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402nd FS Combat Report - 10/12 - Recce in the Jülich area Firstly, it was a shame to have such a reduced force today; some kind of clap-induced vertigo apparently according to Doc Daneeka, or was it something to do with the liver? Anyway, flying as a mere three ship today, this was regretfully another mission of ups and downs. Each aircraft took a couple of 1000 pounders as intel suggested there was an enemy advance in our target area. Once there and with our patrol complete, we headed down to drop on targets of opportunity. Vehicles, artillery and AAA were all spotted to the South of Jülich as Red leader made an attack followed by Red two. On egress from the attack, Red two was observed to take an 88 shell in the back of the head. This is the second day running the 402 have been struck down in such a way and we mourn the loss of newbie Doug Grabowski. In the meantime, Red three had spotted possible enemy aircraft and had remained high to investigate along with our P-47 escorts. With Red leader joining in, a short scrap ensued which resulted in one Fw190-A8 destroyed by Red three in a precision sniper attack and a further A8 damaged by Red leader. As the P-47s were keen to get involved, the now two-ship 402 decided that was enough for one day and headed home. If pilot availability continues to be an issue, we may need to consider our options.

I wanted to join for my last Lightning Strikes mission yesterday but I took a power nap at 6 PM, only the power nap was so powerful that it lasted until 4 AM. In any case, thanks a lot to Fenrir for the last one year (?) of this campaign, and to everyone else who participated and made it what it is. We're probably the most skilled P-38 pilots in GBS after this lol (at least in strafing pinpoint targets )

Brilliant show chaps - and Major Painless you are a dab hand at AAR's - you should write for Viz magazine 🤣

485th were tasked with destroying transport on the ground near to Düsseldorf. I lead a flight of four and Capt Rea led a flight of two with a special friend he met in a bar recently ? We climbed to angels 9 carrying 6x500lb each, with a view to dive bombing our target initially to minimise AAA opportunities. Having spotted no flying bosh at all, (the case for the entire mission), we arrived over the target free of holes and apprehension so it was to be line astern for Red flight and White Flight to stay high just in case. After a brief reminder on how to set your aircraft up for a diving attack in we went.... full of confidence I chose a pretty steep angle, air brakes out, zero throttle and max RPM... ..... released two bombs at 4000ft then pulled out in the pre arranged direction all pleased and shift. To my horror, 2nd Lt HP Pookie pulled out just enough to pancake his aircraft at Mach 1 and by a miracle survive. Closely followed by 2nd Lt Clarice Starling who was not so lucky. I can only apologise if the steepness of my attack was a contributing factor to these tragic events chaps. We have done precious little practice in the way of dive bombing the P38, unfortunately it has to be done just so to avoid disaster. On reflection I would have either conducted a low level shallow dive attack or dive bombed at no more than a 60deg angle having reinforced the need to drop no lower than 3000 - 4000ft. After such a traumatic start I have to say that the remaining four aircraft conducted a magnificent game of bash the bosh absolutely hammering ground targets including two airfields one of which was Düsseldorf. Capt Rea was on fire, killing 10 xAAA and his wingman Brams did a similarly impressive job. As a couple they were worthy of the front cover of Vogue Magazine... awesome chaps ! 2nd Lt Jean Artage also hammered AAA with great derring -do and aplomb actually stealing German ammunition from the third reich, hiding it in his aircraft. He was forced to land at Venlo airbase due to the extra weight. Capt Rea escorted him to a safe landing then joined myself and Brams for a three ship home coming.

Mission Date 10/12/44 402nd FS - Reconnaisance, Frontlines, Julich 485th FS - Interdict Transportation Facilities, Dusseldorf 410th BG - Strike Rail facilities, Monchengladbach Debrief: 370th FG 402nd FS: Group CO's note: A difficult day, undermanned as you were with so many of your aircrew struck down with illness, and the loss on only his first sortie of 2nd Lt. Grabowski. The fact you still managed to get stuck in and score an air kill in what must have been something of a sausage party is a credit to you. Hope you find better luck in the coming missions. 485th FS: Group CO's note: A simply breath-taking performance 485th - 56 (!) ground kills in a single mission is, I believe a record for not only your squadron but the Group as a whole. Sure, it is dampened by the loss of both 2nd Lts. Starling & Pookie, yet the fact that despite these damaging blows your squadron managed to continue on and rack up such a unprecedented tally of enemy ground targets is a credit to the fortitude of your pilots, the skill and leadership of the squadron and it avenges those fallen resoundingly. Magnificent, boys, truly magnificent. 410th BG 370th FG Awards and Promotions: None. Personnel: 2nd Lieutenant George Vanderweit has been posted to the 402nd Fighter Squadron. A new pilot has been posted to the 485th 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. 410th BG Awards and Promotions: Major E. Shoo is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Personnel: None.

410th BG debrief The three A20 pilots have a good routine...starting, taxi, take off, rendezvous with fighter escort, plan attack depending on cloud height and target type.... On this occasion Crash, Delta and Sid set out to bomb the rail facilities at Monchen Gladbach. We climbed out and up to the P38 rendezvous at Angels 12, picked up the escort and set off on the waypoints. Looking at the target we agreed that the best approach would be from the south as it meant we could have a good run in along the railway line with ample time for sight adjustments. The decision was made to level bomb from 9000ft. Our ingress to the target was uneventful apart from the fact our P38 escort went hunting sighted contacts and left us unescorted, thankfully this didn't affect us. 410th went south to Julich and then headed north to target. We had a 20 degree starboard tailwind at 8 m/s on the run in so the drop was a bit choppy. Nevertheless the engine sheds and surrounding area got a good plastering with drops directly on, short and slightly left of the target. Good job 410th. Got a low level, medium level or high level bombing job...? Give us a call......

I missed the railway station and flattened 8 houses. Must try harder.

As per the Italian P38 story told on the way to target in 485th coms. I read it in "Fork-Tailed Devil the P38" by Martin Caidin. The B17 pilot was Harold Fisher, and the Italian pilot was Guido Rossi. Worth a look up. Short version, A P38 got lost and landed low on fuel in occupied Sardinia. Before he could destroy his ship he was dragged from the cockpit. Italians tested the aircraft and Rossi hatched a plan to use it to great success attacking allied bomber stragglers. Lieutenant Fisher was the first to survive the surprise attacks, and report the goings on. Lt Fisher came up with the idea to use a YB-40 ( B-17 gunship) to decoy Rossi into attacking an up gunned B17 (16x .50's) by playing lame. After finding out the who the Italian pilot was, Fisher painted the name and a portrait of the Italians Wife on the nose. Eventually he ran into the Italian P38 and when he started talking about the guys wife, Rossi lost his cool and recklessly attacked confirming the P38 was hostile and giving the gunners an edge in shooting him down. Rossi ended up ditching and surviving. Fisher perished in an aircraft crash during the Berlin Airlift.

...meant to hit 10...

Doug died. George Vanderweit reporting for duty.