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A note from the 410th Bomb Group. The mission to bomb ground targets near to Rotterdam using A20s worked and resulted in a number of targets destroyed by Major Sid Viscous. There was only one technical issue and that was that no AI aircraft took off and joined me for the mission. The waypoints to the target from Eindhoven were nicely spaced and allowed for a reasonably steady climb to 14,200ft through the waypoints. Careful monitoring of engine temps was necessary to avoid overheating in the climb but it was perfectly doable as the rendezvous waypoint for the escorting P51s was a long way in to the target and, as hoped, I met them at the rendezvous as scheduled. The last legs were also spaced adequately for a high level bomb run if required however yesterday a low level run was carried out. As with previous low level attacks with P38s by the 402nd and 485th the flak can be just as lethal to an A20 and so in order to maintain airframes it is highly likely that I will be looking to carry out A20 missions from heights above 10,000ft. I picked up a fuel leak over the target but made it back well into Allied territory before having to carry out a successful dead stick belly landing 20km from base due to the fuel running out. Thanks for letting me try it out Tom, your work is always appreciated, and I would be more than happy to fly A20s in the campaign. On that point, I believe that there is the possibility of other flyers joining the 410th and Tom has no problem with me advertising this. If anyone should fancy a dab at high level bombing then you will be welcome in the 410th although as Tom said last night, transfers between units would need to be monitored in order to maintain viable P38 units. Cheerzen

Merely a formatting error on my part FT... now corrected. Your place in the anals annuls of history is now complete.... 😉

370th FG Awards and Promotions The following pilots have been decorated for their recent acts of valour: 2nd Lt. Casey Baker - Bronze Star 2nd Lt. Colin Fryer - Bronze Star 2nd Lt. Gary Funflaque- Bronze Star 2nd Lt. Dave Scott - Bronze Star Heartiest congratulations to you gentlemen, and keep up the excellent work; you are indeed setting an example for your fellow pilots to emulate. And with heavy heart we also announce that in his last action: Lt. Per Fesser - Distinguished Flying Cross (posthumously) Group have decided that the following pilots have earned Promotion in rank, effective immediately: 1st Lieutenant Arjen Efftee is promoted to Captain 2nd Lieutenant Colin Fryer is promoted to 1st Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant Fenton Rea is promoted to 1st Lieutenant Each of you has demonstrated not only individual prowess in the air but also excellent leadership and decision making.

Debrief for the 8th November 1944: 402nd - Escort of RAF B-25s to Gorinchem. 485th - Patrol for Air Targets over Front Lines, Gorinchem sector An unusual day on many counts, some good, some bad. Away from our normal sector of operations the 370th FG were tasked with missions that were in direct support of a push by Commonwealth forces attempting to cross the Waal river; this involved a longer than usual cruise to target. Despite many missions of only paltry appearances by the Luftwaffe they certainly showed up today; a flight of 190s jumped the 485th, with a second group attacking the bombers that the 402nd were tasked to escort. Alas, we did not come off lightly. In the 485th, cruising just below cloud and not yet having even crossed the front line, Red Flight was targeted by the enemies initial pass, with 2nd Lt. Key Moe's Lightning paid particular focus and their aim was all too true. The unfortunate Lt Moe's P-38 was last seen diving out of control and no chute was observed. Further inquiries with our Allies have determined that the wreckage of his aircraft was discovered with his body still strapped in it. Sufficed to say the 485th's vengeance was swift and merciless and they subsequently downed all of the marauding Focke-Wulfs for no further losses, 2nd Lt. Colin Fryer accounting for one & 2nd Lt. Dave Scott getting a further two. White flight then had the good fortune to happen upon a flight of Ju-52 transports and dispatched all 3 in short order, 2nd Lt. Tom Apeehill claiming one and 2nd Lt. Gary Funflaque claiming the other pair. Lt. Funflaque's aircraft was damaged in the engagement, though whether from the rear gunner of a Ju-52 or a nearby AAA battery is currently unknown, as he force landed at Gilze-Rijen airfield, otherwise seemingly none the worse for his adventures. Having opted for carrying a bomb load in the event that Jerry didn't make a showing in the air, Red flight of the 485th used these to good effect bombing and strafing enemy positions in and around the front line, garnering a respectable total of 13 ground targets destroyed, both Maj. Mick Payne-Less and newly arrived 2nd Lt. Artage commendably each gaining five apiece. Nice work gents. The 402nd had barely rendezvoused with their charges when three Fw 190s attacked from the bombers high 12. In the ensuing furball all were eventually smacked down, with one each credited to Lt Arjen Efftee, Lt. Per Fesser and 2nd Lt. Fenton Rea; however, this was not before one of their number had managed to mortally damage the lead B-25 which fell out of formation not long thereafter. Despite the apparent danger having passed, in the effort to regroup the slightly scattered squadron after the dogfight the Squadron leader for this mission, Lt Per Fesser and his wingman 2nd Lt Louis Zook tragically collided; there were no survivors. The two veterans, nee stalwarts of the squadron, both much liked and highly valued by their CO will be sorely missed by all. Taking over the lead of the squadron Lt. Efftee escorted the remaining bombers to their egress waypoint, then led the group back down to the target area to see what mischief could be made. AAA was heavy however, and only two guns were claimed, with 2nd Lt. Rea coming away with significant damage, though Lt Efftee quickly destroyed the offending position shortly thereafter. 2nd Lt. Rea managed to strafe another gun position on his egress, despite some "interesting" control issues and a fuel leak & limp back to Florennes. We've had worse days, gents but we've also had better. Today's losses were entirely avoidable. Remember to keep a good lookout at ALL times, not just when you expect the enemy to show; it seems that the recent dearth of Luftwaffe activity may have lulled some of you in to a false sense of security. If Lt. Moe's unfortunate demise has taught you anything it is to keep your head on a swivel and that the Krauts will punish complacency in the severest terms. And whilst operating substantial numbers of aircraft in formation will always bring risks of collision, it is each pilots responsibility to ensure that the air where his plane is headed is clear and to take his own measures to avoid collisions and not expect other aircraft to get out of his way. On that note gents, looks like the weather is clamping in again; next clear spell is expected for the 11th November. [Event to be held Tuesday 24th November 2020]

It was a Windows update that screwed up a Windows product! I had to do a reinstall last week after it failed to start up. Pleasingly, it retained all my stick, throttle and button assignments.

No stress FT.... I did uninstall....before the reinstall. Plodding away getting it back. Can't rush it

Couple of bits of recorded action. Ground attack Air kill