21nov06

21 November 2006

Dusk Buff Run

A nighttime bomber mission was planned to raid numerous bases behind the front to stifle the enemy attack by hitting their fighter and vehicle hangers. The fearsome B-17G Flying Fortress was the plane chosen for the raid and A20 was our base of operations. Our flight consisted of five formations flown by Joker, Luft, Seal, Skeksis and me, fuzeman.
___Initial planning gave us targets ofA25, A8 and A1 but that would change inflight. A25 had a considerable attack going so we diverted to A8 with other targets V62 and A2 with any remaining ordinance to be dropped on A1 before we returned to base. Targets were given out inflight before we reached the target so we knew what to hit, baring any last minute changes.
___After being diverted away from A25 we climbed to 12k, our designated cruise altitude and headed south to our IP. We turned to 135 to line up the target and encountered our first enemy, a single La-5. He made the most out of his attack bringing down one formation of our B-17s. He was damaged in the attack and broke of but a second La-5 was spotted in the distance. The remaining four formations hit A8 destroying 2 of 3 fighter hangers and the vehicle hanger.
___We made a minor course correction and headed for V62 to hit the vehicle hangers. The second La-5 engaged and was damged and broke off, trailing smoke behind him. I believe he did manage to get a single bomber. We hit 2 of 3 vehicle hangers at 62 and another enemy plane, a Fw 190A5 was spotted. Other collateral damage was done at 62 including a Flak and some bunkers.
___We continued to A2 for another bomb run targeting the FHs and VH with the 190 shadowing us and making the occasional attack as another 109 closed in. The 190 did manage to give us some damage but besides a fuel leak or two he didn't down any of our bombers. The 190 pestered us at A2 and I believe we only hit a single FH but the BDA may have been incomplete. The 109 made a few passes but I don't believe he hit much.
___The group was getting spread out by now with the 190 still shadowing us as Skunk arrived in a fighter for some cover and he engaged the 190. We turned and headed to A1 to drop any remaining bombs. The 190 managed to extend some but came in for 1 last attack and nailed a formation head on, setting one lead bomber ablaze which eventually exploded. At A1 another FH was destroyed and we tried to group up for our return to home base.
___We had lost 6 of 15 bombers but heavily damaged A8 and V62 with minor damage to A2 and A1. One group landed at A19 but the rest continued to A20 to land.

<CO> fuzeman, Mission Leader