crushedhat

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 6 Dec 1943
MISSION NBR. 55/This Bomber 4
TARGET: Brenner Pass – Railroad Loop
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot Capt Chico Rodriguez (22) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (17) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (12) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (6) [3 1/3]
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (23) [28 1/6] LC LC *
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (23) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (23) [13] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (21) [3 1/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (8) [1 1/2]
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (16) [5 5/6] LC **
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=2 KIA, 3 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (3 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 210 2=1 KIA, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 3=1 Damaged, 1 to P-47, 1 Undamaged
11

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci: 1/2 Fw 190
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde: 1/2 Fw 190, Me 210

Bomb Run: On Target, 14%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), Instruments: Flaps (10), Landing Gear: Mechanical Failure (25)
Peckham Points: 37 Peckham Points, AC ready 7 Dec 43.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Foggia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde: MID for achieving Double Ace w/10 Confirmed KIA

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Don’t have a green light on the main landing gear,” 2LT Duane Parker announces as Roll n Tuck II comes in for her landing.

Not waiting for confirmation, Capt Chico Rodriguez pulls back on the yoke, the heavy bomber reluctantly lifting back up into the air. “Don’t need that on top of the Flaps being out,” Chico needlessly informs his co-pilot. “Drayer,” Rodriguez intones into the interphone. “Get into the bomb bay and lower the gear manually, unless you want to try a belly landing.”

“On it, Skip!” Drayer replies as the bomber begins to circle.

“After several insistent, “What’s taking so long?” from his pilot, Drayer’s labored voice comes over the interphone. “It’s down.”

With a sigh of relief, Rodriguez and Parker bring the big bird in for another landing attempt.

Once again our resident Gremlin, Brutus, caused us more trouble than the Luftwaffe. I’m going to have to see if maybe Brutus has a southern drawl and that’s why TSgt Raleigh can’t bring himself to evict him.

Everything was quiet until we were well over the Adriatic (Zone 4). Even then, while we saw some EA, none got near us. Things didn’t start to get lively until we hit the target (Zone 6), and even then it wasn’t much. The first wave of fighters on target ingress never made it to us. The second wave produced a pair of Fw 190s. While the tails of both were decorated like aces, their game was thankfully off today. Maybe they were dealing with their own Gremlins. At any rate, we flamed one and sent the other off trailing thick oily smoke. Flak on target ingress was ineffective. Unfortunately, so was our bombing, only 14% (OOC - Rolled an 11 followed by 2 2’s, a 3, and another 2!).

We slipped through the Flak on target egress to face four more 190s. That’s when 2LT Tomassi reported the nose turret guns were froze up solid (OOC - Random Event: Extreme Cold). Even so, we managed to knock out one, SSgt Valverde in the tail batting cleanup, and chew up two others. Jerry got his licks in, knocking out the Flap Controls. The next wave was a pair of Me 210s, Hector (SSgt Valverde) batting cleanup once again, and getting his 10th confirmed KIA.

It wasn’t until we hit the Italian coast (Zone 4), and a trio of Me 109s, that 2LT Tomassi got his guns back into operation. Even so, the only real casualty is credited to one of the Jugs. At least the Germans weren’t having any better a day than we were.

As we continued over the Adriatic (Zone 3) the power to the ball turret failed thanks to Brutus. Luckily, SFC Zetticci was more determined than the Gremlin and quickly got the turret back on line.

The landing became more exciting than I care for when the main gear wouldn’t lower (OOC - Mechanical Failure rolled back in Zone 4). We had to circle the filed a few times, with a close eye on the fuel gauge, while the crew worked to lower the gear manually (OOC - How many turns can a returning bomber circle? It only took two turns this time.)

Well, we made it. Nobody hurt and TSgt Raleigh insists that Brutus is not his relative.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 10 Dec 1943
MISSION NBR. 56/This Bomber 5
TARGET: Sofia, Bulgaria – Marshalling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot Capt Chico Rodriguez (23) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (18) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (13) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (7) [3 1/3]
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (24) [29 1/6] LC LC *
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (24) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (24) [13] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (22) [3 1/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (9) [1 1/2]
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (17) [7 5/6] LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 4=1 Damaged, 1 to P-47, 2 Undamaged (1 Green)
Me 109 3=1 KIA, 2 to P-27
7

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci: 1/3 Me 109

Bomb Run: On target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Ball Turret Power Out: Mechanical Failure (20), #3 Engine Oil Leak – fixed; Mechanical Failure (15+5)
Peckham Points: 40 Peckham Points, AC ready 11 Dec 43

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)

A string of curses erupts over the interphone, followed by Sgt Frank Perez’s exasperated, “Brutus has struck again. The powers gone out in the ball turret.”

”Drayer, Gibson, ” Capt Chico Rodrigez calls upon the waist gunners. “First chance you get, get Perez outta there.”

“Sure thing, Skip,” Gibson responds while Drayer teases the trapped Perez. It actually turns out to be some time before they are able to bring the broken turret back into the bomber’s belly. (OOC – I again had to spend several extra turns circling the field while the crew worked to extract the ball turret gunner.)

Despite the rain and low ceiling takeoff went OK and we rose above the storm clouds to form up.

Things were pretty quiet until we were well into Yugoslavia (Zone 5), when we had our first encounter with the Luftwaffe. Well it didn’t go badly for us, a one Me 109 chased off by a Jug, we did see Saber Land drop out of formation.

The bomb run was surprisingly uneventful, with all the enemy fighters busy elsewhere and the Flak gunners way off the mark. Maybe that’s why 2LT Beedle managed to put 40% on target. There was no Flak on target egress, but this time the Luftwaffe did put in an appearance. The first wave of EA focused their attention elsewhere, leaving us to face off against a pair of FWs from the second wave. Both missed, though they didn’t escape completely unscratched.

Back over Yugoslavia (Zone 5) we ran into a pair of 109s. One fell to the P-47s, the other to SFC Zettucci. There was a second wave, but we slipped into a cloud bank just as they were forming up.

A little further along (Zone 4) and we got double-teamed. Brutus, our resident Gremlin knocked out the power to the ball turret just as a pair of FWs bore in on us. Again, the Jugs tied up one and the pother dove on us so fast that neither he nor we had a chance to get in a good shot. We saw Double Run drop out of formation. I think she went down.

Fortunately that was our last encounter with the Luftwaffe this mission as SSgt Drayer and Sgt Gibson spent the remainder of the flight home trying to get SSgt Perez out of the ball turret. As it is, Brutus had jimmied the thing so severely that I once more had to circle the field to give them more time. This extra circling enabled us to witness the crew of Sweet Pea bail out as their plane headed back out to sea. In the process, Brutus struck again, the #3 engine developing an oil leak. At this point I got a little concerned, not much relishing the thought of trying to land without the #3, the ball turret hanging down, and the storm over the runway. Thankfully the oil leak stopped and the boys got the ball turret raised, so I only had the storm to contend with; easy peasie.

This is the second mission in a row where the ball turret failed us, and where we suffered two mechanical failures. If it happens again, Roll n Tuck II will have a new crew chief.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 19 Dec 1943
MISSION NBR. 57/This Bomber 6
TARGET: Augsberg, Germany – Messerschmidt Factory
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot Capt Chico Rodriguez (24) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (19) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (14) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (8) [3 1/3] ##
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [30 1/6] LC LC ##
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [13] LC LC *
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (23) [3 1/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (10) [1 1/2]
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (18) [7 5/6] LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 4=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-38 (1 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 6=2 KIA, 3 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 110 1=1KIA
11

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci: 1/2 Me 109
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: 1/2 Me 109

Bomb Run: On target, 30%

B-24 Damage: : Superficial x 8 (16), Navigator Heat Out (10), Ball Turret Heat Out (10), Hydraulic System/Brakes Out (10), Back-up Hydraulic Pump Out (10),Tailplane: NE (10), Rt Flap Out (10)
Peckham Points: 76 Peckham Points +2 days for -4 Landing Modifier, AC ready 22 Dec 43.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Guiliia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf, DFC 1st Oak Leaf for completing 25 Missions
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf, DFC for completing 25 Missions
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf, DFC for completing 25 Missions
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC


After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Ah…Skipper,” Sgt rick Gibson’s shaky voice comes through the interphone, barely audible against the backdrop of bursting flak all around. “I’ve got a dud back here.”

Not pausing to wonder why Gibson would be discovering a dud round when the bandits have pulled back, Capt Chico Rodriquez snaps, “Then clear the damned thing!” Chico’s attention is more focused on the sudden lurch their aircraft experienced.

“It’s not Rick’s,” SSgt Scott Drayer, the other waist gunner interjects. “Looks more like an eighty-eight millimeter.”

The reason for Roll n Tuck II’s sudden lurch becoming obvious, Chico tries not to pale as he instructs Gibson and Drayer, “Get rid of it. But carefully,” Chico adds. (OOC – Used a Lady Luck Smiles to reroll a BIP)

We had a little trouble with a rough running engine on takeoff. Just Brutus’ way of letting us know he was along for the ride. The old boy must’ve been tired though as the problem engine quickly settled into a rhythmic purr. After that, things were quiet until we were ready to leave the Adriatic behind (Zone 4) when SSgt Drayer reported seeing some bandits in the distance. Thankfully they stayed in the distance.

As we crossed the Italian coast (Zone 5) our resident Gremlin, Brutus, woke up form his nap, SFC Zetticci reporting that the power his turret just failed. “Brutus’ going away present,” SFC Zetticci was able to joke, referring to this being his twenty-fifth mission. Just then a 190 bore in, only to be chased off by an escorting Lightning.

Over the Alps (Zone 6) Jerry left us alone and SFC Zetticci tried to bring the top turret power back on line. In the end, he determined it was beyond the scope of his capabilities with the tools on hand and he had to operate the top turret manually the remainder of the mission.

Things really began to heat up on tragedy ingress (Zone 7) with two waves of EA challenging us. First up was a pair of Me 109s and a lone 110. The P-38s took care of one bandit and our veteran gunners made short work of the other two. This was followed by a single 109, an ace by the markings on his tail, who quickly dove past us. Unfortunately, not so quickly that he wasn’t able to riddle Roll n Tuck II. While most of the damage was superficial, 2LT Tommasi eventually noticed the loss of his suit heat. The Flak was more devastating. Apart from the scare of a live 88mm round rattling around in the waist, we lost the back-up hydraulic pump as well as Sgt Perez’ heart in the ball turret. Still, Duane (2LT Beedle) managed to put 30% on target.

The Flak on target egress was less effective, as was the Luftwaffe. We faced two waves for a total of four EA. The P-38s claimed two and we notched up another one. Jerry didn’t fare as well, scoring no hits.

As we headed back over the Alps (Zone 6) the krauts seemed to be having problems getting their act together, not that I’m complaining (OOC - Random Event: Poor Luftwaffe Communications). Especially since, with two crewmen without heat, we’d be leaving the formation for warmer altitudes once across the mountains.

Near Corsica (Zone 5) we were jumped by a pair of Fw 190s. A couple of P-38s had stayed with us when we left the formation and they engaged on bandit. Hector (SSgt Valverde) put paid to the other, though not before Jerry knocked out our hydraulics, though we wouldn’t learn about that till landing.

Nearer home (Zone 3) we saw some bandits ion the distance. They must’ve been returning from a mission and low on fuel and ammo as they left us alone.

Coming in for a landing, Duane (2LT Parker) and I had our hands full keeping Roll n Tuck II on the runway as we discovered we had no brakes. (OOC - Rolled a modified 2 for the landing). Any landing you can walk away from, right?

TSgt Raleigh says the old girl won’t be ready to fly again till thew 22nd. That will give time to find replacements for SFRC Zetticci, SSgt Hoyden, and Sgt Perez, all of whom have completed their twenty-fifth mission; the alcohol will flow feely tonight.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 10 Jan 1944
MISSION NBR. 58/This Bomber 7
TARGET: Skopje Yugoslavia - Airfield & Marshalling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (25) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker (20) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (15) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (9) [4 1/3]
Engineer: T/Sgt Matthew Wastell (5) [1]
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (1) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (6) [2]
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (24) [3 1/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (11) [1 1/2] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (19) [8 5/6] LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 3=2 to P-38, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace)
3

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: On target, 50%

B-24 Damage: Instruments – Flaps: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 10 Peckham Points, AC ready 11 Jan 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf; DFC for completing 25 missions
Co-Pilot: 2LT Duane Parker: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf; promotion to 1 LT
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Engineer: T/Sgt Matthew Wastell: Air Medal

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (25) [0] LC LC



After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

This was a relatively uneventful mission, a perfect opportunity to integrate our three new crewmembers. Takeoof and assembly went without a hitch and we were soon winging across the Adriatic safely nestled in the middle of the middle squadron.

Near the Albanian coast (Zone 3), we encountered some unexpected Flak. Turned out it wasn’t Flak, but rockets being fired by aircraft from behind the formation. Luckily, none burst anywhere near us.

As we approached the target (Zone 4) a trio of FWs challenged us. Two were driven off by the Lightnings and we exchanged ineffective fire with the third. Flak was light and inaccurate on target egress. With little to distract him, 2LT Beedle dropped for 50%. There were neither Flak nor EA on target egress.

As we neared home (Zone 2) Brutus, our resident Gremlin, tried to do what the Luftwaffe couldn’t and the flaps stopped responding to the controls. This, combined with the poor weather over Giulia made the landing the most harrowing part of the mission, though it went well.

This marks my twenty-fifth mission, as well as 2LT Parker’s eligibility for promotion to 1LT and likely command pilot status.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 18 Jan 1944
MISSION NBR. 59/This Bomber 8
TARGET: Pisa Italy - Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle – TEC Zone 4Inbound

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (26) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (1) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (16) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (10) [4 1/3]
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (6) [1] #
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (2) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (7) [2]
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (12) [1 1/2] LC #
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (20) [8 5/6] LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-47, 2 Undamaged (3 Green)

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: T/Sgt Matthew Wastell: ½ Fw 190
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: 1/3 Fw 190

Bomb Run: On Target, 50%

B-24 Damage: Instruments – Flaps: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 10 Pekcham points, AC ready 19 Jan 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Air Medal 1st Oak Leaf
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf, DFC for completing 25 Missions
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (25) [0] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“I don’t get it,” 2LT Walter Harvey states as he tries to get the flaps to work. “We didn’t take any damage.”

“You’ve just met Brutus,” Capt Chico Rodriguez informs his new co-pilot. To Harv’s puzzled expression, Chico explains, “Our resident Gremlin. Brutus makes sure something goes wrong every mission. You’ll get used to it,” Chico chuckles before focusing his attention on the added difficulty of their landing.

This was a mission of beginnings and ends. It was the first mission for our new co-pilot, 2LT Walter, “Call me Harv,” Harvey, (I hope 1LT Parker is enjoying his new command) and the magic twenty-fifth for SSgt Scott Drayer, our right waist gunner.

Takeoff and assembly went well with Roll n Tuck II safely nestled in the middle of the High Squadron.

About midway to the target (Zone 3) the Luftwaffe struck, though none of the EA made it through the formation’s fire to us. Then things quieted down till we hit the target (Zone 5). Though the sky was filled with EA (3 waves) it seemed like Jerry was having a hard time getting his act together (Random Event: Bad Luftwaffe Communication). Eventually we were challenged by a trio of Fw 190s. The Jugs got one while TSgt Wastell and SSgt Drayer forced the pilot of another to hit the silk. This was followed up by another trio of Fws. Again one fell to the P-47s and Hector (SSgt Valverde put paid to another. After that it was into the Flak field, coming out unscathed. 2LT Beedle once more managed to put 50% on target. Coming off the target, Jerry was really having a tough time of it and though we saw several waves of EA forming up, none of them made an attempt to reach us, not that I’m complaining.

As we headed back for home (Zone 4), SSgt Valverde reported that Phabulous Phyllis was dropping out of formation, leaving us as the new TEC. Maybe it was Phyllis’ loss, or maybe just my imagination, but it seemed like the formation tightened up after that. In any event, we weren’t bothered by any more bandits the rest of the way home.

Although the Luftwaffe pilots and gunners weren’t able to hurt us, their inside man, or should I say Gremlin, wasn’t idle. As we came in for our landing, 2LT Havey reported the flap controls weren’t working (Mechanical Failure in Zone 5 Outbound). It was a good introduction to Brutus.

With the completion of Scott’s (SSgt Drayer) twenty-fifth mission, we’ll need a new waist gunner. TSgt Raleigh says he’ll see what he can do about Butus, but I think they’re actually in cahoots; Brutus probably supplies Raleigh with still components. Roll n Tuck II should be airworthy by tomorrow.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 27 Jan 1944
MISSION NBR. 60/This Bomber 9
TARGET: Istres, France - Airdrome
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle – TEC from Zone 8 Inbound

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (27) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (2) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (17) [0] LC **
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (11) [4 1/3] LC
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (7) [1 1/2]
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (3) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (8) [2]
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Giuseppe Gallitti (8) [1]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (13) [2] LC LW – RTD 29 Jan 44
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (21) [8 5/6] LC LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
FW 190 7=3 KIA, 3 Damaged, 1 to P-51 (2 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 1=1 to P-51
8

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: 1 ½ FW 190
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde: ½ FW 190

Bomb Run: On Target, 30%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x3 (6), LW x1 (2), Landing Gear Inoperable: Mechanical Failure (25), Belly Landing (96)
Peckham Points: 129 Peckham Points, 2 days +1 more for landing mod , AC ready 31 Jan 44

Casualties: Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (13) [2] LC LW – RTD 29 Jan 44

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Purple Heart, 2nd award

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (27) [0] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC



After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“It’s no use, Skipper,” TSgt Matthew Wastell informs his pilot, Capt Chico Rodriguez. “Gallitti and I have both tried, and we can’t get the danged thing ta budge.”

“All right, Matt,” Chico responds to the news that the main landing gear won’t lower. To the man seated next to him he says, “Looks like Brutus has done it again.” Holding his hand up to the throat mike, Chico tells the rest of the crew, “Brace yerselves. We’re coming in on our belly.”

Taking a firm grip on the steering yoke, Chico tells his co-pilot, “See that grassy strip alongside the runway. We’ll put ‘er down there.”

Once more, our resident Gremlin, Brutus, proved more of a threat than the Luftwaffe, though we wouldn’t know that until trying to land.

Takeoff and assembly went off without a hitch and we were soon flying over the Tyrrhenian Sea safely nestled in the middle of the middle squadron. Jerry put in an early appearance (Zone 2) when we saw Trade School drop out after getting hit by multiple bandits, though we remained unmolested. That was the case when further on (Zone 3) more bandits appeared but none made it to us.

It wasn’t until we neared the French coast (Zone7) that we were threatened. A lone Me 109 made for us, but fell victim to the escorting Mustangs. Sadly, shortly after that our Little Friends bid us Adieu.

While others in the formation had to contend with EA on target ingress (Zone 8), our problems were limited to a barrage of inaccurate rocket fire. I wish the German Flak gunners were equally as inept, but several bursts came near enough to cause some damage, including wounding Sgt Gibson. Fortunately it was not enough to put Rick off his game and Dennis (2LT Beedle) managed to put at least 30% on target. Others weren’t as lucky. We watched helplessly as Pineapple Princess spiraled down after losing a wing. “Looks like we’re TEC again,” I informed the crew as we slipped back to the squadron’s rear.

The Flak wasn’t much of a problem on egress, but we were challenged by a trio of FWs; downing one and damaging the other two. SSgt Gallitti reported his gun jammed.

As Giuseppe Gallitti worked to bring his weapon back into operation four more 190s jumped us (Zone 7). Luckily some nearby P-51s engaged one of the bandits while we flamed two and left the fourth with something to remember us by. An ace, he only managed to inflict superficial damage.

Not sure what was going on, but as we continued the flight home (Zone 6) formation discipline seemed to grow lax (Random Event: Disrupted Formation). I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t run into any more bandits.

Back at Giulia as we made our approach, the panel lights indicated the main gear wouldn’t deploy (Mechanical Failure Zone 8 Outbound). SSgt Galitti and TSgt Wastell both tried to lower it manually without success. Rather than stay in the air all day (OOC – Still don’t have any idea how long we can ‘loiter’ to solve problems on arrival home) I decided to bring her in for a belly landing. It was a bit dicey, but the old girl held together – any landing you can walk away from, right? Tell that to TSgt Raleigh. He wasn’t very happy, but promises to have Roll n Tuck II patched up by the end of the month. Doc says Sgt Gibson will be back on flight status by then as well.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 2 Feb 1944
MISSION NBR. 61/This Bomber 10
TARGET: Maribor Yugoslavia - Airdrome
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Lo Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (28) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (3) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (18) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (12) [6 1/3] LC
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (7) [1 1/2] *
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (4) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (9) [2]
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Giuseppe Gallitti (9) [1] SW – IH 13 Feb 44
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (14) [2] LC SW - DOW
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (22) [9 5/6] LC LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 3=1 Damaged, 1 to P-47 (2 Ace)
Me 109 3=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 to P-47 (1 Ace)
Me 410 1=1 Damaged (1 Green)

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell: 1/3 Me 109

Bomb Run: On target, 20%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), SWx2 (10), Tailplane: NE (10), Radio Out (10), Nose Turret Hydraulics Out (20)
Peckham Points: 54 Peckham Points, AC ready 3 Feb 44.

Casualties:
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Giuseppe Gallitti (9) [1] SW – IH 13 Feb 44
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson (14) [2] LC SW - DOW

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Giuseppe Gallitti: Purple Heart, 2nd award
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Rick Gibson: Purple Heart, 3rd award, posthumous

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (28) [0] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

After an enemy fighter rakes Roll n Tuck II from tail to nose Capt Chico Rodriguez calls for the crew to check in. Receiving no response from the waist, he tells TSgt Simon Wenrich, “Wenrich, go check on Gallitti and Gibson and see why they’re not reporting in.”

A minute later, Wenrich’s voice comes back, “Guiseppe’s (Gallitti) shoulder is shattered and Rick’s (Gibson) guts are all hanging out.”

“Alright,” Rodriguez replies. “Do what you can to make them comfortable. And, since your radio’s been knocked out you might as well remain there and man the guns.”

“Sure thing, Skip.”

Chico has only a moment to ponder that fact that Wenrich’s voice remains calm and steady.

For once our Resident Gremlin, Brutus, didn’t bother us; that is, if you discount the near collision while trying to form up. In a way, I wish he had. At least Brutus never injured any of the crew.

As I mentioned, we nearly had a collision during the assembly. Quick action prevented it becoming anything more serious, and the clouds prevented our identifying the other AC involved. Things didn’t improve much after that.

As we headed out over the Adriatic (Zone 2) we saw 4 Horsemen get jumped. The boys counted seven chutes. A little further on (Zone 3) ands a lone Me 109 made for us, only to fall victim to the escorting Jugs.

Target ingress (Zone 5) was uneventful, neither the Flak nor enemy fighters presenting much of a threat. Unfortunately, 2LT Beedle’s 20% bomb drop was equally unimpressive. Target egress was much the same for us, the single Fw 190 being driven off by the P-47s. It didn’t go so well for some of the others though, both Flub and Little Tannie falling out of formation. With three bombers now gone, the formation was anything but (Random Event: Disrupted Formation).

As we headed back home (Zone 4) Jerry gave it everything he had, three waves hitting us. The first wave, a pair of 190s and a 410, didn’t do any damage despite both of the FW’s being decorated as aces. We gave them all something to remember us by. Next up was a pair of 109s. TSgt Wastell flamed one, but the other walked his hits the entire length of Roll n Tuck II before flying off to lick his own wounds. The most telling damage was to SSgt Gallitti and Sgt Gibson, both seriously wounded. With the radio now also out of commission, I ordered TSgt Wenrich to man the waist guns. Thankfully, this was to be our last encounter with the Luftwaffe this mission.

While TSgt Raleigh says he and his boys will have the old girl patched up and ready to fly again by tomorrow, the same can’t be said for our injured. TSgt Gallitti’s shoulder is useless and he’ll be shipped home once he’s stabilized. Sgt Gibson didn’t fair as well, dying on the operating table. I’ll be looking for a new pair of waist gunners.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 15 Feb 1944
MISSION NBR. 62/This Bomber 11
TARGET: Monte Cassino, Italy - German Observation Posts and Fortifications
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (29) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (4) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (19) [0] LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (13) [6 1/3] LC
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (8) [2 1/2]
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (5) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (10) [2] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (1) [0] LW – RTD 19 Feb 44
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (1) [0] LW – RTD 18 Feb 44
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (23) [9 5/6] LC LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 2=2 to P-38

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: On Target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), LW x2 (10)
Peckham Points: 12 Peckham Points, AC ready 16 Feb 44

Casualties:
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (1) [0] LW – RTD 19 Feb 44
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (1) [0] LW – RTD 18 Feb 44

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: Air Medal 2nd award
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: Purple Heart
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: Purple Heart

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (29) [0] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

Seeing 2LT Ralph Tommasi shaking his head, Capt Chico Rodriguez approaches his navigator. “Something bothering you, Ralph?”

“Jus’ doesn’t seem right,” Tommasi expresses his reservation. “I didn’t think we were ‘sposed to bomb historical sights, or religious ones.”

Placing his hands on Tommass’s shoulders, Rodriguez firmly says, “The top brass approved this mission. Leave the legal questions to them and just do your job. Okay?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Tommasi replies, though there is no conviction in his voice. “Just follow orders, I guess.”

“Yeah,” Rodriguez answers before turning away so that Tommasi can’t see the doubt in his own eyes. “Alright, everybody, mount up!” Mission focus pushes other concerns from Rodriquez’ mind as the crew boards their bomber.

This was a short, but hardly uneventful mission. Takeoff and assembly went well and it wasn’t long afterward that we were making our bomb run (Zone 2). There were plenty of EA circling, with a pair of Me 109s targeting us. They never had a chance as the P-38s of the 1st FG ganged up on them. I guess that was enough to discourage any would-be attackers form the second wave, while the third wave never made it past the formation’s fire to reach us nestled safely in the middle. The Flak was a different story, one burst sending shrapnel into the waist and giving both of our new waist gunners their baptism by fire. Fortunately, neither was too seriously injured. Another burst near the wing root gave us pause as the starboard wing seemed to waver (OOC - Rolled a Wing Spar but used a Lady Luck Smiles to reroll), but it turned out to be nothing and 2LT Beedle put 40% on target.

Flak was less accurate on target egress, though just barely (OOC – rolled two 3s and a 4) and the enemy fighters seemed to be busy elsewhere. We did see Flub get hit. The boys counted ten chutes.

It was then a short hop home and getting Sgts Gleason and Watson bundled off in the meat wagon. Doc says they’ll be able to fly again in two to three days. TSgt Raleigh will have Roll n Tuck II back in combat trim by tomorrow. Surprisingly, Brutus was a now show again.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 11 Mar 1944
MISSION NBR. 63/This Bomber 12
TARGET: Toulon, France – Sub Pens
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (30) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (5) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle (20) [0] LC LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (14) [6 1/3] LC
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (9) [2 1/2] #
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (6) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (11) [2] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (2) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (2) [0] #
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (24) [9 5/6] LC LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 9=5 Damaged, 4 to P-38 (3 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 3=1 KIA,2 Damaged (2 Green)
Me 410 1=1 to P-38
13

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell: ½ Me 109

Bomb Run: On Target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x4 (8), Bomb Controls (10), Nose Turret: NE (2), Tail Turret: Mechanical Failure (20), Instruments – Engine Fire Extinguisher: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 50 Peckham Points, AC ready 12 Mar 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez: Air Medal, 5th Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey: Air Medal
Bombardier: 2LT Dennis Beedle: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf; promotion to 1LT

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (30) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Looks like Brutus is back,” SSgt Hector Valverde announces as he struggles with his now inoperable tail turret just as Roll n Tuck II approaches the French coast.

“Great!” Capt Chico Rodriguez mutters under his breath. To the crew he warns, “Stay sharp, everybody.”

In the nose, 2LT Dennis Beedle echoes his skipper’s feelings about the return of Roll n Tuck II’s resident Gremlin, having thought that after the last two mission, Brutus had found a new home. As Brutus was soon to prove, he was most definitely back!

No sooner were we out of friendly airspace (Zone 2) when the Luftwaffe struck. Fortunately for us, Jerry didn’t have the stomach to push through the formation’s fire to reach us. A little further on (Zone 3) and we saw more bandits, though none paid us any attention. Afterward, Little Tannie reported heat issues and fell out of formation, Southern Bellies taking over the lead.

As we approached the French coast (Zone 7) it was our turn to suffer the Gremlins. While Brutus had been thankfully absent the last tow missions, causing us to hope he’d relocated, he quickly dashed those hopes as SSgt Valverde reported a malfunction in the tail turret. Our six unprotected, we began our target ingress. Unaware of our problem, four FWs attacked from the front. One fell to the P-38s and we shot up the other three. Flak was equally as ineffective and 2LT Beedle put a solid 40% of payload on target.

Target egress was a bit more hairy. While the Flak presented no problems, we had to fight our way through three waves of attackers. First in were a pair of 190s, which got chased off by our Little Friends. Then a pair of Me 109s and a twin-engine 410 had a go. The 410 got tangled up with a p-38, we flamed one of the 109s and shot up the other. Third up was a trio of FWs. The P-38s got one, leaving us to face a pair of aces. While we shot them up, they got their licks in as well, though nothing we couldn’t live with – the most significant damage being to the bomb controls.

As we turned back for home (Zone 6) a lone 109 challenged us. He left trailing smoke. SSgt Valverde reported that he couldn’t get the tail turret power fixed and would have to operate manually; thanks Brutus.

As we crossed over Corsica (Zone 5) Brutus struck again, the controls for the engine fire extinguishers going out. I debated landing at Ghisonaccia before Brutus caused a fire in one of the engines and we’d find ourselves in the drink, but decided to continue on. Thankfully that was the last of our problems and we landed safely at Giulia. Still, we suffered more damage at the hands of our resident Gremlin than we did from the Luftwaffe.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 29 Mar 1944
MISSION NBR. 64/This Bomber 13
TARGET: Bolzano, Italy - Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Lead

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (31) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (6) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Dennis Beedle (21) [0] LC LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (15) [6 1/3] LC
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (10) [3] LC LW – RTD 1 Apr 44
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (7) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (12) [2] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (3) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (3) [1/2] # LW – RTD 2 Apr 44
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 3=1 KIA, 2 Damaged (2 Green)
Me 109 1=1 Undamaged
4

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: ½ Fw 190
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: ½ Fw 190

Bomb Run: DNB

B-24 Damage: : Superficial x5 (10), LW x2 (10), Pilot O2 (10), Tail O2 (10), Instruments: O2 System – Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 50 Peckham Points, AC ready 30 Mar 44.

Casualties:
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (10) [3] LC LW – RTD 1 Apr 44
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (3) [1/2] # LW – RTD 2 Apr 44

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf; Purple Heart; Promo Request
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: Purple Heart
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde: Air Medal, 4th Oak Leaf; DFC, 1st Oak Leaf for completing 25 misisons

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (31) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Cap’n,” SSgt Hector Valverde’s voice sounds over the interphone. “There’s a B-17 trail’n us.”

“Probably from one of the other squadrons,” opines 2LT Walter Harvey, Roll n Tuck II’s copilot. “Those fort pilots can’t tell the difference ‘tween a seventeen and a twenty-four.”

“Maybe. All the same, keep an eye on him, Hector.” Capt Chico Rodriguez tells his tail gunner, recalling other crews’ stories of strange bombers shadowing the formation. “Stay sharp everyone.”

We formed up, taking the squadron lead position and headed out over the Adriatic.

About an hour into the mission (Zone 4) SSgt Valverde reported an unidentified b-17 trailing the formation. Recalling previous stories of such encounters and what followed, I put the crew on alert. Not long after, Jerry hit. Four bandits made for us, three 190s and a 109. While we downed one bandit and shot up two others, Jerry got his licks in as well; knocking out both my and SSgt Valverde’s oxygen and wounding TSgt Wastell and Sgt Watson. While Wastell and Watson both said they could continue on, with only the copilot’s position Having O2 I decided to abort (from reading memoirs, the B-24 was a physically demanding plane to fly and I don’t think one man could handle it for long, especially trying to maintain formation position).

As we dropped out of formation and turned for home (Zone 4, 2nd turn) we could see multiple waves of EA, though none paid attention to us (rolled two ‘none’ for the two waves).

There were no further problems problems until nearing Giulia (Zone 1), when the entire Oxygen system failed. Whether it was due to the previous damage or our resident Gremlin, Brutus, wanting to make sure he wasn’t forgotten I don’t know. In either case, thankfully we were already off oxygen.

TSgt Raleigh will have Roll n Tuck II ready to fly by the next mission, though we will need a new tail gunner as this was SSgt Valverde’s magic twenty-fith.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron1-6p5Vsag3v

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II LLS
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 5 Apr 1944
MISSION NBR. 65/This Bomber 14
TARGET: Ploesti Romania - Oil Refineries
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle – Lead Zone 2 IB

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (32) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (7) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Dennis Beedle (22) [0] LC LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (16) [6 1/3] LC ***#
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (11) [3] LC **#
Radio Operator: T/Sgt Simon Wenrich (8) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (13) [2 1/2] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (4) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (4) [1]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (1) [0] *#
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 4 to P-51 (1 Green)
Me 109 14=5 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-51, 6 Undamaged (2 Ace, 6 Green)
Me 110 5=2 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-51 (2 Ace)
25
Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Me 109, Me 110, ½ Fw 190
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell: ½ Me 109
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: Me 110, ½ Me 109

Bomb Run: On Target, 30%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), Bombs: NE (5), Rt Rudder (10), Instruments: Rudder (10), Lt Rudder Inoperable (10)
Peckham Points: 39 Peckham Points, AC ready 6 Apr 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: DFC for achieving Ace status with 7 confirmed kills

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (32) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“BREAK RIGHT! BREAK RIGHT!” bombardier, 2LT Dennis Beedle’s voice screams over the interphone.

Not pausing to think, instincts kicking in, Capt Chico Rodriguez puts the big bomber into a sharp turn, heedless of the formation.

Almost simultaneously, Sgt Dylan Brioli, the ball turret gunner, can be heard to say, “Holy Sh...!” as an Me 109 narrowly misses colliding with Roll n Tuck II. (OOC - Used the last Lady Luck Smiles to reroll a collision with an enemy fighter.)

Can’t say I was looking forward to this one. But then, neither was Brutus as he failed to put in an appearance.

The Luftwaffe was on us as soon as we got over the mainland (Zone 3), three Me 109s bearing down on us. Two were driven off by the escorting P-51s and the third screamed by in a dive so steep neither he nor we had time to draw a bead on each other.

Deeper into Yugoslavia (Zone 5) and the scene repeated itself, only this time it was 190s and we managed to get a few licks in.

On to Romania (Zone 7) and Jerry tried once more, though this time the bandits couldn’t make it through the formation’s fire. While we came through unscathed, we saw Phabulous Phyllis fall out of formation and Pink Flamingo go down in flames; the boys counted four chutes.

Ploesti (Zone 8) was everything we’d been promised at the briefing. With pour Little Friends but a memory. Four 109s attacked. By the way they were flying, they must’ve been newbies. We flamed one and shot up another. Then we hit an isolated cold spot (OOC – Random Event: Extreme Cold). Everyone checked their guns and they all seemed to be working, not that Jerry gave us much time for the process as four more 109s attacked. While we got two, Jerry got in his licks as well. Another rookie pilot probably suffering from target fixation would’ve hit us if 2LT Beedle hadn’t shouted a warning (OOC – used last LLS to reroll a collision), not that there was a lot of room to maneuver in the formation. After that, the Flak hit, adding to the damage to the rudder caused by the mad German. With all the shaking about, 2LT Beedle only managed to put about a third of our bombs on target.

Flak was less accurate on target egress and we managed to avoid taking any more damage. Two waves of EA were waiting as came out of the Flak. First up was a trio of Me 110s. Two won’t be going home and the third is now a single-engine fighter. This was followed up by three 109s. Again, two won’t be going home.

A pair of 110s challenged us as we headed for home (Zone 7). Thankfully the rendezvous with our Little Friends was successful and the P-51s made short work of the bandits.

Crossing into Bulgaria (Zone 6) and once more the combined fire of the formation kept the enemy at bay.

Over Yugoslavia (Zone 5) Jerry was a bit more persistent. Of the three 190s that attacked us, we claimed one and the other two fell to the Mustangs. Another attempt a little later (Zone 3) was foiled by the formation’s fire. As we headed out over the Adriatic (Zone 2) we noticed Little Tannie fall out of formation (OOC – I’m assuming it was Zone 2). I slipped into Squadron lead. After that, it was quiet the rest of the way home.

While we took some damage, TSgt Raleigh says he’ll have Roll N Tuck II back in flying shape by tomorrow and, fortunately none of the crew got hurt. With his 2 ½ confirmed kills this mission, 2LT Tommasi is officially an ace.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 16 Apr 1944
MISSION NBR. 66/This Bomber 15
TARGET: Brasov, Romania – Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle – Lead from Zone 7 Inbound

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (33) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (8) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Dennis Beedle (23) [0] LC LC
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (17) [9 5/6] LC *
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (12) [5 1/2] LC
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (9) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (14) [3] LC #
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (5) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (5) [1]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (2) [1 1/2] #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 2=2 to P-51
Me 109 6=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-51, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 210 1=1 KIA (1 Ace)
9

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: ½ Me 109

Bomb Run: On Target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), Bomb Bay Doors: NE (5), Hydraulic Pump: NE (5), LT Waist Gunner Suit Heat (10)
Peckham Points: 22 Peckham Points, AC ready 17 Apr 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: Air Medal
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel: Air Medal

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (33) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

The mission started off quietly enough with no significant activity until we were over Romania (Zone 6) when the sky suddenly filled with EA. Despite the plethora of enemy fighters, we saw little action. The first wave found plenty of other targets and left us alone. A single FW from the second wave made for us, only to fall to a Mustang. The third wave was again discouraged, either choosing not to attack or not being able to fight their way past our escorting Little Friends. Further into Romania (Zone 7) we saw Phabulous Phyllis fall out of formation. As there were no EA present, we assume it must’ve been in reaction to damage suffered earlier.

Nearing the target (Zone 8) the sky once more was dark with German fighters. This batch proved more determined and aggressive than their Romanian counterparts. While the first wave damaged some other AC, they were unable to make it through the combined fire of the formation to us. The second wave included an Fw 190 that got tangled up with a P-51, and a pair of Me 109s that made it through to us. The tails of both 109s were decorated as aces. One of the bandits hit us, the main damage being to knock out the heat connection for Sgt Gleason’s suit heater. Fortunately for us, Jerry attacked in a steep dive and wasn’t able to come back for a second pass. The third wave was another 190 that got chased off by a Mustang. Flak on target ingress was light and inaccurate. 2LT Beedle located the target in time to put 40% of payload on the marshaling yard.

Coming off the target, the Flak was no more of a problem for us than it had been going in. Air activity was also lighter, only one wave of EA challenging us, although it consisted of four bandits. One 109 got tangled up with the P-51s while we flamed another and damaged the third. We also managed to end the career of an Me 210, although its crew did hit the silk. Other weren’t so lucky. We watched Lola go down, the boys counting only two chutes. I ordered Sgt Gleason to move to a position where he could hook back up for heat.

With Capt Jopp out of the picture Roll n Tuck II took over the lead position (Zone 7). AS we did so, the casualties continued to mount, Big Bad Wolfe falling out of formation. After that it was a quiet flight back to Giulia and an uneventful landing despite the worsening weather.

As an interesting aside, either Brutus has decided he doesn’t like Romania, or TSgt Raleigh and his crew are getting better as this was the second mission in a row without any mechanical problems. Roll n Tuck II should be back p and running in time for the next mission.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 24 Apr 1944
MISSION NBR. 67/This Bomber 16
TARGET: Ploesti, Romania - Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (34) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (9) [0]
Bombardier: 1LT Dennis Beedle (24) [0] LC LC KIA
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (18) [10 5/6] LC #
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (13) [5 1/2] LC #
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (10) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (15) [3 1/2] LC *#
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (6) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (6) [1]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (3) [2] *#
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 9=3 KIA, 2 Damaged, 4 to P-51 (2 Green, 2 Ace)
Me 109 1=1 KIA (1 Ace)
Ju88C 2=2 to P-51
12

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: ½ FW 190, Me 109
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: ½ Fw 190, Me 109

Bomb Run: DNB

B-24 Damage: Superficial x5 (10), KIA x1 (10), Bomb Bay Doors: NE (5), Pilot Compartment Heat Out (10), Pilot O2 Out (10), Co-Pilot O2 Out (10), Intercom Out (10)
Peckham Points: 55 Peckham Points, AC ready 25 Apr 44.

Casualties: Bombardier: 1LT Dennis Beedle: KIA

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Bombardier: 1LT Dennis Beedle: Purple Heart, posthumous
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich: Air Medal, 2nd Award, request promotion - Denied
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: Air Medal, 3rd Award, request promotion - Denied

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (34) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

Capt Chico Rodriguez pulls the temporary oxygen bottle form his face long enough to shout to TSgt Matthew Wastell, “Matt! Go check on the rest of the boys and let ‘em know we’re aborting!” Wastell ends his stream of invective over the loss of his beloved top turret to carry out his instructions. As he does so, Rodriguez and co-pilot 2LT Walter Harvey struggle against the unwieldy oxygen bottles and growing cold to take the big bomber safely out of formation even as the rest of her crew continue fighting off the seemingly unending parade of enemy fighters.

Things were pretty quiet until we were well into Yugoslavia (Zone 5), when all hell broke loose. The sky was full of EA, with three waves attacking. To make matters worse, they were all 190s. The first weave consisted of three bandits. The Mustangs drove off two and we flamed the third. So far, so good. Next up was another pair of the FWs. Again, we made out OK, taking no damage while hurting one bandit while the other fell to a P-51.

The third weave was a different story. Four more 190s bore in. Our Little Friends chased off one and another missed us, leaving the scene after we tagged him. The remaining two hit us, knocking out the top turret and intercom, as well as the heat and oxygen in the cockpit. As I learned when TSgt Wastell returned form a crew check, they’d also killed 1LT Beedle. We made the Krauts pay when they came around for another pass, both pilots joining Dennis (2LT Beedle) in whatever place dead warriors end up.

Without heat or oxygen, I had no choice but to drop out of formation, and I wasn’t going to try and make it alone to the target. As we turned back toward Giulia, a pair of Ju88s put in an appearance, joined by a lone 109. There were still plenty of Mustangs around and the 88s got tangled up with them. By this time, the boys had their blood up and the 109 never had a chance. After that, we took some desultory ground fire that managed to put a few holes in us, but nothing of consequence.

There was more ground fire until we were back over the Adriatic (Zone 3), when I jettisoned the bombs. Then, it was home to a smooth, if somber landing. There was hardly enough left of 1LT Beedle to be carried out (OOC - SW rerolled with an LC, another SW rerolled with an LC, and an final KIA). One more mission and he would’ve gone home…alive. Needless to say, we’ll be needing a new bombardier.

Despite the damage, TSgt Raleigh says he’ll have Roll n Tuck II back in flying condition by tomorrow.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 29 Apr 1944
MISSION NBR. 68/This Bomber 17
TARGET: Toulon France - Shipping & Harbor Facilities
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (35) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (10) [0]
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams (1) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (18) [11 1/3] LC #
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell (14) [6] LC #
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (11) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (16) [5] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (7) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (7) [1]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (4) [3 1/2]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=1 KIA, 5 to Spitfire (1 Green)
Me 109 2=1 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (1 Green)
8

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: TSgt Matthew Wastell: Fw 190

Bomb Run: 2 Tankers: Off Target - Miss

B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), Bombs: NE (5)
Peckham Points: 9 Peckham Points, AC ready 30 Apr 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez: Air Medal, 7th award
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey: Air Medal 2nd award

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (35) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“This isn’t what I trained for,” roll n Tuck II’s new bombardier, 2LT John Williams mutters as he tries to focus his bombsight on a pair of tankers in the harbor below.

“Just think of it as a bridge,” 2LT Ralph Tommasi offers by way of encouragement.

Tommasi’s effort clearly fails, William’s firing back, “That doesn’t make it any easier.” With a heavy sigh, John presses the release button and announces, “Bombs Away!”

This wasn’t exactly the ideal mission to break in a new bombardier. But then again, is any mission ideal?

We didn’t see nay action until target ingress (Zone 7) when a trio of bandits contested our approach. The RAF Spitfires chased off one, leaving us to contend with a pair Me 109s. One came ion at a steep dive and shot by so fast that no one had a chance to get in an accurate shot. The other, coming in from 6 high was sent home with a bloody nose. The Flak found us, causing a tense moment as some shrapnel bounced around inside the bomb bay. Then our new bombardier announced he had a pair of tankers in his sights. Turned out they weren’t quite as in his sights as he thought, our bombs falling harmlessly around them.

Flak hit us again on target egress, though the damage was minimal. The air was thicker with EA, three waves attacking. First in was a pair of 190s, driven back by the Spits. The same fate befell the lone 190 of the second wave, as well as one of the 190s of the third wave. The other 190 flew right into the crossfire of 2LT Tommasi and TSgt Wastell, literally breaking apart under the pounding of four .50s.

Heading back out over the Med (Zone 6) and we ran into more bandits, though they never made it into the center of the formation where we were. Over Corsica (Zone 5), we saw Legio X fall out of formation. After that it was quiet until we neared the Italian coast (Zone2) when the Luftwaffe found they couldn’t make their way through the escorting fighters (OOC – rolled two Random Event: Aggressive Little Friends in a row).

Landing back at Giulia was routine, with TSgt Raleigh relatively pleased with the minimal damage to ‘his airplane.’ Roll n Tuck II should be ready to fly again tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll have a better target for out new Bombardier to practice on.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 7 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 69/This Bomber 18
TARGET: Reggio Emila, Italy - Railyard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (36) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (11) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams (2) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (19) [11 5/6] LC
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell (15) [7] LC LW – RTD 8 May 44
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (12) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (17) [5] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (8) [0] LW – RTD 9 May 44
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (8) [1]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (5) [3 1/2]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 2=1 to P-47, 1 Undamaged (1 Green)

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: On Target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4), LW x2 (10), Instruments: Flaps (10)
Peckham Points: 24 Peckham Points, AC ready 8 May 44.

Casualties:
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell: LW – RTD 8 May 44
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: LW – RTD 9 May 44


Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell: Air Medal, 3rd award; Purple Heart, 2nd award
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: Purple Heart, 2nd award
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: Air Medal

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (36) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Skipper,” Sgt Sam Watson’s voice sounds nervously over the interphone. “There’s a hole in the formation where Big Bad Wolfe should be.”

Capt Chico Rodriguez excahnges a look with his co-pilot, 2Lt Harv Harvey. “Sure hope they didn’t get off the ground, rather than hit it,” Harvey says.

Chico responds, “Amen.” Then, to the crew, “Let’s look sharp everybody.”

All missions should be so easy, though MSgt Wastell and Sgt Gleason may have a different assessment of how it went. Even so, both their injuries are minor and they’ll be back on flight status within a day or two, as will Roll n Tuck II herself.

The weather was lousy on takeoff and there was some concern when Big Bad Wolfe failed to take up her assigned position. Glad to hear it wasn’t anything life-threatening. Thankfully the same bad weather made it hard for the Luftwaffe to find us, no EA approaching until we were on our way home.

While we didn’t run into any bandits until target egress, a brief opening in the clouds on target ingress (Zone 5) gave the German Flak gunners a chance to zero in on us. Sgt Gleason’s leg got sliced up by some shrapnel, but the fire was otherwise ineffective. The same opening worked to our advantage, 2LT Williams putting a solid 40% of bombs on the railyard.

The Flak didn’t get an opening on target egress, but a pair of FWs found us. One was chased off by our Little Friends while the other dove past. Despite his quick pass, Jerry managed to induce a tense moment as he peppered the cockpit, damaging the flap control and hitting MSgt Wastell’s arm. AS with Sgt Gleason, the wound wasn’t enough to keep Wastell from manning his station. Another wave of EA tried to reach us, but was dissuaded by the fire from the formation. Sgt Brioli reported that Dragon Lady was dropping out of formation.

After that, the flight home was as peacefully uneventful as the flight to the target, the only challenge being in landing without flap control during a thunderstorm. But even that went off without drama. Both plane and crew should be ready by the next mission.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 13 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 70/This Bomber 19
TARGET: Ploesti Romania - Spreantza Oil Refinery
SECONDARY TARGET: Kralijevo, Yugoslavia (Zone 5 Inbound)
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (37) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (12) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams (3) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (20) [11 5/6] LC *
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell (16) [7] LC *
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (13) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (18) [5] LC
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (9) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (9) [1]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (6) [3 1/2]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 2=1 KIA, 1 Undamaged (1 Green, 1 Ace)
Me 110 1=1 KIA (1 Ace)
3

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: ½ Fw 190

Bomb Run: On Target 96%

B-24 Damage: Ball Turret Out: Mechanical Failure (20)
Peckham Points: 20 Peckham Points, AC ready 14 May 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams: FC for 96% bombing Accuracxy
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf, promotion to 1LT

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (37) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Guess who’s back?” MSgt Matthew Wastell inquires over the interphone, his voice conveying obvious annoyance.

“Who?” 2LT Walter Harvey asks.

Wastell responds, “Brutus. To top turret power just went out.”

“Brutus?” The answer provides little enlightenment for Harvey.

“Our resident Gremlin,” Capt Chico Rodriguez explains to his new co-pilot. “He used to pay us at least one visit every mission, though he was absent for the last several.”

“You don’t believe,” Harvey begins, letting it drop when he sees the conviction in Rodriguez’ eyes.

As though he feels the need to make a believer of the newcomer, Butus later strikes the ball turret power.

Takeoff and assembly went well despite the poor weather over Giulia and we were soon flying over the Adriatic safely nestled in the middle of the Squadron, albeit the low squadron.

As we passed north of Skopje (Zone 4) we encountered several waves of EA. The first wave lacked the will to push the attack while the second, though more aggressive, didn’t make through the combined fire of the formation.

Drawing nearer the target (Zone 7) MSgT Wastell announced that the power for the top turret had suddenly gone out. As later developments were to confirm, our resident Gremlin, Brutus, who I thought we had finally lost, was back. With the target coming up, MSgt Wastell decided to manually operate the turret until we hit a quiet spell.

MSgt Wastell’s instincts proved correct as a pair of Fw 190s, one executing a vertical dive, attacked on target ingress (Zone 8). While MSgt Wastell failed to hit the bandit, Jerry had no better success despite being an ace. The other 190 fell to 2LT Tomassi’s eagle-eyed gunnery. The Flak couldn’t find us through the clouds, though a fortuitous opening gave 2LT William’s a clear view of the target, dropping for 96% and earning a DFC recommendation. While the Flak and bandits on target egress presented little problem, there was a barrage of rockets, one exploding uncomfortably close.

Leaving Ploesti behind us (Zone 7) MSgt Wastell managed to bring the top turret power back on line. Not to be thwarted so easily, Brutus struck again as we were preparing to leave Romania (Zone 5). This time it was the power to the ball turret, just as encountered more EA. Again, the first wave lacked the stomach to press home the fight. The second wave stood off and fired rockets, though this time they were all thankfully wide of the mark. Then a lone Me 110 bore in, another ace. Luckily, MSgt Wastell had fixed the top turret and ended this ace’s career.

Heading back into Yugoslavia (Zone 4) it was determined the ball turret was beyond repair. While we didn’t experience any attacks, we did see Maggie’s Drawers fall out of formation. Sgts Gleason and Watson began working on extracting Sgt Brioli from the ball turret, succeeding shortly before our arrival home (Zone 2).

Neither plane nor crew suffered any damage, beyond Brutus’ antics and all will be ready for the next mission.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 16 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 71/This Bomber 20
TARGET: Spezia, Italy - Railroad Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (38) [0] LC LC LC
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (13) [0] LC
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams (4) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Ralph Tommasi (21) [12 5/6] LC LC
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell (17) [8] LC ##
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (14) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (19) [5] LC ####
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (10) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (10) [1] #
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (7) [3 1/2] ##
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 4=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 2 to P-47 (1 Green, 1 Ace)
Ju 88 2=1 KIA, 1 to P-47 (1 Green)
Me 210 2=2 to P-47
Me 110 3=1 KIA, 2 to P-47 (1 Ace)
Me 109 5=1 KIA, 4 to P-47 (1 Green)
16

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell: Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: Fw 190, Me 110, Me 109, 1/3 Ju 88
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: ½ Fw 190

Bomb Run: On Target 50%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x2 (4)
Peckham Points: 4 Peckham Points, AC ready 17 May 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: DFC for becoming Ace
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf; Promotion Roll (rolled a 3)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf; Promotion Roll (rolled a 4)

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (38) [0] LC LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Whooee! Did ya see that?” Sgt Sam Watson calls out as a large twin-engine Ju 88 explodes under the pummeling of five .05 MGs.

“No need to watch him anymore,” MSgt Matthew Wastell admonishes the excited waist gunner. “Keep your eyes peeled for the ones that’re still in the fight.”

I just want to say that this would have been an entirely different mission without the excellent support from the 306th. They managed to turn the sixteen EA that attacked us (so much for the S2’s ‘light resistance’) into a far more manageable five. I believe that is the reason we suffered no casualties.

It was nice taking off into clear skies and assembly went much smoother as well. Our first encounter with the Luftwaffe took place once we were over the Tyrrhenian Sea (Zone 3), when a lone Me 110 made for us, only to be driven off by the P-47s. Apparently the Jugs gave the first wave enough of a beating that the second wave never pressed home the attack.

The next action was on target ingress (Zone 5b) when two more waves challenged us. First in was a quartet of FWs. Our Little Friends drove off two while we flamed one and strongly discouraged the other. Then a pair of Ju 88s bore in. Again, the 306th earned their pay, leaving us to face one. The unfortunate pilot flew his aircraft and crew right into the crossfire of five .05 caliber MGs. The EA blew up before our very eyes! Flak was thankfully inaccurate, not so our novice bombardier, 2LT Williams dropping a respectable 50% on target.

Though the Flak on target egress was lighter, it was also more accurate, several shells bursting near enough to put a few holes in the old girl. Luckily they didn’t hit anything vital. The air was still full of bandits, though once more the 306th did a magnificent job. Of the six EA comprising the two waves, we only had to contend with one, an Me 109 that won’t be causing anyone else trouble in the future.

As we headed back over the Adriatic (Zone 3) we ran into a cold spot, Sgt Gleason reporting his gun freezing up. Luckily we didn’t need it as the P-47s made short work of the lone 109 attacking. A bit later (Zone 2) and a pair of Me 110s struck. Between us and our Little Friends, we made sure neither will be a problem again.

After the last several mission, it seemed like I could land on dry tarmac under clear skies with my eyes shut, though I kept them open just in case. TSgt Raleigh was relatively pleased with the shape Roll n Tuck II was in. I understand the Review Board credited Sgt Brioli with 3 ½ confirmed kill, making him officially an Ace.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron1-6·1-6u80iDzW1

[crushedhat]

Roll n Tuck II
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 19 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 72/This Bomber 21
TARGET: Spezia, Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Airfield
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Tail

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (39) [0] LC LC LC POW
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey (14) [0] LC KIA
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams (5) [0] POW
Navigator: 1LT Ralph Tommasi (22) [12 5/6] LC LC **# POW
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell (18) [8 5/6] LC *## POW
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich (15) [0] LC KIA
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli (20) [6 5/6] LC KIA
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason (11) [0] LC POW
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson (11) [1 1/3] LC # KIA
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders (8) [4 1/2] KIA
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 7=4 KIA, 2 Damaged, 1 to P-38 (2 Ace, 3 Green)
Me 109 4=1 KIA, 2 Damaged, 1 to P-38
11

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 1LT Ralph Tommasi: 2x Fw 190, Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell: 1/3 Fw 190, ½ Me 109
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: Fw 190

Bomb Run: DNB

B-24 Damage: Mid-air collision with an EA during target ingress, tail sheared off
Peckham Points: AC lost

Casualties:
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez: POW
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey: KIA
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams: POW
Navigator: 1LT Ralph Tommasi: POW
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell: POW
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich: KIA
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: KIA
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: POW
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: KIA
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: KIA

Landing: NA - AC lost due to mid-air collision with an EA during target ingress

Awards/Promotion Requests (Post War):
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez: POW Medal
Co-Pilot: 2LT Walter (Harv) Harvey: Purple Heart, posthumous
Bombardier: 2LT John Williams: Air Medal; POW Medal
Navigator: 1LT Ralph Tommasi: POW Medal
Engineer: MSgt Matthew Wastell: POW Medal
Radio Operator: TSgt Simon Wenrich: Air Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf; Purple Heart, posthumous
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Dylan Brioli: Air Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf; Purple Heart, posthumous
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt George Gleason: POW Medal
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Samuel (Sam) Watson: Purple Heart 2nd award, posthumous
Tail Gunner: Sgt Rockwell (Rock) Sanders: Purple Heart, posthumous

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Engineer: SFC Tony Zetticci (25) [31 1/6] LC LC
Radio Operator: SSgt Joel Hoyden (25) [0] LC LC
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Frank Perez (25) [14] LC LC
Pilot: Capt Chico Rodriguez (39) [0] LC LC LC POW
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Scott Drayer (25) [3 1/6] LC
Tail Gunner: SSgt Hector Valverde (25) [9 5/6] LC LC

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“He’s comin’ in too close!” There is a hint of panic in 1LT Ralph Tommasi’s voice. His next words, as well as those of MSgt Matthew Wastell as the enemy fighter zips past him, are lost in the sound or screaming metal as Roll n Tuck II lurches violently.

Whether due to what will eventually be called ‘target fixation,’ or the German pilot’s momentary distraction of dealing with his own damaged fighter, the Me 109 slams into the big bomber, shearing off the tail and sending the bomber into a corkscrewing plunge earthward.

The bomber’s crew fight the growing force of centrifugal gravity as they reach for parachutes and scramble for an exit. Five make it out; luck clearly playing a roll in that many achieving the relative safety of hanging by a silk chute. Thankfully they are over an enemy airfield and not a civilian population center, or their reception on the ground would likely prove fatal.

The mission started out well enough. While we’d drawn the TEC, it wasn’t much of a problem being in the middle squadron. But, things heated up quickly with several waves of EA attacking when we were over Yugoslavia (Zone 4). First a quartet of 190s hit us. The Lightnings must’ve been busy elsewhere as only one intervened to occupy one of the bandits. We flamed one and damaged the other two. Jerry didn’t score any hits, though one bandit almost ran into us! Foreshadowing? The next wave was another three FWs. While we downed all three, one did get in a lucky shot, though it didn’t do much damage. Afterward, Sgt Sanders mentioned he was feeling pretty luck (Random Event: Ace for a Day) despite so far not hitting anything.

As we approached the target (Zone 6), the sky was thick with EA (OOC - three Waves though it wouldn’t matter). This time it was four Me 109s. Again, the escort chased off one. We flamed one and damaged the other two. It must have distracted the one Jerry As next thing we knew he’d rammed right into our tail, killing Sgt Sanders instantly. As Roll n Tuck II nosed down I hit the ‘Abandon Ship’ alarm and everyone did their best to get out. I guess their best wasn’t good enough for 2LT Harvey, TSgt Wenrich, or Sgts Brioli and Watson, as they weren’t rounded up with the rest of us once we hit the ground. I’m glad we didn’t end up in the hands of any angry civilians seeking revenge.

After some perfunctory questioning MSgt Wastell and Sgt Gleason were sent to a camp for enlisted personnel while 1LT Tommasi, 2LT Williams, and I were sent to another, where we spent the rest of the war. I imagine TSgt Raleigh wasn’t very happy not to get ‘his plane’ back.

Chico Rodriguez, Capt, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Roll n Tuck II
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

B24J Mad Bomber

Crew Chief: TSgt Robert (Bobbie) Raleigh

Total Mission Flown: 4

First Mission: 073, Porto Marghera, Italy, 22 May 44

Last Mission Flown: 076, Caen, France, 6 June 44 (D-Day), AC shot down over Caen

[crushedhat]

Mad Bomber
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 22 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 73/This Bomber 1
TARGET: Marghera, Italy – Oil Storage Dump
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney (1), [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Wilson J. Caruthers (1), [0]
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski (1), [0]
Navigator: 2LT John Chu (1), [0]
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman (1), [0]
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters (1), [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw (1), [0]
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs (1), [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth (1), [0]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright (1), [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 4=2 Damaged, 1 to P-47, 1 Undamaged (2 Ace)
Me 110 2=2 to P-47
6

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: On Target, 20%

B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 23 May 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Whooee! Ya see that?” Sgt Randy Hayworth exclaims as something goes whizzing by.

“Ya’ll’s side too?” Sgt Lester Boggs responds form the other waist gun position.

“Tweren’t no airplane, that’s fer sure,” Randy comes back.

“It’s rockets,” Sgt Pops Albright informs them from his vantage point in the tail turret. The Hun fighters are standing off and firing them into the formation.”

“W’all, I sure hope they don’t hit…”

Lester’s comment is cut short by the pilot’s curt admonition to “Cut the chatter and keep your eyes open for bandits you can shoot!”

Me and the boys were keyed up, this being our first combat mission and all. While we saw some action, including the unusual experience of having rockets fired at us, it was thankfully a bloodless introduction to the war.

Takeoff and assembly went well, with Will (2LT Caruthers) helping me find our position within the Squadron. No, I’m not ashamed to admit Will helped; that’s why we’re a crew after all.

Out over the Adriatic (Zone 3) we had our first encounter with the enemy when two Me 110s bore in on us. I guess we didn’t really have an encounter as both bandits were chased off by the boys in the Thunderbolts.

While there were enemy fighters in the air over the target (Zone 4), the only ones trying to reach us were held at bay by fire form the rest of the formation. We experienced several near hits by Flak on target ingress, but none close enough to cause any noticeable damage. Still, it was enough to unsteady Big Al (2LT Jaworski), who dropped late, only putting about 20% of bombs on target.

We again experienced some close flak bursts on egress, though again taking no apparent damage. This time, the Luftwaffe was there to meet us in force, with three waves attacking. First in was a lone FW, which got tangled up with a P-47. By the second wave, three more 190s, out Little Friends were all busy elsewhere, leaving us to fend for ourselves. John (2LT Chu) and Pops (Sgt Albright) both claim to have hit their targets. Mike (TSgt Tesman) couldn’t get a bead on his. Both John and Pops said their targets Had some strange decorations on their tails which we’ve subsequently learned marked them as aces. Well, they weren’t such hotshots today. Pops (Sgt Albright) said his bandit left trailing thick smoke. Let’s hope Jerry didn’t make it home. After that, both Lester and Randy (Sgts Boggs and Hayworth) reported strange objects flying by. Pops (Sgt Albright) said they were rockets being fired from enemy fighters standing off the formation’s tail.

After that it was a quiet flight back to Giulia followed by a textbook landing. Bobbie (TSgt Raleigh) was pleased we brought ‘His Airplane’ back unharmed, and the boys were happy the same can be said of them. Listening to the stories, I understand they’re not all going to be this easy. And, I hear we’re replacing one of the most experienced crews who didn’t make it back, so even experience may not save us. But, as far as getting our feet wet, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, “It was a splendid little mission.”

Robert Maloney, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Mad Bomber
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Mad Bomber
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 24 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 74/This Bomber 2
TARGET: Munich, Germany - Bayerische Allach Motornworks (BMW)
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Hihg Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney (2), [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Wilson J. Caruthers (2), [0]
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski (2), [0]
Navigator: 2LT John Chu (2), [0]
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman (2), [0]
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters (2), [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw (2), [0]
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs (2), [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth (2), [0]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright (2), [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 3=3 to P-51
Me 109 3=1 to P-51,2 Undamaged (2 Ace)
6

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: On Target, 20%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x5 (10), Nose Turret Power: Mechanical Failure (20), Top Turret Power: Mechanical Failure (20)
Peckham Points: 50 Peckham Points, AC ready 25 May 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

As Mad Bomber began her descent at Giulia, 1LT Robert “Mad Manb” Maloney could feel the sweat running down his face. “It still there?” he asks his co-pilot, 2LT Wilson Caruthers.

“Yeah. It’s still there,” Will answers, his voice shaking and his own face also drenched in Sweat.

“Ralph,” Mad Man calls his radio operator over the interphone. “Let Giulia know we’re bringin’ a live enemy shell home in our wing.” To the rest of the crew he says, “Anybody sees that present start to fall, holler out loud an’ clear.” Turning to Caruthers, Maloney says, “Let’s do this.”

Well we didn’t see a whole lot of enemy action, I can’t say this was an uneventful mission. Things started going South almost from the get go when, just starting to fly over the Adriatic (Zone 2) when we could see the enemy fighters forming up, though none attacked us. Then Dragon Lady announces she’s aborting. I thought we were going to end up TEC, but Big Bad Wolfe announced they were sliding into the rear.

Just before hitting the Alps (Zone 5) we caught an updraft of supercooled air (Random Event: Cold Spell). While it made the boys uncomfortable, fortunately it didn’t mess with the equipment. Over the Alps (Zone 6) we encountered a pair of Fw 190s, but the Red Tails made short work of them.

On Target ingress fire from the formation kept the Luftwaffe at bay. Sadly, it couldn’t do anything about the Flak. Mad Bomber lurched and Mike (TSgt Tesman) reported there was a large shell sticking up out of the right wing. Randy (Sgt Hayworth) said he could see the bottom half of the shell. Apparently a dud, it was lodged tight. Needless to say, this made the rest of the flight a bit ‘white knuckle.’ (OOC – Rolled a BIP, then rolling for location rolled ‘7, Superficial’ I debated rerolling for location, or treating it as a dud – I read about a crew that had a dud flak shell end up in their aircraft. When they got back to base, EOD defused it to find a note from the forced labor in the munitions plant saying this was their way of resisting. I then rolled again to determine where the dud ended up.) Despite all the commotion, Big Al (2LT Jaworski) put 20% on target.

The flak hit us again on the way out, peppering us with small holes. Once more, fire from the formation held Jerry at bay.

Back over the Alps (Zone 6) we could see Jerry forming up, but he never pressed the attack. Over Italy (Zone 5) Big Al (2LT Jaworski) reported problems with the power to the nose turret just as two waves of EA attacked. Thank God for the 332nd as they drove of the lone Fw making up the first wave and one of the three 109s in the second. While the other two pilots were aces, they must’ve been having a bad day as they didn’t hit us. Of course, we didn’t hit them either.

Over the Adriatic (Zone 4) Big Al (2LT Jawaorski) reported he couldn’t fix the nose turret, while Mike (TSgt Tesman) reported that the power had just failed on the top turret. With two turrets on manual, it was a relief to see our Little Friends showing they were feeling their oats (Random Event: Aggressive Little Friends) not, as it turned out, that we needed them after that; the rest of the flight home being uneventful.

While the flight home was quiet, landing with a live enemy flak shell in the wing was a bit unnerving, especially waiting for it to dislodge and fall out right beneath us. I hope TSgt Raleigh and his crew have a fun time dealing with that one. Apart from that, and the aforementioned holes, neither plane nor crew are seriously hurt and both should be ready for the next mission.

Robert Maloney, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Mad Bomber
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Mad Bomber
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 27 May 1944
MISSION NBR. 75/This Bomber 3
TARGET: Marseille, France - St. Charles Marshaling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney (3), [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Wilson J. Caruthers (3), [0]
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski (3), [0]
Navigator: 2LT John Chu (3), [0]
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman (3), [0] #
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters (3), [0] SW – RTD 4 Jun 44
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw (3), [0]
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs (3), [0] #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth (3), [0]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright (3), [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 6=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 3 to P-51, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 109 5=4 to P-51, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace)
Me 210 2=2 to P-=51
13

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs: 1/3 Fw 190

Bomb Run: On Target, 20%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x8 (16), SW x1 (5), Lt Rudder x1 (10), Tailplane: NE (5), LT OB Fuel Tank Leak (10)
Peckham Points: 46 Peckham Points, AC ready 29 May 44 allowing for travel from diversion airfield.

Casualties: Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters (3), [0] SW – RTD 4 Jun 44

Landing: AC & crew safe at Ghisonacca, Corsica

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters: Purple Heart

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“This wasn’t what I was expecting,” Maj Ray Beussing thinks as he holds a compress against SSgt Ralph Peter’s chest. “Then again, just what did I expect hitching a ride on a combat mission? Bet he wishes he hadn’t have told me to keep my hands off everything,” Ray muses as he wonders who will now operate the radio.

We weren’t real happy when we were told that the Group S2 would be flying with us as a supernumerary. In fact, Ralph (SSgt Peters) told the Major to keep his hands off the equipment. I suspect SSgt Peters enjoyed giving orders to a Major. Who would’ve guessed that having Maj Beussing along in the radio room would’ve ended up saving Ralph’s life.

Everything went well initially. Takeoff and assembly went smoothly. While we encountered some early resistance (Zone 2), The boys of the 332nd chased off two of the three 109s and the third only did minor damage as he dove past us. That was followed by the eerie, but ultimately harmless experience of having rockets fly past. We suffered more rocket fire as we approached the French coast (Zone 7).

Target ingress (Zone 8) had us flying into a hornet’s nest. First we ran into a pair of Me 210s, though they never had a chance against the Red Tails. Then it was a pair of Fws. One fell to the P-51s and the other failed to score any hits, though Mike (TSgt Tesman) managed to tag him. Four more 190s came at us. The Red Tails engaged two and another missed completely. And, while Pops (Sgt Albright) managed to hit one, Jerry got more than even, raking us with fire. The most serious damage was a chest wound to Ralph (SSgt Peters), and a big hole in the port outboard fuel tank. All of a sudden it was a good thing we had an extra body in the radio room, Maj Beussing’s quick action probably saving Ralph’s life.

After dropping our bombs, TSgt Tesman quickly calculated we wouldn’t have enough fuel to make it to England, though we might be able to get to Corsica, so we radioed Capt Jopp in Lola II that we were turning back. At least we’d have the Red Tails to keep is company. AS it turned out, we weren’t the only ship headed that way. It seems Jerry was focused on the formation, and as they were heading the other way no bandits bothered us as we turned back.

Hitting the French coast (Zone 7) we did run into a pair of 109s, but our Little Friends made short work of them. After that, it was clear, if nervous watching the fuel gauges, flying back to Ghisonacca (Zone 5).

Thanks to Maj Beussing’s efforts, Ralph (SSgt Peters) injury didn’t prove fatal. In fact, the Doc at Ghinosacca says Ralph should be able to return to flight duty. We’ll be continui9ng on to England in a day or two after Mad Bomber gets patched up.

Robert Maloney, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Mad Bomber
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Mad Bomber AC shot down over Caen
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 6 June 1944
MISSION NBR. 76/This Bomber 4
TARGET: Caen France - Bridge - In support of the D-Day Invasion
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, TEC

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney (4), [0] BO - POW
Co-Pilot: 2LT Wilson J. Caruthers (4), [0] BO - RTD
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski (4), [0] BO - RTD
Navigator: 2LT John Chu (4), [0] BO - POW
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman (4), [1/2] BO - POW
Radio Operator: TSgt Chuck Nallon (Temp) (2) [0] KIA
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw (4), [0] * BO - POW
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs (4), [1/2] BO - RTD
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth (4), [0] BO - POW
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright (4), [0] BO - RTD
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 5=3 to P-47, 2 Undamaged (1 Ace, 1 Green)
Me 109 2=1 KIA, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace)
7

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw: Fe 190

Bomb Run: DNB

B-24 Damage: AC shot down over Caen on target ingress
Peckham Points: AC did not return

Casualties:
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney: POW
Navigator: 2LT John Chu: POW
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman: POW
Radio Operator: TSgt Chuck Nallon (Temp): KIA
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw: POW
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth: POW

Landing: AC shot down over Caen

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney: POW Medal
Navigator: 2LT John Chu: POW Medal
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman: POW Medal
Radio Operator: TSgt Chuck Nallon (Temp): Purple Heart, posthumous
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw: POW Medal
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth: POW Medal

Sitting Out: None

In transit on Hospital Ship: Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters (3), [0]

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Invasion of Europe?” Sgt Lester Boggs puzzles aloud as he assumes his position as the port waist gunner. “I though Italy was part of Europe?”

“Mainland Europe,” his opposite number, Sgt Randy Hayworth explains.

Randy’s explanation helps little as Lester continues, “I didn’t know Italy was an island.”

Shaking his head, Randy counters, “Just make sure your gun works, OK?”

During target ingress (Zone 6b) Several EA attacked Mad bomber. One knocked out the electrical system, forcing the crew, less TSgt Chuck Nallon, the radio operator who was killed during the attack, to bail out. While only eight chutes were seen, subsequent information confirms that all nine of the surviving crew escaped.

The Red Cross subsequently reported the following individuals were in German hands:
Pilot: 1LT Robert (Mad Man) Maloney
Navigator: 2LT John Chu
Engineer: TSgt Michael Tesman
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Lyndon MaGraw
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Randolph (Randy) Hayworth

The French Resistance was able to rescue and eventually return:
Co-Pilot: 2LT Wilson J. Caruthers
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright

[crushedhat]

Easy Money
Pilot: 1LT Wilson J. Caruthers (4), [0]
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 18 June 1944
MISSION NBR. 78/This Bomber 1
TARGET: Hamburg Germany - Oil Plant
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Wilson J. Caruthers (4), [0] KIA
Co-Pilot: 2LT Malcolm (Mal) Wilds (1) [0] KIA
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski (4), [0] KIA
Navigator: 2LT John Zilke (1) [0] KIA
Engineer: TSgt Terrence (Terry) Hill (1) [0] # KIA
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters (3), [0] KIA
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Louis (Lou) Waterman (1) [0] KIA
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs (4), [1/2] # KIA
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Mark Tyme (1) [0]POW
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright (4), [0]KIA
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 3=1 Damaged, 2 to P-51 (1 Ace)
Me 109 2=1 KIA, 1 to P-51 (1 Ace)
Me 110 3=1 to P-51, 1 Undamaged
8

Claims: Only credited kills reported here

Bomb Run: On target, 40%

B-24 Damage: AC Lost to BIP in Rt Wing on target egress
Peckham Points: AC lost

Casualties:
Pilot: 1LT Wilson J. Caruthers: KIA
Co-Pilot: 2LT Malcolm (Mal) Wilds: KIA
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski: KIA
Navigator: 2LT John Zilke: KIA
Engineer: TSgt Terrence (Terry) Hill: KIA
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters: KIA
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Louis (Lou) Waterman: KIA
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs: KIA
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Mark Tyme: POW
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright: KIA

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: 1LT Wilson J. Caruthers: Purple Heart, posthumous
Co-Pilot: 2LT Malcolm (Mal) Wilds: Purple Heart, posthumous
Bombardier:2LT Allen (Big Al) Jaworski: Purple Heart, posthumous
Navigator: 2LT John Zilke: Purple Heart, posthumous
Engineer: TSgt Terrence (Terry) Hill: Purple Heart, posthumous
Radio Operator: SSgt Ralph Peters: Purple Heart, posthumous
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Louis (Lou) Waterman: Purple Heart, posthumous
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Lester Boggs: Purple Heart, posthumous
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Mark Tyme: POW Medal
Tail Gunner: Sgt Charles (Pops) Albright: Purple Heart, posthumous

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

Sgt Pops Albright walks over to TSgt Bobbie Raleigh. As he does so, he pulls something out of his jacket and hands it to Easy Money’s Crew Chief. As Pops rejoins the rest of Easy Money’s crew, Sgt Mark Tyme asks him, “What was that about?”

“A letter to my family,” Pops answers matter of factly. “In case I don’t come back.”

“Oh,” Mark comments thoughtfully. “Maybe I shoulda given him one for Debbie.”

Before any further conversation can take place, 1LT Wilson Caruthers shouts, “Let’s get this show on the road. Mount up!”

Cigarettes are crushed out, gear collected, and Easy Money’s crew climb aboard.

“We were coming off the target when a Flak shell must’ve hit Easy Money right in the wing, cause the darned thing just sheared right off! After that, there wasn’t much hope for those poor guys. Someone thought they saw one chute. One chute, out of ten men.”

Comment from a witness to the loss of B24J Easy Money on 18 June 1944 over Hamburg , Germany.

Subsequent communication from the Red Cross reports that Sgt Mark Tyme is a POW.

(OOC - That makes an AC lost in each of the last two mission flown!)

[crushedhat]

B24J Winged Fury
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 5 July 1944
MISSION NBR. 79/This Bomber 1
TARGET: Gilze Rijen, Holland - Airfield
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova (1) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Steven Martin (1) [0]
Bombardier:2LT Karl Poole (1) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt (1) [0]
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown (1) [0] ##
Radio Operator: Sgt Oliver (Ollie) Rorke (1) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon (1) [0] #
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn (1) [0] #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar (1) [0] #
Tail Gunner: Sgt Peter Richards (1) [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
7

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown: Ju 88
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar: Ju 88

Bomb Run: On Target, 30%

B-24 Damage: None
Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, AC ready 6 Jul 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Sudbury

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

The crew of Winged Fury stand around under their plane, waiting for the word to mount up. They try to act nonchalant, but the nervousness of their impending first combat mission makes a lie of that effort. Multiple cigarettes are burning, even for those who don’t normally smoke.

“I heard this is gonna be a milk run,” Sgt Ollie Rorke offers.

“Maybe so,” 1LT Saul Villanova cautions. “But I’d still keep my eyes sharp and my weapon clear.”

“It’s all a crap shoot anyway,” Sgt Henry Dunbar announces, a deck of cards constantly moving between his hands.

TSgt Allen Brown offers, “Let’s hope God’s with us today.”

Brown’s comment elicits a derisive snort from 2LT Steve Martin. “Don’t much \believe in God,” he states.

“We’ll see how you feel when the bullets start flying. There’re no atheists in the foxholes,” counters Brown.

“Don’t see any foxholes,” Martin rejoins as he slaps the side of the big bomber.

Villanova’s, “It’s time,” cuts short nay further discussion as the men climb aboard.

It was nice that our first mission was short. It gave the boys a chance to ease into combat, if such a thing is possible. Takeoff and assembly presented no significant problems and we were soon winging our way across the North Sea (Zone 2), where we linked up with the RAF Spitfires that were to escort us.

As we crossed the Dutch coast (Zone 3) we experienced light Flak, as briefed, though it did no damage.

Approaching the target (Zone 4) we encountered three Me 109s. The Spitfires chased one off, we shot one down, and the third missed us and moved on. Again, the Flak was light and not much of a problem for us, though we did see another bomber go down. I think it was Yo Yo. The boys counted ten chutes. I turned control over to 2LT Poole who announced, “Bombs Away!” Sgt Falcon says it looked to him like about a third of them landed on the airfield, hitting the runway and a storage area.

While there was no Flak on target egress, we were challenged by a pair of Ju 88s. Again, the RAF claimed one and we got the other.

Nearing the Dutch coast (Zone 3) again, and the Luftwaffe became a bit more insistent about preventing us from going home, three separate waves forming up to attack. First in was alone Me 109 who got tangled up with the RAF. The combined fire from the formation kept the second wave at bay. A pair of Spitfires chased off he single Ju 88 bearing in on us from the third wave.

After that it was short hop across the North Sea (Zone2) and a simple landing back at Sudbury. The boys are relieved to have acquitted themselves under fire, and thankful none of us got injured. TSgt Raleigh was thankful too, though it seemed his concern was more for the plane that for us. He informed me that, “Keep this up, El-Tee and I just may give you a bottle of my special brew.”

Saul Villanova, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Winged Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Winged Fury
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 12 July 1944
MISSION NBR. 80/This Bomber 2
TARGET: Munich Germany - City Area
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova (2) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Steven Martin (2) [0]
Bombardier:2LT Karl Poole (2) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt (2) [0]
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown (2) [5/6]
Radio Operator: Sgt Oliver (Ollie) Rorke (2) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon (2) [1/3]
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn (2) [1/2]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar (2) [1/3]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Peter Richards (2) [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission
7

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: DNB

B-24 Damage: O2 System: Mechanical Failure (10), Suit Heat System: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 20 Peckham Points, AC ready 13 Jul 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Sudbury

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“It doesn’t seem right,” 2LT Connor Schmitt complains as the crew gets ready to board their bomber.

2LT Karl Poole asks, “What’s that?”

“Bombing a city,” Connor explains. “Isn’t that what we accuse the Nazis of doing?”

“Yeah,” Karl fires back. “Look at London.”

Connor counters, “And now we’re doing the same thing. Doesn’t seem moral.”

“Moral and war don’t belong in the same sentence,” 2LT Steven Martin says in passing.

With the nice weather, whatever happened to the legendary English gloom, Takeoff and assembly went well and we were soon winging our way across the North Sea. As we hit the Belgian coast (Zone 3) we encountered some desultory Flak, but suffered no damage. At least, none that we knew of, though I wonder if that had anything to do with what happened next.

Approaching the French/Belgian frontier (Zone 4) our oxygen system suddenly stopped working and I had to drop down to angels 10. About the same time, a lone Me 109 thought he’d have an easy time picking us off. Such was not to be the case as a pair of Lightnings pounced on him.

Since I had no intention of trying to fly across half of Europe and into Germany alone, I reluctantly turned back for England. Our two Little Friends decided to keep us company. Thankfully they did, as a trio of FWs came at us. The P-38s engaged two of the bandits and we damaged the third, though he did get away. At this altitude, we drew some ground fire, some coming surprisingly close (OOC two out of the three rolls were a 3).

Once we were clear of land (Zone 2), I had Karl (2LT Poole) jettison the bombs. After that, it was relatively quite until after our landing back at Sudbury when TSgt Raleigh informed us that the suit heat system had also failed (Another Mechanical Failure in Zone 1). We just didn’t notice it since we we already at a warmer altitude. It seems the Gremlins are more of a threat than the Luftwaffe. Then again, I’d heard rumors to that effect.

TSgt Raleigh says he’ll check out all the systems and have Winged Fury back on line by tomorrow. With no injuries among the crew, we’ll be ready then too.

Saul Villanova, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Winged Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Winged Fury
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 23 July 1944
MISSION NBR. 81/This Bomber 2
TARGET: Creil France - Airdrome
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova (2) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Steven Martin (2) [0]
Bombardier:2LT Karl Poole (2) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt (2) [0]
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown (2) [5/6]
Radio Operator: Sgt Oliver (Ollie) Rorke (2) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon (2) [1/3]
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn (2) [1/2]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar (2) [1/3]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Peter Richards (2) [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Enemy Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 4=2 Damaged, 2 to P-51

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
None

Bomb Run: On Target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Bombs: NE (5)
Peckham Points: 5 Peckham Points, AC ready 24 Jul 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Sudbury

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“We had passes to London.” Sgt Ollie Rorke’s voice carries a tone of disbelief. “Passes to London,” he repeats. “An’ Skip volunteered us to fly anyways.”

“I was hoping to look up some relatives,” Sgt Michael Falcon commiserates.

“”Taxpayers didn’t send us here to tour London,” 2LT Connor Schmitt states firmly.

1LT Saul Villanova claps Rorke on the back. “That’s enough grousing. This mission’s a short hop. Let’s get it over with and then we’ll be back in plenty of time to use those passes.”

The boys weren’t happy about having to go on a mission the first day of their London passes. But, I assured them we’d be back in plenty of time to make use of them. Despite the lousy weather over Sudbury takeoff and assembly went off without a hitch. That is, until we noticed Gas House Gus wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I hear they had a bit of a problem but made it back OK.

We experienced some light Falk as we crossed the Belgian coast (Zone 3), but it didn’t present much of a problem. AS we got further into France (Zone 5a) we encountered the Luftwaffe, though no bandits made it through the formation’s fire to reach us.

Surprisingly, there were no opposing fighters on target ingress (Zone 5b), though we did suffer a tense moment as a nearby Flak burst sent shrapnel bouncing off our bombs. Karl (2LT Poole) found a break in the clouds and managed to get 40% of our bombs onto the airfield. Others weren’t quite as lucky, Northern Lights falling out of formation. Sure hope they made it back.

While there was no Flak on target egress, the Luftwaffe was more active than earlier, three waves attacking. The first wave focused their attention elsewhere, leaving us alone. A Lone FW tried for us form the second wave, but got tangled up with one of the Mustangs from the 31st. Another P-51 chased off one of a trio of 190s making up the third wave. 2LT Schmitt, TSgt Brown, and Sgt Richards gave the other two something to remember us by. After that it was a quiet, if bumpy, flight home.

The rain made the landing a bit touchy, but 2LT Martin and I managed. While TSgt Raleigh made a show of fussing over ‘his poor baby,’ I could tell he was pleased at how little damage there was. The boys and I are headed for London before another mission intrudes on our passes.

Saul Villanova, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Winged Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Winged Fury
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 4 August 1944
MISSION NBR. 82/This Bomber 3
TARGET: Peenemunde, Germany - Luftwaffe Experimental V-Rocket Station
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Middle; Lead from Zone 9 OB; OOF from Zone 7 IB

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova (3) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Steven Martin (3) [0]
Bombardier:2LT Karl Poole (3) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt (3) [0] *##
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown (3) [5/6] #####
Radio Operator: Sgt Oliver (Ollie) Rorke (3) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon (3) [1/3] *####
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn (3) [1/2] ##
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar (3) [1/3] #
Tail Gunner: Sgt Peter Richards (3) [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Enemy Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 10=4 KIA, 2 Damaged, 2 to P-51, 2 Undamaged (2 Ace, 2 Green)
Me 110 1=1 to P-51
Me 109 8=1 KIA, 1 Damaged, 4 to P-51, 2 Undamaged (1 Ace, 1 Green)
Ju 88 5=3 KIA, 2 to P-51 (1 Ace, 2 Green)
24

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt: 2x Fw 190
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown: Fw 190, Ju 88, 1/3 Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon: 1 ½ Ju 88, ½ Fw 190, ½ Me 109
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn: Me 109
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar: ½ Ju 88

Bomb Run: On Target, 50%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x 10 (20), Autopilot: NE (5), Instruments: Rudder (10), Bomb Controls (10), Rt wing Root x1 (25), #2 Engine: NE (20+7), Suit Heat System: Mechanical Failure (10), Nose Turret Power: Mechanical Failure (20)
Peckham Points: 127 Peckham Points, AC ready 6 Aug 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Sudbury

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Lead doesn’t seem to be a very healthy spot this mission,” 2LT Steven Martin comments after watching Witch’s Tit, the second plane to occupy that position, fall out of formation.”

“Looks like we’re next,” 1LT Saul Villanova replies, increasing the throttle as Winged Fury becomes the third AC to move into the Lead slot for the 78th.

“Wish you hadn’t phrased it like that,” Martin teases his skipper.

Neither man knew how prophetic their exchange would prove to be.

The operant word for this mission is SNAFU. It started with the miserable conditions at takeoff. Then, as we head out over the North sea (Zone 2), Squadron lead, Filthy McNaughty aborts due to engine problems. Witch’s Tit took over the lead, leaving us next in line should something happen to them.

The situation went from bad to worse when Dragon Lady inexplicably left the formation and went into the sea (Zone 3). The boys counted at least four chutes but weren’t sure if there were more. I had Connor (2LT Schmitt) get a fix on the position and radioed it in.

Things seemed to settle down until we hit the German coast (Zone 8). While none of the attacking EA made it through the formation to us, Both Witch’s Tit and Flying Eight Ball fell out of formation. The coastal Flak was ineffective and, despite the losses, it felt like our luck was changing (OOC – rolled a LLS). Of course, with the loss of Witch’s Tit, we were now squadron lead; quite a challenge on our third combat mission.

Over the Baltic (Zone 9) we were attacked by three waves of EA. First up was a quartet of 190s and a lone Me 109. Our escort only managed to chased off one bandit, leaving us to deal with the other four. While we took some fire, it proved to be superficial. In the meantime, we downed two enemy fighters. The scary thing is, two of the EA almost hit us! The first would have were it not for a sudden downdraft that pulled us out of his way (OOC- used the just acquired LLS to reroll a collision on one, while the other was a near collision). Another three FWs and a 109 then decided to try their luck, encouraged no doubt by the absence of any nearby Little Friends. One knocked out the rudder controls, but otherwise they were as inconsequential as the first wave. While we didn’t flame any, we did chew a couple up. Once again, one of the bandits damn near flew into us! After that, we had the unusual experience of being bombed. I sure hope we’re more effective than the Luftwaffe.

As we approached the target (Zone 11), we were met by a pair of Ju 88s and another 109. Once more, the boys from the 55th proved conspicuously absent, engaging only one bandit. We shot down one, and the other again nearly rammed us. I’m beginning to think Jerry is suicidal, or very poorly trained. The Flak on target ingress was heavy and we did end up taking some superficial damage. It wasn’t enough to keep Karl (2LT Poole) from achieving a respectable 50% on target.

Though of lesser intensity, the Flak on target egress was more accurate, though no more damaging. Coming out of the Flak we hit a patch of extreme cold. Thankfully none of the guns froze up as we’d need them all to fight off two waves of EA. Our Little Friends were a bit more involved this time, chasing off two of three 109s, while we flamed the third. Coming back for the next wave, the Mustangs got a 109 and a 110, while we put paid to a Ju 88.

Heading back to the Baltic (Zone 10), we encountered some coastal Flak to no effect. Back over Germany, SW of Kiel, the suit heat system suddenly went out for no apparent reason. I thought this had been fixed after the last failure. I decided to stay with the formation, for now. It proved a good choice as, as we proceeded further across Germany (Zone 8) German fighters tried to come up from the rear but never made it through the formation to our position. At this point I decided to turn over squadron lead to whoever was forth in line and drop to a warmer altitude.

Now out of formation (Zone 7), I was glad that our two Little Friends from earlier had stuck with us as we were jumped by a couple of waves of EA. The first was another pair of 88s and a 109. The P-51s got two and we bagged our third 88 for this mission. The next wave was bit tougher, four 190s and a 109, several making multiple passes. This time we took some real damage, but so did the Luftwaffe, there being three less FWs when the fight was over as well as a fourth trailing thick oily smoke. We took some ground fire but no damage. The same with the coastal Flak.

Back over the North Sea (Zone 6) we saw some EA in the distance, but they didn’t seem interested in us. As we drew nearer England (Zone 2) the power to the nose turret failed.

Back at Sudbury, TSgt Raleigh had some choice words for what we’d done to ‘his plane.’ Bringing up the two mechanical failures, I had a few choice words of my own. At least nobody got hurt. We were barely on the truck to debriefing when Sgt Rorke started asking when we’d get our next pass to London. Apparently he met a girl on our recent leave.

Saul Villanova, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Winged Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Winged Fury
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 11 August 1944
MISSION NBR. 83/This Bomber 4
TARGET: Brest, France - Coastal Batteries
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: High Squadron, Tail

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova (4) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Steven Martin (4) [0]
Bombardier:2LT Karl Poole (4) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt (4) [2] **
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown (4) [3 1/2]
Radio Operator: Sgt Oliver (Ollie) Rorke (4) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon (4) [3] **
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn (4) [1 1/6]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar (4) [2/3]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Peter Richards (4) [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Enemy Fighters Encountered:
Me 110 2=1 Kia, 1 Undamaged (1 Ace)
Me 109 5=3 KIA, 2 Damaged (3 Ace, 1 Green)
7

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt: 1 ½ Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon : ½ Me 110

Bomb Run: On Target, 20%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x7 (14), Radio Out (10), Control Cables x1 (10)
Peckham Points: 39 Peckham Points, AC ready 12 Aug 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Sudbury

Awards/Promotion Requests: None

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“Hey Skip,” Sgt Peter Richards’ confused voice comes over the interphone. “There’s some B-17 tryin’ ta join up with us.”

“Keep your eye on it. Just might be one of those Kraut spy planes,” 1LT Saul Villanova replies.

Seated beside Villanova in the cockpit, 2LT Steven Martin Questions his commander’s assessment. “This far into England? More likely one of the ships form the 79th. Those knuckleheads are always getting things fouled up.”

Villanova simply shrugs.

We took up our position as TEC for the high squadron and were on our way across southern England, and hen the Channel. About halfway across the Channel (Zone 6) we saw some enemy fighters in the distance, but they didn’t come close enough to ID the type. Then we were over the French coast (Zone 7) and a pair of 110s and a 109 made for us. The boys form the 56th were nowhere to be seen so we had to deal with Jerry ourselves. We flamed one of the 110s, an ace judging by the marks on his tail, and damaged the 109. I guess it was enough to discourage the remaining bandit from coming back.

As we approached the target (Zone 8) we saw a wave of EA forming up, but they didn’t press the attack. Other weren’t as reluctant, a pair of 109s, another ace, making for us. Michael (Sgt Falcon) bagged his second ace of the mission. The Flak hit us on target ingress, knocking out the radio. Karl (2LT Poole) was a bit off his game today, only hitting for 20%.

Turning for home, two more 109s jumped us. Let’s just say the Luftwaffe has two less aces, though Jerry got his licks in too. Nothing too serious, although I image TSgt Rayleigh will see it otherwise. The second wave never made it close to us.

We were well into England (Zone 4) when we were surprised to see EA making ready to attack. They didn’t, but it was apparently enough to scare some people into any port they could find; a stray B-17 tying to join our formation. Don’t know it was one of those spy planes. With the radio out, we couldn’t challenge him or inform anyone else of his presence. At any rate, both the enemy fighters and the unknown B-17 soon left. After that it was a quiet flight and uncomplicated landing.

Both the crew and plane should be ready for the next mission.

Saul Villanova, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Winged Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[crushedhat]

Winged Fury returns to Sudbury several hours after the rest of the Formation.

Winged Fury
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 27 August 1944
MISSION NBR. 84/This Bomber 5
TARGET: Esbjerg, Denmark - Airfield
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle

Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: 1LT Saul Villanova (5) [0]
Co-Pilot: 2LT Steven Martin (5) [0]
Bombardier:2LT Karl Poole (5) [0]
Navigator: 2LT Connor Schmitt (5) [4]
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown (5) [3 1/2]#
Radio Operator: Sgt Oliver (Ollie) Rorke (5) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon (5) [5] #*
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt Edward (Eddie) Washburn (5) [1 1/6] #
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Henry Dunbar (5) [2/3]
Tail Gunner: Sgt Peter Richards (5) [0]
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Enemy Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 3=1 KIA, 2 to P-51 (1 Green)
Me 110 2=1 KIA, 1 to P-51
5

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: TSgt Allen Brown: Me 109
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt Michael Falcon: ½ Me 110

Bomb Run: On target, 20%

B-24 Damage: #3 Turbocharger Out: Mechanical Failure (35), #2 Turbocharger Out: Mechanical Failure (35), Bomb Release Inop: Mechanical Failure (10)
Peckham Points: 80 Peckham Points, AC ready 31 Aug 44

Casualties: None

Landing: AC & crew safe at Sudbury

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Air Medal for entire crew

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
“That can’t be good,” 2LT Steven Martin says as Winged Fury suddenly slows down accompanied by a definite drop in the roar of the four Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines. As 1LT Saul Villinova sees the gauge for #3 drop to zero rpms, Martin glances out the window to confirm that the port inboard engine is no longer working. “What’re we gonna do?” he asks Villinova.

“We’re almost there,” the pilot states as the Danish coast comes into view. “I’m not turning back now.”

“But we won’t be with the rest of the formation,” Martin objects.

“No,” Villinova smiles. “By the time we get there all the Kraut fighters should be out of fuel and ammo after fighting the rest of the guys. It’ll be a cake walk.”

“You’re the boss,” Martin concede3s, though he has his doubts.

The Gremlin Air Force did more damage than the Jerrys on this one. We were almost to he target with the Danish coast in sight (Zone 7) when the turbocharger failed on #3. I didn’t come this far to turn back and, figuring the Krauts would be worn out after fighting the rest of the formation, decided to press on.

As we fell behind (Zone 8) we could see multiple waves of EA forming up to hit the formation ahead, ignoring us (OOC – rolled three waves with a result of ‘None’ for each of them.) As the formation moved on, it was our turn (second turn in Zone 8). I had thought the enemy would need to refuel and rearm after the big battle, but a pair of 109s remained to challenge us. Fortunately, there were still some P-51s form the 20th in the area and they chased off one of the bandits. The other one made the mistake of coming in where the Left Waist, Top Turret, and Ball Turret could all hit him, with the expected results. The Flak didn’t bother us much and 2LT Poole put about 20% of our bombload squarely on the runway.

Luckily, we were exiting the target when 2LT Poole reported the Bomb Release Mechanism had just failed. A minute earlier and it would have been disastrous. Still, this was the second socre ofr the Gremlins this mission.

Flak was no more effective on target egress, though there were even more bandits than on ingress. The first wave included a pair of 110s and a 109. The Mustangs dealt with tow bandits, leaving us to face a 110 climbing up to meet us; maybe he had been about to land when we arrived. At any rate, he didn’t need to worry about landing ever again. Whether discouraged by the fate of their comrades, or finally running low on fuel, the second wave did not attack.

We were over the North Sea (Zone 6) when we got Strike Three, the turbocharger on #2 dying. Needless to say, with two engines out this caused a considerable delay in our return.

By the time we got back to Sudbury, with two engines out and feeling fatigued from the long flight, I wasn’t sure about the landing. I gave the crew a choice to bail out, but they decided to ride it out onboard. Once back on the ground, I gave TSgt Raleigh a piece of my mind. This isn’t the first time we’ve suffered multiple systems failures. Should it happen again, I will be requesting a new Crew Chief. Due to the multiple problems it will take a few days before Winged Fury is ready to fly again.

Saul Villanova, 1LT, USAAF commanding
B-24J, Winged Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron