Mission 26: Mostar, Yugoslavia

[limburger59]

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MISSION DATE: 29 April 44   
MISSION # 26
TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet

Briefing: 
Map: 

FORMATION:

HIGH	79th SQDN		MID	80th SQDN		LOW	78th SQDN
LEAD:	Fortunate Sons		LEAD:	Old Shep		LEAD:	Laid Back Lady
TAIL:	Beach Bum		TAIL:	Sunny Side Up		TAIL:	Sorcorer’s Apprentice

WEATHER:
Takeoff: Good
Target: Good
Landing: Good

GAZETTEER

Zone	Modifier (QotS)	Weather/Resistance (TfT)	Fighter Cover
2  Adriatic Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	Good
3  Adriatic Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	Good
TARGET ZONE 4 Yugoslavia FLAK: Outbound: Light x3 Inbound: None	0	50% Clouds/Moderate Target: Slightly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually	Good
3  Adriatic Sea	-2	50% Clouds / Light	Good
2  Adriatic Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	Good

        
Shot Down:  
Over Water (if you didn't drown):
        Zones 2 to 3: you are rescued by the Royal Navy
Over Land:
    If you have to bailout over Yugoslavia roll 1d6 for each surviving Crew member.
            1-4 POW.
            5-6 Escaped aided by Partisans.
    Escaped aided by Partisans: Two options:
            1) Historical Option: When you return to Italy, your wounds will be treated, you will be debriefed and you will be sent back to the US. You know too much about the partisan locations, resources and operations.
            2) Game Option: If you are really attached to a crewman, roll 2d6 and multiply that by the zone you are in. That is how many days it will take to get you back to the 509th.

Calendar since last Mission:
24-Apr-44 Mission 25 Ploesti, Romania - Romano/Americano Oil Refinery - Last Mission of the First Campaign
25-Apr-44 Practicing Formation Flying
26-Apr-44 Practice Cancelled by Bad Weather
27-Apr-44 Practice Cancelled by Bad Weather
28-Apr-44 Non-Operational Day
29-Apr-44 Mission 26 - Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome

[crushedhat]

“After Ploesti, this is a blessedly short hop,” begins Maj Harlan Beech, 509th S2. “If the deception plan that Maj Stockwell will explain in a moment works, you shouldn’t run into any resistance until you reach the target. Of course, given the target is an airfield, you can expect the fighters based there to defend it vigorously. They’ll probably chase you back over the Adriatic on your way home.”

“Ammunition continues to be a problem for Jerry. This means flak is expected to be light on target ingress, with little ammuniton being expended once you’ve hit the target.”

“Metro is forecasting good weather for the entire mission profile with nothing heavier than 5/10 cloud cover.”

“Your escort for this mission will be our old friends from the 14th FG, flying P-38 Lightnings.”

“As I said, this is a short hop. There aren’t any alternate airfields if you run into trouble, though the RN will be on Lifeguard duty in the Adriatic. If you run into trouble over Yugoslavia, remember, much of it is under the effective control of the partisans and we don’t want to upset them. So, do not jettison your bombs over land, except for the target that is.” Maj Beech smiles.

“While our allies, the partisans may have different political views from us. Don’t engage in any activity that might create bad feelings. And of course, if you fall into German hands…”

“Remember the Geneva Conventions and the Fighting Man’s Code,” echoes the room.

Stepping up to the podium, 509th S3, Maj William Stockwell begins, “I want to echo Maj Beech’s warning about not bombing our allies. The life you save may well be your own.”

“As the S2 mentioned, there is a deception component to this mission. Your initial route is designed to make it look like you’re heading for the cluster of airfields in Hungary. This should make the Luftwaffe wait and martial their forces to attack when you’re further inland.”

“But, you won’t be going further inland. Just north of Brac,” SSgt Dewbury taps the city on the island on the big wall map, “You’ll turn to a heading of 88⁰ true and make your run for Mostar. This should leave the only available defenders the aircraft stationed there. You’ll be bombing from Angles 20.”

“There being no need to deceive the enemy about your destination after bombing the target, you’ll make a beeline straight for Giulia.”

Closing his folder, Maj Stockwell adds, “We’ve got the Nazis on the run. Now lets clear them from the skies.”

“GIVE ‘EM HELL!” fills the briefing hall.

[tomt1999]

80th Bombardment Squadron

Mission 26

Position Assignments

LEAD Old Shep

TAIL Sunny Side Up

MARZ

[crushedhat]

For the 78th, for Mission 26
Lead: Laid Back Lady (crushedhat)
Tail: Sorcorer’s Apprentice (Grondeaux)
Garfield, Paul, Maj, USAAF, XO, 78th (H) Bomb Squadron
(OOC - if assigned Lead or Tail, please submit your mission early in case someone else needs to take over those positions.)

[wolverinetoddy]

For the 79th Squadron flying Mission 26

Lead will be Fortunate Sons.
Tail will be Beach Bum

I will be flying with you today and I don't want to have to repack my parachute.
SO, stay in formation, hit the target, and watch out for fighters.

Major Robinson

[ChefEd]

B-17G Sunny Side Up
B-17G-20BO-42-31473
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Middle
Aircraft Position: TEC
Mission Date: 29 APR 1944
Mission Number: 26
This Aircraft: 10
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia, Airdrome

Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Mission	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	2nd Lt Mylo Boyle	10	0	AM+	RTD	0
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt Jaiden Frye	10	0	AM+	RTD	0
Navigator / NT	2nd Lt Abdullah Kane	10	4.33	AM+	RTD	1
Bombardier	2nd Lt Braxton MacAulay	1	0
Engineer	S/Sgt Magnus Matthews	10	3	AM+	RTD	0
Radio Op	T/Sgt Gael Deadmon	10	0	AM+	RTD	1
Rt Waist	T/3rd Blake Stanton	10	1	AM+	RTD	0
Ball Turret	T/3rd Nigel Harrell	10	2.83	AM+	RTD	0
Left Waist	T/4th Erik Templeton	10	0.5	AM+	RTD	0
Tail Gunner	T/3rd Miles Rowland	10	3.5	AM+	RTD	0
Crew Chief	S/Sgt Josia Stanton	22			Skill +0

Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %

Casualties: None

Damage:
Superficial 2X

Peckham Points: 4 Peckham Points, One (1) Day(s) to repair

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft:

Type	Encountered	Driven Off	Damaged	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Fw-190	2	2	0	0	0	0

Claims: None

Awards:
Air Medal
Pilot 2nd Lt Mylo Boyle, 2nd

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Jaiden Frye, 2nd

Navigator/NT 2nd Lt Abdullah Kane, 2nd

Engineer S/Sgt Magnus Matthews, 2nd

Radio Op T/Sgt Gael Deadmon, 2nd

Right Waist T/3rd Blake Stanton, 2nd

Ball Turret T/3rd Nigel Harrell, 2nd

Left Waist T/4th Erik Templeton, 2nd

Tail Gunner T/3rd Miles Rowland, 2nd


Promotions:
Left Waist T/4th Erik Templeton to T/3rd

AFTER ACTION REPORT
Except for rockets being lobbed through the formation, our only direct contact with the enemy were some minor scratches from flak on ingress to the target.

Our rookie bombardier was able to put 30% on target, despite the buffeting we took from the flak.

Kudos to our escorts and fellow bomber crews for keeping the enemy at bay.

Submitted by,
2Lt Mylo Boyle, Pilot
B-17G Sunny Side Up
80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF

[rhreiss]

AAR
Quite a few changes for this mission, while Capt. Gill is sticking around the squadron as the XO, is chosen to quit flying regularly and I am now the new command pilot for the All In. And we welcomed 3 new crew members. a new copilot Co-Pilot 2LT Lewis 'Lew' Riggs. Ball Gunner SGT Albert 'Al' Hollingsworth ND Left Waist SGT Ernesto 'Big Ernie' Lombardi. Sgt. Lombardi showed up going by Ernie, but since we already had an Ernie on the crew is now Big Ernie. And he is an appropriate replacement for Moose.

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off without any problems. And had an uneventful trip to the target area.


TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, a pair of Me109 and a Me 210 tried their luck. Our friends from the 14th FG took care of the Me210. Roy and Big Ernie shredded the wing of .the Me109 at our 9 with no sheet observed. Al in the ball turret damaged the other attacking in a vertical climb, it hit us for some superficial damage and broke off the attack. They were followed by an FW 190 which our little friends took care of. None of the flak on the run from the IP to the target was anywhere near us.
Our bomb run was on target and assessed as 60% effective. On the way back to the RP our little friends chased off a pair of me 109’s. Then an unknown aircraft to our rear lobbed rockets into the formation while we could see the bursts, none of them were near us.

INBOUND
Once we were out of the target area he was a routine flight back to the base.
We had smooth landing at Giulia Airfield.
T/SGT Johnson reports that All In will be ready after routine overnight repair and maintenance.
Big Ernie and Roy’s claim was approved, giving Big Ernie his first partial kill credit. And with completion of my first mission as a command pilot a promotion to 1LT.


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

[rhreiss]

AAR
After our first mission we are already having to use 3 members of the spare crew pool for the next few missions, with 3 of our crew wounded on the first mission we flew. This turned out to be the proverbial milk run that everyone dreams about but rarely experiences.

OUTBOUND
We took off and join the formation without any problems. Trip to the target area was uneventful with the 14 FG providing good escort coverage.


TARGET AREA
Once in the target area the flak we encountered on the run from the IP to the target was ineffective. AK showed some nervousness on the bomb run and while he was on target, we were only assessed as 25% effective. No fighters as we reformed at the RP.

INBOUND
The flight back to base was uneventful. We had a routine landing at Giulia Airfield. S/SGT Schott reports Chute the Works will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.



1LT Les Scarsella, Pilot Commanding
B-17G Chute the Works
79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[crushedhat]

B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 29 Apr 44
MISSION NBR. 26/This Bomber 24
TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Lead


Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield, (24) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 1LT Elliott Peterson, (24) [0] LC
Bombardier: 1LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (24) [8 1/2] LC #
Navigator: Navigator: 1LT Bruce Ellison, (23) [5 1/6] LC #
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton, (23) [37 5/6] LC LC *##
Radio Operator: SSgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (24) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (24) [18 5/6] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Peter Carson, (24) [7 2/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Allen Wentz (2) [1 1/2] #
Tail Gunner: SSgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (24) [24 5/6] LC LC *
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 190 5=2 KIA, 3 to P-38 (1 Ae, 1 Green)
Me 109 3=2 KIA, 1 to P-38 (1 Ace, 1 Green)
8

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Navigator: Navigator: 1LT Bruce Ellison: ½ Me 109
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton: 2 ½ Me 109
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Allen Wentz: ½ Me 109
Tail Gunner: SSgt Douglas (Doug), Richard: ½ Fw 190

Bomb Run: On Target, 20%

B-24 Damage: Suit Heat System: Mechanical Failure (10), Rt Wing Root x1 (20) = 30 Peckham Points, AC ready 30 Apr 44.
Peckham Points: 30 Peckham Points, AC ready 30 Apr 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton: Mention for achieving Qui9ntuple Ace status with 25 confirmed KIA.

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions: None

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)

“Major. It’s getting’ kinda cold back here,” tail gunner SSgt Doug Richard informs Maj Paul Garfiled.

“Here too,” both SSgt Pete Carson and Sgt Allen Wentz, the two waist gunners chime in.”

“Me too,” adds SSgt Jope Blaston in the ball turret.

MSgt Micheal Newton drops down out of the top turret to check the situation out. A minute later he’s at Garfield’s shoulder. “The suit heat system’s gone down.”

Getting on the intercom, Maj Garfield informs the crew, “Looks like the gremlins have gnawed their way through the heat lines. “We’ll stick with the formation till we’ve cleared the coast and any pursuing fighters, then drop to a warmer altitude.”

Takeoff and assembly went well and we took up our position at the head of the low squadron. Things remained quiet and once over Brac we turned for the target.

As we hit the IP (Zone 4) the boys in the back half of the plane started to complain about being cold. MSgt Newton checked things out and determined the suit heat system had failed. I promised the crew we’d drop to warmer temps once the threat of enemy fighters was over.

We didn’t face nay enemy fighters on target ingress, but the Flak though light, was accurate. The right wing root took a hit. 1LT Martell put 20% of payload on the airfield itself. While there was no flak on target egress, there were plenty of enemy fighters, three waves attacking. First in was a trio of 190s and a 109. The Lightnings chased off tow bandits and we flamed the other two, though 1LT Ellison reported the right check gun jamming. Next up were a 190 and a 109. Again we split the job of sweeping the skies clean with the 14th FG. The third wave was repeat of the second, with the same results.

We headed out over the Adriatic (Zone 3), but no EA bothered us and so I informed the formation we were dropping below Angles 10. Someone else would have to take over the lead. Able to shed his gloves, 1LT Ellison managed to unjam the left cheek gun (Zone 2), even though it was no longer needed.

We returned to Giulia on our own. I have instructed TSgt Mason to thoroughly go over the heat system before our next mission, although Lady is the only D model still regularly flying misisons. Also, the Gunnery Review Board has bestowed Quintuple Ace status on MSgt Newton, an achievement worthy of mention.

Paul Garfield, Maj, USAAF, commanding
B24D Laid Back Lady
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

[kageyone]

[kageyone]

[mpgutis]

Mission date: 29 April 44
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Aerodrome
Mission/Bomber: 26/12
B-17G The A Train
80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
Formation: Middle Squadron
Position: Middle

Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards
Pilot: 1LT Dirk Ellington (12) (-) PH, AM x2
Co-Pilot: 2LT Edward Reese (12) (-) AM x2
Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (12) (2.75) DFC, AM x2
Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (12) (1.83) PH x2, AM x2
Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (12) (4.25) PH, AM x2
Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (12) (0.5) AM x2
Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (12) (1.66) AM x2
Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (12) (1.0) PH, AM x2
Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (12) (2.5) PHx3, AM x2
Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (12) (3.41) AM x2

Bombing: On target, 50%

Damage:
None

Casualties:
None

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited
None

Awards:
None

Flown with TFT

After the horror that had been the mission to Ploesti, it was a pleasure having both a short mission and one that was a milk run. As it turned out, the only times our machine guns were fired was to test them.

Takeoff was in the clear but the engines seemed to be not providing as much power as normal and while we got off the runway, we used up almost all of it. Assembly went well.

Zones 2 - 3: Nothing to report.

Zone 4 (Target): Three FW-190s attempted to take runs at us but all were intercepted by the Lightnings. Flak was light and missed us entirely. The bomb run went well and we put an estimated 50% in the box.

Zone 4 (Inbound): Flak abated entirely and we picked up no enemy aircraft post-strike.

Zone 3: An Me-109 took a run but was intercepted.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Landing went without a problem and another mission was in the books.

Dirk Ellington, 1LT
Aircraft Commander, The A Train
80th Bombardment Squadron

[medic1]

B-17G SUNDAY PUNCH 5-BO-44-416507
Pilot: 1st Lt Ted Masini
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H) 15th Air Force
High Squadron: Middle
Mission Date: 29 April 44
Mission Number: 026
Missions This Bomber: 1
Target: Ploesti, Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome

Crew/Position/Rank	Current Mission	Previous Claims	This Mission	Stress Points	Status
Pilot 1st Lt Ted Masini	21	0	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Perry Shipman	1	0	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici	17	2.5	0	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Sam Markham	1	0	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Dan Lansky	1	0	1	0	RTD
R/O S/Sgt Will Dixon	1	0	0	0	RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Ted Caffrey	1	0	0	0	RTD
PSW Sgt Noreno Costa	17	1	0	1	RTD
SWG Sgt Tim Walton	1	0	0	0	RTD
TG Sgt Mark Riley	16	4	0	1	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 40%
B-17 Damage: 0 Hits
Peckham Points: 0
Repair Time: Routine Maintenance
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, (+2 modifier)
Landing: Safe at Giulia

E/A Type	Encountered	Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Intercepted
Bf-109	2	0	0	0	2
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
C-202	0	0	0	0	0
C-205	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	9	1	1	0	6
He-112	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
IAR-80	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Re-2001	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	11	1	1	0	8

Confirmed Claims: 1
S/Sgt Dan Lansky 1 x Fw-190 
Casualties: 0
Stress Points after mission: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 0
Promotion Review: 0

After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules)
Zone 1: A new plane with a mostly new crew, and my first mission in the left seat. We took off on time and without any issues and formed up.
Zone 2-3: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: As we approached the IP, two 109 targeted us but our escorts had other ideas and ran them both off. The flak started up but it was light and inaccurate, not causing a problem for Kellici who dropped for 40%.

INBOUND

There was a lack of flak which gave more time for fighters to do their work, and we faced off against three waves. The first wave saw a single 190 high above us who appeared to be lining us up to drop a bomb but he fell to a P-38.

A second wave had three 190 and two were engaged by our little friends while the third fighter was shot down by Kelliki (denied that interrogation).

In the third wave there were five 190. Our escorts were highly effective and all over the sky engaging enemy fighters, driving off three of our would be at attackers. Our new engineer, Lansky scored his first victory on his first mission as he shredded the canopy of a 190 at 7:30 high, the fighter spiraling out of control towards the Earth.
Zone 3-2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We affected a textbook landing and made our way to our hard stand.

This was a milk run, thanks to the fine work of the 14th FG. Our new bird Sunday Punch came home unscratched, we hit the target and one of our new gunners scored his first victory. All in all, a good day.

1st Lt Ted Masini, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF

[medic1]

B-24J THE GRIM REAPER (B24J-CF-42-100404)

Pilot: 1st Lt Jerry Burch
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron
Low Squadron: Middle
Mission Date: 29 April 1944
Mission Number: 026
Mission This Bomber: 04
Mission Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome

CREW/POSITION/RANK	CURRENT MISSION	PREVIOUS CLAIMS	THIS MISSION	STRESS POINTS	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Jerry Burch	15	0	0	1	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank McAlister	16	0	0	1	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Cliff Lockwood	5	0	1	0	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Emmett Towns	5	1	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Bart Dillon	14	4.5	0	2	RTD
R/O S/Sgt Bill Payne	15	0	0	3	RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Mark Harrison	15	5.5	1	0	RTD
PWG Sgt Phil Merrick	12	.5	0	0	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Jared Tarallo	2	0	0	0	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Larry Sharp	12	7	0	0	SW

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-24 Damage: 11 Hits
Superficial x 1 (2)
Port Wing x 2
-superficial (2)
-flap inop (10)
Starboard Wing x 4
-superficial x 2 (4)
-#3 engine oil tank fire, two fire extinguishers, out & feathered (115)
-#3 engine N/E (15)
Bomb Bay x 2
-superficial (2)
-life rafts (10)
Tail x 2
-gunner SW (5)
-oxygen N/E (5)
Peckham Points: 170
Repair Time: 3 days

Crew Chief: S/Sgt Jay Decker (+2 mod)
Landing: Safe

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	2	0	0	0	2
Bf-110	1	0	0	0	1
C-202	0	0	0	0	0
C-205	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	12	2	2	0	7
G-50	0	0	0	0	0
He-112	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	0	0	0	0	0
Re-2001	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	15	2	2	0	10

Confirmed Claims: 2
2nd Lt Cliff Lockwood 1 x Fw-190
Sgt Mark Harrison 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 1
Sgt Larry Sharp, SW – Broken scapula. Hospital. RTD 10 June 44
Award/ Promotions Requests:
PH Sgt Larry Sharp
OLC to AM (2nd Awarded) 1st Lt Jerry Burch
OLC to AM (2nd Awarded) S/Sgt Bill Payne
OLC to AM (2nd Awarded) Sgt Mark Harrison
OLC to AM (2nd Awarded) Sgt Larry Sharp
Promotion Reviews:
S/Sgt Bill Payne hX1crqa|1-6
Sgt Mark Harrison 1-6
Sgt Larry Sharp 1-6
Stress Points this Mission: 10
Entire crew
Mission Notes:

After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules):
Zone 1: Beautiful weather promised a beautiful day and we took off in the wild blue yonder to form up.
Zone 2-3: Nothing to report.
Zone 4: Once in the target zone the 14th FG proved they were on the ball as they chased off a diving 190.

The flak was light and inaccurate, and we dropped for 20%, somewhat disappointing.

INBOUND

The absence of flak gave the fighters more time to rip through the squadron, and we were picked on by three waves.

First wave: Two 109 and a 110 that were all chased off by P-38s.
Second wave: Four 190, with three of them flown by obviously green pilots. Our escorts chased off two to cut the odds in half. Harrison in the ball turret placed some accurate fire into one at 12 low hitting the fighter’s engine and canopy area. It fell towards the Earth trailing heavy black smoke. Dillon in the top turret shot down the other at 12 level (denied that interrogation).
Third wave: Four 190 with our little friends chasing off three of them. Lockwood hammered the remaining fighter at 12 high, ripping a wing off.
Zone 3: Three 190 appeared with one an ace. A P-38 tangled with the ace leaving one at 6 high and another at 9 low. Harrison pumped some accurate fire into the 9:00, shooting him down (denied at interrogation), but the Krauts return fire before he dropped did a lot of damage, knocking out the number three engine, setting it’s oil tank on fire which we needed two extinguishers to get under control, destroying our life rafts, a hit to our oxygen system which continue to function, and severely wounding tail gunner Sharp, breaking his shoulder blade.

The 6:00 o'clock fighter walked hits along both wings rendering the left wing flapping operable.
Zone 2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: Approaching Giulia, because the #3 engine was out, we had no hydraulics and I had Dillon use the hand crank to drop the landing gear. The lack of brakes were a concern as well as the lack of flaps there was a slight response to both but not enough to make anyone feel very comfortable. I ordered the crew to rig up parachutes to slow us down on landing. We fired off red and yellow flares and everyone assumed crossed positions.

"Dillon. Start cranking the gear down. Hank - Get me all the flaps you can."
Burch remembered hearing a story during training.
"Merrick! Tarallo! Tie your chute harnesses to the gun mounts. As soon as we touch all wheels down - and I mean that instant, pull the ripcords. Then get your asses into crash positions."
McAlister was furiously working the hand pump to lower the flaps. "Kind of ironic to survive 15 missions only to die in a landing accident, don't you think?"
"Shut up, Hank."
"Nothing like going out in a blaze of glory. You know that without brakes we could roll forever, right?"
"Didn't I just tell you to shut up? Merrick. Tarallo. Remember - pull the chute cords AS SOON as we touch down!"
Tarallo checked his lashings of his parachute harness. "Say, Phil. Did I ever thank you guys for picking me for permanent assignment to this crew?"
"I accept your humble thanks." Merrick said grimly as he finished checking over his.
Harrison moved passed them to help Sharp to get them both in crash position.
"Care to bet on our survival?" Harrison asked. "I'll give odds of 3-1 against."
"That good?"
In the nose Lockwood activated the bomb bay doors to vent any gas build up and then braced himself as best as he could with Towns.
Dillon confirmed that the wheels were down and locked.
Prepared the best they could, Burch and McAlister set down.
The wheels touched and the lashed down parachutes were deployed.
"Shut her down!" Burch cried as he started to cut every switch he could reach followed by McAlister just as frantically following suit.
They shut down the engines and worked the rudders. They chewed up a lot of the 6,000 foot runway, but the bomber started to slow down and they were able to turn off to a taxi strip and finally rolled to a stop.
Everything on board was quiet. Then the crew cheered loudly

The landing was a bit dicey, but we didn’t crack up. The ambulance rushed Sharp off to the hospital and the word is that he will be out 6 weeks. The doctor said he was extremely lucky as the operation was touch and go there for a bit and at one point he thought that he would have to send Sharp home. But the doctor’s skills were able to repair the damage to the point that he was confident Sharp will make a full recovery and return to us after some time in the hospital where he’ll concentrate on bagging a nurse instead of enemy fighters

The ground crew will have the work cut out for them as the Grim Reaper needs about three days of hard work to get her back to flying duty

1st Lt Jerry Burch, Pilot Commanding, 78th BS, 509 BG, 15th AF

1-6·1-6·1-6

[rhreiss]

AAR
while this was a quiet mission it was an eventful one for the crew since 5 of us reached 25 missions flown. There would’ve been 6 of us if S/SGT Bill Trotter hadn’t been seriously wound her last mission. The next time we takeoff will have 6 crew members with less than 3 missions under their belt.


OUTBOUND
With good weather we were able to take off and join up with the rest of the squadron without any problems. And we had an uneventful flight to the target area. The boys from the 14 FG, provided close escort and nothing much seemed to be getting through.

TARGET AREA
Once we arrived in the target area a pair of Me109’s tried to set up for an attack but were chased off our little friends. It seemed like everyone closed up for an extra tight bombing formation as we were approaching the IP. The flack for the bomb run to the target was ineffective. For his 25th bomb run Johnny was on target and was assessed a 30% effectiveness. Once we were farming up at the RP, unknown enemy aircraft dropped bombs into the formation, fortunately none near us. As we were getting ready to leave the target area an FW 190 try to set up for an attacked and was run off our little friends.

INBOUND
As the formation started home seemed like the formation got a little loose. Other than that, it was an uneventful flight back to base we had a safe landing at Giulia Airfield. T/SGT Patrick said the Bama beauty will be ready after routine overnight maintenance.
With 5 of us reaching 25 missions there’s going to be a lot of turnover in the crew for the next mission. I will be staying until my Co-Pilot 2LT 'Rick’ Goodman has more missions and is ready to move to left seat as pilot. 1LT Pat Tobin says he will be staying at least until the Bama Beauty gets to 25 missions. 1LT Johnny Marcum will go back to states to train new Bombardier’s, S/SGT Harry Kimberlin will go back to states to an admin position, and S/SGT Dave Short will be going back to states to be a DI with basic training unit.

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

[rhreiss]

AAR
An uneventful mission, everything went smoothly except for poor accuracy score for our bombing coverage results. And the boys from the 14th FG right there to keep the few enemy fighters encountered away from us.

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 AREA
As we entered the target area a trio of Me109’s tried their luck and were quickly seen off by our little friends. As we were approaching the IP and FW 190 tried to set up for an attack and was picked off by our little friends. The flak as we made our bomb run was ineffective. Although Sig released on target, the assessment was only 20% effective coverage. As we were on our way to the rally point another FW 190 decided to try its luck and was started by the boys from the 14 FG. Sgt. Berardino says that he’ll have Bob’s Rascals ready to go after routine overnight maintenance.


INBOUND
as we started home we encountered a JU 88 C which I little friends quickly took care of. The rest of the flight home was uneventful with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield.



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

[caodwolf]

B-17G:  Honey Bun



Pilot: 1Lt. B. Pease
Assignment:  15th Air Force,  509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron
Mission Date: 29-April-1944
Mission No.:  26
Mission this Bomber: 1
Target for Today:  Mostar, Yugoslavia  -   Airdrome
Squadron Position: Mission Cell Leader
Result:   On-Target:  30%
 


Our new B-17G still had that factory floor smell as we lifted off on her first combat sortie,   as Mission Cell Leader.   All the action was centered around Mostar where German resistance stiffened.   Most were driven away and others engaged.  Flak was very light.    Lt Tharpe the Bombardier assumed control guiding us to the target.      A moment later  the Ball Turret gunner squawks the squadron has dropped their bombs  but we haven't.  Immediately Lt Labelle manning the cheek guns checks and finds Tharpe passed out.  Quickly he releases  the bombs and the bomber lurches upward. 

Joined by the Engineer they revive Tharpe with portable oxygen while they unclog his hose line.   This is done while we prepare for another combat round.  

Bombs were still dropped on target thanks for the quick action of the crew.    A C-205 snuck in and damaged the control cables but that was it.

Landed back at base.

That is all....

Crew Manifest

Position	Rank	Name	Missions Flown	Kills this Mission	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt	B. Pease	25	---	---	AM, PH	OK-25th
Co-Pilot	2Lt	J. Boyer	1	---	---	---	OK
Bombardier	2Lt	A. Tharpe	11	---	2	AM, PH	OK
Navigator	2Lt	J. Labelle	2	---	---	---	OK
Top Turret/Engineer	S/Sgt	G. Burdash	25	---	6	AM, ACE	OK-25th
Radio Op	S/Sgt	K. Whitmore	14	---	---	AM	OK
Port Waist	S/Sgt	J Dix	4	---	---		OK
Stbd Waist	S/Sgt	H. Dowdy	3	---	---	---	OK
Ball Turret	S/Sgt	M. Lesjack	18	---	4 1/2	AM	OK
Tail Turret	S/Sgt	K. Taylor	11	---	1	AM	OK

 

HOSPITAL


S/Sgt W Comerota   RTD:  15-May
S/Sgt J Shoemaker  RTD:   1-May
2Lt J Pate                RTD:  1-June
2Lt M Yezzi              RTD:  15-May
2Lt D Diluzio            RTD:  1-May-1944



KIA

None


WIA

None

Medals / Promotions

25th Mission


1Lt.  B.  Pease
S/Sgt G. Burdash



Awards

DFC

1Lt. B. Pease

S/Sgt G. Burdash

Fighters Encountered

 

FTR	Spotted	Driven-Off	Damaged	Not-Damaged	Claimed - Credited
ME-109	6	4	2	1	---
FW-190	5	2	3	1	---
C-205	3	1	1	1	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
TOTALS	14	7	6	3	----

B-17G Damage:   * 20 *  

-Control cable hit
-Ox Line froze

[royalblue]

B-17G - Northern Queen
80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force

Pilot: 1Lt William Rose

Mission Date: 29 April 1944
Mission: 26

Previous Missions in Bomber: 0

Target: Mostar, Yogslavia
Target Type: Airdrome

Formation: Middle
Position: Middle

CREW

Position	Rank/Name	Missions	Mission Kills	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt William Rose	1	0	0	-	RTD
Co-Pilot	2Lt Nelson Clark	1	0	0	-	RTD
Bombardier	2Lt Philip Blair	1	0	0	-	RTD
Navigator	2Lt Louis Clement	1	0	0	-	RTD
Engineer	T/Sgt Thomas Franklin	1	2	2	-	RTD
Radio Op.	S/Sgt Samuel Holland	1	0	0	-	RTD
Ball Gunner	Sgt Felix Silva	1	0	0	-	RTD
Port WG	Sgt Leonard Kuiper	1	0	0	-	RTD
Starboard WG	Sgt Martin Owens	1	1	1	-	RTD
Tail Gunner	Sgt Maks Marchenko	1	0	0	-	RTD

Bomb Run: On target - 60%

Enemy Aircraft:

Type	No.	Intercepted	Destroyed	Damaged
Fw-190	3	2	1	0
Bf-109	2	0	2	0
Me-110	1	1	0	0
Total	6	3	3	0

Claims:

- T/Sgt Franklin, x1 Bf-109, x1 Fw-190

- Sgt Owens, x1 Bf-109

Damage:

- Superficial x1

- Pilot compartment flap controls inoperable

Peckham Points: 11 - Repaired overnight.

Casualties:

- N/A

Awards:
- N/A

After-Action Report:

OUTBOUND

Takeoff/Zone 1: Easy takeoff.

Zone 2-3: Nothing to report.

Zone 4/Target: Over the target we were greeted by a pair of 109s and a 190. Our little friends got to the 190 first, but both 109s came in close enough to take a swing at us. We traded blows with one from our 1:30 level and came away from it with some shot-up flap controls. His wing-man wasn't so lucky though, and T/Sgt Franklin managed to bring him down from our 3 level. When the first one came around again some concentrated fire from both Frank and our Starboard Waist Gunner, Sgt Owens, forced him to bail before he could hit us again. Once the enemy fighters had cleared the skies the flak started up. I'll be honest, it was a bit nerve-racking that first time, but we made it over the target unscathed. 2Lt Blair landed a solid 60% of our ordnance on the airdrome; an impressive first run if I may say so myself.

INBOUND

Target/Zone 4: As we turned for home the enemy made one last halfhearted attempt to stop us, and I really have to hand it to the boys from the 14th, as our fighter cover took down all but a singular 190 that tried to approach us. Fortunately T/Sgt Franklin was able to make short work of him and we made it out otherwise unbothered.

Zone 3-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1/Landing: Shortly before landing I noticed our intercom system had gone out. Fortunately it happened late enough in the mission that it didn't hinder our performance, but I am inclined to believe it was the result of a mechanical failure and not enemy action so it seems I will have to keep a closer eye on our mechanics than I would have hoped. As for the landing, our inoperable flap controls made it a little rough but with no other damage to the plane we were able to land without more than a little extra sweat and a few bumps.

All in all I'm proud of my crew's first performance. The boys of the Northern Queen acquitted themselves well today. Some of the more experienced crews have already told us this was as much of a milk run as they come, but either way I think we're ready for whatever the Germans can throw at us next time.

[Grondeaux]

B-24J-135-CO 42-110107 Sorcerer’s Apprentice
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Low squadron, TEC
Mission Date: 29 April 1944
Mission #: 26
Aircraft Mission #: 6
Target: Airdrome, Mostar, Yugoslavia

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	1LT	John Kane	5		2	AM
Copilot	2LT	Ralph Emerson	5		0	AM
Bombardier	2LT	Jasper Johns	5		1	DFC, AM
Navigator	2LT	Louis Clark	5		0	AM
Nose Turret Gunner	SGT	Desmond Dekker	0		0
Flight Engineer	TSGT	Colin Ferguson	5	1	1	AM
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Guido Scarponi	5		1	AM
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Herman Holt	3		0		Replacement
Right Waist Gunner	SSGT	Kevin McNamara	4		0	PH
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	Jerome Wright	4		1

Crew Chief: SGT Gary Woods (35 skill points; roll every even-numbered zone)

Bomb Run: On target, 30%

Casualties:
    1LT John Kane: ruptured stomach/spleen (KIA)
    SGT Herman Holt: broken rib, inflamed lung (SW)
    SSGT Kevin McNamara: torn lt. deltoid (LW)

Attackers: 17

Type	Spotted	Destroyed	Damaged	Driven Off by Escort
ME-109	7	1	4	2
FW-190	7	0	5	1
ME-210	2	0	1	1
ME-410	1	0	0	1

Claims:
    TSGT Colin Ferguson: 1 x ME-109
    SGT Jerome Wright: 1 x ME-109

Credits:
    TSGT Colin Ferguson: ½ x ME-109

Award/Promotion Requests:
    Air Medal for completing five missions: SSGT Kevin McNamara, SGT Jerome Wright

In Hospital/Recovery:
    SGT Herman Holt, RTD 26 June
    SSGT Kevin McNamara, RTD 7 May

Aircraft Damage: 67 Peckham points (left waist heat, 1 x KIA, 1 x serious wound, 1 x light wound, 20 x superficial). Aircraft ready 30 April.

AFTER ACTION REPORT – Using TFT (Variants used: TFT Axis Fighter Aircraft Add-on Module, Jasta 6’s Table 5-3 Placement Variant, Variant Tables for Take-Off and Mechanical Failure, Bruce Peckham’s German Fighter Pilots variant, Fuel Tank Fires, Seriously Wounded Bail Out, On the Subject of Bombs, my variation to Nolan Bryant’s Crew Chiefs, Combat Fatigue, Chris Riches’ Enhanced Fighter Attacks (Simple Version)
-----------------------------------------------------
2LT Emerson takes a drag off his Lucky Strike, followed by a swallow of steaming black coffee. His hands are shaking. The debriefing officer patiently waits. The remaining crew members of Sorcerer’s Apprentice… there are only seven in all.. look stunned.

“It was routine until Mostar,” says Emerson. “Then the Jerries came out to play. A lot of them. Holt and McNamara got hit as we started our bombing run.
“Which was also routine,” adds Johns.
“Coming off the target.. ” continues Emerson, “ … more krauts. We held our own, though. Nothing serious. But everything went to hell over the Adriatic. A pair of FW-190 aces jumped us.”
“Aces? Really?”
“Really. The bastards passed close enough we got a great view of them...lots of tally marks on their tails. One of them put a 20 mm round into Kane’s abdomen. Not a damn thing I could do about it. He was gone by the time Ferguson came down out of his turret to help. Once the fighters left, Ferguson helped me land. End of story.”
There’s another pull off his cigarette. The smoke joins the blue haze surrounding the crew members.
“Guess I get to write a letter tonight, don’t I?”

[sparky]

Mission #26   4-29-1944...Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia, Airdrome...79th Bomb Squad. B-17G Beach Bum...High Cell, Tail End

Mission # ( ) Previous Kills [ ] Kills this Mission { }



Pilot......................1st Lt Ken Day....................( 2 )

Co-Pilot................2nd LT Rick Miesner..............( 2 )

Bombardier..........2nd LT Marvin Johnson...........( 2 )  [ ]        { }

Navigator.............2nd Lt James Redmond..........( 2 )  [ 1/3 ]  { }

Engineer (Top Tur)..............S/SGT John Ridings ( 2 ) [ 1/3 ]  {1\3 }

Radio...................S/SGT Lester Smith..............( 2 ) [ ]        {1\3 }

Ball Turret............SGT Jerry Cassano................( 2 ) [ 1 ]     { }

Port Waist............SGT Nathan Isbell.................( 2 ) [ ]        { }

Starboard Waist...SGT Bill Pilgrim......................( 2 ) [ 1/3 ]  { }

Tail Gunner..........SGT Timothy Conover.............( 2 )  [ ]       {1,1\3 }



                                                      AFTER ACTION REPORT

Beach Bum took off and joined formation without incident.
Zones 2 and 3...everything was smooth and the only planes in sight were friendlies

Zone 4 (Target)...as we closed on the target we were jumped by 3 ME-109's and 1 FW-190. Our little friends drove off 2 of the 109's. SGT Conover put a full burst into the remaining 109 at 6 o'clock high and the enemy plane immediately caught fire. He went down and no chute was seen. The FW-190 performed a high speed vertical dive on us and S\SGT Ridings was able to get a solid enough hit on him that his aim was off and he did no damage and left the fight. Intelligence was right and the flak was light and posed no problem for our aircraft. Things continued to go our way and we were on target and were able to put 50% of our payload on the target. We turned around and headed for home and just as we finished our turn we were attacked by 3 enemy aircraft. Our escorts engaged 2 FW-190's and drove them away from us and the remaining ME-109 must have been a rookie pilot because he took too long trying to line us up from the 6 o'clock position and SGT's Ridings, Smith and Conover shared a kill when the enemy began trailing thick black smoke from his engine. The pilot was observed bailing out and probably survived.

Zones 3, 2 and 1...nothing to report and we landed safely in good weather.

Both kills were confirmed by the review board which happily surprised everyone. My crew has only flown 2 missions together but I feel we're beginning to feel and work like a team. I'm proud of the men.

Respectfully submitted by 1st LT Ken Day

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Maumee River (4)
Crew Commander: 1st Lt. F Sawyer
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 29 April 44
Mission #: 26
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome

Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status
Pilot: 1st Lt. F Sawyer (4) {0}
Co-Pilot: Maj. WW Robinson (16) {0} SS, AM: 3, PH: 2
Bombardier 2nd Lt. J Travis (4) {0}
Navigator: 2nd Lt. SF Poorman (4) {2}
Engineer: MSgt. N Backus (4) {3}
Ball Gunner: Sgt. S Therwachter (4) {2}
Radio Oper.: Sgt. LS Baker (4) {0}
Pt Waist G: Sgt. WW Miller (4) {0}
Stbd Waist G: Sgt. EM Smith (4) {1}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. JC Welch (4) {0}

Bomb Percentage: 20%

Bomber Disposition: No damage (0 Peckham Points)

Casualties: n/a

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (1:109, 0:190, 0:110)
Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110)
Destroyed: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110)

Special Note: n/a

Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lt. F Sawyer, pilot commanding


I came walking back from the briefing this morning and found the crew lounging under one of the wings. They had done their usual efficient job of getting the Maumee River ready to fly and were enjoying a few quick winks before the flight.
Lt. Travis opened his eyes and noticed that Major Robinson was with me. “Shit” he muttered.
Then loudly commanded “Attention!”
The crew scrambled to their feet and lined up in front of the plane. I successfully hid a smirk from the Major. The crew was not used to the Major being out here on the flight line before a takeoff. He was smart enough to stick to the tower and let us get to work.
“At ease, boys” the Major smiled. “Lt. Miller needs a couple extra days in the hospital, so I will be pinch hitting as your co-pilot. Lt. Sawyer is in command of this plane and you will defer to his leadership on this mission. I will be commanding the squadron in the air.”

We took off without incident and settled into the formation. The Major is one heck of a pilot and quickly shook of the rust of not flying for a month.

It was a quick and quiet run across the Adriatic. We saw a single 109 in the target zone. We missed him and he missed us. Flak was light Travis was right on target. Following a quiet flight home we landed safely at base.

While the Major and I were doing the postflight, Sgt. Therwachter came up and shook the Major’s hand. “Sir, no damage, no casualties, and on target! You are some sort of good luck charm. As far as I care, you can fly with us any day!”

[superbee]

Mission 26     29 April 44     Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia (airdrome)

B-17G Quincy Queen (6)      79th Squadron     Formation: high sqdn      Pilot: 1Lt Jim Norton

Post Mission Status: bombed target; shot down by enemy aircraft over target; entire crew MIA

		Credited Missions Flown	AE destroyed	decorations	status
pilot	1Lt Jim Norton	8	0	PH, AM	MIA
co-pilot	2Lt Curt Tobin	8	0	AM	MIA
bombardier	2Lt Steve Morton	6	1	AM	MIA
navigator	2Lt Dan Beam	8	2½	PH, AM	MIA
flight engineer	S/Sgt Elmer Dayton	8	5	PH*, AM, DFC	MIA
radio operator	S/Sgt Mitch Crew	8	0	AM	MIA
ball turret gunner	Sgt Mickey Smith	8	3	AM	MIA
port waist gunner	Sgt Anton Ourada	8	0	PH, AM	MIA
starboard waist gunner	Sgt Bob Aiello	8	1	PH*, AM	MIA
tail gunner	Sgt Tom Carey	4	3		MIA

Casualties: entire 10 man crew is MIA (2 airmen successfully baled out of the burning plane and were captured.)

Bomb Run: 0% (bombed, but missed the target)

Damage to B17G: shot down by enemy fighters over target (fuel tank explosion)

	encountered	intercepted by escorts	destroyed by gunners	FCA	FBOA
FW 190's	12	8	0	2	0
Me109's	1	0	1	0	0
totals	13	8	1	2	0

Claim: Sgt Mickey Smith (Me109)

Award Recommendations: none

Mission Narrative:

Immediately after the bomb run, Quincy Queen was attacked by 5 FW190's. A 20 mm cannon shell struck the inboard fuel cell within the starboard wing. The resulting explosion severed the wing from from the fuselage, which was burning furiously. The burning hulk rolled to its back and entered a steep angle dive from which it never recovered. Two parachutes were observed.

OOC notes: This tragedy was somewhat unusual in how it all played out. Quincy Queen encountered 13 enemy fighters, 12 of them being FW190's, in the target zone; 8 prior to the bomb run and a flight of five FW's following the bomb run. All of those FW's - you just know that is not going to end well.

The fighter escorts actually performed well this mission, as they chased off 8 German fighters. Quincy Queen's gunners also did a credible job of defending their bomber - shooting down one EA, damaging two and driving off another before it could attack.

The damaged FW which delivered the fatal blow, attacking from 6 o'clock level, rolled a damned "12" on table B-4 (Shell Hits By Area): 10 total hits after applying the 1½ FW 190 multiplier - much worse than walking fire! And five of them were wing hits.

Even so, the doomed B17 survived the first 8 hit resolutions without much actual damage before rolling up the dreaded fuel tank hit --> fire--> explosion sequence. (You know when the "fire" is rolled that the jig is up. The "explosion" result is like a final kick in the nuts.)

One final note of interest: During the skirmish with 8 EA just prior to the bomb run, Quincy Queen - with a bomb bay full of bombs - survived two bomb bay hits.

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Pecatonica (2)
Crew Commander: 1st Lt. SJ Phillips
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 29 April 44
Mission #: 26
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome

Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status
Pilot: 1st Lt. SJ Phillips (2) {0} PH
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. A Campbell (2) {0}
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. O Guernsey (2) {0} PH
Navigator: 2nd Lt. A Bean (2) {0} PH
Engineer: MSgt. I Clapp (2) {2} PH
Ball Gunner: Sgt. C Hart (2) {1}
Radio Oper.: Sgt. C Gunkel (2) {0} PH
Pt Waist G: Sgt. P Phinney (2) {0}
Stbd Waist G: Sgt. M Sheehan (2) {1} PH
Tail Gunner: Sgt. H Turner (2) {3} PH

Bomb Percentage: 50%

Bomber Disposition: Rudder, Superficial Damage (17 Peckham Points)

Casualties:
A Bean: LW – 1 day in hospital

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (4:109, 1:190, 2:110)
Damaged: (1:109, 0:190, 1:110)
Destroyed: (1:109, 1:190, 1:110)
H Turner: 190
C Hart: 110
I Clapp: 109

Special Note:
2nd Lt. A Bean: PH

Mission Description: Filed by 1st Lt. SJ Phillips, pilot commanding

With a practice flight and a few more days together the crew of the Pecatonica are really starting to come together as a team. When Campbell and I came back from the briefing this morning the crew were waiting for us. They were relieved that the mission was going to be much shorter today.

We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. The outbound flight was quiet until we arrived in the target zone. Over the target we were attacked by four waves of fighters. Two on the way in and two on the way out. Turner, Hart, and Clapp made the enemy pay for some very minimal damage to our bomber. Bean did get hit with a stray piece of shrapnel, but the wound was so minor that he will be back with us in a day. Guernsey was right on target today. All in all a solid outing for us today.

[limburger59]

B-17F THE LOST ANGEL
        Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Middle Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 29 April 44
MISSION # 26
TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Charles "Charlie" Hawkins                      (1)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Cody "M&Ms" Marsh                          (9) AM PH+
Navigator: 2LT Lawrence "Larry" Greene                (5)
Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin "Shermy" Sherman       (10) AM
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Matthew "Pyro" Lowne           (15) [5.33] AM+ DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT Herbert "Herbie" Kelvin               (1)
Ball Turret: SGT Lorne "Kirk" Kirkendall                 (3)[1]
Right Waist: SGT Jessup "Pecan Pie" Spears           (6) AM
Left Waist: SGT Thomas "Portland" Baker               (3)
Tail Gunner: SGT Theodore "Teddy" Swanson         (1)

Bomb Run: On Target = 20%

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:
Port Wing Root (25)

Peckham Points: 25  

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia

Attackers: 2
        2x   Bf-109:  1 Driven Off 

Award/Promotion Requests: [/b]Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Lawrence "Larry" Greene
        Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: 2LT Benjamin "Shermy" Sherman
        Air Medal - Second Oak Leaf Cluster for 15 Completed Missions: S/SGT Matthew "Pyro" Lowne


AFTER ACTION REPORT: (QOTS - Beery)
        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

Would have been a Milk Run except for that one shell fragment.

[limburger59]

B-24D TEMPTACIOUS
        Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Low Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 29 April 44
MISSION # 26
TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                      (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Tobias Tanner                                       (5)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Andrew Doherty                               (7) AM
Navigator: 2LT Oliver Curtis                                 (5)[.33]
Bombardier: 2LT Charles Freya                             (5)[1] PH
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Irvin Marshall                        (10) [5.25] AM DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT John Gallows                              (8)
Ball Turret: SGT Jason Ash                                   (6)[1] AM
Right Waist: SGT Kaiden Williams                          (9) AM
Left Waist: SGT Merle Hawkins                              (1)
Tail Gunner: SGT Evan Fryberger                          (3)[.5]

Bomb Run: On Target = 20%

Casualties: None

B-24 Damage: None

Peckham Points: 0

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia

Attackers: 8
        4x Bf-109: 4 Driven Off
        4x FW-190: 4 Driven Off

Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 1LT Tobias Tanner, 2LT Oliver Curtis, 2LT Charles Freya
        Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: S/SGT Irvin Marshall

AFTER ACTION REPORT: (QOTS - Beery)

A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

Milk Run thanks to our Little Friends who ran off every attacker who tried to point their noses at us.

[tomt1999]

MISSION DATE: 29 April 44
MISSION # 26
TARGET: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet

DUCK SOUP B-17G-45BO-42-97236
Group 509
Squadron 80

CREW

Pilot - Roland "Rollie" Howell of Upper Nyack, NY
Co-Pilot - Ludomir "Woz" Wozniak of Posen, Mich
Bombardier - Glen "Woody" Woodard of New London, O
Navigator - Bernard "Barney" Trasdale of Bend, Ore.
Engineer - Victor "Vic" Summers of Golden, Colo
Radio Op - Walter "Sparky" Moody of Roberts, Mont
Ball Gunner - Francisco "Frank" de la Cruz of San Diego, Calif.
Port Waist - Lyle "P.O." White of Waterville, NY
Starb Waist - Samuel "Coop" Cooper of Dayton, O.
Tail Gunner - Janus "Yawn" Swoboda of Johnson City, Tex

BOMBING ON target 30%

CLAIMS
Sgt Janus Swoboda, 1 kill Me110
Sgt Vic Summers 1/2 kill Ju88
Sgt Sam Cooper 1/2 kill Ju88

DAMAGE 0

ENEMY AIRCRAFT
3x Me110 1 DEST, 1 DAM
2 Ju88 1 DEST

AAR

Our first mission is in the books and let me tell you, we were a little nervous. Glad 

that this was a short one, not one of those marathon missions the other guys had 

told us about.

The only action we saw was over the target. The flak missed us, but we ran into 

three 100s and 2 Junkers 88s and destroyed one of each. We received no damage.

Bombing was ON target with estimated 30% in the zone. 

The flight home was uneventful and we landed safely.

1st Lt Rollie Howell, "Duck Soup"

[ChefEd]

B-24J Next Objective
B-24J-15-CF-42-99776
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Low
Aircraft Position: Middle
Mission Date: 29 APR 1944
Mission Number: 26
This Aircraft: 15
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia, Airdrome

Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Missions	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	1st Lt Alexis Vaillancourt	13	0	AM+, PH+	RTD	0
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt Arlo Perot	14	0	AM+, PH	RTD	1
Navigator / NT	2nd Lt Callahan Quinn	10	1	PH	RTD	3
Bombardier	2nd Lt Benjamin Galardi	12	0	AM+, PH	RTD	1
Engineer	T/Sgt Abraham Leeker	14	1.83	AM+	RTD	1
Radio Op	T/Sgt Bruce Woodward	14	1.5	AM+, PH	RTD	1
Rt Waist	Sgt Walter "Wally" Heath	12	0.5	AM+	RTD	0
Ball Turret	T/3rd Tristen Townsend	14	2	AM+, PH	RTD	2
Left Waist	T/4th Brendan Burgess	14	0.5	AM+, PH	RTD	2
Tail Gunner	T/3rd Finnley Griffith	14	1.5	AM+	RTD	0
Crew Chief	S/Sgt Dan Hitchcock	1			Skill +0

Bomb Run: On Target, 40 %

Casualties: None

Damage: None

Peckham Points: None

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft

Type	Encountered	Driven Off	Damaged	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Fw-190	4	3	0	0	0	0
Me-110	3	3	0	0	0	0
Me-109	2	2	0	0	0	0
Me-410	1	1	0	0	0	0

Claims: None

Awards:
Air Medal
None

Purple Heart
None

Promotions:
None

AFTER ACTION REPORT
A milk run if ever there was one.

A single enemy fighter broke through the escort’s cordon. We drove him off and took no damage.

Flak was weak at best, nowhere close.

Lt Galardi was unperturbed and laid 40% of our eggs on target.

Submitted by,
1Lt Alexis Vaillancourt, Pilot
B-24J Next Objective
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF

[kozzackkelt]

B-17G: YADKIN RIVER QUEEN (B-17G-5297TX-44- 32664)
Pilot: 2LT. Jefferson McCray
Missions for this bomber: 6
Squadron: 80th
Formation/Position: Middle
Mission Date: 29 April 1944
Mission Number: 26
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia / Airdrome

CREW (missions) {StressPts} E/A Wounds
Pilot: 2LT. Jefferson McCray (6) {2}
Co-Pilot: 2Lt. Albert Petersen (6) {1} [B%: 50 ]
Bombardier: 2Lt. William Pierce (1) {-} [B%: 40-]
Navigator: 2Lt. Gus Sandavol (1) {-}
Engineer: Sgt. Jason Berry (6) {1} [+]
Radio Operator: Sgt. Nelly Henderson (6) {}
Ball Turret: Sgt. Gregory Palouse (6) {1} [+-]
PWG: Sgt. Felipe Grosso (6) {} {-}
SWG: Sgt. Charles Brownly (6) {1}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. David Hoffman (5) {1} [+]

BOMB RUN: ON Target: 40%

Enemy Aircraft Encountered: 0 0xFw190, 0xMe109, 0xMc205, 0xMe110, 0xMe210, 0xMe410, 0xIAR80


E/A Damaged: 0
E/A Probable: 0
E/A: Destroyed: 0
E/A Driven off by Fighter Escort: 0

Condition of B-17G ~ YADKIN RIVER QUEEN: Damages - None ( Reported by Lt. McCray to maintenance crew chief MSgt. Evert Barber ) Repairs or replacements, routine maintenance and inspections will be performed.

Mission AAR: YADKIN RIVER QUEEN took off on time and smoothly into the clear blue skies. We formed up with rest of the 80th in the "Middle" squadron. Flew to target, encountered no E/A, not hit by flak. New bombardier Lt. Sandavol hit target (Airdrome) with estimated 40% of our payload (based on photographic record). Returned to base, landed safely. MSgt. Barber, maintenance supervisor, said YADKIN RIVER QUEEN will be ready for next mission.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jefferson McCray, 2LT, USAF
Pilot- B-17G YADKIN RIVER QUEEN
80th BS / 509th BG
Guilia, Italy

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Miss Keweenaw (1)
Crew Commander: 1st Lt. C Smith
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: Middle
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 29 April 44
Mission #: 26
Target: Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome

Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status
Pilot: 1st Lt. C Smith (1) {0}
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. CA Hoyt (1) {0}
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. W Hutchinson (1) {0}
Navigator: 2nd Lt. W Axtell (1) {0}
Engineer: MSgt. J Anderson (1) {0}
Ball Gunner: Sgt. J Brewbaker (1) {0}
Radio Oper.: Sgt. C Cook (1) {0}
Pt Waist G: Sgt. L Flint (1) {0}
Stbd Waist G: Sgt. R Heron (1) {0}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. R Lewis (1) {0}

Bomb Percentage: 0%

Bomber Disposition: None (0 Peckham Points)

Casualties: n/a

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110)
Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110)
Destroyed: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110)

Special Note: n/a

Mission Description: File by 1st Lt. C Smith, pilot commanding

About a week ago I was asked to put together a brand-new bomber crew. We flew a shake down cruise with the 80th Squadron and today is our first combat mission.

We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation for the short trip across the Adriatic. The escorts kept the fighters away in the target zone. Light flak missed us. Unfortunately, it was a day of misses because Hutchinson missed the target too.

The flight home was quiet and we landed safely. With the first mission jitters out of the way we are looking forward to greater success in the future.

[caodwolf]

B-24J:  Lovely Ladies


Pilot: 1Lt. M Kucek
Assignment:  15th Air Force,  509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron
Mission Date: 26-April-1944
Mission No.: 26
Mission this Bomber: 1
Target for Today:  Mostar, Yugoslavia -  Airdrome
Squadron Position:  Mow
Result:   On-Target:  40%
 

At take off engine #3 ran rough, belched some white smoke then settled down.   We continue with the formation alignment.

German resistance was very light with our Escorts driving away most.   Sgt Lauer manning the ball turret claimed a ME-110,  making it his 4th kill.

There was Flak but it was ineffective and ordnance was dropped with good effects.

Laid Back Lady, flying Lead for the 78th drops out of formation over the Asiatic Sea inbound.   The Lovely Ladies assumes Low Cell Lead and bring the boys home.

Over and out....

Crew Manifest

Position	Rank	Name	Missions Flown	Kills this Mission	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt	M., 'Slim' Kucek	6	---	---	AM	OK
Co-Pilot	2Lt	S. McDonald	6	---	---	AM	OK
Bombardier	2Lt	D. Grahek	1	---	---	---	OK
Navigator	2Lt	C. Stesney	3	---	---	---	OK
Top Turret/Engineer	S/Sgt	D. Baker	6	---	1	AM	OK
Radio Op	Sgt	D. Hilferty	3	---	---	---	OK
Chin Turret	S/Sgt	D. 'Pritz' Prutzman	6	---	2	AM	OK
Stbd Waist	Sgt	M.  Abrabat	1	---	---	---	OK
Ball Turret	Sgt	J. Lauer	6	1	4	AM	OK
Tail Turret	S/Sgt	T. 'Stretch'  Herbon	6	---	1	AM	OK

 

Convalescing

2Lt  S Zell. Navigator,                RTD: 20-May-1944
Sgt. Al Weiss. Waist Gunner:      RTD  10-May-1944
Sgt  B Peterson, Radio:              RTD  20-July-1944
S/Sgt B Burgess.  Bombardier:   RTD  28-May-1944
Sgt. B Gilbert, Waist Gunner       RTD  6-May-19444

Medals / Promotions

None

Fighters Encountered

 

FTR	Spotted	Driven-Off	Damaged	Not-Damaged	Claimed - Credited
FW-190	1	1	---	---	---
ME-109	1	1	---	---	---
ME-110	4	2	1	---	1       1
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
TOTALS	6	4	1	---	1     1

B-24J Damage:

* 25 *

-Rough Engine