Mission 32: Nice, France

[limburger59]

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Turn in AAR's no later than 28 Oct 24
Next mission to post 27 Oct 24 

MISSION DATE: 15 May 44   
MISSION # 32
TARGET: Nice, France - Marshalling Yard
Bombing Altitude: 20,000 feet

Map: 

FORMATION:

HIGH	79th SQDN		MID	80th SQDN		LOW	78th SQDN
LEAD:	Sunday Punch		LEAD:	The A Train		LEAD:	Hell's Fury
TAIL:	Big Red Machine		TAIL:	Castle in the Sky		TAIL:	Orange’s Other Crate II

WEATHER:
Takeoff:  Good
Target:  Good
Landing: Good 

GAZETTEER

Zone	Modifier (QotS)	Weather/Resistance (TfT)	Fighter Cover
2 Liberated Italy	X	50% Clouds / None	Good
3 Liberated Italy	X	50% Clouds / Light	Good
4 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	Good
5 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	Good
6 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	None
7 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	None
8 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	None
9 Corsica / Ligurian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	Good (from Corsica)
10 Ligurian Sea	-2	Haze/Light	Fair (from Corsica)
TARGET ZONE 11 Ligurian Sea / France FLAK: Outbound: Medium x3 Inbound: Medium x1	-1	50% Clouds/Moderate Resistance Target: Slightly Obscured TFT: Bombing Manually	Fair (from Corsica)
10 Ligurian Sea	-2	Haze/Light	Fair (from Corsica)
9  Ligurian Sea/Corsica	X	Haze / None	Good (from Corsica)
8Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	None
7 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	None
6 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	50% Clouds / None	None
5 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	100% Clouds / None	None
4 Tyrrhenian Sea	X	100% Clouds / None	Fair
3 Liberated Italy	-1	50% Clouds / Moderate	Fair
2 Liberated Italy	X	50% Clouds / Light	Fair

Emergency Airfield: In Zone 9 - There are multiple fields on Corsica where you can land. We recommend Aghione as it has the length and repair facilities your bombers need. Repairs to fuel tanks and refueling will be done overnight, with non-essential repairs waiting for home. If your bomber has 200 or more Peckham Points it will be declared CAT-E. If you bomber becomes spare parts you will be flown home on a C-47 via Sardinia and Sicily, arriving 3 days later. .
    
Shot Down:  
Over Water (if you didn't drown):
        Zone 10 & 11: you are captured
        Zones 3: you are rescued by the USN and return to base in two days
        Zone 4 to 9: You are rescued by fishermen and taken to Corsica. You'll return to base in five days.

Over France: captured       
 
Calendar since last Mission:
14-May-44   31 Porto San Stefano, Italy - Railroad and Dock
15-May-44   32 Nice, France - Marshalling Yard

[crushedhat]

“The bulk of you route is over water,” begins 509th S2 Maj Harlan Beech. “The only enemy aircraft you’re likely to see there will be anti-shipping patrols. Where you may encounter Luftwaffe fighters is near Naples on your way out; Off the French coast through the target and back; And along a line south of Venafro to Campobasso. The heaviest concentration will be over the target.” SSgt Dewbury points out each location as the S2 names them.

“Flak on target ingress is expected to be of moderate intensity. Less on egress. Metro is forecasting good weather, both over the target and here at Giulia.”

“Your escort is going to be a mixed bag on this one. Initially you’ll have P-47s of the 332nd FG. They’re new to the theater. They’ll stay with you until you’re well out over the Tyrrhenian Sea. You’ll then be on your own till nearing Corsica.” Maj Beech pauses to let the grumbling die down, reminding the aircrews, “Once you’re out over the water, you shouldn’t see any enemy fighters till past Corsica, where you’ll be escorted by P-39s of the 12th AF’s 350 FG. They’ll stay with you through the target, not leaving you till you’re safely past Corsica again. As you near the Italian mainland you’ll link up with elements of the 325th FG. The 325th is currently transitioning from P-47s to P-51s.”

“Should you run into trouble enroute, there are multiple airfields on the USS Corsica,” Beech uses the nickname given to the island due to the plethora of airfields being built there. “Otherwise, try to make it this side of Corsica where there are friendly fishermen who can pull you out of the drink. The US Navy will be on Lifeguard duty off the Italian coast.”

“If all that fails and you become guests of the Reich, remember…”

“The Geneva Conventions and The Fighting Man’s Code," the room calls back.

509th S3, Maj William Stockwell replaces Beech at the podium.

“Your target is the marshaling yards at Nice, France. You’ll initially head out on a bearing of two-six-zero. Remaining on this course until Checkpoint Baker.” SSgt Dewbury indicates the checkpoint on the map. “This is designed to keep you behind friendly lines until you’re past the major threat of enemy interdiction. Once at CP Baker, turn to a heading of three-one-five. This will take you across the northern tip of Corsica and on into Nice.”

“The IP is a road intersection near the coast.” Again SSgt Dewbury taps the map. “You’ll be bombing from Angels twenty.”

“On target egress, turn to the right to a heading of one-three-five. Twenty miles past Anzio come to a heading of eight-five degrees back to Giulia.”

“Like the Two said, you’ll have Little Friends along at each of the points where you’re expected to run into Goring’s Goons. Still, don’t let your guard down. Remember your training and keep a tight formation and you’ll make it home. And never forget to…”

“Give ‘em Hell!” The room erupts.

[crushedhat]

For the 78th, for Mission 32
With so few experienced crews, inexperienced crews are being slotted into the Lead and Tail positions.
Lead: Hell’s Fury (crushedhat)
Tail: Orange’s Other Crate II (kageyone)
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.)

[tomt1999]

For the 80th, Mission 32:

LEAD The A Train
TAIL Castle in the Sky

[crushedhat]

B24J: Hell’s Fury
Pilot: Maj Paul Garfield
Squadron: 78th (H) Bomb Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
MISSION DATE: 15 May 44
MISSION NBR. 32/This Bomber 4
PRIMARY TARGET: Nice, France - Marshalling Yard
SECONDARY TARGET:
POSITION: Low Squadron, Lead


Crew
Position – Rank (Current Mission) [Previous Kills]
Pilot: Paul Garfield, Maj, (30) [0] LC LC
Co-Pilot: Sam Mason, 2LT, (4) [0]
Bombardier: Michael Hanson 2LT, (4) [0]
Navigator: Wyatt Yurt, 2LT, (4) [3] #
Engineer: Stan Halston TSgt, (4) [1 1/2] #
Radio Operator: Joe Scarlotti Sgt, (4) [0]
Ball Turret Gunner: Raymond Salazar, Sgt (0) [0] #
Port Waist Gunner: Joseph (Joe) Razalski, Sgt (0) [0]
Starboard Waist Gunner: Allen Wentz, Sgt (8) [3 1/3]
Tail Gunner: Rod (Tex) Petty Sgt, (4) [0] #
* = 1 Kill This Mission
# = Shared Kill This Mission

Fighters Encountered:
Fw 10 1=1 to P-39
Me 110 2= 1 KIA, 1 to P-39
Me 109 6=1 KIA, 4 to P-39, 1 Undamaged, (2 Ace)
9

Claims: Only credited kills reported here
Engineer: Stan Halston TSgt: ½ Me 109

Bomb Run: On Target, 30%

B-24 Damage: Superficial x 3 (6), Control Cables x1 (5), LT Waist Gunner O2 Out (10), Instruments: Rudder (10)
Peckham Points: 31 Peckham Points, AC ready 16 May 44.

Casualties: None

Landing: AC and crew safe at Giulia

Awards/Promotion Requests:
Pilot: Paul Garfield, Maj: Air Medal 6th Award

Sitting Out: None

In Hospital:
Bombardier: 1LT Charles (Charlie) Martell, (26) [9] LC * SW – IH 16 May 44
Ball Turret Gunner: Adam Smith Sgt, (3) [1/2] SW – IH 24 May 44
Port Waist Gunner: Blaine Harper Sgt, (3) [1/2] SW – IH 4 Jun 44

Completed 25 Missions:
Pilot: Paul Garfield, Maj (30), [0]

After Action Report: (Flown using TFT)
The enemy fighter pulls the classic dive out of the sun move. By the time TSgt Stan Halston sees the bandit it’s too late to get in a good shot. All Halston can do is watch as the enemy fighter’s shells stitch a trail of holes along the top of Hell’s Fury form the bomb bay back to the tail. Then, as quickly as he appeared, Jerry is gone.

In the waist, Sgt Joe Razalski grabs the arm of Sgt Allen Wentz. The panic in Razalski’s eyes is visible even through his goggles. “I can’t breathe!” he tries to shout.

Looking past Razalski, Wentz sees where the fire they just took has hit the oxygen connection for his mate in the waist. Grabbing one of the nearby portable oxygen cannisters, Wentz hands it to Razalski. “Get up to the radio room. Theres’ another connection there.”

“But my gun,” Razalski stats to protest.

“Won’t be of nay use if you’re lying on the deck,” Wentz counters, giving Razalski a push toward the radio room. Having done all he can, Wentz turns back to his own gun as Razalski starts his journey.

This mission was bittersweet, being my last one as XO the 78th, before moving on to assume command of a squadron in the CBI Theater. At least I was here long enough to nurse the new crew through their first few missions.

Takeoff and assembly went well. Once again, Maj Jopps’ idea of the Assembly aircraft paid off. As the formation headed out, Hell’s Fury assumed it position as lead of the low squadron.

As we passed by Naples (Zone 3) several waves of EA hit the formation, though none bothered us. It felt a little lonely when the P-47s of the 332nd bid us ‘Arrivederci.’ (Zone 6). While it seemed like forever, everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we recognized the silhouettes of the approaching planes (Zone 9) as being the P-39s of the 350th. The Airacobra may not be the most maneuverable fighter, but as we later found out, that 37mm packs a punch. As we neared the French coast (Zone 10) we got jumped by four Me 109s, including an ace who managed to rake us a she dove past. The other three fell to the aforementioned 73mm of the P-39s. One of the new crewmen, Sgt Razalski, lost his oxygen and had to ride out the rest of the mission in the radio room.

On target ingress (Zone 11) we were opposed by two Me 110s and a 109. Our Little Friends drove off one of the 110s. The other two fell to us. Flak was intense but not particularly accurate. 2LT Hanson managed to put 30% of payload into the CEP. Flak was even less of a problem on target egress. The first wave of enemy fighters waiting as we came out of the flak busied themselves with other aircraft, while the boys of the 350th dealt with the 190 and 109 from the second wave that made for us.

After that, we weren’t bothered again till south of Campobasso (Zone 2). By then we swapped out the P-39s of the 350th for the P-51s of the 325th. Fortunately for us, the enemy’s attack focused on other aircraft within the formation.

Back at Giulia (Zone 1) the loss of rudder control experienced during the attack on Target ingress presented a minor problem. Even so, 2LT Mason got her down safely. I let 2LT Mason land her as a graduation exercise; I’m recommending he take over as command pilot, his position as co-pilot backfilled by someone of similar experience from the Spare Pool.

TSgt Mason, no relation to the LT, says he’ll have Hell’s Fury patched up and ready to fly tomorrow. I wish the crew, and all of the 509th good luck on your future missions.

Paul Garfield, Maj, USAAF, commanding
B24J Hell’s Fury
78th (H) Bomb Squadron

New Crew: (Beginning mission 33)
Pilot: Sam Mason, 2LT, (4) [0], Promoted form Co-Pilot to replace Paul Garfield, Maj, moving to new squadron command in the CBI Theater after mission 32.

[wolverinetoddy]

For the 79th Squadron:

Lead: Sunday Punch
Tail: Big Red Machine

Now stay in formation, watch out for fighters, and hit the target!

[superbee]

B17G Hi Line (5)    79th Bomber Sqdn     509th Bombardment Group

Mission #32 (4)     15 May 44     Nice, France (marshalling yard)

Post mission status: shot down by enemy aircraft over target; entire crew MIA

Pilot: 1Lt Ken Meade     High Sqdn

		Missions Flown	enemy aircraft destroyed	awards	status after mission
pilot	1Lt Ken Meade	6	0	AM	MIA
copilot	2Lt Jim Boyd	6	0	AM	MIA
navigator	2Lt Robert Schilling	6	0	AM	MIA
bombardier	2Lt Mike Kraft	6	0	AM	MIA
flight engineer	S/Sgt Al Seaver	6	2	AM, PH	MIA
radio operator	S/Sgt Taylor Ross	4	0		MIA
ball turret gunner	Sgt Sid Natvig	6	3	AM	MIA
port waist gunner	Sgt Tom Josephson	2	0		MIA
starboard waist gunner	Sgt Clete Wood	2	0		MIA
tail gunner	Sgt Jeff Cantrill	6	3½	AM	MIA

Casualties: 10 (all MIA)

Bomb run: DNB

Aircraft damage: B17 exploded after bomb load was struck by small caliber aircraft cannon fire

Aircraft disposition: total loss

Axis fighters encountered: 5

	ENCOUNTERED	INTERCEPTED BY ESCORTS	DESTROYED BY GUNNERS	FCA	FBOA
Me109's	5	0	0	0	2
Totals	5	0	0	0	0

Claims: none

Awards / Promotions:

• Purple Heart: posthumously awarded to entire crew of 10 men
  

Mission narrative

Shortly after passing the IP, Hi Line was attacked by a gaggle of 5 German fighters – likely Me109’s. Her bomb bay was evidently struck by fire, which ignited the bomb load. The B17 exploded violently; no parachutes were observed. The force of the explosion was such that it would be highly unlikely that any crewmen survived.

-pieced together from post mission debriefings following Mission 3.-

[mpgutis]

Mission date: 15 May 44
Target: Nice, France - Marshaling Yard
Mission/Bomber: 32/18
B-17G The A Train
80th Bombardment Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H), 15th Air Force
Formation: Middle Squadron
Position: Lerad

Position: Name (Mission) (Kills) Awards
Pilot: 1LT Dirk Ellington (18) (-) PH, AM x3
Copilot/Mission Commander: MAJ Frederick Simmons (22) (-) AFC, PH, AMx4
Bombardier: 2LT Reed Williams (18) (4) DFC, AM x3
Navigator: 2LT Mark Ventura (18) (2.83) PH x2, AM x3
Engineer: SSG Stanley Ruzinski (18) (6) DFC, PH, AM x3
Radio Operator: SGT Fred Conway (18) (0.5) AM x3
Ball Gunner: SGT Malcolm Kovacs (16) (3.66) AM x3
Port Waist Gun: SGT Randy Peterman (18) (1.0) PH x2, AM x3
Starboard Waist Gun: SGT Vincent Meoli (18) (3) PHx4, AM x3
Tail Gun: SGT Sheldon Thomas (18) (5.74) DFC, PH, AM x3
Spare: 2LT Edward Reese (18) (-) AM x3

Bombing: On target, 40%

Damage:  5 PP
Nav starboard MG
Repair in one day

Casualties:
None

Awards:
SGT Sheldon Thomas, DFC

Enemy Aircraft: Encountered / Destroyed / Credited
Me-109: 14 / 2 / 1
Me-110: 3 / 1 / 0.5
FW-190: 2 / 1 / 0.5

Flown with TFT

This time we knew that Major Simmons would be flying with us. We knew as soon as we saw the formation and that The A Train would be the lead in the Middle Squadron. Having flown with him before, the crew had grown comfortable with him being in the copilot's seat. As in the past, Reese was given the choice of occupying the tail gun. Because Thomas is an ace gunner, he opted to ride in the fuselage as a spare. The weather has grown sunnier and warmer and we took off in the clear. Assembly went without incident and we headed towards France.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: Three Me-110s at 6:00 Low, 12:00 Level, and climbing from below, and an Me-109 at 12:00 Level attacked. The escorts got the Me-109 off the nose. The 110 off the nose was claimed by the Bombardier and Top Turret, the one off the tail was claimed by the Ball Turret, and the one climbing from below missed and continued on his way.

Zones 4 - 10: Nothing to report.

Zone 11 (Target): A pair of Ju-88s attacked at 3:00 Level and 10:30 Low and were scraped off by the escorts. An Me-109 at 12:00 Level was claimed by the Bombardier and Top Turret.
      Flak missed us entirely and the bomb release resulted in 40% in the box.

Zone 11 (Outbound): Flak moderated but somehow the formation became disrupted. Maj. Simmons was not pleased, to say the least! Two waves of enemy fighters hit us.
     The first wave was an FW-190 at 12:00 High and a pair of Me-109s, both at 12:00 Level. The 109s were intercepted by the escorts and the Bombardier and Top Turret claimed the FW-190.
     The second wave was four Me-109s at 1:30 Level, 9:00 High, 12:00 High, and 12:00 Level. The two off the nose were intercepted by the escorts. The one at 1:30 was damaged, missed, and broke off. The last one was claimed by the Top Turret and Port Waist.

Zone 10: Two more waves hit us. The first was an FW-190 diving from above and a pair of Me-109s at 12:00 High and Level. Again, the escorts cleared the ones off the nose and the FW-190 diving missed and disappeared below.
     The second wave was four Me-109s at 1:30 High, 12:00 Low and Level, and diving from above. The escorts again cleared the two off the nose, the one at 1:30 was damaged, missed, and broke off, and the one diving on us missed and disappeared below. Amid all this, the Navigator's starboard machine gun jammed.

Zones 9 - 4: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: Lady Luck smiled on The A Train.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.

The landing was without incident and we rolled out. Major Simmons shook the hands of everyone on the crew and expressed his entire satisfaction with our performances. 

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

[kageyone]

[kageyone]

[rhreiss]

[tomt1999]

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

MISSION DATE: 15 May 1944
MISSION NBR: 32
TARGET: Nice France RR Marshalling Yard

Crew

Crew/Position/Rank	Cur Mission	Prev Claims	Cur Claims	Stress	Status	Notes
1LT Perry Williams - Pilot	3				RTD
2LT Edwin Clark - CoPilot	3				RTD
2LT Benjamin Collier - Navigator	3				RTD
2LT James Lucas - Bombardier	3				RTD
T/SGT Ira Carroll - Engineer	3				RTD
SGT Stanley Frey - Ball Turret	3			1	RTD
SGT Alberto Navarro - Waist Gunner	3				RTD
SGT Leon Goldstein - Waist Gunner	3				RTD
S/SGT Patrick Good - Radio Op	3			1	RTD
SGT Eugene Pearson - Tail Gunner	3				RTD

Bomb Run: ON 20%

Casualties: none

Damage: none

Peckham Points: 0

Landing: Safe

Claims: none

AFTER ACTION REPORT
A milk run for us. The ships ahead of us must've cleared out the krauts before we got there.

We saw NO enemy a/c at any time. Also the flak was at the wrong altitude and missed us.

In spite of these excellent conditions, we only got 20% on target - we'll get better I promise!

1LT Perry "Chill" Williams
79th Squadron

[tomt1999]

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

MISSION DATE: 15 May 44
MISSION # 32
TARGET: Nice, France - Marshalling Yard

Crew

Crew/Position/Rank	Cur Mission	Prev Claims	Claims this Miss	Stress	Status	Awards
1LT Roland "Rollie" Howell - Pilot	7	0	0	1	RTD	AM
2LT Ludomir "Woz" Wozniak - Co-Pilot	7	0	0	1	RTD	AM
2LT Glen "Woody" Woodard - Bombardier	7	0	0	1	RTD	AM
2LT Bernard "Barney" Trasdale - Navigator	7	0	0	1	RTD	AM
S/SGT Christopher Moltisanti - Engineer	3	0	0		RTD
SGT Walter "Sparks" Moody - Radio Op	7	0	0		RTD	AM
SGT Francisco "Frank" de la Cruz - Ball Gunner	7	0	0		RTD	AM
SGT Lyle "P.O." White - Port Waist	7	0	0		RTD	AM
SGT Samuel "Coop" Cooper - Starb Waist	7	0	0	1	RTD	AM
SGT Janus "Yawn" Swoboda - Tail Gunner	7	0	0	1	RTD	AM

Bomb Run: ON 50%

Casualties: none

Damage: Right waist gun INOP; #1 engine hit, then out, temporary o2 malfucntion

Peckham Points: 45 - ready for tomorrow

Landing: Safe

Claims: none

Enemy Aircraft
1x Fw190 - driven off by escort
1x Re2005 IT Ace

AFTER ACTION REPORT

All quiet until the target zone where two flak shells nicked us. #1 engine was hit and 

went out. We had already dropped our bombs ON target with 50% coverage.

Over the Ligurian on the inbound leg, the oxygen went out in the radio compartment. 

Sgt Moody got it going again while he sucked on a walkaround bottle.

Just before home in zone 3, a 190 got after us but the escorts drove him off. Then an 

ace Itlaian Re2005 zoomed all around us firing wildly but he didn't hit us, nor we him.

Landed safely at Giulia.

1LT Rollie Howell

[rhreiss]

[kageyone]

[rhreiss]

[ChefEd]

B-17G Barbara Jean
B-17G-20BO-42-31496
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Middle
Aircraft Position: Middle
Mission Date: 15 MAY 1944
Mission Number: 32
This Aircraft: 5
Target: Nice, France, Marshalling Yard

Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Mission	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	1st Lt Christopher Sweeney	5	0	AM	RTD	1
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt Levi Paris	5	0	AM	RTD	2
Navigator / NT	2nd Lt Willis Salazar	5	1.75	AM	RTD	0
Bombardier	2nd Lt Kash Rangel	5	0.25	AM	RTD	0
Engineer	T/Sgt Rowan Petersen	5	1.5	AM	RTD	1
Radio Op	T/3rd Ulises Cardenas	5	0	AM	RTD	0
Right Waist	T/3rd Flynn Pryor	5	1.25	AM	RTD	0
Ball Turret	T/3rd Omar Mace	5	0.25	AM	RTD	0
Left Waist	S/Sgt Henry "Honri" Lyons	15	1	AM++, PH+	RTD 12 JUN 1944	1
Tail Gunner	T/3rd Darwin Valdovinos	5	0	AM, PH	RTD 10 JUL 1944	3
Crew Chief	S/Sgt Josia Stanton	27			Skill +0

Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %

Casualties:
S/Sgt Henry Lyons, Tear left calf muscle, RTD 12 JUN 1944
T/3rd Darwin Valdovinos, Broken rib, Inflamed lung, RTD 10 JUL 1944

Peckham Points: 43 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) day(s) to repair

Damage:

#3 Engine Out	25
Serious Wound	5
Superficial 1X	1
Radio Out	10
Light Wound	2

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft:

Type	Encountered	Driven Off	Damaged	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Fw-190	3	1	1	1	0.5	0
Me-210	2	0	0	1	1	0
Me-109	1	0	0	0	0	0

Claims:

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

Awards:
Purple Heart
S/Sgt Henry Lyons
T/3rd Darwin Valdovinos

Air Medal
1st Lt Christopher Sweeney, First Award
2nd Lt Levi Paris, First Award
2nd Lt Willis Salazar, First Award
2nd Lt Kash Rangel, First Award
T/Sgt Rowan Petersen, First Award
T/3rd Ulises Cardenas, First Award
T/3rd Flynn Pryor, First Award
T/3rd Omar Mace, First Award
S/Sgt Henry Lyons, Third Award
T/3rd Darwin Valdovinos, First Award

Promotions:
None

AFTER ACTION REPORT
Smooth sailing until just past Corsica. #3 engine just quit. No jittering, no smoke, no sputtering, just quit. The prop was feathered, right away. Quickly conferring with Lt Paris, we decided we were too close to turn around.

[OOC: Three random events were rolled, one for engine failure, two for Lady Luck Smiles. All told, rolled #-6 nine times, out of eleven waves faced. Great luck for being out of formation for about 12 zones, and one of them for two turns due to an engine out.]

Between the #3 engine quitting, and the bomb drop, we faced two waves of enemy fighters.

First up was a trio of FW-190s and a tagalong Bf-109. Escorts quickly drove off one of the FWs, while T/3 Valdovinos shot down one from the tail. Our gunnery also tagged the remaining two fighters, driving them off.

The second wave was a pair of Me-210s and another 109. T/Sgt Peterson, top gunner, shot down one of the 210s. Lt Salazar, operating the nose turret, peppered the fuselage of the 109. The remaining 210 stitched us up good. T/3 Valdovinos took a fragment to the chest, knocking him out for the count. S/Sgt Lyons took a fragment to the left calf, hobbling him, but not taking him out. [OOC: Used a Lady Luck to change a KIA to a LW for S/Sgt Lyons. Came in handy.]

The 210 came around again at 6 level. With Valdovinos out, we had no defensive gunnery. We took hits to the right wing root, left aileron, and harmless hits in the radio room. I doubt T/3 Cardenas thought they were harmless.

As we passed through the flak, I had T/3 Pryor pull Valdovinos out of the tail, tend to him, then take his spot at the tail guns.

The old bird took a buffeting, but Lt Rangle put 30 percent on target.

With our bomb load gone, the lightened airframe was able to get back close to cruising speed, though we could not quite catch up with the group. Escorts were still present, so that helped.

The rest of the trip the enemy spent their efforts against the group.

Submitted by,
1Lt Christopher Sweeney, Pilot
B-17G Barbara Jean
80th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF

[limburger59]

B-17F ANXIOUS ANGEL
        Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
High Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 15 May 44
MISSION # 32
TARGET: Nice, France

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Nathaniel “Nate” Sutherland                     (18) AM++ PH
Co-Pilot: 2LT George “G.K.” Kimball                         (2)
Navigator: 2LT Forrest “Candy Man” Sweet               (11) AM PH
Bombardier: 2LT Vernon “Vermont” Gray                 (8) AM DFC
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Emile “Plug” Putman                (21) [6.5] AM++ DFC “Ace”
Radio Op: S/SGT Zander “Ham” Berger                   (15) [.5] AM+
Ball Turret: SGT Chester “Bad Boy” Goode                (7) [.83] AM
Right Waist: SGT Timothy “Sallie” Salisbury              (3)
Left Waist: SGT Gregory “Greg” Caires                     (3) [1]
Tail Gunner: SGT Morris “The Imp” Fields                  (9) [4.83] AM

Bomb Run: On Target 30%

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:
Mechanical Failure: Engine #4

Peckham Points: 40

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 0
        
Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal - Second oak leaf cluster for 15 Completed Missions:  S/SGT Zander “Ham” Berge

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

Our milk run was interrupted by an engine failure in Zone 4 on the return trip.

[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).

Two missions in two days – there is definitely a push on for some reason. Warwick and his crew worked their usual miracles with the damage we’d suffered yesterday, and the Patch was ready to go before the briefing.

Haley seems a bit happier – even smiling on occasion, but his self-doubt is a worry. I need him to put it aside and just do his job.

A long transit up to the south of France this time, but pretty good escort cover most of the way. Let’s hope our good run of trips continues.


Mission: Everything went very smoothly with take-off and the form up. This continued until we were about 50 miles southeast of Corsica, when our #3 engine started to lose power.

Magic’s hands were a blur over the throttles, mixture & pitch controls, switches and CBs. “No good, skipper – something’s blown in the supercharger control – we need to shut it down.”

I gave him a thumbs-up, and asked Southey to inform the squadron leader of our situation. As the engine died and the prop was feathered by Mitchell, I eased us a bit lower to allow the rest of the formation to pass us by. By the time we were the other side of Corsica, they were out of sight, and we were on our own – apart from a few escorts that were still covering the Group’s flight path.

I could have jettisoned the bombs and headed home, but we’d had no trouble so far, and the plane was still flying fine. With the target pretty close, turning back didn’t seem the right thing to do.

As we closed on Nice over the sea, we did pick up a couple of customers – 109s – but the escorts saw them off before they got anywhere near us.

We could see the column of smoke over Nice; the result of the rest of the Group’s efforts. Soon after we made our final heading adjustment, we picked up a 109 dead ahead of us, and a 190 directly behind us.

Magic didn’t manage to hit the 109, but its threat was removed by Walcott with the chin turret guns. His accurate fire set the port wing on fire, with the pilot exiting his aircraft very smartly.

While Haley didn’t manage to take down the one in our six, he did enough so that the Jerry missed his shot on us, then dived away for home.

As the flak gunners started to open up on us, with no other targets to distract them, Sanford called in, “Rockets! Rockets from right side!!”

I used our usual evasive manoeuvres, and none hit home. Once level again, I turned the plane over to Walcott for the final run-in on the target.

(Two other waves here: the first was a random event [#63 on Peckham’s table] which resulted in ‘Aggressive Escorts’ – all fighter cover rolled one column to the right for the rest of the mission, starting next zone.

The other was rockets, which had no effect, as none hit and the plane was already out of formation)

The familiar lurch upwards coincided with his call of “Bombs gone!”. After a short while he followed up with, “That looks a helluva lot better than yesterday’s effort!”

As we turned away, the flak was again ineffective, but we picked up another 109 ahead and 190 behind. This time, our fighters managed to deal with the 190, and Walcott, once again, took care of the 109. Similar to last time, but on this occasion the port wing was so damaged by the bombardier’s fire that it detached from the aircraft. Once again, the pilot escaped successfully.

Things got quiet after that until around Anzio, when we picked up three more 109s: one dead ahead, with the two others behind, one level, one above. The latter two were seen off by the escorts, leaving another one for Walcott and Magic to deal with. This time, it was Magic’s turn, shredding the Jerry plane’s rudder and tail section. The pilot quickly lost control, and the plane spiralled away earthwards.


A very good trip, all in all. We did more than half of it out of formation, but with the support of the escorts, plus some accurate gunnery, we made it home with no damage and no casualties.

We all snapped to attention when Maj. Fraser made a surprise visit to our debriefing. “Relax, gentlemen. Where’s Lieutenant Walcott? Ah – there you are! I just want to congratulate you on your drop today, especially being out of the Group – the recce boys reckon you got well over 90% of your load on target, so make sure your best uniform is up to scratch for the DFC presentation next week!” With that news, he left us congratulating Herschel on his work.

It seems that the gods were smiling on Herschel today, as he received full credit for the two 109s he took out. This means that he will get an immediate oak leaf cluster to his DFC, as these kills make him an ace gunner! Magic got a piece of the one he destroyed, but the day definitely belonged to Herschel.

This made for a great evening in the bar, and an expensive one for Herschel. Nobody can think of anyone else getting two DFCs in one day, and our bombardier is the current celebrity on the base, even having a photo and interview with the Life guys that were visiting.

After everything had calmed down, I realized that I had my own paperwork to submit, as that was my fifteenth mission, and I’m due another OLC for my Air Medal. Let’s hope things continue like this for a while!



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]

Sunday Punch of the 79th falls out of formation zone 11 inbound after flak removes the nose section. Someone needs to take over as squadron lead.
AAR  to follow (Sorry everyone, but I'm still wadding through my Executor duties and don't have a lot of time at the moment. I'll post when I can get it written up.)

[eddie]

Mission 32 AAR
Mission Date: 15 May, 1944

Target: Nice, France – Marshalling Yard

Bomber SN: B-17G-20BO-42-31468; "Miss Behavin"
80th Bomb Sqdn., 509th (H) Bombardment Grp., 15th AF

Formation position: Middle Sqdn.

Pilot: 1st Lt. Tom Hathaway (Mission #14)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Matt West (Mission #14)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Ben Morrison (Mission: #14)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Evan Jones (Mission #14)
Engineer: TSgt. Michael Godinez (Mission #14)
Radio Operator: SSgt. Frederick Simmons (Mission #9 – Spare Pool)
Ball Turret Gunner: Sgt. Craig Wiseman (Mission #14)
Port Waist Gunner: Sgt. Jake Thompson (Mission #4)
Starboard Waist Gunner: Sgt. Lowell Price (Mission #12 – Spare Pool)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Robert Dyer (Mission #13)

Bomb Run: On/Off target: On target – 30%

Bomber Damage Sustained: Port wing inboard fuel tank, leak, self-seal; Starboard elevator inop; Rudder damaged; Port Waist suit heat, a few superficial hits (Peckham points =56)

Crew Casualties Sustained: None

Enemy Aircraft Claims: None

Not exactly sure how MSgt. Creen got the girl together in time for this mission, but he obviously worked a miracle. He did brief us that in case there were issues with the bomb bay doors, he personally checked and lubricated the manual bomb door opener.

I briefed the crew on our target and expected resistance and welcomed our two replacement crew for this mission. We are expecting no resistance for most of the mission but to remain alert. We are expecting some enemy fighter resistance in the target area as well as some flak.

After takeoff, we formed up with the rest of the Squadron in the missile formation.

We encountered no resistance until we were in the target area. A couple of Me-110’s came in at us but were picked off by our escorts before they could attack. Entering the target area and lining up on the IP we took several flak hits. Our Port wing inboard fuel tank took a hit but self-sealed. We took some hits in the tail area and lost our Starboard elevator. Also, the Port Waist Gunners suit heater was damaged and rendered inop. He radioed he could stay.

Bombs were pretty well on target, and we turned to the egress heading. There was no flak near us but as soon as we cleared the zone, there were some more fighters. Escorts must have been busy and three Bf-109’s came at us from the front. We fired at them, only damaging one, slightly, from the top turret but he continued his attack. All three of them missed us on the pass and did not circle back to us.

As soon as we were clear of fighters, I ordered our waist gunners to rotate the position so they could warm up in the forward compartment as we were not expecting any enemy opposition for most of the flight home.

There were no additional enemy fighter encounters for the remainder of the mission, and we landed safely back at base.

I personally thanked our Crew Chief, MSgt. Creen, for the great work the night before and apologized for banging her up again. He is very protective of his plane.

Thankfully no one wounded on this trip.

Respectfully submitted:
1st Lt. T. Hathaway, commanding
SN: B-17G-20BO-42-31468
80th Bomb Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group H, 15th AAF

[jpfatfingers]

B-17 G / Damned Yankees
Mission #32 - 5/15/44
Pilot: 1st Lt Joey Dimaggio
Squadron: 79th BS
Mission This Bomber: 06
Mission Target: Nice France, Marshaling Yards
Bomber Position: Middle / Middle

POSITION	RANK	NAME	MISSION COMPLETED	KILLS THIS MISSION	TOTAL KILLS	AWARDS	STATUS / FIT FOR DUTY
Pilot	1st Lt.	Joey Dimaggio	6			Purple Heart	FFD
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt.	Mickey Mantle	4*			Purple Heart	FFD
Bombardier	2nd Lt.	"Babe" Ruth	6		3		FFD
Navigator	2nd Lt.	Louie Gehrig	6		2		FFD
Engineer	T/Sgt	"Yogi" Berra	6		1		FFD
Radio Op	T/Sgt	"Sparky" Lyle	6		0.5		FFD
Ball Gunner	Sgt	Ronny Guidry	6		1		FFD
Pt Waist Gunner	Sgt	"Lefty" Gomez	6				FFD
Stbrd Waist Gunner	Sgt	"Goose" Gossage	6				FFD
Tail Gunner	Sgt	"Catfish" Hunter	6		0.5		FFD

*2nd Lt. Mantle missed 2 missions due to leg wound suffered on 3rd mission.

BOMB RESULTS: Babe scores a 60% on target. His best yet and earns him the nickname of Bronx Bomber.
BOMBER DAMAGE: none!
PECKHAM POINTS: 0
LANDING: Safe
BOMBER DISPOSITION: Ready
CASUALTIES & STATUS: All A-OK
CLAIMS: None
AWARDS: None
PROMOTIONS: None
Respectfully submitted by 1st Lt. J. Dimaggio

AAR

The first total milk run for our crew, complete with beautiful weather and they loved every minute. We saw bogeys approaching the target zone (Z 10) but they were driven off by a combination of little friends and B-17’s of the high and low squadrons. Ditto once we entered the target zone (Z 11) where we also saw moderate flak, but nothing even close to our plane. This allowed us a clean undisturbed bomb run and Babe took full advantage, dropping 60% of our load dead on top of the marshaling yards, his best result to date and earning him the nickname of Bronx Bomber. Flak leaving the target zone was negligible as were bogeys and we enjoyed an equally easy ride home to a soft landing.

[medic1]

B-17G SUNDAY PUNCH 5-BO-44-416507
Pilot: 1st Lt Perry Shipman
Squadron: 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group (H) 15th Air Force
High Squadron: Lead
Mission Date: 15 May 44
Mission Number: 032
Missions This Bomber: 7
Target: Nice, France - Marshalling Yard

Crew/Position/Rank	Current Mission	Previous Claims	This Mission	Stress Points	Status
Pilot 1st Lt Perry Shipman	7	0	0	0	KIA
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Travis Whitney	2	0	0	0	KIA
Bombardier 2nd Lt Craig Kellici	23	2.5	1	0	KIA
Navigator 2nd Lt Sam Markham	7	0	0	1	KIA
Engineer S/Sgt Dan Lansky	7	1	0	1	RTD
R/O S/Sgt Will Dixon	7	0	0	2	RTD
Ball Gunner Sgt Ted Caffrey	7	2	3	2	RTD
PWG Sgt Noreno Costa	20	1	0	1	RTD
SWG Sgt Cletus Judner	4	0	0	1	RTD
TG Sgt Mark Riley	20	5	1	2	RTD

Bomb Run: DNB
On Target: N/A
B-17 Damage: 8 Hits
Superficial x 1 (1)
Nose x 2
-bombardier KIA (10)
-navigator LW+KIA (12)
-BIP (120)
Cockpit x 1
-pilot KIA (10)
-co-Pilot SW+KIA (15)
Starboard Wing x 2
-superficial (1)
-wing root (35)
Waist x 1
-ball turret oxygen (5)
Tail x 1
-tailplane (5)
Peckham Points: 215 battle damage, a billion for the crash
Repair Time: Never
Crew Chief: S/Sgt Steve Yates, (+2 modifier)
Landing: Safe at Giulia

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	15	3	2	3	4
He-112	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	3	2	1	0	0
IAR-80	0	0	0	0	0
Ju-88	0	0	0	0	0
Re-2001	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	18	5	3	3	4

Confirmed Claims: 5
Sgt Ted Caffrey 2 x Fw-190, 1 x Me-410
1st Lt Craig Kellici 1 x Fw-190
S/Sgt Mark Riley 1 x Fw-190
Casualties: 4
1st Lt Perry Shipman KIA
1st Lt Craig Kellici KIA
2nd Lt Sam Markham LW/KIA
2nd Lt Travis Whitney SW/KIA
Stress Points after mission: 3
S/Sgt Dan Lansky, S/Sgt Will Dixon, Sgt Ted Caffrey, Sgt Noreno Costa, Sgt Cletus Judner, S/Sgt Mark Riley
Award/ Promotions Requests: 
PH Posthumous 1st Lt Perry Shipman
PH Posthumous 1st Lt Craig Kellici
PH Posthumous 2nd Lt Sam Markham
PH Posthumous 2nd Lt Travis Whitney
OLC Sgt Noreno Costa
OLC S/Sgt Mark Riley
Promotions:
Sgt Noreno Costa promoted to S/Sgt
S/Sgt Mark Riley Promoted to T/Sgt
Mission Notes:
BIP to nose section
4 crew KIA
Sgt Ted Caffrey downs 3 fighters and achieves Ace status
Sgt Noreno Costa and S/Sgt Mark Riley complete 20th mission.
Crew bailed out and bomber destroyed

After Action Report (using QOTS and various optional rules)
Our problems first started when about 100 miles after we had lifted off our flap controls failed. Then, before the target zone we were jumped by five 190. Our fighters chased off two and we managed to shoot one down.

At the IP, we were jumped by three more 190s and during that ensuing battle we took accurate fire that killed our pilot and bombardier, and the copilot and navigator were wounded. We managed to knock one of the Krauts down, but it seemed like poor payback for the licking we took.

By the time we had entered the flak field, I had dropped out of my turret, removed the Captain from his chair while Dixon helped the severely wounded Copilot to the radio room. He returned and helped me try to control the bomber. He had no sooner sat down when the ship was rocked by a massive explosion and our ship lurched, then dropped and started to head for the ground. The explosion had removed the entire plexiglas and finished off the wounded the navigator. We had dropped several thousand feet before we somehow managed to gain control and level out. With great difficulty we managed to turn around and aim for England, harassed by flak and fighters. We endured three waves of fighters, of which we managed to knock down three while taking hits from their repeated attacks.

Over the water we were having great difficulty. We managed to manually jettison our bombs and the autopilot helped some in controlling the ship, but without a navigator we had no clue if we were actually heading home or not.

After some time we got lucky and came across a RN destroyer and we decided it best if we bailed out and have them pick us up rather than continue to fly our crippled bomber and attempt to land it without a qualified pilot. Although we managed to get lieutenant Whitney out and have his parachute open safely, he was dead by the time any of us were able to get to him.

S/Sgt Dan Lansky

[Grondeaux]

B-24J-25-CF 42-99881 Palpatatin’ Pam
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Low squadron, middle
Mission Date: 15 May 1944
Mission #: 32
Aircraft Mission #: 4
Target: Marshalling yard, Nice, France

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	1LT	Arnold Stone	3		0
Copilot	2LT	Lloyd Newell	3		1
Bombardier	2LT	Glenn McGrath	3		0	DFC
Navigator	2LT	Ernest Yoder	3		0
Nose Turret Gunner	SGT	Victor Crawford	3		0
Flight Engineer	TSGT	Theodore Childers	3	1	0
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Clifton Horton	3		0
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Delbert Hewitt	3		0
Right Waist Gunner	SSGT	Morris Mullins	3		1
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	David Gonzalez	3		0

Crew Chief: SSGT Ray Elliott (41 skill points; roll every even-numbered zone)

Bomb Run: On target, 40%

Casualties: none

Attackers: 9

Type	Spotted	Destroyed	Damaged	Driven Off by Escort
ME-109	5	0	2	3
FW-190	3	0	0	3
ME-210	1	0	1	0

Claims: none

Credits: none

Award/Promotion Requests:

In Hospital/Recovery: none

Aircraft Damage: 12 Peckham points (control cables, 1 x superficial)

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)
-----------------------------------------------------
Routine take-off and assembly.

Outbound
Zones 2-7: Nothing to report.

Zone 8: Childers’ turret goes on the fritz, losing power.

Zone 9: Childers gets the power going back to his turret.

Zone 10: A single ME-109 comes after us but is driven off by a P-39.

Target Zone (11)
Our opposition on the run-in to the target consists of two waves of Germans, each just a single FW-190. Both the FWs are run off by 350th FG Airacobras.
The flak is clear of us, and McGrath gets a good bomb drop.
The flak is again clear and much less intense as we turn for home.
We emerge from the flak zone and are jumped by another FW-190. It, in turn, is jumped by another P-39. I’d heard disparaging remarks about Airacobras but those boys are doing right by me.

Inbound
Zones 10-4: Nothing to report.

Zone 3: Two ME-109s and a ME-210 evade our escorts and attack Pam. We trade fire with them, driving them off and picking up some minor damage in the process.

Zone 2: Nothing to report.

Landing: Nice smooth landing.


V/r,
1LT Arnold Stone, First Pilot
B-24J Palpatatin’ Pam
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF

[ChefEd]

B-24J Gravel Gertie
B-24J-10-CF-42-64272
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Low
Aircraft Position: Middle
Mission Date: 15 MAY 1944
Mission Number: 32
This Aircraft: 3
Target: Nice, France, Marshalling Yard

Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Mission	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	1st Lt Alexis Vaillancourt	17	0	AM++, PH+	RTD	0
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt Branson Pope	9	0	AM	RTD	0
Navigator / NT	2nd Lt Nash Norman	10	1.5	AM+	RTD	2
Bombardier	2nd Lt Bill Fleming	8	0	AM	RTD	1
Engineer	T/3rd Trevor Beasley	9	2	AM	RTD	1
Radio Op	S/Sgt Bobby Gold	6	0	AM	RTD	0
Right Waist	Sgt Guy Longfellow	7	1	AM	RTD	0
Ball Turret	Sgt Phoenix Shelton	4	1	0	RTD	0
Left Waist	Sgt Miller Rosales	5	1	AM	RTD	0
Tail Gunner	Sgt Dane Zamora	7	2	AM	RTD	1
Crew Chief	T/Sgt Virgil Vang	14			Skill +1

Bomb Run: On Target, 40 %

Casualties:
Sgt Miller Rosales, Left leg graze, RT

Peckham Points: 0 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) Day to Repair, Refit

Damage: None

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft

Type	Encountered	Driven Off	Damaged	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Fw-190	4	2	1	0	0	0
Me-110	3	1	0	2	1.5	0

Claims

Position	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Ball	1	1	0
Navigator	1	0.5	0

Awards:
Air Medal
2Lt Nash Norman, Second Award
Sgt Miller Rosales, First Award

Purple Heart
Sgt Miller Rosales

Promotions: None

AFTER ACTION REPORT
I wasn’t sure if I should feel good or nervous. Flight pre-check was perfect. Nothing out of place. No leaks. All instruments checked out. On my 17th mission, I felt the odds were about to catch up to me sooner, rather than later. We’ll see.

We faced no enemy aircraft until in the target zone. We faced two waves of Boche, totaling five FW-190s. Our escorts swooped in and drove off three of the interlopers.

We tagged one, which missed us. We missed the last, who also missed us. Lt Norman, manning the nose turret, reported both guns jammed.

Lt Norman spent the next 15 to 20 minutes unjamming both weapons.

Lt Fleming, ignoring the flak, focused on the bomb run. His concentration netted us 40% on target. Good show.

Flak targeting was off on the run in. Not so on egress. We took a hit to the waist, wounding Sgt Rosales lightly in the left leg. Sgt Longfellow dressed the wound, calling in it wasn’t much more than a scratch. That all Purple Heart recipients be so lucky.

We were 20 or so minutes out from the target when Orange’s Other Crate called in, he was dropping from formation. We called in and slid into TEC, in his stead.

As it worked out, any enemy that did show up ignored us for the next several hours, as we headed back to the nest.

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

[ChefEd]

B-24J Classy Chassy
B-24J-5-CF-42-64220
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: Low
Aircraft Position: Middle
Mission Date: 15 MAY 1944
Mission Number: 32
This Aircraft: 4
Target: Nice, France, Marshalling Yard


Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Mission	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	1st Lt Conor Grinsly	4	0	0	RTD	0
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt Lincoln Nichols	4	0	0	RTD	1
Navigator / NT	2nd Lt Emmanuel Moulder	4	0.5	0	RTD	1
Bombardier	2nd Lt Kirk Vaillancourt	4	0	0	RTD	0
Engineer	T/3rd Julien O'Rourke	4	0.5	0	RTD	0
Radio Op	T/4th Rene Harper	4	0	0	RTD	1
Right Waist	S/Sgt Kai Vader	3	0.5	PH	RTD	0
Ball Turret	Sgt Jaxton Ingrid	4	1.5	0	RTD	0
Left Waist	Sgt Ismael Deadmon	3	0.5	PH	RTD	1
Tail Gunner	S/Sgt Johnnie Nava	4	0.5	0	RTD	2
Crew Chief	S/Sgt Dan Hitchcock	6			Skill +0

Bomb Run: On Target, 50 %

Casualties: None

Peckham Points: 24 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) Day(s) to Repair and refit

Damage:

Superficial X2	4
Left Rudder	10
O2 System	10

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft

Type	Encountered	Driven Off	Damaged	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Me-109	5	1	0	4	2.5	0
Fw-190	4	2	1	0	0	0
Ju-88	1	0	0	0	0	0
Me-410	1	1	0	0	0	0

Claims:

Position	Claimed	Awarded	Probable
Ball	1	0.5	0
Left Waist	1	0.5	0
Right Waist	1	0.5	0
Tail	1	0.5	0
Top	1	0.5	0

Awards:
Air Medal
None

Purple Heart
None

Promotions:
None

AFTER ACTION REPORT
The Gremlins struck early, today. We were just out over the Tyrrhenian when Lt Moulder reported the nose turret had lost power, Fortunately, it did not take too long for him to remedy the problem, and get power restored.

Enemy fighters finally attacked as we approached the target. We faced two waves of fighters, comprised of four FW-190s and a pair of 109s. Escorts drove off two 190s, and we shot down the pair of 109s. We damaged one of the remaining 190s. The last 190 was unscathed, and did us no harm. However, one of the 109s we shot down got his licks in before we nailed him. On his one pass he damaged our O2 system, and damaged the left rudder.

Flak was inconsequential, allowing Lt Vaillancourt to put 50% on target.

On target egress flak was again useless, as we ran into two more waves of enemy fighters. We shot down the two 109s, while escorts drove off two of the three other fighters. The one remaining fighter had no heart, and pulled away after a pitiful attack run. During this exchange the ball guns both jammed. We were half way down the Tyrrhenian when I got the report that the guns were permanently out of action.

We were opposite Rome when the O2 system finally gave out, and we descended below 10,000 feet. Our little friends were quite active, making it a moot point.

Submitted by,
1Lt Conor Grinsly, Pilot
B-24J Classy Chassy
78th BS, 509th BG (H), 15th AF, USAAF

[limburger59]

B-24 KNOCKOUT
        Spare assigned to the 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Low Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 15 May 44
MISSION # 32
TARGET: Nice, France

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Kent “Moon Man” Mooney                          (8) AM
Co-Pilot: 2LT Gilbert “Gil” Webber                             (4)
Navigator: 2LT Lee “Tallahassee” Holder                    (2)
Bombardier: 2LT Charles “Charlie” Freya                   (10) [1.5] AM PH       1x Bf-109 destroyed
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Jason “Glass” Glasser                 (11) [3.18] AM     
Radio Op: S/SGT Theo “Morris Code” Morris               (9) AM
Ball Turret: SGT Leland “Lee” McNamara                    (4)
Right Waist: SGT David “Squeaky” Michell                  (3)
Left Waist: SGT Varney “Tater” Coultrain                    (3)
Tail Gunner: SGT Tony “Badger” Marshall                   (16) [.5] AM+

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Casualties: None

B-24 Damage:
Superficial x2 (4)
Structural N/E (10)
P. Flap out (10)
P. Wing Root x2 (50)

Peckham Points: 74 - Repairs completed 19 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 8
        7x Bf-109: 1 Destroyed, 4 Driven Off
        1x FW-190: 1 Probable
        
Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal - first oak leaf cluster for 10 Completed Missions: 2LT Charles “Charlie” Freya


AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-B24 variant):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

All damage suffered from Flak, which threw off our Bombardier's aim.

[Grondeaux]

B-24J-25-CF 42-99890 Oblivion Express
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Low squadron, middle
Mission Date: 15 May 1944
Mission #: 32
Aircraft Mission #: 2
Target: Marshaling yard, Nice, France

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	1LT	Ira Gleason	7		1	AM
Copilot	2LT	Gordon Wiggins	7		0	AM
Bombardier	2LT	Floyd Cobb	7		0	AM
Navigator	2LT	Harold McBride	7		1	AM
Nose Turret Gunner	SGT	Matthew Hartley	6	1	1	AM
Flight Engineer	SSGT	Clarence Maddox	7		0	AM
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Alton Pope	7	1	1	AM
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Carl Heller	7	1	2	AM
Right Waist Gunner	SGT	Lyle Riley	7		1	AM
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	Archibald Brockner	7	1	0	AM	Replacement

Crew Chief: SGT Clyde Clemens (27 skill points; roll every zone)

Bomb Run: On target, 60%

Casualties: none

Attackers: 3

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

Claims: none

Credits: none

Award/Promotion Requests: none

In Hospital/Recovery: none

Aircraft Damage: 4 Peckham points (2 x superficial)

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)
-----------------------------------------------------

Take-off and assembly: Routine.

Outbound
Zones 2-9: Nothing to report.

Zone 10: “Rockets!” comes the call from Brockner. Several pass through the squadron formation. One detonates nearby and we pick up a couple of superficial holes.

Target Zone (11)
“Ball turret to pilot. My turret’s not working.” That’s just wonderful. Pope is unable to get the power restored, either.
More rockets are lobbed into our formation but this time they pass us harmlessly.
A lone FW-190 starts an attack run but is chased off by our escort.
Maddox calls in a B-17 off to starboard. Since he doesn’t see any Germans swarming it, it’s probably an enemy shadow.
The flak is away from us.
Cobb’s bomb drop looks to be right on the money.
We turn for home, and the flak is again clear of the Express.
A pair of ME-210s rise up to attack. A P-39 takes on one. We trade fire with the remaining one, at 3:00 low. Pope manages to get some of his fire in the same direction as the German, at least. Riley says he hit it. The German misses us and calls it a day.

Inbound
Zone 10: I tell Heller to get Pope out of the now mostly-worthless ball turret. I have no desire to land with him trapped inside it and there’s no telling how long it will take to get Pope out.

Zone 9: Heller and Riley are now both working to extricate Pope from the ball.

Zone 8: “Left waist to pilot. We got him.” I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m sure Pope’s happy to be free as well.

Zones 7-2: Nothing to report.

Landing: Routine.

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

[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: 4
Squadron: 80th
Formation/Position: Middle
Mission Date: 15 May 1944
Mission Number: 32
Target: Nice, Vichy France / Railroad Marshalling Yards

CREW (missions) {StressPts} E/A Wounds
Pilot: 2LT. Byron Roberts (4) {1}
Co-Pilot: 2Lt. Charles Winston (4) {}
Bombardier: 2Lt. Oliver "Ollie" Cashman (2) {} [B%: 5-20-]
Navigator: 2Lt. Olaf Thomason Ph (4) {1}
Engineer: Sgt. Sean McHale (4) {2} []
Radio Operator: George Pyle (4) {1}
Ball Turret: Sgt. David Jensen (4) {1} []
PWG: Sgt. Benjamin Tsosie (2) {1}
SWG: Sgt. Steve Tramelle (4) {1}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Alexandrus Krukowski (4) {} []

BOMB RUN: ON Target: 20%

Enemy Aircraft Encountered: 5 0xFw190, 0xMe109, 0xMc205, 0xMe110, 0xMe210, 0xMe410, 0xIAR80

E/A Damaged: 1
E/A Probable: 0
E/A: Destroyed: 0
E/A Driven off by Fighter Escort: 2

Condition of B-17G ~ MAKING TIME: 1x SF/NE hit to port wing, flak holed starboard outboard fuel tank. Crew Chief Vernon Leakey reports that MAKING TIME should be repaired, routine maintenance performed.

AAR: MAKING TIME took off and formed up with the Middle squadron. On approach to target, attacked by three Fw190's. Escort drove off one of 'em, the other two missed their shots. Our defensive fire winged one of 'em. Hit by flak both outbound and inbound, putting hole in starboard outboard fuel tank. Sgt. McHale (Engineer), did some quick calculations and asked about a brief visit to Corsica. As we departed target area, a single Fw190 got through escort fighters and made a run at us, not hitting us (nor did we hit him). Left formation to land at Aghione Airfield. MAKING TIME's fuel tank was repaired, we were gassed up. Decent hospitality at Aghione, if you are partial to canned beef, scones and tea. Flew back to our base the following day. No encounters with E/A inbound. We landed safely at base.

Respectfully Submitted,

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