Mission 27: Larissa, Greece

[limburger59]

to post 2 AUG 24
To unlock 4 AUG 24
Turn in AAR's no later than  17 AUG 24
Next mission to post 16 AUG 24

MISSION DATE: 2 May 44   
MISSION # 27
TARGET: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard
Bombing Altitude: 19,000 feet

Briefing: 
Map: 

FORMATION:

HIGH	80th SQDN		MID	78th SQDN		LOW	79th SQDN
LEAD:	Honey Bun		LEAD:	Orange’s Other Crate		LEAD:	Lucky Patch
TAIL:	Castle in the Sky		TAIL:	Bama Beauty		TAIL:	Sunday Punch

WEATHER:
Takeoff:  Good
Target:  Poor
Landing:  Poor

GAZETTEER
No fighter coverage as no resistance is expected...

Zone	Modifier (QotS)	Weather/Resistance (TfT)	Fighter Cover
2  Italy	X	Haze/None	Good
3  Italy	X	Haze/None	Good
4  Italy / Adriatic Sea	-2	50% Clouds / Light	Good
5  Adriatic Sea	X	100% Clouds / None	None
6  Albania / Yugoslavia	X	100% Clouds / None	None
7  Greece	0	50% Clouds / Heavy	None
TARGET ZONE 8 Greece FLAK: Outbound: Light x3 Inbound: None	-1	100% Clouds / Light Target: Completely Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually	None
7  Greece	X	100% Clouds / None	None
6  Yugoslavia / Albania	X	50% Clouds / None	None
5  Adriatic	X	50% Clouds / None	None
4  Adriatic / Italy	X	50% Clouds / None	None
3  Italy	X	100% Clouds / None	None
2  Italy	X	100% Clouds / None	None

Emergency Airfield: Lecce, a B-24 base on the heel of the Italian boot, is 240 miles (5 zones) from Larissa. 
Long runway, good hospital, but will take twice as long to repair B-17s.
        
Shot Down:  
Over Water (if you didn't drown): you are rescued by the Royal Navy

Over Land:
If you have to bailout over Yugoslavia roll 1d6 for each surviving Crew member.
       1 Missing in Action (MIA) in the rugged snow covered mountains and never heard from again.
       2-3 Captured by a German Patrol = POW.
       4-6 Escaped aided by Partisans.
If you have to bailout over Albania or Greece roll 1d6 for each surviving Crew member.
       1-5 Captured by a German Patrol = POW.
       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:
29-Apr-44  26 Mostar, Yugoslavia - Airdrome
30-Apr-44  Practicing Bomb Runs
01-May-44  Non-Operational Day - Classroom Training for Bombardiers
02-May-44  27 Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard

[tomt1999]

80th Squadron positions, Mission 27

LEAD

Honey Bun 

TAIL

Castle in the Sky

[crushedhat]

“Enemy resistance is faltering.” That’s how 50-9th S2 Maj Harlan Beech begins his briefing, though the good news doesn’t last long. “Your first encounter will most likely be as you head out over the Adriatic (Zone 4) and run into long range patrols operating out of Albania. Cause they are long range patrols, they’ll have limited loiter time, so the attacks shouldn’t be prolonged. The same can’t be said for the fighters you’ll run into near Meteora (Zone 7). They’ll have plenty of fuel, so expect the resistance there to be heavy.” SSgt Dewbury indicates the area on the wall briefing map. “On the plus side, they’ll be rearming and refueling when you hit the target, so opposition should slack off.”

“Jerry continues to suffer ammunition supply problems so flak on target ingress will be light, and we don’t expect them to waste any ammunition on you once you’ve bombed the target For the same reason, you shouldn’t run into any EA on the flight home.”

“Speaking of home, Metro says the weather at takeoff will be good, but go downhill from there. Expect rain both over the target and at Giulia upon your return.”

“Your escort will be P-51 Mustangs from the 52nd FG. But, we’ve been warned they may be pulled for other missions.” This news elicits grumbling from the assembled bomber crews.

“If you run into trouble and don’t think you can make it home, there is a B-24 base at Lecce (5 Zones from the target).” “Boxcars!” one of the B-17 crewmen shouts out, to be answered by an equally emphatic, “For your hanger queens!” playing on the 17’s nickname.

“At Ease!” Maj William Stockwell, the S3 shouts.

Clearing his throat, Maj Beech continues, “Lecce is a bit closer than Giulia. If you go down over Greece, Yugoslavia, or Albania, hope you fall in with Partisans. As always, give them your full cooperation, they’re risking their lives for you. But remember, they’re our allies, but they don’t necessarily share our values. The RN will be on Lifeguard duty should you end up in the drink.”

Maj Beech yields the podium to Maj Stockwell.

“A pretty straight forward mission profile,” the S3 begins. “Your IP is the intersection of two major roadways. Here.” AS Maj Stockwell speaks, SSgt Dewbury taps the IP on the map. “You’’ll approach the target form the north end of the yard, turning SSW and bombing from Angels 19. After hitting the target your come to a heading of 218 and return home.”

“As the S2 warned, your escort may get pulled at any point during the mission, so don’t get complacent up there. Remember you’re gunnery training, and good formation flying. Do that, and I’ll see you all at the club tonight.”

With that, the room is called to attention and then dismissed.

[crushedhat]

For the 78th, for Mission 27
Lead: Orange’s Other Crate (kageyone)
Tail: Bama Beauty(rheiss): if rotated home after mission 26 then Bob’s Rascals (rheiss)
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

Lead: Lucky Patch
Tail: Sunday Punch

Now keep the formation tight, watch out for fighters, and hit the target!

[rhreiss]

Aug 1, 2024 13:31:19 GMT -8 crushedhat said:

For the 78th, for Mission 27
Lead: Orange’s Other Crate (kageyone)
Tail: Bama Beauty(rheiss): if rotated home after mission 26 then Bob’s Rascals (rheiss)
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.)

Bama Beauty is TEC  

[superbee]

B17G Sucker Punch (1)     79th Bomber Sqdn      509th Bombardment Group

Mission #27     2 May 44     Larissa Greece (Marshalling Yard)

Post mission status: bombed the target, landed safely at Gulia, no casualties, no battle damage

           

Pilot: 1Lt Ken Meade      Low Sqdn     Bomb run: 30%

		Missions Flown	enemy aircraft destroyed	awards	status after mission
pilot	1Lt Ken Meade	1	0		Fit For Duty
copilot	2Lt Jim Boyd	1	0		FFD
navigator	2Lt Robert Schilling	1	0		FFD
bombardier	2Lt Mike Kraft	1	0		FFD
flight engineer	S/Sgt Al Seaver	1	1/2		FFD
radio operator	S/Sgt Jon Angelino	1	0		FFD
ball turret gunner	Sgt Sid Natvig	1	0		FFD
port waist gunner	Sgt Zach Cameron	1	0		FFD
starboard waist gunner	Sgt Sal Verducci	1	1/2		FFD
tail gunner	Sgt Jeff Cantrill	1	0		FFD

Casualties: none

Aircraft damage: none

Axis fighters encountered: 6

	ENCOUNTERED	Intercepted by escorts	destroyed by gunners	FCA	FBOA
Me109's	6	0	1	1	2

Claims: S/Sgt Al Seaver (½ Me109), Sgt Sal Verducci (½ Me109)

Awards / Promotions: none

Mission narrative

The crew gained valuable experience this mission without having to pay a price for it: exposed to flak and Axis fighters without suffering any battle damage nor casualties, accurate bomb run and safe landing despite dealing with poor weather, and no mechanical issues.

Every gunner fired his weapon at least once at an enemy fighter. Almost all seemed to have gotten a piece of their target, and two of them shared credit for downing a Me109.

1Lt Ken Meade
Pilot, B17G Sucker Punch

[rhreiss]

B-24J Bama Beauty (Mission #24)
509th BG, 15AF Mission 27 - Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard
MISSION DATE: 2 May 44
MISSION # 27
TARGET: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard
Bombing Altitude: 19,000 feet

AAR
we were Tail End Charlie, for this mission even though we had a lot of inexperienced crewmembers.

OUTBOUND
With good weather we were able to take off and join up with the rest of the squadron without any problems. The flight to the target area was uneventful until we reach the vicinity of Meteora where we were met with the only resistance we encountered this mission. We were engaged by a pair of Me109’s and a FW190. Tommy and the nose turret shot up the engine of the FW 190 for a claim to kill that was denied in review. Kelly and HC shot up a Me109 shooting up the wing with a chute observed as the Plane fell out of sight. Sam did enough damage to the other Me 109 that it missed us and broke off the attack.

TARGET AREA
once we were in the target area no enemy fighters attacked us in the flak was an effective. Despite the worsening weather Lee our new bombardier was on target and assessed as 40% effective. There was no flak and no fighters engaged us as the squadron reformed at the RP and headed home.

INBOUND
the flight back was uneventful with a safe landing at Giulia Airfield
T/SGT Patrick says everything will be ready to go after routine overnight maintenance.



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

[kageyone]

[GaryK]

After Action report: (using TfT)
(Optional rules: Crew-chief effects; Crew Stress; Jasta 6 German Pilot Quality; Peckham’s Random Event Variant Table; Axis Aircraft 1942-45).

A slightly longer stretch than last time out – we’ll have to see if intel’s prediction of little opposition outside the target zone is accurate.

Ryland and Middleton came to see us off; both are champing at the bit to get back in the plane, but doctor’s orders are keeping them grounded for another few days.


Mission: Intel appeared to have got it right. Despite being in the lead of the lowest element of the Group, we encountered no opposition until approaching Larissa. Just prior to entering the target zone, and after our escorts had left us, we had two 109s and a 110 try to stop us getting there.

One of the 109s was ahead on our altitude, with the other off our starboard side; the Destroyer came swooping in off our starboard bow.

None were around for long! The Patch vibrated as all the guns that could get a shot on the bandits took it, with spectacular results: Walcott shredded the right wing of the 109 ahead of us; Magic caused the right wing of the 110 to explode and Sanford took out the other 109 by destroying its left wing. The two 109 pilots didn’t make it out; the crew of the 110 did. Within 20 seconds of the Jerries arriving, we were clear!

Almost immediately, several of the guys simultaneously called in that more bandits were inbound. Another mixed group: this time, it was a single Me109 ahead of us, with two 110s – one directly behind, the other low off our port side.

This time, Walcott wasn’t as accurate, but Magic bagged the 109 in our 12 o’clock as the pilot lost control of the plane due to our engineer’s hail of lead taking out the rudder and elevators. No chute was seen.

Crawford and Woody were only able to clip the 110 to port, but he missed us, and sped away home.

Back in the tail, Haley managed to make the starboard engine of the 110 behind us explode, the pilot losing control as the aircraft started to spin. The crew managed to get out before it became impossible.

As we pushed on to the IP, the fighters from the airfield that was our target for today rose to defend their home. A similar group to the last one – one 109 and two 110s – engaged us. Magic treated the 109 ahead of us the same way as the last one, this time severely damaging the bandit’s starboard wing, resulting in complete loss of control by the pilot who failed to bail out.

With Sanford missing the 110 low off our starboard side, Crawford backed him up from the ball turret with some accurate fire, mimicking Magic’s shot, resulting in the Destroyer’s starboard outer wing separating with a fuel explosion. The crew wasted no time in abandoning their stricken craft.

Haley, after spending most of the time with us cursing at his missed shots on those aircraft he has to pick up after their frontal attack, showed his full mettle dealing with those bandits that attack in his sector, downing the 110 low behind us by shooting off its port tail unit. The aircraft flipped and spun, with neither of the crew making it out.

As the cheers and chat died down, Woody called in “Smoke trails to our left – incoming rockets!!”

With little room for manoeuvre as the lead plane, I did what I could, and none of the fireworks got close.

Another group of Jerries arrived – this had to be our busiest trip so far, even if it is just a medium-range sortie! Another group of four. This time, we had 109s level ahead of us, high in our 6, and diving straight down on us, with a 190 ahead and above us.

Magic and Haley added to their impressive performance today by dealing with the 190 ahead, and the 109 behind, us. Magic clipped most of the tail section off the Butcher Bird, causing an immediate bail-out by the pilot. Haley’s shots caused the 109’s port wing to fold, then separate. This pilot was not so lucky.

Walcott missed the 109 ahead of us, as did Southey – on the radio room gun, firing at the one above us – but both bandits also missed us. The diver sped past and away home; the other pilot pulled a sharp manoeuvre to end up back in the same place. This time, Walcott managed to clip him, but Magic missed his shot. The Jerry put a couple of shells into us, but nothing seemed to change, before he shot past underneath us and headed off home. Haley’s familiar curses at missing his opportunity shot rang out, as usual, but he’d done a great job today.

The flak on the way to the target was ineffective, but Walcott didn’t like his drop, as he was unable to find a hole in the clouds. We turned for home with no flak bothering us, and the local fighters must have landed to refuel and re-arm, as we didn’t encounter any as we made our egress.

The trip back over the Adriatic was quiet, with the only tension coming when Walcott reported the chin turret failing to respond to its controls. He and Magic tried a few things, and managed to get it working again after about 15 minutes. Thankfully, we saw neither hide nor hair of any opposition before lining up for our landing at Giulia.

Things then got a little scary. I had Dougie bring us in, to give him some experience. When he called for undercarriage down, I operated the lever, but nothing happened except a red light coming on the display for the wheels’ positions. I recycled the lever, but still nothing happened.

“Abort, abort. Take us around again, Dougie. Oscar – call the tower – aborting due to undercarriage failure.”

Hearing this, Magic slammed the throttles forward to 90% power to get us up in the circuit again, then fired two red flares, in case our radio message hadn’t been heard. “Right,” he said, “Lever up, skipper, I’ll check the CB board.”

Magic squeezed under the back of Dougie’s seat and confirmed two CBs popped. “Reset – try again.” When I did so, Magic added, “Nope – blown again – there’s something wrong with that circuit. Let’s see if we can crank the bastards down.”

Magic scuttled off to the bomb bay, asking over the con for Walcott to help him. Mack reported in that with the fuel we had, we should be good for about 35 minutes.

Thankfully, all went smoothly in the bomb bay. With Walcott holding the lever to disengage the mechanical locks, we could hear Magic’s grunting and swearing as he gradually managed to move the crank, with the waist gunners confirming that the wheels were descending.

Nearly a very tense end to the mission, but the crew worked well together to avoid a potentially fatal outcome. Dougie seemed unfazed by the whole thing, and executed a perfect landing.


Crew Chief Warwick promised that the undercarriage problem would be his top priority, as there was so little other damage. He also said that they would give the chin turret a full test to see what the problem was there.

No casualties, and the highest total of claims from our gunners of our tour so far. Magic alone had four, and he returned from his debrief with more of a smile than usual. While the Board only gave him just under two of the four he claimed, that was enough to make him the plane’s first Ace gunner! An expensive night in the bar for him followed.

The paperwork for this one was easy, with no casualties. A DFC recommendation for Magic, along with an Air Medal award for Dougie. I then had to authorize an Oak Leaf cluster award for myself, as this was my tenth mission.

It seems a long time since the middle of March, and none of us are the same as when we arrived. Some of the other guys, who haven’t missed any trips, are now half way to their tour end. Let’s hope I can get them there, as well as myself.


1Lt Louis M. Marlowe, Pilot Commanding
B-17G-55DL-44-6507 "Lucky Patch"
79th (H) BS, 509th (H) BG

For a full mission history of "In Like Flynn", "Blitz Buggy", plus my three aircraft in the previous war, please see my (GarySK) post in the Tarmac forum

[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
Low Squadron: Tail
Mission Date: 2 May 44
Mission Number: 027
Missions This Bomber: 2
Target: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard

Crew/Position/Rank	Current Mission	Previous Claims	This Mission	Stress Points	Status
Pilot 1st Lt Ted Masini	22	0	0	0	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Perry Shipman	2	0	0	0	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici	18	2.5	0	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Sam Markham	2	0	0	0	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Dan Lansky	2	1	0	0	RTD
R/O S/Sgt Will Dixon	2	0	0	0	LW/RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Ted Caffrey	2	0	0	0	RTD
PSW Sgt Noreno Costa	18	1	0	1	RTD
SWG Sgt Tim Walton	2	0	0	0	RTD
TG Sgt Mark Riley	17	4	0	1	RTD

Bomb Run: Off
On Target: 0%
B-17 Damage: 9 Hits
Superficial x 1 (1)
Starboard Wing x 2
-superficial (1)
-wingroot (25)
Radio Room x 1
-operator LW (2)
Bomb Bay x 1
-bomb rack temporarily jammed (5)
Waist x 1
-superficial (1)
Tail x 3
-superficial (1)
-tailplane N/E (5)
-autopilot inop (10)
Peckham Points: 51
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	3	0	0	2	0
Bf-110	4	0	1	0	0
C-202	0	0	0	0	0
C-205	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	4	0	1	0	0
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	0	2	2	0

Confirmed Claims: 0
Casualties: 1
S/Sgt Will Dixon, LW - leg grazed. Treated and RTD.
Stress Points after mission: 0
Award/ Promotions Requests: 1
OLC (2nd Awarded) S/Sgt Mark Riley
Promotion Review: 1
S/Sgt Mark Riley 75cXjD9c1-6

After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules)
Zone 1: Great weather on takeoff that didn’t pose us any problems as we formed up and took our position as squadron tail.
Zone 2-6: Nothing to report.
Zone 7: Three 109 and a 110 came at us. During the ensuing fight, Walton heavily damaged a 109 at 4:30 low and Riley knocked some paint off the 6:00.
Zone 8: In the target zone things became more serious as we encountered two waves of opposition.

In the first wave three 110 spread out and attacked from 4:30 level, 6 high and 7:30 level. Lansky and Caffery both claimed a fighter, but each ducked into the clouds and couldn’t be confirmed. The 4:30 had opened fire at the same time as Caffery and stitched hits along the starboard side, grazing Dixons leg in the radio room, hitting the wing root and causing some damage to the bomb racks that we would find out about shortly.

The second wave circled but never came in for an attack as they waited too long before the flak forced them to move off. We, of course, didn’t have that option and sailed into the thankfully inaccurate field.

I turned control over to Kellici. He had trouble making out the drop point in the soup, but finally called “bombs away.” The familiar upwards lurch of the aircraft didn’t happen when several hundred pounds of bombs drop from its belly. “Bombs away,” Kellici called again, then again as he repeatedly toggled the release switch. Finally, the bombs fell away, but too late to hit the target.

INBOUND

Four 190 jumped on us after we had turned away. Caffery nailed one at 4:30, but the crew’s hard luck would continue as this was denied at interrogation. The return fire of this Kraut did some damage as well, hitting the tailplane and bombsight.
Zone 7-2: Nothing to report.
Zone 1: We landed without any difficulties and taxied to our hardstand.

A demoralizing mission for us. The damage we suffered had caused us to miss the target, all claims by the crew were downgraded to probable’s and the ground crew will be hard at work overnight to get our bird ready to fly for tomorrow if the need arises.

The only good news is that Dixon’s wound was merely a scratch and they punted him from the MIR fairly quickly.

1st Lt Ted Masini, Pilot Commanding, 79th BS, 509th BG (Heavy), 15th AF
1-6

[mpgutis]

Mission date: 2 May 44
Target: Larissa, Greece - Marshaling Yard
Mission/Bomber: 27/13
B-17G The A Train
80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
Formation: High Squadron
Position: Middle

Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards
Pilot: 1LT Dirk Ellington (13) (-) PH, AM x2
Co-Pilot: 2LT Edward Reese (13) (-) AM x2
Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (13) (2.75) DFC, AM x2
Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (13) (1.83) PH x2, AM x2
Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (13) (4.25) PH, AM x2
Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (13) (0.5) AM x2
Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (13) (2.66) AM x2
Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (13) (1.0) PH, AM x2
Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (13) (2.5) PHx3, AM x2
Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (13) (4.74) PH, AM x2

Bombing: On target, 30%

Damage: 12 PP
Superficial x2: Fuselage x2
Light Wound

Casualties:
SGT Sheldon Thomas - LW, bullet graze to abdomen, 2 days

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited
Me-109: 7 / 2 / 1.33
FW-190: 2 / 0 / 0
Ju-88: 1 / 1 / 1

Awards:
SGT Sheldon Thomas - PH

Flown with TFT

I'm not a superstitious person, but even I couldn't avoid noticing that this was our thirteenth flight. Hopefully, it would be a lucky one.

Takeoff was in good weather but with a forecast of socked in over the target and back at base when we were scheduled to arrive. For the second time, The A Train seemed sluggish on the takeoff roll and speed came up slower than it should have. We just managed to stagger into the air and a quick cross-check showed that the engines were all running properly.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: A lone Me-109 took a run dead ahead of us but an escort took care of him.
     Next, A Ju-88 at 6:00 Low and an Me-109 at 6:00 High took runs, The 109 was shooed away by the escorts and the Ju-88 was claimed by the Tail Gunner.

Zones 4 - 7: Nothing to report.

Zone 8 (Target): Things got hot once we passed the IP. We had two waves of enemy aircraft. The first was a gaggle of four Me-109s at 12:00 High, 9:00 Level and High, and 3:00 High. The one off the nose missed and broke off. The one at 9:00 High was damaged, missed, and broke off. The one at 9:00 Level scored a superficial hit on the fuselage and grazed the tail gunner. He came around at 9:00 Level and was claimed by the Ball Turret. The one at 3:00 High got a superficial hit on the fuselage, then came around at 6:00 High and was claimed by the Tail Gunner.
     The second wave was a pair of FW-190s at 12:00 High and 10:30 High, and an Me-109 at 1:30 High. All three were damaged, missed, and broke off.
     Flak was light and missed up entirely. It was hard to judge the accuracy of the drop but it appeared that thirty percent of the bombs were in the box.

Zone 8: (Inbound): Missiles flashed past us but missed us.

Zones 7 - 2: Nothing to report.

The landing was as good as the takeoff was poor despite the weather. So it was lucky number 13, in the books and we're more than halfway to punching our tickets home.

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

[tomt1999]

MISSION DATE: 2 May 44
MISSION # 27
TARGET: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard
Bombing Altitude: 19,000 feet

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

CREW
Pilot - Roland "Rollie" Howell of Upper Nyack, NY - mission 2
Co-Pilot - Ludomir "Woz" Wozniak of Posen, Mich - mission 2
Bombardier - Glen "Woody" Woodard of New London, O - mission 2
Navigator - Bernard "Barney" Trasdale of Bend, Ore. - mission 2
Engineer - Victor "Vic" Summers of Golden Colo - mission 2
Radio Op - Walter "Sparky" Moody of Roberts Mont - mission 2
Ball Gunner - Francisco "Frank" de la Cruz of San Diego, Calif. - mission 2
Port Waist - Lyle "P.O." White of Waterville, NY - mission 2
Starb Waist - Samuel "Coop" Cooper of Dayton, O. - mission 2
Tail Gunner - Janus "Yawn" Swoboda of Johnson City, Tex - mission 2

BOMBING ON 30%

CLAIMS
1xFW190 - 2LT Woody Woodard (bbdr)

ENEMY A/C
3xFW190

DAMAGE
1x Superficial - 2 Peckham pts

AAR

Not a lot to see here. A quiet run except for over the target where three FW190s 

tried their hand. One didn't make it home. Bombardier Woody Woodard dropped 

his eggs on target and shot down a 190. Drinks are free for him tonight. Landed 

safely at Giulia.

1st LT Rollie Howell

[limburger59]

B-24D TEMPTACIOUS
        Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Middle Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 2 May 44
MISSION # 27
TARGET: Larissa, Greece

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                      (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Tobias Tanner                                       (6)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Andrew Doherty                               (8) AM
Navigator: 2LT Oliver Curtis                                 (6)[.33]
Bombardier: 2LT Charles Freya                             (6)[1] PH
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Irvin Marshall                        (11) [5.25] AM DFC “Ace”      1x FW-190 destroyed
Radio Op: S/SGT John Gallows                              (9)
Ball Turret: SGT Jason Ash                                   (7)[1] AM
Right Waist: SGT Kaiden Williams                          (10) AM
Left Waist: SGT Merle Hawkins                              (2)
Tail Gunner: SGT Evan Fryberger                          (4)[.5]

Bomb Run: On Target = DNB

Casualties: None

B-24 Damage:
Superficial x10 (20)
#2 Engine out - not feathered (40)
Bomb Bay Doors inop (10)
Mechanical Failure: Engineer's Suit Heating Rheostat out (10)

Peckham Points: 80 - RTD 6 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia

Attackers: 9
        9x FW-190: 1 Confirmed Destroyed, 5 Probables (FBOA)     (6 of the 9 were flown by green pilots) 

Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: SGT Kaiden Williams

AFTER ACTION REPORT: (QOTS - Beery)

A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

Our Engineer's Suit Heater rheostat burnt out in Zone 6. The crew were willing to take turns rotating through the cold station, but in the next zone the point became moot as the #2 engine was knocked out and we were unable to feather the prop. We left the formation and headed for 10,000 feet, followed by a third wave comprised of five Butcher Birds. Our conclusion after the skies cleared was that it was a training flight (there were four green pilots and one Ace in this wave). Our gunners hit all five, with four limping away as Probables and the fifth a definite kill by our Ace in the Top Turret.

[rhreiss]

AAR

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off without any problems. As forecast when were near Meteora, we encountered some fighter resistance. A Fw190 tried its luck at our 3. Al and Roy put enough holes into its wing and tail that it missed us and broke off the attack.


TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area we saw no fighter activity, but the weather had turned bad and the target was completely obscured. The flak on the run from the IP to the target was an effective, but with the bad weather Billy was a little late with his bomb release and while he was on target we were assessed as 20% effective. After bombs away no fighters or flak interfered with us as the squadron got organized at the RP.

INBOUND
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
XO 79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[limburger59]

B-17F UNFINISHED BUSINESS
        Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Low Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 2 May 44
MISSION # 27
TARGET: Larissa, Greece

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Nathaniel "Nate" Sutherland                    (13) AM+ PH            
Co-Pilot: 2LT Joseph "Joey" Goodman                      (5) 
Navigator: 2LT Forrest "Candy Man" Sweet              (6) PH AM
Bombardier: 2LT Steven "Stevie" Cox                      (6) [.5] AM                               1x 190 destroyed
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile "Plug" Putman                (16) [6.5] AM+ DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT Christopher "Varnish" Varney         (7) AM
Ball Turret: SGT Patricio "Italy" Vechitto                   (4)                                  LW   1x 410 destroyed
Right Waist: SGT Sidney "Sid" Beck                        (12)[.5] AM+
Left Waist: SGT Glen "Mac" McPherson                     (4)
Tail Gunner: SGT Albert "Tiny" Plimson                     (5)[1]                               

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Casualties: SGT Patricio Vechitto: LW - Skull grazed - RTD 5 May 44

B-17 Damage:
P. Wing Root (25)
Superficial x9 (9)
Rudder (10)
RR Oxygen x1 (10)
Light Wound (2)

Peckham Points: 56 – Repairs to be completed 4 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 12
        6x FW-190:  1 Destroyed, 2 Probables(FBOA), 1 Damaged(FCA)
        1x  ME-410: 1 Destroyed
        5x Bf-109:   1 Probable
        
Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 2 Confirmed, Probables (FBOA) = 3, Damaged (FCA) = 1, Driven Off by Escort = 0

Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Joseph Goodman, SGT Albert Plimson
        Purple Heart: SGT Patricio Vechitto

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

We survived a lot of superficial hits. Missed the target, but didn't miss the Luftwaffe, with 2 confirmed kills and 3 Probables that limped away.

[limburger59]

B-17G: BONNIE (Spare in lieu of Great Expectations) ♣♣
    80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group

    High Sqdn - Middle
MISSION DATE: 2 MAY 44 
MISSION # 27 (15th this bomber)
TARGET: Larissa, Greece

Bomb Run: On Target  50%

CREW

Position	Rank	Name	Current Mission	Previous Kills	Claims Today	Confirmed Today	Status	Stress	Notes
Pilot	CAPT	Peter "Pip" Dickins	24				RTD		♣♣
Copilot	1 LT	Matthew Pocket	25 ♦				RTD	2	♣♣
Bombardier	2 LT	Jack Dawkins	20				RTD	2	♣
Navigator	2 LT	Daniel Webster	9	1.33			RTD		Temp from Spare Pool
Engineer	S/SGT	Mike Dixon	22	3.83			RTD	1
Radioman	T/SGT	Luke Wopsle	24	2			RTD	3	♣♣
Ball Gunner	S/SGT	Bentley Drummle	25 ♦	2			RTD	2	♣♣
PWG	S/SGT	Henry Hubble	23	.33			RTD		♣
SWG	S/SGT	John Wemmick	25 ♦	.5			RTD	1	♣♣
Tail Gunner	S/SGT	Dave Donners	22	2			RTD	2

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:  Mechanical Failure - Radio out

Peckham Points: 10

Crew Chief: T/SGT Julian San Sebastian (Status: Dedicated)

B-17 Disposition: Safe at Giulia 

Attackers: 5	#	Claimed Destroyed	Confirmed Destroyed	Probable	Damaged	Run Off
Bf-109	3
Bf-110	0
FW-190	2				1
ME-210	0
C205	0
Re2005	0
TOTALS	5	0	0	0	1	0

Award/Promotion Requests: 
    Air Medal - Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster for 25 Completed Missions: 1LT Matthew Pocket, S/SGT Bentley Drummle, S/SGT John Wemmick
    Air Medal - Third Oak Leaf Cluster for 20 Completed Missions: 2LT Jack Dawkins

In Hospital/Not Flying Today: Everyone on Full Duty

AFTER ACTION REPORT (Target for Today - Joe Carter's Variant)

       Three of the original crew of the Great Expectations from Mission #1 completed their 25th mission today!

[limburger59]

B-17F THE LOST ANGEL
        Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Middle Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 2 May 44
MISSION # 27
TARGET: Larissa, Greece

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Charles "Charlie" Hawkins                      (2)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Cody "M&Ms" Marsh                          (10) AM PH+
Navigator: 2LT Lawrence "Larry" Greene                (6)
Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin "Shermy" Sherman       (11) AM
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Matthew "Pyro" Lowne           (16) [5.33] AM+ DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT Herbert "Herbie" Kelvin               (2)                  LW
Ball Turret: SGT Lorne "Kirk" Kirkendall                 (4)[1]
Right Waist: SGT Jessup "Pecan Pie" Spears           (7) AM            LW
Left Waist: SGT Thomas "Portland" Baker               (4)
Tail Gunner: SGT Theodore "Teddy" Swanson         (2)

Bomb Run: DNB - Jettisoned Bombs in Zone 7

Casualties:  SGT Jessup Spears: LW - torn gluteus - RTD 16 May 44
                S/SGT Herbert Kelvin: LW - skull deflects shrapnel - concussion - RTD 9 May 44

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x12 (12)
Light Wound x2 (4)
P. Wing Root (25)
Ball Turret Guns out (20)
PWG Heat out (10)
Radio destroyed (10)
S. Inboard Fuel Tank leak (10)
Structural N/E (5)
P. Flap out (10)
P. Aileron out (10)
#1 engine superficial (5)
#4 engine superficial (5)
#2 Engine - Oil Tank Leak (15) (shut down IB Zone 4)

Peckham Points: 141 - Returns to Giulia on 4 May, Repairs completed on 9 May  

Disposition: Diverted to Lecce due to Fuel Leak - Lands safely 

Attackers: 7
        6x FW-190:  4 Damaged
        1x ME-410: untouched (Ace pilot) 

Award/Promotion Requests: Purple Heart: SGT Jessup Spears, S/SGT Herbert Kelvin
        Air Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster for 10 Completed Missions: 2LT Cody Marsh

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

The first wave in Zone 7 featured a 190 and a 410 heading our way. We quickly damaged the 190. An ME-410 looked like a big, slower target for our gunners, but when it is flown by an Ace it danced past our 50 caliber shells, savaging our port wing on the first pass and our starboard wing on his second pass. When he left us alone we had oil streaming from the #2 engine and fuel streaming from the starboard inboard fuel tank. Less significant damage was noted on the #1 and #4 engines. With the way the fuel was leaking we knew we had to jettison our bombs and plan to head west.

First we had to deal with a second wave of five Butcher Birds. Though they hit us repeatedly, none of the damage was as significant as the hits suffered from the 410. 

We headed west, figuring we had the fuel to make Lecce, but not Giulia. Fortunately we faced no more enemy fighters while out of formation, as we also had to descend to 10K due to the loss of heat for our Port Waist Gunner. We had to shut down the #2 engine as we approached the Adriatic.

Once at Lecce, our Flying Fortress was low on the priority list for those B-24 mechanics; but once we got the fuel tank plugged we were able to fly back to Giulia on three engines so that the mechanics at the Spare Pool could perform the rest of the repairs.

[kageyone]

[colbourne66]

B-17G Witchcraft

Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group

Squadron Position: High

Mission Number: 27

This Aircraft: 2

Target: Larissa, Greece, Marshalling Yards.

Crew

Position                             Rank / Name                  Mission                  Kills                      Awards              Status                  Stress

Pilot                                     1LT Burke                      2                                                                              RTD                          1
Co-Pilot                                 2LT Hill                         2                                                                              RTD                          1
Navigator /                           2LT Edwards                  2                                                                              RTD                          1
Bombardier                            2LT Mason                   2                                                                               RTD                          1
Engineer                              T/SGT Haven                 2                                                                               RTD                          0
Radio Op                              T/SGT Sharp                 2                                                                                RTD                         0
Ball                                     SGT Crabtree                 2                                                                                RTD                         0
Left Waist                             SGT Warren                  2                                                                                RTD                         0
Right Waist                         SGT Benton                    2                                                                               RTD                          1
Tail Gunner                          SGT Parker                    2                                                                                RTD                         0


Bomb Run: On Target, 13 %

Bomb-run history (1/50), (2/13)

Casualties: None

Damage:

Superficial x6
Tail root hit


Peckham Points: 41

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft:
2 x FW190

Claims: None

Awards: None

Promotions: None


AFTER ACTION REPORT



Looks like another milk run for us according to the mission briefing!

Take off: Good.

Z2-Z7 NSTR

Target outbound: It was quiet until we approached the bomb run. Two FW190’s one of them an Ace decided to try and take us down. The Ace came straight at us from 12 high, his companion at 1.30 high. Unbelievably none of our defensive fire hit. The Ace fired a burst at us scoring a couple of superficial hits on the tail and a more serious hit on the tail root. His colleague must have had his aim thrown off as his burst missed. The Ace pulled a tight turn and came round at us again from 12 high. T/SGT Havens in the top turret tried to drive him off but missed. The Ace fired again missing us and rolled away to find someone else to attack. The other 190 circled in at us from 6 low. SGT Crabtree in the ball didn’t even see him and SGT Parker’s fire was ineffective. In return the 190 raked us good – scoring superficial hits on the tail. A shell burst through the floor of the cockpit behind my chair and the top turret but causing superficial damage. Another shell tore through the floor or the nose knocking the corner off the navigators table. Then the fighters were gone. Flak open up ahead of us and seemed light – none of it hit us.

Bomb run: As we approached the target 2LT Mason reported that he couldn’t see the target.
“Damn, skipper, the target is totally obscured by clouds. I can’t see a damn thing.” 2LT Mason reported.
2LT Edwards was staring at the shattered corner of his navigator table. The shell had come close to taking his hand off. “Just drop the damn things, and lets get out of here!” he cried.
Mason paused a little longer. Still nothing. With a curse he hit the bomb release and felt the plane lurch upwards as the bombs left the bombbay.

Target inbound:
Completely quiet as we turned off the target.

Z7 – NSTR

Z6 – As we crossed the Albanian coast into the Adriatic, I suddenly felt the plane become less responsive. One of the elevators at the rear seemed not to work.

Z5-Z2 – NSTR beyond trying to control a sluggish plane

Landing: Excellent landing (natural 12). Upon inspection we saw that the left elevator cable must have been frayed by a shell fragment during the FW190's attack and had finally snapped as we left Albania (mechanical failure). Another milk run in the books. But I gave the crew a dressing down – not one of our gunners hit anything, and despite having a day of training the day before the mission 2LT Mason got less than 20% of his bombs on target. I am detailing everyone to do more gunnery training before the next mission, and Mason had better stay awake in bombing class next time.

“Goddammit, everyone!” 1LT Burke yelled. Get your heads in the game! We’ve been lucky – our first two missions have been milk runs. But if we go into Germany with gunnery skills like that, we’re finished! And Mason – the whole point of us fighting our way to the target is so you can bomb it!"

Submitted by,
1Lt Burke, Pilot
B-17G Witchcraft
80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Pecatonica (3)
Crew Commander: 1st Lt. SJ Phillips
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 2 May 44
Mission #: 27
Target: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard

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

Bomb Percentage: 0%

Bomber Disposition: Rudder, Bombardier Heat, Superficial Damage (26 Peckham Points)

Casualties:
SJ Phillips: LW – 2 days in hospital
O Guernsey: FB: - 1 day in hospital
H Turner: LW – overnight in hospital

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (3:109, 5:190, 0:110)
Damaged: (0:109, 2:190, 0:110)
Destroyed: (1:109, 1:190, 0:110)
O Guernsey: 190
I Clapp: 109

Special Note:
SJ Phillips: PH
H Turner: PH

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

We took off without incident and settled into formation. The outbound flight was pleasantly quiet all the way to the target. The escorts and some good formation flying kept the fighters away from us.

Guernsey missed the target. He claims the weather interfered with his ability to spot the target.
I will be sending him for some refresher training on target identification.

As we turned for home, we were attacked by a wave of five 190s followed by three 109s. Guernsey got one of the 190s and Clapp got one of the 109s. They caused minor damage to the plane including nicking me twice. They shot out Guernsey’s heater which led to some minor frostbite on the way home. Bean reports that he kept warm by doing exercises in the nose.

It was a long and quiet flight home and we arrived safely back at base. Turner, Guernsey, and I will be ready to fly in a couple of days.

[rhreiss]

AAR

OUTBOUND
We were able to take off without any problems. As forecast when were near Meteora, we encountered some fighter resistance. A Fw190 tried its luck at our 3. Al and Roy put enough holes into its wing and tail that it missed us and broke off the attack.


TARGET AREA
Once we were in the target area we saw no fighter activity, but the weather had turned bad and the target was completely obscured. The flak on the run from the IP to the target was an effective, but with the bad weather Billy was a little late with his bomb release and while he was on target we were assessed as 20% effective. After bombs away no fighters or flak interfered with us as the squadron got organized at the RP.

INBOUND
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
XO 79th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[rhreiss]

AAR
We got the word that Charlie would be back on flight status after this mission, and that instead of a copilot from the spare crew pool squadron XO had decided to fly with us as the copilot. More experienced pilots said don’t think of it as anything more than a check ride which didn’t help my nervousness at all.

OUTBOUND
We took off and joined the formation without any problems. The XO perform the copilot duties and other than that didn’t engage in much chit chat. As we neared Meteora we were attacked by a Me109 and a Me110. Paul and JK shot up the 109 with no parachute observed as it spiraled out of sight. AK turned the Me110 into a fireball.

TARGET AREA
Once in the target area, one of the other bombers was taking evasive action as it was attacked and we had to maneuver to avoid a mid air but were able to maintain our place in the formation. The flak was ineffective and despite the poor weather AK released on target and was assessed as 50% coverage. After bomb release there was no additional flak. After we reach the RP we encountered our most intense fighter resistance. A Me109 made the initial attack at our 9 and Paul managed to do enough damage to it that it broke off the attack without scoring a hit. After that it was a trio of Me109s all coming high. Bernie get the one at 1030 causing it to break off the attack. The one our 12 must of been pretty green as he broke off quickly after Paul dinged him. The final one at our 3 managed to score couple of hits doing superficial damage on his first pass. When he tried re-attack Paul and AK turned him in to a fireball.

INBOUND
The flight back to base was uneventful. We had a routine landing at Giulia Airfield. Once we were at the post mission debriefing the XO complemented me on the crew’s performance and combat discipline. He then thanked the crew for the opportunity to fly with them. 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

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Maumee River (5)
Crew Commander: 1st Lt. F Sawyer
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 2 May 44
Mission #: 27
Target: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard

Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status
Pilot: 1st Lt. F Sawyer (5) {0} AM
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. A Miller (4) {0}
Bombardier 2nd Lt. J Travis (5) {1} AM
Navigator: 2nd Lt. SF Poorman (5) {2} AM
Engineer: MSgt. N Backus (5) {3} AM
Ball Gunner: Sgt. S Therwachter (5) {2} AM
Radio Oper.: Sgt. LS Baker (5) {0} AM
Pt Waist G: Sgt. WW Miller (5) {0} AM
Stbd Waist G: Sgt. EM Smith (5) {1} AM
Tail Gunner: Sgt. JC Welch (5) {1} AM

Bomb Percentage: 0%

Bomber Disposition: Tail O2, Port Landing Gear, Superficial Damage (24 Peckham Points)

Casualties: n/a

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (0:109, 4:190, 2:110)
Damaged: (0:109, 1:190, 1:110)
Destroyed: (0:109, 1:190, 1:110)
Welch: 190
Travis: 110

Special Note:
1st Lt. F Sawyer: AM
2nd Lt. J Travis: AM
2nd Lt. SF Poorman: AM
MSgt. N Backus: AM
Sgt. S Therwachter: AM
Sgt. LS Baker: AM
Sgt. WW Miller: AM
Sgt. EM Smith: AM
Sgt. JC Welch: AM

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

After an extended stay in the hospital, Lt. Sawyer has rejoined the Maumee River for this mission. As much as we loved hosting the Major, it is good to have our regular co-pilot back.

We took off with out incident and settled into the middle of the formation. Along the Italian coastline we encountered enemy fighters. Three 190s attacked us. Welch got one of them and the rest fled. In Zone 7 a single 190 flew down out of the sun at us. We missed him and he missed us.

Over the target zone we took some minor damage from flak guns. A combination of the flak and the poor target weather meant Travis was off target and we turned for home.

On the way home we were attacked by a pair of 110s. Travis got one of them and we clipped the other one.

We arrived back at base and got into the landing pattern. Sawyer put down the starboard landing gear and heard the click as it locked into position. He went do to the same for the port side. No click. He tried again. No click. I got on the intercom asking for someone to have a look at the port gear. Therwachter reported that it was half down.

“Damn it” I heard Backus swear and went to grab is wrench. He got the gear down and we were able to land safely. That was a close one.

[crushedhat]

(OOC - Originally mistakenly posted under mission 26.)

B24D: Laid Back Lady LLS
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 2 May 44
MISSION NBR. 27/This Bomber 25
TARGET: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Middle Squadron, Middle


Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield, (25) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: 1LT Elliott Peterson, (25) [0] LC
Bombardier: 1LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (25) [9] LC
Navigator: Navigator: 1LT Bruce Ellison, (24) [5 1/2] LC *
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton, (25) [39 2/3] LC LC *
Radio Operator: SSgt Daniel (Danny) Garson, (25) [0] LC
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston, (25) [18 5/6] LC LC
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Peter Carson, (25) [7 2/3] LC
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt Allen Wentz (3) [1 5/6]
Tail Gunner: SSgt Douglas (Doug), Richard, (25) [25 5/6] LC LC
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Me 109 4=2 KIA, 1 Damaged, 1 Undamaged (2 Green, 1 Ace)

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton: Me 109

Bomb Run: On Target, 40%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x1 (2), #1 Engine Oil Tank Leak: Mechanical Failure (15+5)
Peckham Points: 22 Peckham Points, AC ready 3 May 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf
Co-Pilot: 1LT Elliott Peterson: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf
Bombardier: 1LT Charles (Charlie) Martell: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton: Air Medal 6th Oak Leaf
Radio Operator: SSgt Daniel (Danny) Garson: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston: Air Medal 4th Oak Leaf
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Peter Carson: Air Medal 5th Oak Leaf
Tail Gunner: SSgt Douglas (Doug), Richard: Air Medal 5th Oak Leaf

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital: None

Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield
Co-Pilot: 1LT Elliott Peterson
Bombardier: 1LT Charles (Charlie) Martell
Engineer: MSgt Michael Newton
Radio Operator: SSgt Daniel (Danny) Garson
Ball Turret Gunner: SSgt Joseph (Joe) Blaston
Port Waist Gunner: SSgt Peter Carson
Tail Gunner: SSgt Douglas (Doug), Richard

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
As the crew of Laid Back Lady dismount, TSgt Mason and the rest of the ground crew are ready. Already having popped the corks on the Champaign bottles, the shake them up and proceed to hose the crew of Lady down in celebration of completing their twenty-fight mission. All but two of them, that is.

While Sgt Allen Wentz is relatively new, 1LT Bruce Ellison is part of the original crew that rained together in the US and then flew Lady to Italy. But, an early injury caused Ellison to miss one mission. Trying not to let his own feelings of disappointment interfere with the celebration, he puts on a brave smile.

Ellison’s smile turns genuine when Maj Paul Garfield waves his hands for quiet and announces, “Bruce, The rest of us, the original Ladys, don’t feel right leaving you behind. So, we’ve all agreed to fly one more mission so that we can all go home together.” Ellison is left speechless, tears forming in his eyes.

For his part, Wentz tries to be happy for his crewmates, not dreaming they’d fly another twenty-two missions for him. Seeing Wentz reaction, Garfield pulls him aside. “Don’t worry, Wentz, I’ll stick around a few more to make sure you get hooked up with a good crew.”

“Thanks, Skip…Sir,” Wentz corrects himself, recalling the Major’s fussiness about military decorum. For once, Garfield lets it slide, clapping Wentz on the back as he leads him over to joinin the celebration.

A Relatively uneventful twenty-fifth mission for most of the crew. Takeoff and assembly went well and we were soon on our way.

As we left Italy behind (Zone 4) we did see an enemy patrol in the distance. But they didn’t bother us. Crossing from Albania to Yugoslavia (Zone 6) Temptacious fell out of formation due to a series of mechanical failures.

Near Meteora (Zone 7), and after our escort got pulled, we finally saw some action. Four Me 109s bore in on us. Only two flew away, and one of them was trailing thick oily smoke. While we got hit, it was all superficial damage.

We saw some EA attacking other bombers in the formation during target ingress (Zone 8), though we were unmolested. The same can be said for the flak, which was wide of the mark. 1LT Martell put a respectable 40% of bombs on target, then we turned for home. We faced no opposition on target egress.

I’m beginning to think there is some kind of curse hanging over the border between Yugoslavia and Albania (Zone 6). AS already mentioned, the Gremlins got Temptacious on the way in and they hit us on the way home, the #1 Engine Oil Tank springing a leak. Fortunately, it didn’t catch fire and stopped leaking as we headed out over the Adriatic (Zone 5). After that, it was an uneventful flight back home and a textbook landing despite the lousy weather now over Giulia.

TSgt Mason and the rest of th ground crew were there to fete our twenty-fifth mission. However, as 1LT Ellison missed out on one mission due tohis injury earlier in the war, the rest of the boys decided to fly one more so they could all go home just as they arrived, together. I’ll be staying on a few more missions to initiate a new bomber and crew, and make sure that Sgt Wentz doesn’t languish in the Spare Pool.

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

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Miss Keweenaw (2)

Crew Commander: 1st Lt. C Smith
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: High
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 2 May 44
Mission #: 27
Target: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard

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

Bomb Percentage: 75%

Bomber Disposition: None (0 Peckham Points)

Casualties: n/a

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (0:109, 1:190, 2:110) 1:410
Damaged: (0:109, 0:190, 0:110) 0:410
Destroyed: (0:109, 0:190, 2:110) 0:410
Brewbaker: 110
Lewis: 110

Special Note:
2nd Lt. W Hutchinson awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

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

A second mission today for the Miss K. The crew were feeling confident this morning that we could have better outing than last time and not to spoil the ending, but they were right.

We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the formation. It was quiet all the way to the target zone. As we approached the target we were attacked by a pair of 110s. Brewbaker and Lewis promptly shot down both of them.

Light flak didn’t come anywhere near the plane allowing Hutchinson to line up the target. 75% on the target earned him a shiny new DFC for his uniform.

We turned for home and were attacked by a 109 and a 410. We missed them and they missed us. The rest of the flight home was quiet and we arrived safely back at base.

Steller bomb run, two confirmed kills, no damage, and no casualties. Not bad.

[rcastillo]

B-17G San Antonio Rose
79th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Low Squadron, Middle
Mission Date: 2 May 1944
Mission #: 27
Aircraft Mission #: 7
Target: Marshalling Yard @ Larissa, Greece

Pilot - 1LT Salvatore Morgan (7)
Co-Pilot - 2LT Clyde Pope (3)
Bombardier - 2LT Ervin Powell (1)
Navigator - 2LT Daniel Haley (1)
Engineer - T/SGT Orville Paul (7)
Radio Operator - S/SGT Jessie Francis (7)
Ball Gunner SGT Edward Gould (7)
Port Waist Gunner - SGT Calvin Tyler (7)
Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Ray Shepherd (7)
Tail Gunner - SGT Lowell Collins (5)

Casualties - Bombardier - 2LT Ervin Powell LW - RTD

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Enemy Aircraft Claims: Bombardier - 2LT Ervin Powell 1 x 190, Port Waist Gunner - SGT Calvin Tyler 1 x 109

Disposition - Aircraft safe at base

B-24J Dixie Belle
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Middle Squadron, Middle
Mission Date: 2 May 1944
Mission #: 27
Aircraft Mission #: 5
Target: Marshalling Yard @ Larissa, Greece

Pilot - 1LT Frank Morrow (5)
Co-Pilot - 2LT Edgar Carroll (5)
Bombardier - 2LT Alton Rush (3)
Navigator - 2LT Phillip Lloyd (3)
Engineer - T/SGT Jessie Butler (5)
Radio Operator - S/SGT Clifford Patton (5)
Ball Gunner - SGT Alton Maxwell (5)
Port Waist Gunner - SGT Ernest Peters (5)
Starboard Waist Gunner - SGT Sam Rocha (5)
Tail Gunner - SGT Billy Smith (5)

Casualties - Port Waist Gunner - SGT Ernest Peters LW - RTD

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Enemy Aircraft Claims: None

Disposition - Aircraft safe at base

[medic1]

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

Pilot: 1st Lt Jerry Burch
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron
Middle Squadron: Middle
Mission Date: 2 May 1944
Mission Number: 027
Mission This Bomber: 05
Mission Target: Larissa, Greece - Marshalling Yard

CREW/POSITION/RANK	CURRENT MISSION	PREVIOUS CLAIMS	THIS MISSION	STRESS POINTS	STATUS
Pilot 1st Lt Jerry Burch	16	0	0	2	RTD
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Hank McAlister	17	0	0	2	RTD
Bombardier 2nd Lt Cliff Lockwood	6	1	0	1	RTD
Navigator 2nd Lt Emmett Towns	6	1	0	1	RTD
Engineer S/Sgt Bart Dillon	15	5.5	1	3	RTD
R/O S/Sgt Bill Payne	16	0	0	4	LW/RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Mark Harrison	16	6.5	0	1	RTD
PWG Sgt Phil Merrick	16	.5	0	1	RTD
SWG S/Sgt Jared Tarallo	3	0	0	1	RTD
Tail Gunner Sgt Donald Adkins	1	0	0	0	RTD

Bomb Run: On
On Target: 20%
B-24 Damage: 9 Hits
Superficial x 2 (4)
Flight Deck x 1
-RO LW (2)
Port Wing x 2
-superficial (2)
-inboard fuel tank leak (10)
Starboard Wing x 2
-superficial x 1 (2)
-wing root (25)
Bomb Bay x 1
-superficial (2)
Tail x 1
- superficial (2)
Peckham Points: 49
Repair Time: Overnight
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Jay Decker (+2 mod)

Landing: Safe at Lecce

E/A TYPE	ENCOUNTERED	DESTROYED	PROBABLE	DAMAGED	INTERCEPTED
Bf-109	0	0	0	0	0
Bf-110	0	0	0	0	0
C-202	0	0	0	0	0
C-205	0	0	0	0	0
Fw-190	0	0	0	0	0
G-50	0	0	0	0	0
He-112	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	1	0	1	0	0
Me-410	3	1	2	0	0
Re-2001	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	4	1	2	0	0

Confirmed Claims: 1
S/Sgt Bart Dillon 1 x Me-410
Casualties: 1
S/Sgt Bill Payne LW – Torn trapezius muscle. RTD 16th May 1944
Award/ Promotions Requests:
PH S/Sgt Bill Payne
OLC to AM (2nd Awarded) S/Sgt Bart Dillon
Promotion Reviews:
S/Sgt Bart Dillon sfFzLiMs1-6
Stress Points this Mission: 0
Mission Notes: Fuel forced crew to divert to Lecce Airfield.

After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules):
Zone 1: Beautiful weather as we took off and formed up.
Zone 2-7: Nothing to report.
Zone 8: We had watched the landscape below becoming more and more obscured by heavy cloud cover the closer we came to the target zone. At the IP we knew that we had several challenges caused by the weather and fighters as we encountered two waves of Goring’s Goons.

Three 410 came in low at 4:30 and two at 9:00. The leading 9:00 punctured a port fuel tank and wounded radioman Payne. Circling, he attacked from 3 high but Dillon hit him on the port side of the engine and fuselage. It turned over on its back and spun out of control.

The 4:30 walked hits along the wings, hitting a wing root and a flap. The Kraut returned at 7:30 low where he ran into some heavy fire from Harrison’s ball turret and disappeared into the clouds below, fate unknown.

As the inaccurate flak popped off, I handed control to Lockwood for the bomb run as I had Dillon drop down from his turret to calculate our fuel loss. It was determined that we couldn’t make it home, but we could make the base at Lecce.

Lockwood managed to get enough of a glimpse of the marshaling yard to plant 20% of our payload onto it and we turned for the rally point.

INBOUND

A single Ju-88 appeared at 6 low and was heavily damaged by Harrison and ran away to hide in the clouds.
Zone 7: We radioed the squadron that we were leaving the formation and heading for Lecce. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any fighters afterwards as we made our way alone.
Zone 6-4: Nothing to report.
Zone 5: Approaching Lecce, we dropped a red flare and executed a perfect landing (gotta love rolling double sixes!).

Payne was rushed off to the hospital and will be on the mend for the next couple of weeks while we helped a ground crew with the repairs so we could leave the next morning for Giulia.

This was our second mission in a row where we had a crew member lost to us while they recuperated from their wounds. I guess that we should be thankful that both will recover eventually rejoin us in time.

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

1-6

[Grondeaux]

B-24J-40-CF 42-50498 Suzy Q 
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Middle squadron, middle
Mission Date: 2 May 1944
Mission #: 27
Aircraft Mission #: 6
Target: Marshalling yard, Larissa, Greece

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	2LT	Ira Gleason	2		0
Copilot	2LT	Gordon Wiggins	2		1
Bombardier	2LT	Floyd Cobb	2		0
Navigator	2LT	Harold McBride	2		0
Nose Turret Gunner	SGT	Matthew Hartley	2	1	1
Flight Engineer	SSGT	Clarence Maddox	2		0
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Alton Pope	2	1	1
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Carl Heller	2		1
Right Waist Gunner	SGT	Lyle Riley	2		0
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	Archibald Brockner	2		0		Replacement

Crew Chief: SGT Clyde Clemens (29 skill points; roll every zone)

Bomb Run: 0 %; bombs jettisoned

Casualties: none

Attackers: none

Claims: none.

Credits: none.

Award/Promotion Requests: none.

In Hospital/Recovery: SGT Matthew Hartley hospitalized due to illness. RTD 10 May.

Aircraft Damage: No damage.

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)
-----------------------------------------------------
This could be described as a milk run, I guess. No damage, no fighters and no casualties. However, Hartley got violently ill over Yugoslavia (Zone 6). We moved him to the radio room where he proceeded to make a mess of himself and the radio room. Riley moved up to man the nose turret, where he was never needed.

When it came time to drop our bombs, they refused to release. [Mechanical failure rolled back in Zone 2]. When they pulled off the target, the now-lighter 78th left us behind and we had a lonely trip back to Giulia with McBride navigating us safely back home. Cobb was eventually able to jettison the bombs over Greece [Z7 inbound]. He tried to time his release attempt so that, if successful, we wouldn’t hit anything except the ground.

Hartley’s going to be out of action for a week or so. I sure hope none of the rest of the crew catches whatever the hell he caught.

V/r,
2LT Ira Gleason, First Pilot
B-24J Suzy Q
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[campsawyer]