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THE TALKIN' TEXAN
MISSION 1 (Group Mission 13 - Toulon)
B-24D: The Talkin’ Texan (B-24D-150-CO 42-41227)
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron (The Flying Boxcars), 509th Bombardment Group
High Squadron – Position 9
MISSION DATE: 11 March 44
MISSION NBR: 13
TARGET: Toulon, France – Submarine Repair Facilities
CREW (Missions completed) [Approved Claims] {Stress} <Other notes>
Pilot: 1LT Benjamin C. CRISP (1)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Martin M. JAWORSKI (1)
Bombardier: 2LT Kenneth P. ALGER (1) [0-0-1]
Navigator: 2LT Stephen S. SOMERS (1) [0-0-0]
Engineer: S/SGT George E. EAGLE (1) [1-0-1]
Radio Operator: T/SGT Randall J. PERDUE (1)
Ball Gunner: SGT Joseph T. GUERRERO (1) [1-0-1]
Port Waist: SGT Michael K. CAMARILLO (1) [0-0-0]
Starboard Waist: SGT Richard M. THORN(1) [0-0-0]
Tail Gunner: SGT Clyde T. SHARP (1) [0-0-0]
BOMB RUN: Aborted mission due to oil leak in #1 engine in Zone 4, bombs jettisoned
LANDING: Safe
CASUALTIES: None
DAMAGE: Bomb Bay (superficial) and Radio Room (superficial) from Bf109 12 o’clock high
Engine #1 (oil leak) mechanical issue (non-combat), engine shut down
PECKHAM POINTS: 39 (Repaired overnight)
Superficial (Bomb Bay and Radio Room) 4
Engine out (oil leak) 35
CREW CHIEF: SGT William HILL: Average. Starting skill points: 33, current skill points: 31
CLAIMS: Destroyed
1 Bf109: Ball Turret
1 FW190: Top Turret
CLAIMS: Damaged
1 Bf109: Top Turret
1 Bf109: Port Waist
1 FW190: Nose Gun
1 FW190: Ball Turret
Driven off by Fighter Escort: 1 FW190
CLAIMS EVALUATION BOARD DECISION:
Approved Destroyed:
1 Bf109: Ball Turret
1 FW190: Top Turret
Approved Damaged:
1 Bf109: Top Turret
1 FW190: Nose Gun
1 FW190: Ball Turret
Denied Damaged:
1 Bf109: Port Waist
MISSIONS COMPLETED: 1
MISSIONS ABORTED (NON-COMBAT): 0
Award/Promotion Requests: None
In Hospital: None
AFTER ACTION REPORT
“The Talkin’ Texan’s” first mission, a flight across the northern Mediterranean and Corsica at 20,000’ to the submarine repair facilities in Toulon, southern France. Take off and find station as position 9 in the high cell, and the 78th is the high squadron for today.
ZONE 3
NTR until just after crossing the coast near Naples in 50% cloud cover. E/a observed sniffing around, but driven off by little friends. While they are chasing them off a pair of 109s sneaks in for a 12 high and 10.30 high attack. One driven off damaged by the left waist, but the 12 high gets a couple of hits in, causing superficial damage in the bomb bay and radio room. E/a circles back round for a 9 level attack, but nailed by ball turret. Observed right wing shearing off. Chute seen.
ZONE 4
Soon after this attack engine #1 started emitting blue smoke, the tell-tale sign of an oil leak. To avoid the risk of fire, the engine was shut down and the decision was made to abort. Bomb load was jettisoned over water and we turned around to RTB. We descended to 10,000’ and came off oxygen.
ZONE 3
The Krauts are always looking for lone bombers, and we attracted a schwarm of four FW190s and a solitary Bf109. Our fighters managed to drive off one of the FWs, but while the 109 circled out of range, the remaining three FWs made their attack. They split up, coming in from 12 and 10.30 level and 3 low. The head-on was driven off damaged by the nose gun and the 10.30 level was shot out of the air by the top turret, with its pilot seen to bail out. The 3 low FW was driven off damaged by the ball turret. The single 109 made a pass from 12 level, but was also driven off damaged by the top turret.
We landed safely back at Giulia. Our first mission was one of mixed feelings. The engine problem meant that we didn’t get to bomb the target, but our gunners did a great job of defending “The Talkin’ Texan,” which thankfully just took light damage from the only successful attack.
