PWCG P-38 Lightning Strikes Co-op Campaign

[Jabo]

Different Eccles - Anyway Tom has reinstated my previous persona (as it was lost due to a technical problem) so Eccles' travel warrant has been suspended.

[FoolTrottel]

"Echoes of Eccles"  nice title for a book. 

 

[DD_Fenrir]

Mission Date 06/12/44

402nd FS - Frontlines Armed Reconnaissance, Zulpich

485th FS - Fighter Sweep, Julich Sector

410th BG - Road & Rail Strike, Zulpich

 

Debrief:

370th FG

402nd FS: (Courtesy of Capt. Sean O'Sullivan)

Quote

A reconnoitre of the Zülpich area armed with 2x500lb bombs

A mixed mission for sure and not without incident. We flew as white and blue flights to 485th's red flight, in a show of force to jerry.
As we reached cruise altitude blue one was seen to nose down violently by blue two and despite his frantic calls, never recovered from the steep dive. Suspected catastrophic control failure (Group CO's Edit: catastrophic electrical failure; pilot crash landed in friendly territory). 2lt Roger Over quickly became a favourite of all in the squadron, especially for 'that trick' in the mess hall involving a chalice, 20mm cannon shell and a pair of nylons. How he managed it, we will now have to quiz him about!

Blue two formed up with white flight to resume as a fighting four. Shortly after 485 engaged with the Ju88 and whilst orbiting awaiting their new position, we answered the call to engage fighters to the South. A busy furball ensued, with our Tempest escort also getting stuck in. A number of 190 D9s were shot down or damaged in the engagement with no loss to our own. At this point white three reported possible control damage to his aircraft so opted to RTB; this later turned out to be a dodgy window causing buffeting - after giving it a bash he headed East again and joined the rest of 402.

After a period of searching the sky and an aborted engagement on what turned out to be friendly aircraft, we looked for ground targets of opportunity along the frontline from Zülpich up to Jülich. Some AAA were dispatched, one of which caused damage to white four who, escorted by white three returned to Florennes as a precaution whilst lead and two continued the search.
White two was the only pilot to still have bombs hanging from his -38 following the earlier dogfight, so we were keen to find somewhere meaningful that he could lay his eggs. Unfortunately, this was not to be as a well aimed AAA hit caused severe damage to both of his engines. White two immediately diverted due West to successfully recover at a forward airfield escorted by white leader, who then made the lonely flight home for a well earned cup of coffee.

A slightly frantic mission with a decent tally of aircraft downed and a handful of ground kills.

Group COs note: Another solid performance gents, good work.

 

 

485th FS: (Courtesy of Maj. Mick Payne-Less)

Quote

Very eventful sortie today 485th ! Set off as a four ship flight along with the 402nd on a combined Sqn air patrol mission over the front lines north of Zulpich. 2x500lb bombs were carried by all to suppress flak for 410th bomber Sqn if needed. From 15,000ft  before we reached the front lines, what turned out to be a single Ju88 was spotted. Since the armorers had forgotten to load 2nd Lt Lucas Rockwell’s aircraft with bombs and the refuelling chaps had only given Capt Rea half full tanks, I sent them in as a bombless pair to despatch said Bosh bastard whilst 2nd Lt Artisan Well and myself kept our eggs for later. HOWEVER, to the south was spotted a loveliness of FW D9s at around angels 15 so all bombs dumped and in we go. Capt Rea and 2nd Lt Rockwell had to climb to join us so things were a little lop sided and......well..... Well was overwhelmed and we think he took damage to his elevator which lead to an unrecoverable dive into oblivion. It’s a shame because he was a very deep, well rounded chap.

Anyway, we dispatched the D9s with some excellent work from Rockwell and Rea, continued on our patrol all the while keeping in touch with the 402nd boys and the 410th chaps who were also busy inflicting harm and misery as required. 
On the return northern leg of our patrol we descended to look for ground targets of opportunity and found plenty. 25 plus were destroyed between us in what can only be described as an ordered frenzy of aggression.... brought a tear to my eye it did.

Capt Rea dead stick landed, out of fuel, at a forward airfield without a problem and Rockwell and myself landed at home base in time to join 402nd’s afternoon whisky and knitting bonanza. 

Group COs note: Glad to see the 485th getting their share of the air action, though the loss of 2nd Lt. Well is a blow, he was shaping up nicely. And a nice haul of ground targets to boot! Nice job 485.

 

 

 

410th BG

 

[DD_Fenrir]

370th FG

Awards and Promotions:

None.

 

Personnel:

2nd Lieutenant Brem Sprow is posted to the 402nd Fighter Squadron.

A new pilot has been posted to the 485th Fighter Squadron - we await confirmation of his identity.

 

Rosters:

TBC

 

 

410th BG

Awards and Promotions:

None.

 

Personnel:

No changes.

 

Roster:

TBC

 

[Pooka]

With Easter tomorrow and my flight time is afternoon and early evening (Supper time) I most likely won't be available.  I'll try but it looks doubtful.

[Painless]

Reporting for duty skooper 👍🏻

[Crash]

I will be there

[BluBear]

Should be good for this 

[Reggie]

Reporting for virtual escapism 😊

[Jabo]

Lazarus Over reporting. As for the trick regarding the chalice, nylons and 20mm shell, that will remain a secret known only to me, the Lord Privy Seal and the Pope.

[DD_Fenrir]

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[Painless]

Reporting for duty scooter....

[Crash]

Me too

[Jabo]

Signing in...

[BluBear]

Oh go on then

[Reggie]

Oh, all right then, if I must 😉😁

[BluBear]

402FS combat report - mission date 7/12

Our target for today - seemingly with the rest of the 9th AF - was infantry in and around the town of Weeze. We transited to the frontline at Angels 14 and slightly North of the 485th to avoid conflict and offer additional top cover. Upon our descended entry to the target area from the West, Red 3 spotted a trio of Ju52 transports flying below 5000ft and on a reciprocal heading.
Following an initial attack from Red 3 and 4, Red leader and his wingman also dropped down for a taste of the action and between the flight, all three enemy Iron Annie's were swiftly sent to earth in flames. Good job.

Regrouping, we continued on to attack ground targets of opportunity to the South East of Weeze, where unfortunately we lost Red 4 from Red 3's bomb blast on the first attack run. 2nd Lt Luke Zander, a distinguished canal boat enthusiast, was a man of few words but well liked in the mess for his ability to draw the perfect mallard whilst blindfolded. He will be missed.
Let this be a reminder though gentlemen to always observe strict spacing on bomb runs in order to avoid these unnecessary 'own goals'. Either go in close together or keep it distant.

After dispatching a number of tricky tree covered targets and with the 485th now in the area we decided to push South to the town of Geldern to see what the craic was down there.
With minimal juicy targets around, we took one final punt to the East to strafe and pickle off the remainder of our bombs on the airfield of Bonningshardt-sud. 
Red leader strafed a lone parked Bf109 as well as blowing a few buildings to smithereens along with Red 2 who also took umbrage to some jerry storage tanks. 
Calling it there, the trio headed South West for home, picking up a further couple of AAA along the frontline on the way through.

Well done gents, some decent team work and a reasonable haul of targets destroyed, marred only by the loss of 2nd Lt Zander. RIP.

 

[DD_Fenrir]

Mission Date 07/12/44

402nd FS - Attack Infantry, Weeze

485th FS - Attack Infantry, Weeze

410th BG - Attack Infantry, Weeze

 

Debrief:

370th FG

402nd FS: (Courtesy of Capt. Sean O'Sullivan)

Quote

Our target for today - seemingly with the rest of the 9th AF - was infantry in and around the town of Weeze. We transited to the frontline at Angels 14 and slightly North of the 485th to avoid conflict and offer additional top cover. Upon our descended entry to the target area from the West, Red 3 spotted a trio of Ju52 transports flying below 5000ft and on a reciprocal heading.
Following an initial attack from Red 3 and 4, Red leader and his wingman also dropped down for a taste of the action and between the flight, all three enemy Iron Annie's were swiftly sent to earth in flames. Good job.

Regrouping, we continued on to attack ground targets of opportunity to the South East of Weeze, where unfortunately we lost Red 4 from a Red 3's bomb blast on the first attack run. 2nd Lt Luke Zander, a distinguished canal boat enthusiast, was a man of few words but well liked in the mess for his ability to draw the perfect mallard whilst blindfolded. He will be missed.
Let this be a reminder though gentlemen to always observe strict spacing on bomb runs in order to avoid these unnecessary 'own goals'. Either go in close together or keep it distant.

After dispatching a number of tricky tree covered targets and with the 485th now in the area we decided to push South to the town of Geldern to see what the craic was down there.
With minimal juicy targets around, we took one final punt to the East to strafe and pickle off the remainder of our bombs on the airfield of Bonningshardt-sud. 
Red leader strafed a lone parked Bf109 as well as blowing a few buildings to smithereens along with Red 3 who also took umbrage to some jerry storage tanks. 
Calling it there, the trio headed South West for home, picking up a further couple of AAA along the frontline on the way through.

Well done gents, some decent team work and a reasonable haul of targets destroyed, marred only by the loss of 2nd Lt Zander. RIP.

 

485th FS:

 

410th BG

 

370th FG

Awards and Promotions:

Captain Sean O'Sullivan is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

2nd Lt. Aaron Massengill is awarded the Bronze Star.

 

2nd Lt. Luke Zander is awarded the Bronze Star (posthumously).

 

2nd Lt. Lucas Rockwell is awarded the Bronze Star.

 

Personnel:

A new pilot has been posted to the 402nd Fighter Squadron - we await confirmation of his identity.

A new pilot has been posted to the 485th Fighter Squadron - we await confirmation of his identity.

 

Rosters:

TBC

 

 

410th BG

Awards and Promotions:

2nd Lt. David Crosby is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

2nd Lt. Major Major is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

 

Personnel:

No changes.

 

Roster:

TBC

[Painless]

485th had pretty much the same mission brief as 402nd. Flight of 3 and a flight of 2 proceeded with 2 x 500lb bombs allocated to the Weeze bosh types.

However, once again we came across a gaggle of winged box heads, this time Bf 109 G14s near to the front lines. All but two aircraft ditched bombs to engage. All black hearted nasty Nazis were knocked down. As an encore yet more 109s entered the arena (K4s) and were afforded similar treatment. We then communicated with those splendid 402nd chaps and established a “don’t get in each other’s faces” ground attack strategy which avoided any collisions and associated name calling and fist waving, (mostly).

Ground targets were sparse but we picked a few off using our remaining bombs for tricky bush bosh bashing.

Patrolled north of Weeze along front lines picking off a few more anti social types on the ground before heading over to Emmerich where we found a number of AAA units to have a go at. All targets destroyed BUT, for the loss of Flt O John Johnson whilst attacking a particularly well concealed unit hiding in a pedestrian area adjacent to McDonalds and a Sainsbury’s food hall. Dam shame, he was killed only meters from the home of the Big Mac and a quantity of “taste the difference” Tiramisu. 
With very little ammo left we returned to our home base, one man down.
2nd Lt Jean Artage showed excellent accuracy with both bomb and bullet on a couple of occasions, well done that man.

Lt David Reginald provided excellent wingman cover for my sorry arse, much appreciated. Capt Rea made the entire mission look like a casual sashay, not bad for a popinjay ! Top man.

[Pooka]

I was told to check in here before Sunday.  2nd Lt. H.P.  Pookie, reporting as ordered.

[Squawk]

Alistair Starling re-reporting for duty!    Some other poor sod has run off with the Generals daughter and he is no longer up the proverbial creek, sans paddle. 

[BluBear]

Reporting in

[Crash]

Me too

[Painless]

As am I.....👍🏻

[Perfesser]

In