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B-24J Bob's Rascals

Commander: 1LT Bob Muncrief
78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
4 combat missions flown
status repaired in 2 days
MISSION DATE: 5 May 44
MISSION # 28
TARGET: Ploesti, Romania - Unirea Spreantza Oil Refinery
Formation: high
Position: middle

Crew
Position       Rank Name          Combat Missions Flown  Status
Pilot             1LT Bob Muncrief              4                     LW - 2 days
Co-Pilot        2LT Bob ‘Happy’ Harris      4                     RFD
Bombardier  2LT Sig Gryska                  4                    RFD
Navigator     2LT Eddie Silber                4                     RFD
Engineer/TT  S/SGT Mel Mazzera           4                    RFD
Radio/ RW    S/SGT Joe Grace               4                   RFD
Ball Gunner  SGT Joe ‘ Irish’ Gallagher   4                    RFD
Left Waist     SGT Mark Christman         4                     KIA
Nose Gunner SGT Hal Spindel               4                     RFD
Tail Gunner SGT Bill Cox 4 RFD



experence skill modifier level
Crew Chief SGT Johnny Berardino 4 -1 Rookie


Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 17
                       Me-109 Fw-190  Me-210 Me-410 TOTAL

Escort Intercept      0            0         0        0         0
Undamaged            0            1         3         0         4
Damaged               3             3        1         0         7
Probable/Denied     0            0          1        0         1
Destroyed              4            0         1         0         5


Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Results: off-target 0%
Bomber Damage:
9 x superficial damage 18
Control Cables (1st hit no effect) 5
Right Waist Gun damaged inop 10
Fuel Transfer System fire put out 1st try 25
pilot LW forearm cut 2
Ailerons (-1 landing roll) 10
tail no effect 5
Leftwaist gunner KIA 10
pilot Compartment Heat out 10
Right Wing ne effect 5
Peckham Points: 100
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Bomber Disposition: two days to repair

Casualtie& status:
SGT Christman KIA
1LT Muncrief Light Wound 2 day recovery

Claims:
S/SGT Mazzera Me109 Shared - 1/2 Victory Credit Awarded
SGT Spindel Me210 Approved
SGT Cox Me109 Approved
S/SGT Mazzera & SGT Spindel Me109 Approved
SGT Christman & SGT Spindel Me210 Denied
SGT Spindel & SGT Gallagher Me109 Approved
Awards:
SGT Christman Purple Heart
1LT Muncrief Purple Heart

Promotions:





AAR





OUTBOUND

We were able to take off and join up with the formation without any problems. When we were in the vicinity of Targu Jiu we encountered our first resistance. We were attacked by a pair of Me109’s. Mel in the top turret took the first one out attacking it 6 high. Must’ve been a green pilot he didn’t show much finesse. The 2nd one also at our 6 came straight in and Bill our tailgunner hammered him doing significant damage, but he also got his hits in on us before breaking off the attack. Multiple hits for superficial damage, damage to the control cables, knocking out our right waist gun, and causing a fire in the fuel transfer system which we were able to quickly put out.



TARGET AREA

the attacks continued in intensity as we reach the target area. First where a trio of FW 190’s two coming from our front sector and one at our 6. Bill, Mel and Hal all managed to damage their fighters causing them to Mrs. and break off the attack. Next were a pair of Me210s in our front sector. Mel did enough damage to his that it broke off the attack, and Hal shattered the cockpit of the other one sending it into a spiraling decent clearly out of control. After that Hal traded shots with an Fw190 with no apparent damage by either party. Bill damaged a Me109 at our 6 causing it to miss us and break off its’ attack. Last one came at us in a vertical dive and scored multiple hits on us, some for superficial damage but also lightly wounding me in the arm knocking out our ailerons. When he came around for a reattack Mel and Hal shot his aircraft full of holes knocking him out of the sky. Motor making our bomb run just before we reach the target we were rocked by a couple of flak hits that shook us enough that our bombs were off target even though the hits did no significant damage, although Bill in the tail was a bit shaken by a near miss. After we reached the RP there was one final round of fighter attacks. Hal and Mark shot up a Me210 which managed to get a wild shot off at us before it started falling out of the sky. Mel traded shots with a Me 410 with both missing before it broke off its attack. Bill took the wing off a Romanian Me109 attacking at our 6. The 2nd Romanian me 109 also at our 6 managed to get through and score several hits, damaging the right wing for no effect, knocking out the heat in the pilot compartment, and killing Mark instantly.





INBOUND

we were forced to descend to 10,000 feet due to the heat being out in the pilot compartment. However we were able to keep up with the formation at higher altitude and as a result did not attract any additional enemy fighter activity. We managed a safe landing. Bill our crew chief says it will take couple of days to get all the repairs and maintenance done before were ready to fly again. After I get patched up by the flight surgeon I need to write a letter home to Bill’s family. First time doing this, the old hands it doesn’t get any easier with time.



1LT Bob Muncrief, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Bob’s Rascals
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

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B-17F All In (Mission #29)
509th BG, 15AF Mission 29 - Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 10 May 44
MISSION # 29
TARGET: Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Bombing Altitude: 22,500 feet



Game notes: The good roll on the crew chief report canceled out mech failure in Z2 & Z3.




B-17F All In
Commander 2LT Don Heffner
79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
29 combat missions flown
status RFD
MISSION DATE: 10 May 44
MISSION # 29
TARGET: Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Formation: high
Position: middle

Crew
Position            Rank Name    Combat Missions Flown Awards          confirmed Kills Status
Pilot                 1LT Don Heffner                      18          AM+++,PH                       RFD
Co-Pilot            2LT Lewis 'Lew' Riggs                4                                                  RFD
Bombardier      2LT Billy Sullivan                      15          AM+                                RFD
Navigator         2LT Jake Wade                           8          AM, PH                             RFD
Engineer          S/SGT Roy Hughes                    13         AM+, PH          2.33           RFD
Radio Operator T/SGT Vern Kennedy                 24         AM+++,PH       1               RFD
Ball Gunner      SGT Albert 'Al' Hollingsworth       4                                                 RFD
Left Waist        SGT Ernesto 'Big Ernie' Lombardi 4                                0.5            RFD
Right Waist      SGT Emil "Hill Billy" Bildilli           8          AM                                   RFD
Tail Gunner       SGT Ewald "Ernie" Pyle             16         AM++, PH        2.75           RFD

experence skill modifier level 
Crew Chief T/SGT Fred Johnson 29 1 Meticulous Reroll any result of a Mechanical Failure, but all repairs take an extra day.


Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 0
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: No Mechanical Failures. plus a Lady Luck Smile that can be used to try and mitigate one mechanical oriented damage result this mission.
Bomb Results: on-target 40%
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: o
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Bomber Disposition: Overnight maintenance
Casualties & status:

Claims:
Awards:
2LT Sullivan Air Medal
Promotions:


AAR
After the attack on Ploesti as the squadron TEC this was a milk run for us. Took off, put bombs on-target for 40% coverage, flew back to base and landed. Vern our Radio operator needs one more mission and then he gets a ticket back to the States.


OUTBOUND
We were able to take off without any problems and took our position in the middle of the squadron. Uneventful flight to the target area.


TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area none of the enemy fighter attempted to engage us and the flak was ineffective. Billy wss on target and assessed at 40% coverage. Flak after bomb release was ineffective and no fighters attacked us as we were reformed at the RP and started home.

INBOUND
The flight back to the base was uneventful with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield.
T/SGT Johnson reports that All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.


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

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B-17F Over Loaded(B-17F-120BO-42-30752) spare Bomber (Mission #29) assigned to
509th BG, 15AF Mission 29 - Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 10 May 44
MISSION # 29
TARGET: Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Bombing Altitude: 22,500 feet

B-17F Over Loaded (spare bomber)
Commander 2LT Charlie English
79th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
1 combat missions flown
status RFD
MISSION DATE: 10 May 44
MISSION # 29
TARGET: Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Formation: high
Position: middle

Crew
Position            Rank Name                            Combat Missions Flown Awards confirmed Kills Status
Pilot                 2LT Charlie English                      3                               PH                              RFD
Co-Pilot            CPT George Gill                         27                      AM++++, PH                       RFD
Bombardier      2LT Willis “Raleigh” Downing         2                                                               RFD spare crew
Navigator         2LT Leslie “Kentucky” McCoy         2                                                              RFD spare crew
Engineer          T/SGT Paul Gehrman                    5                                                                   RFD
Radio Operator T/SGT George ‘Whitey’ Moore       5                                                                  RFD
Ball Gunner      S/SGT Jake ‘JK’ Mooty                 5                                                                   RFD
Left Waist        SGT Dilbert “Tarheel” Swensen       5                             AM                0.5             RFD spare crew
Right Waist      SGT Darnell “Darn It” Wilson 2 RFD spare crew
Tail Gunner       SGT Billy ‘Kid’ Myers 3 PH RFD


Enemy Aircraft: Encountered: 0
Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Results: on-target 50%
Bomber Damage: none
Peckham Points: 0
Landing: Safe landing at Giulia Airfield
Bomber Disposition: hanger queen two days for routine maintenance ready on 5/12
Casualties & status:
Claims:
Awards:  Air Medal to
T/SGT Paul Gehrman 
T/SGT George ‘Whitey’ Moore 
S/SGT Jake ‘JK’ Mooty  
SGT Dilbert “Tarheel” Swensen  
Promotions:

AAR
The squadron XO was flying with the squadron this mission using a spare bomber and a pick up crew from spare crew members and healthy formed crew from Chute the Works. He told me I was flying as the command pilot this mission and to consider it a training flight to get me ready for a bomber of my own. No pressure at all.

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off without any problems and took our position in the middle of the squadron. Uneventful flight to the target area.

TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area none of the enemy fighters attempted to engage us and the flak was ineffective. “Raleigh” our bombardier for the spare crew pool was on target and assessed at 50% coverage. Flak after bomb release was ineffective and no fighters attacked us as we were reformed at the RP and started home.

INBOUND
The flight back to the base was uneventful with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. The XO commended the crew’s and my performance to my relief.
We were able to return the OverLoaded to the spare bomber pool needing only routine maintenance.

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B-24J Bob's Rascals
Commander 1LT Bob Muncrief
78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
5 combat missions flown
status shot down by Me109 fuel fire
MISSION DATE: 10 May 44   
MISSION # 29
TARGET: Piacenza, Italy - Marshalling Yard
Formation: low
Position: tail



78th Bombers squadron crews heard radio message from  B-24J Bob’s Rascals as the formation left the target area "being swarmed by fighter attacks, fuel fire cannot be putout, dropping out of formation, crew is bailing out". Multiple chutes were observed. Red Cross reports all crew members are now POWs.

1LT Bob Muncrief POW
2LT Bob ‘Happy’ Harris POW
2LT Sig Gryska POW
2LT Eddie Silber POW
S/SGT Mel Mazzera POW
S/SGT Joe Grace POW
SGT Joe ‘ Irish’ Gallagher POW
SGT Hub Walker POW
SGT Hal Spindel POW
SGT Bill Cox POW

MFR for 
CAPT Paul Garfield
MAJ Rudy Jopp


Sirs,
For your review and submission to 509th Group HQ if you approve

v/r
2LT Ival 'Rick' Goodman

Award Recommendation for
Crew Members Name: George McQuinn
Crew Members Rank: CPT
Mission Number: 28 - Ploesti, Romania - Unirea Spreantza Oil Refinery
Mission Date: 5 May 1944
Award Requested: Silver Star
Award Paragraph: Why should this crewmen receive this award:

While on a mission to Ploesti, Romania on % May 1944 with the 78th Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group CPT McQuinn’s plane was attacked by multiple enemy fighters that resulted in wounding both CPT McQuinn and the co-pilot, shattering CDT McQuinn’s leg. The attacks also caused a major fuel leak. CPT McQuinn determined there was not enough fuel to reach friendly or neutral territory and decided to try to get as close to friendly territory as possible. When the bomber ran out of fuel CPT McQuinn ordered the crew to bail out. Refusing assistance, he chose to stay with the aircraft to hold it steady at a lower altitude while the rest of the crew bailed out safely. As a result of his sacrifice the rest of the crew landed safely and half of the crew were able to evaded capture link up with partisans and return to US controlled territory. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by CPT McQuinn on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Rank and Name Requesting this award:
2LT Goodman, Co-Pilot
B-24J Bama Beauty
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

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AAR
This was a notable flight for us as it marked the 25th mission for the last of the original crew members still flying with us. T/SGT Vern Kennedy completed his 25th mission, and as a going away present received credit for an Me109 kill, along with an air medal in a DFC. He is be going back to the states and leadership and additional communications training.

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off without any problems and took our position in the middle of the squadron. The initial portion of the flight to the target was uneventful until we reached the vicinity of Graz where fighter resistance appeared as forecast. We were initially tested four FW 190s, our escorts took care of one of them, Billy traded shots of the one at our 12 both he and the fighter failing to hit anything. Al and Hill Billy combined to take out one attacking at our 3. Roy and Bbig Ernie combined to do enough damage to the one at our 9 that it missed and broke off the attack. They were followed by a pair of ME 109’s that got through the fighter screen both at our 6. Ernie our tailgunner took the right wing off one with the chute observed. Vern managed to set the other one on fire sending it plunging out of sight.


TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area fighter attacks continued. 3 FW190s tried their luck with our escorts intercepting 2 of them. The 3rd attacked at our 12, Roy in the top turret managed damage it enough that it missed and broke off the attack. Then an unknown German aircraft fired rockets into the formation from our 6, all we could see some of the burst near us they did no damage. Once we reached the IP and started our bomb run the flak was ineffective. Billy was on target assessed at 30% coverage. The flak lessons and continue to be ineffective on the way to the RP. Our escorts intercepted a Fw190 and a Me109. A 2nd Me109 attacked us in a vertical dive but Roy managed to split the fuselage and cockpit wide open.

INBOUND
as we started our flight back to base some more rockets were fired into the formation from our rear but none were near us. After that it was a routine uneventful flight home. With a safe landing at Giulia Airfield.
T/SGT Johnson reports that All In will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.



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

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Game notes: New b-17G bomber with former crew from Chute the Works (CAT-E loss), 79th squadron XO flying with crew while pilot recovers from wounds. Bomb run results were roll 3d6 sum multiply by 1d6, Got very lucky on the rolls.

AAR
our new B-17G which we decided to name the Easter Bunny since we will be delivering eggs for the next few months to the Germans and their allies. With Les still recovering from his injuries the squadron XO was flying with us again.

OUTBOUND
Our engine gauges decided to act up and go crazy as we started our takeoff roll, but they settled down and we were able to take off and assume our position in the middle of the squadron. The flight to the target area was uneventful.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area our escorts ran off a FW190 and a Me109. But we had to deal with a Me109 attacking in the vertical dive. Paul was unable cause any visible damage and it hit us a couple a times for negligible damage. When it tried to come back around for reattack Paul shot the cockpit up and it sprawled out of control with no chute observed. We started our bomb run at the IP we had one close flight burst which did negligible damage, but our new bombardier Kiddo Davis held a steady and on target. He was assessed at 90% coverage an outstanding job. Flight after the bomb run was ineffective. When everyone regrouped at the rally point, the XO commented that they seem to have been achieved an extra tight formation which should serve us well for the trip home.

INBOUND
The resistance continued as we started home. The boys from the 31st FG ran often FW 190. But a pair of JU-88’S got through. The one coming from us from our forward quadrant must’ve been a nice as he successfully dodged all the guns directed at him but our fires were enough that he also missed us. Paul and Kid did enough damage to the one at our 3 that he took a while shot and broke off the attack. As we are approaching the Adriatic coast our little friends chased off another JU-88. And another enemy aircraft possibly a JU 88 fired rockets into the formation from the rear. Always see the bursts none were near us.
A routine safe landing at Giulia.
Gene our crew chief says will be ready for another mission after routine overnight repair and maintenance.


2LT Charlie English
B-17G Easter Bunny
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

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B-24J Dump Truck
Commander 1LT Joseph 'Joe' Cascarella
78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
0 combat missions flown
status Overnight repair ready 5/12/44
MISSION DATE: 11 May 44
MISSION  #30
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk No. 1
Formation: middle
Position: middle

Crew Position               Rank Name                    Status
Pilot:                        1LT Joseph 'Joe' Cascarella  RFD
Co-Pilot:                   2LT Walter "Jumbo" Brown  RFD
Bombardier:             2LT Paul Derringer              RFD
Navigator:                2LT Charlie Gelbert             RFD
Engineer:                 T/SGT Roy "Peaches" Davis  RFD
Radio Operator/RW: S/SGT Virgil 'Spud' Davis      RFD
Ball Gunner:            SGT James 'Don' Brennan     RFD
Nose turret              SGT William 'Bill' Hallahan    RFD
Right Waist:           SGT Charles 'Chick' Hafey       RFD
Tail Gunner:             SGT Joseph 'JD' Dwyer        RFD

experience skill modifier level
Crew Chief S/SGT Theodore 'Ted' Kleinhans 0 0 Average Joe

Crew Chief Pre Mission Report: Standard mission and chances for Mechanical Failures.
Bomb Results: DNB
Bomber Damage:
Engine #3 out 35
Fire put out 1st try 25
Peckham Points: 60
Landing: Safe at Giulia
Bomber Disposition: Overnight repair
Casualties & status:
Claims:
Awards:
Promotions:


AAR
we arrived in theater we were told that instead of the original squadron we expected to be assigned to we were instead going to backfill heavy losses that the 78 squadron had taken on the mission to Polesti Romania. The enlisted rumor mill said that this was a hard look squadron it had taken more than its share of losses in recent missions. The day we arrived squadron had lost 2 more aircraft on their most recent mission, now the next day we were flying a mission with the squadron and several other new crews.
Despite the poor weather we were able to take off and join up with the formation without any problems and everything seemed to be going smoothly. When our right waist gunner “Chick” Hafey hollered out over the intercom system that engine 3 was on fire. Quick action from our flight engineer "Peaches" Davis we were able to extinguish the fire however we had completely lost her number 3 engine. At this point it was of is that we could keep up with the formation with a full bomb load I made the difficult decision to abort and return to base. Fortunately our bonds were not armed and we were able to conduct a safe landing despite the poor weather.
The crew is feeling snake bit after their first mission, and I had a long talk with our new crew chief was extremely upset at the incident. Time will tell if we have a good crew chief are problem crew chief. Not a good start to our tenure with the 78th I’m not looking forward to my next meeting with the squadron commander.

1LT Joseph Cascarella, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Dump Truck
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

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AAR
As we got settled in the crew confirmed the stories that the 78th was a snake bit squadron were true. It had lost 12 bombers over the last 5 missions almost an entire squadron’s worth of bombers. After a rough introduction to the squadron with an abort due to mechanical failure right after takeoff, I had my office call with the CO. While I got a lecture on the need for through pre-flight checks. With the high loss rate, we are assigned tail end Charlie for this mission. After the engine issues last mission Ted our crew chief did an outstanding job getting things ready for this mission but mindful of the Co’s comments, we did a careful preflight.


OUTBOUND
We were able to take off and join up with the formation without any problems. The flight to the target area was uneventful.

TARGET
There was no fighter resistance as we approached the IP and the flak from the IP to the target did no damage. Paul’s first bomb run was on target assessed as 40% coverage. The flak continued to be ineffective, and we had no fighter attacks.

INBOUND
As we were passing the Anzio area and before our escorts joined us, we were attacked by a trio of Fw190s and a Me109 coming at us from all four compass points. JD our tail gunner shot up the Me109 at our 6 sending it into the water with no chute observed. Paul traded shots with the Fw109 at out 12 with neither doing any damage. Chick had his gun jam while engaging the Fw109 at our 9 but it also missed and broke off the attack. Spud and Peaches managed to do enough damage to the Fw190 at our 3 that it missed and dropped out of the fight. The rest of the flight of uneventful and we had a good landing at base. Ted said the Dump Truck will be ready to go after overnight repair and maintenance. We got word that JD has his claim approved.




1LT Joseph Cascarella, Pilot Commanding
B-24J Dump Truck
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

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