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Thread: AAR PTO Mission 7 A difficult choice

  1. #1

    Default AAR PTO Mission 7 A difficult choice

    .

    The first hour of the flight had been uneventful , much as the brief had suggested But Cpt Marshall had given his crew the heads up 30 mns earlier as the passed over the USN flat tops strung out below them. Guns tested and manned the crew were edgy, with not fighter cover it was them vs the Japanese CAP from the Shoho,their target.


    "Bandits , 1.o clock , High and level . coming in fast" The Co pilot broke the silence over the RT All heads snapped. round .Eyes peering down the sights of the .50 calibers



    "Hold your fire till they are close in " Marshall reminded them Each gunner nodded to themselves .Mouths became dry and nerves raw. The Zeros loomed closer.



    The 2 higher planes peeled off left aiming to get round behind the Fortress, the second pair peeled right . As the Zeros flashed passed the nose of the B17 the gunners opened up at the closest, ripping into its rudder (0,0,0+RRD,2)


    ,his wing man suffering a punishing salvo from close range as the bomber swung right (3,4,5) note no AA alert dice 6



    The Shoho picked up the RT com between their fighters and the signal was given to prepare the second CAP. With the wind coming from the North Shohos Captain gave the order to turn to Starboard.
    The 2 fighters dove down on the tail of the B17 cannon ripping though the tail and hitting the waist gunner (6+pilot #+ RRD) The tail gunner and turrets reply causing little effect (1) (1)



    The first white puffs of AA from the Chinsose and its escort burst in front of the nose cone Ranging shots on the incoming enemy, but close enough to rock the plane.
    " 2 Zekes on our tail " The RT buzzed The Brownings rattled as he spoke. (4) "Got them" The belly gunner replied watching his tracers slice into a Zeros cockpit (2+Pilot). He watched as another fighter peeled off, seeming to disengage from the dogfight.




    Marshall could see the wake of the Shoho a it turned into the wind presenting itself a s a perfect target if the fortress could get there in time.



    The flight leader kept well within the blind spot of the upper turret keeping his aim on the massive body of the bomber watching the bullets find their mark (5) but feeling his plane judder as the Americans replied (3, 2)


    .Closing in till he was almost o top of his target his burst went wide, the opposing gunners finishing him off in a hail of fire. (3+fire, 1+LR D)

    As the IJN wounded pilot regained control of his plane and turning tight gets the bomber back in his sight, glancing to his left he sees another Zero , nodding his head forward to indicated his intention.
    On the deck of the carrier the ground crew began their launch procedures .AA from the Chitose increased but at that height a hit was more difficult. The Zeros had fallen back from the attack but were reforming for a second sweep.



    " Bay doors open" the bombardier called out.
    With that Marshall banked right lining up on the deck of the carrier. He could clearly see the pilots in their planes pulling closed their canopies If he timed it right he would catch the CAP before they got airborne
    The first of the 500lb bombs fell short of the bow but the second load struck the forward deck, piercing the wooden deck and exploding in the main hangar. The resulting firestorm ripped thought the lower decks igniting ruptured fuel pipes .


    A single Zero lifted from the deck buffered by the inferno of the blazing carrier.



    "Bandits back again" the turret gunner shouted over the rattle of his guns (2) The waist gunner replied (1) Marshall turned towards a second target. With half a load of bombs remaining the sea plane carrier looked a perfect target.



    With 2 fighters on its tail the B17 was living up to its name. Accurate fire from those guns that could resulted in another kill. Tracers hit the bombers wing (5) and the multiple guns homed in on the lone IJN plane shattering its cockpit canopy ,shards cutting into its pilot (2+pilot,4,1)



    The heavily damaged Zero was looking to bale out near the atoll, but seeing his carrier ablaze and 2 of his wing men down he reconsidered and angled his plane directly toward the B17.

    Dazed and confused the wounded IJN pilot swung dangerously close to his foe but left himself open to a salvo of bullets (0,0,3,3+smoke) His engine gushed smoke , further blinding the stricken pilot.




    " Chitose is out of line, got a cruiser coming up Skip, what do you want to do?'

    " Take a bead on it , got to off load this lot before we go home" came the reply


    With that a Zeke flashed past the nose of the bomber. taking the full blast of the turrets and waist gunner. It spiraled toward the atoll.
    Bomb bays empty the plane lifted and increased its speed Below smoke and flames swept through the cruiser



    Before his plane fell to the sea (3,2+LRD) the Zero to the left hit the B17 (005) his wing man doing similar (5)

    "Home now Boys Whats the damage ?"
    60% would say Skipper With that the AA from the Chinose hit home (2,1,5+ LRD) and the lone Zeke opened up at close rage (0,2,8) the cannon shell ripping the fuselage.
    The reply was equally damaging (3,3,0,4) but it was the rear gunner that sealed the Zeros fate (5) but not before the Fortress was dealt a final blow (3,8,2)



    The co pilot quickly sent out a May day to the awaiting sub before following the rest of the crew out of the falling bomber. He could see chutes below him and could hear the Klaxons sounding from the sinking ships.
    " Hope they got the message, don't fancy being picked up by the Japanese today "

    Result
    IJN
    IJN Shoho Badly damage 75%
    Light Cruiser Destroyed
    IJN Chitose No damage
    5 Zeros SD

    USN


    1 B17 SD/sea/ET. 1 wounded crew. dice roles please Neil
    A victory on points for the Allies

    The B17 can certainly soak up the damage but can dish it out as well. I would recommend getting one if you can


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  2. #2

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    Whilst this is not my area of expertise Paul I can recognize a good show when I see one.
    Great AAR as usual.
    I hope your chaps survive O.K.
    With Neil in Malta, they could be in that Life raft for some days.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  3. #3

    Thumbs up

    That was a cracker Paul!
    Interesting spin on the mission & well flown by the B17's crew.
    Hopefully all will be picked up safely.

    Must get arount to flying this one soon but have visitors from Sydney from Saturday for a whole week!

  4. #4

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    Thank you both chaps. The B17 is really nice to fly and with all those guns she can pack a wallop. The crew have plenty of rations Rob, but they might get picked up by the sub if they are lucky.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  5. #5

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    Having just got back from my R&R what a fantastic way to start the day. Great AAR Paul. Rolls to come shortly.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skafloc View Post
    Having just got back from my R&R what a fantastic way to start the day. Great AAR Paul. Rolls to come shortly.
    You never sent a postcard Neil. But I bet it was nice and warm out there. Only 143 days to Donny according to my Google calendar


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  7. #7

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    That was quite the engagement! Thanks for sharing. I didn't do so well with my first use of the B-17 but that has inspired me to try again i n the future. Nice work!

  8. #8

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    What a fun mission. Lots of pictures and excellent detailed commentary. Did you mark each deck w/ a color dot? That's a good idea. I learn things each time I come to the site.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    What a fun mission. Lots of pictures and excellent detailed commentary. Did you mark each deck w/ a color dot? That's a good idea. I learn things each time I come to the site.
    Yes Mischa with that many C decks I always end up with some decks missing turns/straights whatever. Mark the bases as well.


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  10. #10

    Setarius's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies
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    Default

    2 thumbs up for the report. Gives me a couple of ideas for my 2 B-17s.

  11. #11

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    Captain Marshall knew Bit of Lace was going down. She had done her job but the last salvo from the Japanese Zero's had done for her. He turned for home and hoped he could get as far away from the Japanese ships and aircraft as he could. Switching to intercom he told the R/T to put out a mayday and hoped the pick up sub was where he thought it was. As Bit of Lace sank lower Captain Marshall knew the time was right to bail out. The height was low enough and the Japanese had not followed them. "Ok boys, hit the silk. I'll keep her straight and level. Bombadier make sure that sight is dropped before you hit the silk. Ok, here we go, bomb doors open....go....go....go".

    Marshall climbed to the bomb doors and shouted to his Co. "come on Dave time to go", "Chris is having trouble with the sight, I'll give him a hand then I'll follow him out the chin". That was the last Captain Marshall saw of Chris and Dave, he passed the body of young Harry Brown, the R/T. A canon shell had ripped his guts out and he didn't even say anything as he made the mayday call. He could also see the ball turret was a mass of blood, that last zero had certainly hit the girl hard. With a last glance back he bailed out. He watched in horror as Bit of Lace rolled onto her back and plunged into the ocean. He hit the sea hard. The remaining crew members managed to pull him into the raft. 5 of his crew were alive plus himself.

    8 hours later a sub surfaced near them and took them on board and the long trip back to Pearl.

    B17/SD/ET/SEA

    Pilot: rolled 5-1(sea)=4=Bailed Out WIA
    http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4818068/
    WIA rolled: 3 miss 1 scenario
    Co Pilot: Rolled 2-1(sea)=1 = KIA
    http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4818069/
    Bomb Aimer: rolled 3-1(sea)=2= KIA
    [URL
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 05-09-2015 at 08:34.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  12. #12

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    Hell Neil that was a rough ride for the crew. Lucky so many got out at all.
    Thanks once again for your magnificent cameo of the last minutes of "Bit of Lace"
    Another mini masterpiece.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  13. #13

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    I hope the brave captain is back quickly and his wounds aren't too serious.

  14. #14

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    WIA rolls will have to wait as I cannot access the dice roller online. Hopefully later.

    Neil
    See you on the Dark Side......

  15. #15

    Post

    A valiant effort from that B-17 & Crew.
    Sad to see so many of them did not make it. R.I.P.!

  16. #16

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    Thanks for that Neil. A costly mission in terms of crew but the narrative made up for it
    Paul


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  17. #17

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    Did the rolls first as I always do. Makes writing the post script easier. First time I've ever had 4 low rolls in 1 mission.

    Quote Originally Posted by tikkifriend View Post
    Thanks for that Neil. A costly mission in terms of crew but the narrative made up for it
    Paul
    See you on the Dark Side......

  18. #18

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    WIA rolls made with d6 as online dice roller still offline.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  19. #19

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    You spotted my last AAR yet Neil?
    I hope you like it, I dedicate it to you.

    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...th-Jan-1941%29

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skafloc View Post
    WIA rolls made with d6 as online dice roller still offline.
    Same could be said for the Toons and Black Cats


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  21. #21

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    Nice mission, Paul.
    Voilą le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  22. #22

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    Thanks Sven, By the way I am lining up a scenario using your repainted Camel and Thomachefs Spad vs Guntruck and FarEast Hun re paints. Don't want any of them to be shot down if truth be known


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  23. #23

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    Excellent AAR! I love the B-17.



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