Hi,
My name is Lee Chmelsky and I'm new to the group.
I have the Itally map, but need the Mission generation tables, please.
Could you send them to Lee C. Chmelsky at lchmelsky@...

Thanks in advance,
Lee C. Chmelsky

AAR for Mission 84 – Vengeful Harlot (316th BS)

Player Name: Jim Pink
Player e-mail: jasta6@...

Crews Name: 1st Lieutenant Loren Zurn

Plane Name: Vengeful Harlot
Squadron: 316^th (Spartan 3)
Mission#: 84 (This Bomber: 23)
Target City: Vienna, Austria (Oil Refinery)

Mission Date: 16-June-1944

Did the B-17 Bomb the target: Yes
Bomb Run: On / Accuracy: 40%

Aircraft Status:

Maintenance Report: Aircraft B-17G-60-DL 43-8870 known, as "Vengeful Harlot" will be ready for next mission.   Tail Turret Destroyed, Radio damaged beyond repair and pilots window damaged, 5 holes of superficial nature. Submitted by MSgt. Martin Fenn's

54 Damage points per Peckhams damage chart.

Aircrew disposition:
Fit and ready for next Mission

Names and positions of replacement crewmembers:

None.

Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:
FW-190: 0 destroyed / 1 damaged
ME-109: 0 destroyed / 3 damaged
ME-110: 0 destroyed / 0 damaged

Claims;

Lt. C.Flynn: 1x FW190 Damaged

MSgt. L.Osborn: 1x Me109 Damaged

Sgt. K.Syed: 1x Me109 Damaged

SSgt. C.Burmeister: FW190 Damaged

Medal Recommendations:

None
Mission Report:

Account of Maneuvers: B17G-10-VE 43-8870 Vienna, Austria 16-June-44

16 June 1944, AIRCRAFT NO. 43-8870 Vienna, Austria.

We were airborne by 0605 hours with a load of 3500 gallons of gasoline, 8 x 500 pounds of M43, GP-HE bombs, full load of ammunition, and the usual weight of men and equipment. Everything on plane was in operational order. We joined the group formation at 0642 hours.

As we approached the Austrian air space the German resistance picked up.  Three Me109s, two of which were chased off by the P-51s, leaving one lone German to attack, tested our guns.  He missed and disengaged the attack.  A short time later another wave of German fighters attacked with two singling us out as their target.  The crack P-51 pilots shot one down and the second German pressed the attack on our ship, taking a shot that did minimum damage to our Fortress.

Flak was as briefed and extremely inaccurate.  From what we heard of the last trip here we expected to take considerable damage from the flack.  As luck would have it we didn't take a scratch.  Bomb run was much better this time out.  Lt. Flynn Put yester days time off to good use at the training facilities.    We placed 40% of our eggs on the target area.

Coming off the target we were greeted with more inaccurate flak and some determined Focke-Wulfs.  Two waves of Butcher Birds attacked about 20 minutes apart.  The first wave of about fifty planes came racing through the groups about 15 minutes after bombs away.  Only four chose to attack our ship and two were driven off by the P-51's.  The remaining two made concerted attacks both hitting our wings.  Again luck was on our side as these attacks lead to no long-term issues.  As we watched the battle rage on above and below our plane we waited for it to turn to our squadron again.  Our turn came from above with a screaming Focke-Wulf in a vertical dive.  The whole Fortress shook as the 20mm exploding shells ripped through the fuselage.  He turned around as he saw large fragments of aluminum come off the Fort.  Noticing that the rear turret looked damaged he came in for one more attack directly from the rear.  Missing every thing as he raced by.  Luckily one of our sharp-eyed fighter pilots came in and chased the German away.  That was the last attack on our ship during the trip.

Total of 10 fighters made attack runs.  The P51s drove off 6 Enemy Aircraft. Our gunners shot down no enemy aircraft and damaged four enemy fighters.

Respectfully,

Lt. Loren Zurn

1st Lieutenant Loren Zurn

316^th BS / 88^th BS (V) "Vengeful Harlot"

The Briefing - 16 June 1944

     In the early morning darkness, with only a flashlight to help him illuminate
his way through a maze of tents, he comes upon one of the many tents clustered
within a group.  It was a task that Corporal Vincent Johnson had done many time
before during the last six months since last December when he and the rest of
the ground contingent of the group arrived by ship in southern Italy.
     Finding the tent he wants, he pulls open the tent flap and enters, stepping
on a crudely built wooden floor where inside four men are sleeping on cots. 
Johnson shines his light on the closest cot nearest the door and wakes its
occupant with his left hand shaking the sleeping man's right shoulder.
     "Lieutenant Fletcher, Sir! Wake up, Sir! The mission is on, Sir."
     Jesse Fletcher, a young man in his early twenties, slowly stirs awake. 
"Huh?  What . . . oh, yeah, thanks, Johnson."  As Fletcher sits up and gathers
his thoughts, Johnson goes to the next cot next to Fletcher's cot.
     "Lieutenant Gilbert, Sir! Wake up, Sir! The mission is on, Sir."  Another
young man about the same age as Fletcher awakes with a moan and groan.  With his
eyes still closed despite the light shining on his face, he asks, "Ahhh . .
.What time is it?"
     "It's Oh-Two-Thirty, Sir.  Another big mission today . . . Briefing at
Oh-Four-Hundred."
     Now slowly sitting up on the edge of his cot, Rob Gilbert asks, "What's the
load today?"
     "Eight Mark-Forty-Threes, Sir.  You give the Nazis Hell for all of us back
here, Lieutenant."
     "Yeah, I'll do that," Gilbert replies as he starts to get dressed grabbing
his pants.  The next man that Johnson awakens is Henry Sullivan.  Gilbert
overhears they'll be carrying over 3500 gallons of high-octane gasoline, a full
load for their bomber.  Gilbert silently thinks that will mean a long 6-to-8
hour mission; no easy milk-run today.
     The fourth occupant, Hal Butler, was not assigned today and was allowed to
sleep in, if the noise of his tent mates didn't already awaken him.  As the
three men begin to prepare for breakfast, Corporal Johnson, exits to find the
next test with another four sleeping men to repeat the wake up process.
     After showering, making a trip the outside latrine and putting on their
uniforms, the three men began their slow walk to the group's mess building.  On
their way the three talked about today's mission, speculating where they could
be going based on the fuel and bomb loads.  From all points around the mess
building, another 250 men are also performing this very same ritual as they make
their way towards the mess building.
     The mess building was already a buzz with activity.  Mess sergeants and mess
cooks were busy putting food on trays, cooking eggs to order, and pouring
coffee.  That was the first thing that Fletcher noticed right away the the
aroma, an aroma he had not experienced since the day the group went to the
'Hell' that as called Ploesti only two weeks ago.  It was the coffee, wonderful
fresh coffee.  Today would be bad, very bad.
     "Hey, they've got fresh coffee today," happily announced one of the newly
arrived replacement in line that Fletcher did not recognize.  Little does he
know thought Fletcher what they would be in for today.  As combat veterans,
Fletcher knew.  So did Gilbert and Sullivan.  As a further confirmation today's
mission would be tough, on the menu was fresh eggs, not the inedible powdered
stuff, freshly made bread for toast with fresh butter, not the greasy ones like
yesterday's, and something no man had seen in a couple of weeks: fresh bacon and
flapjacks.  A good meal, thought Fletcher, fit for condemned men.
     It wasn't like this would be a suicide mission but Wing wanted their crews
to have a tasteful meal just in case the crews were forced to bail out and
captured.  It was a thoughtful gesture the crew appreciated none the less.
     After their enjoying the best breakfast in weeks, the men headed for the
next stop in today's mission evolution about a quarter mile away: the Briefing
Huts.  The main hut was a 30 foot tall Quonset hut large enough to hold 150 men.
At the entrance, MPs were stopping everyone entering, checking their IDs against
their roster.  The one checking Fletcher was a gruff, no-nonsense sergeant named
Baker.  Fletcher had Baker check him in before: no pleasant conversations, no
`How are you doing, sir', just hand me your ID and if your name's on my list,
you can enter.  A pure authoritarian type; he could have been a cop in his
civilian life before the war.
     After passing the check in, the men entered into the main area.  There were
no chairs, just rows and rows of long wooden planks about 25 feet in length
supported on empty crates that had been previously used to ship spare parts and
ammo from the states.  There were two sections of seats, each section separated
by the 5 foot wide walk way leading up to the front.  At the front was an
elevated stage area and on it, a map of southern Europe that was covered by a
black velvet curtain, hiding their target for today.
       In the rear near the entrance, was the group's Aircraft and Mission
Formation Assignments on a huge 20 by 30 foot blackboard.  The board was divided
into 4 equal sections, one section for each of the four squadrons.   The three
men scanned the board in the upper left corner and verified their squadron would
be leading the group.  Within a column marked `Aircraft' written in yellow chalk
was 43-45555, the serial number of a B-17G nicknamed 'Four of a Kind'.  The next
column was the command pilot's column and its pilot was their squadron
commander, Daniel Tanner.  The three had flown with Tanner before, and found him
an excellent pilot and a good CO.  In the far right column was reserved for
`Remarks' and it contained `Col. Lamb' and `Crew 65'.  Crew 65 was the crew that
Fletcher, Gilbert and Sullivan belonged to.  In the lead today, Fletcher knew
with Colonel Lamb sitting the co-pilot's seat, Fletcher's seat, he'd be sent to
the tail to serve as the formation observer.  Knowing they were first in the
formation, they then checked to see who else was assigned to fly in the other 8
rear positions.
     Now filing in were some of the squadron's first pilots that Fletcher still
recognized: Loren Zurn and Bill Patrick, along with their crews.  Each crew all
checked the big board, just like Crew 65 had previously done.  Nothing to worry
about today as the leading squadron was considered the safest squadron for
missions.  At least today the 316th wasn't assigned as the low squadron, the
dreaded `Purple-Heart' squadron.  But the next mission would be their turn to
fly in the low squadron as each squadron was rotated for every mission.
     The crews now went to find their seats in the smoked-filled room.  Except
for the front rows which was reserved for the squadron commanders, the briefing
officers and personnel, it was first come, first seated type of seating
arrangement.  For those who took their time getting to the briefing they would
have to stand in the back.  Walking along the center aisle, Fletcher spotted the
squadron's newest replacement crew sitting in one of the middle rows on the
left: Andy Young, Chris Cox, Phil Croome, Johnny Tanner and their flight
engineer, Paul Marlborough.  They were replacements for Pete Paulini's crew who
were shot down over Munich three days ago.  Paulini's crew didn't even make it
through one full mission; it was their first and last mission.   Fletcher didn't
even have a chance to get to know who they were; he could barely remember what
they looked like.  These new guys already did one better when they returned from
Budapest two days ago.  Fletcher hoped these new guys' luck would last a while
longer.  Fletcher, Gilbert and Sullivan saw an open spot in the second row that
was saved by their own flight engineer, Pete Sauer.  It was one of the perks for
being the lead crew for today.
     Within 5 minutes the hut was filled up with over 150 men, the majority of
them were crews who talking about where they would be going on today's mission. 
Some were joking and horsing around attempting to relieve the tension of the
unknown.  Others were silently contemplating the situation.  The remaining
non-combat men consisted of the group's briefing personnel.  Soon a loud,
"Ahhh-TENNNN-HUTTTTT!!!" was bellowed out from somewhere from the rear by one of
the MPs.  Simultaneously every sitting man stood up tall, while men who were
standing remained where they were and froze at attention, every man stiff and
unmoving as a statue.  Only one man was moving, making his way along the center
aisle towards the stage, his walk straight, upright, and confident.  Medium in
height at 5'6", Lieutenant Colonel Lamb was the Commanding Officer of the group.
He was the oldest a man in the group, in his mid-thirties, while most of the men
under his command were barely in their early twenties.  He had been with the
group since its inception in the states, trained the group in South Dakota to be
combat ready and lead it across the Atlantic last December.
     Lamb climbs the short steps onto the stage area and turns to face the
assembled men.  "Good morning, men . . . At ease and take your seats."  The
Colonel then begins the briefing with an overview on what the entire 15th Air
Force will be doing along with how the group will contribute in today's mission.
It was going to be another huge effort with over 600 B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers
along with 250 fighter escort.  Then came the moment all the air crew were
anxiously waiting for, and dreading, the order from the Colonel to Sergeant
Walter Davis to remove the velvet curtain to reveal the target.
     Hundreds of eyes quickly followed the familiar red string from its starting
point in southern Italy, moving northward, across the Adriatic Sea, entering and
then exiting Yugoslavia, continuing onward into south-eastern Austria, still
moving northward until it almost exited northeastern Austria, but finally
stopping short of the Czechoslovakia-Austrian border ending at its capital,
Vienna.
     Upon finally learning where they would be going, the entire hut erupted with
groans, moans, and cussing.  A few men sat silently looking at the map
contemplating their fate.  It was Vienna.  Next to Berlin and the valuable oil
fields of Ploesti, Romania, the Austrian capital was the third most heavily
defended city in all of Europe.  It was not the pre-war Vienna, birthplace of
Johann Strauss and his classical Blue Danube Waltz, but the war time Vienna that
was heavily defended by flak guns that there was a saying amongst the crews,
"flak so thick you could walk on it".  That was their Vienna.  The group went to
Vienna two months ago.  That day, four crews, forty men, didn't return, plus one
plane returned with six dead.  That one crash landed with a massive hole in the
waist section after taking a direct flak hit and it had to be written off as
scrap.  The war time Vienna, Bloody Vienna, was their Vienna.
     The Colonel continued with his pep talk about the importance of today's
target, the oil refineries in Florisdorf district in the north part of Vienna. 
The Allies' strategic plan was to deprive the Third Reich of oil that their
U-Boats, tanks and airplanes needed.  No oil, and the Nazi's ability to conduct
war would be severely impacted.  But in order to accomplish that, the men of
Fifteenth Air Force would have to fly into harm's way.
     Then the Colonel turned over the briefing to the group's Operation's
Officer, Major Thomas Payne.  Here the squadrons formations were specified,
where and which other groups they would be rendezvousing with, the planned
route, the check points and the mission's procedures.
     Next came the intelligence officer, Major Joe "Kit" Carson.  Before going
over in detail the target's defenses, Major Carson reemphasize the importance of
accurately hitting the oil refineries.   In his distinctive way of speaking in a
slow southern drawl, the Major mentioned that if we could knockout the
refineries today, we could shorten the war by six months.  Funny, Fletcher
thought, every time a target was very important and it had to knocked out, the
war would always be shorten by six months.  Never nine, never three but always
six.  Fletcher was beginning to think those nitwits at HQ had no idea how
eliminating some oil refineries would affect the overall war effort.  Then the
lights were dimmed and Carson using an epidiascope, showed target photos
projected on the movie screen showing where the refineries and the flak defenses
were.
     The lights came back on and then the group's weather officer, Major Jack
"Stormy" Beckman, went over the weather conditions from start to finish.  In
typical military logic, no matter which base you were stationed, the weather
officer would more often that not would have the nickname, "Stormy".  Today's
weather from Foggia, across the Adriatic Sea, all the way to Vienna was
forecasted to be clear conditions.  Good conditions worked both ways in aerial
warfare.  It was good for the Americans in order to do precision bombing and for
their fighter escort to rendezvous with them.  But it was also good for the
Luftwaffe fighters to find the bomber formations.
     After Major Beckman was done, Major Payne returned and held a quick final
questions session.  Then the final ceremony that ended the main briefing, Mayor
Payne began "Time Hack".  Beginning a countdown starting at five, and ending on
"Hack" on Major Payne's mark all the watches of the crewmen in the room was now
synchronized.
     Forty minutes was all the briefing took.  Now the men broke up for more
specialized briefings; the pilots, the navigators and the  bombardiers would
separate into their groups to receive further information pertinent to their own
duties.
******************************************************************

Thursday, 15 June 1944 Time: 18:00

To all 88th BG (H) Personnel:

Except for personnel on leave all squadrons are now on alert.

Wake up at 0225. Breakfast from 0255-to-0355, briefing at 0400,
mount up at 0500, start engines at 0530, taxi out at 0540, take-off
at 0600.

Bomb loads are eight 500-lb, type M43, GP-HE.

Lt. Colonel Lamb
CO 88th BG (H)
********************************************************************
You may begin with mission 84's briefing at:

<http://www.b17pbemgame.com/Mission_Briefing_84.htm>

Special Conditions to NOTE FOR THIS Mission:

1. Zone-2 is Safe Zone: No Enemy Fighter Attacks.

2. Use the Modified B-3 Campaign Chart for this mission FOR zones 3 AND 4. So,
there will no Me-110 attacks IN THESE ZONES. In Zones 5 & 6 you will use the
regular chart.

3. After bombing the target, roll for flak again TWO times on MEDIUM FLAK. The
proceed with the fighter roll as normal.

Other Campaign Notes:
1. Note that due date is 30 days. Also NOTE that the due date this mission is on
a MONDAY.

2. Glenn & Sweeney are standing down this mission.

Mission is Due on MONDAY, 30 November 2009, 11:59 PM US Pacific Time
*******************************************************************

All,

Mission 83 to Budapest is over. The Group sent out 24 aircraft, 20 returned, 4
were lost (1 to flak and 3 to enemy fighters. There was one abort which one of
spare aircraft taking its place. Twenty-three (23) reached the target with 21
bombing; Group Bomb results were 26.9%, which the game system rates as GOOD. The
group claimed 56 E/A were claimed as destroyed with another 49 as damaged.

Casualties were 23 KIA, 10 POWs, 11 Lightly Wounded, 7 Seriously Wounded (6 were
sent home), and 2 cases of frostbite.

Mission 84's formation assignment: 316th (Lead), 317th (High), 318th (Low) and
the 399th is mixed in with High and Middle squadrons.

The following have not replied to indicate they will participate in Mission 84:
Glenn (316th), Sweeney (399th) and Funkhouser (317th).  Only Funkhouser has sent
back any replies and he'll be one of the group's spares.  Once he confirms he's
ready to go, he'll be slotted.

I am planning on posting mission 84 sometime on Sunday, November 1st with the
mission due day set for Monday, November 30th. Plenty of time to send in your
mission results (hint, hint).

I've also updated the promotions, and medal awards.

Awards of note:
DFC to Lt. Hoover (Squeeze Play, 399th) Munich Mission
Air Medal to Lt. Douglas (Satin Doll, 316th) Munich Mission
Air Medal to Sgt. Janusiak (Dakota Queen, 317th) Munich Mission
Air Medal to Sgt. Manush (Squeeze Play, 399th) Budapest Mission

I should have the mission evaluations for Missions 82 & 83 completed within a
week.

Later,
Mike Lam
Group CO & GM

Player Name: M Munday
Plane Name: Satin Doll
Squadron: 316th
Mission #: 83 (66)
Target City: Budapest, Hungary
Did the B-17 Bomb the target: Yes
Bomb Run: 30%
Aircraft status:
Port wing, superficial damage from 20mm & 12.75 mm shells
Pilot and Copilot O2 regulator hit by 12.75mm shell fragment.
Aircrew:
# KIA: 0
# WIA: 0
# POW: 0
# Crew Evaded capture: N/A
Names & positions of replacement crew members: N/A
Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:
  1 X Me-109 Destroyed: Engineer; SSgt. R. Rountree
  1 X FW 190 Destroyed: Radio Operator; TSgt. R. Davidson
  2 X FW 190 Destroyed: Ball Turret Gunner; Sgt. T. Maust
  2 X FW-190 Damaged: Engineer; SSgt. R. Rountree
Mission Narrative
                                            14 June 1944,
   Things were fairly quiet for the Doll until we neared the Yugoslav border. A
pair of FW-190's swung in on us from 12 level and 130 low. The low one received
a warm reception from a Jug Jockey of the 332nd FG while SSgt Rountree and Lt.
Douglas hosed the sky with the top turret and nose guns.  SSgt. Rountree scored
a few hits on the kraut, fouling up his aim, and he blew past us after firing an
ineffective short burst. Halfway across Yugoslavia, a trio of FW-190's clawed
their way toward us. One of the boys from the 332nd took care of the 190 at 130
level. Sgt Maust plastered the 190 at 12 low, and again, SSgt Rountree and Lt.
Douglas threw a wall of lead at the Hun at 12 high. Although they missed, they
had the desired effect, and the kraut broke off after spraying a short burst in
our direction. A pair of Me-110's showed up shortly after we crossed into
Hungary, and were quickly despatched by a pair of P-47s. Nearing the target, a
lone 190 bore in from directly above. Both SSgt Rountree and TSgt Davidson
missed with the top turret and radio guns, but he Jerry wasn't too intent on
hitting us either and tore off for the lower squadrons. No sooner had he
cleared, than all hell broke loose. 4 FW-190's broke through and came tearing
after us. Ball Gunner Tim Maust blew the engine out of the one at 3 low. The
tail guns peppered another at 6 high, but TSgt. Ray Davidson hammered the kraut
in his cockpit with the radio room gun.  Although SSgt Rountree scored a few
hits on the one at 12 level, the Hun popped a few holes in the port wing and
zinged a shell fragment of the cockpit oxygen crossover regulator. The greedy
bugger swung around for another pass from 130 level, but was spooked off by Lt.
Pete White's Starboard cheek gun. Flak over the target was medium thick, but
fortunately the gunners we were high enough that the gunners didn't get a good
fix on us. Lt. Douglas put 30% of the load into the target area. Sgt Maust
called in from the ball that we must have hit a camouflaged tank farm, because
of the huge secondary explosions and fireballs that boiled up from below.
Rallying off the target, a lone Me-109 swooped down from 12 high, right into a
hail of fire from SSgt Rountree'' top turret guns that tore his left wing off at
the root, sending him spinning crazily through the formation. Again, nearing the
Hungarian border a pair of Me-110s appeared below us and again they were
despatched, this time by a Fork Tailed Angel of the 14th FG. We were almost out
of Yugoslav airspace when it hit the fan again. A gaggle of 4 Me-109s bore in on
us from directly ahead. The one at 1030 high was blown out of the sky by a P-38
while the others pressed their attack. We put up wall of lead from the cheek,
waist, top turret, and nose guns. The remaining 109s at 12 high, 130 high and 12
level likewise fired at us. Strangely, neither had any visible effect and the
Jerries broke off after this pass. We made the rest of the trip home without
further incident landed safely.
Report submitted, 1st Lt. William M. Patrick 316th BS 88th BG (H)
A/C 42-11806 Satin Doll

Did the B-17 Bomb the target: NO
Bomb Run:  N/A

Aircraft status: Aircraft shot down by flak over target.
Aircrew:
# KIA: 7
# WIA: 0
# POW: 3
# Crew Evaded capture: n/a

Names & positions of replacement crew members:
AIRCRAFT NAME - HOWLING MAD
Keith Fisher - Pilot
John Davis- Copilot
Keith Sanchez - Bombardier
Patrick Reid - Navagator
Gerald Stephens - Engineer
Paul Phillips - Radioman
Dennis Morris - Ball Turrent
David Owens - Port Waist
Stephen Stone - Starboard Waist
Carl Arnold - Tail Guns


Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:

Zone 4 (out)
Shot down Me-109 (Sgt Gordon - Top Turrent)

ZONE 5(OUT)
Damaged FW-190
Severly damaged ME-110

Zone 6 (out)
Lightly damaged Me-109

Mission Description:

It was a cold June Morning as elements of the 88th Bomber Group(H) began
their ascent for their 83rd mission of the ETO. Lucky Lady, piloted by 2nd

Lieutenant Charles Gibson rose with the group on her third mission. Her
position in the formation was right wing, second flight, lead squadron of
the 88th BG. Near 22,000 feet the 88th joined up with elements of the 301st
and 463rd and took their position has the high bomber group. With the 463rd
as lead group the attack force turned north by northwest out over into the
Adriatic on course for their target, a oil refinery outside of Budapest
Hungary.

No enemy contact occurred while the formation flew over the Adriatic,
however once the formation crossed into Yugoslavia the enemy began
responding to the incursion. At first the escorts were able to intercept the
attacks, but soon even they began overwhelmed and numerous enemy fighter
made passes on the 318th Squadron with several directely against Lucky Lady.
First her top turrent guns fell silent as cannon fire damaged them.
Miraculously the gunner was unhurt. Next pieces of the starboard wing were
clipped away near the fuselage as well as damage to the aileron. The port
wing also suffered some superficial damage from the same attack.  A followup
attack then damaged the port wing ailerons as well. Nearing the target zone
the plane because sluggish as the control cable linkage was severly damaged.
Still Lucky Lady held her place in formation as the group neared the target
area and the flak batteries near the refinery.

As the flak batteries open fire, burst after burst exploded near Lucky Lady,
the black explosive residual sending out shards of shrapnel, each time only
lightly brushing Lucky Lady. It seemed that fate would once again bestow her
graces upon the crew, but alas luck is a fickle creature and today it ran
out for Lucky Lady and her crew. A burst near the port wing crumped the wing
and Lucky Lady began her unccontrolled death spiral to earth. Her gallant
crew tried to escape but in the end only three could get to an exit and leap
into the vast expanse to parachute safely down to earth and capture by the
Axis forces near Budapest.

Monday, 13 June 1944 Time: 18:00

To all 88th BG (H) Personnel:

Except for personnel on leave all squadrons are now on alert.

Wake up at 0225. Breakfast from 0255-to-0355, briefing at 0400,
mount up at 0500, start engines at 0530, taxi out at 0540, take-off
at 0600.

Bomb loads are eight 500-lb, type M43, GP-HE.

Lt. Colonel Lamb
CO 88th BG (H)
********************************************************************
You may begin with mission 83's briefing at:

<http://www.b17pbemgame.com/Mission_Briefing_83.htm>

Special Conditions to NOTE FOR THIS Mission:

1. Zone-2 is Safe Zone: No Enemy Fighter Attacks.

2. Use the Modified B-3 Campaign Chart for this mission FOR zones 3 AND 4. So,
there will no Me-110 attacks IN THESE ZONES. In Zones 5 & 6 you will use the
regular chart.

3. There is a special emergency ditching/bail out area in zone-2: the island of
Vis. You can't land there (too small & crowded) but you can either ditch off the
island or bail out over if you don't have enough gas to make it to Italy.  It is
British controlled with a small Spitfire base.  However, any crew that ends ups
there
will end up waiting from 1-to-2 weeks for a boat to return them to Italy.

Other Campaign Notes:
1. Note that due date is 30 days. Also NOTE that the due date this mission is on
a MONDAY.

3. Glenn, Guz, Schultz, Lasco & Sweeney are standing down this mission.

Mission is Due on MONDAY, 26 October 2009, 11:59 PM US Pacific Time
*******************************************************************

All,

Mission 82 to Munich is over.  The Group sent out 22 aircraft, 18 returned, 3
were lost (2 by flak, and 1 crippled by flak that the Luftwaffe finished off)
and 1 is 'fate unknown' (player had sent in his AAR but it needed to be
revised).  There were two aborts which spare aircraft taking their places.  All
22 reached the target with 18 bombing; Group Bomb results were 18.6%, which the
game system rates as GOOD.  About 38 E/A were claimed as destroyed.

I have created mission 83's formation assignment as with the 318th (Lead), 316th
(High), 399th (Low) and the 317th is mixed in with High and Middle squadrons.

The following have not replied to indicate they will participate in Mission 83:
Guz (316th), Glenn (316th), Schultz (317th), Lasco (317th), Sweeney (399th) and
DeFilippo (399th).

It is possible they were off for the summer, so if they indicate they want to
fly, I can still slot them someplace in the formation.

I am planning on posting mission 83 around early Sunday, September 26 (Pacific
Time USA), with the mission due day for Monday, October 26th.  Plenty of time to
send in your mission results (hint, hint).

Later,
Mike Lam
Group CO & GM

-------------- Original message from "mikelam348" <mike_lam@...>: --------------

 

All,

I have posted Mission 81's (Mestre) assessment: The Group's score was .783 for a Marginal Victory.

I also updated the enemy aircraft claims for missions 77, 79, 80 & 81. Claim Winners: Glenn, Munday, Cabral, Pink, Yoshikawa, Hardwick, Webster, D. Firestine (2), DiFillipo & Moody (2).

So far, I've got 18 of 22 mission 82 results.

Still Pending:
316th BS: None - all reports in
317th BS: None - all reports in
318th BS: 1 (Williams for Austin Nights)
399th BS: 3 (Sweeney for Airborne Lady, DeFilippo for Lucy Quipment & Heart of Texas by GM)

I am creating mission 83's formation assignment. If you are planning on participating, please send me a message that you will fly.

So far, I have Wright (316th), Murphy (317th), White (317th), Lanphear (318th), D. Firestine (318th), S. Firestine (318th) & Walton (399th)

The above 7 need not send me a note they are in unless they cannot take part in the mission.

I am planning on posting mission 83 around September 25-26, with the mission due day for Monday, October 26th.

My moving plans are on hold for now - since I don't have to worry about moving, there will be a mission for November.

Later,
Mike Lam
Group CO & GM

--- In 88thBombgroup@yahoogroups.com, jasta6@... wrote:
>
>
> Hi Mike, thought i had sent mail regarding stand down to let someone else play
.
i would like to fly again but at moment looking to move home and heavy work
commitment leave me no time for joining in .
please place me on standby list until a vacancy is open again .

regards
kev


> Mike,
>
>
>
> I'm in!!!!
>
>
>
> Jim P
>
> (Tines, Gary Pilot of B-17G 43-8870 "Vengeful Harlot")
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "mikelam348" <mike_lam@...>
> To: 88thBombgroup@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 5:00:06 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [88thBombgroup] Group Update
>
>  
>
>
>
>
>
>
> All,
>
> I have posted Mission 81's (Mestre) assessment: The Group's score was .783 for
a Marginal Victory.
>
> I also updated the enemy aircraft claims for missions 77, 79, 80 & 81. Claim
Winners: Glenn, Munday, Cabral, Pink, Yoshikawa, Hardwick, Webster, D. Firestine
(2), DiFillipo & Moody (2).
>
> So far, I've got 18 of 22 mission 82 results.
>
> Still Pending:
> 316th BS: None - all reports in
> 317th BS: None - all reports in
> 318th BS: 1 (Williams for Austin Nights)
> 399th BS: 3 (Sweeney for Airborne Lady, DeFilippo for Lucy Quipment & Heart of
Texas by GM)
>
> I am creating mission 83's formation assignment. If you are planning on
participating, please send me a message that you will fly.
>
> So far, I have Wright (316th), Murphy (317th), White (317th), Lanphear
(318th), D. Firestine (318th), S. Firestine (318th) & Walton (399th)
>
> The above 7 need not send me a note they are in unless they cannot take part
in the mission.
>
> I am planning on posting mission 83 around September 25-26, with the mission
due day for Monday, October 26th.
>
> My moving plans are on hold for now - since I don't have to worry about
moving, there will be a mission for November.
>
> Later,
> Mike Lam
> Group CO & GM
>

----- Original Message -----

From: mikelam348

To: 88thBombgroup@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 5:00 AM

Subject: [88thBombgroup] Group Update

 

All,

I have posted Mission 81's (Mestre) assessment: The Group's score was .783 for a Marginal Victory.

I also updated the enemy aircraft claims for missions 77, 79, 80 & 81. Claim Winners: Glenn, Munday, Cabral, Pink, Yoshikawa, Hardwick, Webster, D. Firestine (2), DiFillipo & Moody (2).

So far, I've got 18 of 22 mission 82 results.

Still Pending:
316th BS: None - all reports in
317th BS: None - all reports in
318th BS: 1 (Williams for Austin Nights)
399th BS: 3 (Sweeney for Airborne Lady, DeFilippo for Lucy Quipment & Heart of Texas by GM)

I am creating mission 83's formation assignment. If you are planning on participating, please send me a message that you will fly.

So far, I have Wright (316th), Murphy (317th), White (317th), Lanphear (318th), D. Firestine (318th), S. Firestine (318th) & Walton (399th)

The above 7 need not send me a note they are in unless they cannot take part in the mission.

I am planning on posting mission 83 around September 25-26, with the mission due day for Monday, October 26th.

My moving plans are on hold for now - since I don't have to worry about moving, there will be a mission for November.

Later,
Mike Lam
Group CO & GM

All,

I have posted Mission 81's (Mestre) assessment: The Group's score was .783 for a
Marginal Victory.

I also updated the enemy aircraft claims for missions 77, 79, 80 & 81. Claim
Winners: Glenn, Munday, Cabral, Pink, Yoshikawa, Hardwick, Webster, D. Firestine
(2), DiFillipo & Moody (2).

So far, I've got 18 of 22 mission 82 results.

Still Pending:
316th BS: None - all reports in
317th BS: None - all reports in
318th BS: 1 (Williams for Austin Nights)
399th BS: 3 (Sweeney for Airborne Lady, DeFilippo for Lucy Quipment & Heart of
Texas by GM)

I am creating mission 83's formation assignment.  If you are planning on
participating, please send me a message that you will fly.

So far, I have Wright (316th), Murphy (317th), White (317th), Lanphear (318th),
D. Firestine (318th), S. Firestine (318th) & Walton (399th)

The above 7 need not send me a note they are in unless they cannot take part in
the mission.

I am planning on posting mission 83 around September 25-26, with the mission due
day for Monday, October 26th.

My moving plans are on hold for now - since I don't have to worry about moving,
there will be a mission for November.

Later,
Mike Lam
Group CO & GM

Mission 81, 88th BG/316BS - Shreveport Rangers reporting


Richard Wright
richardbwright@...
>
> Shreveport Rangers
> 316TH
> MISSION #82
> Munich - aircraft factory complex
>
> Made the Bomb run, but OFF target!
> Bomb Run: 0, zero, goose egg!!!!
>
> Aircraft status: per peckham damage chart 84pts or 16.8%
>
> Aircrew:
> # KIA: 1 - Richard Mayberry => replacement: Darrell Smith from St.Louis, Mo
> # WIA: 2 => Bill Wiley LW & Adam Jones LW
> # POW: 0
> # Crew Evaded capture: n/a
>
> Names & positions of replacement crew members: as above
>
>
> Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:

> 1 - Fw190 DAMAGED by Bill Wiley (port Waist gunner)

Landing came-off without any problems.

All,

My two separate 4-week trips are over for now and I am updating the Group's web
site.

I've got 12 mission 82 results entered.

Still Pending:
316th BS: 2
317th BS: None
318th BS: 3
399th BS: 4

Since the next mission is not until another 4 weeks, you still have time to send
in a report.  If you have dropped out, let me know and I can fill in your slot
with the one of the waiting list players.

If you are planning on continuing this October, I am planning on posting mission
83 either in late September or the first week in October.

In the meanwhile, I will be catching up with the groups statistics and other
admin tasks.

Later,
Mike Lam
Group CO & GM

Player Name: Mike Munday
Player e-mail: mmunday@...
Plane Name: Satin Doll
Squadron: 316th
Mission #: 82 (65)
Target City: Munich, Germany
Did the B-17 Bomb the target: Yes
Bomb Run: 90%
Aircraft status:
Port inboard fuel tank and aileron hit by flak fragments. Tank
self-sealed, aileron minor damage to skin.
20mm & 12.75mm shell holes in nose.
#1 Engine oil tank hit by 12.75mm shell fragment, self sealed.
Aircrew:
# KIA: 0
# WIA: 2; Light Wounds
Bombardier; 1st Lt. Steven L. Douglas, left buttock grazed by 20mm shell
fragment
Navigator; 2nd Lt. Peter White, right thigh grazed by 20mm shell
fragment.
# POW: 0
# Crew Evaded capture: N/A
Names & positions of replacement crew members: N/A
Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:
  1X Me-109 Destroyed: Bombardier; 1st Lt. S.L. Douglas
  1 X Me-109 Destroyed: Port Waist Gunner; SSgt. P. Mason
  1 X Me-109 Destroyed: Engineer; SSgt. R. Rountree
  1 X Me-109 Damaged: Engineer; SSgt. R. Rountree
Mission Narrative
                                            13 June 1944,
  We didn't run into any E/A until about halfway to the target.  Nearing
the Italian coast, a pair of FW-190's broke toward us from 12 level and
130 low. As they bore in, they were met by a pair of the 1st FG's P-38s
who sent them packing for the deck. Shortly after crossing the coast, a
109 trying to slip in on our tail was foiled by another P-38. Although a
little colder than usual, we crossed the Alps without any difficulty.
Nearing Munich, a trio of Me-110's swung in on us, meeting up with the
52nd FG's P-51's instead.  Flak over the target was fairly heavy. A
couple of bursts were close enough to spook us with their loud
'karumph!'. Two bursts went off just outside my window. I called Ray
Davidson to check on the damage from his radio room. He reported that
there was a minor leak from the inboard fuel tank and that the aileron
had been holed, but it didn't look serious. Shortly, he called in that
the leak had sealed. Despite the bouncing around, Lt. Douglas dropped
90% of the load right into the largest building in the factory complex.
The 109's were up and swarming like angry bees near the rally point.
Four of them came after us. A P-51 took care of one at 130 high, while
Lt. Douglas and SSgt Mason blasted their krauts at12 level and 1030
high. SSgt Rountree heavily damaged the 109 at 12 high, and he broke off
trailing heavy smoke. Again, we crossed the Alps without difficulty, and
were starting to unwind a little heading out over the Adriatic, when the
last batch of E/A came calling. Four Me-109's turned toward us. Three
managed to claw their way through the escorts and tore into us from dead
ahead.  SSgt Rountree, Lt. Douglas and Sgt. Maust threw up a wall of
lead with the top turret, nose and ball turret guns. Unfortunately, they
all missed. The 109 at 12 high missed also, and broke off for the lower
squadrons. The 109 at 12 level hit #1 Engine 's oil tank, but with
little effect. His Kamerade at 12 low peppered the nose, wounding Lt.'s
Douglas and White. As the Krauts swung around for another pass, SSgt
Rountree plastered the one that hit Steve and Pete. The other tried a
pass from 3 level, and was met with a steady stream of lead from SSgt
Tibbs' stbd waist gun. Although SSgt Tibbs missed, he shook the heinie
so bad, that he broke off, heading down and away from the formation. The
rest of the trip home was quiet, and we landed the Doll without
incident.  The Doc says that Pete's thigh is only grazed, and that
Steve's left cheek nick won't keep either one out of the air.
Report submitted, 1st Lt. William M. Patrick 316th BS 88th BG (H)
A/C 42-11806 Satin Doll

DAVID LANPHEAR
boardgamer@...

LUCKY LADY
318TH
MISSION #82
MUNICH, GERMANY

Did the B-17 Bomb the target: YES
Bomb Run:  30

Aircraft status: Oil tank hit, tailwheel damaged, port inboard fuel cell
hit, minor damage to port wing root, port landing gear inoperable, eleven
shell holes throughtout aircraft (Total of 170 Beckham damage points).
Damage repairable and aircraft will be ready for next mission.

Aircrew:
# KIA: 1
# WIA: 0
# POW: 0
# Crew Evaded capture: n/a

Names & positions of replacement crew members:

Request Navigator from Group's reserve pool.


Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:

ZONE 6(OUT)
Lt. Williams (CT)) damaged FW190
Sgt. Stevens (SW) damaged FW190

ZONE 7(IN)
Sgt. Stewart (BT) shot down ME110
Sgt. Sims (TG) damaged FW190

ZONE 6(IN)
SSgt. Gordon (TT) shot down FW190

ZONE 4(IN)
Lt. Williams (CT) shot down ME109

Medal Recommendations: n/a

Mission Description:

Takeoff at 0600 hours went smoothly, group formed up at 4000 feet and
proceeded to climb to 20,000 feet to meet up with the 301st and 463rd. Our
target for today was an aircraft parts factory in Munich. Only our second
mission with the group and we pulled a flight over the Alps.

As we flew up the Adriatic and crossed over Italy, we only met sporadic
enemy fighter attacks and our fighter cover took care of any Jerries that
tallied us.
As the group climbed to altitude to fly over the Alps we encountered the
first of many determined enemy fighter contacts. Our fighter cover did their
best, but from each wave of enemy fighters one or two would press home the
attack and make runs on the squadron. It was during one of these attacks
that our navigator, Lieutenant David Evans was hit by shellfire and
seriously wounded. My co-pilot, Lieutenant Daniels, reported a slight drop
in oil pressure on #4 engine but that it had stablized. Lieutenant Williams
and Sergeant Stevens reported damaging two 190's in this engagement. Our
P-38s left us at this point due to fuel concerns. We were due to meet up
with P-51s for the remainder of the mission.

And on we flew.

Passing the Alps the group descended back to our assigned bombing elevation
of 20,000 feet. As we crossed into Germany, the enemy renewed their attacks
with 190s. My crew reported two large waves were lining up to attack our
position. The first wave of 190s began their attack run and luckily none of
them directly targeted us. The first wave was eventually driven off by the
squadron. Those P-51s were noticeably unavailable at this point. The second
wave then began their attack. The crew began calling out contacts as the
enemy fighters pressed forward. Suddenly Sergeant Gordon called over the
comm, "Little Friends 12 o'clock!" Those P-51s appeared hot in pursuit and
forced many of the enemy fighters to disengage. One enemy fighter did manage
to slice though the squadron from 12 o'clock firing as it went. But it
appeared that it was unable to hit anything of significance.

And on we flew.

Reaching the run-in point the groups turned on to our target. Flak was so
thick you could walk on it. Several nearby bursts rocked the ship, but the
crew reported no more casualties or major damage. The LUCKY LADY did have a
few more holes in her though. My flight suit was sweat drenched. No one can
ever train enough for the hell that is a flak barrage. You just have to sit
there, take it and pray. Lieutenant Williams called out "Bombs Away" and we
banked away from the flak with the group.

Once we cleared the flak barrage over the target, the enemy fighters were
right back at us with a vengeance. Enemy fighters were coming from all
directions and from above and below us. The P-51s were kept busy driving off
the enemy and combined with the firepower of the squadron guns only a few
enemy planes got through to make runs on us. One, a ME-110, tried to attack
from below, but Sergeant Stewart in the ball turret claimed LUCKY LADY's
first kill. Sergeant Sims in the tail claimed a piece of a FW-190 as well.

And on we flew.

Again we had to cross the Alps. As we climbed a small group of FW-190s made
a half hearted run at us and then broke away, but not before Sergeant Gordon
in the top turret made claim to the LUCKY LADY's second kill. As the group
dropped back down in altitude and was crossing over Italy we were hit by a
group of ME-109s. We received no damage in the attack and Lieutenant
Williams made claim to LUCKY LADY's third kill.

And on we flew.

The rest of the flight was uneventful. Our landing however would be
problematic. Our port landing gear would not set down. Manual efforts by
Sergeant Gordon also failed to drop the gear. I radioed our situation and
then informed the crew that I was going to climb enough for them to jump.
Sergeant Gordon came on the comm and asked "Is that an order Sir?" I replied
back that "No, it isn't an order Sergeant, but it would be the prudent thing
to do. They don't give you much practice at belly flop landings in flight
school."  First silence, then Sergeant Gordon appeared in his jump seat
between Lieutenant Daniels and I. He spoke through the comm even though
Daniels and I could clearly hear him speak. "Sir, if it's all the same with
you, I'd prefer to ride down with you, after all I trust you more than some
Pfc who packed my chute." Soon over the comm the rest of the crew reported
that their guns were secure and that they had assumed landing positions.
Lieutenant Williams reported that Lieutenant Evans was in really bad shape
and one way or another we needed to get down now. I radioed the tower that I
was bringing the plane down with crew aboard.

And on we flew.

We once again made our downwind leg and turned for final approach. Sergeant
Gordon was right there calling out altitudes while Lieutenant Daniels and I
focused on bringing the LADY down smoothly. The final approach went well. As
we touched I told Lieutenant Daniels to cut the engines and close the fuel
valves. LUCKY LADY skidded straight down the runway, a shower of sparks
spewing from her damaged bottom. When she finally came to a rest, the
emergency crews and medical teams were right on us. They got Lieutenant
Evans off the plane quickly and into an ambulance.

The enlisted men, while shaken up a bit over the landing, nonetheless walked
back to the fuselage and again tapped the smaller paint job of our name sake
on the fuselage. The officers walked over to do the same but were stopped by
Sergeant Gordon. "No sirs, this isn't for you. It's not that we don't want
to share her, it just that Lieutenant Evan's tapped her after last mission
and well....." he voice trailed off momentarily. "Sirs, its just that we'd
like you stay around for a while longer that's all." I looked at Greg and
then Al, they both nodded and we turned away.

Later that evening our Ground crew chief Master Sergeant Brown appeared at
my tent. In a somber voice he said "Sir, I just wanted to let you know you
did a good job setting her down. We should have her repaired and retrofitted
for your next mission". He paused before continuing. "Sir, we just heard the
report about Lieutenant Evans. I'm sorry sir, but he died while being
operated on for his wounds."

After the shock wore off I noticed Sergeant Brown was still there. "Is there
anything else Sergeant?"

"No Sir" he replied.

I stood up "Thank-you for bring me the news, both good and bad. Now Sergeant
one request, can you get me a pot of coffee and some of that rot gut whiskey
you got stashed away. I need to write a letter with a clear head but then I
think I'm gonna get drunk after."

Lieutenant Charles Gibson, Pilot, LUCKY LADY, 318th Bomber Squadron, 88th
Bomber Group (H)

Player Name: Jim Pink
Player e-mail: jasta6@...

Crews Name: 1st Lieutenant Gary Tines

Plane Name: Vengeful Harlot
Squadron: 316^th (Spartan 3)
Mission#: 82 (This Bomber: 21)
Target City: Munich, Germany (Aircraft Factory)

Mission Date: 13-June-1944

Did the B-17 Bomb the target: Yes
Bomb Run: On / Accuracy: 30%

Aircraft Status:

Maintenance Report: Aircraft B-17G-60-DL 43-8870 known, as "Vengeful Harlot" will be ready for next mission.   Radio Destroyed, Tail compartment Oxygen System damaged, four holes of superficial nature. Submitted by MSgt. Martin Fenn's

47 Damage points per Peckhams damage chart.

Aircrew disposition:
TSgt. Kevin Witczak - SW-Rec (Left Hand) [used 1x LC]

Sgt. Cory Brumeister – LW (Left Foot) [used 1x LC]

Names and positions of replacement crewmembers:

TBD due to extent of wounds.

Total Enemy A/C Claimed by type:
FW-190: 1 destroyed / 0 damaged
ME-109: 0 destroyed / 0 damaged
ME-110: 0 destroyed / 0 damaged

Claims;

MSgt. Randolph Ohm: 0.5x FW190 Destroyed

SSgt. Damon Piano: 0.5x FW190 Destroyed

Medal Recommendations:

Purple Hearts to TSgt. K.Witczak & Sgt. C.Brumeister

Mission Report:

Account of Maneuvers: B17G-10-VE 43-8870 Munich, Germany 09-13-44

13 June 1944, AIRCRAFT NO. 43-8870 Munich, Germany.

We were airborne by 0605 hours with a load of 3500 gallons of gasoline, 4x 500 pounds of M43, GP-HE bombs, full load of ammunition, and the usual weight of men and equipment. Everything on plane was in operational order. We joined the group formation at 0631 hours.

 There was no enemy activity ti we were over the Alps.  That is when a pair of FW 190's attacked from the front.  One was chased off by a P-38 and the second fell to our guns.  MSgt. Ohm 0 SSgt. Piano teamed up to shred the lone Butcher Bird.  Then over the target we encountered a mix of Me109s and Me110s.  Two 109s and a lone 110 turned in on our ship.  That is when the Mustangs showed up.  Taking down a Me109 and a Me110 in short order.  The 109 exploded and tumbled under our plane in a ball of smoke.  The Me 110 lost its port wing when the P-51 obliterated its engine and the prop hub came off.  The prop just missed the tail of Lieutenant Paulini's ship, Rough House.  Paulini did a good job of avoiding the debris and regaining formation.

Flak was worse than briefed.  It was HELL in the skies.  The Harlot took three bursts resulting in eight fragments piercing her skin.  This resulted in two injuries and the loss of our radio and damage to the tail oxygen system.  The wings were riddled but there was not major damage.  TSgt. Kevin Witczak was seriously wounded in his Left Hand.  With all the blood we though he was dead [used one Lucky charm], but doc said he will be fine. Sgt. Cory Brumeister was took a minor wound to his Left Foot, but he hit his head when this happened and we also though the Jerry's killed him too [used one Lucky charm].  But he was only out for a few minutes and back at it soon after.

 Even with all the damage taken from the flak Lieut. Flynn was spot on placing 30% of our eggs in the target zone.  We were attacked again coming off the target but the crews of Lt. Paulini and Lt. Cable drove the Me109s and FW190s off.

Landing was textbook. After taxiing the Harlot to its hardstand, MSgt. Fenn initial evaluation is that he will have the old girl up for the next mission.

Total of 7 fighters made attack runs.  The P38s drove off 1 Enemy Aircraft and the P-51s drove off a further 4 enemy fighters. Our gunners shot down 1 enemy aircraft.

Respectfully,

Lt. Gary Tines
2nd Lieutenant Gary Tines

316^th BS / 88^th BS (V) "Vengeful Harlot"