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rhreiss
Jul 10, 2023 16:12:32 GMT -8
Post by limburger59 on Jul 10, 2023 16:12:32 GMT -8
Current 3rd War
Campaign 1 Missions 1 to 25, Campaign 2 Missions 26 to
Active Bombers
B-17F All In 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
B-17G Eater Buddy 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
B-24J Dump Truck 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
FORMER INACTIVE/LOST BOMBERS
Bomber list
B-24D Arkansas Traveler 78th BS Missions flown 2 lost on Mission # 2 CAT-E on Corsica due to fuel leak caused by FLAK
B-17F Black Jack 79th BS Missions flown 1 lost on Mission # 24 Crashed fuel leak from flak damage
B-17G Chute the Works 79th BS Missions flown 4 lost on Mission # 28 Cat - E flak damage
B-24J Bama Beauty 78th BS Missions flown 25 lost on Mission # 28 crashed fuel leak from fighter attacks
B-24J Bob's Rascals 78th BS Missions flown 5 lost on Mission # 29 shot down by Me109 fuel fire
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO 
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 15:23:46 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 15:23:46 GMT -8
Active Bombers crew and mission history
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 15:30:17 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 15:30:17 GMT -8
FORMER/INACTIVE BOMBERS CURRENT WAR/CAMPAIGNS
3rd War Campaign 1 Missions 1 to 25 Campaign 2 Missions 26 to Bomber list
B-24D Arkansas Traveler 78th BS Missions flown 2 lost on Mission # 2 CAT-E on Corsica due to fuel leak caused by FLAK
B-17F Black Jack 79th BS Missions flown 1 lost on Mission # 24 Crashed fuel leak from flak damage
B-17G Chute the Works 79th BS Missions flown 4 lost on Mission # 28 Cat - E flak damage
B-24J Bama Beauty 78th BS Missions flown 25 lost on Mission # 28 crashed fuel leak from fighter attacks
B-24J Bob's Rascals 78th BS Missions flown 5 lost on Mission # 29 shot down by Me109 fuel fire
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 15:33:14 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 15:33:14 GMT -8
placeholder
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 15:42:49 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 15:42:49 GMT -8
Missions 77 to 80
Mission 77 - Nantes/Bougeumaie France AAR
B-17 Name: Bad Clown
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
MISSION DATE: 10 June 1944
MISSION NBR. #77
Mission this A/C: #2
TARGET: Nantes/Bougeumaie, France - Airdrome
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich medic1,wolverinetoddy,blaird,(2)
Co-Pilot: 2nd LT Hershel Martin (2)
Bombadier: 2nd LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (2)
Navigator: 2nd LT Syl Johnson (2)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (2)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Gilbert ‘Gil’ Brack (2)
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (2)
Port Waist: SGT Virgil Davis (2) KIA
Starboard Waist: SGT Claude Passeau (2)
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck (2)
Bomb Percentage: on target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
Superficial Damage x5
Left wing flap - no effect
bomb bay – no effect
left waist SGT Virgil Davis KIA
-left aileron inoperable
Peckham Points: 35
Casualties: SGT Virgil Davis KIA
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 7 4 1 2 1
Me109 2 2
Claims (BY TYPE)
Top Turret T/SGT Merrill May Fw190 (Approved - Full)
Chin Turret 2nd LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr/ Top Turret T/SGT Merrill May Fw190 (Denied)
Awards: SGT Virgil Davis Purple Heart, posthumous
------------------------------
AAR comments
Take off and joining the formation was uneventful
Zones 2-5: Nothing to report.
Zone 6: a few enemy fighters seen in the distance, and our little friends made sure they stayed there.
Zone 7 As we approached the coast a Fw19o attempted a pass but was driven off by fighters
As we passed over the coast Left wing flap as hit by flak, but still operational
Zone 8a nothing to report
Zone 8b outbound fighter cover continues to keep the enemy fighter away from our cell
We can see flak bursts around us but nothing hits.
Bomb run is on target for 30% accuracy
Zone 8b inbound
As we completed the bomb run we took two flak hits one just off the nose but only suffered superficial damage from both hits
And then the enemy- fighter increased their efforts
First: two Me109s attempted make a pass on us but were driven off by our fighters
Then we had a random event extreme cold but guns remained operational
Zone 7
The increased enemy fighter activity against us continued as we felt the target area.
We were hit by three waves
We were attacked by three Fw190s. One was driven off by out fighter escorts.
The 2nd was hit by the Top Turret ( kill roll) and and the Chin Turret (for a FBOA) breaking of its’ tail section. (shared kill claim)
The 3rd came in at 3 Low the Ball Turret missed and the right W\waist reported a hit, but it pressed the attack and hit the waist section killing SGT Virgil Davis, hitting the bomb which fortunately was empty (for no effect), and 2 hits for superficial damage.
When it attempted to come back around for a 2nd pass the top turret took it out (fill roll) shredding the right wing Holes all over wing, panels missing, flaps and ailerons shredded, inoperative
After that a Fw190 attempted a pass but was driven off by our little friends
Finally, two Fw190s attacked, The first was driven off by fighters but the second came in a vertical dive. Our defensive fire missed and it got 2 hits one for superficial damage and the second took out the left aileron. When it attempted a second pass the ball gunner drove it off ( FBOA )
Bursts of ineffective flak marked our passing over the coast on the way home
Zone 6-2 nothing to report
Returned to base to find good weather and a safe landing
Mission 78 - Hamburg Germany - Oil Refinery AAR
B-17G Name: Bad Clown
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
MISSION DATE: 18 June 1944
MISSION NBR. #78
Mission this A/C: #3
TARGET: Hamburg Germany - Oil Plant
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (3) LW-RTD
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (3) LW-RTD
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (3)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (3)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (3)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Gilbert ‘Gil’ Brack (3) SW-IH
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (3)
Port Waist: Sgt Fred Mercer (3)
Starboard Waist: SGT Claude Passeau (3) KIA
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck (3)
Bomb Percentage: on target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
superficial damage x5
Right Waist SGT Passeau KIA
Radio Room S/SGT Brack SW
Pilot 1LT Arnovich LW
Copilot 2LT Martin LW
#1 Engine out
Peckham Points: 49
Casualties:
SGT Claude Passeau KIA
S/SGT Gilbert ‘Gil’ Brack SW-IH
1LT Morrie Arnovich LW-RTD
2nd LT Hershel Martin LW-RTD
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 11 6 1 4 2 2
Me109 3 3
Me110 4 3 1 1 1
Ju-88 C-6 1 1
Claims (BY TYPE)
Ball Turret SGT Mueller & Left Waist: Sgt Mercer Me110 approved (1/2 each)
Top Turret T/SGT May Left Waist Sgt Mercer Left Cheek 2LT Johnson Fw190 Denied
Top Turret T/SGT May Left Waist Sgt Mercer Fw190 Denied
Ball Turret SGT Mueller & Tail Gunner: SGT Beck Fw190 approved (1/2 each)
Right Cheek 2LT Johnson & Chin Turret 2LT Suhr Fw190 approved (1/2 each)
Awards:
SGT Claude Passeau Purple Heart, posthumous
S/SGT Gilbert ‘Gil’ Brack Purple Heart
1LT Morrie Arnovich Purple Heart
2nd LT Hershel Martin Purple Heart
AAR comments:
One of the engines gave us a moment of concern during the takeoff run but we took off without incident. Made a note to report that to the crew chief for extra attention.
Zones 1-6 outbound nothing to report
Zone 7 outbound
As we approached the coast we were attacked by multiple waves of fighters
1st wave had Two Me110s The fighter cover drove off a 110 on our 6 and the Ball Turret and Port Waist gunners shot down a Me110 coming in at 9.
2nd Wave consisted of a Me109 & Ju-88 C-6 both driven off by our fighters
3rd wave consisted of three Fw190s The little friends drove off two of the Fw190s and the Top Turret, Left Waist, Left Cheek guns concentrated on the third coming in 10:30/H sending the Fw190 falling away with the engine smoking
and puffs of flak greet us as we pass over the coast but no damage
Zone 8 outbound
We had regulator failure on #4 turbo-supercharger. I chose to try to maintain formation while flight engineer T/SGT May successfully repaired the regulator allowing us to continue the mission in formation.
Fortunately, no enemy fighters appeared while the problem was being resolved
Zone 9 outbound
Nothing to report – the calm before the storm as we turn for the target
Zone 8 target
As we entered the target area we encountered multiple waves of enemy fighters
As we started in we were hit by a swarm of 5 Fw190’sand our fight escort only drove off one
The Top Turret gunner hit a Fw190 coming in 12/H which missed and broke off itss’ attack
Right Waist damaged a Fw190 at 3/H, but it hits use for nose superficial damage & fatality wounded the right waist gunner (Abdomen)
The Radio Room gunner & Tail Gunner both hit a Fw190 6/H, which in turn did some superficial damage & took the #1 engine out
The Left Waist also hit the Fw190 9/H , which had 3 hits one for superficial damage, shattered the radio operator’s wrist SW-IH, and hit the cockpit for light wounds to the pilot (thigh) and copilot (leg)
Three of the Fw190 came around for a second attack and were stopped by our fire
The Ball & Tail gunner sent a Fw190 6/lo spinning out of sight
190 1:30/Lv w/ 2xFCA Right Cheek & Chin Turret combined to shred the left wing of a Fw190 at 1:30/Lv sending it out of the fight
190 9/H and the Top Turret & left Waist hit a Fw190 at 9/H which caught fire and exploded
Out little friends recovered and drove off the 2nd wave of Two Me110s and a Me 109 in the third wave.
As we approached the target we took a flak hit for Superficial Damage
Bomb run was on target for 30% accuarcy
Leaving the target we took another Flak hit with Superficial Damage
Zone 7 inbound
First German Rockets were lobbed into the formation from aft: but they Missed
then Two Me109s were driven off by air cover
And puffs of flak greet us as we pass over the coast but no damage
Zone 6 inbound
Two Fw190s were driven off by fighter cover
Zones 5 to 2 inbound
Nothing to report
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England but discovered that SGT Claude Passeau has succumbed to his wounds.
Mission 79 - Gilze Rijen, Holland AAR
B-17G Name: Bad Clown
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Tail
MISSION DATE: 05 July 1944
MISSION NBR. #79
Mission this A/C: #4
TARGET: Gilze Rijen, Holland - Airfield
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (4)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (4)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (4)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (4)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (4)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (1)
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (4)
Port Waist: SGT Fred Mercer (4) SW-IH
Starboard Waist: SGT Kirby Higbe (1) SW-IH
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck (4)
Bomb Percentage: on target; 40%
Bomber Disposition: ready for next mission
Bomber Damage:
Superficial Damage x 3
Serious Wound x 2
Peckham Points: 13
Casualties:
SGT Fred Mercer SW-IH
SGT Kirby Higbe SW-IH
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 6 3 3
Me109 3 1 2 2
Claims (BY TYPE)
Ball Turret SGT Mueller & Tail Gunner SGT Beck Me109 approved (1/2 each)
Ball Turret SGT Mueller & Tail Gunner SGT Beck Me109 approved (1/2 each)
Awards:
SGT Fred Mercer PH
SGT Kirby Higbe PH
AAR comments:
Informed the crew we were high squadron tail end Charlie and to pay extra attention to our 6.
Good weather at the base hope this is a good omen for the mission. Took off and joined up with the formation without incident
Zone 2 outbound nothing to report
Zone 3 outbound enemy fighter activity observed but none near us; light and ineffective flak greeted us as we passed over the coast
Zone 4 (target) outbound
Things got busy in a hurry
We were attacked by Four Fw190: 12/Lo, 3/Lv, 1:30/H, 9/H and a Me109 6/Lo Our fighters drove off the Fw190 at 1:30/H
Fw190 (Green) 12/H Top Turret hit the Fw190 (FCA) and it missed and departed the fight
Fw190 3/Lv (Avg) Ball Turret and Right Waist both hit the Fw190 (FCAx2 and it missed and departed the fight
Fw190 (Green) 9/H Left Waist gunner hit the Fw190 (FCA) and it missed and departed the fight
Me109 (Green) 6/Lo Tail Gunner hit the Me190 (FBOA) but the fighter stitched our A/C mostly causing superficial damage to the Right wing, nose; and waist, but both waist gunners sfuffered serious wounds to the Abdomen. Both were moved to the radio room and provided first aid by Radio Operator: S/SGT Bolling
Light Flak over the target was ineffective
2LT Shur was unfazed by the Me109 hits on the nose and was on target for 40% accuracy
Heading inbound after hitting the target
Heavy fighter activity (3 waves) fighter
1st wave Fw190: 3/Lo Me109 (Avg) 6/Lo little friends drive off Fw190 Ball Turret & Tail Gunner engage and Ball Turret hits for a Kill
2nd wave Fw190: 6/Lv Me109 (Ace) 6/Lo little friends drive off Fw190 Ball Turret & Tail Gunner engage and Ball Turret hits for a Kill
3rd wave Random event: tail gunner ace for a day
Zone 3 inbound
No fighter activity
Light ineffective flak as we passed over the coast on the way home
Zone 2 nothing to report
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Mission 80 - Munich, Germany AAR
B-17G Name: Bad Clown
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
MISSION DATE: 12 July 1944
MISSION NBR. #80
Mission this A/C: #5
TARGET: Munich Germany - City Area
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (5)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (5)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (5)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (5)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (5)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (2) LW
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (5)
Port Waist: SGT Elmer Burkart (1) KIA
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (1)
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck (5)
Bomb Percentage: on target; 50%
Bomber Disposition: ready for next mission
Bomber Damage: 13
Peckham Points:
1 KIA 10
1 LW 2
Casualties:
S/SGT Bolling LW RTD
SGT Burkart KIA
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 8 4 2
Me110 2 1 1 1
Claims (BY TYPE)
Me110 shared claim T/SGT May, SGT Mueller, 2LT Suhr – each awarded 1/3 kill
Awards:
S/SGT Bolling Purple Heart
SGT Burkart Purple Heart, posthumous
1LT Morrie Arnovich AM
2LT Hershel Martin AM
2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr AM
2LT Syl Johnson AM
T/SGT Merrill May AM
SGT Heinie Mueller AM
SGT Walter Beck AM
AAR comments:
Good weather made for a smooth takeoff and joining up with the formation.
Outbound
Zone 2 Nothing to report
Zone 3 scattered light flak marks our crossing over the Belgium coast
Zones 4,5,6 no enemy fighter activity near us
Zone 7 Two Fw190’s driven off by fighter cover
Zone 8 scattered light flak marks our crossing into Germany
Zone 9 Bad Luftwaffe Communications in effect for Zone 10 outbound
Zone 10 no enemy fighter activity near us
Zone 11 no enemy fighter activity near us as we started the target run. But SGT Marty reported that flak had the left waist gunner SGT Burkart with leg severed above the knee (KIA)
Bombs on target 50%
No additional flak damage after dropping our bombs
Fw190: 12/H driven off by our fighters
Inbound
Zone 10 no enemy fighter activity near us
Zone 9 one Me110: got through the fighter escort and was engaged by top turret, chin turret and right waist the combined fire tore the left wing off fighter
Zone 8 no enemy fighter activity
Zone 7 attacked by three Fw190s: one driven off by little friends. The top turret gunner engaged one at 12 and botrh he and the fight misses but the fighter broke off the attack. The right waist hit the Fw190 coming in at 3 and the our radio operator suffered a light wound to chest as it made its’ pass. The Fw190 came back around at 9 and Top turret and fighter both missed and the fighter broke off the .attack
Zone 6 no enemy fighter activity
Zone 5 Me110: driven off by little friends
Zone 4 Two Fw190(j): 12/Lv chin turret hits FBOA fighter misses, VD top turret misses as does the fighter who breaks off the attack
scattered light flak marks our crossing over the coast
Zones 3 and 2 nothing to report
Safe landing at Sudburry, England Found out that SGT Burkart had not survived his wound, another letter to write tonight.
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 15:54:45 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 15:54:45 GMT -8
Mission 81 - Creil, France AAR
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (6th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (6)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (6)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (6)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (6)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (6)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (3) LW
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (6)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (1)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (2)
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck (6)
Bomb Percentage: on target; 50%
Bomber Disposition: ready for next mission
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points:
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 1
AAR
Good takeoff and joined the formation
It was an uneventful flight outbound to the target other than some light ineffective flak as we passed over the coast.
There was no fighter activity of flak and approached the target and LT Suhr was on target with 50% accuracy.
As we departed the target the flak was ineffective but an enemy fighter arrived and appeared to drop bombs on the formation as a couple pass by us on their way down.
As we approached the coast a Me109 got through the fighter escorts and made a pass at us but everyone seemed to have buck fever as both our gunners and the Me190 (an Ace) missed.
Ineffective scattered flak marked our departure from France.
The rest of the flight back was uneventful.
The landing at Sudburry in Bad weather was tense (modified roll of 2) but without incident
It was good for the crew moral to complete a milk run mission given that we have had casualties on the last four missions.
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 16:12:38 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 16:12:38 GMT -8
Mission 82 - Peenemunde, Germany AAR
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (7th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Peenemunde, Germany - Luftwaffe Experimental V-Rocket Station
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (7)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (7)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (7)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (7)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (7)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (4)
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (7)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (2)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (3)
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck (7)
Bomb Percentage: on target; 50%
Bomber Disposition: ready for next mission
Bomber Damage:
Right wing 2 hits no effect/superficial damage
Superficial damage 2 hits
Waist no effect/superficial damage
Waist LW
Tail SW
Engine #2 out (random event)
Peckham Points: 64
Casualties:
SGT Walter Beck SW – removed from flying status after recovery
SGT Joe Marty LW
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 7 4 1 2 2
Fw190 8 2 4 1 .5
Claims (BY TYPE)
T/SGT May (TT) and SGT Powers (LW) Me109 Approved .5 each
T/SGT May (TT) and 2LT Suhr (Chin turret) Me109 Approved .5 each
SGT Mueller (BT) and SGT Powers (LW) Fw190 Shared credit .25 each
Awards
SGT Walter Beck PH
SGT Joe Marty PH
AAR
Crew was very somber as they gather for the mission, they expect serious resistance and a long fight ahead.
Despite the bad weather we took off and joined the formation without incident.
OUTBOUND
Zones 2 to 6 outbound
Nothing of note until we stated to pass over the north German coast.
Zone 7
Light ineffective flak marked our passage over the coast
Zone 8 – 9
Nothing to report
Zone 10 as we passed over the Baltic Sea and approached the target zone the formation became extra tight (random event). Surprisingly we made it this far without resistance but then it got interesting.
TARGET ZONE (11)
As we approached the target Three Fw190: 12/H, 3/Lv, 3/H attacked. One (3/H) was driven off by our little friends. T/SGT Merrill May in the Top Turret engaged and hit a Fw190 coming in at 12/H in the left wing. The fighter’s attack was disrupted, and it missed and broke off the attack as SGT Walter Beck’s attempt at a passing shot also missed. SGT Heinie Mueller (ball turret) and SGT Joe Marty (right waist) engaged the Fw190 at 3/Lv. The Ball turret peppered the Fuselage (FBOA) and the 190 missed and broke off the attack.
The flak was heavy as we approached the target, and we took hits to the right wing for Superficial Damage and the waist with SGT Marty suffering a triceps wound.
2LT Suhr was on target with an assessed accuracy of 50% (thanks to the extra tight formation)
After we finished our bomb run a flak burst hit the tail breaking SGT Beck’s leg (SW)
Then the fighters came in;
First four Me109 attacked: fighters drive off 2 of the 109’s T/SGT May (TT) and SGT Powers (LW) engaged a 109 coming in at 10:30H both hit (FCA and FBOA) and the 109 misses and goes down in flames. 2LTSuhr (chin Turret) engaged a 109 at 12/Lv shooting up the left wing, causing the fighter to miss and break off the attack.
Then we were attacked by five Fw190s The fighters drove off 1. T/SGT May (TT) engaged the one at 12/H and damaged it’s right wing causing the 190 to miss and break off the attack. 2LT Suhr (Chin Turret) hit the 190 at 10:30/Lv (FCA)doing minor damage but successfully disrupting the 190’s attack and it also broke off its’ attack. SGT Mueller (BT) and SGT Powers (LW) engaged the 190 coming in at 9/Lv both hit (FCA and FBOA) shredding the 190’s left wing. It missed and they observed it falling out of control. Finally, a 190 in a vertical dive came screaming pass us giving everyone a scare even though it missed us.
While all this is going on the #2 engine started to act up. (Random event engine failure next zone.)
INBOUND
Zone 10
Number 2 engine goes out despite T/SGT May’s efforts, fortunately we have dropped our bomb load and can hold our position in the formation. The light flak we encounter is ineffective
Zones 8 and 9
Nothing to report
Zone 7
Light ineffective flak as we leave Germany for the North Sea
Zone 6
A Me109 was driven off by little friends
Then two Me-109’s attacked with one driven off by the little friends. T/SGT May (TT) and SGT Powers (LW) engaged the other coming in at 10:30/H. Both missed and the 109 got 4 hits on us. Two for superficial damage, one to the right wing for no effect, and to the waist for no effect. The 109 came back around at 1:30/Lv and T/SGT May (TT) and 2LT Suhr (Chin turret) engaged tearing the right wing off. The plane corkscrewed into uncontrolled dive
The rest of the trip home was uneventful with a good landing at Safe at Sudburry, England
SGT Beck with a broken leg will have 4 days in hospital and will not return to flying duty after he is released for limited duty.
SGT Marty return to flying duty in two days
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 19, 2023 16:17:41 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 19, 2023 16:17:41 GMT -8
Mission 83 - Brest, France AAR
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (8th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Brest, France - Coastal Batteries
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (8)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (8)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (8)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (8)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (8)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (5)
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (8)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (3)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (4)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (1)
Bomb Percentage: on target: 20%
Bomber Disposition: Overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
#3 engine out 25
Left Waist gun out 10
Chin Turret 11 gun out 20
Peckham Points: 55
Casualties: None
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 2 1 1 1
Fw190 2 1 1
Claims (BY TYPE)
T/SGT May (TT) and SGT Powers (LW) Me109 Approved .5 each
Awards
AAR
OUTBOUND
With good weather for a change, we had a smooth take off and fquickly joined up with the formation
Zones 2 to 6 nothing to report
Zone 7 It seems that formation has gotten looser ("Disrupted Formation" from random event last zone) wonder if folks has gotten a little careless on what appears to be an easy mission after the long flight on the last mission.
A Me-109 made it through the fighter escort which has also thinned out. T/SGT May (TT) and SGT Les Powers (LW) engaged it and knocked the tail section off. No parachute was observed as the plane went down. Ineffective flak marked our arrival over France
TARGET AREA
It seemed like we hit a pocket of really cold air as we begin our run. No enemy fighters as we entered the target area, but we took two flak hits taking the #3 engine out (right wing) and knocking out the left waist gun.
Even though we took a flak hit to the wing during our bomb run 2LT Suhr managed to stay on target but only for a 20% accuracy. (dice gods were against us. Rolled and 11 for accuracy and the three damage rolls were 2,1,1 multiplied by 5 for 20%)
INBOUND
Zone 8 one of the Chin turret guns froze from the cold air we hit (Random event in previous zone)
Zone 7 one of the chin turret guns remains jammed and random event Lady Luck Smiles! (saved for latter in flight)
Zone 6 attempts to fix the frozen chin turret gun fail and something breaks
Zone 5 An Me109 approached but was driven off by our little friends.
Zone 4 One Fw190 was driven off by our fighter escorts and a second Fw190 attacked in a Vertical Dive but Lady Luck smiled on T/SGT May(TT). He managed to daamage the green pilot’s cockpit (FBOA) causing the Fw190 to miss and break off the attack
Rest of the flight home was uneventful
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 7:40:07 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 7:40:07 GMT -8
Mission 84 - Esbjerg, Denmark - Airfield
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (9th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Lead
TARGET: Esbjerg, Denmark - Airfield
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (9)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (9)
Bombardier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (9)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (9)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (9)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (6)
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (9)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (4)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (4)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (2)
Bomb Percentage: on target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: ready to go after routine maintenance
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Casualties: None
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 1 1
Unknown 1
Claims (BY TYPE) none
Awards none
AAR
OUTBOUND
After the good weather for takeoff last mission things were back to the normal foggy misty poor weather for takeoff. We were able to takeoff and take our place as low formation lead with no problems.
Zones 2-7 Our flight over the North Sea was uneventful
TARGET AREA
Zone 8 As we started over the target area and unknown fighter lobbed Rockets into the formation from aft which missed & a Me 109 was driven off by our escorts from the 20th FG.
None of the scattered flak bursts were near us.
2LT Suhr’s bomb run was on target with 50% accuracy assessed.
The flak leaving the target area continued to be ineffective.
Lady luck was smiling on us as we left the target area and headed back to base.
INBOUND
Zone 7 There was no fighter activity as we headed back over the North Sea but the air turned extremely cold and the port waist gun jammed from the cold.
Zone 6 SGT Powers managed to clear the jammed port waist gun.
Zones 5 to 2. The rest of the flight home was uneventful
I let 2LT Martin take the lead for the landing to get some experience doing a landing at the end of a mission, the landing was a little bumpy but a good landing over all. Crew chief was happy to see us return with an undamaged plane, and we have a lady luck in our pockets for the next mission.
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 7:46:23 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 7:46:23 GMT -8
Mission 85 - Stuttgart, Germany
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (10th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Stuttgart, Germany - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (10)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (10)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (10)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (10)
Engineer: T/SGT Merrill May (10)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (7)
Ball Gunner: SGT Heinie Mueller (10)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (5)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (5)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (3)
Bomb Percentage: on target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: ready to go after routine maintenance
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Casualties: None
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 3 3
Fw190 2 2
Claims (BY TYPE) none
Awards
Oak Leaf Cluster for Air Medal (completed 10 missions)
1LT Morrie Arnovich
2LT Hershel Martin
2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr
2LT Syl Johnson
T/SGT Merrill May
SGT Heinie Mueller
Promotion consideration (10 missions)
T/SGT Merrill May to MSG
SGT Heinie Mueller to S/SGT
AAR
The crew gathered in the fog and boarded Bad Clown with some nervous jokes and dark humor about the long mission ahead.
Took off and joined the formation without incident despite the dense fog.
OUTBOUND
Zone 2 light ineffective flak marked our passage into Belgium
Zone 3 Two Me-109s tried to attack but were engaged by the boys from the 20th FG.
Zone 4- 5 uneventful flight over the Belgium countryside
Zone 6 Another Me-109 tried to attack and was chased off by our little friends
Zone 7 The 20thFG have become increasingly aggressive in going after
Zone 8 Our little friends drive off a Fw190 that tried to approach. Ineffective flak greets us as we get close to the target area.
TARGET ZONE
Zone 8 No fighters appeared as we made our approach to the target and the formation became Extra tight. The flak intensity picked up but nothing close to us.
Bombs were on target assessed as 30% effective – LT Suhr was off his game today.
As we departed the target the flak continued to be inaccurate, and the boys form the 20FG drove off a Fw190 that tried to attack.
INBOUND
Zone 8 the Flak decreased in intensity and continued to be ineffective.
Zones 7 to 4 were uneventful
Zone 3 scattered ineffective light flak as we left Belgium for the North Sea
A routine landing at Sudburry. The crew was relieved to have had an unexpected milk run and the crew chief and ground crew were happy to have an undamaged plane returned to them. Heard that the 20FG claimed several kills. Although we didn’t see them get any they did an outstanding job of keeping Goering’s boys away from us.
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 7:57:04 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 7:57:04 GMT -8
Mission 86 - Schweinfurt, Germany
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (11th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Schweinfurt, Germany - Ball Bearing Plant & Cycle and Clutch Works
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (11)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (11)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (11)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (11)
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (11)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (8)
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (11)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (6)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (6)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (4)
Bomb Percentage: on target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage: 2x superficial damage
Peckham Points: 2
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 2 2
Me110 1 1
Ju88C-6 1 1
Claims (BY TYPE) none
Awards None
AAR
As the crew gathered and prepared for the mission there was the usual complaints about the weather and discussion of the change to pathfinders and reliance on the new “micky” radar. LT Suhr had mixed feelings about the changeover, saying the average results should be better with the new method especially with increased bad weather we will encounter during fall and winter seasons. But he misses being able to choose when to drop himself.
Took off without incident and join up with the formation, things went smoothly despite the bad weather.
OUTBOUND
Scattered ineffective flak marked our passage over the coast of occupied Netherlands.
Zone 5 A Me109 tried to attack but was engaged and chased off by the boys from the 20FG.
Zone 6 A Me110 tried its’ luck and was engaged by our little friends, they hit it hard but we couldn’t see if they got a kill.
A flak burst caused superficial damage near the radio room.
Zone 8 Light scattered flak as we approached the target area.
TARGET AREA
No enemy fighters as we started our run to the target, but a flak burst put some holes in the fuselage near the waist gunners.
Bombing accuracy was assessed as 40% effective.
There was moderate flak but no additional damage of fighter encountered after we released our bombs.
INBOUND
Zone 8 Light ineffective flak
Zone 7 A Ju88C-6 was driven off by the 20FG and more light scattered flak.
Zone 6 A Me109 tried to make it through the fighter escort and failed.
Rest of the flight home was without incident over liberated territory.
Weather at base had improved as forecast and a uneventful landing at Sudburry. Lt Suhr was happy with the first run using the Pathfinder system and dropping off their lead, he allowed as he was unlikely to have done that well on his own given the weather over the target.
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 8:02:24 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 8:02:24 GMT -8
Mission 87 - Bottrup, Germany
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (12th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Bottrup, Germany - Synthetic Oil Refinery
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (12)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (12)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (12)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (12)
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (12)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (9)
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (12)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (7)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (7)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (5)
Bomb Percentage: on target 40%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage: None
Peckham Points: None
Casualties: None
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 2 2
Fw190 2 1 1
Claims (BY TYPE) None
Awards SGT Len Gabrielson Air Medal (5 missions)
AAR
The crew gets loaded into the Bad Clown grumbling about the cold wet English weather.
There was a moment of excitement when one of the engine gages gave a bad reading but then it settled into the correct range. A good take off and successfully joined up with the formation.
OUTBOUND
Zone 2 Cloud cover improved to 50% as the we had any uneventful flight over the North Sea and liberated Belgium territory.
Zone 4 Two Fw190 were encountered and one was driven off by our little friends. The other came in at 1:30/H and was engaged by Top Turret, Right Waist, and Right Cheek guns. Their scored some hits but no visible damage and the fighter missed and continued through the formation.
Zone 5 As we passed into German airspace a Me109 attempted to engage but was driven off by our fighter escort. The flak was more active but nothing near us.
TARGET AREA
Our escorts continued to be effective no enemy fighter observed. There was moderate flak but nothing close enough to do any damage.
Bomb run was on target estimated 40% effective.
After the bomb release flak lightened and continued to be ineffective.
INBOUND
Zone 5 As the formation regrouped a B-17 with unrecognized markings appeared to be trying to shadow the formation. SGT Gabrielson spotted it and after it failed to respond flowing SOP a warning shot was fired across its’ nose and it broke off
After that a Me109 was observed and was driven off by our little friends.
There was light ineffective flak.
Rest of the flight home was uneventful
Routine safe landing at Sudburry, England
1LT Morrie Arnovich, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 8:06:45 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 8:06:45 GMT -8
Mission 88 - Cologne, Germany
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (13th mission)
Crew Commander: 1LT Morrie Arnovich
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Cologne, Germany - Butzweilerhof Airfield
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich (13)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Hershel Martin (13)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (13)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (13)
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (13)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (10)
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (13)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (8)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (8)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (6)
Bomb Percentage: on target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage: Pilot Compartment hit; SW 1LT Arnovich
Peckham Points: 15
Casualties: 1LT Arnovich SW_IH
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 5 3 1 1 1
Claims (BY TYPE): Fw190 MSG May (claim approved)
Awards:
1LT Arnovich Purple Heart
S/SGT Bolling AM (oak leaf cluster)
AAR
Typical cold damp poor English weather for takeoff. As crew prepared for the mission there was much dark humor about lucky mission 13 being halfway to a trip home for the original crew members.
Took off and joined up with the formation without incident.
OUTBOUND
Flight over the North Sea and Liberated Belgium was without incident.
Light ineffective flak observed as we passed over the front lines
TARGET AREA
As we approached the IP three Fw190s attempted to engage, the boys from the 479th saw two of them off but one got thru at 12/Lv. Both MSG May and 2LT Suhr hit the bandit causing it to miss and break off the attack.
Then while the boys from the 479th were taking care of another Fw190, one came at us in a vertical dive. MSG May shredded the right wing and the pilot’s parachute was observed.
The flak intensity increased, and a flak bust near the pilot compartment. 1LT Arnovich was seriously wounded in the chest breaking ribs. He held on to complete the bomb run.
2LT Suhr released on the signal with a 50% assessed effectiveness.
No additional flak damage or fighter activity in the target area after bombs released
We transferred 1LT Arnovich to the radio room area. With the bombing run complete 2LT Suhr shifted into the pilot seat to assist flying the Bad Clown, while I remained in the Co-Pilot seat.
INBOUND
The flight back to base was uneventful and a successful landing at landing at Sudburry, England
Flight surgeon reports that 1LT Arnovich suffered broken ribs and an inflamed lung. He estimates that he will need a few weeks in the hospital before he can be sent back home for additional recovery.
2LT Hershel Martin, Co-Pilot
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 12:11:36 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 12:11:36 GMT -8
Mission 89 - The Battle of the Bulge
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (14th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Ehrang, Germany - Railroad Marshalling Yard
Position: Name (mission #)
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (14)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (1)
Bombadier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (14)
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (14)
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (14)
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (11)
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (14)
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (9)
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (9)
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (7)
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty after routine maintenance
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points:
sualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
none
Claims (BY TYPE): none
Awards: none
AAR
While the officers were getting their mission briefing, the crew did their preflight preparations and speculated if the mission for today would be in support of combat to counter the German attack in Belgium. They were in a good mood after the break in combat missions, and 1LT Martin having bought several rounds at the pub to mark his promotion.
2LT Henry was slowly getting settled in although after graduation from twin engine flight school he and most of the class found out they were being assigned to co-pilot heavy bombers replacing 8th Air Force losses and not be fighter pilots. 1LT Martin had made sure he got as much time in the B-17 as weather permitted since his arrival.
Despite the poor weather conditions, we took off and joined up with the formation without incident.
OUTBOUND
Flight to target area nothing to report
TARGET AREA
No fighter activity as we approached the IP and the flak on the run to the target was ineffective.
2LT Suhr released on the pathfinder’s signal and the bombs were assessed as on-target 30% effective.
As releasing our bombs, the flak continued to be scattered flak but no damage and no enemy fighters observed.
INBOUND
Nothing to report
A safe landing at Sudburry even despite the poor weather at base.
A good milk run for our new co-pilot’s first mission.
1LT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
1LT Martin reflected on how much the survivability of the bombers and their crews had improved since early 1943, when he started flight training. At the early 1943 loss rates most planes and crews only lasted 13 or 14 missions. Still after 14 missions only half the original crew was left, they had lost 8 crew members: 3 KIA and had 5 invalided home. Four of those in the current crew had purple hearts awarded.
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 22, 2023 12:16:43 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 22, 2023 12:16:43 GMT -8
Mission 90 - Frankfort, Germany
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (15th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Frankfort, Germany - Landing Field
Position: Name mission # Awards Confirmed Kills
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (15) PH, AM++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (2)
Bombardier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (15) DFC, AM++ 1.3
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (15) AM++
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (15) AM++ 3.8
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (12) PH, AM++
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (15) PH, AM++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (10) AM+ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (10) PH, AM+
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (8) AM
Bomb Percentage: off-target; 5%
Bomber Disposition: Repairable over night
Bomber Damage: 2x superficial to nose
Peckham Points: 2
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 1 1
Me109 2 1
Me410 2 2
Me-163 1
Unknown 1
Claims (BY TYPE): none
Awards: Oak leaf cluster to Air Medal
1LT Hershel Martin AM++
2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr AM++
2LT Syl Johnson AM++
MSG Merrill May AM++
S/SGT Heinie Mueller AM++
SGT Les Powers AM+
SGT Joe Marty AM+
AAR
Despite the poor weather conditions, we took off and joined up with the formation without incident.
OUTBOUND
Flight over the North Sea and Liberated Netherlands was without incident.
As we crossed over into Germany (zone 5) an unknown aircraft dropped bombs on the formation from above one of which glanced off the nose but does not go off and does only superficial damage
Then random event TT ace for the day.
(Zone 6) No enemy fighters observed and the flak we encountered did no damage.
TARGET AREA (zone 7)
As we approached the IP a Me410 attempted to attack but was driven off by the boys from the 479th FG
Shortly afterwards Riddle’s Raiders drove off a Me109 and Me410 but a Me109 came down in a vertical dive. Our gunners missed and it missed and disappeared into the cloud cover.
We suffered no damage from the flak and Gus Suhr released on the flair from the pathfinder but was assessed as off-target with 5% effectiveness.
Flak after the bomb run was also ineffective.
Our little friends drove off a Fw190 but a Me-163 came screaming down in a vertical dive, MSG May barely had time to engage and missed as did the Me-163.
As few left the target area and headed home we got an Extra tight bomber formation
INBOUND
As we started home The 479th keep any fighter away from us but a flak burst off the nose does some more superficial damage as well as rattling the nerves of Gus Suhr and Sly Johnson.
The rest of the flight back was uneventful and a safe landing at Sudburry, England despite the poor weather.
1LT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 24, 2023 12:44:34 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 24, 2023 12:44:34 GMT -8
Mission 91: Ingolstadt, Germany Bad Clown (16th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (16th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Ingolstadt, Germany - Marshalling Yard
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (16) PH, AM++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (3)
Bombardier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (16) DFC, AM++ 1.3
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (16) AM++
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (16) AM++ 3.8
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (13) PH, AM+
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (16) PH, AM++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (11) AM+ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (11) PH, AM+
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (9) AM
Bomb Percentage: on target; 40%
Bomber Disposition: Over night repair
Bomber Damage: superficial damage x8, radio out, bomb bay doors inoperable
Peckham Points: 28 total
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 2 1
Me109 1 1
Me262 2 1
Unkn 1
Claims (BY TYPE): none
Awards: none
AAR
The crew gathered and did their permission prep in the cold damp early morning grumbling about the English weather and discussion rumors about the German jets that had started appearing.
Typical poor weather but the takeoff and join up with the formation was routine.
OUTBOUND
The outbound flight was routine until we crossed over into German territory (zone 8). The fighters escort had thinned out and we saw German fighters starting to track the formation, but none approached us. As we approached the target area the formation spacing for our cell became very loose (random event disrupted formation), but no enemy aircraft and the light flak was ineffective.
TARGET AREA
As we arrived at the IP and started our bomb run the flak increase but did no damage. 1LT Suhr dropped on the flair and was assessed as on-target with 40% effectiveness. Flak after the bomb run continued to be ineffective and as we regrouped at the RP the boys from the 364th decided to pay more attention to us (random event). Which was good as they saw off a Me109 and a Fw190 shortly afterward. But they couldn’t stop and Fw190 that came after us in a vertical dive. MSG May in the top turret engaged but missed as did the Fw190. Those events left the crew feeling lucky (Lady Luck Smiles!)
INBOUND
As we started back to base (zone 2) an unknown Kraut aircraft fired some rockets into the formation from behind us causing superficial damage to the radio room and airframe.
After we had passed in the vicinity of Würzburg (zone 8), SGT Gabrielson spotted a B-17 with unusual markings trailing our formation. It didn’t respond to our attempt to contact and disappeared shortly afterwards.
As we were passing Marburg a Me262 came at us from 6 Low. S/SGT Mueller in the Ball Turret and SGT Gabrielson in the tail engaged, Gabrielson thought he hit the Me262 but no visible damage. The Me262 raked the mid-section of the Bad Clown taking out the radio, 2 superficial damage hits to the right wing and 1 more superficial damage to the airframe. We were lucky it didn’t do more damage. Gabrielson must had rattled the pilot if he didn’t get a hit since the pilot broke off the attack after almost colliding with us.
As we crossed out of German controlled territory, we were attacked by a Me262. MSG May, 2LT Suhr, and 2LT Johnson engaged it, MSG May hit the jet’s right wing causing superficial damage. The jet hit us jamming the bomb bay doors, superficial damage to the radio room, and 2 more superficial hits on the airframe.
We had consistent flak from the target all the way back to the liberated territory, but it was all ineffective.
The rest of the flight back was uneventful and a safe landing at Sudburry, England
Even though the Bad Clown hasn’t had a major damage on any one mission it has accumulated 280 Peckham Points over its’ 16 missions as the little things add up. Over all still in good shape thanks to the efforts of the ground crew.
1LT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 24, 2023 12:48:57 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 24, 2023 12:48:57 GMT -8
Mission 92 - BERLIN, Germany Bad Clown (17th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (17th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: BERLIN, Germany - Gas, Water, and Electricity Plants
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (17) PH, AM++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (4)
Bombardier: 2LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr (17) DFC, AM++ 1.3
Navigator: 2LT Syl Johnson (17) AM++
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (17) AM++ 3.8
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (14) PH, AM+
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (17) PH, AM++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (12) AM+ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (12) PH, AM+
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (10) AM
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: two days to repair
Bomber Damage:
Superficial damage x 3 (3PP)
#4 engine fire extinguished (25PP)
#4 engine out (25PP)
Nav KIA (10PP)
Bombardier SW (5PP)
right wing root x 3 (75PP)
Peckham Points: 148 two days to repair.
Casualties:
2LT Johnson KIA
2LT Suhr SW-IH
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 3 2 1 1 1
Me109 2 1 1
Me410 1 1
Me262 2 0 1
Unknown 1
Claims (BY TYPE): MSG May & SGT Marty Fw190 (shared) review board awarded each a half kill.
Awards:
2LT Johnson PH (posthumous)
2LT Suhr PH
SGT Gabrielson AM (Oak Leaf Cluster)
AAR:
As the crew prepared they were somber, while we have flown some long missions before we had a long one over German controlled territory since our first few missions and we had not faced the level of expected flak before. We took off in the typical English early morning poor weather and joined up with the formation without incident.
OUTBOUND
Ineffective costal flak greeted us as we passed over the coast into German territory. Otherwise, nothing of note until we were in the vicinity of Brandenburg, when we were attacked by two Me262’s that blew through the formation. One came at us in a vertical dive but missed us in both sense of the word, The pilot probably wasn’t familiar with the aircraft and it’s speed. The other came in a 9/ High. SGT Les Powers the left waist gunner couldn’t come close but MSG May in the top turret thought he got a hit (FCBA). Maybe he did, at any rate the jet missed and didn’t come back for a second try.
Target Area
Our little friends kept the fighters away as we approach the IP. But the heavy flak started as we began the bomb run. We took two hits to right wing one for superficial damage and the other started a fire in #4 engine. The fire was quickly extinguished but #4 engine was out.
Gus Suhr Released on the pathfinder signal and on target for 30%.
The heavy flak continued after bomb run and we were hammered by 5 shell hits. Three did Superficial damage, but we took two hits to the right wing root and the final one burst next to the nose killing out navigator 2LT Johnson who was hit in the head by shrapnel, and giving 2LT Suhr a serious wound in the abdomen. As we rejoined the formation at the RP three Fw190s came at us. The boys from the 364th chased two of them off and the third came in at 3/High The Starboard Waist: SGT Marty right waist gunner and MSG May shredded the Fw190’s left wing and a chute was observed as the fell out of sight.
INBOUND
As we started home, the crew got Gus Suhr moved to the radio room and patched him up as best they could. The 364th chased off a Me109 and a Me410 that were trying to take a shot at us but a Me109 came at us in a vertical dive and both MSG May and the Me109 missed. Just after we crossed over the Wesser River (zone 7) an unknown German lobbed rockets into the formation from our 6. One burst near our right wing damaging the wing root. We encounter flight flak that did no damage as we approached the German Dutch border and again as we crossed over the coast.
Landed safely at Sudburry, England, firing flares indicating we had serious wounded on board. The crew chief says it will be at least a couple of days before the Bad Clown is ready for another mission.
We had good news on Gus Suhr, he will fully recover but once he is a little better will be sent back to the states until he can return to flying status.
1LT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 24, 2023 12:54:52 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 24, 2023 12:54:52 GMT -8
Mission 93: Fredrichshafen, Germany Bad Clown (18th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (18th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Fredrichshafen, Germany - Tank Factory
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (18) PH, AM++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (5)
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (12) PH, AM+
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (11) AM+
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (18) AM++ 3.8
Radio Operator: S/SGT Jack Bolling (15) PH, AM+
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (18) PH, AM++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (13) AM+ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (13) PH, AM+
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (11) AM+
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 20%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage:
Superficial damage x 4 4
Left Wing root 25
Co-Pilot light wound 2
Left Wing fuel transfer pump 5
Peckham Points: 36 overnight repair
Casualties:
2LT Henry LW RTD in two days
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 2 2
Me109 3 1 1
Me110 2 1 1 1
Ta152H 1 1
Me262 2
Unknown 1
Claims:
Me109 : 2LT Puorro and 2LT Eccles shared kill awarded by Aerial Victory Board
Awards:
2LT Jim Henry AM, PH
S/SGT Jack Bolling promoted to T/SGT
AAR:
Our two new crew members are happy to be assigned to a regular crew and it’s good to have an experienced Navigator and Bombardier to replace Gus and Sly. Typical miserable English morning weather for takeoff but we were able to get airborne and join up with he formation which out any problems.
OUTBOUND
Routine flight to the target area, nothing of interest to report. Some medium intensity flak as we approached the target area but no damage to the aircraft.
TARGET AREA
As we approached the IP and began the bomb run the formation became some what disrupted, not sure if it was the flak or some of the crews were off their game. We could see medium intensity flak around us but no damage to our aircraft. Our new Bombardier 2LT Puorro released on the signal from lead but with the target completely obscured and the disrupted formation we were only assessed as 20% effective. The flak lightened after we released our bombs and did no damage to our aircraft. But right as we arrived at the RP Goring’s boys showed up. First a couple of Fw190s attempted to engage us but were shown off by our friends from the 20 FG. Shortly afterwards a pair of Me110s tried their luck. One was run off by our little friends and the other came at us from 3 Low. S/SGT Mueller in the Ball Turret and our Right Waist gunner SGT Marty both missed as did the Me110. Then three Me109s arrived. The boys from the 20 FG chased one off, one came in a 1:30 level and our two new crew members engaged and it exploded in a ball of fire, they probably hit the fuel tank. The last one came in at 9 high and MSG May (Top Turret) and SGT Powers ( Left Waist) scored a hit on the left wing of the Me109 which missed us and flew off out of sight.
INBOUND
Enemy fighter activity continued while we were over German airspace. First and unknown aircraft dropped bombs on the formation from above coming down around the Bad Clown, fortunately they missed us. After that a Ta152H tried to set up for an attack but was driven off by our little friends. Finally as we approached friendly airspace a pair of Me262s hit us. The first came at us in a vertical climb. S/SGT Heinie Mueller in the ball turret engaged and while he didn’t think he got a hit his fire ruined the Me262’s aim as it missed and we lost sight of it. The second Me262 had better luck coming at us from our 6. SGT Gabrielson (Tail Gunner) engaged but didn’t observe a hit. The Me262 landed several hits on us as it went past but did not reengage. We took two hits to the pilot compartment one left 2Lt Henry with a light wound to the thigh and the second did superficial damage. There were also superficial damage hits to the tail, left waist, and nose. There was a hit to the left wing root and the left wing fuel transfer pump. The fuel transfer pump continued to work so we didn’t have to use one of the emergency airfields.
We had good weather and a safe landing at Sudburry, England. Both 2LT Henry and the Bad Clown will be ready for the next mission.
1LT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 24, 2023 12:56:50 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 24, 2023 12:56:50 GMT -8
Mission 94: Hanover, Germany Bad Clown (19th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (19th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Hanover, Germany - Tank Factory
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (19) PH, AM++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (6) PH, AM
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (13) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (12) AM+ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (19) AM++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (16) PH, AM+
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (19) PH, AM++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (14) AM+ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (14) PH, AM+
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (12) AM+
Bomb Percentage: off-target, 5%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage:
Superficial damage 6 hits
Left wing root 1 hit
Intercom out
co-pilot oxygen system,
engine fire extinguishers out
SGT Powers light wound
Peckham Points: 66 overnight repair
Casualties: SGT Powers light wound
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 4 2 2
Ta152H 1 1
Me262 4
Unknown 1
Claims:
Awards: SGT Powers PH
AAR:
Successful take off and join up in normal poor weather.
OUTBOUND
Light ineffective flak marked our arrival over occupied Dutch territory.
As we approached the German border two Two Me262 blew through our fighter escort one was engaged by Top Turret & Left Waist and the other by right cheek & chin turret. Everyone missed including the attacking jets. There was more light flak as we crossed into Germany and an unidentified German lobbed rockets into the formation from aft, fortunately they missed us.
TARGET AREA
There was moderate flak but no damage to us as we made our bomb run. 2Lt Puorro was slow to release on the pathfinder signal and was off target at 5% effective. After bomb release we took a flak hit to the left wing root.
We were hit with several fight attacks. First an Fw190 was shown off by our escorts, They then chased off another Fw190 but two got through to attack us. SGT Power got some hits on first at 9/H which didn’t do any visible damage but the Fw190 missed and when hunting elsewhere. MSG May and SGT Marty both missed an Fw190 at 3/H which took out the intercom, co-pilot oxygen system, engine fire extinguishers, and gave SGT Power a superficial head wound. He came back at 10:30 low and all available guns engaged it scoring some superficial hits. The Fw190 missed and disappeared.
Then two Me210s came at us 2LT Eccles and Sgt Marty took on the one coming in at 1:30 and while they did score any hits neither did the Me210. MSG May couldn’t hit the 2nd one which scored three superficial hits on the fuselage and one on the wing. He came back at 1:30 Low and everyone who could took their shot but everyone missed. It still may have done some good as he also missed and broke off the attack.
INBOUND
As we started home we had to leave the formation and drop down to 10,000 feet due to the oxygen system damage
A Ta152H and then a Fw190 attempted to take advantage of our exposed situation but our little friend ran them off. At the lower level we took increase flak and 2 superficial damage hits to the left wing.
We continued to have frequent light flak until we were over the North Sea but did not take any more damage.
Weather at Sudburry was worse than normal but a safe landing. Sgt Powers and the Bad Clown will be ready for the next mission.
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 24, 2023 12:59:36 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 24, 2023 12:59:36 GMT -8
Mission 95: Zossen, Germany Bad Clown (20th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (20th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Zossen, Germany - HQ of the German High Command
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: 1LT Hershel Martin (20) PH, AM++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (7) PH, AM
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (14) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (13) AM+ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (20) AM++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (17) PH, AM+
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (20) PH, AM++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (15) PH, AM+ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (15) PH, AM+
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (13) AM+
Bomb Percentage: off-target, 5%
Bomber Disposition: Overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
Left wing root
Ball turret in-operational
Superficial damage x 2
Peckham Points: 47 points
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Fw190 2 1 1
Me109 1 1
Unknown 2
Claims: none
Awards:
1LT Hershel Martin AM (3rd Oak Leaf cluster), promoted to CAPT
MSG Merrill May AM (3rd Oak Leaf cluster)
S/SGT Heinie Mueller AM (3rd Oak Leaf cluster)
SGT Les Powers AM (2nd Oak Leaf cluster)
SGT Joe Marty AM (2nd Oak Leaf cluster)
AAR:
The crew was in good humor during the preflight activities. The news that the 1st Army had a bridgehead across the Rhein River at Remagen encouraged them that the war would be over this summer. A couple at plased bets with S/SGT Marcucchi with the Lassie Come Home crew. S/SGT Heinie Mueller has the 7th of June and SGT Len Gabrielson had the f8th of August.
We had good weather for a change, the engines acted up for a second as we started our takeoff run giving everyone a scare but then settled down. We got airborne and joined up with the formation.
OUTBOUND
Light flak marked our passage into German controlled territory. Shortly after we were over Germany an enemy aircraft lobbed rockets into the formation. One burst near us but did no damage. There was a second attack when we were north of Hanover where we observed rockets but none burst near us.
Target Area
As we approached the IP two attacked. The first was run off by the boys from the 364th FG. The other attacked in vertical dive. MSG May hit the right wing and it was enough to make him miss us. On the bomb run there was heavy flak, and we took superficial damage. It was enough to make 2LT Puorro late on release. The results were assessed as off-target for 5% effectiveness. After release we were hit by more flak taking a hit to the left wing root, knocking the ball turret out of action and doing more superficial damage
INBOUND
Shortly after we left the target area a Me109 attempted an approach and was seen off by our little friends. Some light flak when we were south of Hanover but no damage, We encountered more light ineffective flak as we passed over the coast south of Rotterdam.
Good weather and a safe landing at Sudburry
As the crew enjoyed some rounds on newly promoted Capt Martin, he reflected on the status after 20 missions. Twenty missions and 20 crew members. He, “Pappy” May, and Heinie Mueller were the only members of the original crew left and Hennie had a close call today when the ball turret was hit. Seven of the current crew had Purple Hearts. Three of the original crew were dead along with one of the replacements, 4 of the original crew had serious enough wounds to be sent home, along with two of the replacements. Some would never fully recover from those injuries. The Bad Clown was showing its’ war weariness, while it had only once taken more than a day to repair damage after a mission, over the 20 missions it had accumulated enough damage over time that back home it would be a hanger queen, here it was just a bomber in average condition.
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 25, 2023 13:44:14 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 25, 2023 13:44:14 GMT -8
Mission 96: Hamburg, Germany Bad Clown (21th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (21th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Hamburg, Germany - Oil Refinery
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: CAPT Hershel Martin (21) PH, AM+++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (8) PH, AM
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (15) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (14) AM+ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (21) AM+++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (18) PH, AM++
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (21) PH, AM+++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (16) PH, AM++ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (16) PH, AM++
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (14) AM+
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Over night repair
Bomber Damage:
Superficial hit
Top Turret power failure
Left waist Gun
Right cheek gun
Peckham Points: 41
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me410 2 1 1 shared credit
Claims: 1 Me410 by S/SGT Mueller), SGT Marty and 2LT Puorro (Board gives 1/3 shared credit)
Awards: 2LT Ryan Puorro (2nd Oak Leaf cluster)
AAR
Good takeoff, on a beautiful English morning (for a change) and successfully joined the formation.
OUTBOUND
Flight to the target area was uneventful other than light ineffective flak that greeted us as we passed over the coast.
Target Area
As we approached Hamburg the problems started. We hit some extremely cold air and the right cheek, left waist guns jammed as did one of the ball turret guns and both tail guns. Then an unknown aircraft dropped bombs through the formation. One burst near by causing superficial damage. An unidentified B-17 was observed shadowing the formation by our tail gunner but no idea how long they had been there, They broke off and disappeared as we started the bomb run. There was heavy flak but no damage on the bomb run.
After late off target releases the last two mission Lt Puorro released right on signal and was assessed as on-target for 50% effectiveness.
No flak damage after release as the flak was noticeably lighter. The ball turret and tail turret were able to get their guns operating, but the left waist gun broke attempting to repair it. The crew was feeling incredibly lucky (2x random event both Lady Luck Smiles!) as the formation gathered at the RP and started home.
INBOUND
As we left the target area One wave leaving target area and approaching the coast two Me410s attempted an attack. One was chased off by the fighters. The second attacked at 1:30/Lo and was engaged by S/SGT Mueller (Ball Turret), SGT Marty (Right Waist) and 2LT Puorro Chin Turret. They shredded the left wing and damaged the right wing no chute was observed as the Me410 when down.
When we were a little over half way back the top turret had a power failure and couldn’t be fixed before we landed.
Routine safe landing at Sudburry
1LT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 25, 2023 13:46:38 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 25, 2023 13:46:38 GMT -8
Mission 97: Bremen, Germany Bad Clown (22th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (22th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Bremen, Germany - Submarine Construction Yard
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: CAPT Hershel Martin (22) PH, AM+++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (9) PH, AM
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (16) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (15) AM+ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (22) AM+++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (19) PH, AM++
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (22) PH, AM+++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (17) PH, AM++ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (17) PH, AM++
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (15) AM+
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage: one superficial damage
Peckham Points: 1
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
Me109 1 1
Claims: None
Awards:
2LT Ryan Eccles Air Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster)
SGT Len Gabrielson Air Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster)
Promotion: SGT Len Gabrielson to S/SGT
AAR
Back to the normal miserable weather to start the day, but we took off and joined the formation without incident. A lot of crew speculation on how much longer before Germany is overrun. The Army has broken out of their bridge heads and are advancing deep into Germany.
OUTBOUND
Flight to the target area was uneventful other than light ineffective flak that stated once we passed over the coast and continued to the target area.
Target Area
As we started our bomb run, we had a flak burst near us but it only did superficial damage. 2LT Puorro release on signal for the pathfinder and the results were assessed as on-target with 40% effectiveness. At the RP if seemed like we had an extra tight formation for the trip home. Everyone appeared to be on their game for the trip home.
INBOUND
The trip back to base was uneventful. The boys from the 364th FG kept the limited response from Goring’s boys at bay. We only had a single Me109 make any attempt on us and he was quickly dispatched by our little friends. An uneventful milk run, the first in several months.
A safe routine landing at Sudburry, England
CAPT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 25, 2023 13:48:13 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 25, 2023 13:48:13 GMT -8
Mission 98: Kiel, Germany Bad Clown (23th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (23th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Kiel, Germany - Oil Storage Depot
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: CAPT Hershel Martin (23) PH, AM+++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (10) PH, AM
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (17) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (16) AM++ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (23) AM+++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (20) PH, AM++
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (23) PH, AM+++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (18) PH, AM++ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (18) PH, AM++
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (16) AM++
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission
Bomber Damage:
Peckham Points:
Casualties:
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
none
Claims:
Awards:
2LT Jim Henry Air Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)
T/SGT Jack Bolling Air Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster)
AAR
It is clear to all of us that Germany is on the ropes and will be down for the count soon. But with the news in Stars and Stripes that we have invaded Okinawa the subject of that war was a hot topic. There are a lot of rumors about who will be transferred to the Pacific once Germany is out of the war. Some saying the B-24s and their crews would be the first to go. My co-pilot Jim Henry has heard that he could get an upgrade to pilot or assigned to one of the new B-29 super fortresses if he volunteers for the transfer once we are done here. Naturally everyone is also worried about surviving the mission we still must fly to see this to the end.
OUTBOUND
More miserable English weather. Took off and joined up with the formation. The flight to the target area was without incident, our fighter escort was sufficient to keep what remains of the Luftwaffe away from us and no flak prior to the target area.
Target Area
The was medium intensity ineffective flak from the IP to the target. 2LT Puorro released on the Pathfinder’s signal and the bombs were assessed as on-target with 40% effectiveness. The flak decreased in intensity after bomb release and continued to be ineffective.
OUTBOUND
The flight back was without incident. A safe routine landing at Sudburry, England made this a true milk run.
CAPT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 25, 2023 13:49:54 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 25, 2023 13:49:54 GMT -8
Mission 99: Wolfrathausen, Germany Bad Clown (24th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (24th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle (outbound) Tail (Inbound)
TARGET: Wolfrathausen, Germany - Munitions Factory
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: CAPT Hershel Martin (24) PH, AM+++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (11) PH, AM+
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (18) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (17) AM++ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (24) AM+++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (21) PH, AM+++
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller (24) PH, AM+++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (19) PH, AM++ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (19) PH, AM++
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (17) AM++
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: over night repair
Bomber Damage:
Chin turret
Top turret
Super Superficial damage x 2
Rudder
Peckham Points: 52
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
FW190 3 1 1 1 50% shared credit
Ta152 2 2
Claims: 1 (S/SGT Mueller and SGT Marty) shared 1/2 credit
Awards: none
AAR
With the rapid advance of our ground forces everyone thinks the war will be over soon. LT Henry and Lt Puorro informed me that they want to be with the crew until Germany was out of the war. Then they intended to volunteer for transfer to the B-29s in the Pacific.
OUTBOUND
Ground fog required some extra attention for takeoff but once airborne and above the fog we joined the formation without incident.
The flight to the target area was routine, No enemy fighter or flak encountered.
TARGET AREA
As we approached the Wolfrathausen, area two Ta152’s which were chased off by the guys from the 20FG. Then three Fw190’s attacked; one was taken care of by our little friends but the other two made it through to us. 2LT Puorro damaged the fighter which misses us and broke off the attack, MSG May in the top turret hits the second which then hammered us knowing out the chip turret and the top turret also with Superficial Damage to the nose and right wing. When he came back around S/SGT Mueller and SGT Marty combined for enough damage to take him out, no chute was observed.
On the run from the IP to the target where was light ineffective flak. LT Puorro released on signal and was assessed as on target with 30% effectiveness.
As everyone reformed at the RP we observed Thunderbird was badly damaged and making for Switzerland. We assumed their position as Tail End Charlie for the flight home.
INBOUND
No enemy activity observed but as we approached the French border we started having problems with the rudder. We were able to hold our position in the formation and while it made landing more challenging, we were able to land safely.
CAPT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 25, 2023 13:56:49 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 25, 2023 13:56:49 GMT -8
Mission 100: Pilsen, Czechoslovakia Bad Clown (25th mission)
B-17G Name: Bad Clown (25th mission)
Crew Commander: 2LT Hershel Martin
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Pilsen, Czechoslovakia - Skoda Armament Works
Position: Name mission # Prior Awards & Confirmed Kills
Pilot: CAPT Hershel Martin (25) PH, AM+++
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry (12) PH, AM+
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro (19) PH, AM+ .5
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles (18) AM++ .5
Engineer: MSG Merrill May (25) AM+++ 3.8
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling (22) PH, AM+++
Ball Gunner: MSG Merrill May (25) PH, AM+++ 2.3
Port Waist: SGT Les Powers (20) PH, AM++ 1.3
Starboard Waist: SGT Joe Marty (20) PH, AM++
Tail Gunner: SGT Len Gabrielson (18) AM++
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty at overnight repairs
Bomber Damage:
engine fire extinguishers
#4 turbo-supercharger
right-wing ailerons
right wing gun
superficial damage x 1
Peckham Points: 56
Casualties: none
Landing: Safe at Sudburry, England
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Driven Off / Damaged / Claimed / Awarded / Probable
FW190 1 1
Me163 1
Claims: none
Awards:
Air metal (oak leaf cluster):
CAPT Hershel Martin
MSG Merrill May
MSG Merrill May
SGT Les Powers
Promoted to S/SGT: Les Powers & Joe Marty
AAR
Knowing that the war will be over soon the crew was generally in a good mood helped by the good weather. But not wanting to jinx the mission there is no discussion of post war plans just concentration on getting everything ready. No one wants to go down on what could be the last mission.
OUTBOUND
With the good weather we took off and joined the formation without incident. Flight to the target area was without incident.
TARGET AREA
No fighters were up when we entered the target area and the flak on the bomb run was ineffective. Bombs away on the signal from the pathfinder and were assessed as on-target with 30% effectiveness.
After we reached the RP a Fw190 was driven off by the guys from the 20FG but a Me-163 came in at a vertical dive. We were hit 4 times taking out the engine fire extinguishers, damaging the right-wing ailerons, taking out the right wing gun and doing superficial damage. Fortunately, no one was injured.
INBOUND
Right after leaving the target area we lost the #4 turbo-supercharger, but we were able to feather the engine and stay with the formation. The rest of the trip home was uneventful. With a safe routine landing despite the engine and aileron damage.
We all were relieved to be back on the ground after more excitement than we wanted on what we found out was our last combat mission. With the promotions to S/SGT for Les Powers & Joe Marty there was even more to celebrate.
CAPT Hershel Martin, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Bad Clown
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Jul 25, 2023 16:34:57 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Jul 25, 2023 16:34:57 GMT -8
Missions 4th Campaign 2nd War (first time participating)
Campaign with 8AF from June 1944 to end of war (25 missions)
While the Bad Clown survived for all 25 missions, only three of the original crew did and two of those had Purple Hearts. There were 10 replacement crew members, 7 were with the crew on the last mission, 5 with Purple Hearts
Crew losses 4 KIA, 6 SW-IH, 7 with PH but still flying
B-17G Bad Clown
original crew and final rank mission # flown awards notes
Pilot: 1LT Morrie Arnovich 1-13 PH+ AM* SW-IH 13th mission
Co-Pilot: CAPT Hershel Martin 1-13 PH, AM++++
14-25 (Pilot)
Bombadier: 2nd LT August ‘Gus’ Suhr 1-17 DFC, AM++ PH 2.3 kills credited SW-IH 17th mission
Navigator: 2nd LT Syl Johnson 1-17 AM++, PH .5 kills credited KIA 17th mission
Engineer: MSG G Merrill May 1-25 AM++++ 3.8 kills credited
Radio Operator S/SGT Gilbert ‘Gil’ Brack 1-3 PH SW-IH 3rd mission
Ball Gunner: S/SGT Heinie Mueller 1-25 PH, AM++++ 2.3 kills credited
Port Waist: SGT Virgil Davis 1-25 PH KIA 2nd mission
Starboard Waist: SGT Claude Passeau 1-3 PH KIA 3rd mission
Tail Gunner: SGT Walter Beck 1-7 PH, AM 2 kills credited SW – IH 7th mission
Replacements
Co-Pilot: 2LT Jim Henry 14-25 PH, AM++
Bombardier 2LT Ryan Puorro 18-25 PH, AM++ .5 kills credited (2 additional missions flown with other bombers)
Navigator 2LT Ryan Eccles 18-25 AM++ .5 kills credited (1 additional mission flown with other bombers)
Radio Operator: T/SGT Jack Bolling 4-25 PH, AM+++
Port Waist SGT Fred Mercer 3-4 PH SW-IH mission 4
Port Waist SGT Elmer Burkart 5 PH KIA mission 5
Port Waist: S/SGT Les Powers 6-25 PH, AM+++ 1.3 kills credited
Starboard Waist: SGT Claude Passeau 5 PH KIA mission 5
Starboard Waist: S/SGT Joe Marty 6-25 PH, AM+++ .8 kills credited
Tail Gunner: S/SGT Len Gabrielson 8-25 AM++
composite mission record
Mission # Date Plane Name Target/Type Peckham pts Bomb %
1 6/6/1944 Bad Clown Caen France/Bridge 0 87
2 6/10/1944 Bad Clown Nantes Bougeumaie/ Airdrome 35 30
3 6/18/1944 Bad Clown Hamburg/Oil Plant 49 30
4 7/5/1944 Bad Clown Gilze Rijen, Holland/Airdrome 13 40
5 7/12/1944 Bad Clown Munich/City Area 12 50
6 7/23/1944 Bad Clown Creiel France/Airdrome 0 50
7 8/4/1944 Bad Clown Peenemunde/ Luftwaffe Experimental V-Rocket Station 69 50
8 8/11/1944 Bad Clown Brest, France/Coastal Batteries 55 20
9 8/27/1944 Bad Clown Esbjerg, Denmark/Airdrome 0 50
10 9/10/1944 Bad Clown Stuttgart/Marshalling Yard 0 30
11 10/9/1944 Bad Clown Schweinfurt/Ball Bearing Plant 2 40
12 11/6/1944 Bad Clown Bottrup, Germany/Synthetic Oil Refinery 0 40
13 11/10/1944 Bad Clown Cologne/Airfield 15 50
14 12/23/1944 Bad Clown Ehrang, Germany/Marshalling Yard 0 30
15 12/24/1944 Bad Clown Frankfort/Airfield 2 5
16 1/15/1945 Bad Clown Ingolstadt/Marshalling Yard 28 40
17 2/3/1945 Bad Clown Berlin/Gas, Water, and Electricity Plants 148 30
18 2/25/1945 Bad Clown Fredrichshafen/ Tank Factory 36 20
19 3/3/1945 Bad Clown Hanover, Germany - Tank Factory 66 5
20 3/15/1945 Bad Clown Zossen, Germany HQ German High Command 47 5
21 3/20/1945 Bad Clown Hamburg, Germany - Oil Refinery 41 50
22 3/30/1945 Bad Clown Bremen, Germany - Submarine Construction Yard 1 40
23 4/2/1945 Bad Clown Kiel, Germany - Oil Storage Depot 0 40
24 4/9/1945 Bad Clown Wolfrathausen, Germany - Munitions Factory 52 30
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Aug 2, 2023 16:00:12 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Aug 2, 2023 16:00:12 GMT -8
Arkansas Traveler (Mission #1) Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome
B-24D Arkansas Traveler (Mission #1)
Crew Commander: 1LT Floyd Speer Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: Low Position: Middle TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome | Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Prior Kills
Awarded | Status | | Pilot | 1LT | Floyd Speer | 1 |
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| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | George McQuinn | 1 |
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| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Johnny Marcum | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Navigator | 2LT | Pat Tobin | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Engineer | S/SGT | Sam Harshaney | 1 | | | RFD | | Radio Operator | S/SGT | John Whitehead | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Ball Gunner | SGT | Bill Trotter | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Left Waist | SGT | Harry Kimberlin | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Right Waist | SGT | Joe Glenn | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Short | 1 |
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| RFD
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Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) (skill +1) Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50% Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty ( crew did normal good job) Bomber Damage: none Peckham Points: none Casualties: none Landing: safe landing at Foggia Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 5
| Bf-109 | Me-110 | Re-2005 | Fw-190 | Totals | | Escort Intercept | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | | Undamaged |
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| | Damaged | 1 | 1 |
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| 2 | | Probable/Denied |
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| | Destroyed |
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Claims: none Awards: none AARCrew was showing a mixture of nervousness and excitement for their first combat mission, but went about the permission activities and check list carefully. That included Lt McQuinn and myself but we took off and joined the formation without embarrassing ourselves. OUTBOUNDAs we approached the Yugoslavia we encountered Kraut fighter activity. First we encountered tw e110’s one was driven off by our little friends and the second attacked in a vertical climb SGT Trotter in the Ball Turret hit it’s right wing. The kraut missed us wide right and disappeared. Shortly after that out little friends chased off a Re2005, while a Me109 came in at 12/H S/SGT Harshaney in the top turret and Lt Marcum engaged it, hitting the fuselage. The kraut missed and broke off the attack.
TARGET AREAAs we approached the IP a Me-109 started to engage but was driven off by our little friends. As predicted, there was light ineffective flak and Lt Marcum’s run was on target assessed as 50% effective. After the bomb release, we rejoined the formation at the RP INBOUND The flight back was uneventful with a safe landing at Foggia 1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding B-24D Arkansas Traveler 78th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Aug 2, 2023 16:01:59 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Aug 2, 2023 16:01:59 GMT -8
B-17F All In (Mission #1) Mostar, Yugoslavia - AirdromeCrew Commander: 1LT George Gill Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group Formation: middle Position: Middle TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome | Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Kills Awarded | Status | | Pilot | 1LT | George Gill | 1 |
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| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | 2LT Ed Cole | 1 |
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| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Louis “Buck” Newso | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Navigator | 2LT | 2LT Myril Hoag | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Engineer | S/SGT | Roy “Beau” Bell | 1 | | | RFD | | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Vern Kennedy | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Ball Gunner | SGT | SGT Russ Van Atta | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Left Waist | SGT | Julius “Moose” Solters | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Right Waist | SGT | Alfred “Roxie” Lawson | 1 |
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| RFD
| | Tail Gunner | SGT | Ralph “Red” Kress | 1 |
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| RFD
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Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson skill 0 Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50% Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty Bomber Damage: none Peckham Points: Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission. Ground crew random events: Excellent work on the preparation for today’s mission. You have a Lucky Charm for this mission only. Post Mission Repairs: Good work on the maintenance after today’s mission. Landing: safe landing at Foggia Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 1
| Bf-109 | Fw-190 | Me-110 | Unknown | Totals | | Escort Intercept |
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| 1 | 1 | | Damaged |
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Casualties: none Claims: none Awards: none
AAR
For the first mission the crew and ground crew covered any first mission jitters by being extra meticulous in their preflight preparations. We took off and joined up with the formation without incident. OUTBOUNDnothing to report. TARGET AREAThere was light ineffective flak as we began our bomb run after the IP. LT Newsom was on target despite the cloud cover and assessed at 50% effectiveness. We joined up with the formation at the RP without incident. INBOUNDas we were passing from the Yugoslavian coast over the Adriatic an unknown aircraft lobbed rockets into the formation from our aft. There was one large burst near us that did no damage. Everyone was happy to get the first mission under our belts with no injuries or damage to our bomber. safe landing at Foggia 1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding B-17F All In 79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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Post by rhreiss on Aug 10, 2023 11:46:42 GMT -8
AAR
B-17F All In (Mission #2) Pisa, Italy - Marshalling YardB-17F All In (Mission #2)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: high
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard
| Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Kills Awarded | Status | | Pilot | 1LT | George Gill | 2 |
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| RFD | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | 2LT Ed Cole | 2 |
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| RFD | Bombardier
| 2LT | Louis “Buck” Newso | 2 |
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| RFD
| | Navigator | 2LT | 2LT Myril Hoag | 2 |
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| RFD
| | Engineer | S/SGT | Roy “Beau” Bell | 2 | | | RFD | | Radio Operator | S/SGT | Vern Kennedy | 2 |
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| RFD
| | Ball Gunner | SGT | SGT Russ Van Atta | 2 |
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| RFD
| | Left Waist | SGT | Julius “Moose” Solters | 2 |
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| RFD
| | Right Waist | SGT | Alfred “Roxie” Lawson | 2 |
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| RFD
| | Tail Gunner | SGT | Ralph “Red” Kress | 2 |
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| RFD
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Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) skill 0 (+1 post mission)
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 20
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage:
2 X superficial damage
right wing flap
Radio
Left elevator
Pilot compartment window
Peckham Points: 42
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission.
Ground crew random events: none
Post Mission Repairs: mission. Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.
Landing: safe landing at
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 5
| Bf-109 | Fw-190 | Me-410 | Re2005 | Totals | | Escort Intercept |
| 4
| 1 |
| 5 | | Undamaged |
| 1 |
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| 1 | | Damaged |
| 2 |
| 1
| 3 | | Probable/Denied |
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| | Destroyed |
| 1
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| 1 |
Casualties: none
Claims: S/SGT Bell & SGT Lawson claimed kill of Fw-190 (awarded shared credit with another B-17)
Awards: none
AAR
The crew was ready for this mission after the delay from the aborted mission and the rain delay. The ground crew took advantage of the extra days to get the All In fully ready for the mission.
OUTBOUND
Take off and joining the formation went smoothly despite the bad weather. And no enemy activity was observed on the flight to the target area.
TARGET AREA
As we reached the target area and approached the IP. We were engaged By two FW190’s And a ME410. Our fighter escorts ran off one of the FW190s and the ME 410. Beau (TT) and Roxie (RW) engaged the Fw190 @ 3?H both hitting it. The left wing broke off and fuel tank exploded with no chute was observed.
While making our bomb run a flak burst took out the right wing flap That shook the All In and challenged Buck’s aiming skills, He was on target but only assessed as 20% effective.
Just after the flak burst Russ (BT) and Red (Tail) reports that the High Ball lost it tail and they only counted four chutes.
After bomb release we took a flak hit that took out the radio. While Vern was uninjured, he was badly shaken when the guts of the radio were blown out of it in front of him.
As we rejoined the formation at the RP three Fw190s tried their luck. Our fighter escort chased one off. Buck (Nose) and Beau (TT) both hit the Fw-190 at 12/H damaging left wing flap right Wing aileron. He missed and broke off the attack. Moose (LW) says he hit the one at 3/H but it stitched us taking out a window in the cockpit, taking the Left elevator out of action and doing superficial damage to the nose and midsection. That Fw190 also broke off his attack after that one pass.
INBOUND
The krauts continued to harass us as we started back to base. The escorts chased off a Fw190 but a Re2005 at 3/H got past them and Beau (TT) and Roxie (RW) engaged and claimed hit its right wing. They were effective enough that it missed and broke off the attack. Shortly afterwards the escorts ran off another Fw190. That was followed by an Fw190 attacking from a vertical dive. Beau (TT) and Vern (Radio) tried to hit but they and the Fw190 all failed to hit anything.
The rest of the flight was without incident.
Safe Landing at Foggia
Fred our crew chief was not happy that we returned his plane with damage but says it will be ready to go after quick repairs.
1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
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rhreiss
79th Bomber Squadron XO
Posts: 293
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rhreiss
Aug 10, 2023 11:53:25 GMT -8
Post by rhreiss on Aug 10, 2023 11:53:25 GMT -8
AAR
Arkansas Traveler (Mission #2) Pisa, Italy - Marshalling YardB-24D Arkansas Traveler (Mission #2)
Crew Commander: 1LT Floyd Speer
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard
| Crew Position | Rank | Name | Mission # | Prior Awards | Prior Kills
Awarded | Status | | Pilot | 1LT | Floyd Speer | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days | Co-Pilot
| 2LT | George McQuinn | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days | Bombardier
| 2LT | Johnny Marcum | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
| | Navigator | 2LT | Pat Tobin | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
| | Engineer | S/SGT | Sam Harshaney | 2 | | | RFD in 5 days | | Radio Operator | S/SGT | John Whitehead | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
| | Ball Gunner | SGT | Bill Trotter | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
| | Left Waist | SGT | Harry Kimberlin | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
| | Right Waist | SGT | Joe Glenn | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
| | Tail Gunner | SGT | Dave Short | 2 |
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| RFD in 5 days
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Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) (skill +1)
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 8%
Bomber Disposition: broken up for spare parts
Bomber Damage:
auto pilot 10
Fuel leak 10
5 x superficial damage 10
Peckham Points: 30
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission.
Ground crew random events: none
Post Mission Repairs: NA
Landing: safe landing at Corsica
Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 5
| Bf-109 | Me-210 | Fw-190 | C205
| Totals | | Escort Intercept | 1 |
| 1 |
| 2 | | Undamaged |
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| | Damaged | 1 |
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1
| 2 | | Probable/Denied |
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| | Destroyed |
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1
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1 |
Casualties: none
Claims: Me-210 S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Short (awarded shared kill with another bomber)
Awards: none
AAR
S/SGT Harshaney has been taking advantage of the time between missions to work with T/SGT Patrick and his ground crew recognizing that we have an experienced crew chief who can teach him a lot about maintaining the Arkansas Traveler during missions. T/SGT Patrick spent the extra days making sure the plane was 100% ready for this mission (No Mechanical Failures for this mission).
OUTBOUND
As we headed out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, we observed enemy fighters observing our formation from a distance keeping well away from our escorts for a short while. Towards the end of the flight up the coast we fheard the Flat Foot Floogie call out that they were aborting the mission and then heard chatter that a B-17 from 79th had taken over TEC, which didn’t make sense. But our tail gunner reported that there was a bomber flying in the TEC spot.
TARGET AREA
As we entered the target area our escorts chased off a Fw190 but missed a C205 at 3/Lv. S/SGT Harshaney (TT), SGT Trotter (BT), and SGT Kimberlin (LW) all engaged hitting the left wing. The fighter missed us and continued out of sight.
That was followed by another wave. Once again, the escorts chased off one a Me109, two got through. A Me210 came staring at us at 6/H and SGT Short (Tail) and S/SGT Harshaney (TT) riddled both wings sending the fighter spinning down, no chute observed. SGT Trotter (BT) hit the left wing of a Me109 coming at us in a vertical climb and it in turn hit us taking out the auto pilot and doing superficial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
As we made our bomb run we had a couple of flak burst close by doing more superficial damage to the left wing and fuselage, and starting a fuel leak. With the plane shook by the flak and sudden loss of the auto pilot 2LT Marcum just amanged to stay on target but was only assessed as 8% effective.
After the bomb release we tok more superficial damage to the ring wing.
At the RP the formed an extra tight formation, so tight we saw one near mid-air in front of us, everyone got sorted out.
INBOUND
As we started back, 2LT Tobin and S/SGT Harshaney reported that with the fuel leak we had enough fuel to comfortably reach the RAF base on Corsica but not enough to make it back to the base. I reported we were leaving the formation in Zone 5 to head to Corsica. Landing at Corsica was a nail biter but we got the plane on the ground and the crew walked away with no injuries. We should be back at base in 4 to 6 days.
1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-24D Arkansas Traveler
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF
NOTE on 8% bomb accuracy, after being on target despite the negative modifiers I then roll an 11 for accuracy, That result is sum 3 D6 and then multiply by the result of a fourth D6. I was expecting 30 to 40% but I then rolled 1,1,6 and multiplier of 1 for 8%.
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