rhreiss

[rhreiss]

 15AF Mission #3 Perugia, Italy - Airdrome
B-17F All In AAR


B-17F All In (Mission #3)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	3			RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	3			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newso	3			RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	3			RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	3		1/3	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	3			RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	3			RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	3			RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Alfred “Roxie” Lawson	3		1/3	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	3			RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) third mission skill 1

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission.
Ground crew random events: N/A
Post Mission Repairs: mission. Good work on the repairs. Your Crew Chief receives ½ Skill Point.


Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 5

	Me-109	Fw-190	Me-410	Re2005	Totals
Escort Intercept	2	1			3
Undamaged	1				1
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed	1				1

Casualties: none
Claims: 1 shared kill 2LT Newsom & SGT Van Atta (1/2 kill awarded to each )
Awards:

AAR
The crew was ready to go being somewhat antsy after being coped up from he rain and the aborted mission yesterday.

OUTBOUND
Take off and joining the formation in the cold rain required extra concentration and effort but we joined up with the formation without incident.
Once we crossed over the front lines the krauts seemed intent upon shadowing the formation and trying to get an attack in when they could. Our friends from the 325th were intent on making that hard to do. About midway to the target a Me109 tried to make a run at us but was chased off by the boys for the 325th. Then as we got closer to the target area 2 Me109s made another attempt coming in a 12/Lo. The Jugs took care of one and Buck and Russ both hit smashing the cockpit and engine turning the 109 into a a flaming wreck. No chute was observed. Right after that a Me109 came screaming through the formation in a vertical dive. Vern and Beau took shots but missed as did the 109.

TARGET AREA
The jugs from the 325th chased off a Fw190 as we approached the IP. As we did our bomb run light flak was observed but no damage. Buck was on target and assessed as 30% effective. After we rejoined the formation at the RP rockets were fired into the formation from the rear, with one going off close enough to shake the plane but no damage.

INBOUND
After the rocket attack our little friends seemed to increase their vigilance and the rest of the flight was without incident.

Safe Landing at Guilia

Fred our crew chief said he would make sure the All In would get a through servicing and be ready for a mission tomorrow.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR
15AF Mission 4   Istres/Le Tube, France - Airdrome
B-17F All In (Mission #4)


B-17F All In (Mission #4)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Tail
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	4			RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	4			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newso	4		1/2	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	4			RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	4		1/3	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	4			RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	4		1/2	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	4			RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Alfred “Roxie” Lawson	4		1/3	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	4			RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) third mission skill 1

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission.
Ground crew random events: N/A
Post Mission Repairs: mission. Good work on the repairs. Your Crew Chief receives ½ Skill Point.


Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield



Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) third mission skill 1.5

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Unmodified 12 Excellent work on preparing your ship for today’s mission. No Mechanical Failures on this mission & One Lucky Charm!
Ground crew random events: none
Post Mission Repairs: mission. Good work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission.


Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 4

	Me-109	Fw-190	Me-410	Re2005	Totals
Escort Intercept	1				1
Undamaged
Damaged	2				2
Probable/Denied
Destroyed	1				1

Casualties: none
Claims: SGT “Moose” Solters Me-109 (awarded ½ kill)

AAR
The crew was anxious to get this mission under way after two back-to-back weather aborts. Fred our crew chief used the extra time to make sure the All In was humming perfectly for this mission. He also gave Beau (flight engineer) a St. Joseph of Cupertino metal for good luck.

OUTBOUND
The constant rain and mud meant the takeoff demanded concentration and attention to detail,
we joined up with the formation without incident. Shortly after we passed over the coast, a pair of Me109s had a go at us. The jugs from the 325th engaged one and the other came at us from 12/H. Buck with the Nose gun and Beau in the top turret hit the 109 which missed us. Then Red in the tail gun hit he as he when pass and out of sight trailing smoke. The rest of the flight to the target area was uneventful. The RAF escorts joined up as scheduled.

TARGET AREA
No enemy fighters encountered as we approached the IP and moderate flak was observed on the bomb run, but none close enough to do any damage. Buck released on target and assessed as 30% effective. After the bomb run, we rejoined the formation at the RP without incident.

INBOUND
Nothing to report until we arrived over the Italian mainland. The lightings from the 1FG were not close by and two Me-109s attacked. Moose manning the Left Waist gun hit the one coming in a 10:30 H, taking the left wing off. A chute was observed as before we lost sight of that 109. The second cam at 12?H and Buck and Beau engaged it hitting the engine. That 109 missed us and bork off the attack after Red took a passing shot at it.
Safe Landing at Guilia despite the continuing bad weather.

Fred, our crew chief said he would make sure the All In would get a through servicing and be ready for a mission tomorrow.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

15AF Mission #4 Istres/Le Tube, France - Airdrome

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #1)
Crew Commander: 1LT Floyd Speer
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Airdrome

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	Floyd Speer	3			RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	3			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	3			RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	3			RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshaney	3			RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	John Whitehead	3			RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	3			RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	3			RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Joe Glenn	3			RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	3			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) (skill +1) (=3 for next mission)

Bomb Percentage: off-target, 0%
Bomber Disposition: Over night repair
Bomber Damage:
bomb bay doors (10)
Electrical no effect (5)
7 X Superficial Damage (14)
Peckham Points: 29
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission. .
Ground crew random events: none
Post Mission Repairs: Unmodified 12: Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives D6 Skill Points (2) and your ship one Lucky Charm!


Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 13

	ME-109	Fw-190	Me-110	Me-210	Ju88C-6	Totals
Escort Intercept		3	1			4
Undamaged
Damaged	1	3	1			5
Probable/Denied	1					1
Destroyed				1	2	3

Casualties: none
Claims:
SGT Trotter Me109 denied
SGT Short Me210 half credit
SGT Glenn & SGT Trotter Ju88C-6 full credit
2LT Marcum & S/SGT Harshaney Ju88C-6 half credit
Awards: none


AAR
We arrived back at Giulia the day after the mission against the Airdrome at Perugia to find a B-24J model waiting for us. With the bad weather and two scrubbed mission the crew hasn’t had much time to get fully familiar with the Bama Beauty. Our crew chief had used the couple of days he had before we got back to base to fine tune the Bama Beauty for its’ first combat mission.

OUTBOUND
As we headed out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, we observed enemy fighters attempting to engage the formation but none near us and they appeared to be mostly ineffective. After a quite trip back over Corsica The RAF escorts meet us with the formation at the appointed time and as we approached the target area things were going smoothly (random event gained a lucky charm)

TARGET AREA
As we entered the target area we hit a hornets’ nest of enemy fighters. The RAF spitfires chased off a Fw190 when we first entered the target area. Then 2 Me109s and a Me210 jumped us. S/SGT Harshaney in the top turret damaged a Me109 at 9/Lv, which in turn raked us with multiple hits from the pilot compartment to the tail but they all only did superficial damage. SGT Trotter in the ball turret took the left wing off a Me109 attacking in vertical clime and no chute was observed as it spun out of sight. SGT Short shot up a Me210 attacking a 6/H and observed the pilot bailing out of the damaged a/c.
After the IP we took hits for flak burst near us causing more superficial damage plus a burst that jammed the bomb bay doors. S/SGT Harshaney with T/SGT Whitehead helping could not get the doors to open over the target. I made the call to wait until we were back over water before dumping the bomb thru the bomb bay door. We reached the RP without any additional issues but once we rejoin the formation the RAF had to run off a Fw190. Right after that two Ju88C-6 tried their luck. The first came in a 1:30/Lo and 2LT Marcum & S/SGT Harshaney shot it up with both wings coming off and no chutes observed. The second at 3/Lv had its Ring wing shot off by SGT Glenn & SGT Trotter. Once again, no chutes were observed.


INBOUND
One we cleared the French coast we dropped out bomb load through bomb bays doors. Shortly after that the RAF escorts chased off a Fw190 while a second evaded them and came at us head on. 2LT Marcum & S/SGT Harshaney damaged the right wing and missed us and continued on through the formation. After that all was quite until we reached the Italian coast. Then the Luftwaffe had nothing been to do than go after us. The escorts from the 1FG intercepted a Me110 trying to attack us. SGT Trotter engaged a Me110 in a vertical clime doing some damage to it and taking some superficial damage in return. Shortly afterwards 2 Fw190 go through the escorts. S/SGT Harshaney damaged one coming in at 12/H and could see the oil splattered windshield as it went by, missing us in both ways. 2LT Marcum with the nose turret damaged the second coming in a 12/Lv and its’ attack also missed us.

safe landing at Giulia Airfield.

T/SGT Patrick reports that the Bama Beauty will be ready for the next mission and that he expects us to take better care of his bomber next mission.

1LT Floyd Speer, Pilot Commanding
B-24D Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

15AF Mission #5 Udine, Italy - Airdrome
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #2)
MISSION DATE: 26 Jan 44

Game notes for this mission, not covered in the AAR.
The aircraft has 2 lucky charms at the start of the mission. I am saving those two for events which cause loss of the aircraft or likely loss such as bomb bay explosion or both pilot and co-pilot dead or serious wounds. On this mission there was a hit to the pilot compartment with a SW to the pilot. If something happened to the co-pilot later in the mission, I would have used a lucky charm.

roll play notes
Since 1LT Speer had a wound that took him off flying status (broken shoulder blade) but offered the chance to return to flying status in future months I decided to have him transferred to a statistical control unit that existed at 15AF HQ. If the campaign goes on long enough and the right opportunity arises, I will bring him back as a replacement.
With approval of Squadron Commander the co-pilot 2LT George McQuinn took over as command pilot.

AAR

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #2)
Crew Commander: 1LT Floyd Speer
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Airdrome

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	Floyd Speer	4			SW- grounded
Co-Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	4			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	4			RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	4			RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshaney	4			RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	4			RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	4			RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	4			RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Joe Glenn	4			RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	4			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) (skill +3)
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission. .

Ground crew random events: none

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
Bomb bay doors SD
Control cables (in radio room)
Left Wing SD
superficial damage
Right Rudder
bomb bay bombs SD
Left Wing Root
Right Wing brakes
Pilot Serious wound
nose compartment heat out
cockpit window
Peckham Points: 87

Post Mission Repairs: Good work on the repairs after today’s mission.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 24

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	C205	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	4	2	1	1		1	9
Undamaged
Damaged	2		1		1	1	5
Probable/Denied	3			1			4
Destroyed	4		2				6

Casualties: none
Claims:
SGT Glenn Me210 denied
SGT Short Me109 denied
SGT Trotter and SGT Kimberlin Me109 full credit
S/SGT Harshaney and SGT Kimberlin Me110 full credit
SGT Trotter and T/SGT Whitehead Me109 denied
SGT Short Me110 shared 1/2 credit
S/SGT Harshaney and SGT Kimberlin Me109 full credit
SGT Short Me109 shared 1/3 credit
S/SGT Harshaney Me109 full credit
S/SGT Harshaney , SGT Trotter and SGT Kimberlin Me109 denied

Awards: 1LT Speer PH


AAR

OUTBOUND
After the many days of rain and mud it was good to have some sunshine, we were able to take off and join up with formation without incident about the only thing that went smoothly this mission. As soon as we swung out over the Adriatic a FW 190 attempted to engage but was intercepted by our escorts. However a Me109 made it through and came at us from 9 o’clock. Staff Sgt. Harshaney (TT), Sgt. Trotter (BT), and Sgt. Kimberlin (left waste) all engaged scoring some hits on the 109. It in turn missed and broke off the attack. That was quickly followed by two ME 109’s coming at us from our 6 o’clock. Once again the escorts took care of one while Sgt. Short (tailgunner) and staff Sgt. Harshaney engage the other hitting the engine which is smoking as the 109 completed its attack which hammered us doing damage to the bomb bay doors, control cables in the radio compartment, superficial fuselage damage, superficial damage the left wing damage to the right rudder and sending multiple rounds rattling around the Bombay, which fortunately set off any of the bombs. Shortly afterwards another FW 190 started in attack but was intercepted by our escorts. We had a short break in the activity and then in ME 110 attempted a pass and once again was sent diving to the deck chased by our escorts. After that two Me210 came at us from our 12 and 130. The escorts took care of the one at 12. Our nose turret gunner Sgt. Glenn engaged shooting off the right wing, no chute was observed as the ME 210 spun out of control and out of sight. As we approach the coasts enemy resistance intensified. Our escorts intercepted in ME 109 attempting a pass. A second ME 109 came at us from our 12, staff Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret and Sgt. Glenn in the nose turret damaged it, and then Sgt. Short the tailgunner put it out of action with a passing shot. The shoe was observed as the 109 pilot exited the plane. That was quickly followed by a pair of Me110s. Staff session Harshaney in the top turret and Sgt. Kimberlin the left waist gunner shot it up, no chute was observed as the plane disappeared from sight. Sgt. Glenn in the nose turret shot up the tail plane of the second ME 110 causing it to miss and break off the attack. After that in ME 109 got to the escorts attacking from 3 o’clock, Dick Sgt. Whitehead of the right waist gunner and the ball gunner Sgt. Trotter shot up the left wing sending the 109 spiraling out of control, with no chute observed. While it was happening a ME 110 came at us from the front with our gunners missing it. The one tended damage to both the left and right wings ( wing root and break damage), fortunately our tailgunner Sgt. Short shot up the 110’s cockpit killing the pilot.

TARGET AREA
Fortunately once we got to the target area enemy fighters were busy contacting other parts of the formation and being engaged by our escorts as we approach the IP. On the bomb run medium intensity flak was observed but did no damage. Our bombardier LT Marcum released on target and was assessed as 30% effective bomb damage. Right after we rejoin the formation at the rally point we were Jump to buy in ME 109 and a C205. Staff Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret and Sgt. Kimberlin in the left waist to the left wing of the 109, with a chute observed. However while Sgt. Trotter and the ball turret shot up the right wing aileron of the C205 it it hammered the nose and pilot compartment, before breaking off the attack. Taking out the heat and the bomber controls in the nose section, damaging the cockpit window and seriously wounding our pilot 1LT Speer, breaking his left shoulder blade. I was quickly followed by a ME 109 at our six. Sgt. Trotter in the ball turret and Sgt. Short the tailgunner hit it causing the pilot to lose control, with a chute observed before we lost sight of the aircraft. At the same time in ME 109 attacked in a vertical dive which Staff Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret it doing massive damage to the left wing and the pilot observed bailing out as it went past us. Finally a ME 410 engaged us at our 1030 high, Sgt. Glenn in the nose turret and Sgt. Kimberlin the left waist gunner managed to damage it causing it to miss him break off the attack.

INBOUND
As we cleared the target area, LT Marcum the Bombardier managed to get into the pilot compartment to render first-aid to Lt Speer and move him to the radio room. Meanwhile the Luftwaffe attacks continued with two more ME 109’s attacking, one being intercepted by our fighter escorts. Second attacked at our 9 o’clock, with staff Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret, Sgt. Trotter and the ball turret, and Sgt. Kimberlin left waist gunner taking the right wing off the second ME 109, no chute was observed before we lost sight of it. Once clear of the Italian coast and with a break in enemy fighter activity I made the decision to drop to lower altitude since heat was out in the nose compartment. We were able to keep pace with the formation albeit at a lower altitude, which I hoped would improve the coverage provided by our fighter escorts. Hanen taken care of LT Speer, Lt Marcum who has washed out of pilot school, joined me in the cockpit to help fly the plane. Fortunately we saw no more enemy aircraft until we were once again approaching the Italian coast when a pair of ME 109’s started to engage but both were intercepted and seen off by our escorts.

Safe landing at Giulia Airfield. It was a good thing that Lt Marcum and some flight training and had joined me in the cockpit since as we landed we discovered that one of the attacks had taken out the brakes on the right wing. We were able to keep the Bama Beauty straight and on the runway even though we used up most of its length.
While he will have a short hospital stay, 1LT Speer will be off flying status for several months while his shoulder heals and he regains strength in that shoulder.
T/SGT Patrick reports that it will take some effort but the Bama Beauty will be ready for the next mission and that he expects us to take better care of his bomber next mission.

2LT George McQuinn, Co- Pilot
B-24D Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

15AF Mission #5 Udine, Italy - Airdrome
B-17F All In (Mission #5)
MISSION DATE: 26 Jan 44

Game notes for this mission, not covered in the AAR.

The aircraft had 1 lucky charm at the start of the mission from prior missions. I am saving it for events which cause loss of the aircraft or likely loss such as bomb bay explosion or both pilot and co-pilot dead or serious wounds. On this mission about 2/3 of the enemy fighter pilots encountered were green and the rest were average which helped with the gunners achieving hits.

B-17F All In (Mission #5)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Airdrome

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	5			RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	4			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	5		1/2	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	5			RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	5		1/3	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	5			RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	5		1/2	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	5		1/2	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Alfred “Roxie” Lawson	5		1/3	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	4			RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) 5th mission skill 1.5

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30 %
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission
Ground crew random events: none
Post Mission Repairs: Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 12

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me410	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	4	3			7
Undamaged	1				1
Damaged	1	1			2
Probable/Denied	1				1
Destroyed	1				1

Casualties: none
Claims:
- SGT Kress Me109 approved
- 2LT Newsom & S/SGT Bell shared Me109 denied
Awards: Air Metal all crew members

AAR
The crew was ready to fly this mission, any break from the rain and mud was welcome. The participants in the poker session were complaining that even the card deck had become waterlogged.
Almost got stuck in the mud taxing when we cut a corner too close. but got free and rest of takeoff and forming up was uneventful.

OUTBOUND
Flight outbound was quiet until we approached the coast when a flight of 4 Me109’s came at us head on. Our fighter escorts took care of one of them. Buck and Beau shot up the wings on the one coming head on and a chute was observed. Moose missed the one to the left, but it also missed then Red got it on a passing shot taking its’ left wing off with a chute observed. Vern and Roxie engaged the one of the right both missing it as it did us. Appeared to be a green pilot who departed the area when it realized the other 3 109s were gone.

TARGET AREA
As we entered the target area 3 Fw190s attempted a pass at us. The escorts took care of two of them.
Red put rounds into the Left Wing of the third trying to sneak in on our 6 and it broke off the attack. Then a couple Me109s tried their luck. Our little friends took care of one of them and Beau and Moose got hits on the ring wing of the other 109 causing it to miss and break off the attack.
The flak while we made the bomb run was ineffective. Buck released the bomb on target and was assessed as 30% effective. After we reached the RP, A lone Me109 appeared but was chased off by the escorts diving after it.

INBOUND
When we were about halfway home we encountered some enemy activity. A Fw190 was spotted at our 12 but was quickly intercepted by our little friends. Shortly after that an unknown aircraft lobbed some rockets into the formation from out 6 but with no damage to us. A little while latter a Me109 started to approach but was picked off by our escorts. After that nothing else of note followed by a safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Fred, our crew chief said he would make sure the All In would get a through servicing and be ready for a mission tomorrow.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

MISSION # 6 TARGET: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 29 Jan 44
B-17F All In (Mission #6)

Game notes for this mission, not covered in the AAR.

The aircraft had 1 lucky charm at the start of the mission from prior missions, and a lucky charm for this mission. I used the lucky charm for this mission to reroll the damage from the flak hit to the right wing after bomb release. The original roll result was the loss of the right wing. The reroll was superficial damage. Last mission had a lot of green pilots encountered this about half were aces. Fortunately they didn’t do much damage.

B-17F All In (Mission #6)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Airdrome

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	6	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	6	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	6	AM	1/2	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	6	AM		RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	6	AM	1/3	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	6	AM		RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	6	AM	1/2	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	6	AM	1/2	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Alfred “Roxie” Lawson	6		1/3	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	6			RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) 5th mission skill 2.5

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage:
  superficial damage X2 2
  Right Wing SD 10
  O2 in Tail out 10
Peckham Points: 22
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission
Ground crew random events: You have a Lucky Charm for this mission only
Post Mission Repairs: Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 19

	Me109	Fw190	Me100	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	4	6			10
Undamaged		2			2
Damaged		6		1	7
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties: none
Claims: none
Awards: none

AAR
The crew was ready to go for this mission after the mission yesterday was scrubbed due to bad weather. We were able to take up and join up with the formation without any problems.

OUTBOUND
Our fighter escorts were kept busy on the outbound flight to the target area. Shortly after takeoff to ME 109’s attempted a pass at us but were quickly intercepted by the first fighter group lightnings. After that we had a quiet spell until we passed the halfway point when things picked up again. First another pair of ME 109’s trying to come at us from our six and once again were picked off by the lightnings. Then as we started to approach the target area a flight of four FW 190s tried their luck. Three were intercepted by the escorts. The fourth coming in at 3 o’clock level was engaged by top turret, ball turret, and the right waist gunner’s who damaged it, causing it to miss us. Shortly afterwards a flight of three FW 190s tried their luck, with the interceptors picking two of them off. Last coming in at 12 o’clock level was engaged by the nose gun and the top turret, they hit it causing damage which caused it to miss us. Beau in the Top Turret observed one of the B-17s on fire and going down. We counted eight possibly nine chutes, since it was overwater hope that the local fisherman or the Royal Navy were able to recover them. Once we were back at base we found out it was the Pride of the Buckeyes from our squadron.

TARGET AREA
Once we entered the target area two FW 190s and a G 55 made a pass at us with the escorts picking off a FW 190. Our bombardier manning the nose gun at the FW 190 coming in at 12 high hitting it. The FW 190 in turn dealt superficial damage to the nose and knocked the Bombardier’s oxygen supply out. Our top turret and left waist gunner’s damaged the G 55’s cockpit causing it to miss us. They were followed by two FW 190s both coming in at 12 o’clock, one high one level. But when the top turret hit one of them damaging its right wing. Fortunately both of them missed us and disappeared.
Buck our bombardier switched to his oxygen bottle and managed to release on target for 30% effectiveness. After the bomb run we had a near miss flak hit the did superficial damage to the right wing. At the rally point we rejoined the formation temporarily.

INBOUND
As soon as we exited the target area I took the plane down to 10,000 feet since our bombardier had lost his oxygen supply. With the handover of fighter escort duties to a new fighter group 3 FW 190s came after us. Russ in the ball turret damaged the right wing of the one coming in at 3 o’clock low which caused it to miss us. Beau in the top turret damaged the one coming in at 12 o’clock high causing it to miss. The third came in at 12 o’clock level, both Buck manning the nose gun and the fighter missed their targets. After that engagement we noticed The T-Tailed Bathtub and one other B – 24 from the 78th squadron had also brought down to 10,000 feet. We joined up behind them in a loose formation for the rest of the flight home. Rest of the flight back was uneventful with a safe landing at base.
We have the minor damage which will be quickly repaired and we will be ready for the next mission.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

509th (H) BG 15AF MISSION # 6 TARGET: Ferrara, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 29 Jan 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #2)


AAR

Game notes for this mission, not covered in the AAR.

The aircraft has 2 lucky charms at the start of the mission. I am saving those two for events which cause loss of the aircraft. None needed this mission.  The Nose gunner had his heat nocked out during the first air to air attacks. I decided to have him decide not to report it until his frostbite became bad enough that he couldn't operate his gun.  It turned out that was after bomb drop. During that period he was  able to get full or partial credit for three enemy fighters and damage a couple  more.  I lost him as a crew member (SW-IH) from the frost bite but did recommend him for a DFC which was approved by squadron leadership.  Citation follows the AAR

Also the loss of landing gear was a random even  on the inbound flight but in AAR it was reported as damage from an air-to-air attack that was discovered when getting ready to land. I assumed that the damage from the belly landing was enough that actual cause could not be detected. 




B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #2)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Airdrome

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	5			RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	1			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	5		.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	5		.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshaney	5		2	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	5			RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	5		1	SW RFD in 6 days
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	5		1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Joe Glenn	5		.5	SW-IH
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	5		.83	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) (skill +3)

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition:
Bomber Damage:
- Ball Turret damage Serious wound 5
- Nose Turret heat out 10
- Right Wing Superficial damage 10
- Landing with gear inoperable 100
Peckham Points: 125

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Excellent work on the repairs +1 skill point
Ground crew random events: none
Post Mission Repairs: Good work on the repairs after today’s mission.

Landing: Gear up landing at Giulia Airfield, no crew injuries from landing

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 16

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	C205	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	2	2				2	6
Undamaged		1					1
Damaged	1	3		1			5
Probable/Denied
Destroyed	1	2		1			4

Casualties:
SGT Trotter abdominal wound in hospital for 6 days
SGT Glenn superficial frostbite both hands, infection occurs, crewman sent home after Twenty-One Days Recuperation & treatment;

Claims:
Fw190 by S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Glenn approved
Fw190 by SGT Glenn approved
Me210 by SGT Glenn & T/SGT Whitehead 1/2 credit
Me109 S/SGT Harshaney 1/3 credit

Awards:
2LT McQuinn AM
2LT Marcum AM
2LT Tobin AM
S/SGT Harshaney AM
T/SGT Whitehead AM
SGT Trotter AM PH
SGT Kimberlin AM
SGT Glenn AM PH
SGT Short AM



AAR
Our new copilot is 2Lt Howard Mills a New Englander. He is still getting settled and the biggest issue right now is the crew getting used to his New England accent and him getting use to the southern Midwestern accents of the rest of the crew.


OUTBOUND
We were able to take off and join up with the formation without any incident.
On our outbound leg the first fighter group let a lot of enemy fighters get through them to us. As we headed out over the Adriatic and an enemy fighter coverage we were jumped by 4 FW 190s. Our fighter escorts took care of one of them. One track coming at us from our six, Sgt. chart our tailgunner hIt It doing indeterminate damage but causing it to mess us. Staff Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret and Sgt. Glenn in the nose turret shot up the cockpit of the one coming in at 12 o’clock, no enemy chute was observed. And Sgt. Trotter and the ball turret damaged a second FW 190 coming in at 6 o’clock low causing it to miss. That was followed by FW 190 and two ME 109’s. Sgt. Glenn in the nose turret shredded the right wing of the FW 190, and no chute was observed. One of the ME 109’s came at us in a vertical dive and staff Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret missed him as did the 109 as it screamed past us. The second ME 109 came at us from 6 o’clock high, Sgt. short manning the tail gun damaged the 109’s wing, however the 109 hit the ball turret seriously wounding Sgt. Trotter and knocking out the heat and the nose turret although Sgt. Glenn did not report it at the time. As we approach the target area to ME 210s attacked us Sgt. short and the tail it if her superficial damage but it was sufficient to cause the 210 to break off the attack. The second coming in at 130 high was shot down by Sgt. Glenn in the nose turret and the right waist gunner. It went down in flames with no chute observed. That was followed by another FW 190 at 12 o’clock high. Sgt. Glenn shot up the right wing causing the fighter to miss break off the attack. At the same time and ME 109 came at us from 9 o’clock and Sgt. Harshaney in the top turret turned it into a fireball with no chute observed.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area to FW 190s try their luck in the first fighter escorts finally took one of them out. The second one came down at us in a vertical dive and staff Sgt. Harshaney and the pilot in the 109 both miss their targets. As we began our bomb run mediums like it the right wing doing superficial damage. Our bombardier 2Lt Marcum was able to maintain his focus and deliver of the bombs on target assessed at 50% effective. The crew also reported the B 24 Bottoms Up on fire, with eight chutes observed by our best count. As we rejoin the formation at the rally point Sgt. Glenn announced that his seat was out in his hands were so cold and staff he can no longer operate his guns. I made the determination to immediately drop down to 10,000 feet as we departed the target area. Sgt. Kimberlin moved forward to man the nose turret and Sgt. Glenn moved to the radio room to warm up as best he could.

INBOUND
The 82nd FG assumed the escort duties as we started back to base. All they were an unknown quantity which were expected to provide less effective escort they ended up intercepting more enemy fighters than the 1FG. Even though we were out of formation the rest of the way back. As we drop down to 10,000 feet a ME 109 and an Italian C205 attempted to engage us and were both intercepted and seen off by our escorts. We observed that one of our squadron mates the T-Tailed Bathtub at also had to drop down to low altitude so we joined up in a loose formation with them. Shortly afterwards noticed a B-17 from the 79th squadron falling in behind us. As we were nearing the end of our inbound leg over the Adriatic another ME 109 and an Italian C205 attempted to intercept a similar once again seen off by the escorts. Shortly after that we heard our squadron mates and the Problem Child radio their that they were going to be able to make it home, location that they were bailing out short of the base and overwater. We observed 10 chutes so everybody made it out, hopefully the Royal Navy or local fishermen will be able to get to him in time. As we entered the landing pattern we discovered that one of the attacks apparently had knocked out the controls for the landing gear and we were going to have to do a belly landing. With to the crew unable to bail out the rest of the crew decided they would stay with the plane for the landing. We dumped fuel and did a belly landing with no one injured but considerable damage to the Bama Beauty. 2LT Miller preformed his duties as co-pilot excellently during the landing.

Sgt. Trotter has an abdominal wound and will need six days in the hospital for recovery. Sgt. Glenn has frostbite to both hands which sufficient damage that he will be sent home after he recovers in about three weeks time. 
Tech Sgt. Patrick reports that will take about three days to complete repairs to the Bama Beauty.

2LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24D Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF




CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Sgt. Joe Glenn distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight is a nose gunner over Italy on January 29, 1944. On a bombing mission Sgt. Glenn’s aircraft was attacked by multiple waves of enemy fighters. One of the first attacks knocked out the heat to his flying suit. Choosing to remain at his post despite the risk of severe frostbite Sgt. Glenn fought off multiple fighter attacks, destroying three enemy fighters and damaging to others. Sgt. Glenn remained at his post until his bomber had successfully completed its bombing run and he could no longer operate his gun due to frostbite. As result of Sgt. Glenn’s actions as bomber squadron was able to fight its way through to the target and successfully attacked it. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Glenn in the dedication of his service to his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF Mission #7 Pontassive, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 7 Feb 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #3)


Game notes:
two lucky charms in hand from prior missions but were not needed


AAR

15AF Mission #7 Pontassive, Italy - Marshalling Yard

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #3)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	6	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	2			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	6	AM	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	6	AM	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshaney	6	AM	2.83	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	6	AM	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	6	AM, PH	1	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	6	AM	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	1			RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	6	AM	.83	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) (skill +4)
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission.
Ground crew random events: Excellent work on the preparation for today’s mission. You have a Lucky Charm for this mission only.

Bomb Percentage: on-target,
Bomber Disposition: RFD, routine overnight maintenance
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points:

Post Mission Repairs: Routine overnight maintenance
Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.

Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 1

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	C205	TOTAL
Escort Intercept		1					1
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:



AAR
We have a new nose gunner Tommy Thompson, a youngster from Illinois like our flight engineer S/SGT Harshaney who has taken him under his wing & enough time between mission to get Sgt Trotter back from hospital.

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off and join up with the formation without any incident. Nothing to report on the way to the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area, we were met by light flak but nothing that close to us. Our bombardier 2LT Marcum took over for the bomb run and was on-target scored as 40% effective. Right after our bomb release we got the reminder that even milk run missions are dangerous. SGTs Short and Kimberlin reported over the intercom that the Kicking Horse was going down. They reported at least 8 chutes observed and one chute with what appeared to be a partial deployment.

INBOUND
Approaching the coast we observed a Fw190 approaching which was quickly intercepted by our escorts. We had a safe landing at Giulia Airfield as our new co-pilot continues to gain experience with flying in poor weather.



2LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24D Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF Mission #7 Pontassive, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 7 Feb 44
B-17F All In (Mission #7)

Game notes:
One lucky charm available from prior missions. Random crew even was a bomb accident nearby. Opportunity to add some color to a milk run mission.

AAR

15AF Mission #7 Pontassive, Italy - Marshalling Yard

B-17F All In (Mission #7)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	7	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	7	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	7	AM	1/2	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	7	AM		RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	7	AM	1/3	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	7	AM		RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	7	AM	1/2	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	7	AM	1/2	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Alfred “Roxie” Lawson	7		1/3	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	7			RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) 5th mission skill 3.5

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission.
Ground crew random events: Accident with Bombs: An explosion away from your ship


Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for duty
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Post Mission Repairs: Routine maintenance ready for next mission, Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 2

	Me109	Fw190	Me100	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	2				2
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties: none
Claims: none
Awards: none

AAR
This mission was as close to the mythical milk run as we are likely to get.
While the ground crew was getting the bombs loaded there was an “accident” with bombs being transported to a nearby hardstand. No damage to the All In but Fred our crew chief reported that a couple of the munition’s guys moving the bombs were badly injured. He was somewhat shaken by the event and did a double check of our bomb load with Buck, our bombardier, and Moose, our armorer-gunner, to be sure all our bombs had their safety cotter pins in place. Fred expressed his concerns that there might be some sabotage involved.


OUTBOUND
We were able to take up and join up with the formation without any problems. The boys from the 82 FG joined up on schedule. A quite flight to the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area there was light flak as expected but it was ineffective, it seemed like most bursts were slightly below our altitude. Buck delivered the bombs on-target and was assessed as 50% effective. The flak lessened after bomb release and we rejoined the formation at the RP.

INBOUND
As we were crossing back our over the Adriatic two Me109s started towards us but were jumped by our friends from the 82th and sent running. Safe landing at Giulia Airfield as we continued to get experience with bad weather takeoffs and landings. All In will be ready for the next mission as overnight routine maintenance by Fred and his crew.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 8th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 8 Toulon, France - Harbor Facilities
MISSION DATE: 11 Feb 44
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet
B-17F All In (Mission #8)

Game notes:

One lucky charm available from prior missions, but not used.

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 8 Toulon, France - Harbor Facilities

B-17F All In (Mission #8)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Lead
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	8	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	8	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	8	AM	1/2	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	8	AM		RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	8	AM	1/3	RTD in 7 Days
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	8	AM		RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	8	AM	1/2	RFD
Left Waist 	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	8	AM	1/2	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Alfred “Roxie” Lawson	8		1/3	KIA
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	8			RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) 5th mission skill 4.5

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission.
Ground crew random events: none

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 20%
Bomber Disposition: 2 days to repair
Bomber Damage:
  Superficial damage X 5
  Nose superficial damage X 2
  Waist Compartment SD X 2
  Right Waist Gunner SGT Lawson KIA (chest wounds)
  Radio Compartment SD
  Rudder hit
  Tail section SD
  Pilot Compartment SD
  Pilot Compartment window hit
  Left Wing root hit
  Rafts Destroyed
  Top Turrent Guns damaged inop
  S/SGT Bell SW busted nose 7 days recovery time
Peckham Points: 130
Post Mission Repairs: Repairs will take two days before the All In is ready for next mission, Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 22

	Me109	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me110	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	1	5	1			7
Undamaged
Damaged	2	4		1	1	8
Probable/Denied	2		1			3
Destroyed	3	1				4

Casualties: none
Claims:
S/SGT Bell Me109 Approved - Full Credit Awarded
SGT Van Atta & SGT Lawson Ju88C-6 Denied - No Credit Awarded
2LT Newsom & S/SGT Bell Me109 Denied - No Credit Awarded
S/SGT Kennedy & SGT Kress Fw190 Approved - Full Credit Awarded
S/SGT Kennedy, Sgt Kress & S/SGT Bell Me109 Denied - No Credit Awarded
2LT Newsom & S/SGT Bell Me109 Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded
2LT Newsom & S/SGT Bell Me109 Approved - Full Credit Awarded

Awards:
S/SGT Roy Bell PH
SGT Alfred Lawson PH

AAR
The crew, especially Myril and Buck have been prepping for our turn as squadron lead for this mission. Myril says it is because of his navigation skills we get to lead a long flight over water. Buck says his steady bombing accuracy is the reason.

OUTBOUND
We were able to take up and join up with the formation without any problems. The Jugs from the 325th joined up on schedule for the first part of the trip. Then a long haul to the French cost where the RAF from Calvi joined up shortly before the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once we approached the target area the Krauts were on us like someone hit a hornet’s nest. A Fw190 and 3 Me109s came after us. The RAF intercepted the Fw190 and a Me109 but the other two came in for the attack. Beau in the top turret shot up a Me109 attacking in a vertical dive and Russ in the Ball Turret reported seeing a chute. The second Me109 came at us from 6/H and Vern (Radio room gun) and Russ (Tail gunner) damaged it. Must have been a green pilot as Vern reported that it nearly rear ended us as it overtook us before breaking off. They were immediately followed by a pair of Ju-88s and then a Me109. The RAF took care of one Ju88 and Russ and Roxie (Right Waist) took care of the other coming at 3/Lv. They reported the Right wing came off and at least one chute observed. The Me109 came at us head on and took some damage but did a couple hits on us that did no significant damage. When it tried to come back for a second attack Buck and Beau took both wings off with no chute observed.
Once we started the Bomb Run as forecast there was a lot of medium intensity flak but no damage to us. The Bomb release was on-target, but only assessed as 20% effective. Afterwards the volume of flak decreased.
At the RP the Krauts were back on us. Three Fw190’s tried to attack, the RAF escorts took care of two of them. The third attacked at 3/Lo Roxie hit its’ left wing and apparently did enough to make it miss us. At same time a Me109 came in at 12/lv and Buck hit it causing some damage to its’ wing and it also missed us. Then 4 Fw190s tried a pincer attack two coming in at 12 trailed by a Me109 and two from our 6. The escorts picked off one of the Fw190s coming from our 12, and Buck hit the other one doing enough damage that it missed us and broke off the attack. Beau did some damage to the Me109 that was following the Fw190s at 12 but it also hit us doing minor damage to the nose section, a hit on the pilot compartment window and a couple of other hits for insignificant damage. Red and Vern turned the Fw190 at 6/H into a fire ball. Russ damaged the one at 6/Lo but not enough to stop its’ attack. It hit the rudder, minor damage to the tail section, radio section, and multiple hits to the waist section. We heard Moose call out Roxie is down, but the Fw190 and Me109 were right back on us. Moose, Russ and Myril all engaged it and while they didn’t do any damage it missed us and broke off the attack. The Me109 came back at 6/H and Red, Beau and Vern engaged it. They reported the pilot appeared to loose control and the Me109 fell out of sight with no chute observed. As soon as the attacked were over Moose went to check on Roxie but reported he was dead from massive chest wound.

INBOUND
The flight back was somber as we absorbed our first loss of a crew member, but no enemy air activity until we approached the Italian coast. Then we found another hornet’s nest. A pair of Fw190s. a Me109 and a G55 came at us spread from 10:30 to 1:30. The jugs intercepted one of the Fw190s. Moose and Myril did some damage to the G55 at 10:30 enough that it missed us and broke off the attack. Beau did enough damage to the Fw190 at 1:30 that it also broke off the attack. We couldn’t get a hit on the Me109 at our 12 and it got a wing root hit along with some more minor damage to the left wing and waist. It came back for another try and Beau and Buck made it pay. It just missed our left wing as it went out of control and a chute was observed. That was followed by another Me109 at our 12. Beau and Buck hit the fuel tank and it exploded with no chance for its’ pilot to get out. While that was happening a Me110 got through the escorts at our 10:30. Moose and Myril hit its’ right wing but it hit us making Ed and myself wince as shots hit the pilot compartment (but no significant damage), the bomb bay (after landing we discovered the rafts were shot full of holes), and then Beau came falling out of the top turret his face a bloody mess. The Me109 had knocked out the guns and slammed them back into this face. When he came back for a second try Moose and Myril scored enough hits to made him break off his attack.
Luckly we are close enough to base to being our descent and fire flares for wounded abroad. A good landing despite the weather.

The flight surgeon’s report on Beau was better than expected, a badly busted up nose that will take at least 7 days before he can fly and he will look like a boxer that has lost too many fights.
And I have a letter to write to Roxie’s family.



1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 8 Toulon, France - Harbor Facilities
MISSION DATE: 11 Feb 44
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #4)

Game notes:

two lucky charms in hand from prior missions but were not used

AAR
509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 8 Toulon, France - Harbor Facilities


B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #4)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Harbor Facilities


Crew Position Rank Name Mission # Prior Awards Prior Kills Awarded Status
Pilot 2LT George McQuinn 7 AM  RFD
Co-Pilot 2LT Howard Mills 3 RFD
Bombardier 2LT Johnny Marcum 7 AM .25 RFD
Navigator 2LT Pat Tobin 7 AM .25 RFD
Engineer S/SGT Sam Harshaney 7 AM 2.83 SW-3 wks
Radio/ RW S/SGT John Whitehead 7 AM .5 RFD
Ball Gunner SGT Bill Trotter 7 AM, PH 1 RFD
Left Waist SGT Harry Kimberlin 7 AM 1.5 RFD
Nose Gunner SGT Tommy Thompson 2 RFD
Tail Gunner SGT Dave Short 7 AM .83 RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 (skill points 5)
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures on this mission.
Ground crew random events: none

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: RFD after overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
L Wing superficial damage 5
L Wing outboard tank self seal 10
S/SGT Harshaney SW 5
Peckham Points: 20

Post Mission Repairs: Overnight repair Excellent work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission. Your Crew Chief receives one Skill Point.

Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 16

                          Me109 Fw190 Me110 Me210 Me410 Re2005 TOTAL
Escort Intercept      5          1          1                                         7
Undamaged            1                                                                 1
Damaged               2                                                     1           3
Probable/Denied     1         1                                                       2
Destroyed               1         1           1                                        3

Casualties:S/SGT Harshaney SW Head
Claims:
S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson Fw190 Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded
SGT Short Me 110 Denied - No Credit Awarded
SGT Trotter & SGT Thompson Me 110 Approved = Full Credit Awarded
SGT Kimberlin Me 109 Denied - No Credit Awarded
SGT Thompson Me109 Approved = Full Credit Awarded

Awards:
S/SGT Harshaney PH

AAR

OUTBOUND
Took off and joined the formation without incident. Shortly after the formation heads for the coast out escorts ran off a Me109. But they missed a Fw190 that made a head on attack. S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson apparently took out the engine as it lost spend and dropped out of sight. Other than BONKERS squadron lead dropping out early in the mission and replaced by Bit o' Lace it was a quite flight to the target area


TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area enemy activity picked up. Our escorts intercepted a Fw190 and a Me109. An Me109 in a vertical dive hit the left wing but no significant damage. When it tried a reattack SGT Trotter did enough damage that it missed and broke off the attack. That was followed by 3 Me1110’s trying their luck. Our escorts stopped one, SGT Trotter shot one at our six out of the sky, no chute observed. The third tried a vertical clime attack and traded shots with SGT Trotter who damaged it and in turn the Me110 hit the left-wing fuel tank which self-sealed and hit the radio compartment knocking S/SGT Harshaney out. When the Me110 tried a reattack at 12 SGT Trotter and SGT Thompson knocked it out of the sky with no chute observed. After giving S/SGT Harshaney first aid, SGT Kimberlin moved to the top turret.
The flak on our bomb run did damage us but we saw the FIRE BELLE hit by flak and our best count was 9 chutes observed.
2LT Marcum was On target and assessed as 40% effective.
The flak after the bomb run dropped off by about one third.
After the squadron reformed at the RP three Me109s attacked with our escorts intercepting two of them. SGTs Kimberlin and Thompson did enough damage to it that it missed and broke off the attack.

INBOUND
As we started back to base another trio of Me109s attacked us. This time the escorts stopped one of them, and SGT Kimberlin, now manning the top turret, turned one t our 9 into a fire ball. SGT Thompson engaged the one at our 12 and while he missed it was enough to make the Me109 miss.
Once away from the French coast it was quite until we were approaching the Italian coast. A Me109 came in at our 12 while a Re2005 attacked from our 3. SGT Thompson took the left wing off the Me109 and a chute was observed as it went down. T/SGT Whitehead and SGT Kimberlin damaged the Re2005 enough to make it miss are break off the attack.

We made a safe landing at Giulia Airfield.
We found out that S/SGT Harshaney has a cracked skull and will take 3 weeks before he will be ready to fly.


2LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24D Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 9 Verona, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 15 Feb 44
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #5)

Game notes:
two lucky charms in hand from prior missions
recovering from wounds: S/SGT Harshaney flight engineer 7 missions AM, PH 3.16 kills Return 4 March



509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 9 Verona, Italy - Marshalling Yard

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #5)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Tail
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	8	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	4			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	8	AM	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	8	AM	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Irvin "Field" Marshall	6	AM	3.5	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	8	AM	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	8	AM, PH	1.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	8	AM	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	3		2.166	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	8	AM	.83	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 (skill points 6)
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission.
Ground crew random events: none

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: Ready for next mission after Overnight repair
Bomber Damage:
Superficial damage
Peckham Points: 1

Post Mission Repairs: Good work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission.

Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 17

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	3	4	2			1	10
Undamaged
Damaged		3					3
Probable/Denied		2					1
Destroyed		2	1				3

Casualties:
Claims:
SGT Trotter & SGT Short Me110 Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded
SGT Thompson Fw190 Denied
S/SGT Marshall Fw190 Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded
S/SGT Marshall & SGT Thompson Fw190 Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded

Awards: none

AAR

OUTBOUND
More miserable weather, but we took off and joined the formation without any problems. The boys from the 325th joined up and were ready to rumble with the Krauts. The first half of the outbound flight was quiet then the activity picked up but our little friends intercepted anything that came near up pick off 3 Me109s, then a Fw190 followed a little later by another Fw190.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area the resistance increased. Our escorts took care of a pair of Me110s, but a third tried to sneak in at our 6. SGT Trotter & SGT Short made short work of it and a chute was observed as it lost air speed and started down. That was followed by 4 Fw190, the escorts took care of one, SGT Thompson shot the tail off a Fw190 attacking at out 12. S/SGT Marshall sent the Fw190 at our 6 High spiraling out of control and out of sight. SGT Trotter & SGT Short did enough damage to the Fw190 at our six low to make him miss and break off the attack. On their heals were a R2005 and aFw190 at our 3. The jugs took care of the R2005. T/SGT Whitehead and SGT Short did some damage and it got a superficial hit on us. When it came back around S/SGT Marshall & SGT Thompson finished it off.
No damage from the flak on the target run and 2LT Marcum was on target assessed as 40% effective.
Flak lessened on the way to the RP and was ineffective.
As the formation started back to base 3 Fw190s attacked, with the escorts taking care of one of them. We traded shots with the other two, one at our 6 and other at our 3. The crew did enough damage to them that they missed and went off in search of easier targets.


INBOUND
Nothing to report for the flight back to base. Our escort kept a close watch all the way home.

We made a safe landing at Giulia Airfield.


2LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 9 Verona, Italy - Marshalling Yard

B-17F All In (Mission #9)

Game notes:
One lucky charm available from prior missions. And a second one was gained this mission. Neither was needed. Saving them
Recovering
Crew Position Rank Name Mission# Prior Awards Prior confirmed Kills Status
Engineer S/SGT Roy “Beau” Bell 9      AM                   2             RTD on 18 Feb 44





509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 9 Verona, Italy - Marshalling Yard

B-17F All In (Mission #9)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position Rank Name Mission
# Prior Awards Prior confirmed Kills Status
Pilot 1LT George Gill 9 AM RDF
Co-Pilot 2LT Ed Cole 9 AM RDF
Bombardier 2LT Louis “Buck” Newsom 9 AM 3.16 RDF
Navigator 2LT Myril Hoag 9 AM RDF
Engineer S/SGT Edward "Judge" Justice 1
Radio Operator S/SGT Vern Kennedy 9 AM .5 RDF
Ball Gunner SGT Russ Van Atta 9 AM .5 RDF
Left Waist SGT Julius “Moose” Solters 9 AM .5 RDF
Right Waist SGT Jim Walkup 1 RFD
Tail Gunner SGT Ralph “Red” Kress 9 AM 1.5 RDF

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	9	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	9	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	9	AM	3.16	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	9	AM		RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Edward "Judge" Justice	1			RTD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	9	AM	1/2	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	9	AM	1/2	RFD
Left Waist 	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	9	AM	1/2	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	1			RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	9		1.5	RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) 9th mission skill 0 (skill points 5.5)

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission.
Ground crew random events: none
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after routine overnight maintenance.
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: none
Post Mission Repairs: Good work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered:  29
Me-109 Fw-190 Ju88C-6 Me210 G-55 TOTAL
Escort Intercept 8 11 1
Undamaged 1 3
Damaged 2 2
Probable/Denied
Destroyed 1

	Me109	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	8	11		1		20
Undamaged	1	3				4
Damaged	2	2				4
Probable/Denied
Destroyed	1					1

Casualties: none
Claims:
SGT Kress Me109 Approved
Awards:

AAR
We haven’t had much time to get our new crew member SGT Jim Walkup trained on our crew’s operating procedures plus we have S/SGT Judge Justice filling in as flight engineer for Beau who is still recovering. I was a little concerned about how smoothly they would fit in with the rest of the crew, but they did an excellent job.

OUTBOUND
Good weather for a change, we were able to take off and join the formation without any problems. The jugs from the 325th FG joined up right on schedule. Shortly after we were out over the Adriatic Sea a Me109 slipped through the fighter cover and "Judge" dinged its’ engine causing it to miss, probably a Green pilot. After that a running gunfight developed with the Krauts and the 325th as we proceeded towards the target. First they intercepted a Me109, followed by pair of Me109s and a Me210. After that a couple of singleton Fw190s. As we approached the coast the little friends intercepted another Fw190 while Judge and Vern traded shots with a Fw190 attacking in a vertical dive. Everyone missed. After that Goering’s boys tried lobbing rockets into the formation with one bursting near us but no damage. After that a Me109 tried a vertical dive attack again with no success. While the jugs were busy with a Fw190 a Me109 tried to sneak in on out six but Red shredded the tail surfaces and a chute was observed as it went down.

TARGET AREA
As we entered the target area Red reported that a B-17 with strange marking as shadowing the formation, but he lost sight of it as the enemy fighter activity started, and it didn’t follow us into the flak zone. The little friends stayed active engaging with a pair of Fw190s that tried their luck followed by a singleton Fw190.
Then the fighters broke off their efforts as the flak started. It was medium intensity but ineffective.
As the squadron made its’ bomb run Myril called out OMG the The Reluctant Dragon just blew up it looks like nobody got out. Buck stayed focused and on-target but only assessed as 30% effective. After the bomb run the flak lessened and continued to be ineffective.
After the squadron reformed at the RP the gun fight between the jugs and Goering’s boys resumed, with the jugs intercepting a trio or Fw190s, followed by a pair of Me109s, and then a Fw190. We were also attacked by a F190 in a vertical dive the only way they had been getting to attack us. Once again everyone missed.


INBOUND
There was some more light flak was we passed over the coast that did no damage. There was one last burst of fighter activity once we were out of the water. Our little friends picked off a Fw190 while ne attacked at our 10:30. Russ and Moose shot it up enough that it tok a wild shot and broke off the attack. The escorts then chased off 2 more Fw190s in succession. Finally a pair of Fw190s attacked one at our 12 and one at our 6. Judge and Buck damaged the one at our 12 which missed and broke off the attack while Russ and the Fw190 at our six traded shots with both missing.

safe landing at Giulia Airfield

1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 10 Anzio Beachhead - German Supply Dumps
MISSION DATE: 17 Feb 44
MISSION # 10
TARGET: Anzio Beachhead - German Supply Dumps

B-17F All In (Mission #10)

Game notes:
Two lucky charm available from prior missions

Recovering
Crew Position Rank Name Mission
# Prior Awards Prior confirmed Kills Status
Engineer S/SGT Roy “Beau” Bell 9 AM, PH 2 RTD on 18 Feb 44


509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 10 Anzio Beachhead - German Supply Dumps

B-17F All In (Mission #10)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Supply Dumps

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	10	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	10	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	10	AM	3.16	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	10	AM		RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Edward "Judge" Justice	2			RTD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	10	AM	1/2	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	10	AM	1/2	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	10	AM	1/2	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	2			RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	10		2.5	RFD

Crew Chief S/SGT Fred Johnson (Average) 10th mission skill 0 (skill points 5.5)

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission.
Ground crew random events: none
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 60%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after routine overnight maintenance and repairs.
Bomber Damage:
Radio Room no effect
Peckham Points: 5
Post Mission Repairs: Good work on the repairs of your ship after today’s mission.

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 7

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	1	1	1		1		3
Undamaged
Damaged			1				1
Probable/Denied		1	1				2
Destroyed		1					1

Casualties: none
Claims:
S/SGT Justice Me110 Approved
SGT Kress and SGT Van Atta Me110 Denied
2LT Newsom Fw190 Denied
Awards: AM (10 missions) 1LT Gill, 2LT Cole, 2LT Newsom, 2LT Hoag, S/SGT Kennedy, SGT Van Atta, SGT Solters. SGT Kress
SGT Kress promoted to S/SGT
S/SGT Fred Johnson promoted to T/SGT

AAR

OUTBOUND
More good weather we could get used to this. Took off and formed up on our lead, Invadin’ Maiden, without incident. Little friends joined up on schedule and we made it to the target area without incident.

TARGET AREA
As we entered the target area, Goring’s boys were there to meet us. The Lightings chased off a Me109 that showed interest in us follow by intercepting one of three Me110s that attacked. Judge in the top turret turned the Me110 at our 12 into a fireball, while Russ and Red did the same to the Me110 at our six.
As we were on our bomb run we took a flak hit to the radio room that shook the plane but did no significant damage. Buck held his concentration and was on-target assessed as 60% effective. The flak decreased was ineffective on our way to the RP. As the formation started back three Fw190s tried their luck. Out little friends stopped one of them. Buck in the nose hit the Fw190 at our 12 and it started to drop out of control with no chute observed. Judge (TT) and Jim (Right waist) did enough damage to the one at our 3 to make it miss and break off the attack.

INBOUND
Nothing to report

safe landing at Giulia Airfield

1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 10 Anzio Beachhead - German Supply Dumps

MISSION DATE: 15 Feb 44

Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #6)



Game notes:

two lucky charms in hand from prior missions

recovering from wounds: S/SGT Harshaney flight engineer 7 missions AM, PH 3.16 kills Return 4 March


AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 10 Anzio Beachhead - German Supply Dumps

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #6)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Supply Dumps

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	9	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	5			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	9	AM	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	9	AM	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Irvin "Field" Marshall	7	AM	4	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	9	AM	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	9	AM, PH	1.666	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	9	AM	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	4		2.333	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	9	AM	1	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 9th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No effects on today’s mission.

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Two days needed for repairs
Bomber Damage:
  Superficial Damage x 6 12pts
  Waist no effect 5pts
  Nose no effect x 2 10pts
  R Wing Root 25 pts
  R Wing no effect x 4 40pts
  L Wing no effect X 2 20pts
  Radio out 10pts
  Intercom out 10 pts
  Radio compartment no effect 5 pts
Peckham Points: 137 points

Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 15

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	4	2	2				8
Undamaged	3						3
Damaged	1						1
Probable/Denied
Destroyed	1		2				3

Casualties: none
Claims:
  S/SGT Marshall Me109 Approved
  S/SGT Marshall and SGT Thompson Me110 Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit Awarded
  SGT Totter l and SGT Thompson Me110 Approved
Awards:
  2LT Mills AM
  S/SGT Irvin "Field" Marshall AM for 5 kills (Ace status)

AAR

OUTBOUND
We took off and joined up on the squadron lead, Bonkers, without any problems. The boys from the 1FG took up their position and we were off for a short run to the target. Running our checks after takeoff SGT Kimbelin discovered a problem with the bomb bay doors. He managed to get the problem resolved and bombs armed just a we arrived in the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area things heated up quickly. A flight of 4 Me109s attacked from our 12, our little friends took care of 3 of them. The fourth got through and we were hit multiple times including a hit to the right-wing root. S/SGT Marshall in turn did enough damage to the Me109 that it only did the one pass. They were followed up by a pair of FW190s that were intercepted by the lightings escorting us. As we started our bomb up were rocked by a flak burst that did minor damage to the right wing. 2LT Marcum was able to keep the us steady and was on-target assessed as 50% effective. Flak on the way to the IP lessened and was ineffective. As we departed the RP after reforming our little friends intercepted a Me110 trying to slip in from below. Just before we departed the target area a swarm of 5 Me109s attacked. The boys from the 1 FG intercepted one, but the rest were able to attack. Several of them must have been green pilots. One at our 12 missed and broke off when our Nose gunner fired on him. As did the one at our 6 when our tail gunner started shooting. S/SGT Marshall took the wing off the one attacking at our 3, with a chute observed. The final one attacked from a vertical dive and missed.

INBOUND
The enemy fighter activity took a short break but was we approached friendly territory 3 Me110 made a final attack. Our little friends took care of one of them. S/SGT Marshall and SGT Thompson turned the one at our 12 into a fireball. The third at our six evaded our defensive fire and hammered us doing multiple hits to the radio, pilot and nose compartments mostly for no effect but taking out our radio and intercom systems and well as damage to our left wing. When he came back for a second try SGT Totter l and SGT Thompson took his R wing off with a chute observed.


We made a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick says it will take a couple of days to complete the needed repairs. The review board approved our claims giving S/SGTMarshall Ace status.



2LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 11 Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory
MISSION DATE: 15 Feb 44
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #6)

Game notes:
two lady luck smiles in hand from prior missions
recovering from wounds: S/SGT Harshaney flight engineer 7 missions AM, PH 3.16 kills Return 4 March
When I saw this mission, I expected both of two bombers would have tough mission at best. The dice were extremely kind to the Bama Beauty on this mission. The fighter coverage rolls removed almost all attacking aircraft on the flight to the target. A random event of ‘Bad Luftwaffe Communications: remove one fighter from each wave for remainder of mission’ before the bomb run in the target area helped on the way back to base.


509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 11 Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory


B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #6)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle outbound, TEC Inbound
TARGET: Aircraft Factory

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	10	AM		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	6			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	10	AM	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	10	AM	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Irvin "Field" Marshall	8	AM+	5.25	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	10	AM	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	10	AM, PH	2.16	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	10	AM	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	5		3.08	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	10	AM	1	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 10th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready at overnight repairs and maintenance
Bomber Damage:
Navigation Equipment 10
Superficial damage 1
Peckham Points: 11
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 14

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	3	5	1	3			11
Undamaged
Damaged			1				1
Probable/Denied
Destroyed		1	1				2

Casualties:
Claims:
FW190 S/SGT Marshall and SGT Thompson Approved - Full Credit Awarded
Me110 SGT Trotter and SGT Thompson Approved - Full Credit Awarded
Awards:
Air Meda: 2LT McQuinn; 2LT Marcum; 2LT Tobin; T/SGT Whitehead; SGT Trotter; SGT Kimberlin; SGT Thompson; SGT Short
George McQuinn to 1LT
Skill up to Meticulous

AAR

Everyone was somber upon learning the target for today. Howard my co-pilot kept saying I have a bad feeling about this mission.

OUTBOUND
We took off and joined up on the squadron lead, with out incident the good weather did nothing to lift the crew’s mood. Our fight escort was on the ball for the outbound flight. Enemy aircraft started trying their luck as we crossed the coast over Italy. The little friends chased off a pair of Me109s and a Me210. Approaching the Alps the escorts intercepted a pair of Me210s. Shortly after that a pair of Me110 attacked from our 6. The escorts got one and SGT Trotter and SGT Short did enough damage to the other that it broke off the attack. About that time we heard Betty Anne radio that they were turning for home with her O2 system shot out. Once over the Alps enemy resistance resumed, a trio of Fw190s attacked with the little friends stopping two of them. The third got through but S/SGT Marshall and SGT Thompson took it’s right wing off, with no chu observed. We heard Bit o’ Lace callout that they were taking over TEC.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area our escorts ran off a Me109. As we were making our bomb run a flak burst shook the Bama Beauty. Pat Tobin our Nav started cussing and while 2LT Marcum managed to be on-target it was assessed as only 30% effective. 2LT Tobin reported the flak had taken out the Navigation equipment right in front of him. Bit o’ Lace had to abort and head to Switzerland due to battle damage, and we assumed TEC position as squadron reforms at the RP As the formation started back home our little friends stopped a pair of Me109s coming in at our 12 And 10:30 but a Me110 slipped in behind the one at out 10:30, but SGT Trotter and SGT Thompson turned it into a fireball.

INBOUND
The enemy fighter activity lessened as we left the target area, but on our way to the Alps there were two attacks where rockets were lobbed into the formation from our rear. SGT Short thought he saw some Ju88’s but couldn’t be sure if they were the ones with the rockets. One burst near enough to us to do some superficial damage. Once over the Alps it was an uneventful flight.


We made a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick says he will have the Bama Beauty ready for a mission tomorrow. While a relative easy mission for us My co-pilot was right that this mission was hard on the squadron. It looks like Bit o’ Lace didn't make it. 


2LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 11 Regensburg, Germany - Prufening Aircraft Factory

B-17F All In (Mission #11)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Aircraft Factory

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	11	AM+		LW 1 week
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Ed Cole	11	AM+		SW-IH
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	11	AM+	3.16	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	11	AM+		RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy “Beau” Bell	9	AM, PH	.5	SW off flying status
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	11	AM	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	11	AM	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	11	AM+	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	3			RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	11	AM+	2.5	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 11th mission skill 1

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure plus a Lady Luck Smile that can be used to try and mitigate one mechanical oriented damage result this mission
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson says he will have it ready in one day, he says we must have used up several rabbit’s feet as we were lucky the damage wasn’t much worst.
Bomber Damage:
  4 x Superficial Damage 4
 Cockpit no effect 5
 Left Wing ring root hit 25
 Left Wing no effect 10
 Radio compartment no effect 5
 Pilot Light wound 2
 Co-pilot Serious wound 5
 Engineer Serious wound 5
Peckham Points: 61

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 29

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	3	2	7				12
Undamaged			1
Damaged	4		5		1		10
Probable/Denied
Destroyed	3	1	2				1

Casualties:
1LT George Gill LW ankle RTD in one week
2LT Ed Cole SW broken sternum, inflamed heart will be sent home to recover.
S/SGT Roy “Beau” Bell SW broken bones in hand and shattered right wrist 4 weeks and off flying status but available for ground duties

Claims:
Me109 S/SGT Bell & SGT Walkup Full Credit Awarded
FW190 S/SGT Bell & 2LT Hoag Full Credit Awarded
FW190 S/SGT Bell Full Credit Awarded
Me109 2LT Hoag Full Credit Awarded
Me109 S/SGT Kennedy & SGT Walkup 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded
Me110 S/SGT Kennedy & S/SGT Kress 1/2 Victory Credit Awarded

Awards:
PH 1LT George Gill
PH 2LT Ed Cole
PH (2nd award) S/SGT Roy “Beau” Bell

AAR

After the crew got word of our target, a couple of them handed ‘just in case’ letters to Fred our crew chief. Everyone expected a long hard mission.
OUTBOUND
We took off and joined up with the formation without incident. There wasn’t any activity near us on until we crossed the Alps, although we heard the squadron lead Pride of the Badgers call that they had to abort, and Irascible Girl was to take the lead. Things changed once we were over the Apls and into Germany. Four Fw190s attacked as we approached the target area. Our escorts chased three of them off and when the last one attacked low at our 3, Russ did enough damage that he broke off the attack after taking a wild shot at us from a distance.

TARGET AREA
As we entered the target area, the Kraut fighters were thick. The Lightnings intercepted one of a pair of Me109s while Russ and Jim dinged the other enough to make it miss. Beau got hit on the Fw190 attacking at our six which missed us as did Red’s attempt at a passing shot. Then a pair of Me109s attacked with the Lightnings taking care of one and Beau and Jim taking the Left wing off the second, no chute observed before we lost sight of it. The boys from the 82th then picked off a Me110 just before we reached the IP. Although the flak was heavy, it did no damage and Buck of on-target assessed as 40% effective. The flak lessened and as we reached the RP the fighter attacks bore in on us. Our little friends intercepted an Fw190 but the second attacked at our 1:30 Beau and Myril did enough damage that it missed and broke off the attack. Then a pair of Me110s attacked our 6. Russ damaged one which missed us and disappeared. The second came in at 6 low. Russ did some damage, but it raked us. Hitting the left-wing root, radio room nothing effected, and a couple of hits to the pilot compartment. Debris from the shells hit Ed breaking his sternum and something hit me in the ankle. I was able to keep flying but Ed was out of action. The Me110 tried to reattack, but Beau did more damage, and he broke off. That was followed by 3 Fw190s our little friends took care of one, Beau shot up one at our 3 with no chute observed. Jim did some damage to the third and it hit us twice doing superficial damage. Then he tried to come back for a second attack Beau and Myril did enough damage that he had to bail out.

INBOUND
The first half of the flight home was a running gunfight. With the bombing run complete Beau came up and helped Vern more Ed to the radio room. While Vern did first aid, Buck moved to the co-pilot seat. As we started home a pair of Fw190s attacked, our gunners and the Fw190 at our 1:30 all missed. The second at our 12 hit the top turret shattering Beau’s wrist. When it tried a reattack at our 6, Russ did enough damage that it broke off the attack. Vern did more first aid on Beau and move him to the radio room and then took over the top turret which was still working. While that was going on a Me109 attacked at our 12 and Myril manning the nose gun hammered the cockpit. No chute observed as the Me109 dropped out of sight. As we were approaching the Alps, we were attacked by 4 Fw190s, the escorts took care of one. The others got through but must have been green or pilots. Jim missed the one at our 3 as did the Fw190, Moose and Vern dinged the one at our 9 and it also missed, and Russ and Myril did some damage to the one at our 12, who also broke off the attack.
Once over the Apls there was a short lull, and then as we approached the coast rockets were fired into the formation from our 6. One burst near us doing some more minor damage. That was followed by a couple of Me109s. Vern and Moose did enough damage to the first that it broke off with its engine smoking, while Russ has a similar result for the other. That was followed by a Me110 at our 6 that Russ damaged enough to make it break off after taking an ineffective shot parting shot. The last attacks came about halfway back over the Adriatic. Three Me109s tried their luck, the escorts chased two off and Russ and Jim shot up the last one at our 3, taking the Left wing off and shooting up the cockpit. No chute observed as it went into an uncontrolled spin. They were followed up by a pair of Me110s. The Jugs from the 325th took care of one and then Red and Russ took the Wing off the other, a chute was observed.


Safe landing at Giulia Airfield, I needed Buck’s help with my foot injury.
T/SGT Johnson says he will have it ready in one day, he says we must have used up several rabbit’s feet as we were lucky the damage wasn’t much worst. The flight surgeon says I will be back in a week. Beau gets a second Purple Heart in his first mission back. This time he is off flying status for a long time. After his wrist is repaired he will be in a cast for a while and be will be assigned to one of the ground support units. Ed has a broken sternum, inflamed heart and after 3 to 4 weeks recovery will be sent back for additional recovery. The good news is the gunnery board awards the crew 4 kills and 2 shared kills.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 12 Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 7 arch 44
TARGET: Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard

B-17F All In (Mission #12)

Game notes:
Two lady luck smiles available from prior missions.
Plus a lucky charm for any mechanical issue this mission




509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 12 Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard
B-17F All In (Mission #12)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Lead
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	12	AM+, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Don Heffner	1			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	12	AM+	3.16	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	12	AM+	1.5	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	1			RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	12	AM+	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	12	AM+	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	12	AM+	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	4		.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	12	AM+	2.75	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 12th mission skill 1
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.
Bomber Damage:
Peckham Points:

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 0

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:

AAR
After Regensburg, this was milk run, The string of bad weather gave the new crew members time to get used to the routine and get to know the crew. Our new co-pilot is another Pennsylvania boy, who played baseball at Penn State. Our new engineer S/SGT Roy Hughes used the extra time to work with our crew chief and familiarize himself with the quirks of the All In.

OUTBOUND
We took off without any problems and despite the poor weather quickly found the assembly aircraft. The rest of the squadron followed and formed up on us. With the bad weather we made it to the target area without incident.


TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, we reached the IP without incident. There was light ineffective flak as we made our bomb run. Myril was assessed as on-target but only 30% effective. After everyone regrouped at the RP we headed back.

INBOUND
The flight back to base was without incident with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield,
T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 12 Certaldo, Italy - Marshalling Yard


B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #7)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	11	AM+		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	7	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	11	AM+	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	11	AM+	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshane	8	AM, PH	3.16	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	11	AM+	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	11	AM+, PH	2.16	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	11	AM+	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	6	AM	4.08	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	11	AM+	1	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 10th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure plus a Lady Luck Smile that can be used to try and mitigate one mechanical oriented damage result this mission.

Bomb Percentage: on-target,
Bomber Disposition: Ready at overnight repairs and maintenance
Bomber Damage:
Peckham Points:
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 2

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept		1					1
Undamaged
Damaged	1						1
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:

AAR
It was good have S/SGT Harshaney back even though S/SGT Marshall had fix it well with the crew. The crew has mixed thought about this mission, after so many aborted or scrubbed mission the last two weeks some ready to go and others were betting that we would have another mission aborted enroute to the target. It turned out to be a relative uneventful mission for us.

OUTBOUND
We took off and joined up on the squadron lead without incident, although the poor weather and rain made for a tricky takeoff and some stressful flying conditions while ascending and finding the assembly aircraft. Once the group had formed up it was an uneventful flight to the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area there was some light resistance. Our escorts ran off a Fw190. A Me109 with Italian markings made a pass at up but he must have been pretty green. S/SGT Harshaney dinged it and it broke off the attack after taking a wild shot a us.
The light flak was well away from us and 2LT Marcum was on-target despite the bad weather but at only 30% effectiveness.

INBOUND
Nothing to report on the flight back
We made a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick says he will have the Bama Beauty ready for a mission tomorrow.


1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 13 Toulon, France - Submarine Repair Facilities
B-17F All In (Mission #13)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Submarine Repair Facilities

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	13	AM+, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Don Heffner	2			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	13	AM+	3.16	RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	13	AM+	1.5	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	2			RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	13	AM+	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	13	AM+	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	13	AM+	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	5		.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ralph “Red” Kress	13	AM+	2.75	SW-IH

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 13th mission skill 2
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports
Bomber Damage:
Superficial damage x 4
Tail gunner SW
Left Wing SD
Right Wing SD
Bomb Bay Doors
Peckham Points: 24

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 7

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	1		2				3
Undamaged
Damaged	1		2				3
Probable/Denied
Destroyed			1				1

Casualties: S/SGT Kress cracked temporal bone will be send home to recover
Claims: Fw190 S/SGT Hughes  Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit Awarded

Awards:
SGT Walkup AM
S/SGT Red Kress PH


AAR


OUTBOUND
With the good weather we took off and joined up with the formation. Shortly after we passed over the coast line and started north an unknown enemy aircraft lobbed rockets into the formation, to no effect. That happened a second time as we approached the target area, this time the burst from one of them shook use and Moose reported that the waist section had some additional ventilation, but nothing serious.


TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, our escorts from the RAF chased off a Fw190 that was showing some interest in us. The flak on the bomb run didn’t do any damage and Buck was on-target assessed as 40% effective. Flak lessened and remained ineffective on the way to the RP. As the squadron reformed at the RP 4 Fw190s attacked, our escorts picked one off at our 12, and Roy Hughes in the top turret turned the second one into a fireball. The other two were at our 6. Red in the tail dinged one of them causing it to miss us are break off the attack. We missed the second one which multiple hits for superficial damage and hit Red knocking him out. It came back for a second pass and while Russ dinged it was enough to stop the attack. This time it hit the bomb bay doors and did some more superficial damage to the left wing before breaking off.

INBOUND
As we started home Red didn’t answer the crew check, and Moose went back and found Red unconscious with a head wound. He brought him forward to the radio room and gave first aid. Vern went back to man the tail gun. While this was going on the RAF ran off a Fw190 that was setting up for an attack. As we neared the Italian coast we were attacked by a Me109 that we did enough damage to that it broke off the attack without hitting us. It was followed by an Fkw190 that missed us while our gunner missed it.
We fired off flairs for wounded aboard and landed safely. The flight surgeon report that Red has a cracked temporal bone and will be send back to the states to recover.
T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after overnight maintenance and minor repairs.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 13 Toulon, France - Submarine Repair Facilities
MISSION DATE: 11 March 44
TARGET: Toulon, France - Submarine Repair Facilities
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #8)

Game notes:
two lady luck smiles in hand from prior missions, used one on this mission to reroll a potential mechanical failure 2 zones short on target.




509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 13 Toulon, France - Submarine Repair Facilities
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #8)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	12	AM+		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	8	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	12	AM+	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	12	AM+	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshane	9	AM, PH	3.16	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	12	AM+	.5	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	12	AM+, PH	2.16	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	12	AM+	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	7	AM	4.08	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	12	AM+	1	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 11th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repairs and maintenance
Bomber Damage:
Tail left elevator inop
Left Wing flap inop
Nose Turret Power out
Controls for both flaps out
Bomb Release Mechanism
Peckham Points: 50
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 11

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	2	4					6
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied	1	1					2
Destroyed	2	1					3

Casualties:
Claims:
Fw190 T/SGT Whitehead & SGT Trotter Denied
Fw190 S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson Full Credit Awarded
Me109 S/SGT Harshaney & T/SGT Whitehead Full Credit Awarded
Me109 SGT Thompson Denied
Me109 S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Short Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit AwardedAwards:

AAR
The most notable thing for this mission was the number of mechanical / maintenance issues we had. T/SGT Patrick is a good crew chief but he and his crew were sloppy this time. I plan on reminding him on the need to stay focused and have S/SGT Harshaney spend more time double checking work.

OUTBOUND
Engine one was balky and didn’t want to start at first, but it finally got going and we took off and joined up on the squadron lead without incident. As we headed out over the Tyrrhenian Sea our escorts picked off a Fw190 that was trying to set up an attack on us. When we were about half way between Corsica and Toulon number one engine acted up a little giving us a scare but then settled back down.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area the krauts were thick. Three Fw190s made the first attack. The RAF took care of one, T/SGT Whitehead & SGT Trotter took a wing off of one at our 3, and S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson turned the one at our 12 into a fireball. Next were a trio of M2109s, once again the RAF took care of one while S/SGT Harshaney & T/SGT Whitehead set the one at our 9 ablaze and SGT Thompson did the same to the one at our 12. Then our escorts picked off a Fw190 trying to sneak in while we were occupied. On the bomb run we were rocked by two flak hits. One took out the flaps on the left wing and the second hit the tail taking out the left elevator. In spite of the hits 2LT Marcum stayed focused and was on-target , assessed as 30% effective. While the flak continued we took no additional damage and reached the RP. Where was a final attack by a pair of Me109s. The RAF took care of one while S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Short shot up the one at our 6. A chute was observed as the 109 started to fall out of the sky.

INBOUND
As we started home SGT Thompson reported he had lost power in the nose turret. He was unable to get it working after attempting repairs. When we were approaching the coast the controls for both flaps went out. Fortunately, our escorts ran off a Fw190 that was nosing around about that time.
We made a smooth landing at Giulia Airfield despite the problems with the flaps and elevator. While discussing the issues with T/SGT Patrick, we discovered that he bomb release mechanism was broken after the bombs were released. T/SGT Patrick says he will be more careful in inspecting work and will have the Bama Beauty ready for a mission tomorrow.


1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 14 Steyr, Austria - Welzergenswerk Ball Bearing Plant
MISSION DATE: 15 March 44
B-17F All In (Mission #14)

Game notes:
Two lady luck smiles available from prior missions. 2LT Billy Sullivan next mission replacement for “Buck” Newsom KIA this mission




509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 14 Steyr, Austria - Welzergenswerk Ball Bearing Plant
B-17F All In (Mission #14)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle
TARGET: Submarine Repair Facilities

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	14	AM+, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	2LT Don Heffner	3			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Louis “Buck” Newsom	14	AM+	3.16	KIA
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	14	AM+	1.5	LW-1 day
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	3		.5	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	14	AM+	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	14	AM+	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	14	AM+	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	6	AM	.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ewald "Ernie" Pyle	1			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 14th mission skill 2
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 28%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after overnight maintenance and repairs.
Bomber Damage:
  #3 Engine Out
  Fire damage
  Bomb Bay no effect
  Bomb Bay fuel tank self seal
  2LT Newsom KIA
  2LT Hoag LW
Peckham Points: 77

Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 5

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Ju88C-6	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept
Undamaged			1				1
Damaged			3				3
Probable/Denied
Destroyed			1				1

Casualties:
 2LT Newsom KIA
 2LT Hoag LW – 1 day recovery
Claims:
 Fw190 S/SGT Hughes Approved - Full Credit Awarded
Awards:
 2LT Newsom PH
 2LT Hoag PH


AAR
Our new tail gunner Sgt. Ewald Pyle is only had a couple of days to get settled in, and the crew has decided that he will go by Ernie. He is still getting used to the idea, we’ll see how that goes.

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off smoothly despite the poor weather and sloppy conditions on the ground. Climbing through the clouds and fog we were able to successfully join up with the formation although the whole process took longer than usual. Once the full formation had assembled, we had an uneventful flight to the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, we were attacked by a pair of FW 190s, one at 1030 the other at 130. Our gunners managed to ding both of them apparently doing enough damage to cause them to miss and break off the attack. As we started our target run from the IP a flak burst shook the plane but did no damage. However while Buck was on target the accuracy was assessed at only 28%. The flight continued on the way to the RP, and once again one burst close enough to give us a good shaking without doing any damage. As the formation regrouped at the RP and FW 190 appeared at our 12 out of the clouds. Buck barely had time to get a shot off dinging him, it was just enough to get to the fighter to miss.

INBOUND
The flight back was quiet until we approached the Croatian coast. We were jumped by a pair of FW 190s both at our 12. Roy in the top turret took the wing off of one. Buck managed to hit the other but it riddled us. Shots hit the nose severing Buck’s leg and causing lacerations to Myril’s face, hitting the Bombay, the wing fuel tanks which self sealed, and setting engine number three on fire. Roy managed to get the fire out quickly but we lost number three engine. After that the flight back was quiet while the crew tended to Buck and Myril’s wounds. Arriving back at base we fired flares for serious wounded and landed safely. Myril needed a few stitches and will be ready to fly the next mission, unfortunately Buck lost too much blood and didn’t make it. This is going to be a tough letter to write. 
T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after overnight maintenance and repairs.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 14 Steyr, Austria - Welzergenswerk Ball Bearing Plant
MISSION DATE: 15 March 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #9)

Game notes:
two lady luck smiles in hand from prior missions, used one on this mission to reroll a potential mechanical failure 2 zones short on target.

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 14 Steyr, Austria - Welzergenswerk Ball Bearing Plant
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #9)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Lead
TARGET: Ball Bearing Plant

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	13	AM+		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	9	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	13	AM+	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	13	AM+	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshane	10	AM, PH	4.33	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	13	AM+	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	13	AM+, PH	2.16	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	13	AM+	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	8	AM	4.58	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	13	AM+	1.16	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 13th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repair and maintenance.
Bomber Damage:
  L Wing-no effect 5
  R Wing- no effect 5
  L elevator inop 10
  Waist – no effect 5
  2x Superficial Damage 4
  Bomb Bay 5
  Tail L rudder 1 Hit 10

Peckham Points: 44
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 16

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept		1					1
Undamaged	3	3					6
Damaged		2	1				3
Probable/Denied	1		2				3
Destroyed	1	2					3

Casualties: none
Claims:
  Me109 S/SGT Harshaney Approved - Full Credit Awarded
  Me110 SGT Trotter Denied
  Me110 SGT Trotter Denied
  Fw190 SGT Trotter & T/SGT Whitehead Shared - 1/3 Victory Credit Awarded
  Me109 S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson Denied
  Fw190 SGT Trotter & T/SGT Whitehead Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit Awarded
Awards:
S/SGT Harshaney AM for 10 missions and recommended for DFC for reaching Ace status


AAR

OUTBOUND
We were the squadron lead for this mission and after all the mechanical issues on the last mission we did a through walk thru prior to the mission.
We were able to get airborne without incident and quickly found the assembly plan. Once the rest of the squadron formed up and we joined the group formation and headed towards the target. As we passed over the coast of Croatia the expected resistant materialized. We were jumped by a pair of Fw190s with a Me109 kicker. While we did not see much of our escorts on this mission, a couple of them appear and picked off a Fw190, the only time they stopped a fighter attacking us this mission. While we hit the second it raked us, doing multiple hits for no effect, taking out the left elevator, and sending the pucker factor sky high with a hit to the bomb bay with things pinging off the bombs. With reduced visibility the Me110 tried a reattack but with the poor visibility missed as did our gunners. The Me109 pressed its attack and S/SGT Harshaney took its left wing off with no chute observed. After that the rest of the flight to the target area was uneventful.


TARGET AREA
Once in the target area it took Goering’s boys a little while to find us but then came at us hard. A trio of Me110s attacked with a Me109 on their heels. Sgt Short dinged the one at our six and it missed us breaking off that attack. The second attacked in the vertical climb and Sgt Trotter tok the Left wing off, a chute was observed. With a Me110 and a Me109 at our 12 we missed both, the Me109 missed us but the 110 did some damage. When it tried for a reattack, Sgt Trotter was able to get his guns around and turned it into a fireball.
They were followed by a Fw190 at our 3 and a Me109 at our 12. SGT Trotter & T/SGT Whitehead shot up the Fw190 with no chute observed as it lost power and fell out of the sky. S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Thompson turned the Me109 into a fireball. As we started the bomb run at the IP, we discovered the ailerons were out, after we got back it was determined to be an instrument failure; not battle damage. On the bomb run we were rocked by the heavy flak doing superficial damage as well as hits to our right wing and left rudder. Despite this 2LT Marcum was on-target assessed as 50% effective.
As we were reforming at the RP three Fw190s and a Me109 attacked. SGT Trotter & T/SGT Whitehead shattered the cockpit of the one at our 3. The other three all attacked at our 12. SGT Thompson did some damage to one of Fw190s which then missed us. With more targets than gunners we missed the other two, fortunately both of them also missed us. They were followed by a pair of Fw190s and a Me109 which were on us so quickly neither side could get off an accurate shot. As we were departing the target area bombs were dropped on the formation from above, while we were rocked by the blast there was no apparent damage.

INBOUND
Nothing to report for the flight back to base. We managed a smooth landing despite the damage to the control surfaces. T/SGT Patrick says Bama Beauty will be ready after overnight repair and maintenance.
While half our claims were denied, S/SGT Harshaney’s were approved or shared giving him Ace status.
.


1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 15 Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 15 March 44
B-17F All In (Mission #15)

Game notes:
Two lady luck smiles available from prior missions. 2LT Billy Sullivan replacement for “Buck” Newsom KIA last mission. This had potential to be a high activity mission and was surprisingly quite

AAR


509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 15 Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
B-17F All In (Mission #15)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	15	AM+, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Don Heffner	4			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Billy Sullivan	1			RFD
Navigator	2LT	2LT Myril Hoag	15	AM+,PH	1.5	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	4		1.5	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	15	AM+	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	15	AM+	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	15	AM+	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	7	AM	.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ewald "Ernie" Pyle	2			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 15th mission skill 2
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure rolls during this mission.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 40%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance
Bomber Damage:
Peckham Points:
Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 2

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Re2001	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	1			1			2
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:
AM Oak leaf cluster: 1LT Gill, 2LT Hoag, S/SGT Kennedy, SGT Van Atta, SGT Solters
Promotions:
S/SGT Kennedy to T/SGT
SGT Van Atta to S/SGT




AAR
Our new bombardier 2LT Billy Sullivan, showed up just in time for the aborted mission on the 18th. He is still getting settled in and used to our battle rhythm. Myril’s face is still covered in red welts from the last mission but they are slowly healing. Our tailgunner SGT Ewald Pyle, has been with us for a couple of weeks now and has adapted to his nickname of Ernie.

OUTBOUND
we were able to take off and join up with formation without incident, although all the mud made things a little tricky getting lined up for takeoff. Nothing significant report on the outbound flight, light flak is cross the coast was an effective.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, we didn’t encounter any fighter resistance on the way to the IP. There is medium intensity flak on the bomb run but it was ineffective. 2LT Sullivan made his first bomb run a good one being on target and assisted 40% effectiveness. As we were forming up at the RP our little friends ran off in Re2001 that was showing interest in us.


INBOUND
As the formation started our flight back to base our escorts ran off a ME109 it was attempting to make a pass at us. As we passed over the coastline there was light ineffective flak and after that a routine flight home in a safe landing.
T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.
We are over the halfway mark at 15 missions for the All In and are five remaining original crew members. In addition Vern and Russ received promotions which gave the crew something else to celebrate.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 15 Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 15 March 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #12)

Game notes:
One lady luck smiles in hand from prior mission not needed this mission


AAR


509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 15 Bolzano, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 20 March 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #9)
Crew Commander: 2LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle (Lead after Z6 outbound)
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	2LT	George McQuinn	14	AM+		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	10	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	14	AM+	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	14	AM+	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshane	11	AM++, PH	4.33	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	14	AM+	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	14	AM+, PH	2.16	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	14	AM+	1.5	LW-RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	9	AM	4.58	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	14	AM+	1.16	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 14th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repair and maintenance.
Bomber Damage:
Right Rudder 1 hit
SGT Kimberlin light wound
Peckham Points: 12
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 6

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	1						1
Undamaged		1					1
Damaged		1				1	2
Probable/Denied		1					1
Destroyed		1					1

Casualties:
Claims:
  FW190 SGT Thompson Denied - No Credit Awarded
  FW190 SGT Thompson & SGT Trotter Approved = Full Credit Awarded
Awards:
  PH SGT Kimberlin
  AM SGT Thompson for achieving ace status


AAR

OUTBOUND
After a much appreciated 72 hour pass for the crew everyone was ready foe this mission. T/SGT Patrick and the ground crew had the Bama Beauty patched up and it was hard to tell all the damage from the last mission. We were able to take off and join the formation without incident. Something that can be difficult with this bad weather. As we approached the Italian coast, Laid Back Lady had problems and had to abort. We slid into the lead position for the remainder of the mission. Passing over the coast a flak burst shook us but did no damage.


TARGET AREA
Once in the target area we had no fighters go after us as we approached the IP. Once we started our bomb run the flak was ineffective and Johnny had a good run being assessed as on-target for 50% effectiveness. No flak and no fighters as we reformed at the rally point and started back to base.

INBOUND
As soon as we departed the target area we were jumped by 6 fighters, the escorts took care of Me109. A Fw190 attacked at our 12 and SGT Thompson smashed the cockpit sending it into a spiral down. We didn’t have enough gunners to engage the FW190 at our 1:30 but it was closing too fast and missed us. T/SGT Whitehead hit the FW190 at our f3 for a fuel leak and it missed us and disappeared. Two fighter attacked at our 6. S/SGT Harshaney damaged the wing of the Re2005, which missed us and broke off the attack. SGT Short dinged the FW190 at our six but it hit us damaging the Right Rudder and grazing SGT Kimberlin’s leg. When it tried a reattack at our 1:30, SGT Thompson & SGT Trotter turned it into a fireball. The rest of the trip back to base was uneventful.
We had a good landing. The medics patched Harry’s leg and he is ready for the next mission. T/SGT Patrick says the Bama Beauty will be ready after overnight repair and maintenance. We got word that the gunner review award one of the kill claims making SGT Thompson an ace.


1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
MISSION DATE: 22 March 44
B-17F All In (Mission #16)

Game notes:
Two lady luck smiles available from prior missions. not used this mission




509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
B-17F All In (Mission #16)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Lead
TARGET: Airdrome Dispersal Areas

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	16	AM++, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Don Heffner	5			RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Billy Sullivan	2			RFD
Navigator	2LT	Myril Hoag	16	AM++,PH	1.5	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	5		1.5	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	16	AM++	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	16	AM++	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	16	AM++	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	8	AM	.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ewald "Ernie" Pyle	3			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 16th mission skill 2
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure rolls during this mission.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 30%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance
Bomber Damage:
Peckham Points:
Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 2

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Re2001	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept		2					2
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:
AM: 2LT Heffner, S/SGT Hughes
Promotions:



AAR
We were selected as the Group lead for this mission, Myril is one of the most experienced navigators in the squadron so one day for mission planning wasn’t a problem.

OUTBOUND
With the good weather we has a smooth takeoff and were able to quickly find the assembly aircraft. Once the formation was ready we headed north to the target. The flight over the Adriatic was uneventful. Once we reached the coast we were greeted by light ineffective flak. That was followed by rockets lobbed into the formation from the rear, which missed us.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, we didn’t encounter any enemy fighters on the way to the IP and flak during the bomb run was ineffective. Billy was on-target assessed at 30% effective. After that we reached the RP with no additional flak or fighters encountered.


INBOUND
As the formation started back to base a pair of Me110s tried to attack us but were stopped by our little friends. As we passed over the coast there was light ineffective flak. After that it was a routine flight back to base with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. Don and Roy received Air Metals for completing their 5th mission.
T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF Mission 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
MISSION DATE: 22 March 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #13)

Game notes:
One lady luck smiles in hand from prior mission did not need this mission. Outbound in zone 4 rolled an extra tight formation random event which reduced the number of waves in a couple of zones. Rolled two other random events on the inbound lag both of which had no effect on the mission.



509th BG, 15AF Mission 16 Verona, Italy - Airdrome Dispersal Areas
MISSION DATE: 22 March 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #13)
Crew Commander: 1LT George McQuinn
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Airdrome Dispersal Areas

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Prior Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George McQuinn	15	AM+		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	11	AM+		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	15	AM+	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	15	AM+	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshaney	12	AM++, PH	5.33	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	15	AM+	1.37	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	15	AM+, PH	3.03	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	15	AM+	1.5	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	10	AM	5.08	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	15	AM+	1.16	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 14th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.

Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repair and maintenance.
Bomber Damage:
Peckham Points:
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 13

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	4	3				1	8
Undamaged		2					2
Damaged		1					1
Probable/Denied		1					1
Destroyed	1						1

Casualties:
Claims:
Fw190 S/SGT Harshaney Denied
Me109 S/SGT Harshaney & SGT Kimberlin Approved = Full Credit Awarded
Awards:
Air Medal:
1LT McQuinn
2LT Marcum
2LT Tobin
T/SGT Whitehead
SGT Trotter
SGT Kimberlin
SGT Thompson
SGT Short

AAR

OUTBOUND
Take off and joining the formation was uneventful. About half way up the Adriatic we encountered enemy fighters. The boys for the 1st FG took care of a Fw190 at our 12, and Sam in the top turret shot up a Fw190 attacking in a vertical dive. Bill in the ball turret reported a chute as its dive turned into a death spiral. As we passed over the coast there was light ineffective flak. Shortly afterwards rockets were fired into the format from our 6 but none went off near us. That was followed by three Fw190s that managed to get past the Lightings and tried a pincer attack. All out gunners engaged and although none reported any hits their fire was effective enough that the fighters missed.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, a pair of Me109s and a Re2005 tried to attack. The 1st FG escorts saw off the Re2005 and one of the Me109s. Sam and Harry took out the Me109 at our 9, shredding the Left wing, with no chute observed. The flak on the run from the IP to the target was ineffective and stopped after we hit the target. Johnny continued to be steady with another run on-target for 50% effective assessment. As we reached the RP our little friends chased off a pair of Fw190s that were setting up for a run at us.

INBOUND
The was light ineffective flak as we passed back out over the Adriatic. Shortly afterwards 3 Me109s showed some interest but were chased off by the Lightings. We had a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick says he will have the Bama Beauty ready after overnight repair and maintenance.



1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 26 March 44
B-17F All In (Mission #17)

Game notes:
Two lady luck smiles available from prior missions. Used one this mission to reroll a flak burst in plane result.


509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard
B-17F All In (Mission #17)
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	17	AM++, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Don Heffner	6	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Billy Sullivan	3			RFD
Navigator	2LT	Myril Hoag	17	AM++,PH	1.5	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	6		1.5	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	17	AM++	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	17	AM++	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	17	AM++	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	9	AM	.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ewald "Ernie" Pyle	4			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 17th mission skill 2
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failure rolls during this mission.
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance and repairs
Bomber Damage:
5 Superficial damage hits 5
Bomb bay no effect 5
2 tail hits no effect 5
Peckham Points: 15
Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 4

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Re2001	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept			2				2
Undamaged
Damaged	1		1				2
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:
Promotions:

AAR
With the good weather takeoff and joining the formation went smoothly. We had good bomb results but with the CO’s plane lost on this mission the mood was very somber.

OUTBOUND
As soon as we were over Yugoslavia, we were attacked by a pair of Fw190s, The escorts took care of one but the other came in a vertical dive and it hit us for some superficial damage and in the bomb bay with metal rattling off the bombs, but no major damage. Roy and Vern said the had hit the engine and on a reattack Roy hit it again, just enough damage that it missed us. Rest of the flight to the target area was uneventful.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, rockets were fired into the formation from our six, but did no damage to us. However, the crew reported that Gingersnap with squadron CO went down with a few chutes observed. Once we started the bomb run there was a flak burst at our tail that did some minor damage and shook the plane, but Billy recovered to get on target and assessed as 50% effective. At the RP our escorts from the 1FG ran off a Fw190 that was trying to attack.




INBOUND
As the formation started back ANGRY ARI reported that they were damaged and leaving the formation to head for Lecce. As we approached the coast a Me109 attacked in the vertical dive attacked hitting the tail for no effective damage, plus a couple of other superficial damage hits. On his reattack Roy hit his left wing and he hit from some more superficial damage before breaking off the attack.
T/SGT Johnson says the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.


1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR



509th BG, 15AF Mission 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard

MISSION DATE: 26 March 44

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #14)



Game notes:

One lady luck smiles in hand from prior mission, not used, In zone 2 rolled a mechanical failure for bomb release (not detected until over target). Reported in AAR as probably flak damage



509th BG, 15AF Mission 17 Skpolje, Yugoslavia - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 26 March 44
B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #14)
Crew Commander: 1LT George McQuinn
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	George McQuinn	16	AM++		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Howard Mills	11	AM+		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Johnny Marcum	16	AM++	.25	RFD
Navigator	2LT	Pat Tobin	16	AM++	.25	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Sam Harshaney	13	AM++, PH	5.83	RFD
Radio/ RW	S/SGT	John Whitehead	16	AM++	1.37	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	Bill Trotter	16	AM++, PH	3.03	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Harry Kimberlin	16	AM++	2	RFD
Nose Gunner	SGT	Tommy Thompson	11	AM+	5.08	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Dave Short	16	AM++	1.16	RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Bob Patrick (Good) skill +1 16th mission
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.

Bomb Percentage: did not bomb: bomb release failure 0%
Bomber Disposition: Ready after overnight repair and maintenance.
Bomber Damage:
Superficial damage 1
Nose – no effect 5
Right Wing – no effect 5
Bomb release failure 10
Peckham Points: 21
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 11

	Me109	Fw190	Me110	Me210	Me410	Re2005	TOTAL
Escort Intercept	5	6					11
Undamaged
Damaged
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:

AAR
Our friends from the 1FG provided excellent cover today, we had minimal damage but did not bomb due to bomb release failure/damage, this one is a draw at best.

OUTBOUND
Take off and joining the formation was uneventful. With the good weather we had a smooth takeoff and quickly joined the formation. Shortly after we were over Yugoslavia, our friends from the 1FG chased off a Me109, that was nosing around.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, a pair of Fw190s tried their luck but were picked off by the Lightings. Nothing else before the IP. When we started our bomb run we were hit by flak doing superficial damage to the nose and right wing. Then when Johnny went to release the bombs, he discovered the flak had also taken out the bomb release controls. An attempt at manual release before we left the area also failed. The little friends saw off a another Me109. Once things settled down Dave our tail gunner reported that The Talkin' Texan had gone down and Orange Crate took over TEC.

INBOUND
The rest of the way back we were harried by fighters but our little friends from the 1FG kept them all off of us. First a trio of Fw190s , followed by a singleton Fw190, then pair of Me109s. Finally just before the coast a final Me109 and then bombs on the formation, one of which went off near us doing more superficial damage. Once over water we left the formation and finally were successful in dropping the bomb load. After that a safe landing. T/SGT Patrick says he will have her ready after overnight repair and maintenance.



1LT George McQuinn, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 18 Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 29 March 44
B-17F All In (Mission #18)

Game notes:
One lady luck smiles available from prior missions.



AAR

509th BG, 15AF MISSION # 18 Sofia, Bulgaria - Marshalling Yard
B-17F All In (Mission #18)
Crew Commander: 1LT George Gill
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle
TARGET: Marshalling Yard

Crew Position	Rank	Name	Mission #	Prior Awards	Kills Awarded	Status
Pilot	1LT	George Gill	18	AM++, PH		RFD
Co-Pilot	2LT	Don Heffner	7	AM		RFD
Bombardier	2LT	Billy Sullivan	4			RFD
Navigator	2LT	Myril Hoag	18	AM++,PH	1.5	RFD
Engineer	S/SGT	Roy Hughes	7		1.5	RFD
Radio Operator	S/SGT	Vern Kennedy	18	AM++	1	RFD
Ball Gunner	SGT	SGT Russ Van Atta	18	AM++	.5	RFD
Left Waist	SGT	Julius “Moose” Solters	18	AM++	.5	RFD
Right Waist	SGT	Jim Walkup	10	AM	.66	RFD
Tail Gunner	SGT	Ewald "Ernie" Pyle	5			RFD

Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson (Dedicated) 18th mission skill 2
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures
Bomb Percentage: on-target, 50%
Bomber Disposition: T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance and repairs
Bomber Damage:
Ball turret power failure 10
Peckham Points: 10
Landing: safe landing at Giulia Airfield

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 6

	Me109	Me110	Fw190	Re2001	Me210	G55;	TOTAL
Escort Intercept		1	2				3
Undamaged			1				1
Damaged		1	1				2
Probable/Denied
Destroyed

Casualties:
Claims:
Awards:
Air Medal SGT Walkup
Air Medal SGT Pyle
Promotions:



AAR
Despite the poor weather, takeoff and joining the formation went smoothly but a little slowly.

OUTBOUND
Flight to target area was uneventful.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area we encountered no fighter activity and medium intensity which did no damage. Billy was on-target again assessed at 50% effectiveness. No flak on the way to the RP. As the formation started back our escorts chased off a Fw190 that was setting up for an attack.

INBOUND
As the formation headed back to base a trio of Fw190s made a sudden appearance, our fettle friends jumped one. The other two attacked one at our 12 and one at our six. Everything happened quickly that all out gunners missed as did the two fighters before going off to find other targets. While we were over Albania a pair of Me110s tried their luck. The boys from the 82th FG took acre of one. Russ and Ernie did enough damage to the one at our six that he took a wild long range shot that missed and broke off the attack. Just before we got to the coast Russ reported power loss in the ball turret. The crew couldn’t get the issue fixed but Moose and Jim were able to get Russ out of the turret. We had a saft landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Johnson reports the All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance and repairs He said that several of the crew chiefs have said their bombers have had mechanical issues the last couple of missions. They are speculating that something is wearing out sooner that it should.




1LT George Gill, Pilot Commanding
B-17F All In
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF