Mission 30: Wiener Neustadt, Austria

[royalblue]

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

Pilot: 1Lt William Rose

Mission Date: 11 May 1944
Mission: 30

Previous Missions in Bomber: 4

Target: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk No. 1
Target Type: Factory

Formation: High
Position: Middle

CREW

Position	Rank/Name	Missions	Mission Kills	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt William Rose	5	0	0	AM	RTD
Co-Pilot	2Lt Nelson Clark	5	0	0	AM	RTD
Bombardier	2Lt Philip Blair	5	0	1	PH/AM	DOW
Navigator	2Lt Louis Clement	5	0	1	PH/AM	RTD
Engineer	T/Sgt Thomas Franklin	5	0	3	PH	RTD
Radio Op.	S/Sgt Samuel Holland	5	0	1	AM	RTD
Ball Gunner	Sgt Felix Silva	5	0	0	AM	RTD
Port WG	Sgt Leonard Kuiper	5	1	1	AM	RTD
Starboard WG	Sgt Martin Owens	5	0	1	AM	RTD
Tail Gunner	Sgt Maks Marchenko	5	1	2	PH	RTD

Bomb Run: Off target - 0%

Enemy Aircraft:

Type	No.	Intercepted	Destroyed	Damaged
Fw-190	2	2	0	0
Bf-109	4	1	2	1
Me-110	0	0	0	0
Total	6	3	2	1

Claims:

- Sgt Kuiper, x1 Bf-109

- Sgt Marchenko, x1 Bf-109

Damage:

- Superficial x1

- Rafts destroyed

- Starboard flaps destroyed

- Starboard waist gun destroyed

Peckham Points: - 56, repaired overnight.

Casualties:

- 2Lt Phillip Blair, SW - Shrapnel lodged in skull, inflamed deep tissue and brain. Died of wounds during post-flight surgery.

Awards:

- All crew awarded Air Medal for 5th mission.

- 2Lt Blair, Purple Heart (Posthumously)

After-Action Report:

OUTBOUND

Takeoff/Zone 1: Good takeoff, despite the rain.

Zone 2-9: Nothing to report.

Zone 10: Entering Austria we made visual contact with the enemy, but our fellow bombers seemed to take care of most of them. Unfortunately, while scanning for targets with his turret T/Sgt Franklin reported a loss of power to his gun over the intercom. He informed the rest of us his manual crank still worked, but the odds of him hitting anything were worryingly low. Having now had mechanical failures in 3 of our 5 missions I intend to make a formal complaint about our chief mechanic. Issues like this are liable to cost us our lives one day, and if he can't keep our bird working I want to find a man who can.

Zone 11/Target: Over the target area we were unbothered by enemy fighters thanks to our little friends, but received heavy flak. Structural damage to the Northern Queen itself was light, but we lost our inflatable emergency rafts and Sgt Owens had his gun damaged beyond repair. Worst of all, moments before we were in position to drop our payload, 2Lt Blair was severely wounded by a burst of shrapnel that punched right through the bottom of the aircraft next to the bomb sight and into his skull. He was able to release our bombs before collapsing, but they all fell just shy of the factory. Our navigator, 2Lt Clement, shouted for help over the intercom; he was starting to panic as he tried to both stabilize Blair and keep us on course while the formation turned to a new heading after the bomb run. Sgt Owens, now out of a job without his machinegun, ran to help. Together they managed to stabilize Blair but there was little else they could do for him. It was painfully clear just how serious his wound was; and a minor miracle our bombardier wasn't dead already.

INBOUND

Target/Zone 11: To add to our problems we were swarmed by four 109s leaving the target area. Our fighter cover managed to down one of them but the rest closed in on us. I had Sgt Owens take over the nose gun while Clement stayed with Blair. Despite his relative unfamiliarity with the nose turret he still proved up to the task, and was able to put enough holes in a 109 approaching from our 12 level that it was unable to hit us back and broke off its attack. Meanwhile our port waist gunner Sgt Kuiper also found his mark on a 109 coming from our 10:30 high; sending it down in flames for his first kill. Unfortunately, this meant our 1:30 had to be left vulnerable and this fact was taken advantage of by the remaining 109 who was able to destroy our starboard wing flaps. Smelling blood, the enemy pilot got greedy and came around for a second pass at our 6 level. Sgt Marchenko put his tail gun to good use and sent the German pilot to join his burning wingman.

Zone 10-2: Nothing to report.

Zone 1/Landing: As we approached the tarmac we sent out a flare to signal wounded on board. Watching the ambulances speed towards us as we taxied to a halt I could feel myself starting to get sick to my stomach. The adrenaline had kept me focused for the most part until then, but it was finally starting to wear off. Clement had kept me up to date on Blair's condition over the intercom for the remainder of the flight but the report's weren't good; our bombardier was slipping in and out of consciousness and had lost a lot of blood from his skull. The unspoken fear in Clement's voice told me it was likely only a matter of time, and the next few minutes felt like a blur as we delicately carried Blair out of the aircraft's nose and into the waiting arms of our squadron medics.

[tomt1999]

MISSION DATE: 11 May 44
MISSION # 30
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk No. 1
Bombing Altitude: 21,000 feet
Bomb Load: 8x 500-lb RDX

B-17G-20BO-42-31571 "Big Operator"
79th Squadron

CREW
1LT Perry Williams - Pilot - Missions: 1
2LT Edwin Clark - CoPilot - Missions: 1
2LT Benjamin Collier - Navigator - Missions: 1
2LT James Lucas - Bombardier - Missions: 1
T/SGT Ira Carroll - Engineer - Missions: 1
SGT Stanley Frey - Ball Turret - Missions: 1 | Stress: 1
SGT Alberto Navarro - Waist Gunner - Missions: 1
SGT Leon Goldstein - Waist Gunner - Missions: 1
S/SGT Patrick Good - Radio Op - Missions: 1 | Stress: 1
SGT Eugene Pearson - Tail Gunner - Missions: 1

BOMBING OFF 0%

CLAIMS none

CASUALTIES none

DAMAGE 10 PP fuel tank hit

ENEMY A/C
2x Bf110 - 1 Drive Off, 1 Damaged

AAR

The first mission for the crew of Big Operator - just in from the ZOI. Our ship was very 

well prepared by our crew chief; takeoff and assembly went well.

Over Austria near the target, two 110s attacked. One was driven off by our escort and 

the tail and ball gunners drove off the other one belching smoke but seemingly under control.

Nothing can prepare one for flak - not all the training films in the world can describe the 

"sitting duck" feeling one gets when the sky fills with black puffs of the death. We thought 

they'd missed us but just as I handed off the aircraft to Lucas, the bombardier, we were 

hit in the port wing inboard fuel tank. It self-sealed, but still threw off Lucas' aim and so 

the bombs went down but god-knows-where.

The inbound trip was uneventful and we landed safely at Giulia. First one in the books!

1LT Perry Williams - "Big Operator"

[rhreiss]

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

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


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

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



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

[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).

Two decent length missions in two days shows how serious the brass are getting about damaging the Nazis’ industry. With great escort cover I’m hoping we don’t see too many bandits making it through to us.


Mission: The whole trip went pretty well. Magic nailed the one FW190 that got through over Yugoslavia on the way out, but while we did attract a few other customers, the escorts did a great job in keeping most of them away.

The one that did have the worst effect on us was a 110, surprisingly. Coming directly up from below, Crawford tagged him, but the Jerry pumped some shots into us. A shell exploded in the nose area, but Howe and Mack luckily only suffered minor wounds. Howe just had a scratch on his chest; Mack was a little more serious with a broken nose. They patched each other up, and got on with their jobs.

Oscar must have been out for revenge when he let the bombs go, as the recce report had 95% of them on the target! The flak, in and out of the target, was ineffective today, and although we had a couple of other enemies make it into range of us, they only put some extra ventilation in the plane without damaging any of the systems.

It was a very long, quiet run home, with no further trouble.

Some others, however, just like every trip didn't make it back. Just prior to the IP, Magic reported a B-17 above us on fire: "9 chutes only, guys, dammit!!" His curse was mentally echoed by all of us. Ten more buddies that we won't see at debrief (Aircraft later identified as "Wabbit Tracks"). Over the target, Southey called in stating that a B-24 would be passing us on fire, but the flaming hulk went well clear of us. Both he and Magic reckoned everyone got out (Aircraft later identified as "Grim Reaper"). On the trip home, about 30 minutes from Zadar, another Liberator came gliding down with all engines stopped - probably a fuel problem. Thankfully, all crew managed to bail out successfully, so the partisans will hopefully pick up at least some of them (Aircraft later identified as "Angry Pigeon").


After we landed, the medics met us and immediately declared Howe fit for duty. They whisked Mack off to the Base Hospital to get his nose checked out, and it seems he is grounded for a week.

Quite an evening followed, as we celebrated Howe’s upcoming DFC for his bombing accuracy, along with promotions for Haley and Southey. Several of the guys will also be getting their second oak leaf clusters for fifteen missions flown, so we made the most of the time, saying another farewell to “Wilde”, as Herschel will be back on the bombsight next time out.

A pretty good day, all round, but those two minor wounds in the nose could just as easily have been two more dead friends – a reminder that luck plays a huge part in our survival up there.


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

[ChefEd]

B-24D Maggie’s Drawers (Spare)
B-24D-10-CO-42-40252
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Middle
Aircraft Position: Middle
Mission Date: 11 MAY 1944
Mission Number: 30
This Aircraft: 2
Target: Wiener-Neustadt, Germany, Werk No 1

Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Mission	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	1Lt Kent "Moon Man" Mooney	6		AM	RFD
Co-Pilot	2Lt Edward "Eddie" Cunningham	6		AM / PH	RFD
Navigator	2Lt Charles "Chuck" Powell	3	0		RFD
Bombardier	2Lt Andrew "Andy" Carpenter	1	0		RFD
Engineer	S/Sgt Irvin "Field" Marshall	13	7.58	AM / PH / DFC / Ace	RFD	1
Radio Op	S/Sgt Xavier "Zavey" Williams	6	0	AM	RFD
Ball Turret	Sgt Wallace "Nehi" Wells	10	0.33	AM(2) / PH	RFD
Right Waist	Sgt Woodrow "Woody" Neal	15	1	AM(3)	RFD
Left Waist	Sgt Timothy "Sallie" Salisbury	1	0		RFD
Tail Gunner	Sgt Evan "Sparkle" Fryberger	7	2	AM	RFD
Crew Chief	S/Sgt Elmer Hoffman	4			Avg +0

Bomb Run: On Target, 50 %

Casualties: None

Peckham Points: 55 Peckham Points, Two ( 2 ) Day(s) to Repair

Damage:

Left Tail Plane	25
Right Cheek Gun Jam	10
Top Turret Power	20

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft

Type	Encountered	Driven Off	Damaged	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Me-109	6	4	0	2	1.5	0
Fw-190	4	3	0	1	0.33	0
Me-410	1	1	0	0	0	0

Claims

Position	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Top	2	1.33	0
Tail	1	0.5	0

Awards:
Air Medal
Sgt Wallace Wells, 2nd Award
Sgt Woodrow Neal, 3rd Award

Purple Heart
None

Promotions:
Sgt Wallace Wells to S/Sgt

AFTER ACTION REPORT
This mission might qualify as a milk run.

We did face eleven enemy aircraft. Eight were driven off, and three were shot down.

Flak did find us on ingress to target, hitting the starboard tail plane. That buffeting did not affect Lt Carpenter’s aim, as he dropped 50% on target, on his first mission.

On the homeward leg, Gremlins made their appearance. First the right cheek gun jammed up, and later the top turret lost power, which was soon restored. I guess these things can be expected in an older bird.

Submitted by,
1Lt Kent Mooney, Pilot
B-24D Maggie’s Drawers
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF

[limburger59]

B-17F ANXIOUS ANGEL
        Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Low Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 11 May 44
MISSION # 30
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Nathaniel "Nate" Sutherland                    (16) AM+ PH            
Co-Pilot: 2LT Joseph "Joey" Goodman                      (8) 
Navigator: 2LT Forrest "Candy Man" Sweet              (9) PH AM
Bombardier: 2LT Leon “Gold” Oro                            (5) 
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile "Plug" Putman                (19) [6.5] AM+ DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT Christopher "Varnish" Varney         (10) AM
Ball Turret: SGT Patricio "Italy" Vechitto                   (7) [1] AM PH
Right Waist: SGT Sidney "Sid" Beck                        (15)[.5] AM+
Left Waist: SGT Glen "Mac" McPherson                     (7) AM                               1x 109 destroyed
Tail Gunner: SGT Albert "Tiny" Plimson                     (8) [1] AM                          LW          

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Casualties: SGT Albert Plimson: LW - Torn Tricep - RTD 11 JUNE 44

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x5 (5)
Light Wound (2)
P. Cheek Gun destroyed (10)
Structural N/E (5)
P. Tail Root (25)

Peckham Points: 47 - Repairs completed 13 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 14
        5x Bf-109: 1 Destroyed (confirmed), 1 Driven Off
        9x FW-190: 2 Probables, 1 Damaged, 4 Driven Off
        
Total Enemy Aircraft: Kills = 1 Confirmed, Probables (FBOA) = 2, Damaged (FCA) = 1, Driven Off by Escort = 5

Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Leon “Gold” Oro
        Air Medal - first oak leaf cluster for 10 Completed Missions: S/SGT Christopher "Varnish" Varney
        Air Medal - second oak leaf cluster for 15 Completed Missions: SGT Sidney "Sid" Beck

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

[limburger59]

B-17F WABBIT TRACKS - Down in Flames
        Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
High Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 11 May 44
MISSION # 30
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Charles "Charlie" Hawkins                     (4)                                 POW
Co-Pilot: 2LT Cody "M&Ms" Marsh                        (12) AM+ PH+                 POW
Navigator: 2LT Lawrence "Larry" Greene               (8) AM                           POW
Bombardier: 2LT Benjamin "Shermy" Sherman     (13) AM+                        POW
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Matthew "Pyro" Lowne          (18) [6.33] AM++ DFC     POW
Radio Op: S/SGT Herbert "Herbie" Kelvin              (4) PH                            POW
Ball Turret: SGT Lorne "Kirk" Kirkendall                (6)[1]                             KIA
Right Waist: SGT Jessup "Pecan Pie" Spears          (9) AM PH                       POW
Left Waist: SGT Thomas "Portland" Baker             (6)                                  POW
Tail Gunner: SGT Theodore "Teddy" Swanson        (4)                                  POW

Bomb Run: DNB

Casualties: SGT Lorne "Kirk" Kirkendall: KIA
        Remaining crew all POWs.

Peckham Points: Total

Disposition: Down in Flames over Wiener Neustadt

Attackers: 3
        3x FW-190: 3 Driven Off

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

The failure of the #1 Turbo-Supercharger in Zone 10 forced the decision on the commander of Wabbit Tracks to either (1) Abort, (2) Drop out of the Formation and bomb the target by himself, or (3) Jettison the bombs and remain in the formation, assisting in the integrity of the Combat Box. 

One zone later a Flak burst set the Starboard wing on fire. So much for staying in formation... Nine men bailed out, leaving the dead Ball Gunner onboard. (He had been killed by a different Flak burst.)

[campsawyer]

[Grondeaux]

B-24J-40-CF 42-50498 Suzy Q 
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Middle squadron, middle
Mission Date: 11 May 1944
Mission #: 30
Aircraft Mission #: 9
Target: Werk No. 1, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Loadout: 8 x M43 500 lb. RDX bombs

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	1LT	Ira Gleason	5		1	AM
Copilot	2LT	Gordon Wiggins	5		0	AM
Bombardier	2LT	Floyd Cobb	5		0	AM
Navigator	2LT	Harold McBride	5		2	AM
Nose Turret Gunner	SGT	Matthew Hartley	4	1	1
Flight Engineer	SSGT	Clarence Maddox	5		0	AM
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Alton Pope	5	1	0	AM
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Carl Heller	5	1	1	AM
Right Waist Gunner	SGT	Lyle Riley	5		1	AM
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	Archibald Brockner	5	1	0	AM	Replacement

Crew Chief: SGT Clyde Clemens (23 skill points; roll every zone)

Bomb Run: On target, 30%

Casualties: none

Attackers: 6

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

Claims: none

Credits: none

Award/Promotion Requests:
    Air Medal for completing 5 missions: SGT Matthew Hartley

In Hospital/Recovery: none

Aircraft Damage: Cat E

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)
-----------------------------------------------------
A rainy take-off and M43s… That keeps my mind on things. Not that it normally isn’t, mind you. But the combination of a heavily laden Liberator, rain, and touchy acid fuses does tend to focus one’s attention on the task at hand. At least it’s light rain. Stress inducing, but uneventful take-off and assembly.

Outbound
Zones 2-9: Nothing to report.

Zone 10: Some rockets are lobbed into the 78th’s formation. They miss us.

Target Zone (11)
[Lady Luck Smiles event]
Suddenly, it seems as if the suit heaters have gone on the fritz. But no, they are just struggling to keep us warm in a patch of unusally frigid air. There are intermittent bursts from our guns as the gunners try to ensure that their weapons don’t freeze and jam.
The Germans bring down The Grim Reaper. We count ten parachutes.
Only a pair of ME-210s comes after us. One falls to a Mustang. The other makes a single pass at us and misses.
We enter the flak zone which is intense, as advertised. A D-model Liberator goes down in flames after taking a flak hit to the right wing. We’re hit, but it appears to be minor.
Cobb’s drop seems to be acceptable.
The flak on egress is much less intense and all misses us.
Three FW-190s are chased off by the 31st FG P-51s.

Inbound
Zone 10: A lone FW-190 gets tangled up with a P-51.

Zones: 9-7: Nothing to report.

Zone 6: A call comes over the radio from LT Stenson in Angry Pigeon that they are out of gas. The B-24 drops out of formation and parachutes blossom in the sky.

Zones 5-2: Nothing to report.

Landing: When we lower the landing gear, the right gear doesn’t. It refuses to respond to efforts to manually lower it, too. We alert the tower of our situation,
I get Suzy Q down just fine on the left main gear and nose wheel. But once our airspeed drops, so does the right wing and there’s the shrieking of tortured metal and a shower of sparks. We slide to a stop and all scramble out. The ambulance and crash trucks are right there but aren’t necessary.
Suzy Q will never fly again. But we are all okay.

V/r,
1LT Ira Gleason, First Pilot
B-24J Suzy Q
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[jpfatfingers]

B-17 G / Damned Yankees
Pilot: 1st Lt Joey Dimaggio
Squadron: 79th BS
Mission Date: 11 May 1944
Mission Number: 030
Mission This Bomber: 04
Mission Target: Weiner Neustadt, Aus - Werk #1 Facility

Bomber Position: Low Squadron / Tailgate Charlie

POSITION	RANK	NAME	MISSIONS COMPLETED	KILLS THIS MISSION	TOTAL KILLS	AWARDS	STATUS / FIT FOR DUTY
Pilot	1st Lt.	Joey Dimaggio	4			PPL Heart	FFD
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt.	Arnie Hayes*	2				FFD
Bombardier	2nd Lt.	G. "Babe" Ruth	4		2		FFD
Navigator	2nd Lt.	Louie Gehrig	4		1		FFD
Engineer	T/Sgt	"Yogi" Berra	4				FFD
Radio	T/Sgt	"Sparky" Lyle	4		0.5		FFD
Ball Gunner	Sgt	Ronny Guidry	4	1 - FW 190	1		FFD
Pt. Waist Gunner	Sgt	"Lefty" Gomer	4				FFD
Stbrd Waist Gunner	Sgt	"Goose" Gossage	4				FFD
Tail Gunner	Sgt	"Catfish" Hunter	4		0.5		FFD

*Temp replacement for 2nd Lt. Mickey Mantle, recovering from leg wound, est. FFD starting 5/12/44

BOMB RESULTS: Babe scores a 40% on target despite being rocked by heavy flak hits.
BOMBER DAMAGE: 4 hits from bogeys – Pt. Wing Eng #2 Oil Fire (extinguished), Nose (nav system KO’d), 2 SD; 4 hits from Flak – Stbrd Wing Root & Eng #4 (KO’d), SD hits on Pt. Wing and Waist.
PECKHAM POINTS: 130
LANDING: Safe landing at main base
BOMBER DISPOSITION: Repairing damage to nav system, stbrd wing root and stbrd engine #4.  Had crew chief also check Eng #2 after oil fire to ensure integrity and replenish both extinguishers.
CASUALTIES & STATUS: All A-OK & FFD
CLAIMS: Ball Gunner Sgt Ronnie Guidry - KO FW 190
AWARDS: None
PROMOTIONS: None
Respectfully submitted by 1st Lt. J. Dimaggio

AAR

Remaining with our crew on this mission at Copilot is 2nd Lt. Arnie Hayes, filling in for 2nd Lt. Mickey Mantle who we expect to get FFD clearance from the Docs after recovering from a punctured left thigh courtesy of a ME 109 slug on our 5/5 mission. For today’s mission we are flying across the Adriatic, then over Yugoslavia on our way to bomb the Werk #1 Facility in Weiner Neustadt, Austria. Weather at outset is dismal with low overcast & rain. That combined with the fact that we’ll be flying as “tail end Charlie” in the low squadron has an equally dismal effect on the crew’s morale. But I pump them back up with reminders that weather forecast over the target is good as is the base weather upon our return plus the fact that we’ll have good cover from P-51’s for the entire trip. The first half of the inbound flight is uneventful due in large part to the heavy cloud cover, but intel is spot on as we see our first wave of bogeys upon entering Yugo airspace, with 3 FW 190’s and 1 ME 109 seizing on our tailing position. P 51’s chase off 1 FW and ball gunner Ronnie G flames another for his first confirmed kill, while tail gunner Catfish fends off the ME 109 at 6H with a hail fire from his twin 50’s (FBOA). The remaining FW comes in at 12H, scoring hits on our Pt. Wing (#2 Eng Oil Fire) and Nose (KOing our nav system), but misses on his 2nd pass and departs. Thankfully we extinguish the fire quickly and being tail end of the low squadron, there’s little doubt as to where the target is located, so are able to remain in formation. Upon crossing into Austria (Z 10), we are approached by 2 109’s and 1 ME 110 but our little friends drive all away, as is the case upon entering the target zone (11) itself. Flak however is another story – heavy and accurate given our low position, tagging us with 4 hits. 2 on the Stbrd Wing, KOing Eng #4 (feathered) and dinging the wing root, while hits to the Pt Wing and Waist are thankfully only SD. Despite everything, we manage to hold our girl on course, allowing Babe to score a solid 40% of our load on target. Outbound Flak is much lighter but we still endure a near miss (DR 11) due to our low position and the bogeys are far from done with us as we are hit by 2 successive waves. The 3 109’s of the first wave are driven away or miss their marks and fly off. Much the same for the 2nd wave of 4 109’s, although 1 manages a SD hit from 12 LvL before disengaging thanks for FBOA fire from Babe’s chin twin 50’s. We beeline home taking advantage of mostly cloudy skies, arriving at base to broken clouds and a safe landing to successfully complete our 4th mission.

[superbee]

Group spare B17F Lost Angel (100BO-42-30428)     79th Bomber Sqdn     509th Bombardment Group

Mission #30 (8)     11 May 44     Wiener-Neustadt, Austria

Post mission status: bombed the target, landed safely at Gulia, two casualties, moderate battle damage

Pilot: 1Lt Ken Meade     Low Sqdn

Bomb run: 50%

		Missions Flown	enemy aircraft destroyed	awards	status after mission
pilot	1Lt Ken Meade	4	0		Fit For Duty
copilot	2Lt Jim Boyd	4	0		FFD
navigator	2Lt Robert Schilling	4	0		FFD
bombardier	2Lt Mike Kraft	4	0		FFD
flight engineer	S/Sgt Al Seaver	4	1 1/2		FFD
radio operator	S/Sgt Taylor Ross	2	0		FFD
ball turret gunner	Sgt Sid Natvig	4	2		FFD
port waist gunner	Sgt Zach Cameron	4	1	PH+	SW-IH
starboard waist gunner	Sgt Sal Verducci	4	1/2	PH	KIA
tail gunner	Sgt Jeff Cantrill	4	0		FFD

Axis fighters encountered: 14

	encountered	intercepted by escorts	destroyed by B17 gunners	FCA	FBOA
FW190's	5	1	1	1	0
Me109's	4	3	1	0	0
Me410's	5	3	0	0	1
totals	14	7	2	1	1

Casualties: 2

• Sgt Zach Cameron (SW-IH)
  
• Sgt Sal Verducci (KIA)

Aircraft damage: 109 Peckham pts. (flak and fire from enemy aircraft)

Aircraft disposition: as per group S-4 assessment

Claims: 2

• Sgt Sid Natvig: FW190 and Me109

Awards / Promotions:

• Purple Heart: Sgt Sal Verducci (posthumous), Sgt Zach Cameron

Mission narrative

As our regular mount was still undergoing repairs from damage suffered on yesterday’s mission, we were assigned a well-worn B17F from the group spare pool: Lost Angel – one of many “Angels” who seem to reside within the 509th. She flew well, took her punishment and brought us home – no issues, no complaints.

Two Me109s made a quick starboard run at us as we passed through the northwest tip of Yugoslavia. Ball turret gunner Sgt Sid Natvig destroyed one with a sustained burst of fire. Its wingman was driven off by P-51’s, which were a bit difficult to distinguish from the Messerschmitts.

Soon after passing into Austrian airspace, the group made a turn to the northeast and headed directly to the industrial complex at Wiener-Neustadt. Two bomber destroyer-type fighters approached us as we began the bomb run, but they were immediately engaged by the Mustangs, which seemed to be everywhere.

Flak, as predicted was thick and accurate over the target. We were thumped by several close bursts. Although the tail assembly seemed to absorb most of the damage, the most worrisome casualty was the top turret, whose machine guns were rendered unusable by a large chunk of red-hot, flying steel.

Lt Craft delivered an accurate bomb run and we turned south with the group, making a beeline for southern Italy.

Two small flights of Axis fighters attempted an intercept at this point in the flight. Two Me109’s were immediately pounced on by the Mustangs. But this allowed three Me410’s to make a climbing attack. One missed us and kept right on climbing. Another fell victim to a Mustang which had returned from chasing the 109’s. The third Me410, despite being heavily damaged by Lt Schilling manning a cheek gun, managed to hit us with a burst through the floor of the radio room and waist compartment, lightly wounding Sgt Verducci.

A gaggle of five FW190’s were waiting for us as we passed over a mountainous region of Yugoslavia. The P51’s were likely stretched thin at this point, but did manage to force one FW to break off its attack. The gunners acquitted themselves well in this skirmish, with the diminutive Sgt Natvig destroying his 2nd German fighter of this mission. S/Sgt Ross got a rare opportunity to use his radio compartment 50 cal. MG and made the most of it by apparently scaring off two FW’s with a withering stream of fire.

One FW, unfortunately, dove in on our tail and hit us with a mix of machine gun bullets and cannon shells, most of which impacted upon the waist compartment. The already wounded Sgt Verducci was killed, and Sgt Cameron’s right leg was practically severed at the knee.

The FW came back for another pass, was visibly damage by S/Sgt Ross’ fire, and retired from the scene.

The rest of the flight through Yugoslavia and over the Adriatic Sea was quiet, enabling the flight engineer (who had no functioning machine guns to man) to focus on rendering aid to the severely wounded waist gunner. His efforts likely saved the life of the young unlucky airmen who had suffered a minor injury the day before, although doctors at Gulia stated that it might be a week or more before he could be considered “out of the woods.”

1Lt Ken Meade
Pilot, B17F Lost Angel

[daveh]

80th Bombardment Squadron
B-17G Wild Child
Bomber Position: High Squadron
MISSION DATE: 11 May 44
MISSION # 30
TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk No. 1
Bombing Altitude: 21,000 feet
Bomb Load: 8x 500-lb RDX

Crew:
Pilot-1Lt Michael Smyser
Co-Pilot- 2Lt JT Thomas
Navigator-2Lt Chase Lester
Bombardier- 2Lt Brian Borden
Engineer-S/Sgt Alex Timmerman(5 confirmed air to air)
Radioman-S/Sgt Tyler Albright
Ball Turret Gunner-Sgt Lucas Hardwick
Port Waist Gunner-Mark Alvarez (Killion out for 6 weeks with injury)
Starboard Waist Gunner-Bubba Giroux (Blanchard out for 6 weeks with injury)
Tail Gunner-Sgt David Hodo

Bombing Accuracy: 13%
Damage to Aircraft: 51 Pts.
Enemy Aircraft Claimed: 2 1 Me-109 (right waist-1/2 credit) 1 Me210 (tail gunner-confirmed)

Debriefing

Takeoff went as usual, no issues flight was uneventful until we arrived over Yugoslavia-we encountered an Me109 in a vertical dive-we took a few hits from him before driving him off-he managed to knock out the co-pilots oxygen, but he went on to use the portable tank and we were ok....for a while. Then we were again ok until we were over the target area we were on target and dropped our payload-flak hit us on our way out-the #2 engine took a hit-but it didnt seem to do any damage but the area around the engine looked peppered with shrapnel damage. Back over Yugoslavia we were once again attacked and 3 Me109s attacked us-1 in a vertical climb-he hit the pilot compartment hitting the pilot-Micheal Smyser-luckily it was a minor shoulder wound-deep cut from a piece of metal-as another came around Sgt Giroux claimed that he got him and the ME burst into a fireball (Giroux would get 1/2 credit. An Me210 came in at the 6 oclock but Hodo was able to put lead into him-the wing was sawn off (full credit given on that one) Shortly after the #4 turbocharger went out and we lost engine#4. Over the base, the fuel transfer pump went out but we were able to manually transfer fuel and we landed without difficulty. I checked with the ground crew-they are going to replace the transfer pump, the turbocharger and will have the ship ready by tomorrow morning. Doc put 27 stitches in Smyser's shoulder, but he will be ready to fly tomorrow if needed. Smyser should get the purple heart for his shoulder wound.

JT Thomas Co-Pilot Wild Child

[patchall]

B17G 42-31599 "The Filthy Hag"

79th BS Position Low Squadron/Middle

DATE: 11 MAY 1944 MISSION: 4 TARGET: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk No. 1
BOMB RUN ON TARGET 40%

CREW CASUALTIES

Pilot - William Hamilton KIA

Navigator - Thomas Whiffen LW - Torn Muscle - overnight recovery

Radioman - Salvatore Williams LW - Torn flexor - Out 1 day

DAMAGE - 74 points - overnight repaired

AIRCRAFT STATUS - Ready

CREW CHIEF Horace Tyler (ROOKIE -1 DM to Repairs and Maintenance) - 4 missions served

AAR

Mrs. Hamilton,

It is with a heavy heart and profoundest grief that I must tell you that your son, William Hamilton, was killed in action in action in May 1944.

William and I went through many months of flight training and war together. It is hard for me to imagine going on without him. He encouraged me when I was down and helped me when I was having trouble. He died helping others, that was the kind of man Bill was.

I am not permitted to tell you the precise location or circumstances of the mission in which he lost his life, but be assured he was engaged in the great campaign to free Europe from the grip of tyranny.

After a successful bomb run, our aircraft was beset by a host of enemy fighters. Our aircraft’s tail gunner sustained damage to his oxygen system. Bill did not hesitate to take our aircraft down to a safe altitude in which the gunner could safely breathe. The lower altitude encouraged more attacks from enemy aircraft. Bill took a bullet in one such attack. I can assure you that his death was instantaneous.

The nature of Bill’s wound was such that his oxygen supply remained intact which allowed our tail gunner to plug back into the system. Our bomber was able to rejoin the formation preventing further attacks. We were able to return to our base unmolested after rejoining our squadron. If we had not been able to get back in formation, I am convinced we would have been destroyed. Bill’s sacrifice saved us all.

Your son was a dear friend and good man. He will be sorely missed.

Regards,

Harold Hilliard

Co-Pilot


Target for Today - Filthy Hag Mission 4 - S....pdf (407.87 KB)

[kozzackkelt]

B-17G: MAKING TIME (B17G- 5239TE-44-32652) Still being repaired: CAVILIER (B-17G-5302UC-44- 32891)
Pilot: 2LT. Byron Roberts
Missions for this bomber: 2
Squadron: 80th
Formation/Position: HIGH
Mission Date: 11 May 1944
Mission Number: 30
Target: Wiener-Neustadt, Austria / Werk No. 1

CREW (missions) {StressPts} E/A Wounds
Pilot: 2LT. Byron Roberts (2) {}
Co-Pilot: 2Lt. Charles Winston (2) {}
Bombardier: 2Lt. John Brownwood (2) {} [B%: 40-0] KIA (head)
Navigator: 2Lt. Olaf Thomason (2) {1} LW: minor laceration, left thigh (fit to continue combat duties)
Engineer: Sgt. Sean McHale (2) {} []
Radio Operator: George Pyle (2) {1}
Ball Turret: Sgt. David Jensen (2) {1} []
PWG: Sgt. Pete Carranza (2) {} SW: rib, inflamed heart, DOW
SWG: Sgt. Steve Tramelle (2) {1}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Alexandrus Krukowski (2) {} []

BOMB RUN: WAY OFF Target: 0%

Enemy Aircraft Encountered:3 3xFw190, 0xMe109, 0xMc205, 0xMe110, 0xMe210, 0xMe410, 0xIAR80

E/A Damaged: 0
E/A Probable: 1
E/A: Destroyed: 0
E/A Driven off by Fighter Escort: 1

Condition of B-17G ~ MAKING TIME: Damages - bomb release mechanism failure, bombardier, pilot compartment heat out, radio out, 5x SF.NE hits. Crew Chief Vernon Leakey reports that MAKING TIME should be repaired, routine maintenance performed

AAR: Our bomber, MAKING TIME, took off and joined formation in assigned HIGH squadron. Saw one E/A outbound, a solitary Fw190 that was quickly persuaded to be someplace else by our fighter escort. We were hit by flak, which put a hole in port aileron. We were lined up to bomb target and when Lt. Brownwood tried to release our bombs, nothing happened. With the heavy flak, I wasn't going to leave formation and come back around for a solo pass at the target. We turned with the squadron and headed home. We were attacked by three Fw190, one of which hit us hard. Cannon shells ripped into the nose compartment, killing Lt. Brownwood and wounding Lt. Thomason. The shells also hit the waist compartment, seriously wounding Sgt. Carranza. Another attack left us with no heat in bombardier position and pilot compartment, and knocking out our radio. I guess that Jerry ran out of ammo or was low on fuel as he did not come back again. With the heat out in several places, we were forced to leave the squadron and descend to a lower altitude. It was still damn cold! Sgt. McHale (engineer) was able to manually release our bombs over Northern Yugoslavia. I do hope we didn't kill a bunch of innocent civilians down there. It looks pretty clear of towns where we dropped our bombs. Fortunately, no E/A found us as we hugged the terrain. Yugoslavia has more mountains than I thought. As we approached the Italian coast, Sgt. Tramelle, the other waist gunner, got on the intercom to announce that Carranza had died of his wounds. We landed safely at base.

Respectfully Submitted,

Byron Roberts, 2LT. USAAF
Pilot: B-17G MAKING TIME / CAVILIER
80th/509th
Giulia, ITALY

[sparky]

509th Bomb Group, 79th Bomber Squadron, B-17G Beach Bum
Mission #30, Target Werner Neustadt Austria, Werk #1
May 11 1944, Middle cell, Middle position
Bomb Run-On Target- 20%

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

Pilot...1st Lt Ken Day (6)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Rick Miesner (6)
Bombardier 2nd Lt Marvin Johnson (6) [ ]       {1 1/2}
Navigator 2nd Lt James Redmond (6)   [ ]       { }
Engineer S/SGT John Ridings (6)         [1/3]    { }
Radio S/SGT Lester Smith (6)              [1/3]   { }
Ball Turret SGT Jerry Cassano (6)        [1]       {1/2}
Port Waist SGT Nathan Isbell (6)          [ ]       { }
Starboard Waist SGT Bill Pilgrim (6)     [1/3]   { }
Tail Gunner Timothy Conover (6)         [1 1/3] { }

AAR

Beach Bum took off in heavy rain and fell into formation with no problems
Zones 2-4 were routine with very cloudy skies.
Zone 5 we crossed the coastline. We observed multiple enemy aircraft but none approached Beach Bum
Zones 6-9 were again routine with continued cloudy skies
Zone 10 saw various enemy aircraft with none approaching Beach Bum. Tail gunner Conover
reported rockets being fired into the formation from the aft but none came close to us. The rocket attack 
caused the formation to loosen up for a short time but everyone tightened back up in short order.
Zone 11 TARGET ZONE As we approached the IP the waist gunners reported that the temperatures
seemed to be dropping significantly. I ordered all gunners to make sure the guns were in proper operating condition.
Almost immediately the reports began coming in, port cheek-frozen up, ball turret-frozen up, starboard waist-frozen up, tail gun-frozen up.
OMG, half our defensive capabilities are gone! We see enemy aircraft attacking the bomber stream but the good lord was with us
and none singled out Beach Bum.
The enemy fighters cleared the area and the flak began. Flak was heavy and our aircraft took 3 hits, 2 were superficial and one struck the starboard wing root.
Bombardier Johnson called bombs away and was on target with an estimated 20% accuracy.
The formation made the turn for home and we again flew through the area of extreme cold but fortunately no more guns were affected.
And in the mean time, the crew were able to unjam the port cheek, ball turret and starboard waist guns.
Flak again erupted but was lighter and we incurred no damage. Once the flak stopped the enemy fighters reappeared and this time Beach Bum was a target.
3 ME-109's dove on us. The P-51's drove one off. Johnson on the chin gun got a full burst on the one at 12 oclock and fire erupted in his engine.
He immediately began a controlled dive and was observed bailing out and a chute was seen. S/SGT Ridings on the top turret put a solid hit
on the attacker at 1:30 high and he missed in his attack and flew into the clouds.
Zone 10 tail gunner Conover reported that the tail gun couldn't be repaired. At the same time 4 FW-109's came at us simultaneously, splitting our defensive fire.
Again, the P-51's drove one off, leaving 3 for us to deal with. 12 oclock low enemy, Lt Johnson and SGT Cassano shared a kill when the enemy plane's canopy
disintegrated and the plane began a long slow decent with no movement in the cockpit observed. The second EA made a single pass at us, missed and disappeared.
The 3rd 109 came in from 9 oclock. Port waist gunner Isbell reported that his gun jammed. The enemy hit us hard, with one superficial hit to the port wing, another 
hit to our starboard wing root and the 3rd hit in the radio room that took out our intercom system. He came around for another attack, starboard waist gunner Pilgrim 
got a hit on him causing him to miss and dive away.
Zones 9-6 quieted down and allowed us to catch our breath.
Zone 5 had 3 FW-190's come at us but all were intercepted by our little friends.
The rest of the way home was uneventful and we landed safely at base in good weather.
Both kills were approved by the review board prompting some backslapping in the tents that evening.

2 EA claims, 2 confirmed kills
62 Peckham points of damage
No crew injuries
On Target 20% accuracy

[caodwolf]

B-17G:  Honey Bun



Pilot: 1Lt. D. Diluzio
Assignment:  15th Air Force,  509th Bomber Group, 80th Squadron
Mission Date: 11-May-1944
Mission No.:  30
Mission this Bomber: 5
Target for Today:  Wiener Neustadt, Austria  -  Werk No.1
Squadron Position:  High Cell Leader
Result:   On-Target:  50%
 

Once over the Asiatic Sea engine # 2 starts leaking oil which soon stops.  We'll keep an eye on this and if warranted will turn back at the Yugoslavian coast.   We are Leading the 80th in today.

She held herself together.

Flak was heavy over the target area which caused some damage and Reese manning the Top Turret bagged two German fighters.   Bombs were dropped with good effect.   

Soon after the bomb run the engine temperature began to rise again on #2 so  we shut her down for good.

The inbound was uneventful and we landed ok.

That is all....    

Crew Manifest

Position	Rank	Name	Missions Flown	Kills this Mission	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt	D. Diluzio	15	---	---	AM,PH	OK
Co-Pilot	2Lt	J. Boyer	4	---	---	---	OK
Bombardier	2Lt	M, Russell	2	---	---	---	OK
Navigator	2Lt	J. Labelle	6	---	---	AM	OK
Top Turret/Engineer	Sgt	R. Reese	4	2	2  1/2	---	OK
Radio Op	S/Sgt	K. Whitmore	18	---	---	AM	OK
Port Waist	S/Sgt	J Dix	8	---	---	AM	OK
Stbd Waist	S/Sgt	J. Shoemaker	14	---	1	AM, PH	OK
Ball Turret	S/Sgt	M. Lesjack	22	---	6 ACE	AM (2)	OK
Tail Turret	S/Sgt	K. Taylor	17	---	1	AM	OK

 

HOSPITAL


S/Sgt W Comerota   RTD:  15-May
2Lt J Pate                RTD:  1-June
2Lt M Yezzi              RTD:  15-May
2Lt.  A Tharpe         RTD:  12-June



KIA

None


WIA

None

Medals / Promotions

None

Fighters Encountered

 

FTR	Spotted	Driven-Off	Damaged	Not-Damaged	Claimed - Credited
ME-109	4	2	2	---	---
ME-210	1	---	---	---	1      1
ME-110	1	---	---	---	1       1
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
TOTALS	6	2	2	---	2         2

---

B-17G Damage:   * 42 *  

-Oil leak engine #2.  Leak stops
-#3 Engine shutdown
-Stbd wing root hit
-Fuel transfer pump

[caodwolf]

B-24J:  Lovely Ladies


Pilot: 1Lt. D Brenner
Assignment:  15th Air Force,  509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron
Mission Date: 11-May-1944
Mission No.: 30
Mission this Bomber: 5
Target for Today:  Wiener Neustadt, Austria -  Werk No 1
Squadron Position:  Middle
Result:   13%
 
A gaggle of 190's kept pestering us through out the mission as their markings looked similar.   They kept pecking away damaging key systems but onward we went fighting our way in.

Flak was intense in the target area which caused considerable damage and the death of our Radio Operator.  The bomb drop looked good to our Ball Turret Gunner but they veered off at the last second with poor results.  Lost engine # 4 due to this flak as the engine burst into flames which was extinguished but she was out.   

Flak on the egress was also intense further damaging the compromised starboard wing.  But that was that and we returned to base without further incidents. 

Over and out....

Crew Manifest

Position	Rank	Name	Missions Flown	Kills this Mission	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt	D. Brenner	2	---	---	---	OK
Co-Pilot	2Lt	S. McDonald	10	---	---	AM	OK
Bombardier	2Lt	D. 'Gator' Grahek	6	---	---	AM	OK
Navigator	2Lt	C. Stesney	7	---	---	AM	OK
Top Turret/Engineer	S/Sgt	D. 'Shake & Bake' Baker	10	---	1	AM,PH	OK
Radio Op	Sgt	D. Hilferty	7	---	---	AM, PH	OK-KIA
Chin Turret	S/Sgt	D. 'Prutz' Prutzman	10	---	3	AM	OK
Stbd Waist	Sgt	M.  'Magicman' Abribat	5	---	---	---	OK
Ball Turret	Sgt	J. 'Hog' Lauer	10	---	4	AM	OK
Tail Turret	S/Sgt	T. 'Stretch'  Herbon	10	---	1	AM,PH	OK

 

Convalescing

2Lt  S Zell. Navigator,                RTD: 20-May-1944
Sgt  B Peterson, Radio:              RTD  20-July-1944
S/Sgt B Burgess.  Bombardier:   RTD  28-May-1944
1Lt. M  Kucek,  Pilot:                 RTD 19-May-1944

Medals / Promotions

Air Medal

Sgt.  M  'Magicman 'Abribat


KIA

Sgt  D Hilferty

Fighters Encountered

 

FTR	Spotted	Driven-Off	Damaged	Not-Damaged	Claimed - Credited
FW-190	8	4	4	1	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
TOTALS	8	4	4	1	---

B-24J Damage:

*  163  *

-Ball Turret jam
-Bail Turret heat out
-Port & Stbd wing root hits (1) each
-Control cable hit
-(1) KIA
#4 engine hit >  fire  >  extinguished >  out

[mpgutis]

80th BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON
Mission #30, Wiener-Neustadt, Austria - Werk #1

Captain Marz called the men to attention and Major Simmons did not so much walk as stalk to the front of the room. A quiet ripple ran through the men as they recognized the look of an unhappy major. That was confirmed as Simmons turned to face them with a very blank look on his face and his pause for several seconds longer than normal before saying, "Seats."

He put his arms behind his back, hands grasping as if he was standing at parade rest. "Gentlemen." The word hung in the air as if frozen. "I'm not a greedy man. Nor do I ask for impossible things from you. I have been measured in my expectations and you know what they are." He paused, then continued. "I have been reasonable in evaluation of the missions you have flown since I took command." Another pause. "But, for the first time, I can honestly say, I am disappointed in the bombing results of this squadron." His shoulder relaxed just a bit. "We lost one aircraft, Wabbit Tracks, shot down over the target before bombs away. The crew bailed out with one man killed and the remainder captured. That's not the only bad news. Overall, the squadron averaged twenty-one percent in the box. TWENTY-ONE PERCENT! Over a clear target. That, gentlemen, is unacceptable. The best anyone managed was forty percent, shared by Castle in the Sky, Bonnie, and Miss Keweenaw. Second best was thirty, shared by Shoo Shoo Time and Double Bomb. There will, immediately after this briefing concludes, be meetings by position of pilots, bombardiers, and navigators to discuss what needs to be done to improve the declining performance of bombs on target. Captain Marz will be having a talk with each group.

"The squadron's gunners, on the other hand, have continued to perform well. The squadron put in claims for 23 aircraft with 12 of them being confirmed. Well done all around for the NCOs."

The major's shoulders relaxed and he released his hands from behind his back. "Gentlemen, I don't ask for a lot from you. I do, however, ask for results..as does the group commander and everyone up to an including General Arnold. Despite what any of you may believe, I don't enjoy chewing your butts. I expect performance to improve so that my bright, smiley self is in evidence at our get-togethers."

He was already walking away when Captain Marz called the room to attention. 

-----------------------------
STATISTICAL ADDENDUM

BARBARA JEAN
On target, 20%
5 EA claimed, 2 confirmed

THE A TRAIN
On target, 20%

DUCK SOUP
Off target, 0%

ROSIE
On target, 20%

CASTLE IN THE SKY
On target, 40% - Tied for best in squadron
4 EA claimed, 2 confirmed
Lt. Vincent Black - PH
Lt. Butch Orton - PH

BONNIE
On target, 40% - Tied for best in squadron
4 EA claimed, 2 confirmed
SGT Chester Goode - AM
SSG Henry Hubble - DFC, AM

MISS BEHAVIN'
On target, 20%
SSG Robert Dyer - PH

MISS KEWEENAW
On target, 40% - Tied for best in squadron
2LT W. Axtell - PH
SGT R. Lewis - PH

SHOO SHOO TIME
On target, 30% - Tied for second best in squadron
3 EA claimed, 1.5 confirmed
2LT James Cutter - AM

NORTHERN QUEEN
Off target, 0%
4 EA claimed, 2 confirmed
2LT Philip Blair - PH, posthumous
Crew - AM

WABBIT TRACKS
Shot down - Did not bomb
9 POW
SGT Lorne Kirkendall - PH, posthumous

DOUBLE BOMB
On target, 30% - Tied for second best in squadron
1 EA claimed, 1 confirmed
1LT Sanders - AM
SSG Roberts - AM
SSG Thomas - AM

WILD CHILD
Off target, 13%
2 EA claimed, 1.5 confirmed

MAKING TIME
Off target, 0%
2LT John Brownwood - PH, posthumous
2LT Olaf Thomason - PH
SGT Pete Carranza - PH, posthumous

[caodwolf]

AFTER-ACTION REPORT

MISSION  #30 - Wiener-Neustadt, Austria  -  Werk #1




The CO Major Jopp and XO Major Garfield enters the briefing room...

At the same time, Sgt Wallace bellows: “Boxcars… Attention! ” … and everyone rises.

As the CO approaches  the podium he drops his file spreading papers and notes all over the place.  There were a few chuckles but the Major was not amused.   Gathering himself and his notes,  "Well...."  but before another word he starts laughing with most joining in.  "OK, OK...lets get down to business hey ?   Another successful sortie with  35% on target though I'm still scratching my head how the Lovely Ladies dropped just 14%.  The top bombers was Lady in the Dark  and Maggie's Drawers."

"Two aircraft were lost,  the Grim Reaper and Angry Pigeon.  We counted 20 chutes  so it appears they all bailed out.   A shout out to Lt.  Gleason who landed his stricken Suzy Q without landing gear.  The Lt and his crew lived to fight another day.   The Suzy Q however is CAT-E.  Congrats on completing their first mission,  the Strictly Business and Barney's  Barn". 

"Playing tonight in Hangar 18 is the flick Cobra Woman,  a film I know nothing about....but the title sounds enticing aye ?" 

The Major glances over and quick-nods to his XO, who begins to walk toward the aisle. The two begin to leave.

“Boxcars… Attention” and the assembled throng rises again.

"Dismissed!"

Player		Bomber	% on Target	Damage	Kills
crushedhat		Hell's Fury	30%	70	2 1/3
limburger59		Lady in the Dark (Spare)	60%	39	---
kageyone		Orange's Other Crate II	40%	29	2
medic1		Grim Reaper	DNB	LOST	---
groundeaux		Suzy Q	30%	CAT-E	---
groudeaux		Palpatatin Pam	30%	4	---
chefed		Classy Chassy	30%	27	---
caodwolfs		Lovely Ladies	14%	163	---
rheiss		Dump Truck	DNB	60	---
keltos		Angry Pigeon	20%	LOST	---
ChefEd		Maggie's Drawers (spare)	50%	55	2 1/3
medic1		Strictly Business	40%	46	---
kageyone		Barney's Barn	40%	6	1
		Average Results	35%	499	7 2/3

Bombers Lost


Grim Reaper
Angry Pigeon
Suzy Q  (CAT-E)




Top Bombers

Lady in the Dark (spare)  60%
Maggie's Drawers (spare) 50%


    

Awards /  Promotions

DFC

None


AM

Sgt Ralph Taylor
2Lt Hank McAlister
1Lt Ab Orange
Sgt Aaron Beaton
Sgt Wallace Wells
Sgt Woodrow Neal
Sgt Dan Abribat


PROMOTIONS

2Lt. Hank McAlister to 1st Lt.
Sgt Wallace Wells to S/Sgt



25th Mission

None

CASUALTIES

LW

S/Sgt Kai Vader
1st Lt Jimmy Langton


SW

Sgt Ralph Taylor
S/SGT John “M’Lord” Lordi
Sgt Jake Bender



MIA

2Lt. Cliff Lockwood
1st Lt Jerry Burch
2Lt. Emmett Towns
2Lt. Emmett Towns
S/Sgt Bart Dillon
S/Sgt Dennis Webber
Sgt Mark Harrison
S/Sgt Scott Wakeford
S/Sgt Jared Tarallo
Sgt Larry Sharp
2nd Lt. Mark Davis
2nd Lt. Daniel Hardy
2nd Lt. William Morales
T/Sgt David Ary
Sgt Larry Valera
S/Sgt Erik Perkins
T/Sgt Jordan "Uncle Jo" Falgout
Sgt David Knipp
Sgt Dennis Reyes


KIA

Sgt D Hilferty



PURPLE HEART

S/Sgt Kai Vader
Sgt Ralph Taylor
1st Lt Jimmy Langton
S/SGT Tony “Country” Boone
S/SGT John “M’Lord” Lordi
Sgt Jake Bender
Sgt D Hilferty

[wolverinetoddy]

79th Bomb Squadron: After Mission Summary

Mission: 30
Mission Date: 11 May 44
Target: Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Werk No. 1

1st Sgt. Parker barked from the room: “ATTENTION!”

Major Robinson smiled to himself has he strode up the aisle followed by his staff. The squadron coming to its feet when he entered the room was still secretly his favorite part of this job. He grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote the bombing percentage on the board: “39.54%.”

“Gentlemen, please take your seats.” Instead of sitting down the men erupted into a chorus of cheers.

“Please, gentlemen, sit down. We have a lot to talk about today.” The Major said with a smile. Everyone settled into their seats still in a good mood.

“First, a moment for the men who didn’t make it and the ones recovering in the hospital.”

“Now, let talk about that bomb run. This is our highest percentage, since I took command of this squadron and the first time, we have been over 30% in five missions. Nice work, men.”

“Today’s numbers were led by 2LT Oscar Howe of the Lucky Patch who hit for 95% and 2LT George Davis of the Easter Bunny who hit for 90%. I have put you both in for the Distinguished Flying Cross. Nice work.” The room erupted into more cheers.

“While I am passing our DFC’s, 1LT Ted Masini of Sunday Punch and TSgt Vern Kennedy of All In have both completed their 25th mission. I will be putting you both in for the DFC and a promotion. I am sure you all agree with me that they will be missed around here and we wish them the best of luck with their new assignments in training command.” The room erupted into even more cheers.

“I will be recommending the late 1LT William Hamilton of the Filthy Hag for the Silver Star. His heroism in the air, saved the Filthy Hag and her crew at the cost of his own life. We will miss you, Bill.”

“Finally, as is the tradition when my 79th scores a victory, we drink a toast.” The crews held up their shot glasses of rum in unison.

The Major held up his glass. “To the men of the 79th who are no longer with us, to continued good fortune in the air, and to a swift end to this terrible war.”

“Let’s see how you all did today. . .”

B 17’s sortied: 14
B 17’s bombing target: 15
B 17’s lost: 0
Average Bomb Run: 39.64%
High Bomb Run: Lucky Patch at 95%

Casualty Report:
KIA: 2
SW: 2
LW: 9
MIA: 0

Awards for gallantry in action and meritorious achievement:
1LT William Hamilton: posthumously recommend for the Silver Star for heroism
2LT George David: DFC for 90% bomb run
2LT Oscar Howe: DFC for 95% bomb run
1LT Ted Masini: DFC for completing 25 missions
TSgt Vern Kennedy: DFC for completing 25 missions

Fighters Shots down:
Me109's: 8
Me 110’s: 0
FW 190’s: 3
Other: 0

Bomber Report

Lead Plane: Lady Liza
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 3
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Tail Plane: Damned Yankees
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 1
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Sunday Punch
Bomb Run: 30%
Claims: 4
Medals/Promotions: PH: Markham, Kellici to 1LT, Masini: DFC
Casualties: Markham
Status: Returned

Plane: Pecatonica
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Gunkel
Casualties: Gunkel
Status: Returned

Plane: Big Red Machine
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Gullet
Casualties: Gullet
Status: Returned

Plane: Easter Bunny
Bomb Run: 90%
Claims: 1
Medals/Promotions: DFC: Davis
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Fortunate Sons
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 2
Medals/Promotions: PH: Carter
Casualties: Carter
Status: Returned

Plane: Big Operator
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: All In
Bomb Run: 30%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: DFC: Kennedy
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Lucky Patch
Bomb Run: 95%
Claims: 1
Medals/Promotions: DFC: Howe, PH: Howe, Kimberley
Casualties: Howe, Kimberley
Status: Returned

Plane: Anxious Angel
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 1
Medals/Promotions: PH: Plimson
Casualties: Plimson
Status: Returned

Plane: Lost Angel
Bomb Run: 50%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Cameron, Verducci
Casualties: Cameron, Verducci
Status: Returned

Plane: Filthy Hag
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Hamilton, Williams, Wiffen SS: Hamilton
Casualties: Hamilton, Williams, Wiffen
Status: Returned

Plane: Beach Bum
Bomb Run: 20%
Claims: 2
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned