PWCG P-38 Lightning Strikes Co-op Campaign

[Reggie]

Reggie will be there this evening awaiting the operational debut of my new skin, which I believe has had a special "anti stall" liquid built in 

[Pooka]

Looks great Sid, thanks a lot.   Might I ask that you consider "Mag rims" on my aircraft.

 

[Crash]

Just had a look at my new skin in the viewer. Thanks for making it look good

 

[delta7]

Since I unfortunatly got shot down could I enroll as Dave Scot for future missions

regards

dave

[Painless]

Dam shame you getting pinged by AAA Dave, I’m sure those stutters didn’t help ! 
Also the loss of Pook was regrettable. Seems that locker is jinxed so we have removed it from the locker room and blown it up.

Expecting two top notch replacements ASAP.

Other than that bloody good show 485th, good team work and comms. Very impressive improvisation concerning our initial attack plan for the combat area AAA and ground targets. BRAVO chaps !

Side note: have removed (1) from new skins Capt Siddley. 

[Crash]

I cant believe I survived another mission 4 AAAs is pushing my luck

[DD_Fenrir]

4 hours ago, delta7 said:

.... could I enroll as Dave Scot for future missions

Done! 2nd Lt. Dave Scott will be on the roster imminently.

[BluBear]

402nd, check PMs.

[Crash]

I can sense some skins being worked on

[Sid]

Nah, it's more likely a comedy video of our landings etc.......I don't know, what a bunch......

[BluBear]

Now there's an idea! 😁

[Crash]

Any AAR yet?

[DD_Fenrir]

Was going to put them up last night crash but jo's dad was rushed to hospital. If I get the chance to do so tonight, I will.

[Painless]

Hope he is OK Tom ! ?

[wingflyr]

@ Fen   Sorry to hear that Tom Hope all is well with him.

 

[DD_Fenrir]

Thanks chaps - it's a long story but short version he's okay now and recuperating at home.

[DD_Fenrir]

AAR as promised.

 

Well gents, another solid performance from the Group today in the face of some stiff opposition, though not without cost...

With both the 402nd and 485th slated to hit the rail facilities at Düren the squadron leaders both came to a gentleman's agreement that the first unit to target would focus on the AAA and only when the guns had been silenced move onto the rail targets proper, so as to leave something of worth for the 2nd unit on scene.

As it happened , the 485th, with it's base that bit closer to the front lines and thus less flight time to target, was always going to be first in the target area, and they dutifully set to working over the AAA guns - however they did such a good job that they still had bombs available after and then switched their focus to the rail facilities and trains in the vicinity. By the time the 402nd arrived the target was a smoking, cratered mess and the 485th had accounted for almost 15 enemy ground targets. 

The 402nd seeing the carnage felt their efforts best focused elsewhere and diverted to a secondary target area around the frontlines near Malmedy in an effort to assist our offensive operations in the region, with elements of the 485th also heading that way after finishing off the targets at Düren.

The 402nd came across some enemy defensive positions and AAA guns around Lac de Robertville and accounted for many targets in this area. They then moved off in search of further targets and in the vicinity of Spa again discovered some AAA guns and other artillery interspersed among heavy woodland and attacked. Enemy aircraft did make a brief showing at this time, the RAF Tempest escort keeping most at bay, however a single Fw 190 slipped below the heavy cloud and managed to get among the 402nd; Lt. Efftee came off the worst in a head on pass against the Kraut fighter but managed to limp back and force land at Bierset field near Liège. 2nd Lts. Rea and Zook took umbrage with this and between the two hammered the 190 into the deck, ultimate victory being credited to Rea.

The 485th found some further targets near the front lines in the vicinity of Eupen, with a train, artillery and vehicles succumbing to their firepower.

Again though the flak and low level nature of the operations claimed their pound of flesh.

2nd Lt. Casey Baker caught a broadside of AAA whilst engaging ground targets near Spa and despite being wounded, losing an engine and experiencing control difficulties managed to belly in at Bierset field, though he came to a halt fractions of an inch from an airfield building having had to slalom his way through a collection of Mustang dispersed over the field! A stiff drink for that man is in order!

Alas the remainder were not so lucky. The 402nds 2nd Lt. Denny Peeks aircraft was seen to hit the ground at high speed on an attack run in the Malmedy area; whether this was due to ground fire or a misjudgment in altitude we will never know. Similarly, the 485ths newest member was lost when his aircraft hit buildings in Düren; again, it is unknown whether flak was responsible or whether he misjudged his altitude evading ground fire. And finally, that doyen of the 485th, Lt. Dave Delta was sadly killed by the AAA gun he was attempting to engage near the rail centre at Düren. A fearless, dedicated and determined individual, his presence and fortitude will be much missed by all in the 485th.

The results for this mission were:

485th:  20 ground targets destroyed.

402nd: 12 ground targets and 1 enemy aircraft destroyed.

As a result of his performance during the last week of operations, HQ have awarded 2nd Lt. Fenton Rea the Groups first Distinguished Flying Cross. Our heartiest congratulations to Lt. Rea, and we hope his Craps habits have left him with sufficient funds to buy the obligatory first round in the bar! 

The next mission is scheduled for the 21st October as Met reports indicate tomorrows weather will be decidedly inclement. Otherwise a solid performance from you again today fellas. Keep up the excellent work.

[Next mission event to be held Tuesday 15th September]

 

[DD_Fenrir]

So replacement pilots have arrived to bolster our ranks after the losses of the 19th:

 

The 402nd welcomes 2nd Lt. Denis McFly.

The 485th welcomes 2nd Lts. David Scott and Denis Richard.

Rosters and scoreboard as of the morning of October 21st 1944:

[DD_Fenrir]

As an aside, PWCG keep logs for individual pilots, accessed via the roster screen. This takes you to a pilot dedicated page that includes:

• personal log book detailing your specific air and ground victories
• medal box showing all medals currently  awarded 
• Pilot Photo (randomly selected from a library of pilot images)

If any body would like me to screenshot their pilot page/logbook/medal boxes, then let me know and I'll send them to you, either via PM or I can post here if privacy is not an issue.

As an example, here are mine:

[Crash]

I think that at the end of the campaign, it would be nice to have a copy of your pilots adventures.

[BluBear]

That's nice and all, but not much point for me at the moment, seeing as PWCG doesn't want to register any of my ground kills.

Plus I'm so nervous of collisions now, I end up circling way above dogfights providing warning eyes from on high.  

That is not to say i'm thoroughly enjoying the taking part though!

[Sid]

3 hours ago, BluBear said:

That's nice and all, but not much point for me at the moment, seeing as PWCG doesn't want to register any of my ground kills.

Plus I'm so nervous of collisions now, I end up circling way above dogfights providing warning eyes from on high.  

That is not to say i'm thoroughly enjoying the taking part though!

I think the atmosphere of the campaign is making flyers protective of their persona to various degrees so I wouldn't worry about it BB

[FoolTrottel]

3 hours ago, BluBear said:

That's nice and all, but not much point for me at the moment, seeing as PWCG doesn't want to register any of my ground kills.

Plus I'm so nervous of collisions now, I end up circling way above dogfights providing warning eyes from on high.  

That is not to say i'm thoroughly enjoying the taking part though!

About collisions: Stay in pairs and focused on communication - leader should properly coordinate ... 

And what Fen said: Very often I find myself thinkin' : "Mission objective complete, lets go home! " but still it takes a while to get there, because distractions and diversions and stuff    and I'm like "oh dear, NO!" especially when I am supposed to be leading the gang ....

Yeah, scared stiff regularly - not only for my persona as such, but for all of us - just hate it to find one of us not comin' home..

[Reggie]

Interesting that it says I was awarded the Purple Heart.....I certainly wasn't wounded, so not sure why it has awarded me the Purple Heart 

[Crash]

I have been doing touch and goes in the P-38, and most of the time the landings are not too bad. Occasionally I get the nose-wheel bounce and I cant see any real difference in my approach speed or rate of descent. Any tips?