hand seat as he’d had some flight school experience.
Five Me 109s, including two aces, made up the first wave. Our Little Friends drove off two and we knocked tow others out of the sky. Still, the fifth bandit chewed up our tail, damaging the rudder, injuring Sgt Valverde, and rendering his tail turret hours’ de combat, not to mention taking out the aileron controls. On his next pass he wounded SSgt Rauche and set fire to the cockpit oxygen system: 2LT Challee managed to extinguish the blaze in short order. Showing once again that it doesn’t pay to get to greedy, the 109 fell in flames as he made a third pass. Seeing what happened to their comrades, the second wave thought better of striking. Two more 109s then made an attempt. One fell to the P-38s while MSgt Zetticci forced the pother pilot to hit the silk.
Now at Angles 10 and out of formation (Zone 6), I again played musical chairs, needing 2LT Challee at his station in the nose to navigate us home. MSgt Zetticci took over as co-pilot while Sgt Valverde left his useless tail guns to man the top turret.
Fortunately things quieted down and we didn’t have nay more excitement until the Gremlins hit on our landing approach (Zone 1), when the #2 engine caught fire for no apparent reason. Luckily the extinguisher system worked and we landed without further incident.
TSgt Raleigh says it’ll take a couple days to patch Roll n Tuck back up. It’ll take a bit longer for the injured, myself included. On the positive side, even 2LT Parker will be returning to flight duty.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Apr 5, 2021 20:54:26 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 10 Jul 1943
MISSION NBR. 44/This Bomber 24
TARGET: Palazzolo, Sicily – Fortifications
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (13) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (8) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (13) [1 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (6) [0] #
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (14) [14 1/2] LC ###
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (14) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (14) [2] LC *##
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (12) [1/2] LC ###
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche (25) [8 1/3] LC
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (7) [1]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 9=3 KIA, 6 to P-38 (2 Green)
Me 110 3=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace)
12
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee: 1/3 Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: 1/3 Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: ½ Me 109; ½ Me 110
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: ½ Me 109; Me 110
Bomb Run: On Target, 30%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), Instruments: Flaps – Mechanical Failure (10), Window x1 (10), Nose Wheel (25) + Crash Landing (93), Rt Wing Root x1 (25)
Peckham Points: 165 Peckham Points, AC ready 14 Jul.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche: Air Medal, 5th award for completing 25 missions
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
As Roll n Tuck settles down on the runway, Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez lets the nose drop. Suddenly he and Co-Pilot 2LT Duane Parker are fighting for control of the aircraft, and their lives as the nose wheel collapses. Sparks flying amid the shrieking protest of tortured metal, the bomber slides down the tarmac as the crew seeks something to hang onto and prays.
Finally coming to a stop, the screaming of the injured bomber is replaced by the wail of sirens as the crash crew races to the scene. Thankfully, no one on board is hurt.
Looking over at Duane, Chico forces a smile even as his hands refuse to release the steering yoke. “Guess that hit to the nose did more damage than we thought.”
Duane just nods his head.
Takeoff and assembly went as planned and we were soon winging our way across the desert. As we were approaching Tunisia (Zone 4) we saw Judgement Day drop out of formation with a burning engine. Must have been a mechanical failure as there weren’t any bandits about. Then our own resident Gremlins hit (Zone 5), the controls for the flaps suddenly failing.
As we neared Sicily (Zone 8) things started to heat up. First in were a pair of Me 109s. The escorting P-38s drove one off and we made short work of the other, the pilot never getting a chance to bailout. The second wave was a pair of 110s. By now our Little Friends had moved on to other targets so we were left to deal with the 110s, both aces, on our own. One got shot up pretty bad, but the other managed to mess up the windscreen before moving on.
On target ingress (Zone 9) two more waves attacked. The first wave never reached us and the P-38s took out two of the three 109s in the second wave. The remaining bandit managed to hit us, damaging the Rt wing root and, as we’d learn later the hard way, the nose wheel. Jerry got greedy, which proved his undoing as he was shot down making another pass. The Flak was close, but fortunately not close enough and we put 30% of payload on the target.
Flak on target egress was lighter, and just as inaccurate. As we came out of the Flak field we were met by a pair of Me 109s. The P-38s claimed one and we flamed the other. Then a lone 110 tried his luck, which proved to be bad, Jerry hitting the silk. The third wave never made it past the fire from the rest of the formation.
Heading back over the Med (Zone 8) two more 109s gave it try, only to end up mixing it up with some P-38s. We did see Nothing to Lose drop out of formation. Hopefully they made it home. After that it was quiet, except for SSgt Rauche’s constant worrying about making it back from his 25th mission. It almost didn’t happen as, upon landing, the previously damaged nose wheel collapsed, sending Roll n Tuck sliding down the tarmac. Thankfully no one was seriously injured and, despite his grousing, TSgt Rayleigh will have Roll n Tuck back together again in a few days. We will need a replacement for SSgt Rauche, who survived his 25th mission.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Apr 21, 2021 19:36:50 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 9 Aug 1943
MISSION NBR. 45/This Bomber 25
TARGET: Messina, Sicily – Highways/Bridges
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (14) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (9) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (14) [1 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (7) [1/3] *#
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (15) [15 1/2] LC **##
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (15) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (15) [3 2/3] LC ***##
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (13) [1 1/2] LC ## LW – RTD 11 Aug 43
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Ray Fritzinger (11) [0] LC
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (8) [1] LW – RTD 10 Aug 43
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
FW 190 1=1 to P-38
Me 109 12=6 KIA, 4 to P-38, 2 Undamaged (3 Green, 2 Ace)
C 202 4=2 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace)
Re 2000 1=1 to P-38
G 50 3=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (1 Green, 1 Ace)
21
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee: 5/3 Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: 2/3 Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: 3 1/3 ME 109, 1 C 202
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: 1 Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x6 (12), LW x2 (10), Instruments: Enine Fire Extinguisher (10), Instruments: Elevator Controls (10), Auxiliary Hydraulic System (10), Lt Aileron (10), Lt Elevator (10), Bomb Controls (10), Wndscreen x1 (10), Radio Out (10), Intercom Out (10), Bomb Bay Doors Inop (10), Rt Tailplane x1 (25), Navigation Equipment Out (10)
Peckham Points: 147 Peckham Points, AC ready 11 Aug 43.
Casualties:
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (13) [1 1/2] LC ## LW – RTD 11 Aug 43
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (8) [1] LW – RTD 10 Aug 43
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: Air Medal, 3rd award
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden: Air Medal, 3rd award
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: Air Medal, 3rd award; Mention in Dispatches for making Ace
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: Purple Heart
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Purple Heart, 2nd award
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Takeoff and assembly went well, with not problems encounter den route to the target until nearing Sicily (Zone 8) when a trio of C 50s knocked out the left Aileron and the auxiliary hydraulic system. It is an understatement to say that Sgt Perez, now trapped in the ball turret, expressed concern, especially after one of the EA nearly rammed us (used a LLS to reroll a collision). In exchange, we downed one Eye-Tie and sent another limping for home.
Things really heated up once over the target (Zone 9). First up were a pair of Me 109s. The P-38s flamed one and we flamed the other. Though two more wave tried to attack, neither made it past the fire from the rest of the formation. Then the Flak started in, wounding Sgt Valverde and knocking out the left elevator. Even so, 2LT Sewel managed o put 40% of bombs on target.
Flak on egress wasn’t much of a problem, but there were plenty of EA. The P-38s drove off two of the four Me 109s in the first wave, and we made short work of the other two. The Twin-Tailed Devils chased off one bandit and the other fell to us, though not before knocking out the radio, and chewing up the right tailplane. The third wave, a quartet of Regia Aeronautica C 202s proved the toughest nut. While our escort reduced their number to three, those three did some damage. They knocked out the elevators, the engine fire extinguisher system, the intercom, and wounded Sgt Drayer, though thankfully it was only a light wound. In return, we downed one and damaged another.
Still over Sicily (Zone 8) and the P-38s chased off a lone Re 2000, but left us to fend for ourselves against four 109s. The Germans got the short end of that stick, losing two fighters but inflicting no damage.
After that it was quiet flying back to Maison Blanche. I was kinda glad the intercom was out so I didn’t have to listen to Sgt Perez fretting about my ability to land the plane without squashing him in the ball turret.
Doc says both Sgts Perez and Drayer will be back on flight status in a day or two. TSgt Raleigh was less pleased with the condition we brought Roll n Tuck back home in, but will have her patched up a couple of days as well. At least we didn’t encounter any gremlins this time. While this was Roll n Tuck’s 25th mission, there have been rumors about a newer model boxcar coming off the lines and, after discussing it with the crew, we’d just as soon keep flying her until we can trade in for a new model. I’d also like to put Sgt Perez in for a MID for his achieving confirmed ace status.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on May 13, 2021 20:07:15 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 19 Aug 1943
MISSION NBR. 46/This Bomber 26
TARGET: Foggia, Italy – Airfield
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (15) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (10) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (15) [1 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (8) [1 5/6]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (16) [18 1/3] LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (16) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (16) [7 1/2] LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (14) [2 1/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Ray Fritzinger (12) [0] LC SW – IH 9 Sep 43
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (9) [1] #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
FW 190 5=4 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (3 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 109 1=1 Damaged
C 200 2=2 KIA (2 Ace)
8
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: C 200
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: C 200
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x7 (14), SW x1 (5), Bpmb Bay Doors Inop (10), Backup Hydraulic Pump Inop (10), Tail Gunner Suit Heat Out (10), #3 Turbo-Supercharger Inop: Mechanical Failure (25)
Peckham Points: 74 Peckham Points, AC ready 22 Aug 43.
Casualties: Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Ray Fritzinger (12) [0] LC SW – IH 9 Sep 43
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Ray Fritzinger: Purple Heart, 2nd award
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Ray’s been hit! He’s bleedin’ pretty bad!” Sgt Scott Drayer’s panicked voice sounds over the interphone.
“Drayer!” 1LT Chico Rodriguez tries to make his voice sound as harsh as possible, regardless of his own concern over the wounded Fritzinger. “Focus on the Jerries! We’ll deal with Ray once wwe’re out of danger.” While he doesn’t like the command, Chico knows that with five Fw 190s swarming Roll n Tuck, they can’t take time out for one at the risk of all ten. “The mathematics of war,” Chico tells himself.
“Skip, I think my suit heat’s out,” Sgt Sgt Hector Valverde adds to Rodriguez’ troubles. “But I’ll be ok for a while.”
The mission was quiet, as promised, tuill we neared the target. North of Sicily (Zone 8) we saw some bandits forming up in the distance but they thankfully kept at a distance. We weren’t as lucky over the target.
Target ingress (Zone 9) was still relatively easy. A lone C 200 challenged us and was quickly dispatched. The Flak missed us and 2LT Sewell put 40% of payload squarely on the airfield. Coming off the target is when things started to go South, both with the course change for home and our change in fortunes. There were more EA in the air now, and we Ran up against five Fw 190s. While we damaged several of them, they got in their licks as well; seriously wounding Sgt Fritzinger, knocking out Sgt Valverde’s heat, and the backup hydraulic pump. The last would come back to haunt us later. After that another lone C 200 tried his luck, and met the same fate as the earlier one.
Back north of Sicily (Zone 8) we encountered a lone Me 109, sending Jerry limping for home. Then Sgt Valverde notice a CA 314 following the formation. About then I decided to drop to warmer altitudes to save Sgt Valverde from frostbite.
Though we were now on our own, there weren’t any more problems until we began our landing approach(Zone 1) when our resident Gremlin put in an appearance and knocked out the #3 Super-Turbocharger. With the backup hydraulic pump out as well, it was going to be a dicey landing. I gave the crew the option of bailing out but they didn’t want to leave Sgt Fritzinger so everybody rode Roll n Tuck down. Fortunately 2LT Parker and I were able to bring her in safe and sound. While Sgt Fritzinger will recover from his injuries, he won’t be flying again so we’ll need a new starboard waist gunner.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on May 21, 2021 10:48:34 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 10 Sep 1943
MISSION NBR. 47/This Bomber 27
TARGET: Salerno, Italy – Ground Support
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (16) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (11) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (16) [1 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (9) [1 5/6]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (17) [18 1/3] LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (17) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (17) [9] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (15) [2 1/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (2) [0]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (10) [1 1/2]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: None
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None
Bomb Run: DNB
B-24 Damage: #4 Oil Tank Leak & Fire: Mechanical Failure (10+25+25)
Peckham Points: 60 Peckham Points, ACE ready 11 Sep 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests: None (no mission credit)
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Uh oh,” 2LT Duane Parker intones as he taps one of the gauges in front of him. “#4’s losing oil pressure fast.”
“Zetticci, Perez, Gibson,” 1LT Chico Rodriguez alerts the top, bottom and right waist gunners. “See anything streaming out of #4?”
A moment later Perez’ comes back, “Looks like she hemorrhaging oil.”
“It’s coming out the top and flowing down the cowling,” MSgt Tony Zetticci adds.
Switching to the sqaudron frequency, Rodriguez announces, “This is Roll n Tuck. Our resident gremlin has hit again. We’re dropping out.”
“We could try to make it,” Parker prompts. “This won’t earn us any mission credit.”
“And if she catches fire over the Med? Feel like a swim?” Chico counters. Duane shakes his head.
We hadn’t gotten very far (Zone 2) when our resident gremlin hit. The #4 engine started leaking oil. Having no desire to have an engine fire somewhere over the Mediterranean, I decided to abort and turn for home. And a good thing too as we’d barely turned around before #4 burst into flames. Fortunately the auto-extinguisher did its job. Of course, this simply confirmed I’d made the right choice as we wouldn’t have been able to stay with the formation anyway without jettisoning our bombs. Speaking of which, I dumped them into the Med before attempting to land back at Maison Blanche.
While the boys aren’t happy about not getting credit for the mission, it’s better than not having a chance at the next mission.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 10, 2021 18:11:02 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 19 Sep 1943
MISSION NBR. 48/This Bomber 27
TARGET: Spezia, Italy – Harbor Facilities
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (16) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (11) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (16) [1 1/2] LC
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (9) [1 5/6]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (17) [18 1/3] LC ##
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (17) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (17) [9] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (15) [2 1/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (2) [0]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: (10) [1 1/2] ##
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 2=2 KIA (1 Green)
2
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: 1 ½ Me 109
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: 2 Me 109
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), Lt Rudder x1 (10), Bomb Release: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 24 Peckham Points, AC ready 20 Sep 43.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: Promotion to SSgt SBd9DSxc
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: DFC for achieving confirmed Ace; Promotion to SSgt
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
Tsgt Bobbies Raleigh, Roll n Tuck’s Crew Chief is waiting as the crew files out of their debriefing. Approaching 1LT Chico Rodriguez, Raleigh informs him, “Wal, Sur, looks like yer res’dent Gremlin’s dun struck ‘gin. Least he had the decency ta wait till after the bomb run.”
“Sgt?” Chico responds, unaware of any problems other than a few minor holes and some damage to the left rudder.
“Bomb release’s on the fritz,” Raleigh explains.
Chico shakes his head. “And I thought this time we’d left him behind.”
“Guess he jus’ loves ya’ll too much.”
“Just so he doesn’t love us to death. You’ll see to that. Right, Sgt?)
“Yas, Sur,” Raleigh agrees around the cigar in his mouth.
This mission proved to be a milk run, with the Flak giving us more problems than the enemy fighters. I had thought we’d shaken our resident Gremlin, but TSgt Raleigh informed me that Brutus, The crew has named him, did strike; though not until after we no longer needed the targeted system.
As I say, there weren’t many EA bothering us. One Me 109 each on target ingress and egress. Both fell victim to our guns. It was enough for the Review Board to award Sgt Valverde his 5th kill. While the Flak on ingress was much heavier, and we did get hit, it was only a few shrapnel holes. Egress Flak hit us again, damaging the left rudder. We did see Dangerous Critter drop out of formation coming off the target. Glad to learn they made it home.
Crew and plane should both be ready in time for the next mission.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron·
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 15, 2021 15:46:01 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 20 Oct 1943
MISSION NBR. 49/This Bomber 28
TARGET: Rome, Italy – Railyard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Lead
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (17) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (12) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (17) [1 1/2] LC * KIA
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (10) [1 5/6] * SW – IH 31 Oct 43
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (18) [19 1/3] LC #
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (18) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (18) [9] LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (16) [2 1/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (3) [0] #
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (11) [2 1/2] LC *#
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=1 KIA, 3 Damaged, 2 Undamaged (3 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 17=4KIA, 6 Damaged, 1 to P-38, 6 Undamaged (8 Ace, 3 Green)
Me 110 1KIA
24
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell: Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: Fw 190
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: 1/3 Me109
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Me 109
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: 1/3 Me 109, 1/3 Fw 190
Bomb Run: On Target, 40%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x6 (12), KIA x1 (10), SW x1 (5), RT Wing root x1 (20), RT Inboard Fuel Tank Leak (10), Lt rudder x1 (10)
Peckham Points: 67 Peckham Points, Ac ready 22 Oct 43
Casualties:
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell (17) [1 1/2] LC * KIA
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee (10) [1 5/6] * SW – IH 31 Oct 43
Landing: AC and Crew safe at El Aouina
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Bombardier: 2LT Ed Sewell: Purple Heart, 2nd award, posthumous
Navigator: 2LT Rafe Challee: Aire Medal, 1st Oak Leaf, Purple Heart
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: Mention in Dispatches as Triple Ace
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
SSgt Joel Hoyden pulls the mask of the portable oxygen bottle from his face to keep from choking on his own vomit as he surveys the scene in the nose compartment. Blood is everywhere. Forward, the remains of 2LT Ed Sewell leave little doubt as to his fate. Closer to Hoyden is the navigator, 2LT Rafe Challee. Though Challee is slumped over, and his right arm seems barely attached to his body, the bag on his oxygen mask expands and contracts, indicating life.
“It’s a mess in here,” Hoyden’s shaky voice sounds over the interphone. Ed’s a goner, but Rafe’s still alive.”
“Do what you can for him,” 1LT Chico Rodriguez tells Hoyden. Then, turning back to the other matter demanding his attention he asks engineer MSgt Tonyu Zetticci, How bad’s the leak?”
“We won’t make it home. I can tell you that much,” Zetticci replies.
“We can make Cagliari or Agrigento,” 2LT Duane Parker interjects. Finishing his calculations he adds, “We might even make El Aouina.”
“Right. El Aouina hasd the best airfield and can handle heavy repairs. If we find we’re going to fall short, we can always switch to Agriento.” Coming to a decision, Rodriguez keys the squadron frequency.
It was our turn to lead the Squadron and it started out well enough despite the lousy weather over Maison Blanche. There were no problems heading to the target. Approaching Rome (Zone 8), Ed (2lt Sewell) called out, “Look, a rainbow. As sure sign of good luck.” I reminded everyone that it wasn’t rainbows we were looking for as a trio of EA attacked. It looked like Ed was right as Jerry missed us and we downed one of the bandits; though Rafe (2LT Challee) was swearing a blue streak at his jammed gun. Our luck still seemed hold as another wave of three FWs and a 109 all missed us as well. Grante3d, wed didn’t do much better. While the Flak was heavy, it didn’t have our number. Ed put 40% of our bomb load within the railyard. Hope the locals took advantage of the earlier warning as I don’t want to think where the other 60% fell.
We skated through the Flak on target egress just as easily. The bandits were a different story, as was our sudden change of luck. First in was five 109s. We managed to bag one and seriously damage two others while only suffering minor damage. Next in were four more 109s. While we eventually claimed two, it wasn’t before soon enough to keep them from turning our nose into a killing field and putting a large hole in the starboard inboard fuel tank. The encounter with five more 109sm though greater in number, proved less damaging for both sides. Of the 21 bandits we’d engaged thus far, nine had been aces.
Heading back over the Med (Zone 7), we ran into more bandits, two more 190s and a 109. Our Little Friends put finally put in an appearance, chasing off the 109. We downed the one of the FWs and shot up the other. A second wave tried to attack, but was driven off by fire from the rest of the formation.
After that, it was time to assess our situation. SSgt Hoyden reported that 2LT Sewell was dead and 2LT Challee was just barely hanging on. At the same time, 2LT Parker and MSgt Zetticci determined we wouldn’t have enough fuel to make Maison Blanche. I Informed the Squadron that we were dropping out and set a coursed for Agrigento on Sicily as it had the best runway and repair facilities. We made it, with a little to spare. Unfortunately, we had to leave Rafe (2LT Challee) in the hospital there. The Docs figure he’ll be shipping stateside in about 10 ten, less his right arm. While Roll n Tuck will be back up and flying soon, we’ll need a new bombardier and navigator. At least Brutus kept quiet.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 6, 2021 11:48:03 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Composite Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 31 Oct 1943
MISSION NBR. 50/This Bomber 29
TARGET: Antheor, France – Bridge
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (18) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (13) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (8) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (2) [0]
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (19) [19 5/6] LC #
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (19) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (19) [10 1/2] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (17) [2 1/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (4) [1/2]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (12) [3 5/6] LC #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Me 110 1=1 KIA
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: Me 110
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: ½ Me 110
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 1 Nov 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC and Crew safe at Maison Blanche
Awards/Promotion Requests: None
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Capt Derek Walters
Co-Pilot: 1LT John (Jack) Hope
Bombardier: 1LT Ralph Peter
Navigator: 2LT Roger Lake
Engineer: SFC Leland (Lee) Brown
Radio Operator: TSgt Mike Polowski
Ball Turret Gunner: TSgt Randolf (Randy) Myers
Port Waist Gunner: TSgt Avram (Rammie) Gundermann
Starboard Waist Gunner: SSgt John Rauche
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“There goes Penny Arcade,” Sgt Hector Valverde announces as the unfortunate bomber disintegrates in midair. Although witnessing such events gives the veteran’s voice a dispassionate intonation, he nevertheless crosses himself reflexively.
“Better them than us,” Sgt Scott Drayer tells his fellow waist gunner Sgt Rick Gibson. Seeing the newer man’s nervous eyes, Drayer adds, “Don’t worry. They never felt it. Neither will we when it’s our turn.”
“If. You mean if,” Gibson wants to say, but seeing the cold look in Drayer’s eyes he doesn’t.
Other than the efforts of our resident Gremlin, Brutus, this mission was a classic milk run. For a moment I thought we might have to take over lead when Sweet Pea reported problems just after takeoff. But then Capt Jopp dumped his bombs and said he’d retain the lead. Shortly after (Zone 1) Sgt Valverde reported Brutus’ work, failure of the tail turret power. MSgt Zettucci went back to give Sgt Valverde a hand and they soon had the turret up and running again (Zone 3).
As briefed, things were quiet till target ingress (Zone 6). Though there was no aerial welcoming committee, the Flak gunners came uncomfortably close several times. It was made all the more disquieting when a direct hit put an end to Penny Arcade. Bomb drop was a disappointing 20% followed by a couple more near Flak misses. Coming out of the Flak we did encounter a lone Me 110 climbing up on our six. Sgts Perez and Valverde put an end to that Nazi’s career.
After that, it was a quiet flight home and a smooth landing despite the rain-slicked tarmac. With no injuries and no noticeable damage, both plane and crew will be ready to fly again tomorrow.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24D, Roll n Tuck
78th (H) Composite Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 29, 2021 11:32:22 GMT -8
B-24J Roll n Tuck II
Crew Chief: TSgt Robert (Bobbie) Raleigh
Total missions Flown: 21 (current through Mission 072, no credit for Mission 053)
First Mission Flown: 051, Athens Greece, 15 Nov 43
Last Mission Flown: 072, Wiener Neustadt, Austria, 19 May 44 AC lost to mid-air collision with EA
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 29, 2021 11:32:52 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 15 Nov 1943
MISSION NBR. 51/This Bomber 1
TARGET: Athens Greece - Eleusis A/D
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (19) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (14) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (9) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (3) [0] *#
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci (20) [20 1/3] LC ***###
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (20) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (20) [10 1/2] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (18) [2 1/3] LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (5) [1/2] ##
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (13) [4 1/3] LC ##
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 8=4 KIA, 2 Damaged, 1 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 210 1=1 Damaged (1 green)
Ju 88 2=2 KIA (2 Green)
Me 109 6=3 KIA, 1 to P-38, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace, 1 Green)
17
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: 2 1/3 Fw 190, Me 109, Ju 88
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: 1/3 Ju 88
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Ju 88
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: 1 ½ Fw 190
Bomb Run: On Target, 30%
B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: (0) Peckham Points, AC ready 16 Nov 43
Casualties: None
Landing: AC & crew safe at Foggia
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: MSgt Tony Zetticci: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf, promo for 4 confirmed kills on 1 mission
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leak
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Air Medal
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“A brand spanking new twenty-four J.” There is a hint of awe in Sgt Scott Drayer’s voice as he, along with the rest of the newly christened Roll n Tuck II’s crew look at their new bomber.
“How’d you swing it?” 2LT Duane Parker quietly asks 1LT Chico Rodriguez. Rodriguez simply smiles.
2LT Ralph Tommasi comments, “I like that nose turret.”
Beside Tommasi, Bombardier 2LT Den nis Beedle complains, “But I haven’t got any guns. Don’t much like the thought of not being able to fight back. Of just having to sit and take it.”
“Welcome to my world, El Tee,” SSgt Joel Hoyden claps Beedle on the shoulder.
“Just hope Brutus stayed with the old bird,” opines MSgt Tony Zetticci.
Behind them, TSgt Bobbie Raleigh warns, “Ya’ll jus’ be careful with ma new plane.”
Maj Martindale gave us a new J model B-24 and the boys approached her with a mixture of anticipation and concern over how she’d compare to what we were used to. We’d learn soon enough.
Take off and assembly went well, but we soon learned that our resident Gremlin, Brutus, had transferred with us. It wasn’t long (Zone 2) before Sgt Valverde reported problems with the Tail turret power. Fortunately, he and MSgt Zettricci quickly got it back on line (Zone 3).
We saw Pineapple Princess drop out of formation over the Ionian Sea (Zone 4), but other than that, things remained quiet until we got over the Greek mainland (Zone 6) when a lone Me 109 made for us, 0nly to be driven off by one of the escorting P-38s. While we could see another wave of EA forming up, they never got around to pressing the attack.
A pair of FWs contested our approach to the target (Zone 7). One got tangled up with some P-38s while we shot the other one out of the sky. Flak on target ingress was as briefed, but we managed to avoid getting hit. 2LT Beedle put 30% squarely on the target hitting what, based upon the resulting fireball, must’ve been a fuel dump.
Flak on target egress was no more of a problem than it had been going in, though there were a lot more bandits waiting to greet us. The first wave consisted of three Fw 190s. With our Little Friends busy elsewhere, we had to deal with them on our own. Deal with them we did, flaming damaging another. Then it was another FW and a pair of 109s. Despite this trio including a couple of aces, we managed to down two and send the third limping for home trailing oily smoke. Then it was a twin-engine Me 210 and three more 109s, of which we got one.
Heading for home back over Greece (Zone 6) things continued to stay active. The first wave focused their attention elsewhere; we saw Pink Flamingo drop out and Bohica take over as lead. Hope the Flamingo crew got home. Two Ju-88s attacked out of the second wave. We sent them both plummeting to earth.
A little further on (Zone 5) and the first attacking wave couldn’t reach us through the fire from the rest of the formation, though we did see Dumbo loser her wing. Didn’t have time to count chutes as a pair of Fw 190s form the second wave bore in. Neither scored any hits, not that I’m complaining. We downed one and the other got shot up pretty bad.
While we saw a wave of EA forming up over the Ionian Sea (Zone 3), it didn’t attack and we made it the rest of the way home unmolested. TSgt Raleigh was pleased that we didn’t put any holes in ‘his new bird.’ I’m happy no one got hurt, though with seventeen EA to deal with, I wouldn’t call this one a milk run.
Nixed reviews on the nose turret. While it was nice to have the benefit of the dual guns and power traverse, there was at least one case where an EA went unchallenged that wouldn’t have had we had the cheek guns. Still, we’ll keep the new plane.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Aug 1, 2021 18:19:45 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 24 Nov 1943
MISSION NBR. 52/This Bomber 2
TARGET: Toulon France - Sub Pens
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Tail
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez (20) [0] LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (15) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (10) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (4) [1 1/2] *#
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (21) [24 5/6] LC LC *#
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (21) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (21) [11] LC LC *
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (19) [2 5/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (6) [1 1/2]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (14) [5 1/3] LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 2=1 Damaged, 1 to P-38 (1 Ace)
Me 110 4=2 KIA, 2 to P-38 (1 Ace)
Me 109 4=2 KIA, 1 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (1 Green)
10
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Me 109, ½ Me 110
Bomb Run: On Target, 50%
B-24 Damage: #3 Turbocharger: Mechanical Failure (25)
Peckham Points: 25 Peckham Points +2 days for -4 Landing Modifier), AC ready 27 Nov 42.
Casualties: None
Landing: AC & crew safe at Foggia
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot 1LT Chico Rodriguez: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf; promotion to Capt
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle : Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
If there was nay question whether last mission’s power failure in the tail turret was a fluke, it was put to rest this mission. With a failure of the ball turret power and the #3 turbocharger, there is no doubt that our resident Gremlin, Brutus, transferred with us. I’m going to have a serious talk with TSgt Raleigh.
Takeoff and assembly went well enough and we settled in the Tail slot in the Middle Formation. It didn’t take long for things to liven up. We were barely out over the Tyrrhenian Sea (Zone 2) when Sgt Perez reported an Me 110 climbing up to meet us. As Sgt Perez brought his guns to bear an escorting P-38 intervened and caught Jetty’s attention instead.
The next attack was between Sardinia and France (Zone 6) when Brutus struck, Sgt Perez reporting that the ball turret power had failed. Fortunately, between Sgts Perez, Drayer, and Gibson, they got the darned thing up and running again by the time we hit the French coast.
Things really started to get hairy when we approached the target (Zone 7) and an unidentified bomber suddenly showed up off our starboard wingtip. WE managed to avoid a collision but in the confusion were unable to ID who it was, especially as immediately afterward a quartet of Me 109s attacked us. Our Little Friends took care of one and we put an end to the career of another. A third hit the silk while the fourth went off in search of easier prey. The Flak was moderately intense, though thankfully inaccurate. 2LT Beedle put 50% of bombs squarely on the Sub Pens.
We led charmed existence on target egress. The Flak didn’t touch us. One wave of EA seemed to ignore us. And then 2LT Beedle said he noticed a piece of paper protruding from between a couple of struts. When he pulled it out, it turned out to be a picture of a young woman in a bathing suit with the inscription, “Hope this brings you luck.” Well it did, and 2LT Beedle is keeping the picture.
Back over the Med (Zone 6) and two waves of Bandits hit us. First up was a pair of Fw 190s. One got tangled up with a P-38 and we downed the other. This was followed up by a trio of Me 110s which faired a little better, one of them will live to fight another day.
After that things quieted down until we began our landing approach when Brutus struck again, the #3 turbocharger crapping out. Needless to say, it made the landing a lot more interesting (rolled a modified 2).
Other than our mechanical failures we took no damage. As I referenced earlier, I’m going to have a long chat with TSgt Raleigh and the maintenance crew.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Aug 21, 2021 19:13:11 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS LLS
Pilot: 1LT Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 27 Nov 1943
MISSION NBR. 53/This Bomber 3
TARGET: Rimini Italy - Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot Capt Chico Rodriguez (21) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (16) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (11) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (5) [3]
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (22) [26 1/3] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (22) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (22) [12] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (20) [2 5/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (7) [1 1/2]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (15) [5 1/3] LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered: None
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None
Bomb Run: DNB
B-24 Damage: #3 Engine Fire: Mechanical Failure (25+25)
Peckham Points: 50 Peckham Points, AC ready 30 Nov 43 (2 extra days due to -4 Landing Mod).
Casualties: None
Landing: AC & crew safe at Foggia
Awards/Promotion Requests: None
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“What was that!” 2LT Duane Parker asks as Roll n Tuck II lurches upon lifting off from the runway at Foggia.
“#3 engine’s on fire!” SFC Tony Zetticci points out the window to where flames leap around the #3 engine cowling.
Acting on reflex, Capt Chico Rodriguez punches the fire extinguisher button. The equipment does as it was designed to do and the flames disappear, leaving a windmilling propeller. Parker reaches over to feather the prop.
“Well, boys,” Rodriguez announces over the intercom. “This mission’s going ot be even shorter than the good Majors promised us. On the down side, we won’t be getting any credit for this one.” Turning to Parker and Zetticci, Chico explains, “With #3 gone, we can’t stay in formation with the bombs onboard. And there’s no reason to fly to Rimini and back without ‘em. We should be over open water in a couple of minutes. We’ll dump them there and turn back. It’ll be hard enough landing this beast with #3 out. No need to add the extra dead weight.”
I wish I could say that takeoff and assembly went off without a hitch, but it just isn’t so. Almost as soon as the wheels left the tarmac Brutus, our resident Gremlin struck, the #3 engine bursting into flame. Fortunately we weren’t that far from the open waters of the Adriatic where we could safely jettison the bombs before turning back to Foggia and landing. Needless to say, the crew isn’t happy about not being able to chalk this on up for mission credit.
I’ve got to say, so far we’ve flown three mission with the new bomber and she doesn’t seem any more dependable then the D model.
Chico Rodriguez, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron
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Post by crushedhat on Sept 7, 2021 16:10:58 GMT -8
Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 2 Dec 1943
MISSION NBR. 54/This Bomber 3
TARGET: Marseille France - Sub Pens
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle
Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot Capt Chico Rodriguez (21) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (16) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (11) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (5) [3] #
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (22) [26 1/3] LC LC *##
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (22) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (22) [12] LC LC ##
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer (20) [2 5/6] LC #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (7) [1 1/2] LW – RTD 5 Dec 43
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde (15) [5 1/3] LC #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 2=1KIA, 1 to P-38
Me 110 3=2KIA, 1 to P-38 (1 Ace)
Me 109 5=1 KIA, 30 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (1Ace)
Ju 88 2=2 to P-38
12
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci: Me 110, 1/3 Fw 190
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: ½ Me 109
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: ½ Fw 19
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Me 110
Bomb Run: On Target, 20%
B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), LW x1 (5)
Peckham Points: 7 Peckham Points, AC ready 3 Dec 43.
Casualties:
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (7) [1 1/2] LW – RTD 5 Dec 43
Landing: AC & crew safe at Foggia
Awards/Promotion Requests:
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Air Medal
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci: MID for becoming a Quadruple Ace
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: promotion to SSgt (2-6) (rolled 1: no promotion this tour)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Scott Drayer: Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf, Promotion to SSgt (2-6) (rolled 4: promoted)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Purple Heart
Tail Gunner: Sgt Hector Valverde: Air Medal 2nd Oak Leaf, promotion to SSgt (5-6) rolled 6: promoted)
Sitting Out: None
In Hospital: None
Completed 25 Missions: None
After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Hey!” SFC Tony Zetticci’s grinning face appears between Capt Chico Rodriguez and 2LT Duane Parker as Roll n Tuck’s engines wind down. “Know what didn’t happen?” When the two officers return uncomprehending looks, the Engineer proclaims, “Brutus! The old girl behaved herself today!”
“Your right,” the two reply in unison, only now that the stress of the mission is over do they realize there were no mechanical failures.
Thanks in large part to our friends in the P-38s this mission was pretty much a milk run for us. Takeoff and assembly went well despite the lousy weather and we were soon on our way. We’d barely reached the coast (Zone 1) when we could see several waves of EA forming up. Thankfully, they found other targets more enticing than us. After that, it was pretty quiet until we hit the coast of France (Zone 7).
As promised, the target was well defended and we had to fight our way through multiple waves of EA. First up was a trio of twin-engine fighters, Me 110s. Our Little Friends drove one off and we downed the other two. Then it was a pair of FWs, which experienced the same fate. As a result, we were knocked slightly out of position (Random Event: Disrupted Formation). Turned out to be a blessing in disguise as, though the Flak was heavy on target ingress, it was concentrated on the formation and our being out of position spared us from the brunt of it. Unfortunately, it also meant we only put 20% of payload on target.
While the Flak on target egress wasn’t as heavy, it hit closer to home, a pair of bursts bracketing us amidship and sending a piece of shrapnel slicing through Sgt Gibson’s leg. Despite his injury, Sgt Gibson soldiered on.
Coming out of the Flak we saw a pair of Ju 88s making for us, but they never got through the P-38s. Then it was apir of 109s. We split the kills with the Lightnings.
Back over the Med (Zone 6) we encountered a trio of 109s. One made it past the escort but dove by so fast neither he nor we got in a good shot. After that it was a quiet trip home and a textbook landing despite the rain-slicked tarmac and cloudy skies. It wasn’t until we were parked park in our assigned spot that SFC Zetticci pointed out our resident Gremlin, Brutus, failed to put in a show. Not that I’m complaining.
TSgt Raleigh was pleased to see his plane wasn’t all shot up. Doc says that Sgt Gibson should be back on lfight duty in a couple of days. Several of the boys are due for promotion and SFC Zetticci achieved quadruple ace status.
Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron1-6·1-6·1-6taCxcoDB
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