Mission 34: Latisana, Italy - Railroad Bridge

[tomt1999]

Private Dix B-17F-75BO 42-29909
80th Squadron

MISSION DATE: 22 May 44
MISSION # 34
TARGET: Latisana, Italy - Railroad Bridge

CREW
1LT Sherman Peterson - Pilot - Missions: 3 | Claims: | Awards: | Stress:
2LT Samuel McLean - CoPilot - Missions: 5 | Claims: | Awards: PH| Stress:
2LT James Cutter - Navigator - Missions: 6 | Claims: | Awards: PH| Stress:
1LT Jack Dawkins - Bombardier - Missions: 2 | Claims: | Awards: | Stress:
T/SGT Leonard Gardner - Engineer - Missions: 3 | Claims: | Awards: | Stress:
SSGT Daniel Marshall - Radio Op - Missions: 2 | Claims: | Awards: PH| Stress:
SGT Robert Fox - Ball Gunner - Missions: 1 | Claims: | Awards: | Stress:
SGT James Drew - Waist Gunner - Missions: 2 | Claims: | Awards: | Stress:
S/SGT Alexander Simpson - Waist Gunner - Missions: 3 | Claims: | Awards: PH| Stress:
SGT Felix Greene - Tail Gunner - Missions: 2 | Claims: | Awards: | Stress:

BOMB RUN ON 40%

CASUALTIES none

DAMAGE:
Waist superficials from flak
8 shells in wings: 4x superficials, engines 3,4 out, fire (out)
Shell in starboard inboard fuel tank (self-sealed)

PECKHAM PONTS: 100
ready in 2 days (hangar ship)

LANDING
safe

ENEMY A/C
4x Fw190 - 2x DEST, 1 Driven off by gunfire, 1 attacker

CLAIMS
2x Fw190:
SGT Felix Greene - Tail Gunner - First claim
1LT Jack Dawkins - Bombardier - First claim

AWARDS
Air Medal
2LT Samuel McLean - CoPilot - (5)

AAR

An otherwise quiet and successful mission was interrupted by a period of intense combat 

after we left the target.

The flak missed us, Dawkins (bombardier) dropped on target, then we were hit with four 

Fw190s from our 12 and 6. We thought we were doing well after splashing two and driving 

off one, but the fourth one, coming up from below our tail, poured fire into both wings, 

hitting three engines and killing two of them (on one side). His second pass was ineffective.

We dropped out of formation and limped along on the two stbrd engines at a speed well 

below what we needed to keep up. Yawed to starboard from the drag of the wing, we 

crabbed along for hours until landing safely at Giulia.

We were the last ship in, I believe.

PETERSON, SHERMAN, 1LT
Private Dix

[limburger59]

B-17F SHOO SHOO TIME
        Spare assigned to the 79th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Middle Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 22 May 44
MISSION # 34
TARGET: Latisana, Italy

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT William “Bill” Sims                                 (10) AM
Co-Pilot: 2LT George “G.K.” Kimball                       (3)
Navigator: 2LT Charles Powell                               (5)
Bombardier: 2LT Vernon “Vermont” Gray                (9) AM DFC           1x 109 destroyed
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Gustavo Wilkerson                  (1)
Radio Op: S/SGT Christopher Varney                    (11) AM+
Ball Turret: SGT Chester “Bad Boy” Goode              (8) [.83] AM
Right Waist: SGT Timothy “Sallie” Salisbury           (4)
Left Waist: SGT Gregory “Greg” Caires                   (4) [1]
Tail Gunner: SGT Henry Madden                            (1)

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Casualties: None

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x3 (3)
Tail Guns inop (20)
Ball Turret inop (20)

Peckham Points: 43 - Repairs completed 23 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 2
       2x Bf-109: 1 Destroyed
        
Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal - first oak leaf cluster for 10 Completed Missions: 1LT William “Bill” Sims
        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: 2LT Charles Powell

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

Not the best day for the double gunners. The Ball Turret was knocked out by Flak. The Tail Guns were knocked out by a bandit. The Top Turret only fired off one burst. It took the Bombardier on the single nose gun to score the team's aerial victory.

[wolverinetoddy]

B-17 Name: Miss Keweenaw (9)
Crew Commander: 1st Lt. CA Hoyt
Squadron: 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
Formation: Low
Position: Middle

Mission Date: 22 May 44
Mission #: 34
Target: Latisana, Italy - Railroad Bridge

Position: Name (mission #) {Claims After} Status
Pilot: 1st Lt. CA Hoyt (9) {0} AM
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. A Collar (1) {0} AM
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. W Hutchinson (8) {0} AM, PH
Navigator: 2nd Lt. L Baxter (1) {1}
Engineer: MSgt. J Anderson (9) {1} AM
Ball Gunner: Sgt. J Brewbaker (9) {1} AM
Radio Oper.: Sgt. C Cook (9) {0} AM
Pt Waist G: Sgt. L Flint (9) {0} AM
Stbd Waist G: Sgt. M Hewitt (1) {0}
Tail Gunner: Sgt. R Lewis (9) {2} AM, PH: 2

Bomb Percentage: 0%

Bomber Disposition: Cat E (n/a Peckham Points)

Casualties: n/a

Claims (BY TYPE):
Attacked: (0:109, 3:190, 0:110)
Damaged: (0:109, 2:190, 0:110)
Destroyed: (0:109, 1:190, 0:110)
Anderson: 190

Special Note: n/a

Mission Description: File by 1st Lt. CA Hoyt, pilot commanding

I came back from the briefing with my new co-pilot this morning, Lt. Collar. Lt. Safford received a much-earned promotion and is now a plane commander over in the 79th. Collar is young, but has good piloting instincts. Lt. Baxter is our new navigator and Sgt. Hewitt is our new waist gunner.

We took off without incident and settled into the middle of the low formation. The outbound flight was quiet all the way to the target. The flak was heavy. Most of it missed us. Hutchinson was off target and we turned for home.

Shortly after leaving the target zone, we were attacked by a trio of FW 190s. We damaged a couple of them and scared them off. The third on was relentless. He hosed the Miss K with shells. Anderson finally knocked him down.

He knocked out Engine #3 and the Radio. More importantly the port inboard fuel tank. Baxter and Anderson ran some numbers on the remaining fuel and informed me that we did not have enough fuel to get home. We did have just enough to get to the emergency airfield at Vis.

When we arrived at Vis, we were quickly intercepted by the combat air patrol that we were not able to signal with the radio. Fortunately, the enemy has nothing anywhere as big as a B-17 so we didn’t get shot down. The fighters escorted us down the field.
Collar and I looked at the runway as we approached. “Damn, that’s short” Collar muttered.
“Well, we only have enough fuel left for one pass, so we had better make it a good one” I told him.
We came in as gently and slowly as possible. We hit the runway with a soft thud and ran her down to the very end of the field. Just as we came to a stop the port landing gear failed.

The crash trucks were waiting for us and got the crew out and the fire put out. All ten of us were safe, but the landing had broken the back of the Miss Keweenaw.
We turned over what was left of the Miss K to the locals for spare parts and hitched a ride back to Italy on a transport plane.

[patchall]

One worrisome moment. But the Hag made it through

[Grondeaux]

B-24J-25-CF 42-99881 Palpatatin’ Pam
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: Middle squadron, middle
Mission Date: 22 May 1944
Mission #: 34
Aircraft Mission #: 6
Target: Railroad bridge, Latisana, Italy

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	1LT	Arnold Stone	5		0	AM
Copilot	2LT	Lloyd Newell	5		0	AM
Bombardier	2LT	Glenn McGrath	5		0	DFC, AM
Navigator	2LT	Ernest Yoder	5		0	AM
Nose Turret Gunner	SGT	Victor Crawford	5		0	AM
Flight Engineer	TSGT	Theodore Childers	5	1	1	AM
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Clifton Horton	5	1.34	0	AM
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Delbert Hewitt	5		0	AM
Right Waist Gunner	SSGT	Morris Mullins	5		0	AM
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	David Gonzalez	5	0.5	0	AM

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

Bomb Run: On target, 40%

Casualties: SGT Delbert Hewitt, shattered skull (KIA)

Attackers: 3

Type	Spotted	Destroyed	Damaged	Driven Off by Escort
ME-109	2	0	2	0
RE.2005	1	0	1	0

Claims: none

Credits: none

Award/Promotion Requests: none

In Hospital/Recovery: none

Aircraft Damage: 26 Peckham points (nose turret heat, 1 x KIA, 3 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 2-6: Nothing to report.

Target Zone (7)
The flak on the target run-in is heavy, as expected. A piece of shrapnel hits Hewitt in the head, killing him instantly. Another piece of flying metal takes out our intercom system.
In spite of having a tiny target, McGrath gets an acceptable bomb drop.
No flak as we head for home.

Inbound
Zone 6: The enemy air defenses finally put in an appearance in the form of two ME-109s and an accompanying RE.2005. They make three passes on us, with one of the 109s finally hitting us on his last pass. Our gunners are hampered by the shot-out intercom but still manage to inflict some damage. The damage we sustain is not serious, but we do lose the heat for Crawford’s turret.

Zone 5: We radio in that we’re heading down to warmer air and Pam descends to 10,000 feet.

Zones- 4-2: Nothing to report.

Landing: Routine landing.

We just lost the first of our crew. I have a letter to write tonight that I had hoped I would never have to write. At least I can honestly say Delbert didn’t suffer. Small consolation.

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

[limburger59]

B-17F OVER LOADED
        Spare assigned to the 80th Bomber Squadron, 509th Bombardment Group
LOW Squadron – Middle
MISSION DATE: 22 May 44
MISSION # 34
TARGET: Latisana, Italy

CREW from the Spare Pool
Position – Rank                                        (Current Mission)
Pilot: 1LT Ernest Larsen                                       (4)
Co-Pilot: 2LT Russel Pratt                                    (5) PH
Navigator: 2LT Emmanuel Rosas                          (4) [1.5] PH
Bombardier: 2LT Wallace Richter                          (1)
Engineer/TT: S/SGT Benjamin Holder                    (2)
Radio Op: S/SGT Leonard Conway                        (1)                     KIA
Ball Turret: SGT Silas Best                                   (5)
Right Waist: SGT Paul Hess                                  (3) PH                 
Left Waist: SGT Salvatore Gennaro                       (2) PH                LW+KIA
Tail Gunner: SGT David Sutter                              (7) [.33] AM

Bomb Run: Off Target 0%

Casualties: S/SGT Leonard Conway - KIA
                  SGT Salvatore Gennaro - LW+KIA

B-17 Damage:
Superficial x8 (8)
Light Wound (2)
KIA x 2 (20)
Bomb Controls inop (10)
Rudder x1 (10)
P. Wing Root x2 (50)
Radio destroyed (10)
Nose Gun destroyed (10)
Autopilot out (10)
Tailwheel damaged (10)
P. Flap out (10)
P. Aileron out (10)
#1 engine super (20)

Peckham Points: 180 - Repairs completed 29 May 44

Disposition: Lands safely at Giulia.

Attackers: 4
       4x FW-190: 2 Damaged
        
Award/Promotion Requests: 
        Air Medal for 5 Completed Missions: SGT Silas Best, 2LT Russel Pratt

AFTER ACTION REPORT (QOTS-Beery):

        A Spare Crew flying a Hanger Queen

OUTBOUND: Nothing to Report

TARGET Zone 7: Flak took out the Bomb Controls during the Bomb Run.

INBOUND Zone 6: One wave of four Butcher Birds hammered us. Three hit us on the first pass, and two on their successive pass. When they finally left, with two sporting minor damage, we took stock of the carnage on board: two dead,  the port wing barely hanging on, and the only undamaged compartment was the empty bomb bay.

[kageyone]

[kageyone]

[jpfatfingers]

Mission #34 - 5/22/44
B-17 G / Damned Yankees
Pilot: 1st Lt Joey Dimaggio
Squadron: 79th BS
Mission Date: 17 May 1944
Mission Number: 034
Mission This Bomber: 08
Mission Target: Latisana IT, Rail Bridge
Bomber Position: Lead / Middle

POSITION	RANK	NAME	MISSIONS COMPLETED	KILLS THIS MISSION	TOTAL KILLS	AWARDS	STATUS / FIT FOR DUTY
Pilot	1st Lt.	Joey Dimaggio	8			Ppl Hrt / AM 5	FFD
Co-Pilot	2nd Lt.	Mickey Mantle	6*			Ppl Hrt / AM 5	FFD
Bombardier	2nd Lt.	"Babe" Ruth	8		3.5	AM 5	FFD
Navigator	2nd Lt.	Louie Gehrig	8		2	AM 5	FFD
Engineer	T/Sgt.	"Yogi" Berra	8	1 ME 109	2.5	AM 5	FFD
Radio Op	T/Sgt.	"Sparky" Lyle	8		0.5	AM 5	FFD
Ball Gunner	Sgt.	Ronny Guidry	8		2	AM 5	FFD
Pt. Waist Gunner	Sgt.	"Left" Gomer	8			AM 5	FFD
Stbrd Waist Gunner	Sgt.	"Goose" Gossage	8			AM 5	FFD
Tail Gunner	Sgt.	"Catfish" Hunter	8	1 ME 110	1.5	AM 5	FFD

*2nd LT. MANTLE – Pronounced recovered from thigh wound and FFD after sitting out 2 missions.

BOMB RESULTS: Babe, our “Bronx Bomber” lays another EGG (0%) on target but this time not earning a Bronx cheer since the poor weather and heavy flak from which we took a direct hit to the pilot compartment had a definite impact on his ability to sight in the target.

BOMBER DAMAGE: Flak dings Mickey’s oxy line but thankfully it remains adequate for the remainder of the flight. We also are tagged by ME 110 fire from 12 low – 1 each to the Rudder and Stbrd Wing Root, plus a “nose hit” that was only superficial.
PECKHAM POINTS: 85
LANDING: Safe
BOMBER DISPOSITION: Repairs made and ready for next mission
CASUALTIES & STATUS: All A-OK
CLAIMS: Engineer T/Sgt “Yogi” KO’s ME 109 at 12 high bringing him to 2.5 confirmed kills and Tail Gunner “Catfish” KO’s ME 110 at 6 low bringing him to 1.5 confirmed kills.
PROMOTIONS: None
Respectfully submitted by 1st Lt. J. Dimaggio

AAR

We are tagged by the CO for lead of the middle squadron so are glad that weather is marginal and bogeys even less so. It’s a quiet ride hugging the Adriatic coastline all the way to Latisana where we encounter heavy flak as projected. However it’s to our good fortune being the lead plane in heavy cloud cover, as the gunners are caught by surprise and we take only a single hit, but it’s into the Pilot Compartment nicking Mickey’s oxy line. Thankfully he is able to patch it sufficiently to keep the oxy flowing through the remainder of our mission. Not good fortune is the effect of the low clouds and flak hit on Babe’s accuracy as our load falls harmlessly into fields to the west of the rail bridge. On the return we are met in Zone 6 by a flight of 3 ME 110’s rising from 12 low, 6 low and 10:30 level, plus a lone ME 109 at 12 high. Yogi’s twin 50 top turret guns make short work of the 109 which explodes in mid-air while tail gunner Catfish treats the 110 at 6 low to the same fate, sheering off the port wing. The remaining 110 at 12 low evades Babe’s chin guns and tags us with 3 hits – nose (sup dmg), stbrd wing (root) and tail (rudder), then comes around for a 2nd pass from 3 high. There he’s treated to a wall of spray fire from Goose’s stbrd waist gun which unfortunately jams in the process, but that’s followed by Yogi’s top turret 50’s and he’s hot today, tagging the 110 with sufficient damage that disrupts his aim and he departs trailing smoke. The remainder of the flight is without incident as is our landing. Crew chief surveys the damage, pronounces it minimal (85 Pkm Pts) and assures us he’ll have Damned Yankees ready for the next mission in short order.

[sparky]

509th Bomb Group,  79th Bomber Squadron,  B-17G Doodle Bug
Mission #34,  Target Latisana, Italy-Railroad Bridge
May 22, 1944, Low cell-Middle
Bomb Run-DNB

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

Pilot...1st Lt Thomas Ryan                           (1)   
Co-Pilot...2nd Lt Ron Emig                           (1)
Bombardier...2nd Lt Bob Casey                     (1)  [0]   {0}
Navigator...2nd Lt Thomas Huston                (1)   [0]   {0}
Engineer...S/SGT Daniel Workman                (1)   [0]   {0}
Radio...S/SGT James Cook                           (1)   [0]   {0}
Port Waist Gunner...SGT Raymond Wetzel      (1)   [0]   {0}
Starboard Waist Gunner...SGT Bob Osborne   (1)   [0]   {0}
Ball Turret Gunner...SGT Wally Hammond      (1)   [0]   {0}
Tail Gunner...SGT John Pilkington                 (1)   [0]   {0}

AAR

Doodle Bug took off with no problems
Zones 2-3 were routine
Zone 4 The suit heating system went out for every position in the aircraft. I dropped altitude to 10K feet and attempted repairs.
The system could not be repaired so we jettisoned our bombs into the sea and aborted. Landing at base was safe and uneventful.

Submitted by 1st Lt  Thomas Ryan

[caodwolf]

B-24J:  FLYING HOME


Pilot: 1Lt. M. Kucek
Assignment:  15th Air Force,  509th Bomber Group, 78th Squadron
Mission Date: 22-May-1944
Mission No.: 34
Mission this Bomber: 2
Target for Today:  Latisana, Italy -  Rail Road Bridge
Squadron Position:  High
Result:   40%
 

This outbound was quiet though the weather started to deteriorate perhaps keeping German fighter pilots at bay.   Flak was heavy but caused no damage and bombs were dropped with good effect.

Ran into a pack of FW-190's after the egress.    One was shot down but the other racked us from nose to tail causing a casualty and damage.  

But that was that and we returned to base without further incident.

Over and out....

Crew Manifest

Position	Rank	Name	Missions Flown	Kills this Mission	Total Kills	Awards	Status
Pilot	1Lt	M. Kucek	9	---	---	AM, PH	OK
Co-Pilot	2Lt	C. Lawson	2	---	---	---	OK
Bombardier	2Lt	M. 'Colonel' Collins	2	---	---	---	OK
Navigator	2Lt	S. 'The Brain' Zell	4	---	---	PH	OK-SW
Top Turret/Engineer	S/Sgt	B. 'Boltze'  Boltz	2	---	---	---	OK
Radio Op	Sgt	E. Karabinos	2	---	---	---	OK
Chin Turret	S/Sgt	A. 'AJ'  Weiss	4	1	1	---	OK
Stbd Waist	Sgt	B. 'Rogers'  Gilbert	4	---	---	---	OK
Ball Turret	Sgt	P. Datello	2	---	---	---	OK
Tail Turret	S/Sgt	S.  Young	2	---	---	---	OK

 

Convalescing

Sgt  B Peterson, Radio:              RTD  20-July-1944
S/Sgt B Burgess.  Bombardier:   RTD  28-May-1944
2LT S Zell, Navigator:                RTD: 13-June-1944

Medals / Promotions

Purple Heart

2LT S Zell

None

Fighters Encountered

 

FTR	Spotted	Driven-Off	Damaged	Not-Damaged	Claimed - Credited
FW-190	5	---	3	1	1      1
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
---	---	---	---	---	---
TOTALS	5	---	3	1	1     1

B-24J Damage:

*  23  *

-(1) SW
-Port Waist gunner ox connection damaged

[Grondeaux]

B-24D-45-CO 42-402605 Miss Carriage
Spare aircraft flown by the crew of Oblivion Express
78th Bombardment Squadron
Bomber Position: High squadron, middle
Mission Date: 22 May 1944
Mission #: 34
Aircraft Mission #: 3
Target: Railroad bridge, Latisana, Italy

Crew at Mission Start

Position	Rank	Name	Missions	Credits	Stress	Awards	Notes
Pilot	1LT	Ira Gleason	9		1	AM
Copilot	2LT	Gordon Wiggins	9		0	AM
Bombardier	2LT	Floyd Cobb	9		1	AM
Navigator	2LT	Harold McBride	9		0	AM
Right Waist Gunner	SGT	Matthew Hartley	8	1.34	0	AM
Flight Engineer	SSGT	Clarence Maddox	9	1	1	AM
Ball Turret Gunner	SGT	Alton Pope	9	1	2	AM
Left Waist Gunner	SGT	Cletus Judner	5	1	0	AM	Replacement
Radio Operator	SGT	Lyle Riley	9		1	AM
Tail Turret Gunner	SGT	Kirby Goodwin	2	0	0	PH

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

Bomb Run: Off target, 5%

Casualties: none

Attackers: none

Claims: none

Credits: none

Award/Promotion Requests:
    Air Medal (oak leaf cluster) for completing 10 missions to 1LT Ira Gleason, 2LT Gordon Wiggins, 2LT Floyd Cobb, 2LT Harold McBride, SSGT Clarence Maddox, SGT Alton Pope, SGT Lyle Riley.

In Hospital/Recovery: none.

Aircraft Damage: Unspecified damage from bumpy landing (“Crew safe and B-17/B-24 repairable by next mission.”)

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)
-----------------------------------------------------
Oblivion Express is still undergoing repairs from the mauling it took on the Bucharest mission, so we get assigned a replacement D-model Liberator called Miss Carriage. Wiggins and I spend a lot of time poring over the flight manual, noting the differences between the D and the familiar J-model. That, and the aborted mission to Ploesti give us a chance to get familiar with the differing flight characteristics of the older model.

With Heller convalescing from getting his jaw broken, we get a replacement waist gunner from the spare crew pool. When he first shows up, I swear the sun is eclipsed. He’s big…six-two at least. After saluting, he sticks out a hand the size of a dinner plate. “Cletus Judner, suh, but y’all can call me Big South. Everyone does.” And no wonder.

Mission was a milk run… no fighter attacks and no flak damage… marred only by a very bumpy landing when we catch a wind gust at exactly the wrong time.

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

[kageyone]

[campsawyer]

[ChefEd]

B-24J Gravel Gertie
B-24J-10-CF-42-64272
Squadron: 78th Bomber Squadron, 509th (H) Bombardment Group
Squadron Position: High
Aircraft Position: Middle
Mission Date: 22 MAY 1944
Mission Number: 34
This Aircraft: 4
Target: Latisana, Italy, Railway Bridge

Crew

Position	Rank / Name	Mission	Kills	Awards	Status	Stress
Pilot	2nd Lt Branson Pope	11	0	AM+	RTD	0
Co-Pilot	Capt Alexis Vaillancourt	19	0	AM++, PH+	RTD	0
Navigator / NT	2nd Lt Nash Norman	12	3	AM+	+RTD	2
Bombardier	2nd Lt Bill Fleming	10	0	AM+	RTD	1
Engineer	T/3rd Trevor Beasley	11	3	AM+	RTD	1
Radio Op	S/Sgt Bobby Gold	8	0	AM	RTD	0
Right Waist	Sgt Guy Longfellow	9	1	AM	RTD	0
Ball Turret	Sgt Phoenix Shelton	6	1	AM	RTD	1
Left Waist	Sgt Miller Rosales	7	1	AM	RTD	0
Tail Gunner	Sgt Dane Zamora	9	2	AM	RTD	1
Crew Chief	T/Sgt Virgil Vang	16			Skill +1

Bomb Run: On Target, 30 %

Casualties: None

Peckham Points: 14 Peckham Points, One ( 1 ) Day(s) to Repair and refit

Damage:

Total	14
Superficial X2	4
Right Wing Flap Out	10

Landing: Safe

Enemy Aircraft:

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

Claims: None

Awards:
Air Medal
2Lt Bill Fleming, 2nd Award

Purple Heart : None

Promotions: None

AFTER ACTION REPORT
I am still getting used to my role as Squadron Exec. It is true, what they say: Paperwork is the grease that makes the Army run.

Flying my second mission as Exec, I was able, for the first time, to watch the performance of the squadron. I took my position at the back of the squadron, just in front of Alley Oop in the tail position. From there I could observe, and command (if necessary).

For this mission I had Lt Pope take the left seat. This would allow me to observe his flying skills, which were not in doubt, as well as keep an eye on the squadron.

The S-2 predictions for the missions were pretty spot on. We saw no enemy fighters until after the target, and flak was indeed heavy at the target.

Delta Rebel reported taking flak hits severe enough to leave formation.

Weather conditions were also accurate, with 10/10 cloud cover for 80% of the mission, including back at Giulia. Despite, or in spite of, the heavy cloud cover, Lt Fleming put 30% on target, keeping his bombing average above 40%.

Making our hard left turn from the target, and heading to the RP, we saw our first enemy fighters. Without escort, the crew proved their worth as aerial gunners. We were attacked by a pair of FW-190s and an ME-410. We shot down none of them but hit all three.

Through the hail of .50 caliber rounds, one of the 190s managed to get a few hits on us. The most damaging hit was the knocking out of the right flap. The most alarming hit was the shell that passed through the nose, missing both LTs Norman and Fleming. LT Norman was heard mumbling something about laundry, a little while later.

One of our rookie pilots drifted out of formation during this melee and clipped the tail of Alley Oop. (I may have to fly with the errant pilot next mission.)

Back out over the Adriatic, Palpatatin’ Pam reported loss of heat, and was dropping to warmer air.

The return flight was quiet, except for the whistling through the new holes in the nose. With no landmarks to guide us over the cloud covered Sea, we (silently) hoped the Group lead’s navigation was on par.

We eventually reached Giulia. I had LT Pope circle the area until our last Squadron plane landed.

Now, on to intercept LTs Dyck and Cuddy, from Alley Oop.

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

[mpgutis]

80th BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON
Mission #34, Latisana, Italy - Railroad Bridge

The crews snapped to attention so quickly that Captain Marz couldn't tell if they had been moving before he said the word. Major Simmons strode up to the front of the room. He said, "Seats" and the men relaxed.

"Gentlemen, I'm not at all concerned this mission about the percentages of bombs on target. What I am pleased to say is that the Group managed to knock out the bridge." There was a brief cheer. "Overall, the squadron contributed almost 21% on the target. Considering its size, that's pretty good. Of the fourteen aircraft the squadron put up, all but three put something on the target. The best was Barbara Jean at 95% earning Lieutenant Kash Rangel a DFC. Second best was Miss Behavin' at 60%. The squadron also accounted for a claim of fifteen enemy aircraft with eight and a half confirmed.

"As far as lost aircraft go, none were downed but Miss Keweenaw made a forced landing at Vis. She's Cat-E and the parts will be used as spares at the field. We did suffer two men killed in action, both on Over Loaded"

He paused for a moment then said, "Captain Marz, doing his job as my exec has informed me that I was incorrect about something and missed something else. When I suggested last mission that Lieutenant Williams should try for a DFC for bombing accuracy, I missed the fact that he already have. Lieutenant Williams, my apologies. And while I'm on the subject of The A Train, she's completed her twentieth mission and her entire crew has earned a promotion. Congratulations, gents. I guess you'll be buying the drinks." That Brough a round of cheers from the men.

They quickly quieted down. "All right, gentlemen. Next mission we're high squadron. Get some rest, relax as best you can, and be ready to go." As he started on his way out, Captain Marz called the room to attention.

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

THE A TRAIN
On target, 30%
1 EA claimed, 0 confirmed
Crew - AM, Promotion one grade
SGT Randy Peterman - PH
SGT Sheldon Thomas - PH

BLUES IN THE NIGHT
Off target, 8%
1 EA claimed, 0 confirmed

DUCK SOUP
On target, 30%

HONEY BUN
On target, 30%
2 EA claimed, 2 confirmed

CAVILIER
On target, 30%

MISS BEHAVIN'
On target, 60% - Second best in squadron

BARBARA JEAN
On target, 95% - Best in squadron
2 EA claimed, 1 confirmed
2LT Kash Rangel - DFC

TEASIN' TIME
Off target, 0%
3 EA claimed, 1.5 confirmed
2LT Guy Tipton - AM
SSG Johnny Hilton - AM

THE IRON MAIDEN
On target, 30%

PRIVATE DIX
On target, 40%
2 EA claimed, 2 confirmed

MISS KEWEENAW
Cat-E at Vis
Off target, 0%
1 EA claimed, 1 confirmed

OVER LOADED
Off target, 0%
2LT Russel Pratt - AM
SGT Silas Best - AM
SSG Leonard Conway - PH, posthumous
SGT Salvatore Gennaro - PH, posthumous

ROSIE
On target, 30%

CASTLE IN THE SKY
Off target, 0%
2 EA claimed, 0 confirmed 

DOUBLE BOMB
On target, 30%
1 EA claimed, 1 confirmed

[wolverinetoddy]

79th Bomb Squadron: After Mission Summary
Mission: 34
Mission Date: 22 May 44
Target: Latisana, Italy - Railroad Bridge

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

Major Robinson came storming down the aisle followed by his staff. He didn’t look happy. The staff didn’t look happy. The crews didn’t look happy. Easter Bunny was missing and Supper Club and Fortunate Sons had barely made it back. All that and they had barely hit the bridge.

Robinson put his folder on the lectern and looked grimly at his squadron.

“Take your seats gentlemen.”

“I am sure many of you saw the Easter Bunny go down over the target. Two parachutes were observed we are awaiting word from the Red Cross on them. Lt. Archer of the Fortunate Sons and Lt. Safford of the Supper Club. You and your copilots are commended for bringing your brutally damaged bombers safely home. Good work and you will all be put in for medals.”

“As for the target, I am unimpressed with your bomb run.”

From the back the Major heard a frustrated voice mumble a little louder than he had expected “Well, maybe if you had us bomb something larger than a postage stamp”
Everyone sat there frozen for what seemed like an eternity wondering what the Major was going to do.
Without even looking up from his report Major Robinson responded:
“I am going to do whomever that was a favor and pretend I didn’t hear that."

“Go to your bunks and get some sleep. We are flying again tomorrow.”

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

B 17’s sortied: 14
B 17’s bombing target: 13
B 17’s lost: 1
Average Bomb Run: 16.54%
High Bomb Run: Easter Bunny and Big Operator at 40%

Casualty Report:
KIA: 12
SW: 2
LW: 3
MIA: 2

Awards for gallantry in action and meritorious achievement:

DFC: Kozmenski of Fortunate Sons for gunnery
DFC: Wolf of Fortunate Sons for gunnery
Silver Star to Lt. Safford of Supper Club for bringing safely back a damaged bomber while wounded.
Silver Star to Lt. Archer of Fortunate Sons for bringing safely back a heavily damaged bomber.
DFC: Lt. Blackburn of Fortunate Sons for heroism.
DFC: Lt. Clinton of Supper Club for heroism.

Fighters Shots down:
Me109's: 21
Me 110’s: 2
FW 190’s: 10
Other: 4

Bomber Report

Lead Plane: Damned Yankees
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 2
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

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

Plane: Lucky Patch
Bomb Run: 5%
Claims: 2
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Fortunate Sons
Bomb Run: 30%
Claims: 6
Medals/Promotions: PH: Scarsella, English, Davis, Cuyler, Moore, Mooty, McCormick, Brittain
Casualties: Moore
Status: Returned

Plane: Easter Bunny
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Moore, Cleland, Pierce, Perry, Safford, Simmons
Casualties: Scarsella, English, Davis, Cuyler, Moore, Mooty, McCormick, Brittain
Status: Shot Down

Plane: Supper Club
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Moore, Cleland, Pierce, Perry, Safford, Simmons
Casualties: Moore, Cleland, Pierce, Perry, Safford, Simmons
Status: Returned

Plane: Big Operator
Bomb Run: 40%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: All In
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: PH: Wade
Casualties: Wade
Status: Returned

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

Plane: Mean Widdle Kid
Bomb Run: 30%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Red Star
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Shoo Shoo Time
Bomb Run: 0%
Claims: 1
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: The Filthy Hag
Bomb Run: 30%
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

Plane: Doodle Bug
Bomb Run: DNB
Claims: 0
Medals/Promotions: 0
Casualties: 0
Status: Returned

[caodwolf]

AFTER-ACTION REPORT

MISSION  #34  - Latisana, Italy :  Railroad Bridge




The CO Major Jopp and CO  Captain Alexis Vaillancourt enters the briefing room...

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

The Major was looking like he was having a bad hair day as it was sticking up is all directions.  His officers cap was no where to be seen.  "Men the weather did us in,  in fact for the entire 509th Bomber Group.   We tallied at 18% on-target,  the 79th at 16% and 80th leading the pack at 21%.   The good thing is all our birds got back and casualties was minimal."

"Classy Chassy  led us to target and Alley Oop watched our six.   Three confirmed kills.".    Pausing,  "Look its been a long day.   Go and get some chow and rest as we have another long sortie coming up".

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

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

"Dismissed!"

Player	Bomber	% on Target	Damage	Kills
limburger59	Delta Rebel  (spare)	0%	112
kageyone	Orange's Other Crate II	9%	37	1
groundeaux	Miss Carriage (spare)	5%	---	---
groudeaux	Palpatatin Pam	40%	25	---
chefed	Classy Chassy	5%	---	---
rheiss	Dump Truck	40%	---	---
keltos	Hot Potato	6%	36	1
ChefEd	Gravel Gertie	30%	14	---
medic1	Strictly Business	0%	33	1
kageyone	Alley Oop	20%	35	---
caodwolfs	Flying Home	40%	23	1
	Average Results	18%	315	3

Bomber Lost

None

Top Bombers

Palpatatin' Pam      40%
Dump Truck          40%
Flying Home         40%


   

Awards /  Promotions

DFC

None



AM

S/Sgt Kai Vader
Sgt Ismael Deadmon
S/SGT Theo “Morris Code” Morris
SGT Leland McNamara
 2LT Gilbert Webber
Lt K Cuddy
Lt E Owens
Lt I Kerrigan
Sgt J Jackson
Sgt A Smith
Sgt V Kidd
Sgt J Anderson
1st Lt Jimmy Langton
Sgt Barney Berlanti
Sgt Ray Markovsky
Sgt James Gibson
Sgt Frank Perez
S/Sgt Vic Boyko
S/Sgt Al Levenberger
2nd Lt Max Telford
2nd Lt Zack Hammond
Lt B Tottenham
1LT Ira Gleason
2LT Gordon Wiggins
2LT Floyd Cobb
2LT Harold McBride 
SSGT Clarence Maddox 
SGT Alton Pope 
SGT Lyle Riley. 
2Lt Bill Fleming 




PROMOTIONS


2L B Tottenham to 1Lt




25th Mission

None

CASUALTIES

LW

SGT David “Squeaky” Michell




SW

GT Varney “Tater” Coultrai
2LT S Zell



MIA

None



KIA

SGT Delbert Hewitt

PURPLE HEART

SGT David “Squeaky” Michell
GT Varney “Tater” Coultrai
2LT S Zell
SGT Delbert Hewitt