Author Topic: Mission Results Week 15  (Read 195 times)

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Offline tsisqua

Mission Results Week 15
« on: April 12, 2021, 10:10:14 pm »
First off: I allowed myself a second attempt at this mission because my plane simply decided to explode the first time. I reviewed the track, and neither myself nor the enemy caused this. Just "KABOOM", near the target and that was that. No flack, no fire.

Okay, to the actual mission:
  Orders were to fly the rail route between Coutances and Villadieu, and to destroy rail traffic.



We left the base without incident, but we knew that rocketing and strafing trains was about the most dangerous thing a fighter pilot could do. Those rockets are fragile things, and I had a dream te night before that my plane just plain exploded in the air.



I spotted a train and ordered the attack, which I led.



Suddenly I heard a raking sound, and one of my wingmen yelled "Number One, get out! Get out! Bail!" Well, I wasn't falling out of the sky, at least not all of me. My elevator had either been broken, or shot off. Not bailing, no Sir! I throttled up and used the first notch of flaps to get myself above the action so I could direct my flight.



In my use of flaps avoiding flak I got my flaps jammed. I did a few practice turns to see how much room I needed to get onto the 210 approach for my landing. I flew a couple of miles to the East of the runway, and watched my magic-no-it-ain't-real compass indicator until it pointed to a heading of 240 and began my turn, knowing it would be pointing to 210 by the time I got around.



I had a pretty good alignment with the runway, and coming in hot with what amounted to takeoff flaps was tricky. (I turned the guncam on for this because I wanted to prove that I could do it.Will submit footage later this week.) I goosed the engine just before touchdown to lift the nose, and did bounce a bit, striking the twin booms a little, but mostly unhurt. I claim 10 rail cars.



addendum: A mechanic who calls himself "Barnesy", or something like that, did extensive work on my plane. I am beginning to suspect that he may actually be a saboteur. Recommend he be questioned about my plane parts falling off.

Offline DHumphrey

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2021, 01:00:05 am »
Bird, excellent job getting back home in one piece !!! You did take out a train and those supplies are not going to do the enemy any good at this point. Hit the pub and have a few. :)
Sincerely,
DHumphrey

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Offline tsisqua

Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2021, 01:54:11 am »
Bird, excellent job getting back home in one piece !!! You did take out a train and those supplies are not going to do the enemy any good at this point. Hit the pub and have a few. :)
I was very pleased with it, overall. It was exciting to try to land the plane without any elevator control. To be able to taxi to parking after all that.  ;)

Offline E69_Haukka

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2021, 05:27:02 am »
:o :o :o

You have done a great mission, Bird! It is possible that on the first attempt, it was a german flak cannon that pulverized you. Anyway, you have done well to try again. The result is well worth it: you have caused great destruction there, but the most remarkable thing has been your return in very unfavorable flight conditions. Congratulations!

Thank you for delighting us with a well thought-out debrief and spectacular photographs. Good job buddy!
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Offline DHumphrey

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2021, 02:44:11 pm »
Mission: Week #15
Mission type: Rail Strike
Date Flown: 4/12/21
Version used: Vp Modact
Mission results: Survived, x23 rail cars destroyed, 940 pts

After Action Review (AAR):

Recieved our briefing for the upcoming mission. We are to hit trains along rail route between Coutances and Villadieu, heading for St. Lo. The aircraft are loaded with rockets for this mission. The section took-off without incident and headed for the target area. Along the route we passed near the St. Lo area when we saw one of our C-47s dropping supplies to our troops in the nearby town. Not far from here we spotted our first target. The train was sizeable, it also had its own AAA guns.



As we approached the target, the AAA guns opened up on our section. I ordered the section to "attack train". The rest of the section acknowledged the order and began their attacks. I then took an attack line toward the train. Once I was within range I let loose a couple of rockets and fired my cannons, the train exploded. Damn ... it was loaded with ammunition !!!



My plane and I caught quite a bit of the explosion. The plane was hit hard. The right alerion was gone, the elevator was damaged but operational, I had two major fuel leaks, and there was a lot of structural damage. However, the plane could still fly. As for myself I was wounded as well, "pink screen". The target train was obliterated.



I felt good enough and the aircraft was still responsive so we searched for another target. It wasn't long when we saw the next target. I dove my plane heading for the enemy train. When I was within range I fired a salvo of rockets and cannons once again. The aim was true as the rockets and cannon shells impacted on the rail cars. All but one rail car was destroyed during this run.



I had two rockets left and hunted for another target. I found another train. Again, I fired my rockets and cannons hitting the target. The train was destroyed. At this time, fuel and my wounds were now becoming a problem. I ordered the section to break off their attacks and head home. I turned my aircraft and made a beeline straight for home as well. Unforturatly, this took me over an enemy held town and they tried real hard to knock me out of the sky. My plane got a few more flak holes for our trouble. We were still flyable and continued on our course.

Our airfield soon came into view.  I asked for permission to land, notified the tower I would need medical assistance and to have the crash crews on standby. As soon as I reported both engines quit. My fuel had drained from the damaged. I had to make an emergency landing, coming in from the opposite landing direction. This was a bit exciting as aircraft were in the process of landing from the other end of the runway. I opted for a clear taxiway in which to land. I was able to land, although a bit hot, thanks for the tric-gear as I laid on the brakes after I was on the ground. I was able to taxi to the P-47 parking area without further incident.



The medics and crash trucks rushed to my plane and pulled me out. My left leg and arm had shrapnel through-out them curtesy of that ammunition train. I'll be laid up for a few weeks according to the Doc. My plane should be repaired by the time I'm released for flight duties.



Mission Results:



Note: This mission is not for the weak, be ready for those rail cars exploding in your face if your not careful. Haukka this was an awesome mission, super thrilling. It tested my flying ability like no mission I've flown in a long time. Oh yeah, when taking off, watch out for the "drunk" truck driver trying to ram your aircraft. He's now residing in the stockade. :)

Not sure why I'm seeing only image links instead of the pics. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2021, 05:34:49 pm by DHumphrey »
Sincerely,
DHumphrey

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Offline E69_Haukka

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2021, 03:58:12 pm »
Another exciting and extraordinary strike mission! You have done it again, Dhumprhey! I am very happy that the only brave ones who risked their skins to go to carry out orders, have returned home alive! In addition, the two landed their plane with structural damage, or with damaged engines, or even leaking fuel. In future missions with similar objectives, I will take careful note of your recommendations, and when I have to attack trains of questionable cargo, I will shoot from a safe distance.

Thank you very much gentlemen for your enthusiasm in flying these missions.
DHumphrey, I don't know what is happening with the images, although sometimes it has happened to me when trying to reduce their size. I have solved it as follows. When editing the images, I give them a maximum width of 1024 pixels. Then I upload them to a free host, https://postimages.org/, which is working great for me. Then I load them in the message with the "Image" icon, where I only put the URL of the image that I want to show, but without touching the width or height. I hope you can solve it, we want to see those photos!

******************
I've already flown my mission. Later I will upload my results. I still have to take some photos of the flight. Over and out!

Offline tsisqua

Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2021, 05:15:42 pm »
Great report, DH!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to get every drop out of the 38. LOL, Your timing was perfect! These things are such a hoot. I normally spend the whole week waiting for Sunday because of this. ;D

Offline DHumphrey

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2021, 05:36:25 pm »
Updated my AAR, see above. Haukka, I resized my photos to 1024, looks like that is working well. Thanks much for your assistance. :)
Sincerely,
DHumphrey


Offline E69_Haukka

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2021, 02:05:35 am »
Updated my AAR, see above. Haukka, I resized my photos to 1024, looks like that is working well. Thanks much for your assistance. :)
Thanks to you, friend, for making those photos visible. Now I can see how damaged your plane was. And besides, you landed with the engines off! You are right, this was a very demanding mission: the Allied advance through Normandy is a tough task.

I have seen that none of you found enemy aircraft. I found two! In the morning (in my morning, guys) I will upload my report,  :)


Great report, DH!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to get every drop out of the 38. LOL, Your timing was perfect! These things are such a hoot. I normally spend the whole week waiting for Sunday because of this. ;D
Same here  :D
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Offline E69_Haukka

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2021, 12:19:54 pm »
Member Name/callsign: E69_Haukka
Actual Mission Name: Y2021 - Week 15 / RAILWAY HUNTING
Date single mission actually flown: APRIL 13, 2021
Mission Score: 1200 points.
Misc. Info if desired: Mission flown in Ypack 1.2.3
Results/description of mission: Mission Complete


Debrief:
Take off without news. Once airborne, the squad rallies and flies in low formation heading straight for Periers on the front lines. But the whole of Normandy is now a huge war front. On the way we come across several allied squadrons operating in the area. In Periers the fight is fierce. A transport drops supplies on our troops. We passed him and flew over the roofs of the houses in the village, thus making it difficult for the Germans to aim, who were everywhere.

We leave the city behind and head into the countryside, always flying low. Still, and regardless of our precautions, one of my boys is shot down by the German flak. On the outskirts of Coutances we found a train traveling at full speed north. We took a little height and attacked him head-on, with two rockets. The train burns like a torch, it was carrying fuel.



A little further south we find two more trains, and the two formations are stopped by our rockets. One of the trains explodes shortly after we deliver our gifts.







In the vicinity of Percy we spotted a fourth train, and as we prepared to attack him, two suspicious figures approach from behind the two P-38s that were following me. I leave the train and begin combat maneuvers. The gunners of these Bf.110 gave me loads of bullets, but despite all their love, one of the Messerschitts fell under fire from my cannons. Then a long and frustrating battle with the second enemy begins. After several minutes the German gunner hits my rudder, damaging it. At that moment I decide that enough is enough, and I take advantage of the fact that the German makes a turn, and I hurry away from there. But I have headed south, and I go deeper into enemy territory.

A few minutes later I arrive at Villedieu, a town with a station full of supply trains, but the strong resistance in the place did not allow me to get closer, and I decided not to risk going into that hell alone. I retraced my steps north again, home.



One of my boys then yells on the radio that he is being attacked. The Bf.110 knocks him down shortly after, in front of my very eyes, without my being able to help him. The German has not seen me. I fly away from there very low, almost skimming the fields. When I got to Periers I still had three rockets left, and I thought it would be a good idea to drop them in the German rear, but when I got to the area I couldn't target because of the damage to my rudder, and I decided to go ahead and save the rockets for another time.



As I am reaching base, I see behind me how Carentan's antiaircraft have started firing. The German had followed me. I ignored him, "my base is well protected and the Hun will not pass the test," I thought. But the German never came. When I was about to land, I received confirmation of the shoot down from him. My landing was somewhat bumpy, I almost broke my neck! But I survived my bad ways, and was able to get the plane to its parking spot, using the engines alternately to turn and roll.

Only one of my pilots made it home. He landed behind me. We'll have two empty chairs at dinner tonight. But the Germans will have four empty chairs. And a lot of fire to put out. End of report.

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Offline tsisqua

Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2021, 12:53:11 pm »
Haukka, what a great mission! I think you were wise in not going after that second 110, seeing how your squad-mate wound up (taps playing). Awfully entertaining! Thank you for the cool screens and report!.
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Offline DHumphrey

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2021, 01:07:58 pm »
Haukka, excellent mission after action report. Very nice screen shots showing the action !!! :) Both Bird and your videos showing this mission really puts into perspective how dangerous it was to attack ground targets during the war. It's amazing how our boys were able to complete these type of missions, day after day.
Sincerely,
DHumphrey

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Offline DHumphrey

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2021, 05:25:17 pm »
Haukka, that is a nice sound track you got in your video. :) However, this is the song that came to mind during the mission. :)

Sincerely,
DHumphrey

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Offline E69_Haukka

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Re: Mission Results Week 15
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2021, 06:04:05 pm »
Thanks DHumphrey!  :o  I'll keep this song in mind on our next rail mission (I don't know when it will be though)  :D ;)

 

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