PWCG P-38 Lightning Strikes Co-op Campaign

[DD_Fenrir]

7 minutes ago, BluBear said:

I may be missing something, but can these not be added on to the next AAR? Or do EA actually have to be destroyed in a mission in order to make a claim against it?

As with anything involving PWCG, it's complicated... 😵

[Painless]

485th debrief:

Six ship flight to patrol around an 8x8km area well behind enemy lines for air targets. 
Uneventful transition to our patrol area followed by a staggered altitude sweep for around 20 minutes with no joy on EA. Rox and myself descended to attack ground convoy with some success however Rox chopped the end off of a AAA gun barrel with his prop. Top marks for using every part of his aircraft to inflict harm on the Bosh ! This meant escorting Rox to friendly lines so he could return safely to home base which he did admirably.

The remainder of 485th continued patrol with no joy. Rejoined Sqn and sent white flight down to attack ground targets. Received call to intercept air targets from 402nd but the location was some 80km away so declined invitation.

Decided to head back to front lines to find more ground targets which we did with some success. Received another call, this time from Jabo stating 5x Bf 110 heading East approx 40km away. Set interception course and headed full speed with 5 remaining 485th aircraft.

Found 5x Bf110 EA where expected so thanks to Nick for heads up ! Engaged and shot down 4 EA for the loss of Funflak to rear gunner return fire (we think). Remaining Bf110 was reserved for Friar as he hadn’t got a kill yet but unfortunately he had the smallest of brain farts causing a collision resulting in the destruction of both aircraft. Bloody shame as he had done a great job of leading White Flight for some weeks. Expecting a replacement flight leader ASAP!

Returned home as a three ship flight without incident. Great job by both Artie and Reggie and I will be recommending promotion for both.

[Painless]

PS: I lied on TS about not caring  about medals..... it really hurts ! 😭

[Crash]

I managed to drop my bombs on my aiming point, unfortunately the wasnt any enemy troops there

Good drop from Sid and Delta

[rox]

Here are some highlights from my perspective. Nothing as cinematic or interesting as the videos BluBear and Perf posted, but you can see me doing ground attack at and angle I had no right to fly away from with just a broken prop [4:20], Friar singing [5:30], instrument flying through clouds with appallingly set up rudder trim [5:47], and a fast bouncy one-engined landing and pathetic taxiing attempt with some incriminating comms chatter in the background [6:30].

Also friendly reminder to myself and others, nicely lined up targets like that are made for two separate (ripple) bomb drops in succession, instead of dropping the pair in unison.

Oh and question for BluBear, when you make those awesome videos, do you record a track and then record? Do tracks work as they should in GBS (they're near-useless in DCS)? I figure that would be a much better workflow than directly recording in-game with the UI and other ugliness getting in the way.

 

[DD_Fenrir]

3 hours ago, DD_Fenrir said:

As with anything involving PWCG, it's complicated... 😵

VICTORY IS MINE!!!! 

Or, more accurately, victories are now FTs and Reggies. 

Only took four hours.  

 

I will complete the forum debrief when I have re-invigorated my stocks of give-a-sh*t, 'cause right now I'm fresh out. 

[BluBear]

Cool vid Rox, I must remember to record TS as well to splice it in. Although, there's rarely any singing in the 402nd!

42 minutes ago, rox said:

Oh and question for BluBear, when you make those awesome videos, do you record a track and then record? Do tracks work as they should in GBS (they're near-useless in DCS)? I figure that would be a much better workflow than directly recording in-game with the UI and other ugliness getting in the way.

Tracks + Fraps + Premiere. That is my method.

Tracks do seem to be quite stable in GBS, more so than the old ntrks of '46 that seemed to deteriorate after time elapsed; although there is I believe a file size limit for a single track in GBS.
I don't have any experience of DCS tracks so can't comment.

I try to remember to hit record whenever there is action, then replay at a later date for screen and audio capture in Fraps. Here you can of course hide the UI / icons etc and 'Direct' your movie how you see fit. The FPS style free-roam camera is fantastic for getting some unusual angles. 
 

[Sid]

Debrief 410th BG

What started as a flight of four A20s soon became a flight of three as unfortunately Sheriff encountered a recurring technical issue that prevents him from moving beyond the hangar. I really hope you can get it resolved mate.

The 410th BG were given transport and road targets at Remegan so the usual load of 100% fuel and twenty 200lb bombs were loaded with a view to level bombing with a two second bomb 'walk' over the target. Cloud base was below 6000ft so the climb out and rendezvous with Spitfires relatively close to Eindhoven was a simple task as we didn't need to go higher than cloud base. The rendezvous was made and waypoints followed towards target. It was decided to give ourselves a long line up before bombing so once a suitable turn point was reached all three bombers lined up on target. Visibility was good and the Remegan river was spotted in plenty of time. As our target was very close to the 402nd's ground attack area I checked in with FT and advised our time on target. He agreed to hold off until we had dropped and were making our way out. On the way a flight of EA was spotted but they left us alone. On arrival at the target area it was pleasing to note that no flak was present. 

Delta and Crash dropped and started the damage below, Sid dropped and did more. Delta had bombs left and, due to the absence of flak, made two low level runs over the targets causing more damage. I will say that both Crash and delta acted according to the brief and did not attempt to drop on the tempting target of a train in the station that was to be attacked by 402. Well done lads for showing great restraint. A successful attack, well done 410th.

Three aircraft left the area and it was handed over to the 402nd. On the way back a dogfight was encountered well into friendly lines so all aircraft went low to avoid collateral damage. All three aircraft returned to Eindhoven. Great job boys!   

[rox]

Awesome and very useful Chris, thanks!

[FoolTrottel]

402nd Debrief

(disclaimer: my memory fails me - it's already bad at recording all these flashy events in proper order, but now, typing this after a day's work ... yeah... please forgive me. Just trying to do this so Fen does not have to spend the time ... Oh wait, this probably needs so many corrections... Oh well ... )

Started out with 8 aircraft, but lost Tbone (Red 4) right after spawning in due to technical issue.

Set out east towards target. Our P47 escorts were soon with us. 

The plan was to have white flight attack targer first, 4x two pairs of 1000lbs bombs. On ingress, we met with some 190's, white flight took care of them, whilst keeping their bombs. Good job. Red flight kept flying towards target. Our escort P47 disappeared as soon as the enemy a/c showed up, never seen them back, they probably chased some back home (?)

Over target, Red flight stayed over the clouds, waited for White to come in.  White flight attacked the target and did good damage. Red flight then attacked. After all bombs were used, some repeated strafing attacks were performed on triple A guns and other items. (The 410th BG must have woken the AAA up when leaving the area I suppose ... because they were surely there!)

White 4 got damaged, and returned home early, accompanied by White 3. (Or was it vv?) 

Return flight was messy, as we somehow all got split up. White 1 and 2 chasing bandits reported by White 3/4.  Finding bandits here and there. Red 3 having a go at them 5x 110's up north ... Red 1 and 2 came across two 88's. Unfortunately, Red 2 was killed due to a collision, and probably wasn't able to bale out. No parachute was seen. Hectic radio traffic for a while.

White 4 had to bale out of damaged a/c, inside our lines. I think.

Landing was still fairly close together, time wise.

Good job all... we killed it, and them!

 

 

(Note to self; Need to improve, seem to keep losing the same wing man over and over again! Any volunteers?)

[Reggie]

3 hours ago, DD_Fenrir said:

VICTORY IS MINE!!!! 

Or, more accurately, victories are now FTs and Reggies. 

Only took four hours.  

 

I will complete the forum debrief when I have re-invigorated my stocks of give-a-sh*t, 'cause right now I'm fresh out. 

Wow, well done - honestly though I am not worried about how many kills I have or medals awarded or promotions won etc - so please don't feel bad about missing me out, or feel you need to put this amount of effort in to get my kill on the board. 

I am here for the banter, the jokes, the incredibly good looks of Mr Artage and Major Painless, the second to non flying skill of the whole 485th - and the fabulous singing voice of FT 😃

Anything on top of the above is a bonus. However, I do thank you hugely for the time and effort you put into this, not just the 4 hours for last night's op - but everything else I see you get done for DD - I know too well how much time, effort and schlepp (is that a word you use in the UK?) that is - and so often goes under-appreciated. 

So - for the record, I appreciate it 👍

 

[Sid]

20 minutes ago, Reggie said:

 

I am here for the banter, the jokes, the incredibly good looks of Mr Artage and Major Painless, the second to non flying skill of the whole 485th - and the fabulous singing voice of FT 😃

 

Are you in the same squad as us.....same universe....?

[Jabo]

7 hours ago, Painless said:

PS: I lied on TS about not caring  about medals..... it really hurts ! 😭

Apparently, in the Luftwaffe during WW2 the issue of not having an Iron Cross when you really wanted one was referred to as 'throatache' - a similar malaise perhaps?

[DD_Fenrir]

2 hours ago, Reggie said:

Wow, well done - honestly though I am not worried about how many kills I have or medals awarded or promotions won etc - so please don't feel bad about missing me out, or feel you need to put this amount of effort in to get my kill on the board. 

I am here for the banter, the jokes, the incredibly good looks of Mr Artage and Major Painless, the second to non flying skill of the whole 485th - and the fabulous singing voice of FT 😃

Anything on top of the above is a bonus. However, I do thank you hugely for the time and effort you put into this, not just the 4 hours for last night's op - but everything else I see you get done for DD - I know too well how much time, effort and schlepp (is that a word you use in the UK?) that is - and so often goes under-appreciated. 

So - for the record, I appreciate it 👍

 

 

Understood Reggie but it was the kind of thing that would haunt my dreams in the small hours, particularly as it was my absent-mindedness to blame. My own eye for detail would cause this to gnaw at my soul henceforth, so it was as much to save my own sanity as to see justice done to two hard working virtual pilots.

Besides, if Painless thought for even a moment that the 485th was being denied legitimate kills, he and Artie would break out the tin-foil hats and cries of "CONSPIRACY" would forever plague our Teamspeak channel. Thusly it is better for us all that I did this!

[Painless]

56 minutes ago, DD_Fenrir said:

Besides, if Painless thought for even a moment that the 485th was being denied legitimate kills, he and Artie would break out the tin-foil hats and cries of "CONSPIRACY" would forever plague our Teamspeak channel. Thusly it is better for us all that I did this!

Dam right Thomas !!! 😁

[Sid]

Join in.....

Ohhh Jingle bells

Painless yells

The planes don't come our waaaay...

402 run into them

Every feckin' daaaay.....

 

Dashing through the snowwwww

In a one horse feckin' showwwww

Over flak we fly

Most of us do die....

Searching high and low

The Jerries they don't showwwww

So we drop our bombs instead

And lawn dart as we go

 

Ohhhhhhhh Jingle bells

Painless yells

The planes don't come our waaaay...

402 run into them

Every feckin' daaaay....

 

Fighters over there....

In a distant square...

Shall we join the chase?

I really couldn't care...

402 are close

never feckin' mind...

Let's just go home to the mess

and genterly unwind...

 

Ohhh Jingle bells

Painless yells

The planes don't come our waaaay...

402 run into them

Every feckin' daaaay.....

 

 

[FoolTrottel]

You forgot this line:

"It's tin hats that we wear"

[DD_Fenrir]

Mission Date 16/11/44

402nd FS - Rail Targets Remagen

485th FS - Fighter Sweep Ulmen Sector

410th BG - Bomb Infantry Positions Remagen

Debrief:

370th FG

The COs have covered the major events in today's missions, not much to add but the exceptionally heavy enemy air activity encountered over the front and well behind our lines by the 402nd - and a number of other friendly squadrons too by some of the rumours we are hearing.

With regards the 402nd, special note goes to 2nd Lt. Roy Hinkley, flying as Leakage White 3. After receiving damaging fire from an enemy aircraft during the first engagement by the 402nd, Hinkley not only kept his bomb load throughout but persevered on to target, destroying the largest amount of ground claims of his squadron (7 in total) from his attack. As commendable as this action was, as he was limping home, he then engaged a squadron of Ju-88s, downing 2 and damaging a third. Then just after his wingman, 2nd Lt. Zukkerelli was obliged to bail out when his aircraft was struck by debris from the a Ju-88 he was attacking, Hinkley was engaged by 4 Fw 190s, whose ministrations he managed to avoid for more than 5 minutes as other elements of his squadron rushed to assist. Just to top it off, he downed a further Fw 190. 

Exceptional work 2nd Lt. Hinkley. Incredible even, especially for his second mission. 

Not to be left out, our brand new pilot, 2nd Lt. Patrick Last downed 4 enemy fighters in his first mission. Clearly one to watch  from hereon in.  Excellent work and great shooting Lieutenant!

Veteran Lt. Finknottle also had a good-day, claiming 2 long nosed Focke-Wulfs and a Ju-88. He also engaged a squadron of Bf 110s single-handed and damaged one before discretion took the better part of valour and he disengaged - wisely as he was low on ammo and fuel. However, he showed considerable sagacity by alerting the returning 485th squadron via radio as to the location of the e/a and thus Zenith squadron were able to tear into the Zerstorers with considerable success.

 Capt Efftee opened the scoring by knocking down a long-nosed FW during the first engagement near the frontlines.

2nd Lt. Zukkerelli, prior to his misfortunate of being hit by a large piece of debris falling from the enemy Ju-88 he had just shot down, had also claimed a second kill , an Fw 190, during the stiff air-to-air fighting earlier in the mission. He hit the silk successfully and has telephoned from XIXth Tactical Fighter Command in Vervrier that he will be on his way back to us soon ( a few Belgian bars notwithstanding...!)

Our resident top-scorer Lt. Rea also added 2 scalps to his collection today but came damn close on the last to joining his victim, passing so close to the ailing Kraut that the Focke-Wulf's wing tip took off his starboard aileron. Close call there Rea!

Alas, 2nd Lt. Dennis Winger was not so fortunate. Having shot down an FW during the early engagements, he collided with the enemy aircraft he was attacking. The wreckage of his aircraft was seen to hit the ground in friendly territory but no chute was witnessed. A dedicated and faithful wingman to Capt Efftee and a friendly effusive fellow in the squadron mess, his departure has left something of a vacuum in the squadron that will be hard to fill.

Leakage Red 4, 2nd Lt. Tony Bowen had engine troubles on startup that obliged him to abort the mission - and he will no doubt be cursing the name of his Crew Chief for missing out on so action-packed a mission.

Considering that their remit had been to attack rail targets in Remagen, you could be forgiven for thinking that with this record haul of 15 air kills in one mission that perhaps the 402nd had neglected their duties, but the opposite is the case; the 402nd decimated the target and left Remagen with 16 ground claims under their belt.

Capt Efftee you should feel justly proud, both of your boys and of the leadership you exhibit to garner such impressive results. Well done.

Maj. Payne-Less should feel no less satisfied, though Group well understand your frustrations at missing out on the bulk of the air action today. Nonetheless, Zenith squadron still took the fight to the Germans with gusto strafing and bombing any thing that moved in their sector of operations and still having the mettle to get stuck in to Luftwaffe when the opportunity presented itself on their flight home. Whilst 5 kills may seem slim pickings in light of the rather unprecedented performance by your sister squadron, 5 air kills in a mission is exemplary by any squadrons measure and that represents 5 enemy airplanes that will tomorrow, not be dropping bombs on our troops heads. Group knows that given the same remarkable circumstances that the 402nd encountered today, the 485th would have equaled or bettered their performance.

It is with sadness then that we announce the loss of 2nd Lt. Gary Funflaque and Capt. Frank Priory. Both fell, we suspect, to rear gunner fire in the engagements with the 110s. Funflaque had been with the squadron since our move to Belgium in the Autumn and will be sorely missed. Capt. Priory, so recently new to the squadron had already started to settle in and earn the trust and respect of his squadron mates as Zenith White Leader. 

Tomorrow, the 17th is looking fine and bright gents, according to the Met boys, so keep your heads clear and get some rest. [Event to be flown Tuesday 22nd December 2020]

 

 

410th BG

Please refer to Maj. Viscous' debreifing.

[Jabo]

Veteran? Cheeky young whippersnapper

[Painless]

Looking forward to hearing you sing that little ditty live at Legends Sidly ? Maybe with Tom on backing vocals and geeetarrrrr. 🤣

[Perfesser]

After being damaged in the engagement on ingress we dropped bombs and Zukker and I headed home and stumbled on to this. Curious the 88's were not returning fire but initially I was setting up each pass from their high 6 and breaking off at a safe distance. As for the circling bombers PW has found the cause and is on it as of Oct 24.

 

https://youtu.be/ITLXaStkyWU

After this I took another couple leisurely passes on the 88's before spotting 3 FW 190's climbing up through the clouds and I turned into them calling for help. Then a fourth showed up. I got good hits on one and he went away smoking.  The next ? minutes were spent in some of the most intense action I've seen yet. On the edge of a stall most of the time- refusing to give up altitude, so low on ammo I only shot when it was a sure hit.  Rescue arrived and they cleaned up the opposition.

Unfortunately by the time I remembered to hit record again(shadowplay 5 min record) on the way home I had missed all the good action...... just caught the end.

https://youtu.be/avxGa_E5m-Q

[DD_Fenrir]

370th FG

Awards and Promotions:

402nd:

2nd Lieutenant Patrick Last is awarded the Bronze Star

 

2nd Lieutenant Roy Hinkley is awarded the Bronze Star

 

1st Lieutenant Bert Finknottle is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

 

485th:

2nd Lieutenant David Reginald is awarded the Bronze Star

 

Major Mick Payne-Less is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

 

Personnel:

402nd:

Replacement pilot is due, identity TBC

 

485th:

Capt Alan Cloister is posted to the squadron.

Replacement pilot is due, identity TBC

 

Rosters:

 

 

410th BG

Awards and Promotions:

2nd Lieutenant Dave Haggis is awarded the Bronze Star

 

Personnel:

No changes. 

 

Roster:

 

 

 

[Reggie]

Hurrah, Bronze Star - I am on my way 😀

[DD_Fenrir]

370th FG Scoreboard, as of the morning of 17th November 1944:

 

 

410th BG Scoreboard as of the morning of 17th November 1944:

[wingflyr]

Dennis Falcon reporting for duty sir.

 Requesting a different bed bunk this one seems to be cursed. Superstition is a funny thing.