Jamie Yeardley
United Kingdom
High Wycombe
Bucks
-
B-17: B-17F-30-VE-42-5858 The Great Karzy; Call sign: Greenhorn Dog
Pilot: 1st Lt. Roger Daley
Squadron: 154th BS
Mission: 83 This bomber (2)
Date: August 16, 1943
Target: Le Bourget Airfield
Position: Middle Lead Bomber
Crew Status:
Pilot 1st Lt. Roger Daley (14)
Co-pilot 2nd Lt. Oliver Reckitt (5)
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Inigo Tinkle (2); Kills (0)
Navigator 2nd Lt. Richard (Dick) Flasher (1); Kills (0)
Engineer Stf. Sgt. Eustice Tewle (12); Kills (15.5)
Radio Operator Sgt. Percy Snoop (2); Kills (0)
Ball Gunner Stf. Sgt. Nicholas Parts (14); Kills (7)
Port Waist Sgt. Jack Bell (3) ; Kills (0) 2XSW KIA
Starboard Waist Sgt. Charlie Roper (5); Kills (1) 2XSW KIA
Tail Gunner Stf. Sgt. James (Jimmy) Widdle (14); Kills (14.5)
1st brackets (Mission Number)
Bomb Drop:
0%.
Fighters Claimed:
Kills:-
Me 110 x 1
Me 109 x 0
Fw 190 x 0
Probables:-
Me 110 x 0
Me 109 x 0
Fw 190 x 0
Damaged:
Me 110 x 0
Me 109 x 0
Fw 190 x 0
Medal Recommendations:
Sgt. Jack Bell Purple Heart (Posthumously)
Sgt. Charlie Roper Purple Heart (Posthumously)
B-17 Status:
85 Peckham points.
No 1 Engine disabled (but feathered),port wing x2 SD, port Aileron broken Port & Starboard waist gunners KIA.
Number of fighter attacks: 6 from 6 fighters
Number of fighters driven off: 5
Number of fighters downed: 1
Fighter hits 0
Flak:
Burst 1: 4 hits in the waist
Burst 2: 4 hits in the port wing
Mission Report
I told the crew before takeoff that all eyes would be on us today as we were the lead. So I guess most of you saw the double Flak burst that hit us right over the target. Our Flight Engineer did his best, along with the Radio operator, but they just couldn’t stop both our waist gunners bleeding out. Those guys took the full brunt of a flak burst in the waist section, jeez what a mess! The second burst hit the port wing and disabled the no1 engine but we managed to feather it.
I guess it is no surprise to say we missed the target completely.
The only positive note is that our fighter escort did a great job keeping the fighters off our backs. Only one Me110 got to us in Zone 4, homeward bound. The ball and tail gunners laid out some heavy retribution that caused the fighter explode. Good!
1st Lt. Roger Daley
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Damo
Australia
Hobart
Tasmania
Plastic & Shiney!
Don't try this in a B-17!
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raydude_va wrote: Hey Guys,
I've been curious about these B-17 campaigns ever since I first heard of them, but until now have been hesitant to take off in one. I hope I'm posting in the right thread. I'd like to join, and if it makes sense to wait until the 2nd tour I can do so.
My plane: Maid'n America.
Thanks,
Ray
Welcome and good luck!
-
Randy Dreger
Australia
Sebastopol
Victoria
I love Melissa, but don't tell her. It's a secret if she can find this. Shhhhh....
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After Action Report (AAR) #83
Pilot: Capt. Seth Gecko
B17: Santanico Pandemonium
Sqdn.: 151st
Mission : 19
Target: Le Bourget
Position: Low
Crew Status:
Pilot: Capt. Seth Gecko (19)
Copilot: 2nd Lt. Kelly Kelly (7)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Bing “Bingo” Gomez (1)^ Me-109^1/2
Navigator: 1st Lt. Ted Raimi (20)**
Engineer: FO Razor Charlie(19)##**^ Me-109^1/2 FW-190
Radio Operator: SSgt. Ian Ambercrombie (20)
Ball Gunner: Sgt. Kay Sloughter (16)##**
Port Waist: Sgt. Sam Raimi (4)
Starboard Waist: Sgt. Danny Trejo (3)
Tail Gunner: SSgt. Fred Williamson “Frost” (19)##^ LW
(Mission Number)
* = fighters shot down
^= ½ fighter shot down
# = 5 Fighters shot down (ACE)
Bomb Drop : 40%
Fighters Encountered: 10
Fighters Driven off: 6
Enemy Confirmed Shot down: 1 Me-109, 1 FW-190
Enemy Probable: none
Enemy Damaged: none
B-17s damage: Minimal – Starboard wing Aileron hit but operational, 2 superficial hits, hit in Tail compartment.
Total hits: 4
Peckham Points: 9.
Mission Description:
After take off we didn’t even see a German fighter until we were near our target and the boys in the P-47s kept them away.
Flak was moderate and a nearby burst gave us a bit of a scare when Frost yelled out he was hit. Thankfully the wound was minor.
Over the target our new bombardier Gomez yelled out “Bingo!” as he put 40% of the payload on target. He just earned himself a new nickname!
Another 9 fighters approached us on the leg back, but the P-47s again kept most of them off us.
Bingo and Razor blasted one 109 out of the air that got through the fighter screen. Another wave saw three butcher birds make it through, Razor blasted one with the top turret, and we took one superficial hit in the waist from a vertical dive. But the P-47s scared them away and kept them from making a second pass.
A clean landing and Santanico lands with barely a scratch.
We request the crew takes a look at our starboard aileron which took a hit but still seems to work for now. Other than that Frost needs a band-aid on his leg and Bingo needs a drink. A good first mission for our new bombardier.
We’re also celebrating Ian and Ted’s 20th, even though the top brass has hinted that our aborted trip to Hannover (unlucky #13, mission #74) may not count. Guess we’ll just have to get them to 26!
This was our first successful bombing run since Mission #75, Brandenberg. So it was good to get that monkey off our back.
Capt. Seth Gecko
Santanico Pandemonium
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David Grabiner
United States
Unspecified
Unspecified
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Doormat Dog. Elveden, We have a leaking fuel tank and broken landing gear. No wounded aboard.
Elveden Hall. Doormat Dog, do you have spare fuel?
Doormat Dog. Affirmative.
Elveden Hall. Doormat Dog, hold east of the field, altitude 50 and wait for the rest of the formation to land, then make your landing. We will have a fire crew ready.
Doormat Dog. Roger. Holding east of the field, altitude 50.
Elveden Hall. Doormat Dog, cleared to land, runway 36R.
Doormat Dog. Roger. (on intercom): Brace for belly landing and prepare to evacuate after landing.
The Orange Roughy lands safely and nine crew jump out. She doesn't catch fire but the port wing is irreparably damaged.
AAR to follow.
-
David Grabiner
United States
Unspecified
Unspecified
-
After Action Report
B-17: Orange Roughy, B17F-70-BO-42-120121
Pilot: 1st Lt. Kevin Ward
Squadron: 152nd
Mission: 83 (this bomber 2)
Date: August 16, 1943
Target: Le Bourget, Aerodrome
Position: Low-Low squadron, middle
Crew Status:
Pilot 1st Lt. Kevin Ward (2)
Copilot 2nd Lt. Jason Porter (2)
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Anthony McCook * (2)
Navigator 2nd Lt. Arthur Waterstone (2)
Engineer MSgt. Fred Hansen (2)
Radio Operator Sgt. Dave Oxford (2)
Ball Gunner Sgt. James Szymanski (2)
Port Waist Sgt. Walter McCook (2) KIA
Starboard Waist Sgt. Stephen Roberts * (2)
Tail Gunner Sgt. Charles Vaughan *** (2)
* = 1 kill
# = 5 kills
Bomb Run: 20%
Fighters claimed: 1 killed, 1 damaged
Tail Gunner Sgt. Vaughan: 1 Me-110
B-17 Status:
Bomber irreparably damaged: landed with gear out
Port landing gear out
Port outboard tank leak
Flap controls out
Replacements:
New bomber: Red Letter Day B17F-100-BO-42-120201
Port Waist Sgt. Victor Markowitz
Debrief:
We did get our bombs on the Le Bourget hangars, but it was a costly
bombing success. Excellent fighter cover made this look like a milk
run, with only one shell hit from a fighter But flak over the target
killed Sgt. McCook and led to a write-off of the Orange Roughy after
landing.
With the best P-47s escorting our formation, we saw a lot of FW-190s
abandon the attack before they reached us. We only faced four fighters on
the way to the target, none hit us, and we damaged one. We set up the
bomb run with an undamaged plane.
The flak wasn't especially heavy, but it was accurate; we were hit by
two different bursts. One burst shot a leak in the port outboard tank
and destroyed the gear. A second burst penetrated the waist and broke
Sgt. McCook's neck. The Norden sight and autopilot compensated for the
buffeting, and Lt. McCook (no relation) got his bombs on target.
The return trip was similar to the outbound trip. Good fighter cover
destroyed several incoming fighters, so we faced only four on the way
back. And when an Me-110 at our six made it through the fighter cover,
he flew right into Sgt. Vaughan's gunfire and the pilot bailed out with
an engine fire. The one shell which hit us destroyed the flap controls.
With a leaking fuel tank, broken landing gear, and no flaps, the landing
was dicey. Elveden Hall told us to wait for the rest of the formation
before landing, just in case our plane went up in flames and blocked a
runway. We landed safely, with no people hurt, but the port wing was
crushed.
The ground crew says that the Orange Roughy is the second plane from the
Rainbow Hangar to be written off after a belly landing with no flaps,
and both brought nine of ten crew home safely.
1st Lt. Kevin Ward
152nd BS, 281st BG(H)
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Raymond Espiritu
United States
Virginia
-
After Action Report
B-17: Maid'n America (1)
Pilot: 1st Lt. Lester Husby
151st Squadron
Mission: 83
Date: August 16, 1943
Target: Le Bourget, Aerodrome
Position: Low squadron, middle
Crew Status:
Pilot 1LT Lester Husby (1)
Copilot 2LT Sam Lohr (1)
Bombardier 2LT Derric Benzing (1) - SW, recovered, non-mission capable
Navigator 2LT Tim Stenzel (1)
-probable Me109
Engineer Sgt. Wesley Havener (1)
-confirmed Fw190
Radio Op Sgt. Greg Sidney (1)
Ball Gunner Sgt. Karl Harshmann (1)
-confirmed Me110
Port Waist Sgt. Clyde Everton
-probable Me110
Starboard Waist Sgt. Dustin Brady (1) - SW, died of wounds
Tail Gunner Sgt. Tim Shoulders (1)
Fighters Claimed (Dmg/Prob/Kill): 0/2/2
Bomb Run: on target, 30%
B-17 Status:
engine fire extinguisher out
starboard aileron inop
port tailplane root hit 1
stbd waist gun out
Replacements:
Bombardier: 2LT Neil Gosser
Stbd Waist: Sgt. Max Junkins
Debrief:
Outbound trip to target generally uneventful due to excellent fighter cover. Noticed numerous enemy aircraft driven off by P-47s. It was only over the target that our gunners were able to draw some blood, in return for damage to our starboard wing. Still, it did not affect our ability to bomb the target, tail gunner reports seeing a few good effects on target.
Flak over the target was initially light, then turned heavy during the turn to head back home. Luckily no bursts damaged our plane. Germans decided to hit us with everything just as we were leaving the target area. An Me110 at 9 level came close enough to rake us all along the fuselage. Engine fire extinguisher controls and starboard waist gun rendered inoperable. Ground crew reports several holes in the bomb bay, right where the bombs would have been if he had caught us before they dropped. Thank God for small favors.
Shrapnel from a second Me110 wounded Lt. Benzing in the leg, causing severe bleeding. He managed to apply the tourniquet to himself. Doc says he may lose the leg but at least he's still alive.
A quintet of Fw190s hit us near the French coast. Three were driven off by our little friends. The remaining two 190s were so rattled that they fired off short bursts at long range before disengaging. Would like to pass on our formal thanks to the fighter squadrons on the inbound trip.
Thought we were home free over the channel but were attacked by two more 190s. One coming in at 12 level was destroyed by our engineer. The other took his revenge on Sgt. Brady who suffered severe wounds to his neck and chest. He died on landing.
1st Lt. Lester Husby
151st BS, 281st BG(H)
-
-
After Action Report (AAR)
Pilot: 1st Lt. Robert Schoens
Mission: 83 (6)
B-17: Silver Dollar
Squadron: 151st Rapture Time
Target: Le Bourget - Aerodrome
Crew Assigned:
Bombardier 2nd Lt Trevor Wilson (2)
Navigator 2nd Lt Raymond Hanson (5) **
Pilot 1st Lt Robert "Bob" Schoens (6)
Co-Pilot 2nd Bill Petso (5)
Engineer Msgt Edison Cain (4) **
Radio Operator Tsgt Jason Briggs (2)
Ball Gunner Sgt Edward Silverstone (6) **
Port Waist Gunner Sgt Buddy Giancomo (2)
Starboard Waist Gunner Sgt Sam Brand (2)
Tail Gunner Sgt Donald Blair (5)
* one enemy fighter
# five enemy fighters
( ) missions
Claims: None
Crew Injuries/Casualties: None
Bomb Drop: Off Target - 0%
B-17's Disposition: Control cables hit in tail section, Intercom destroyed, (2) superficial wings hits: 1 in port, 1 in starboard.
Mission Description: Another "milk run" and, yet, another chance wasted due to poor bombing. Medium resistance was faced and we picked up a 109 in zone 2 outbound. The boys got several good shots at him and he was smoking when he passed the tail.
Nearing the target we could see several accurate flak bursts and (2) 190's were driven off by the Jugs. Again flak was our worst enemy and we drove through a pretty hard storm. (4) hits. One in each wing, both superficial. (2) tail shots, one hitting the rudder and another causing minor cable damage. We missed the target by about 500 yards.
Inbound, our newest squadron mates drove off the only wave we were watching closely.
In zone 3, (3) yellow-nosed JG 26 109's showed up. The fighter escort could not deny them a chance to hit us, but Buddy in the port waist hosed the area at 7:30 level driving one off. Another from 9:00 level took several shells and broke off any more attacks. The last one made 3 passes, but only managed to wipe out the intercom on his last attempt.
Another wave driven off in zone 2 by the Rapture Time boys was appreciated.
I had planned on getting permission for bombing practice over The Wash, but before I could, I was told all passes and practice missions were cancelled and all base personnel was restricted to base. Sounds like instead of trying to hit the target, we may just be trying to make it back from whatever's planned.
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Michael Bowker
United States
Washington
New Jersey
-
"Major Young, welcome to the 152nd. I'm Captain Cubica."
"Thank you, Captain. Get me the records of the flight crews please. Also, check with the ground crews and find out what shape things are in after Le Bourget. I want to know what replacements we have coming in and get me their information. Then check with Major Payne over at the hospital. If we have any men there let me know, that includes anyone being discharged from previous missions."
"Uh, yes sir. Do you think there will be a mission tomorrow?"
"I don't know but we need to be ready for anything."
-
Daniel K. Edwards
United States
El Centro
California
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B-17: HONEY STAR
Pilot: 2nd Lt. John Koltek
Squadron: 154th BS
Mission: 82 This bomber (6)
Date: August 16, 1943
Target: Aerodrome, Le Bourget, FR.
Position: Middle
Crew Status:
Pilot: 2Lt. John Koltek (6)
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Fredrick Tonnemann (2)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Lloyd Frazier (2)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. John B. Hood (2) - SW - ruptured abdomen [Four-F]
Engineer: Mst.Sgt. Vunvent Esterly (2)
Radio Operator: Sgt. James Welch (1)
Ball Gunner: T-Sgt. Harold Barbour (6) (+)(+)(+)(+)(+)
P-Waist: Sgt. Peter Almay (2) LW - torn left arm muscle [unfit for combat duty until released from medical services]
Sb-Waist: Sgt. James Serrano (2)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. Rolando Fallchichi (7) (+)(+)(+)
Bomb Drop:30%.
Enemy Aircraft: 0 / 0 / 0
Aircraft Status: Repairable - Engine 2 - OUT six holes to patch
Mission Summary - Great job by fighter support keeping Jerry away on the way over. No problems for us from the flak, but some other guys were observed to get hit. Lt. Frazier put our eggs right on target!
As we neared the coast on inbound leg, Fw190 bounced us from high and raked us pretty good, taking out one engine, ripping Lt. Hood's stomach open and putting a bullet through Sgt. Almay's arm. Lt. Frazier should be commended for his quick first aid in assisting Lt. Hood.
Honey Star will be ready for our next mission.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Koltek, 2LT. USAAF
Pilot - B-17 HONEY STAR
-
-
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jack Armstrong
Plane: Nasty Boys (B-17F-40-B0 42-5246)
Mission: 83(2)
Target: Le Bourget Aerodrome, France.
Sqdn: 153rd
Position: High
Bomb run: Aborted
Crew:
Pilot – 1st Lt. Jack Armstrong (2) -
Copilot - 2nd Lt. Tom Browning (2) –
Bombardier – 2nd Lt. Joe Oliver (2) -
Navigator - 2nd Lt. Todd Benzinger (2) –
Engineer - MSgt. Marty Duncan (2) ** – Me109
Radio Op.- Sgt. Barry Larkin (2) * –
Ball Gunner - Sgt. Chris Sabo (2) –
Port Waist – Sgt. William (Billy) Hatcher (2) –
Strbd Waist - Sgt. Eric Davis (2) -
Tail Gunner - Sgt. Paul O’Neill (2)-
A/C Claims: 1
* one enemy fighter
# five enemy fighters
(2) missions - ***
Peckham Points – 26.
Aircraft Status – #2 Port Engine out.
Mission Report – We picked the unlucky straw today, we were still over the channel when four Me109s with yellow noses picked us out of the crowd of the 153rd. Not sure what we did, but we had all four line us up from the rear. They staggered high, level, and low at 6’ and one came level at 4:30. The P-47s were off helping somebody else or were asleep because we had no help from them.
Duncan took out the Me109 diving down on us and two missed, but that Jerry coming in low took out the #2 Port engine. He came back around again, but Hatcher took a piece of his wing out and we last saw him diving away for France.
At this point, we had the engine feathered and Lt. Armstrong decided that today was not our day. Dropped our eggs in the water and made a safe landing back at base. Nobody in the crew wanted to fly low and slow to Paris and back.
Good news is that the chief says he can drop that engine and get a new one in two shakes of a cat’s tail. So we won’t have to miss the next mission. Man, are we lucky.
Total for the mission 1-1-0 (killed-probable-damaged)
-
John Kovacs
United States
Elyria
Ohio
-
Mission 083 to Target - Le Bourget, France - Airfields
Date: 16-August-1943
Crew CO: 1st Lt. Bob Feller
Plane: Strike One (B-17F-55-BO 43-12048)
Mission Number: Group 83 (Bomber 2, Crew 2)
Crew:
1st Lt. Bob Feller (Pilot-2)
1st Lt. Bob Lemon (Co-Pilot-2)
2nd Lt. Early Wynn (Bombardier-2)
2nd Lt. Mel Harder (Navigator-1)
MSgt. Addie Joss (Engineer-2)
TSgt. Gene Beardon (Radio Operator-2)
Sgt. Doug Jones (Ball Gunner-2)
Sgt. Sam McDowell (Port Waist Gunner-2)
Sgt. Len Barker (Starboard Waist Gunner-2)
Sgt. Satchel Paige (Tail Gunner-2)
Crew Disposition:
No injuries to the crew
Bomb Drop: On Target
Bombing Accuracy: 40%
E/A Claims:
2nd Lt. Mel Harder: 1 x FW-190 Damaged
B-17s Disposition:
Ground Crew Chief Mike Hargrove reports that Strike One had the #1 engine knocked out, port wing root 20% damaged, and the tail guns rendered inoperable, plus two superficial hits for 72 Peckham Chart damage points.
Mission Description:
152nd BS, 281st BG (V)
16-August-1943 Mission to Airfields at Le Bourget, France
Bomb Load: 16 x 300 lb. M31
Mission Length: 4 hours 25 minutes
Group Position: Low-Low Squadron
Squadron Position: Middle
Altitude over Target: 20,800 ft.
Another mission to France, a little farther south this time. Trying to take the Luftwaffe out of the war directly by bombing their airfields. Weather report was good and enemy resistance was expected at a medium level. Another so-called "milk run" mission, but we lost a crewmember on the last one. Everybody has got to stay sharp and focus on the task at hand.
Zone 2 Outbound:
No enemy fighters reported. The squadron commander had us tighten up the formation more than usual, but no problems were reported.
Zone 3 Outbound:
Four of the FW-190 butcher birds surrounded us, but our excellent fighter cover brushed two of them off of us. Our new navigator, 2nd Lt. Mel Harder, damaged one at 10:30 High. The FW-190s missed us on their attack runs - they were probably looking over their shoulders for P-47s.
Zone 4 Outbound (Target):
Only one FW-190 reached us over the target zone, but we couldn't reach him as he was in a vertical dive. The Kraut put a shell through the radio room but did no damage. Surprisingly, the Kraut didn't come around for another pass as is the Luftwaffe's practice.
We were suddenly buffeted by flak. Four shells slammed into the aircraft. The tail guns were wrecked by one shell. Another shell hit the port wing root and jarred the plane hard. A third shell passed harmlessly through the radio room. The last shell hit engine #1 and it went runaway on me. Fortunately I was able to feather the prop and shut the engine down.
I informed the crew that we lost engine #1. 2nd Lt. Wynn reported that we were about to drop our bombs and to stay in formation if possible. 1st Lt. Lemon and I kept Strike One on course as best we could. A minute later the bombs left the plane and Sgt. Paige in the tail said the drop looked real good, with 40-50% hitting the airfield. I cleaned up the aircraft and turned her towards home.
Zone 4 Inbound (Target):
A big Ju-88 tried an attack at our 3:00 but a P-47 came in and shredded it to pieces. No enemy chute was reported. Then a pair of FW-190s came at us from 3:00 and 9:00 but once again the P-47s came to our defense and shot them both up. The fighter jocks were really on their game this mission and we owe them big time.
The secondary flak belt opened up on us as we left the target zone but nothing hit us this time.
Zones 3 and 2 Inbound:
No enemy fighters reported. The fighter escort of P-47s must have scared them off.
Zone 1 Inbound:
It had been awhile since I made a three engine landing but the weather was good at the base and the landing went without a hitch. The crew went to the mess hall for a late lunch.
I spoke with MSgt. Hargrove and he reported to me that Strike One would be ready for the next mission although the ground crew would have to work all night on her. He said the word had been passed down that we were going on a big mission tomorrow and that all available aircraft were to be made ready. Lt. Col. Pfalzstaff told me the same thing in the de-briefing, so I told the crew back in the mess hall that the pubs were off-limits that evening and to get plenty of rest. They didn't like it but they too had heard the rumors of a big strike and decided to take me seriously. They are a good crew, and the new navigator proved his mettle today as well.
I do not know where we are going tomorrow but I can only pray that we all come back in one piece and alive.
Respectfully,
1st Lt. Bob Feller
152nd BS, 281st BG (V)
B-17F-55-BO 43-12048 (Strike One)
Game Notes: Another "milk run" where most of the damage was done by the enemy flak. No injuries to the crew and another 40% bomb run to boot. I didn't need to use the lucky rabbit's foot so I have it in reserve for the next mission, which will be a tough one. The fighter cover rolls were all in my favor and took care of all but three enemy fighters, one of which was damaged by the new navigator. If only the rolls will be as good for the next mission...
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Alexander Boucharelis
Greece
Drama
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After Action Report (AAR) #83
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Andronicus Laskaris
B17: Nike B-17F-110-B0 42-30536
Sqdn.: 151st
Target: Le Bourget Aerodrome, occupied France.
Position: Low
Bomb Load: 16 x 300 lb H.E. M31 bombs
# Missions: ¡¡
A/C Claims: NIL
Crew Status
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Andronicus Laskaris, (2)
Copilot: 2nd Lt. Nikeforus Stratigopoulos, (2)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Basil Chrisos, (2)
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Dimitrios Tornikes,(2)
Engineer: SSgt. Manouel Craterus, (2)
Radio Operator: Sgt. Makis Zabanis, (1)
Ball Gunner: Sgt. Theodore Parthenis, (2)
Port Waist: Sgt. John Koutras, (2),
|▐██▌|
Starboard Waist: Sgt. Manolis Christakis, (1)
Tail Gunner: Sgt. David Skoulariotis, (2)
() : missions completed
▲: personal rabbit foot
½: half fighter previously claimed
*: 1 fighter previously claimed
#: 5 fighters previously claimed = ACE
▼
Bomb Drop : ON / 40%
Fighters Encountered: 10 (0 Experts / 1 Aces / 0 Greens)
Fighters Driven off: 7
Claims: Damaged: 1 - Propable: 0 - Kills: 0
Flak Hits: NIL
B-17's Disposition: Landed ok, will be ready for the next mission
Total Superficial Damages: 0/1 Hits
Peckham Damage Points: 25
PORT SIDE: NIL
STBD SIDE: wing root 20% damage
MAIN BODY: NIL
HEAT OUT: NIL
O2 OUT: NIL
Recommendations:
NIL
Promotions
NIL
Mission Description:
Nothing much to say Sir, overall was an easy mission, like a training one. The escort fighters did a marvellous job driving away many of the attacking fighters and only one hit my "Nike". I wish all the fourthcoming missions will be as easy as this one.
Sincerely,
2nd Lt. Andronicus Laskaris
Pilot of B17F "Nike"
151st Squadron, 281st Bomb Group (V)
Game notes:
My son was pissed because of the escort planes.
-
Jim P
United States
Sterling Heights
Michigan
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF WAR
HEADQUARTERS 281ST BOMB GROUP (H) VIII BOMBER COMMAND EIGHTH AIR FORCE
EIGHTH AIR FORCE STATION 200 ELVEDEN HALL ENGLAND APO 667
Pilot: 1st Lt. Walter Zabalaoui
B-17: Tru Bella III (B-17F-120-B0 42-30741) GG-A
Squadron: 154th Bombardment Squadron, 218th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Mission: 83 (Bomber 2)
Date: August 16, 1943
Target: Le Bourget, France. A/F
Position: Middle
Crew Status:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Walter Zabalaoui (10)
Copilot: 2nd Lt. Graham D. Faircloth (4)
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. John N. Mahood (5) SW-DOW
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Hunter H. Flores (2)
Engineer: MSgt. Christopher M. Ritter (4) ****
Radio Operator: TSgt. Tyler R. Savino (5) **
Ball Gunner: Sgt. John Krieger (10) ##*
Port Waist: Sgt. William E. Scott (2) SW-IH
Starboard Waist: Sgt. Thomas O. Thomas (2) LW
Tail Gunner: Sgt. John C. Revis (4) *** 2xLW
Key:
½ = Half an Enemy A/C KIA
* = 1 Enemy A/C KIA
# = 5 Enemy A/C KIA
Bomb Run:
---- Bomb Drop; Of Target
---- Accuracy; 0%
Enemy Fighters Encountered: (1=KIA / 1=Prob / 0=Damg)
---- Me109: 1-KIA / 0-Prob / 0-Damg (1 Attacked)
---- Driven-off by P-47s: 5
Claims:
MSgt. C. Ritter: 1x Me109
Medals and Promotions:
None
B-17s disposition:
Msgt. Cory Berkely “Tru Bella III” Minimal damage. Damage report as follows: Rudder Root 33% damaged. Five hits causing wounds, one fatal, one were serious and three of a light nature. Three of eight hits were of a superficial nature (63pts Peckham Points)
Replacements:
None
Mission Description:
Subject: Le Bourget, France. A/F
16-August-43 Mission Report C4M83-741A
Mission Debriefing:
“Sir this mission was a relatively easy, yet costly, one. Enemy fighter activity was light for us, but the flak was deadly…, Sir!”
Zone 2 O/B: No enemy air activity observed.
Zone 3 O/B: No enemy air activity observed.
Target Zone 4 O/B:
On the way into the I/P a group of Me109s made an attempt to attack but Lieutenant Koltek’s crew drove off the potential offenders. Though I need to talk to his gunners, they hit us causing a wound in the foot to Sgt. Revis. We will be ate the D&D after debrief it they want to make amends.
Flak was moderate and extremely accurate today. We took seven shell fragments between two volleys. Most damage wounded men or just pierced the aircrafts skin. Though one did damage the rudders root 30%. With the flak seriously wounding Lt. Mahood, later he died, Lieutenant Flores was unable to toggle our eggs on the target zone. We completely missed the mark.
Target Zone 4 O/B:
Flak on the back side was just an annoyance missing us completely. As we made the rally point we turned for home…
When we set course for Elveden the Jerry’s endeavored to join the battle. Four Me109s from a group of about ten targeted our ship. To their consternation the P-47s were laying in wait, dispatching three of the four lining up to attack. MSgt Ritter devastated the lone attacker approaching from the 7:30 High. In short order he sawed off his port wing at the fuselage.
Zone 3 I/B: Two more Messerschmitt 109s attempted to attack us but our little friends chased them off too.
Zone 2 I/B: Again we saw no activity in our direction..
Zone 1 I/B: We made base and landed with no further incidents.
Msgt. Cory Berkely tells me that “Tru Bella III” will be ready for next mission. I have a bad feeling that these short hops to France are over. Scuttlebutt has it we may be making a deep penetration sortie to Germany soon.
1st Lt. Walter Zabalaoui
Commanding Officer, B-17F-120-B0 42-30741 “Tru Bella III”
154th BS, 281st BG(H), 3rd Bombardment Wing
Elveden Hall, UK
Mission Note: A short mission to France with minimum enemy activity, but deadly flak. Seems the 281st just can’t get a break.
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David Lanphear
United States
Stockton
California
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Pilot: 2nd Lt. Joe Friday
Plane: JUST THE FLAK MA'AM
Mission: 83(3)
Target: Le Bourget, France - Air fields
Sqdn: 153rd
Position: High
Bomb run: 0%
Crew:
Pilot - 2nd Lt. Joe Friday (3)
Copilot - 2nd Lt. Bill Gannon (3)
Bombardier - 2nd Lt. Daniel Williams (3)
Navigator - 2nd Lt. Steve McGarrett (3)
Engineer - SSgt. Harold Iglesias (2)
Radio Op.- TSgt. Jim Reed (3)
Ball Gunner - Sgt. Jim Rockford (3)
Port Waist - Sgt. Jeffrey Ullman (2)
Strbd Waist - Sgt. Theo Kojak (3)*
Tail Gunner - Sgt. Joe Mannix (3)
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½ shared credit
* one enemy fighter
# five enemy fighters
( ) missions
Aircraft Status - Aircraft returned with damage to #3 engine, the control cable linkage, an inoperable port wing aileron and eight superficial holes in the fuselage and wings. Reports of possible damage to 1xBf109 and 1xFW190, no enemy aircraft destroyed, no crew casualties. (68 Peckham Points)
Mission Report
Not quite a milkrun as the Jerries seem to be everywhere, but our escorts intercepted most attempts by the enemy to break through. Flak over the target bounced the plane throwing off Dano's aim. Looks like his streak is broken. Oh well there's always next time. No. 3 engine took a hit from the enemy fighters causing a slight oil leak over the target. Bill kept his eye on it throughout the flight home and we finally had to shut her down once we made the English coast. My first landing on three engines, outside of training. The debriefing officers were very intent on knowing what kind and numbers of enemy fighters were put up today. More so than usual. Well I guess everyone's got their job to do.
2nd Lt. Joe Friday, Pilot, 153rd Bomber Squadron, 281st Bomber Group (H)
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As Lt. Friday walks out of the debriefing hut he casts an eye to the east and sees what appears to be a bolt of lighting arc down from the otherwise clear sky. He stands there for a moment, rubs his eyes and walks over to the officer's club.
Upon entering, he looks around and says "I just saw the damndest thing....."
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John Kovacs
United States
Elyria
Ohio
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Hey Jim - you got Strike One listed with the 151st BS in your AAR groupings. As far as I know, she's still assigned to the 152nd BS.
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Jim P
United States
Sterling Heights
Michigan
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Infomanohio wrote: Hey Jim - you got Strike One listed with the 151st BS in your AAR groupings. As far as I know, she's still assigned to the 152nd BS.
A BOOMING voice summoned the lowly Leadbetter in the front office.
"#$@& $@!$% ^&%#$ &*^$%"
"Sir... Yes Sir... no Sir.... um Sir!"
"#$@& $@!$% ^&%#$ &*^$%"
"Sir yes Sir, i'll fix it right now..."
"#$@& $@!$% ^&%#$ &*^$%"
"Sir no Sir I'll never make that mistake again....Sir...."
"#$@& $@!$% ^&%#$ &*^$%"
"Sir yes Sir"
With that the SSGT pirouetted on his heels and made haste to correct his clerical errors....
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John McDonald
United States
Elkins
West Virginia
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You know, at this rate I'm surprised there are any NCOs left at HQ.
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Damo
Australia
Hobart
Tasmania
Plastic & Shiney!
Don't try this in a B-17!
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Private Leadbetter now, I think.
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ian morris
United Kingdom
lichfield
staffordshire
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jasta6 wrote: Infomanohio wrote: Hey Jim - you got Strike One listed with the 151st BS in your AAR groupings. As far as I know, she's still assigned to the 152nd BS. A BOOMING voice summoned the lowly Leadbetter in the front office. ... With that the SSGT pirouetted on his heels and made haste to correct his clerical errors....
Hey, he got promoted again !
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Jamie Yeardley
United Kingdom
High Wycombe
Bucks
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That poor guy Leadbetter, I'll have a quiet word with him about my promotion from 2nd Lt. to 1st Lt.
1ST LT. Roger Daley 
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ian morris
United Kingdom
lichfield
staffordshire
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Damjon wrote: Private Leadbetter now, I think.
Seen on the 153rd Squadron noticeboard :-
SSGT/SGT/CPL/PFC Leadbetter is hereby temporarily transferred to the Crystal Ship as waist gunner.
Signed, LT-COL C. Pfalzstaff, 281st BG, Elveden.
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Jim P
United States
Sterling Heights
Michigan
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Please Note: Mission 83 has been completed and we are not accepting any more After Action Reports at this time. Mission 84 has now been posted in the Play-by-Forum thread. If you have missed getting your results in for this past mission just proceed to mission 84 and fly that mission. Then you may post your results for that mission in that thread.
END OF MISSION REPORT
All reports from returning planes have been submitted and reviewed. VIII Army Air Force Command reports the following summary results from the mission to attack the enemy facility at Le Bourget.
Target: Le Bourget, France A/F
Date: Monday, August 16, 1943
Bombers Dispatched: 17
Bombers effective: 15 (over target)
Bombers returning to base: Seventeen (one aborted mission)
Bombers lost: 1 (1 Cat-E)
Aircraft losses: 6.0% of squadron
Aircrew casualties:
---- crewmen reported KIA: 4
---- crewmen reported with SW: 10
---- crewmen reported with LW: 12
---- crewmen listed as MIA: 0
Reported claims of enemy aircraft kills:
---- Fighters Killed: 26
---- Fighters Probable Kills: 14
---- Fighters Damaged: 13
Percentage of bombs on target within 1000 feet for the squadron: 20.7%
A good mission though two planes were forced to abort. Those that made the target were able to get over 20% of their eggs on target. Casualties were low and the Luftwaff will be less some more fighters.
Lt. Col. Pfalzstaff
Deputy Commander
Elveden Hall, UK
3rd Bombardment Wing HQ
Summary of Missions to Date:
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