jasta6

[limburger59]

jasta6

Mar 22, 2020 15:42:25 GMT -8 jasta6 said:

Hello sir, we have just been reassigned to the 509th BG(H) from the 281st BG(H) in England. We have brought our own aircraft with a full crew, listed below. Looking forward to kicking some Nazi butt, SIR!

Bomber Name: Cat Scratch Fever!
Bomber Serial Number: B-17F-105-B0 42-30462
Bomber Group (H): Reassigned to 509th BG(H)
Bomber Squadron: To be assigned

Crew:
Pilot: 1st Lieutenant - Michael Anderson
Copilot: 2nd Lieutenant - Kerry Olszewski
Bombardier: 2nd Lieutenant - Carl Ramos
Navigator: 2nd Lieutenant - Victor Green
Engineer: Master Sergeant - Conner Bacon
Radio Operator: Tech. Sergeant - Robert Valdes
Ball gunner: Sergeant - Clarence Stewart
Right Gunner: Sergeant - Arte Lane
Left Gunner: Sergeant - Damian Hagler
Tail Gunner: Sergeant - Hadden Wofford

Hey Jim, welcome!

Welcome to the 509TH 1ST LT Michael Anderson, I'll be assigning you to the 79th Bomber Squadron under the command of Major James Tolliver.

[jasta6]

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial #B17F-105-BO 41-30462



Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson



Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force



Squadron Position: Final Third of Stream Bomber



Formation Position: Bomber Stream



Mission Date: 13 Sept 42



Mission Number: 018 (Mission #1 this Bomber)



Target: Bengasi, Libya - Port Facilities







NAME/POSITION MISSION # Claims Today

Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson 1 0 0

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski 1 0 0

Bombardier 2nd Lt Carl Ramos 1 0 1

Navigator 2nd Lt Victor Green 1 0 0

TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon 1 0 1/2

RO Sgt Robert Valdes 1 0 0

BT Sgt Clarence Stewart 1 0 0

PWG Sgt Arte Lane

1 0 1/2

SWG Sgt Damian Hagler

1 0 0

TG Sgt Hadden Wofford

1 0 1



Bomb Run: On



On Target: 50%



B-17 Damage: 7 Hits



Peckham Points: 44



Repair Time: Routine Overnight Maintenance



Landing: Uneventful at Fayid



E/A Encountered: 8







EA encountered: 5

Claims:



Bf109 (Lt Ramos) [full confirmation]



Bf109 (MSgt Bacon & Sgt Lane) [denied]



Bf109 (Sgt Wofford) [1/3rd confirmation]





Confirmed Claims: 1 fully confirmed, 1 confirmed at 0.33% and one denied.





Type Encounters Destroyed Probable Damaged Intercepted

Bf 109 8 3 1 1 3







Casualties: 0



Award/ Promotions Requests: None







After Action report (using TfT):







"This was a fairly mild first mission. The hardest this was making sure we stayed in the bomber stream and not getting lost.







“There was a lot of excitement when as we thought all was fine some hundred and fifty miles out from Fayid. Then we were jumped by a couple of Luftwaffe swarms.”







“Our gunners did a stellar job fending off the Hun attacks.”







Mission Debriefing

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot

MISSION #1 (Groups 13)

Date: September 3, 1942

Target: Bengasi, Lybia

Plane: A-462 "Cat Scratch Fever!"

Position: No. Bomber Stream

Altitude: 26,000 feet

Mission Report C9M13-462









Zone 1: Take off Was fine, but as moved into our positions Sgt. Stewart fond his turret was twitchy (Mechanical Failure.) The Sgt became stuck in the turret till MSgt Bacon discovered the issue. It was a loose fuse that interrupted the motor driving the hydraulics to the turret.







Zone 2 -8: Nothing to report.







Zone 9: No searchlights, night fighters or flak inbound to the target. Lieutenant Ramos put our load in the middle of the facility due south of the main docks. We recon around 50% of our load penetrated the facilities roof with the other half chewing up a few vehicles outside the building.







INBOUND







No searchlights on the back side and there was no flak either.







Zone 8-4: Nothing to report.







Zone 3-2: The Luftwaffe was johnny on the spot when the sun came up. We encountered a squadron of Bf109’s about 100 miles from base. There were two waves of four Bf109s each. Our escort chased one off before he could engage our bombers. Sgt Ramos and Sgt Lane teamed up to cut down another Bf109. Yet, this one pilot in the first was the most trouble. He was extremely talented and able to dodge our guns. This pilots first attack did the majority of the damage we took for the day. He and his wingman added some holes to our frame after this. On their third pass Lt Ramos fill the wingmans cockpit with lead and it rolled over and plummeted into the sea.







The second wave was formed up at a distance but then, for no particular reason, broke off and went elsewhere to hunt.







Around 50 miles out another the second wave saw the same make up. One pilot seemed to be training the others. Four more Bf 109s came in from the front and port side. Just before they made their shooting run three P-38s jumped two of the bandits, shooting one down and chasing off the other.







The two remaining fighters made a halfhearted attempt, doing minor damage. Making their second attack from the front again to no avail. But, Sgt Wofford shot off the leaders tail as he passed the rear of our bomber. His wingman made one more attempt just to get winged. Trailing heavy white smoke this German broke off the attack.







Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield







It was a bit dicey there at the end of a long trip to the target. Otherwise the mission was a piece of cake.







1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander

Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever” (B17F-105-BO 41-30462)

79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC

RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

Bomber: B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial: B-17F-105-BO 41-30462

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: High Cell, Tail End Charlie, Ship #19

Formation Position: Bomber Stream

Mission Date: 29 Sept 42

Mission Number: 019 (Mission #1 this Bomber)

Target: Suda Bay, Crete - Port Facilities



NAME/POSITION                         MISSION #         CLAIMS         TODAY

Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson            2                        -                 -

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski        2                        -                 -

Bombardier 2nd Lt Carl Ramos        2                         1                -

Navigator 2nd Lt Victor Green         2                         -                 -

TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon                    2                       1/2               -

RO Sgt Robert Valdes                       2                         -                 -

BT Sgt Clarence Stewart                   2                         -                 -

PWG Sgt Arte Lane                          2                       1/2                -

SWG Sgt Damian Hagler                  2                          -                 -

TG Sgt Hadden Wofford                    2                         1                 -



Bomb Run: On

On Target: 30%

B-17 Damage: 8 Hits

Peckham Points: 39

Repair Time: Routine Overnight Maintenance

Landing: Limited visibility and rain slicked landing at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 20



EA encountered: 20

Claims:

FW190 (Lt Ramos) [Confirmed at 50%]

FW190 (Lt Ramos) [Confirmed at 50%]

Bf109 (Sgt Valdes & Sgt Wofford) [Approved full credit]

Bf109 (Sgt Valdes & Sgt Wofford) [Claim denied]

Bf109 (Sgt Stewart) [Approved full credit]

Bf109 (Sgt Stewart) [Claim denied]

Confirmed Claims: 2 fully confirmed, 2 confirmed at 0.5% and two denied.



Type         Encountered     Destroyed     Probable     Damaged     Intercepted

Bf 109             9                     4                 5                 2                 0

Bf 110             3                     0                 0                 1                 0

FW190            6                     2                 2                 0                 0

C.202             2                     0                 0                 0                 0



Casualties: 0

Award/ Promotions Requests: None



After Action report (using TfT):



"The second mission was more eventful than our first. We had our second encounters with the enemy’s air force today. We encountered twenty some fighters between the Luftwaffe and the Regia Aeronautica.



“Around the target as well as mid-way, in and out, we had to fight off the persistent enemy. Our boys did a wonderful job this mission shooting down five enemy fighters. We also place at least thirty percent of our bomb load on the dock system in Suda Bay. We encountered our first Italian air force planes. Two C.202’s.”



“Our gunners did a stellar job fending off the Hun attacks.”

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #2 (Groups 19) 

Date: September 29, 1942 

Target: Suda Bay, Crete 

Plane: A-462 "Cat Scratch Fever!" 

Position: High Cell Tail End Charlie  

Altitude: 26,500 feet 

Mission Report C9M19-462 

I/B Zone 1: Take off Was by the book and we formed up with the rest of the 79th BG on time. As we were Tail End Charlie (TEC) this mission we headed for the target shortly after joined up.



I/B Zone 2 -3: Nothing to report.



I/B Zone 4: Two rouge enemy fighters approached from opposite ends at high speed. The one from twelve o’clock low was a twin-engine job, a Bf110, Lt. Ramos was able to get a bead on him and shot up one of the engines pretty good. This throw off the Huns aim and he missed us completely. He must have been a novice as he flew straight at us the last 1000 yards of his attack.



The other fighter was a single engine pursuit fighter, a Bf109, that also seemed to be a novice being he came straight at us from six o’clock high. Sgt Wofford and MSgt Bacon teamed up to damage the port wing and the engine. This Hun missed and bugged out trailing a heavy stream of petrol.



I/B Zone 5-6: Nothing to report.



I/B Target Zone 7: INBOUND: We were met by a section of butcherbirds. One came in from nine o’clock level. Sgt’s Stewart and Lane took shots and missed. As did the Hun. The one enemy fighter from ten-thirty low was destroyed with a spot-on burst by Lt. Ramos. His rounds filled the Hun’s cockpit with red hot American led. A butcherbird from six o’clock high (my extra fighter for being TEC, I use a house rule that determines if the added fighter is the Bf109 or matches the waves fighters) was damaged by both Sgt Wofford and MSgt Bacon’s precise shooting. This Hun missed his shot and then broke off his attack.



The flak over the target was moderately thick, with only one chunk of steel nicking our starboard wing.



Even with all the commotion our bomb drop was spot on with around thirty percent of our eggs hitting the dock. Sgt Stewart believes that we took out a few smaller boats moored on the adjacent docks.



Coming off the drop flak was so light it was practically nonexistent.



O/B Target Zone 7: OUTBOUND: But, the light résistance coming into the target was offset by the reception we received coming out. We were first met by a Schwarm of Bf109’s and a lone Bf110. The four Bf109’s bracket us from nine o’clock high and low, ten-thirty low and six o’clock high. The Bf110 came in from the ten thirty low. Two Bf109’s were severely damaged by Sgt Hagler, Bacon and Stewart causing them to miss their shots. The Bf110 was damaged by Sgt Lane causing him to miss his shot and broke off the attack. Sgt Wofford and Sgt Valdee teamed up to destroy the Bf109 approaching from the rear. The last Bf109 from the twelve o’clock high filled the bomb bay and the radio room with 20mm shells. Luckily there was no major damage done to the bomber or the crew.



With this concentrated attack on our cell the Fortress were scattered and the “Disrupted” (RE) formation never did regroup in a cohesive unit.



This is when two Italian C.202’s Folgore moved in. One from nine o’clock high hit us in the rudder and waist. Only damages the rudder making it a bit sluggish to maneuver. The one from three o’clock low missed us and broke away from the fight. The first one made a second pass from nine low, just missing the ball turret. Then the C.202 made one more pass from nine level to no avail and finally dove out of the battle.



O/B Zone 6: A few miles later we were once again attacked by one wave of Bf109’s and a lone Bf110. We wondered if it was the same two squadrons out for vengeance. Well they would get no relief or revenge today as our gunners dispatched two in quick succession. One Bf109 from nine o’clock low and one from six high dropped like flies as Sgt Stewart, took out the nine low Hun and Sgt’s Valdee and Wofford took out the six high Hun. One other one-oh-nine was severely damaged by Hagler and the one-ten was damaged by Sgt. Bacon. They caused both Huns to miss heir shots. The one remaining German Bf109 coming from the twelve-level hit the nose section doing very superficial damage. This Kraut made one more pass from head on but missed and then bugged out.



O/B Zone 5-4: Nothing to report



O/B Zone 3: We were shadowed by a unidentified flight off our port wing, by they neve made a pass. Then from nowhere a Kette of Fock-Wulf’s. One was destroyed when he turned in from twelve-o’clock high by Lt. Ramos. One from the six high (again added fighter) was ruthlessly damaged by Sgt Wofford with his expertly aimed twin fifties. This caused the Hun to miss and drop to the deck to lick his wounds. The last butcherbird dropping from the skies in a vertical dive missed us as we also missed getting him. This was the last enemy contact for the mission.



O/B Zone 2: Nothing to report



O/B Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield



Again the weather back home was a Royal mess. There was a moment I thought we might buy it, but in the end, with a few bounces, the Fortress settled in and we made it back in one piece.



1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander

Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever” (B17F-105-BO 41-30462)

79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC

RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial #B17F-105-BO 41-30462

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Mid Cell, Middle, Ship #20

Formation Position: Bomber Stream

Mission Date: 13 Oct 42

Mission Number: 020 (Mission #3 this Bomber)

Target: Mediterranean Sea, North of Benghazi - Shipping

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	Crew  Status
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	3	-	-
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	3	-	-
Bombardier 2nd Lt Carl Ramos	3	2	-	KIA
Navigator 2nd Lt Victor Green	3	0	-	KIA
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	3	1	-
RO Sgt Robert Valdes	3	0.5	-
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	3	2.33	-
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	3	0.5	-
SWG Sgt Damian Hagler	3	1.5	-	KIA
TG Sgt Hadden Wofford	3	1.8	-

Bomb Run: Off

On Target: 0%

B-17 Damage: 35 Hits

Peckham Points: 297

Repair Time: Category-E

Landing: surprisingly, easy landing at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 23



EA Claimed: 5.83

Claims:	Crew	Credit
FW190	(Lt Ramos & Sgt Bacon)	[Approved full credit]
Bf109	(Sgt Bacon & Sgt Hagler)	[Approved full credit]
Bf109	(Sgt Hagler)	[Approved full credit]
Bf109	(Sgt Stewart)	[Approved full credit]
Bf109	(Sgt Wofford)	[Confirmed at 50%]
Bf109	(Sgt Wofford)	[Confirmed at 50%]
Bf109	(Sgt Stewart & Sgt Wofford)	[Confirmed at 50%]
Bf109	(Sgt Lane)	[Confirmed at 33%]
C.202	(Sgt Bacon)	[Claim denied]
Bf109	(Sgt Lane)	[Claim denied]
Bf109	(Sgt Bacon)	[Claim denied]

Confirmed Claims: 4 fully confirmed, 3 confirmed at 0.5%, 3 confirmed at 0.33% and 3 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	19	9	1	3	0
FW 190	4	1	0	1	0
C.202	2	1	0	0	0

Casualties: Three

Lt. Carl Ramos Bombardier; KIA

Lt. Victor Green Navigator; KIA

Sgt. Damian Hagler Waist Gunner; KIA


Replacements:
Lt. Larry L. Krupp, Bombardier
Lt. Daniel R. Dyson, Navigator
Sgt. Stanley M. Puckett, Waist Gunner


Award/ Promotions Requests: Three Purple Hearts Posthumously.



After Action report (using TfT):



"This was the worst mission to date. We lost three good men do to excessive enemy activity. With out escort fighter we were torn apart by wave after wave of enemy fighters and once the escorts were in range the gutless enemy broke off their attacks.”

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #3 (Groups 20) 

Date: October 13, 1942 

Target: Mediterranean Sea, Shipping 

Plane: A-462 "Cat Scratch Fever!" 

Position: No. Middle/Middle  

Altitude: 5,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M20-462 

O/B Zone 1: Take off Was by the book and we formed up with the rest of the 79th BG on time. As we were Tail End Charlie (TEC) this mission we headed for the target shortly after joined up.



O/B Zone 2 -8: very quiet all the way to the target. Engine number two hiccupped in the early stages (Rolled a 10 for mechanical) but settled down shortly after.



O/B Zone 9: Two Bf109’s and a FW 190 made attacks in the target zone with the butcherbird doing minor damage. We were able to shoot down one Bf109 and the FW190.



I/B Target Zone 9: We loitered in the target area for about 30 minutes till we spotted a large contingent of war ships. Making a run down the length of the fleet we unloaded out eggs. Sadly, none of our bombs were even close to the Battleship we picked out.



I/B Zone Target Zone 9-5: (Z9) Shortly after bombs away we were hounded by three waves of fighters. First wave was a flight of C.202’s made a run on us. Our boys shot one down and the other made a half-hearted pass and bugged out. The second wave was a flight of Bf109’s. One was destroyed and the other left with no damage to our plane. Yet the one that missed with its guns almost hit us from pressing his attack to the last second. The third wave was a group of four Bf109s. Again, our boys took one out and heavily damaged a second. Every Jerry missed us and took for home.



(Z8) Saw no fighters for the next 20 minutes but the last three attacks separated our formation and we flew disrupted the rest of the way home (Random Event.)



(Z7) Then all HELL broke loose. Two more waves of Bf109’s converged on our squadron and it seemed that they all were after our plane. First two Messerschmitt’s hit us in the starboard wing and center section of the plane. Causing structural damage to our wing root. Upon their repeated attacks the further damaged our waist oxygen and seriously wounding Lt Rames (Bmdr.) and Lt Green (Nav.) We did however take one down.



The second wave was four more Messerschmitt’s. These Jerry’s shot out the Tail oxygen and Number four engine on their first pass. We were able to suppress the fire that was caused in number four engine. On their next two passes they took outright elevator and killed Sgt Hagler (SW).



(Z6) Once more we are descended upon by four more Bf109’s. They only caused minor damage, but we took out two and severely damaged one more.



(Z5) The final wave hit us hard. Two Kette’s of Fock-Wulf’s pounced with extreme accuracy. Between them they killed Lt Rames (Bmdr.) and Lt Green (Nav) out right. Also, took out the top turret, damaged fuel cell and pounded the Port wing root (2 hits.)





I/B Zone 4-2: (Z4) Finally the P-40’s showed up, (Z3-2) but no Luftwaffe.

Ramos. That was the end of the Luftwaffe attack.



I/B Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield



Weather back home Clear. We were able to land the bomber without incident. “Cat Scratch Fever!” Was deemed Category-E



1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander

Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever” (B17F-105-BO 41-30462)

79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC

RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell, Middle, Ship #24

Formation Position: Bomber Stream

Mission Date: 15 Oct 42

Mission Number: 021 (Mission #1 this Bomber)

Target: Corinth Canal, Greece Port Facility

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	Crew  Status
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	4	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	4	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Larry L. Krupp	1	0	1.25	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	1	0	0.2	RTD
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	4	1	0.25	RTD
RO Sgt Robert Valdes	4	0.5	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	4	2.33	1.1	RTD
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	4	0.5	0.3	RTD
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	1	0	1.0	RTD
TG Sgt Hadden Wofford	4	1.8	-	LW

Bomb Run: Off

On Target: 10%

B-17 Damage: 28 Hits

Peckham Points: 142 Damage Points

Repair Time: Three days to repair.  Available on the 19th

Landing: Easy landing at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 30

EA Claimed: 11

Claims:	Crew	Credit
Bf109	Lt Dyson	Claim Denied
Bf109	Lt Dyson, Sgt Stewart & Sgt Hagler)	Confirmed at 33%
Bf109	Sgt Stewart & Sgt Puckett	Confirmed at 50%
Bf109	Sgt Bacon, Sgt Valdes & Sgt Wofford	Claim Denied
Bf109	Sgt Stewart	Confirmed at 33%
Bf110	Sgt Puckett	Confirmed at 50%
Bf110	Sgt Stewart & Sgt Puckett	Confirmed at 33%
C.202	Lt Krupp & Sgt Bacon	Confirmed at 50%
C.202	Lt Krupp	Confirmed at 50%
C.202	Sgt Stewart & Sgt Lane	Confirmed at 33%
C.202	Lt Krupp	Confirmed at 50%

Confirmed Claims: none fully confirmed, 5 confirmed at 0.5%, 4 confirmed at 0.33% and 3 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	18	5	4	4	1
Bf 110	4	2	0	1	1
C.202	10	4	4	1	0

Casualties:
Sgt Wofford Light Wound to the right leg. (Two Days Recuperation) Returns to duty on 18th


Replacements:
None


Award/ Promotions Requests:
Sgt Wofford - Purple Heart.


After Action report (using TfT):

"A long and trying mission. We fought our way in and had to fight two thirds of the way home.  Over thirty enemy fighters targeted our plane this trip.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #4 (Groups 21) 

Date: October 15, 1942 

Target: Corinth Canal, Greece, Port Facilities 

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: No. Low Cell /Middle Bomber

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M21-253 

O/B Zone 1: Take off went well and we formed up with the rest of the 79th BG on time. As we were tucked in the middle of the low cell this mission.



O/B Zone 2 -4: very quiet all the way to the target.



O/B Zone 5: A lone Bf 110 lined up to attack when a P-40 got on his tail.  This drove the enemy fighter to the deck in short order.  This was followed by a Bf 109 attacking from the front about 1:30 angle, level.  Lt Dyson dispatched the 109, with Italian markings, as his port folded up in flames.


O/B Zone 6: A flight of Italian C.202's came at us from the rear and starboard side.  The six o'clock level Macchi hit us with little damage.  Where the starboard high Italian missed us completely.  The fighter that hit us swung around to make a twelve o'clock level attack.  But, Lt Krupp and Sgt Bacon team up to destroy the C.202.


O/B Zone 7: The enemy pulled back and regrouped.  They shadowed us for athis whole zone.


O/B Zone 8: The Macchi's returned with larger numbers.  Three C.202's targeted our ship.  Two came from the front where the third attack from the starboard side.  Again Lt Krupp was an eagle eye shot, bringing down the twelve o'clock level fighter.  The C.202 from the 1:30 level missed us as did the three o'clock high Macchi.  But not before Sgt Bacon winged the starboard fighter.


I/B Target Zone 9: Things heated up as we approached the target.  Two waves hit us in quick succession.  Two Macchi C.202's came first.  These guys must have been green as can be.  As they flew straight at us from the Port side and twelve o'clock.  Lt Stewart and Sgt Lane teamed up to destroy the port fighter.  Lt Krupp dispatched the twelve o'clock high fighter when its engine engulfed the whole fuselage with flame just before exploding. 

As it seemed to get extremely cold all a sudden (Random Event)
and all our guns frosted up.  Thankfully none of them froze up to cause them to malfunction.  Probably due to all the use they were getting.

The second wave came on the heals of the first with three Bf 109s and a Bf 110.  Sgt Bacon severely damaged a Bf 109 from the port level and Sgt Puckett destroyed the Bf 110 from starboard low. A Bf 109 from the port low hit us hard, yet all the damage was superficial.  The tail Bf 109 concentrated on the tail structure and port wing.  He damaged the rudder and took out the port wing flap and the port elevator.  These two fighters were piloted by aces as their tails were highly decorated with kill markings and the one was an expert at avoiding getting shot. they both made two successive attacks.  their second attack missed but their third they both scored hits.  The Ace hitting us from the starboard side high, wounding Sgt Puckett.  The Expert pilot came in trailing the first from the starboard high hitting the wing root and rattling rounds off our bombs.  As you have determined they didn't cause an explosion.

With all this activity we were started off making an effective bomb drop.  We were off target but at least ten percent of out eggs made it inside the thousand foot target area.


I/B Zone Target Zone 9: The squadron of Bf 109s and Bf 110s were waiting for us.  Again, three Bf 109s and a lone Bf 110 attacked out ship.  Lt Dyson, Sgt Stewart and Sgt Lane teamed up to destroy the Bf 109 from 10:30 low.  Lt Krupp damaged the Bf 109 from twelve o'clock high.  Sgt Puckett severely damages the Bf 109 from the starboard level and Sgt Bacon damaged the Bf 110 from twelve o'clock high.  All this damage threw off the enemy's aim and everyone missed us.


I/B Zone 8: The Bf 109 squadron continued to follow our group and made further attacks.  Four Jerry's in Bf 109s swarmed our plane.  Yet, Sgt Stewart and Sgt Puckett laced one from the starboard level till it's tail section fall off.  Sgt Bacon damaged the Bf 109 from twelve o'clock level. Lt Krupp severely damaged a third enemy attacking from the twelve o'clock high.    The lone fighter not shot at hit us with no effect.  As he lined up for a second attack Sgt Bacon hit him hard sending him home with flames sprouting out of his engine cowl.


I/B Zone 7: we saw two flights of fighters, some Italian Bf 109's and C.202's, forming up to attack us but then reversed course and hit Calamity Jane.  We only saw one of the Bf 109's hit the nose of LT Bailey's ship.


I/B Zone 6: A large formation started to shadow us as we exited Zone 7.  When we entered zone 6 these bandits organized their attack hitting us with five Bf 109s from the front and one from the tail.  Sgt Bacon, Sgt Valdes and Sgt Wofford's collective fire shredded the wayward fighter.  As it disintegrated it was noticed that the tail feathers were decorated with a white rudder and many kill ticks, an Ace! Lt Dyson winged one and Lt Krupp also damaged one Bf109.  One of the other two missed us and one, also an Ace by the look of all the tick marks on the white rudder, hit us.  Taking out the auto pilot system.  Upon two fighters of their successive attacks one fighter was downed by Sgt Stewart and the Expert Ace missed both attempts.


I/B Zone 5: We saw our escorts starting to arrive, but there were too few to help us when three waves of enemy fighters hit the low squadron.  of the five aircraft that targeted "Cat Scratch Fever II" one Bf 110 was destroyed by Sgt Pucket and Sgt Stewart, two Macchi C.202's were severely damaged as well as a Bf 109.  Every enemy fighter missed us and beat it for home to lick their wounds.


I/B Zone 4-2: the P-40’s were intermingled in the squadrons enough to keep the Jerry's and the I-Ty's at bay.



I/B Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield and with clear weather at base, facilitating a smooth landing. 


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander

Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)

79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC

RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell, Middle, Ship #9

Formation Position: Bomber Stream

Mission Date: 23Oct 42

Mission Number: 022 (Mission #2 this Bomber)

Target: Tobruk, Libya Port Facility

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	Confirmed	Crew  Status
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	5	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	5	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Larry L. Krupp	2	2.5	-	1.25	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	2	0	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	5	3.8	0.75	-	RTD
RO Sgt Robert Valdes	5	1.5	0.5	0.5	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	5	2.33	1.5	3.3	RTD
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	5	4.8	1.5	1.5	RTD
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	2	1.8	1.0	-	RTD
TG Sgt Hadden Wofford	5	4.5	0.5	-	RTD

Bomb Run: Off

On Target: 0%

B-17 Damage: 3 Hits

Peckham Points: 22 Damage Points

Repair Time: Overnight repairs.  Available on the 24th

Landing: Easy landing at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 9

EA Claimed: 5

Claims:	Crew	Credit
Bf110	Sgt Stewart	Claim Denied
Bf109	Sgt Bacon	Claim Denied
Bf109	Sgt Lane	Claim Approved in full
Bf109	Sgt Stewart & Sgt Lane	Claim Denied
Bf109	Sgt Valdes & Sgt Wofford	Claim Denied

Confirmed Claims: 1 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0.5%, 0 confirmed at 0.33% and 4 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	9	4	1	1	1
Bf 110	1	1	0	0	0

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None


Award/ Promotions Requests:

Crew	Award	Reason
2Lt Micheal Anderson	Air Medal	Completing five missions
2Lt Kerry Olszewski	Air Medal	Completing five missions
MSgt Conner Bacon	Air Medal	Completing five missions
TSgt Robert Valdes	Air Medal	Completing five missions
Sgt Clarence Stewart	Air Medal	Completing five missions
Sgt Arte Lane	Air Medal	Completing five missions
Sgt Stanley Puckett	Air Medal	Completing five missions

After Action report (using TfT):

"Quite mission out to the target and half hearted attacks on the way home”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #5 (Groups 22) 

Date: October 23, 1942 

Target: Tobruk, Libya, Port Facilities 

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: No. Low Cell /Middle Bomber

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M22-253 

O/B Zone 1: Take off went well. falling in behind the squadron we took up the tail position for the 79th BG.


O/B Zone 2 -6: very quiet all the way to the target.


O/B Target Zone 7: We saw a Bf110 below us into the target yet it never pushed an attack. (I miss read the fighter appearance table and didn't execute the attack.  This fighter was added to the back side of the target.)

With the target mostly covered by clouds our bomb drop was more on faith than technology.  Our observation of the bomb impacts revealed we missed the target area completely. 

Flak in and out of the target was negligible.  We took no damage from the flak.


I/B Target Zone 7: The shadowing Bf110 finally attempted a vertical climbing attack but was slow to engage giving Sgt Stewart ample time to line up his shot and sent the Jerry back to earth out of control.   We also noticed that the Luftwaffe seemed to be disorganize compared to the last few missions. (Random Event 9 "Bad Luftwaffe Communications")


I/B Zone 6:  Four Bf109s attacked us with Lt Dyson winged one from 1:30 o'clock, who still hit us in the starboard wing causing a slow fuel leak.  We calculated we had more than enough to make it home, which we did.   Sgt Bacon also filled the cockpit of one coming in from six o'clock high.  This fighter was last seen tumbling to the ground.   The rest missed us and moved on for other groups.


I/B Zone 5-3: No enemy activity


I/B Zone 2: Our P-40’s showed up in limited numbers.  Which allowed three of four Bf109s to make a run on us.  Sgt Stewart and Sgt Lane chopped one from the nine lever.  This fighter was seen spinning out of control into cloud cover.  Sgt Valdes and Sgt Wofford teamed up to dispatch a Bf109 from six o'clock high.  This fighter was seen breaking up as it fell from the skies.  Sgt Bacon winged the last fighter causing him to miss his shot.



I/B Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield.  Even though the weather was piss poor we managed to keep her on the tarmac.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

May 17, 2020 15:13:03 GMT -8 jasta6 said:

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell, Middle, Ship #5

Formation Position: Bomber Stream

Mission Date: 28 Oct 42

Mission Number: 023 (Mission #3 this Bomber)

Target: Pylos, Greece Port Facility

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	Confirmed	Crew  Status
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	6	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	6	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Larry L. Krupp	3	2.5	-	-	SW
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	3	2.33	1	-	LW
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	6	5.33	1	0.5	RTD
RO Sgt Robert Valdes	6	1.5	0.5	-	KIA
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	6	9.83	2	1	RTD
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	6	5.83	1.5	0.5	RTD
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	3	2.33	1.0	0.25	LW
TG Sgt Hadden Wofford	6	5.5	0.5	.5	KIA

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 32%

B-17 Damage: 30 Hits

Peckham Points: 179 Damage Points

Repair Time: Three Days for repairs.  Available on November 1st

Landing: Easy landing at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 16

EA Claimed: 7

Claims:	Crew	Credit
Bf109	Sgt Stewart $ Sgt Puckett	Claim Approved in full
Bf109	Lt. Dyson	Claim Denied
Bf109	Sgt Stewart & Wofford	Claim Denied
Bf109	Sgt Bacon & Wofford	Claim Denied
FW190	Sgt Bacon & Sgt Wofford	Claim Approved in Full
FW190	Sgt Stewart	Claim Approved at Half
Re.2005	Sgt Lane	Claim Approved at Half

Confirmed Claims: 1 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0.5%, 0 confirmed at 0.33% and 4 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	6	4	0	1	0
Bf 110	3	0	1	0	0
FW 190	12	2	0	7	0
Re.2005	1	1	0	0	0

Casualties:
Bombardier: Lt L.Krupt  SW-I 3 Days Recovery (Invalidated Home)
Navigator: Lt D.Dyson LW 1 Day Recovery (RTD Oct 30th)
Radio Op.: Lt Sgt R.Valeds KIA
Starboard Waist: Sgt S.Puckett LW RTD next day, (Oct 29th)
Tail Gunner: Sgt Wofford KIA

Replacements:
Bombardier: Lt Brandon D. Stegall
, San Antonio
Radio Op.: TSgt. Norman M. Fleming
, Salina, KS
Tail Gunner: Sgt
. Enoch S. Bergman
, Bloomsdale, MO


Award/ Promotions Requests:
Bombardier: Lt L.Krupt - Purple Heart
Navigator: Lt D.Dyson - Purple Heart
Radio Op.: Sgt R.Valeds - Purple Heart  (Posthumously)
Starboard Waist: Sgt S.Puckett - Purple Heart
Tail Gunner: Sgt Wofford - Purple Heart (Posthumously)



After Action report (using TfT):

"Quite mission out to the target and half hearted attacks on the way home”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #3 (Groups 23) 

Date: October 28, 1942 

Target: Pylos, Greece, Port Facilities 

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: No. Middle Cell /Middle Bomber

Altitude: 27,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M23-253 

O/B Zone 1: Take off went well. falling in behind the squadron we took up the tail position for the 79th BG.


O/B Zone 2 -6: very quiet all the way to the target.


O/B Zone 7: Engaged two waves with only one fighter inflicting damage.  Mainly to the starboard wing root. Sgt Bacon and Wofford combined fire to down one FW190


I/B Zone 8: No enemy activity

I/B Target Zone 9: Minimal enemy activity with two Butcherbirds attacking us.  Sgt Stewart dispatched one of them as it plummeted to the ground in flames. Flak  into the target was negligible.  With high Hopes our bombs look like they were spot on, but the wind shifted them at the last minute and we estimate only 32% were in the target zone. (Note: Rolled an "11" for accuracy, but the TfT result with its convoluted system [3D6x1D6] gave me only 32%.  Where in B-17:QotS this would have been 50%.)  No Flak on the back side and and we say a odd looking B-17, with marking from a group that wasn't participating in today's mission, shadowing our group. (Random Event: German B-17 Shadow) Also Sgt Bacon's confidence seemed to improve as his shooting was much better. (Random Event: Ace for the Day).  During our exchange with the enemy we shot down the only three fighter to attack us on the way out.

I/B Zone 8:  No enemy activity

I/B Zone 7: This is where ALL hell broke loose.  Three waves of enemy fighters, a mix of FW109s and Bf109s, ravaged our our ship killing Sgt Valdes and Sgt Wofford as well as seriously wounding Lt Krupp.  Also, Lt Dyson and Sgt Puckett were wounded in the exchange.  We did take two of the many fighters down

I/B Zone 5-4: No enemy activity

I/B Zone 3: The last attack from the Enemy was a Bf 110 and a Bf 109.  superficial damage was inflicted.  They lost one Bf109 for the pithetic effort.

I/B Zone 2: No enemy activity

I/B Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield.  The Cat Scratch Fever II will be down for three days till all the damage is fixed from the mass attack on the return trip.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

May 17, 2020 15:13:03 GMT -8 jasta6 said:

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever! Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell, Lead

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 2 Nov 42

Mission Number: 024 (Mission #4 this Bomber)

Target: Fuka, Egypt Supply Depots

NAME/POSITION	MISSION #	CLAIMS	TODAY	Confirmed	Crew  Status
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	7	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	7	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	0	-	0.5	0.5	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	4	2.33	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	7	5.33	1	0.67	RTD
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	0	1.5	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	7	9.83	0.5	0.25	RTD
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	7	5.83	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	4	2.33	1	0.42	RTD
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	0	5.5	1	0.5	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 20%

B-17 Damage: Waist Heat, Starboard Flap and three hits of a superficial nature.

Peckham Points: 16 Damage Points

Repair Time: Three Days for repairs.  Available on November 5th.

Landing: Easy landing at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 16

EA Claimed: 4

Claims:	Crew	Credit
C.202	Sgt Bacon & Puckett	Claim Approved one Third
C.202	Sgt Bergman	Claim Approved one Half
C.202	Sgt Stegall & Sgt Bacon	Claim Approved Full
C.202	Sgt Stewart & Puckett	Claim Approved one Half

Confirmed Claims: 1 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0.5%, 0 confirmed at 0.33% and 4 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	1	0	0	1	3
Bf 110	1	0	0	0	0
C.202	5	4	1	1	0

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"A short hop today, with a lot of action.  Our boys had a field day shooting down the enemy birds”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #4 (Groups 24) 

Date: November 4, 1942 

Target: Fuka, Egypt, Supply Depot 

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: Lead Cell /Middle Bomber

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M24-253 

O/B Zone 1: Take off went well. falling in behind the leader squadron as Depty Lead for the 79th BG.


O/B Zone 2: was quiet.


O/B Zone 3: Saw three Bf109's and a Bf110.  Two Bf109's were chased off leaving a Bf109 and a Bf110 to make a halfhearted attack.  Both our guns and the Hun's guns fall well off target. 


I/B Target Zone 4: Not a single enemy fighter came up to meet us on the way in.  Outbound Flak was as briefed but very inaccurate.  Not even close to our ship.  Our new bombardier diid good for his first mission.  Lt Stegall put around 20% of our eggs on target.  Coming off the target flak was light and inaccurate again.  On the back side of the target we were met by no less than two waves of Italian fighters.  What they were doing over here I have no idea, but there they were.  As big as life.  The first wave of two C.202 and a German Bf109 was first engaged my our P-38s, driving off the German.  One C.202 clipped out tail plane with no major effects.  the other one left spewing smoke and flames.  The C.202 that scored hits came back around and was met by heavy 0.50 cals from Sgt Bacon and Sgt Puckett's gun which destroyed the hapless fighter.  The second wave was a carbon copy with the lone Bf109 being driven off again by our P-38 escort.  But our gunners had the trio of C.202's numbers.  Sgt Bergman took out the one from the six.  Lt. Stegall and Sgt Bacon waxed the one from 12 o'clock high and Sgt Stewart and  Sgt Puckett finished with splashing the third C.202.  This was the last of the enemy's resistance.

I/B Zone 3-2:  No enemy activity


I/B Zone 1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield.  The Cat Scratch Fever II will be down for three days till all the damage is fixed from the mass attack on the return trip.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever II” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever II Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Tail End Charlie

Mission Date: 8 Nov 42

Mission Number: 025 (Mission #4 this Bomber)

Target: Sfax, Tunisia Airfields

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	7	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	7	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	0	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	4	2.33	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	7	5.33	-	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	0	1.5	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	7	9.83	-	-	RTD	AM
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	7	5.83	-	-	RTD	AM
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	4	2.33	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	0	5.5	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: DNB

On Target: DNB

B-17 Damage: Number one engine developed an oil leak shotly after forming up.  Zone two number one engine caught fire and was extinguished. 

Peckham Points: 25 Damage Points

Repair Time: Repairs should be done in a day.

Landing: Even though the weather was still poor we landed without further incident at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 0

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Crew	Credit
None	--	--

Confirmed Claims: 0 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0, 0 confirmed at 0. and 0 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
None	--	--	--	--	--

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"The most frustrating mission yet.  Having to abort shortly after takeoff to an oil fire just doesn't seem fair.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #4 (Groups 25) 

Date: November 8, 1942 

Target: Sfax, Tunisia, Airfields 

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: Low Cell /Tail Aircraft

Altitude: 22,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M25-253 

O/B Zone 1-2: Take off went bad as the number one engine started running rough shortly after assembly.  Saw what looked like oil trickling from the cowl.  We pushed on till we crossed over the Med and that is when number one engine developed a fire.  We were lucky to get the fire out on the first try of the extinguishers.  With one engine out we shut down number one and turned for home.  Sgt Bergman saw "Ally Cat" slip into the tail position.  Sorry boys!


O/B Zone 2-1: Returned safely to Fayid airfield despite the poor weather.  The Cat Scratch Fever II will be down for a day while our ground crew attend to the damaged engine.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever II” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

No mission Credit for this mission.  Abort was legit, but not caused by combat.

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Nine Lives Serial #B-17F-125-B0 42-30894

Pilot: 2nd Lt Louis Bloom
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 8 Nov 42

Mission Number: 025 (Mission #1 this Bomber)

Target: Sfax, Tunisia Airfields

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 2nd Lt Louis Bloom	0	-	-	-	RTD
C-Pilot 2nd Lt Clay Nielson	0	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Paul Kunkle	0	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Kenneth Burris	0	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Harold Ayers	0	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Charles Tanner	0	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Keech	0	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Earl Long	0	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Bobby Moreno	0	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Hugh Goodley	0	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 60%

B-17 Damage: Minor damage.  The Tail wheel did not deploy on landing. 

Peckham Points: 24 Damage Points

Repair Time: Repairs should be done in a day.

Landing: Even though the weather was poor we landed without further incident at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 0

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Crew	Credit
None	--	--

Confirmed Claims: 0 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0, 0 confirmed at 0. and 0 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
FW 190	7	--	--	2	3
Ju 88	2	--	--	1	--

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"For our first mission everything went well.  Even survived multiple attacks from the Germans”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 2ndLt Louis Bloom, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #1 (Groups 25) 

Date: November 8, 1942 

Target: Sfax, Tunisia, Airfields 

Plane: Z-894 "Nine Lives" 

Position: Low Cell /Tail Aircraft

Altitude: 22,000 feet 

Mission Report C9M25-894

O/B Zone 1-6: Take off went well as with assembly.  no enemy activity!

O/B Zone 7: The formation tightened up as we saw other groups being attacked.  This lasted for the remainder of the mission.

O/B Zone 8-13: No enemy activity.

O/B Zone 14: We were attacked by two FW 190's. Our escort took one out and the other on from six o.clock High was hit by Sgt Ayers and Sgt Tanner. The German made a poor attack, leaving combat at once.


Target Zone 15: We were attacked by two Ju88s on the way in.  Sgt. Keech winged him and he broke off his attack after shooting wide of our plane.  The other one hit us with his shot, taking out the tail wheel.  But surprisingly broke off his attack right after his first pass. (FCAB).  Flak going in and out was very ineffective.  I couldn't be prouder of Lt Kunkle as he placed 60% of our bombs right in the target zone.  Sgt Keech and Sgt Goodly confirmed that we took out three FW 190's and cratered the adjacent runway.  We were not attacked leaving the zone.

I/B Zone 14: No enemy activity.

I/B Zone 13 (Malta): We were attacked by six FW190s as we made our way to the airfield.  Thankfully our little friends took out two of them before their attack.  Only one of the remaining fighters hit us and all his shots we of a superficial nature.    Making a second attack from the port side our gunners filled the air with led (spray fire) convincing the German to break off his attack.  Landing at Malta airfield, despite the poor weather and lack of tail wheel, was good. 


2nd Lt Louis Bloom, Commander
Pilot of, “Nine Lives” (B-17F-125-B0 42-30894)
80th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
Malta 

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Nine Lives Serial #B-17F-125-B0 42-30894

Pilot: 2nd Lt Louis Bloom
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 16 Nov 42

Mission Number: 026 (Mission #2 this Bomber)

Target: Bizerte, Tunisia Airfields

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 2nd Lt Louis Bloom	1	-	-	-	RTD
C-Pilot 2nd Lt Clay Nielson	1	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Paul Kunkle	1	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Kenneth Burris	1	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Harold Ayers	1	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Charles Tanner	1	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Keech	1	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Earl Long	1	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Bobby Moreno	1	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Hugh Goodley	1	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 30%

B-17 Damage: Minor damage.   

Peckham Points: 29 Damage Points

Repair Time: Repairs should be done in a day.

Landing: Even though the weather was poor we landed without further incident at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 0

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Crew	Credit
None	--	--

Confirmed Claims: 0 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0, 0 confirmed at 0. and 0 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	TBD	4	--	--	4
TBD	TBD	--	--	--	--

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"For our first mission everything went well.  Even survived multiple attacks from the Germans”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 2ndLt Louis Bloom, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #2 (Groups 26) 

Date: November 16, 1942 

Target: Bizerte, Tunisia, Airfields 

Plane: Z-894 "Nine Lives" 

Position: Low Cell /Tail Aircraft

Altitude: 22,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M26-894

O/B Zone 1-5: Pending Report.

O/B Zone 5-1: Pending Report. 


2nd Lt Louis Bloom, Commander
Pilot of, “Nine Lives” (B-17F-125-B0 42-30894)
80th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
Malta 

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Nine Lives Serial #B-17F-125-B0 42-30894

Pilot: 2nd Lt Louis Bloom
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 30 Nov 42

Mission Number: 027 (Mission #3 this Bomber)

Target: Mediterranean Sea Airfields

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 2nd Lt Louis Bloom	2	-	-	-	RTD
C-Pilot 2nd Lt Clay Nielson	2	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Paul Kunkle	2	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Kenneth Burris	2	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Harold Ayers	2	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Charles Tanner	2	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Keech	2	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Earl Long	2	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Bobby Moreno	2	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Hugh Goodley	2	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: One ship sunk, one ship severally damaged (dead in the Water)

B-17 Damage: Minor damage.   

Peckham Points: 27 Damage Points

Repair Time: Repairs should be done in a day.

Landing: Even though the weather was poor we landed without further incident at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 0

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Crew	Credit
None	--	--

Confirmed Claims: 0 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0, 0 confirmed at 0. and 0 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	TBD	3	--	1	3
Ju 88	TBD	1	--	--	--
C202	TBD	--	2	--	--

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"For our first mission everything went well.  Even survived multiple attacks from the Germans”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 2ndLt Louis Bloom, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #2 (Groups 26) 

Date: November 16, 1942 

Target: Bizerte, Tunisia, Airfields 

Plane: Z-894 "Nine Lives" 

Position: Low Cell /Tail Aircraft

Altitude: 22,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M26-894

O/B Zone 1-5: Pending Report.

O/B Zone 5-1: Pending Report. 


2nd Lt Louis Bloom, Commander
Pilot of, “Nine Lives” (B-17F-125-B0 42-30894)
80th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
Malta 

[jasta6]

Hold pending Cat Scratch Fever mission No. 27.

[jasta6]

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Nine Lives Serial #B-17F-125-B0 42-30894

Pilot: 2nd Lt Louis Bloom
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 12th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 5 Dec 42

Mission Number: 028 (Mission #2 this Bomber)

Target: Tunis, Tunisia Harbor

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 2nd Lt Louis Bloom	3	-	-	-	RTD
C-Pilot 2nd Lt Clay Nielson	3	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Paul Kunkle	3	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Kenneth Burris	3	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt Harold Ayers	3	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Charles Tanner	3	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Keech	3	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Earl Long	3	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Bobby Moreno	3	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Hugh Goodley	3	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: TBD

On Target: TBD%

B-17 Damage: Minor damage.   

Peckham Points: TBD Damage Points

Repair Time: Repairs should be done in a day.

Landing: Even though the weather was poor we landed without further incident at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 0

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Crew	Credit
None	--	--

Confirmed Claims: 0 fully confirmed, 0 confirmed at 0, 0 confirmed at 0. and 0 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	TBD	--	--	--	--
TBD	TBD	--	--	--	--

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"For our first mission everything went well.  Even survived multiple attacks from the Germans”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 2ndLt Louis Bloom, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #2 (Groups 26) 

Date: December 5, 1942 

Target: Tunis, Tunisia, Harbor

Plane: Z-894 "Nine Lives" 

Position: Low Cell

Altitude: 6,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M28-894

O/B Zone 1-5: Pending Report.

O/B Zone 5-1: Pending Report. 


2nd Lt Louis Bloom, Commander
Pilot of, “Nine Lives” (B-17F-125-B0 42-30894)
80th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
Malta 

[jasta6]

medic1 ,wolverinetoddy ,

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever II Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 21st December 42

Mission Number: 029 (Mission #5 this Bomber)

Target: Sfax, Tunisia Harbors

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	8	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	8	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	2	1.5	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	5	2.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	8	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	2	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	8	10.83	-	-	RTD	AM
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	8	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	5	3.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	2	1.0	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

On Target: 60%

B-17 Damage: Port Wing Flap, and Port Elevator. Also the gremlins got into our Inter-phone early in the mission.  This made combating the Hun difficult.

Peckham Points: 37 Damage Points

Repair Time: Repairs should be done in a day.

Landing: Even though the weather was still poor we landed without further incident at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 5: 4x Bf 109's & 1x Bf 110

EA Claimed: 2x Bf 109's

Claims:	Crew	Credit
1x Bf 109	Bombardier Lt B. Stegall	0.33
0.5x Bf 109	Ball turret gunner Sgt C. Stewart	0
0.5x Bf 109	Port gunner Sgt A. Lane	0

Confirmed Claims: 1 confirmed at 0.33 and 1 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	4	2	1	1	0
Bf 110	1	0	0	0	1

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
Air Medal: Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson (for five missions)
Air Medal: SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett (for five missions)


After Action report (using TfT):

"The most frustrating mission yet.  Having to abort shortly after takeoff to an oil fire just doesn't seem fair.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #6 (Groups 29) 

Date: December 21st, 1942 

Target: Sfax, Tunisia, Harbor Area

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: Middle Cell /Middle

Altitude: 23,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M29-253 

O/B Zone 1-3: Take off went Good after being down for a few weeks fixing the temperamental #3 engine.

O/B Zone 4: We saw our first enemy fighters. A pair of Bf 110's, one from the front that was driven off by a pair of P-38's and one climbing from the deck to make a vertical attack. Sgt Stewart missed his shot, but evidently this rattled the Hun enough that he also missed his shot and then engaged Lt Middleton crew in "Becoming Back."

O/B Target Zone 6: As we approached the IP we were met by four Bf 109's.  Lt Stegall shot down one coming from twelve o'clock low.  the other three missed us on their first run.  To our surprise the one with a white tail and too many kill markings to count (Experte) swung back around and worked his way to attacked from the front low.  This Hun took out our port flap with a concentrated shot.  On his third attack from the nine o'clock low Sgt Stewart and Sgt Lane teamed up and so severally damaged the Bf 109 that the pilot had to abandon his crumbling fighter. The boys were ecstatic at this event. When we entered the IP the moderate flak opened up and took out our Port flap. This did not deter Lt Stegall as he honed in on the two largest repair facilities along the harbor.  Placing no less than Sixty percent of our load between two of the large buildings.  Sgt Stewart and Sgt Bergman reported seeing them collapsing in upon them selves and fires starting in both buildings. 

I/B Target Zone 6: Flak on the way out was light and scattered causing no damage to "Cat Scratch Fever II."  Even though we saw many fighters engaging the other squadrons in the group, none made their way to us.

O/B Zone 5-1: After the target zone we saw no more action. Returned safely to Maison Blanche airfield despite the poor weather.  The 'Cat Scratch Fever II' will be down for a day while our ground crew attend to the damaged engine.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever II” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

medic1 ,wolverinetoddy ,

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever II Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 27th December 42

Mission Number: 030 (Mission #7 this Bomber)

Target: Sousse, Tunisia Power Facility

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	9	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	9	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	3	1.5	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	6	2.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	9	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	3	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	9	10.83	-	-	RTD	AM
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	9	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	6	3.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	3	1.0	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

OFF Target: 5%

B-17 Damage: None.

Peckham Points: 0 Damage Points

Repair Time: Ready for next day.

Landing: With the weather was still being poor our landing was a bit touch at Fayid

E/A Encountered: 2: 2x C.202

EA Claimed: None

Claims:	Crew	Credit
None	N/A	0

Confirmed Claims: 1 confirmed at 0.33 and 1 denied.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
N/A	0	0	0	0	0

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"An extremely uneventful mission.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #7 (Groups 30) 

Date: December 27th, 1942 

Target: Sousse, Tunisia, Power Facility

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: Low Cell /Middle

Altitude: 20,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M30-253 

O/B Zone 1-5: third mission in a row where we had early mechanical issue.  This time the Gremlins temporally caused the ball turret to stop functioning. Sgt Bacon was able to asertain the issue and corrected it to Sgt Stewart's relief.  Other than this there was nothing else going on.

O/B Target Zone 6: As we approached the IP our formation was scattered from high level winds.  This caused the Flak to be very light and inaccurate.  Lt Stegall also had issues with the high winds and only placed 5% of our load on the out skirts of the target area.   

I/B Target Zone 6: Flak on the way out was also light and scattered causing no damage to "Cat Scratch Fever II."  Coming off the target two C.202's started their attack to have our P-38's severally damage on and chase of the other.

O/B Zone 5-1: After the target zone we saw no more action. Returned safely to Maison Blanche airfield but the poor weather gave us pause with a scary landing. Lt. Anderson was able to correct our touchdown, bringing the plan back on track with no damage to the ship. The 'Cat Scratch Fever II' will be ready for the next mission.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever II” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Fayid (LG-211), Egypt

[jasta6]

medic1 ,wolverinetoddy ,

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever II Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 11th January 43

Mission Number: 031 (Mission #8 this Bomber)

Target: Gadams, Libya Railway Bridge

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	10	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	10	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	4	1.5	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	7	2.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	10	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	4	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	10	11.33	0.5	0.5	RTD	AM, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	10	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	7	3.83	0.5	-	RTD	AM
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	4	1.0	-	0.5	RTD

Bomb Run: On

OFF Target: 60%

B-17 Damage: None.

Peckham Points: 0 Damage Points

Repair Time: Ready for next day.

Landing: With good weather our landing back at Maison Blanche went by the book.

E/A Encountered: 8: 4x Bf109 (it), 1x Bf110, 1x C.200, 2x C.202.

EA Claimed: 1x C.202 (shared)

Claims:	Crew	Credit
C.202	Sgt C. Stewart	0.5
C.202	Sgt S.M. Puckett	0.5

Confirmed Claims: 1 fully confirmed.

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109 (it)	4	0	2	2	0
Bf 110	1	0	0	0	0
C.200	1	0	0	0	1
C.202	2	1	0	0	0

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"Another extremely uneventful mission.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #8 (Groups 31) 

Date: January 11th, 1943 

Target: Gadams, Libya, Power Facility

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: Low Cell /Middle

Altitude: 20,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M31-253 

O/B Zone 1-5: Well, it looks like the ground crew figured out our mechanical issues as we had no problems this flight.  Otherwise nothing to report till the target.

O/B Target Zone 6: With the hazy weather we were able to see the bridges quite well.  Though the Axis was also able to see us.  On approach we encountered a flight of Macchi C.202 Folgore.  Our gunners missed the one from twelve-o'clock high, but Sgt Stewart and Sgt Puckett teamed up and destroyed one at three-o'clock low.  It was observed that the port wing of the fighter caught fire and then exploded about 100 yards below the groups formation. Once again the Flak to be very light and inaccurate.  Lt Stegall made up for last missions low percentage placed on target with no less than 60% of our load on right on the bridge and buildings to the north of the river.   With our groups accuracy, seven bomber placing 40% or more on the target, it was observed that the bridge we were assigned to collapsed in to the Qued el Dirj river.  In addition many buildings were either totally destroyed or severely damaged on the banks of the river too.

I/B Target Zone 6: Flak on the way non existence.   though there was a swarm of Bf 110s lying in wait as we formed up to make the return trip to Maison Blanche.  One lone Bf 100 targeted the "Cat Scratch Fever II."  Our gunners and the fighter exchanged fire with no effect.  yet this Italian passed by way too close for comfort.  (Die roll of 11 with a -1 mod for missing his shot)  Also a Bf 109 launched a few aerial rockets in the direction of the Group with no effect.  

O/B Zone 5: After the target zone we came across a flight of Bf 109's.  Two focused on our plane with no effect.  But again one of the fighters came extremally close to our bomber.


O/B Zone 4-3: The only enemy activity was driven away by our escort fighters. and then there were no enemy fighters for the next 50 miles.

O/B Zone 2-1: As one last go, the Regia Aeronautica sent up two Bf 109's that our boys beat up both fighters causing them to be off their game aa they both missed us.  Back at Maison Blanche our landing was text book with no issues.

1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever II” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy ,

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever II Serial #B-17F-45-BO 42-5253

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: High Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 30th January 43

Mission Number: 032 (Mission #9 this Bomber)

Target: Bizerete, Tunisia - Harbor

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	11	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	11	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	5	1.5	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	8	2.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	11	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	5	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	11	11.33	0.5	0.5	RTD	AM, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	11	6.33	-	-	KIA	AM, PH
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	8	3.83	0.5	-	KIA	AM, PH
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	5	1.0	-	0.5	RTD

Bomb Run: On

OFF Target: 30%

B-17 Damage: Port wing outboard petrol tank holed, Collision damage to the upper bomb bay section, rendering the bomber Cat-E.

Peckham Points: 162
Repair Time: Cat-E (need a replacement)

Replacement Bomber: "Cat Scratch Fever III" B-17F-120-B0 42-30747

Landing: Landed at forward airfield, Berteaux, due to damage and loosing petrol from combat damage.

E/A Encountered: 35: 14x Bf109, 5x Bf110, 6x FW190, 16x C.202, 4x G.50. (17 were driven off by our little friends)

EA Claimed: 2x Bf109 (1 shared) & 1x FW190

Claims:	Crew	Credit
1x Bf 109	Sgt C. Stewart	0.33
1/2x FW 190	Sgt C. Stewart	0.25
1/2x FW 190	Lt. B.D. Stegall	0.25
1x Bf 109	Sgt C. Bacon	0.5

Confirmed Claims: 1x Bf109 Half confirmed, 1x FW190 Half confirmed (shared) & 1x Bf109 one third confirmed

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	14	2	2	1	6
Bf 110	5	0	1	0	4
FW 190	6	1	0	3	3
C.202	1	0	0	0	1
G.50	6	0	0	2	3

Casualties:
PWG Sgt Arte Lane with 11 mission KIA (AM & PH)
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett with 8 missions KIA (AM & PH)

Replacements:
PWG Sgt Arte Byrne
SWG Sgt Coleman McGee

Award/ Promotions Requests:
Sgt Arte Lane - Purple Heart (posthumously)

Sgt Stanley M. Puckett - Purple Heart (posthumously)


After Action report (using TfT):

"Well this mission wasn't uneventful.  We were attacked early on by our Gremlins.  As we ventured over the Sea of Sicily our heat just went out.  Sgt Bacon worked feverously to no avail.  The entire plains heat just went out.  Not to be left out of thus short hope to Sardina we decided to soldier on.  This proved to be a misfortunate mistake.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #9 (Groups 32) 

Date: January 30th, 1943 

Target: Bizerete, , Tunisia, Harbor

Plane: A-253 "Cat Scratch Fever II" 

Position: High Cell /Middle

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M32-253 

O/B Zone 1-2: Takeoff was good and we formed up with no issues.  Yet when we were 100 miles from base our heat just unexpectedly gave our.  The fourth mission that little Gremlin cause a mechanical failure.  Sargent Bacon worked for feverously trying to resolve the issue with no luck.  Lt Olszewski and I decided not to turn back and we informed the crew we were dropping to ten thousand feet.  We would go to the target and bomb it.  Why not it was a mere 250 miles out and 250 miles back.


O/B Zone 3-4: Initially there were no Luftwaffe aircraft in the area, so far so good, and we continued on.  The around 180 miles outbound, near El Kala, four Bf 109s made an attempt at us.  Three were driven off by our escort of P-38s.  The lone bird from 12 o'clock high was dispatched by Sgt Bacon.  The Hun's plane was seen to fold up and hit the water.  After this encounter we prepared for our run on the harbor.


O/B Target Zone 5: Being the lone target at ten thousand feet, our antagonist took advantage and sent three waves of fighters our way.  Luckily our little friends saw our plight and jumped in to help. The first wave was a swarm of butcher birds.  Our P-38s drove off one and severely damaged a further two. Our gunners nicked the remaining two.  Causing one to miss his shot, but the FW190 coming in from the 1:30 low seemed to not noticed the hit even though he was smoking.  This German Expertly placed his rounds killing both of our waist gunners with one pass.  When this fighter gained a position to attack from the front low our Ace gunner, Sgt Stewart, with the help of Lt Stegall filled the enemy's cockpit with lead, reaping revenge for killing our guys.  The second wave of two C.202's were driven off by our escort, yet a lone Bf 109 dropped in from 12 o'clock high.  Both our gunners and the Hun missed their shots.  Then Sgt Bergman in the tail hit this fighter causing him to break off his attack.  The third was was a swarm of Bf109s with two being chased off by our escort.  The other two descended on us as our gunners severely damaged them both.  But again, there was one that expertly pressed on their attack.  On his first pass he hit our starboard wing for no effect, his second pass took out the intercom.  when h came back our ace gunners, Sgt Stewart, hit him again, this time he was seen dropping to the earth.

I/B Target Zone 5: After all the activity of the fighters we entered the flak barrage. Even though it was moderate we only took one hit to our port wing for no effect. Our bomb drop was good and we hit for 30% in the target zone. We saw about a half dozen sea planes go up in flames and one out building slightly damaged. Coming off the target the flak opened back up with one burst hitting our midsection causing little damage to the radio room as well as the waist. Once again we were jumped by three waves coming off the target.  The first wave was a mixed bag of fighters.  Four C.202's, FW190 and a Bf109.  The 109 and a 202 were taken down by our escort leaving the other 202's and a Butcherbird to attack us.  After many attacks we called it a tie and the enemy fighters left the battle.  We did manage to slightly damage three of them.  The next wave was four Italian G.50's and a lone 109.  One G.50 was seen being chased by a P-38.  The other four made the attacks with no effect.  Neither the enemy or our gunners scored any hits with the furious exchange. The final attack was a Kette of Bf 109s and a love 109 from the front high.  Again our escort dispatched one leaving two to press an attack.  Our gunners were able to down one with combined fire, but the other fighter missed his shot but presses his attack so close that he hit us just behind the top turret, hitting over the bomb bay section.  The damage was severe causing us to fly at a very slow speed.  (two turns per zone)  The controls became sluggish as we lost the cables in the collision.  

I/B Zone 4a/b-3a/b: From here till we could reach the forward base it was a running battle.  Luckily our escort stayed with us driving off most of the fighters.  The first 25 miles (Z4a) the P-38s kept the Luftwaffe at bay, only giving them rocket attacks which didn't hit home.  The next 25 miles (Z4b) a lone Bf110 and a lone Bf109 were chased off by our escorts.  The next attack at 150 miles from the forward base (Z3a) a single Bf110 was taken down by our escort.  This left a Bf 109 and an other Bf 110.  the Bf110 was the only one to inflict damage which left us with little fuel to get all the way home.  So it was set, we had to land at the forward strip.  As we were setting up to land we were approached by two Bf110s and a Bf109, but our escort saved us by jumping the Hun and driving them off.  

O/B Zone 3b: We let down with some issues from the damage done in the collision.  (2D6: 2-2+1=1 Crew Ok, Bomber is Cat-E

1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever II” (B-17F-45-BO 42-5253)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy ,

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever III Serial #B-17F-120-BO 42-30747

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 22nd February 43

Mission Number: 035 (Mission #10 this Bomber)

Target: Bizerete, Tunisia - Harbor

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	13	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	13	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	7	1.5	-	-	RTD	AM
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	10	2.33	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	13	6.33	-	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	7	-	-	-	RTD	AM
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	13	11.33	0.5	0.5	RTD	AM, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte Lane	1	6.33	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Stanley M. Puckett	1	3.83	0.5	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	7	1.0	-	0.5	RTD	AM

Bomb Run: On

OFF Target: 20%

B-17 Damage: Port wing outboard petrol tank holed, Collision damage to the upper bomb bay section, rendering the bomber Cat-E.

Peckham Points: 20
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 4: 3x Bf109, 5x Bf110, 1x C.202. (2 were driven off by our little friends)

EA Claimed: 2x Bf109 (1 shared) & 1x C.202

Claims:	Crew	Credit
1/2x Bf 109	Sgt C. Stewart	0.33
1/2x Bf 109	sgt. C. McGee	0.33
1x C.202	MSgt C. Bacon	0.33

Confirmed Claims: 1x Bf109 one third confirmed, & 1x C.202 one third confirmed

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	4	2	0	0	0
C.202	2	1	0	0	1
Re.2000	1	0	0	0	1

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None

After Action report (using TfT):

"Well this mission wasn't uneventful.  We were attacked early on by our Gremlins.  As we ventured over the Sea of Sicily our heat just went out.  Sgt Bacon worked feverously to no avail.  The entire plains heat just went out.  Not to be left out of thus short hope to Sardina we decided to soldier on.  This proved to be a misfortunate mistake.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #13 (Groups 35) 

Date: February 22nd, 1943 

Target: Kasserien Pass, , Algeria, Troops

Plane: A-747"Cat Scratch Fever III" 

Position: Middle Cell /Middle

Altitude: 8,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M35-747

O/B Zone 1-4: Takeoff was good and we formed up with no issues.  No action up to the IP.

O/B Target Zone 5: As we approached the IP we were attacked by a swarm of Bf 109's.  Three of the enemy fighters picked out our ship.  Sgt Stewart and Sgt McGee combined their fire to down on of the Bf 109s.  The other two fighters made successful attack's on out ships.  Luckily the damage was minimal with only our port aileron knocked out. These two 109's swung around to make a second attack, but MSgt Bacon was able to down a second fighter leaving only a one enemy fighter to attack.  This fighter only did superficial damage on his second pass.  He completely missed on his third and final attack.

Flak was extremely light and uncoordinated on the way into the target.  Nothing came close to "Cat scratch fever III" leaving us a clear shot at the troop concentration in the valley.  The target was slightly obscured from the previous bombardment groups drops.  We figure we placed at least twenty percent of our eggs on the northern battalion of troops.  As we turned south to regroup for the flight home there was a heaver concentration of flak.  Medium in intensity and a bit more accurate.  We took a large fragment from one burst.  To our relief it was only a superficial hole punctured in the starboard wing tip.

I/B Target Zone 5: As we cleared the flak field the Italians waiting.  Two Macchi  C.202's approached from the front lining up to make a quick pass.  Just as the enemy was turning in for their attack one of our little friends chased off the wingman away.  The other Italian was distracted seeing his pal running for his life that MSgt Bacon filled his cockpit with lead.  This fighter winged over and dropped for the ground.   

I/B Zone 4: Though we didn't see the C.202 hit the ground as shortly after another flight of Italian fighters were coming in from the front as well. When this flight broke into their attack patterns we had one screaming in, a Reggiane C.2000. This fighter was also chased off by our fighter cover.  The last we saw of this fighter it was running just off the deck trying to loose our P-38's. 

O/B Zone 3-1: When we were about 150 miles out from Mason Blanche a few Bf 110's sat off our port wing.  Eventually they turned towards our group, keeping out of our gunners range, and lobbed 8 rockets at the formations.  These attempts fall short of our ships and didn't cause any issues. 

The next 100 miles after this encounter was uneventful.   Upon our return to Maison Blanche we made a textbook landing.  The crew and aircraft will be ready for the next mission.

1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever III” (B-17F-120-BO 42-30747)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy ,

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever III Serial #B-17F-120-BO 42-30747

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 24nd February 43

Mission Number: 36(Mission #2 this Bomber)

Target: Kasserine, Tunisia - Troops

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	14	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	14	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	8	2	-	-	RTD	AM
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	11	3	0.5	0.65	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	14	11	1.5	-	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	8	1	0.5	0.2	RTD	AM
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	14	11	1	0.2	RTD	AM, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte Byren	2	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Coleman McGee	2	1	0.5	0.2	RTD
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	8	0	-	-	RTD	AM

Bomb Run: On

ON Target: 30%

B-17 Damage: Slow Oxygen system leak. We were able to make it home before it bleed out.

Peckham Points: 16
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 17: 13x Bf109, 2x FW190, 1x Re.2001, 1x G.50. (9 were driven off by our little friends)

EA Claimed: 4x Bf109 (3 shared) 

Claims:	Crew	Credit
1/2x Bf 109	TSgt Fleming	0.25
1/2x Bf 109	Sgt C. Stewart	0.25
1/2x Bf 109	sgt. C. McGee	0.25
1/2x Bf 109	MSgt C. Bacon	0.65

Confirmed Claims: 1x Bf109 one third confirmed, & 1x C.202 one third confirmed

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	13	4	0	1	5
Fw190	2	0	0	0	2
Re.2001	1	0	0	0	1
G.50	1	0	0	0	1

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None

After Action report (using TfT):

"Well this mission wasn't uneventful.  We were attacked early on by our Gremlins.  As we ventured over the Sea of Sicily our heat just went out.  Sgt Bacon worked feverously to no avail.  The entire plains heat just went out.  Not to be left out of thus short hope to Sardina we decided to soldier on.  This proved to be a misfortunate mistake.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #14 (Groups 36) 

Date: February 24nd, 1943 

Target: Kasserien Pass, , Algeria, Troops

Plane: A-747"Cat Scratch Fever III" 

Position: Low Cell /Middle

Altitude: 8,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M36-747

O/B Zone 1-3: Takeoff was good and we formed up with no issues.  No action up to the IP.  Though we did see our escort chasing off two Bf109s before they could engage our group.

O/B Zone 4: Fifty miles out from the IP we started taking heat from the Luftwaffe.  A total of three waves of fighters harassed us till the run on the IP. The first round were four Bf109s lining up from the front and port side.  Two were chased away by the P-38's, we saw one E/A going down in flames, and the three remaining came in fast.  We missed them on the first pass, but one hit us in the cockpit.  This damaged the oxygen system, we found out as the mission progressed, but there seemed to be no real effect.  Upon the one Bf109's second pass Sgt Bacon able to shoot him down.  The second wave was a single Re.2001 that acquired a pair of P-38's on his tail.  The escort also downed this fighter.  On the third wave of Bf109's two peeled off to attack us from the rear, yet our escort took care one of them and Sgt Stwart and Sgt McGee teamed up to destroy the last fighter.  

O/B Target Zone 5: Prior to the IP we encountered two groups of enemy fighters lining up fo a run.  The first group of G.50's charged in but then diverted to a the group behind us.  The second group of G.50's then turned towards the 79th Squadron with one turning for us.  This one was picked up by a lone P-38 that we saw chasing the Italian below the clouds.  Our bomb run was fair with 30 percent of our eggs hitting with in the target zone.  Flak on the egress was as ineffective as the flak coming in.  

I/B Target Zone 5:    Leaving the target zone we saw a large group of Bf109's gathering but inexplicably they never attacked the 509th.

I/B Zone 4: Again, around 50 miles from the target,  we came across the enemy fighters. Two waves attacked the 79th with three Bf109s targeting the "Cat Scratch Fever II."  One was again shot down by the escort and one by Sgt Bacon and Sgt Fleming.  The second group of enemy fighters sent four Bf109s our way.  One was chased off by the escort and Sgt Stewert and Sgt Byren shot down one Bf109.  This was the last of the fighter encounters.

O/B Zone 3-1: No enemy activity. Landed at Maison Blanche with out a hitch. Crew and aircraft will be ready for the next mission. Though the oxygen was very low, as it turned out that our superficial hit to the system wasn't that superficial.


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever III” (B-17F-120-BO 42-30747)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever III Serial #B-17F-120-BO 42-30747

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell

Formation Position: Lead

Mission Date: 4th March 43

Mission Number: 37 (Mission #3 this Bomber)

Target: Outside Bizerete, Tunisia - Convoy

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	15	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	15	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	9	2	-	-	RTD	AM
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	12	3	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	15	11	1	0	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	9	1	-	-	RTD	AM
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	15	11	-	-	RTD	AM, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte Byren	3	-	-	-	RTD	KIA
SWG Sgt Coleman McGee	3	1	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	9	0	1	0.5	RTD	AM

Bomb Run: On

ON Target: 50% (Severely damaged a submarine tender (later identified as the AP Tripoli 16,500T. Never rendezvoused with the subs)

B-17 Damage: Both wing roots damaged 20%, Tail plane root, control cable damaged and the starboard aileron inoperable.

Peckham Points: 106
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 10: 6x Bf109, 1x FW190, 3x C.202. (2 were driven off by our little friends)

EA Claimed: 2x Bf109 

Claims:
1x Bf 109	Sgt E. Bergman	0.5
1x Bf 109	MSgt C. Bacon	0

Confirmed Claims: 1x Bf109 one third confirmed, & 1x C.202 one third confirmed

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	6	2	2	0	0
Fw190	1	0	0	0	1
C.202	3	0	0	1	1

Casualties:
PWG Sgt Arte Byren - KIA

Replacements:
PWG Sgt Arte "Ar'De" Deco

Award/ Promotions Requests:
PWG Sgt Arte Byren - Purple Heart (posthumously)

After Action report (using TfT):

"This was a costly mission as we lost one of our new waist gunners, Arte Byren.  He was killed as we were approaching the convoy by an Italian C.202.  The enemy pilot handled his aircraft expertly as he made three passes even after being hit severely. The only consolation is we did severely damage a Sub Tender that was heavily listing to the post side”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #15 (Groups 37) 

Date: March 4th, 1943 

Target: Outside Bizerete, Tunisia, Convoy

Plane: A-747"Cat Scratch Fever III" 

Position: Middle Cell / Lead Aircraft

Altitude: 5,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M37-747

O/B Zone 1-4: Takeoff was good and we formed up with no issues.  Clean and clear till we came upon the convoy.

O/B Target Zone 5: We were approached by no less than three waves of enemy aircraft as we tried to get a good fix on the convoy.  The first wave was five Bf109's.  On their first pass Sgt Bacon downed one and Sgt Bergman heavily damaged a second.  Yet this pilot expertly continued his attack.  They returned the favor with three E/A hitting our ship.  The six o'clock level Hun damaged our rudder and one from three o'clock low hit both the port and starboard roots.  
a second one from six o'clock level took out the starboard aileron.  On their next pass Sgt Bergman filled the expert Hun's cockpit full of lead as he approached from the six.  Sgt McGee drove off another Bf109.  The remaining Hun missed hitting us and broke off their attack.  The second wave ended up being a pair of Italian RS.14 Floatplanes that shadowed our squadron (R/E #4) till the third wave started their attack.  This wave consisted of a single Bf109, four Italian C.202's and a FW190. Our P-38's drove off a C.202 and the lone Butcherbird.  Lt. Dyson heavily damaged the Bf109 and Sgt Bacon winged one of the C.202's.  One of the Italians hit our bomb bat severing a control cable.  This Italian made two more passes.  Upon his third pass Sgt Stewart hit his engine good, causing heavy smoke, but this seemed to not effect the C.202's aim.  The Italian was able to kill Sgt Byren's before the C.202 broke away.

We located the convoy after the enemy fighters broke off their attacks.  We saw a large ship headed in the direction of what looked like three submarines awaiting service.  As we approached the ship, which was a sub tender, the sub's made ready to dive.  So we targeted the tender.  We came in from the stern and salvoed half of our load on her.  Four bombs fell just short.  One was a just outside of the port deck and the last on hit just behind the superstructure.  Sgt Bergman reported that the near miss had buckled the hall and the direct hit caused fires.  After this we altered our course to line up on the three submarines before they got under the water.  Alas, we were not on time as we dropped the remainder of the load with no visible effects.  

I/B Target Zone 5:    While forming back up with the other aircraft that had made their runs we witnessed that the sub tender had developed a heavy list to the port side.  Surprisingly, there was now enemy activity directed in our direction after the bomb run.

O/B Zone 4-1: No enemy activity for the remainder of the mission. Landed at Maison Blanche with out a hitch. It was a somber evening wit the lost of our mate Bryans.  


1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever III” (B-17F-120-BO 42-30747)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever III Serial #B-17F-120-BO 42-30747

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell

Formation Position: Lead

Mission Date: 10th March 43

Mission Number: 38 (Mission #4 this Bomber, Mission #16 for the Crew)

Target: Carloforte, Sardinia - Industral

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	16	-	-	-	RTD	AM**
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	16	-	-	-	RTD	AM**
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	10	2	-	-	RTD	AM*
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	13	3	-	-	RTD	AM*
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	16	11	-	-	RTD	AM**
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	10	1	-	-	RTD	AM*
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	16	11	-	-	RTD	AM**, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte "Ar'De" Deco	1	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Coleman McGee	4	1	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	10	0	-	-	RTD	AM*

Bomb Run: On

ON Target: 50%

B-17 Damage: none.

Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 0: 

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:
-	-	-
-	-	-

Confirmed Claims: No Claims

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
German	None	-	-	-	-
Italian	None	-	-	-	-

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall - Air Medal 2nd award 
TSgt. Norman M. Fleming - Air Medal 2nd award
Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman - Air Medal 2nd award

After Action report (using TfT):

"The mission for us was a cake walk.  Though we saw many enemy aircraft over the target area and during our egress, none of them paid us any attention.  Though many of our squadron mates took it on the chin.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #4/16 (Groups 38) 

Date: March 10th, 1943 

Target: Carloforte, Sardinia, Industrial

Plane: A-747"Cat Scratch Fever III" 

Position: Middle Cell / Lead Aircraft

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M38-747

O/B Zone 1-4: Again we were the lead aircraft for the squadron and this time for the group.  Takeoff was good and we formed up on the formation plane, a B-17E painted in bright colors.  The trip into the target was surreal as we neared the target area we saw many enemy fighters, all of them with Italian markings, none of them targeted us.  Though the squadron took many of them on.

O/B Target Zone 5: Again as we started out approach to the IP we saw many C.202's and a few Bf 110's, but none of them targets "Cat Scratch Fever."  Sgt Bergman called forward though that the "Myassis Dragon" was hit by a C.202 that put her into a dive for a few perilous minutes.  Once control was regained she pulled back into the deputy lead spot. As we approached the target the flak opened up with a moderate intensity, yet inaccurate at first, but it zeroed in on the planes behind us.  When were were over the drop point, Lt. Stegall became excited as there was a brief opening in the heavy cloud cover and he was able to pinpoint the drop point.  The "Cat Scratch Fever II" lurched upwards as our load of twelve M64's exited the bomber.  As the clearing in the clouds lingered for a few minutes Sgt Stewert and Sgt Bergman reported that at least fifty percent of our eggs hit square on the factory complex.


I/B Target Zone 5:    We formed up the squadron for the trip back and were met with an second round of flak that was the same as the trip in, medium intensity but mostly inaccurate. We did get a call from Lt Middleton's ship, "Becoming Back", that they were hit and loosing petrol at an alarming rate. As Lt pulled his B-17 out of formation Sgt McGee and Sgt Bergman reported they were bailing out, counting nine chutes deployed and one crewman's chute failed to open.  As before the enemy fighters skirted past our ship and picked out our squadron mates instead.

O/B Zone 4-1: We continued to have luck as the next 150 miles we saw C.202's and Re.2001's take attack posture but avoid engaging the "Cat Scratch Fever III" for other targets in the 509th. We made it back to base with no other incidents with the enemy.  Landing went well considering the poor weather.   

The 79th had a great mission over the target with an average bombs on target of 39%.  Though with this achievement, it was a sad day as Captain Fortnier, of "Myasis Dragon" lost his life while in surgery from a serious wound.  He was on his twenty-fifth mission.  Tom was looking so forward to make it home to meet his baby daughter and see his wife and family.  This war has such a mean streak that is is palatable.  

79th Squadron Production:
Lt. Anderson "Cat Scratch Fever III" Mission Slot 1 Lead (50% O/T)
Lt. Evens "Looney Tunes" Slot 2 (40% O/T)
Lt. Boardman "Lady of la Crosse" Slot 2 (94% O/T)
Cpt. Fortnier "Myasis Dragon" Slot 4 Deputy Lead (0% O/T)
Lt. Spann "Wrech it Ralph" Slot 5 (95% O/T)
Lt. Middleton "Becoming Back" Slot 6 (30% O/T)
Lt. Katz "Kat and Mouse II" Slot 7 (0% O/T)
Lt. Wentworth "Sand Storm" Slot 8 (0% O/T)
Lt. Johnston "Miss Hap" Slot 9 Tail End Charlie (40% O/T)

79th Squadron Crew Status:
Light wounds: 3
Serious wounds - recover: 1
Serious wounds - invalidated: 1
Killed in Action: 2
Prisoners of War: 9

1st Lt Michael Anderson, Commander
Pilot of, “Cat scratch Fever III” (B-17F-120-BO 42-30747)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Cat Scratch Fever III Serial #B-17F-120-BO 42-30747

Pilot: 1st Lt Michael Anderson

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Low Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 4th April 43

Mission Number: 39 (Mission #4 this Bomber, Mission #17 for the Crew)

Target: Naples, Italy - Harbor

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Michael Anderson	17	-	-	-	MIA	AM**
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Kerry Olszewski	17	-	-	-	MIA	AM**
Bombardier 2nd Lt Brandon D. Stegall	11	2	-	-	POW	AM*
Navigator 2nd Lt Daniel R. Dyson	14	3	-	-	POW	AM*
TT M/Sgt Conner Bacon	17	11	-	-	POW	AM**
RO TSgt. Norman M. Fleming	11	1	-	-	MIA	AM*
BT Sgt Clarence Stewart	17	11	-	-	POW	AM**, Ace
PWG Sgt Arte "Ar'De" Deco	2	-	-	-	MIA
SWG Sgt Coleman McGee	5	1	-	-	MIA
TG Sgt . Enoch S. Bergman	11	0	-	-	MIA	AM*

Bomb Run: On

ON Target: 30% (Near miss of a Destroyer, sailor washed overboard)

B-17 Damage: Shot down over target by flak.

Peckham Points: ALL

Repair Time: MIA

Replacement Bomber: B-17F-40-B0 42-5225
 "Vengeance Queen"
Crew:
Pilot: 1st Lieutenant Paul Robbins

Copilot: 2nd Lieutenant Curtis Fisher

Bombardier: 2nd Lieutenant William Browning

Navigator: 2nd Lieutenant Brock Flacke

Engineer: Master Sergeant David Kidd

Radio Operator: Tech. Sergeant Robert Levay

Ball gunner: Sergeant Coleman Fagan

Starboard Waist Gunner: Sergeant Roger Shoemaker

Port Waist Gunner: Sergeant Fynn Mullen

Tail Gunner: Sergeant Walter Nattinger



Landing: Did not return.

E/A Encountered: 0: 

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:
-	-	-
-	-	-

Confirmed Claims: No Claims

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
German	None	-	-	-	-
Italian	None	-	-	-	-

Casualties:
Six reported MIA
Four reported to be POW's

Replacements:
See replacement Aircraft above

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None

After Action report (using TfT):

"We saw the 'Cat Scratch Fever II' take a direct hit from from flak on the approach to the target. It seemed to just pas through the plan though.  The on the egress from the bomb run she took a second direct hit to the starboard wing.  We counted four chutes...”

-- Pg 2 --

MACR C12M39

Crew: 1st Lt Michael Anderson, 79th BS Pilot 
Aircraft: A-747"Cat Scratch Fever III"

Group mission number: 39

Date: April 4th, 1943 

Target: Naples, Italy, Harbor

 

It was reported that Lieutenant Andersons crew went down post bomb run with a direct hit to the starboard wing from Flak.  Only four chutes were seen by the other crews of the 79th.  (Red Cross later confirmed that four crewmen were taken prisoners' from the 79th Bombardment Squadron of the 509th Bombardment Group.  A Lieutenant Brandon Stegall, Lieutenant Daniel Dyson, Sargent Conner Bacon and Sargent Clearance Stewart.)

Memo from the 12th USAAF

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell

Formation Position: Middle

Mission Date: 10th April 43

Mission Number: 40 (Mission #1 this Bomber, Mission #1 for the Crew)

Target: La Maddalena, Sardina - Harbor Facilities

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	1	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	1	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt  William J. Browning	1	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	1	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	1	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	1	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	1	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	1	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	1	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	1	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

ON Target: 30%

B-17 Damage: none.

Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 3: 

EA Claimed: 1

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
Lt Browning	0.5x C.202	0.5
Sgt Fagan	0.5x C.202	0.5

Confirmed Claims: No Claims

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
C.202	2	1	-	-	-
Re.2001	3	-	1	-	-

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None

After Action report (using TfT):

"For our first mission it was a milk run.  Our guy's were also spot on with their accuracy.”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #1/1 (Groups 40) 

Date: April 10th, 1943 

Target: La Maddalena, Sardina - Harbor Facilities

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: Middle Cell / Middle Aircraft

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M40-225

O/B Zone 1-4: Not much action in the beginning of the mission.

O/B Zone 5: We saw two C.202's but only one turned in to attack.  Lt Browning and Sgt Fagan teamed up to shoot it down.  There were also some rockets shot in our direction that missed our ship.

O/B Target Zone 6: Over the target a single Ca.314 was observed.  Flak was very uncoordinated and scattered.  We estimate that we placed about 30% of our eggs in the target zones.

I/B Target Zone 6:    on the way out of the target we saw no enemy aircraft and the flak was again ineffective. 

I/B Zone 5-4: We were harassed by a squadron of Re.2001.  Three Re.2001 came our way with only one making an attack.  This one missed us but had to leave as Sgt Flacke hit him pretty hard. 

O/B Zone 3-1: No more enemy fighters got close enough to bother us. 


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle Cell

Formation Position: Lead

Mission Date: 11th April 43

Mission Number: 41 (Mission #2 this Bomber, Mission #2 for the Crew)

Target: Trapani, Sicily - Airfield

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	2	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	2	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt  William J. Browning	2	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	2	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	2	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	2	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	2	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	2	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	2	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	2	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On

ON Target: 50%

B-17 Damage: none.

Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 0: 

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
None	-	-

Confirmed Claims: No Claims

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 110	1	0	0	0	1

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None

After Action report (using TfT):

"Second mission was a true 'Milk Run.' ”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #2/2 (Groups 40) 

Date: April 11th, 1943 

Target: Trapani, Sicily- Airfields

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: Middle Cell / Middle Aircraft

Altitude: 25,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M41-225

O/B Zone 1-6: Quiet the whole way to the target.  

O/B Target Zone 7: Over the target our little friend were very aggressive, keeping the uncoordinated Luftwaffe at bay (rolled 2 waves, both Random Events.) Flak was very inaccurate and the bomb run was great because of it.  We put at least 50% in the target zone.

I/B Target Zone 7:    On the way out of the target we saw one Bf110 that our little friends took care.

O/B Zone 6-1: Didn't see any enemy activity on the way home. 


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle 

Formation Position: Low Cell

Mission Date: 28th May 43

Mission Number: 42 (Mission #3 this Bomber, Mission #3 for the Crew)

Target: Bologna, Italy - Railyard

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	3	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	3	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt  William J. Browning	3	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	3	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	3	-	-	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	3	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	3	-	-	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	3	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	3	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	3	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: DNB

ON Target: DNB

B-17 Damage: 50

Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 0: 

EA Claimed: 0

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
None	-	-

Confirmed Claims: No Claims

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
None	0	0	0	0	1

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
None

After Action report (using TfT):

"A rough start that nearly ended in disaster...”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #3/3 (Groups 42) 

Date: May 28th, 1943 

Target: Bologna, Italy - Railyard

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: Low Cell / Middle Aircraft

Altitude: 26,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M42-225

O/B Zone 1: We had a scare with the number three engine.  She started running rough just as we lifted off the ground.  But as we cleared the end of the runway the engine settled down.  

O/B Zone 1-3: Flight wise everything was going well as we had no enemy encounters. But about 130 miles out our number three engine acted up again.  She started spewing oil that erupted into flames.  So we we pulled out of formation to clear our squadron mates.   Once clear we used the first fire extinguisher which thankfully put out the fire.  With this we turned around for home.


I/B Zone 3-1: No enemy fighters were encountered and we landed without any further incidents.


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

79th Bombardment Squadron HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Tail End Charlie

Formation Position: High Cell

Mission Date: 5th June 1943

Mission Number: 43 (Mission #3 this Bomber, Mission #3 for the Crew)

Target: Marsala, Sicily - Radar Installations

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	3	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	3	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt  William J. Browning	3	-	-	-	KIA
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	3	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	3	-	2	1/3rd	RTD
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	3	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	3	1	1	1	RTD
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	3	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	3	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	3	-	2	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On target

ON Target: 50%

B-17 Damage: Superficial damage to the two wings, fuselage and damage to the nose causing the death of our bombardier.

Peckham Points: 14
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 10: 

EA Claimed:

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
M/Sgt D. Kidd	Bf109	0.33
M/Sgt D. Kidd	FW190	-
M/Sgt D. Kidd &  TSgt. R. Levay	C.200	-
Sgt C. Fagan	Bf109	0.5
Sgt W. Nattinger	Bf109	-
Sgt W. Nattinger	Bf109	-

Confirmed Claims: No Claims

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109	11	5	0	0	4
FW 190	2	0	0	1	0
C.200	3	1	0	0	2

Casualties:
Bombardier 2nd Lt William J. Browning - KIA

Replacements:
Bombardier 2nd Lt Joseph K. Hallenbeck

Award/ Promotions Requests:
Lt Browning - Purple Heart

After Action report (using TfT):

"Quiet all the way up to the target, that is when all Hell broke loose...”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #3/3 (Groups 43) 

Date: June 5th, 1943 

Target: Marsala, Sicily - Radar Installation

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: High Cell / Tail Aircraft

Altitude: 26,000 feet 

Mission Report C12M43-225

O/B Zone 1-6: Out to the target it was pretty quite for us.  We didn't have any enemy activity come our way.  

O/B Target Zone 7: In two waves we had a total of seven Bf109s attack.  Three were driven off by the P-38's, one going down in flames.  The enemy caused no damage but our boys took two down.  The flak was heavy but not effective.  Our bomb run was spot on as we put at minimum 50% of our eggs in the target zone.

I/B Target Zone 7: Coming out of the back side flak, again we were not hit.  But a wave of three Bf109s and two FW190's pressed hard.  With a FW190 hitting us.  Most of the damage was of a superficial nature.  But Lt Browning took a fragment of a 20mm to the head.  Killing him instantly. The second wave was three C.200 Italian jobs.  Two were driven off by our escort with another one falling to the fighters guns.  Our guns took down the final fighter yet it wasn't confirmed.  That was the last enemy contact for the mission.

I/B Zone 6-1: No more enemy fighters were encountered and we landed without any further incidents.  


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 9th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

79th Bombardment Squadron HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Tail End Charlie

Formation Position: High Cell

Mission Date: 10th July 1943

Mission Number: 44 (Mission #4 this Bomber, Mission #4 for the Crew)

Target: Palazzolo, Sicily - Fortifications

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	4	-	-	-	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	4	-	-	-	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt  Joseph K. Hallenbeck	1	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	4	-	-	-	RTD
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	4	-	0.5	-	RTD
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	4	-	-	-	RTD
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	4	1	0.5	-	RTD
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	4	-	-	-	RTD
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	4	-	-	-	RTD
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	4	-	-	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On target

ON Target: 20%

B-17 Damage: None.

Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 10: 

EA Claimed:

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
M/Sgt D. Kidd &  Sgt C. Fagan	C.200	-

Confirmed Claims: None

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
C.200	6	1	0	0	5

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None


Award/ Promotions Requests:
None


After Action report (using TfT):

"Quiet all the way up to the target, that is when all Hell broke loose...”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #4/4 (Groups 44) 

Date: July 10th, 1943 

Target: Palazzo, Sicily - Fortification

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: High Cell / Tail Aircraft

Altitude: 24,000 feet 
6x AN-M59 (1000lbs Semi-Armor Piercing)

Mission Report C12M44-225

O/B Zone 1-7: Out to the target it was quite for us.  We didn't have any enemy activity come our way.  

O/B Zone 8: Proceed towards the target zone there were fighters in the area.  One wave of Bf 109s shadowed our bomber for five minutes, yet none of them targeted our ship.

O/B Target Zone 9: On approach to the target we encountered two waves of Italian C.202 fighters. Three of the Macchi C.202's headed our way from the first wave. Two worked their way to the front of our bomber while the third came in dead level from the six o'clock. Prior to getting into effective range, our "Little Friends," P-40's from the 325th FG out of Mateur, Tunisia, jumped the Macchi's and drove them off. One was seen to be smoking lightly.

The second was saw two coming from the three o'clock level and one from the six o'clock level. Again the P-40's took two out of the fight, One smoking, while the third continued in from the three o'clock. As this Italian bared down on our ship, T/Sgt Kidd and Sgt Fagen filled the C.202 with lead. The last we saw of this enemy plane it had flipped over on its back falling to the earth.

Flak was Moderate on the way in but ineffective.  Our bomb run was good placing approximately 20% of our eggs in the target zone.

I/B Target Zone 8: On the back side of the drop flak was lighter and still off target.  Enemy fighter activity was concentrated on other ships leaving us alone again.

I/B Zone 7-1: Around hundred miles east of the drop we saw the Italians trying to orchestrate an attack, but seemed to have bad communications (Random Event #9.) They never did put together an effective attack.  No more enemy fighters were encountered after this leaving to return to base.  Landed was texted book.  


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 12th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

79th Bombardment Squadron HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle #14
Formation Position: Low Cell

Mission Date: 9th August 1943

Mission Number: 45 (Mission #5 this Bomber, Mission #5 for the Crew)

Target: Messina, Sicily - Highways/Bridges

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	5	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	5	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt  Joseph K. Hallenbeck	2	-	-	-	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	5	-	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	5	-	0.5	0	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	5	-	0.5	0	RTD	AM
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	5	1	-	-	RTD	AM
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	5	-	-	-	RTD	AM
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	5	-	-	-	RTD	AM
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	5	-	-	-	RTD	AM

Bomb Run: On target

ON Target: 20%

B-17 Damage: None.

Peckham Points: 45
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 6: 

EA Claimed:

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
M/Sgt D. Kidd &  TSgt R. Levey	Bf109F	No

Confirmed Claims: None

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
C.200	1	0	0	0	1
Bf 109F	6	0	0	0	4
G.50	4	0	0	0	3

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
1st Lt Paul E. Robbins - Air Metal (fifth mission)
2nd Lt Curtis Z. Fisher - Air Metal (fifth mission)
2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke - Air Metal (fifth mission)
M/Sgt David C. Kidd - Air Metal (fifth mission)
TSgt. Robert Z. Levay - Air Metal (fifth mission)
Sgt Coleman S. Fagan - Air Metal (fifth mission)
Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker - Air Metal (fifth mission)
Sgt Fynn D. Mullen - Air Metal (fifth mission)
Sgt Walter T. Nattinger - Air Metal (fifth mission)

After Action report (using TfT):

"Again quiet all the way up to the target, then the flak opened up...”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #5/5 (Groups 45) 

Date: August 9th, 1943 

Target: Messina, Sicily - Highways/Bridges

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: Low Cell / Middle (#14) Aircraft

Altitude: 22,000 feet 
12x General Purpose

Mission Report C12M45-225

O/B Zone 1-8: Again out  to the target it was quite for us.  We didn't see any enemy aircraft till 100 miles out from the target, and then they were harassing other groups.  

O/B Target Zone 9: As we approached the IP when one Ca.200 and seven Bf109F's came in three waves. The first wave was chased of by our little friends.  As the second wave of four Bf 109's moved into position our P-40's got on the tail of two of them and drove them from the battle. the remaining two attacked from the rear and the front of the plane.  Sgt Nattinger damaged the one from the 6 o'clock position.  MSgt Kidd got a probable on the 109 coming from the starboard side nose.  The two fighters shots were ineffective and they broke off combat after their firs attack. 

The moderate flak on the way into the target was very inaccurate and about 200 yards below us.

The bomb run was good with about 20% of our load hitting the targeted area.

I/B Target Zone 9: Egress Flak was very accurate, though light in intensity, and we took one near our starboard wing. three fragments hit the wing with one hitting the main spar. The other ones were of a superficial nature.  One G.50 made it past our fighter cover, but our boys shot it down.  Though HQ denied the claim stating someone from the 80th BS would get credit for this kill.

I/B Zone 8-1: We saw no enemy fighter on the way home.  Landing was uneventful.   


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 12th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria 

[jasta6]

79th Bombardment Squadron HQ personal: medic1 ,wolverinetoddy  

-- Pg 1 --

B-17F Vengeance Queen  Serial #B-17F-40-B0 42-5225  Code: LB-F

Pilot: 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins

Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force

Squadron Position: Middle #5
Formation Position: Middle Cell

Mission Date: 19th August 1943

Mission Number: 46 (Mission #6 this Bomber, Mission #6 for the Crew)

Target: Foggia, Italy - Airfields

NAME/POSITION	# Missions	TOTAL  CLAIMS	TODAY'S CLAIMS	Confirmed Claims	Crew   Status	Notes:
Pilot 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt  Curtis Z. Fisher	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM
Bombardier 2nd Lt  Joseph K. Hallenbeck	3	-	0.5	0.5	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Brock J. Flacke	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM
TT M/Sgt David C. Kidd	6	-	1.5	0.83	RTD	AM
RO TSgt. Robert Z. Levay	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM
BT Sgt Coleman S. Fagan	6	1	-	-	RTD	AM
PWG Sgt Roger K. Shoemaker	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM
SWG Sgt Fynn D. Mullen	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM
TG Sgt Walter T. Nattinger	6	-	-	-	RTD	AM

Bomb Run: On target

ON Target: 40%

B-17 Damage: None.

Peckham Points: 90
Repair Time: Ready by next mission

Replacement Bomber: none

Landing: Landed at airfield, Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria.

E/A Encountered: 6: 

EA Claimed:

Claims:	Aircraft:	Confirmed:
M/Sgt D. Kidd & 2nd Lt J. Hallenbeck	Bf109F	1/3
M/Sgt D. Kidd	Bf109F	1

Confirmed Claims: None

Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf 109F	2	2	0	0	0

Casualties:
None

Replacements:
None

Award/ Promotions Requests:
none

After Action report (using TfT):

"Again quiet all the way up to the target, then the flak opened up...”

-- Pg 2 --

Mission Debriefing 

By 1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, 79th BS Pilot 

MISSION #6/6 (Groups 46) 

Date: August 19th, 1943 

Target: Foggia, Italy - Airfields

Plane: F-225 "Vengeance Queen" 

Position: Middle Cell / Middle (#5) Aircraft

Altitude: 24,000 feet 
12x General Purpose

Mission Report C12M46-225

O/B Zone 1-8: No enemy activity out  to the target.  At about fourty-five miles out from the target zone we picked up a twin engine Ca.314 in Italian markings.  

O/B Target Zone 9: as we approached the IP a pair of Bf 109's came in out of nowhere.  The Ca.314 must have called us in. One was shot down by MSgt Kidd and Lt Hallenbeck.  The second 109 raked our wings and tail.  Number four engine ran away, but Lt Fisher was quick to feather it.   

The light flak heading into the target was very inaccurate and about 1000 yards away from our plane.

The bomb run was excellent with about 40% of our load hitting the targeted area.

I/B Target Zone 9: Flak was light but we did end up taking a hit tail, knocking out the oxygen and the port elevator.  Enemy activity was non existent after the drop.  We had to drop to ten thousand feet and went home alone.

I/B Zone 8-1: We saw no enemy fighter on the way home.  Landing was uneventful.   


1st Lt Paul E. Robbins, Commander
Pilot of, “Vengeance Queen” (B-17F-40-B0 42-5225)
79th BS, 509th BG(H), 12th USAAC
RAF Base Maison Blanche (LG-112), Algeria