"Ace of Aces" - WWII Challenge!

[Varibraun]

24 minutes ago, Requiem said:

I'll go up against Johnson...

 

Great...got you entered to challenge him (and Hartmann of course).  Johnnie has some competition with you and @kozmo514 breathing down his neck.

 

1 hour ago, Eisenfaustus said:

Oh man - I really liked playing Hans. Had to pause that career because I was playing with new toys (thanks again - I love the Typhoon and the Spit XIV!), did a family vcation and hadan intese period at work...

Maybe I should have done more warming up before continueing Hans Story

 

That was a hellofa run E!  Glad you are enjoying those BoN aircraft, you earned them and gave us some really nice tales (including this one) along the way.  I was hoping that Hans might somehow beat his late starting date to challenge Hartmann.

 

@Hetzer-JG51's Maj Steffner is still the leader (197 at last count?), but as ordered by "The Fat One" has evidently been admiring his "Diamonds" from a desk in Berlin since August (P.5 of this thread). 

[kozmo514]

Well Pilot Officer Thomas Lucius' Spitfire was badly damaged today.  He bailed out close to friendly lines but was sadly captured.   

 

He was the top scoring pilot of 331 Sqdn with 17 kills, all fighters, and 1 destroyed on the ground.

 

"You told me to go back to the beginning. So I have." Inigo Montoya

 

[Hotaru_Ito]

Hello! I've been using PWCG since Rise of Flight but I'm new to the forum, would it be all right if I entered the challenge?

[Varibraun]

1 hour ago, Hotaru_Ito said:

Hello! I've been using PWCG since Rise of Flight but I'm new to the forum, would it be all right if I entered the challenge?

 

Of course and Welcome @Hotaru_Ito!  Just take a look at the OP to see which Aces have not been bested yet and let us know who you are challenging.  Good luck! 

[Hotaru_Ito]

Thank you! I'll go for Bong. I've got a 352nd career set up, although I strongly suspect I'll either die or run out of war before I get close to 40 victories. I'll post again once I've got started.

[grcurmudgeon]

Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt had another close call. A four-ship flight was tasked with CAP over Eindhoven. As they arrived near the battlefield, a flight of 109s came in. While the other 3 dealt with one of the 109s, Buerling took on the G14 by himself. The first few turns were nail biters, with Buerling wishing for a bit of help from one of the friendlies. During the fight he noticed a low group of 190s flying in formation, they must be tangling with the escorts. Buerling finally managed to get on the 109's six, when inexplicably the 109 leveled out and started traveling in a nice straight line. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Buerling took the opportunity to send him back to earth.

 

Meanwhile the #2 in the flight called out of ammo and headed home, and the #3 got lit up by someone (found out later that a 190 got him). Buerling was alone in the air, undamaged and with ammo, but could not find the low 190s. He did spot some dots in the distance and headed that way. As he got closer he noticed a lone friendly and some swirling enemies. As a 190 got loose from the group, Buerling went after it. He managed some long-range hits, but nothing significant, when two more 190s joined the fray. Figuring his time was up, Buerling raced for the deck and extended. All 3 190s gave chase but could not close the gap. Halfway home two broke off, but one kept following. 

 

Buerling decided to chance it and turned back. But this one was good and while Buerling did get behind him, he could not bring the nose around on target. Eventually the 190 managed enough separation to get his nose on target and put some rounds through Buerling's engine, damaging it and starting a gas leak. Once again he broke for the deck at full throttle, the 190 giving chase. Luckily the front was not far, and Buerling ran all the way home, the 190 not giving up. Reaching the base and friendly AAA, Buerling decided he had to try again, he could not land with a 190 on him. Just as he started his turn to merge over the base, the engine gave up, either due to gas or damage. With a 190 lining him up and not much altitude or power to do anything, Buerling bailed out before canon rounds could pepper the cockpit. As his chute opened, he watched the 190 nose over and hit the ground, having taken some hard hits from the local AAA.

 

Happy to be alive, and disappointed that he jumped the gun on leaving the plane and did not save it, Buerling prepped for his next mission. The only loss was the #3, the other two made it home while Buerling was running for his life.

 

11 sorties, 13 kills.

[Varibraun]

35 minutes ago, grcurmudgeon said:

Just as he started his turn to merge over the base, the engine gave up, either due to gas or damage. With a 190 lining him up and not much altitude or power to do anything, Buerling bailed out before canon rounds could pepper the cockpit. As his chute opened, he watched the 190 nose over and hit the ground, having taken some hard hits from the local AAA.

 

Nice narrative...I bet your blood was pumping when that happened!

[grcurmudgeon]

Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt's luck ran out on his 12th mission. Another CAP over Eindhoven, he got tired of his flight hitting waypoints and ignoring a flight of FW-190s tooling around below us on their own strikes. He went after the group, took out the one in back, and then started flying back to rejoin his mates as the rest of the 190s continued out of the AO. On his way at around 5000 feet he heard a bang, his ailerons locked up, and the engine started sputtering. The plane started rolling, and he could not arrest it nor get the canopy open. Forced to ride the Spit into the ground, his career ended with a nice big fireball.

 

12 missions, 14 kills, time for Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt II to join the fight.

 

Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt II's first mission shall be told in pictures, after the point where two members of the four-ship flight were hit by AAA and had to head back. As they arrive over Eindhoven the leader decides to head into the fray:

 

This turned out about as expected.

 

Which then led to a bailout over Eindhoven.

 

Achieving Air Superiority is proving difficult. Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt II's career will resume after a 15 day break in the infirmary.

Edited October 6, 2021 by grcurmudgeon

[kozmo514]

Attempt number two. Flight Sergeant Rik Mayall is going to crush Johnny Johnson!

 

Holland, December 1944, flying for RCAF Spitfire IX.

 

Mission the first: routine free hunt with six other squadron mates over Arnhem. Two Messerschmitts intercepted and shot down.

No joy for Mayall.

 

RTB and land only to hear airfeild sirens begin to wail announcing an enemy incursion. 2 cheeky buggers in the form of Messerschmitt 109s are interfering with the squadrons landing activities!

 

Flight Sergeant Mayall sits in his cockpit at the end of the runway, engine running, contemplating his next move. Safe Option: shut down an end mission.

Beat Johnson option:  turn around to line up on the runway and take off for intercept.

 

As he accelerates down the runway (against The landing pattern no less) one thought occupies his mind: this is a splendid way to be shot down by an enemy with altitude and energy superiority; this will get messy!

 

Fortunately Mayall survived and even destroyed one of the messerschmitts.

 

Flight Sergeant Mayall is on the board!

[oFlyingDutchman]

Rival: Beurling (Canadian Ace of Aces): i would like to challange this guy for a new aircraft in the horizon (fingers crossed), also, just as a sugestion, why not ask the participants to use https://logbook.ansirial.it/ so we can check their progress? (http://logbook.ansirial.it/Victories/1161 here is the logbook of one of my pilots, i personally think it would be a great add to the challanges in here) Cheers mate

[grcurmudgeon]

I'm not planning to upload anything to a site I've never heard of before this thread. I would need a lot more information before I started using something like that, I'm careful of where I go wandering on the net. Plus the stories here are fun.

[oFlyingDutchman]

3 minutes ago, grcurmudgeon said:

I'm not planning to upload anything to a site I've never heard of before this thread. I would need a lot more information before I started using something like that, I'm careful of where I go wandering on the net. Plus the stories here are fun.

That's why i said "ask" people, so those who want to see how other people are doing, can do that, and not "make the people use" mate

[Varibraun]

1 hour ago, oFlyingDutchman said:

Rival: Beurling (Canadian Ace of Aces): i would like to challange this guy for a new aircraft in the horizon (fingers crossed), also, just as a sugestion, why not ask the participants to use https://logbook.ansirial.it/ so we can check their progress? (http://logbook.ansirial.it/Victories/1161 here is the logbook of one of my pilots, i personally think it would be a great add to the challanges in here) Cheers mate

 

Welcome aboard @oFlyingDutchman!  I added you to the the Beurling Challenger list, but just being sure you know the reward for Beurling is the Spit V.  If you are the first to best Beurling, you can always gift it to a friend or the community if you already own it (that is what I will do with BoBp if I finally outscore Kozhedub since no one else was actively pursuing him).  Good luck! 

 

Regarding Ansirial's Logbook, I agree it is a nice tracking addon and anyone who would like to use it here is welcome (thread below), but obviously not required for the Challenge.  I also think the stories and periodic updates on scores and fates our Challengers are posting here are an interesting Biggles style "periodical" for some of us and add some flavor to the hunt.  (We have some great writers in this group, so much so that Jason even comes here during his vacations ?). 

 

Here is the Ansirial Logbook thread for anyone interested in checking it out:

 

 

[oFlyingDutchman]

I misread the reward lol, it alright, that should do. So far, 5 kills

[Panzerlang]

On 10/5/2021 at 10:52 PM, Varibraun said:

Maj Steffner is still the leader (197 at last count?), but as ordered by "The Fat One" has evidently been admiring his "Diamonds" from a desk in Berlin since August (P.5 of this thread). 

204 and flying a desk these days. ?

[Varibraun]

Hero of the Soviet Union, and leading Soviet Ace, Maj Uri Chebykin (Kozhedub attempt #3) hung below his parachute canopy and forlornly gazed below at the burning wreck of what until a few moments before had been his newly delivered brand new Yak-1b.  What a day it had been...new aircraft, new men and triumph to tragedy all in a matter of an hour.  He thought at least he was alive and near his own airfield and he hoped for a relatively soft landing as he reflected on how he ended up literally, and fortunately, falling out of his cockpit:

 

Early that morning Uri was walking the flight line looking at 3 brand new Yak-1b fighters that had arrived along with 4 new squadron members.  (The entire 273rd with their Yak-1s69s had just arrived at the new airfield near the Kuban only 2 days prior).  Uri was surprised at the reassignment but very pleased with the new scenery and leaving the steppe behind.  He was uncertain about this new Yak model, but immediately liked the fact that it was equipped with a 12.7mm in addition to the 20mm cannon.  He had used the dual 12.7s to good effect in the Mig, and peashooter 7.62s in the squadron's Yaks had done very little to impress him once the cannon was out of ammo.  He was eager to get in the air to see how this 1b performed beyond the improved armament.  

 

Regiment had just ordered a 2 a/c intercept behind German lines.  Ever since he had taken command, Uri ignored these idiotic 2 or 3 a/c orders, and always followed the enemy's example to fly with at least a 4 flight (being a Hero of the Soviet Union at earned him some latitude with the chain of command).  Being in new territory and flying a new aircraft, Uri decided to take along 2 of the new guys in addition to his normal wingmen.  Uri climbed into a new Yak and ordered his best pilots, Nikola and Valeriy, to take the other 2 1bs and the flight of 6 headed west.

 

It didn't take long for Uri to fall in love.  His new mount had better firepower, visibility and speed, plus it seemed to handle and maneuver just as well.  Nikola and Valeriy echoed his view waggling their wings after some quick tests.  However, the real test would come soon enough on clearing the front line.  Uri spotted at least 3 flights of aircraft rapidly approaching - all German.  Uri's first thought was he was very happy once again that he ignored HQ...idiots...and he then ordered the flight to "follow me" to keep them from breaking off in their excitement and they began to climb toward the nearest formation.

 

This flight proved to be 4 Stukas with 4 109F escorts.  Uri's flight hit the fighters and things quickly got messy.  The two new guys followed Valeriy after one of the 109s, creating even odds for everyone else.  Uri was able to break behind a climbing 109 in a hammerhead and followed him over the top.  The new Yak's wonderful armament dispatched this "Skinny" (victory #52) in the resulting dive and Uri then found himself all alone scanning the sky.  He quickly spotted an aircraft on the deck and dropped back into a dive to pursue.  The aircraft was a German single radial engine type, the first one he had seen in the war.  He would need to report that to HQ, but whatever it was, it didn't prove a challenge for Uri with his speed, altitude and new guns (victory #53). 

 

Now the sky was completely clear - Uri had no idea what had become of his flight or the the other enemy flights.  He still had some ammo, but felt it was best to turn for home instead of hanging around solo over enemy occupied territory.  As he cleared Soviet lines and turned for the airfield, he saw 3 specs approaching.  The closest was on the deck and turned out to be a smoking Stuka trying to sneak home.  It was a tempting target, but Uri still hadn't ID'd the other two aircraft and they had altitude on him so he decided to climb toward them instead.  If he was lucky, they might be another 2 Stukas from the same flight as their damaged mate.  Instead, they eventually materialized into 2 engine machines...110s. 

 

Uri was not too concerned about being outnumbered even if they called these ugly beasts "fighters," especially with his shiny new Yak having already proven itself the best he had ever flown - plus he could actually see behind him for a change.  So, Uri entered the merge and began to climb for position.  Unfortunately, these German pilots knew their business and immediately sandwiched Uri with one entering the vertical above Uri's Yak, while the other's rear gunner started stitching Uri's right wing.  Just as Uri went inverted to enter a split-S to try to exit what had suddenly become a " Berlin bratwurst grinder" for him, the high 110 landed a nose full of cannon into his poor Yak.  Still inverted, canopy shattered, flame everywhere, Uri knew it was time to get out and only hoped that with gravity on his side it would be possible.  The new Yak gave him one last gift as the broken canopy still slid back and Uri released his harness and fell earthward.

 

Post Script: After a successful parachute landing, Uri was picked up and found out that after downing a 109, Nikola had been killed by the same 110s he had encountered.  One of the new boys had also been killed.  At least Valeriy had managed to return what was now squadron's sole Yak-1b with a 109 to his score.  Humbled, Uri vowed to never underestimate any Luftwaffe pilot again.  He then picked up the phone to report the new German radial fighter type and more importantly, to see if there were any additional Yak-1b's being delivered soon.

 

Edited October 8, 2021 by Varibraun

[kozmo514]

There have been eventful times, indeed, for our very intrepid and slightly reckless Flight Sergeant.  Three missions above the snowy landscape of Holland have resulted in a few more kills and one very close call.  

 

Just south of Doetinghem, Mayall took damage to the engine from a 109 pilot.  Breaking off his attack on another 109, he decided to dash for friendly territory, fearing his engine will seize up.  Fortunately, the Spitfire held up and made good his escape, landing safely at an airfield nearby.  

Early the next morning, the 401st was up again, this time providing CAP over Neijmegen.  A rather large group of FW 190's challenged the sqdn resulting in two kills for Mayall.

One pilot bailed out as his Focke Wulf caught fire, but his altitude was too low for his chute to open before he struck ground.  The second pilot went down with his plane with a spectacular fireball explosion near the Waal.

 

Ansirial's little app is wonderful!  Great way to capture the details about each flight, that are not displayed or editable with in IL2GB.

[grcurmudgeon]

Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt II was shot down on a low-altitude reconnaissance patrol to establish the front lines when his escort was late to recognize the FW-190 that was coming in. Without much altitude to manuever Buerling could not avoid the guns pass and lost control too low to bail out. KIA on his 4th sortie with 3 kills.

Attempt III coming up...

[oFlyingDutchman]

@kozmo514, glad you enjoyed the app
 

 

@Varibraun is the Rival: Kozhedub still up for grabs? if so, i would like to switch after that one to get it and, if i manage to survive it, im gonna gift it for a friend of mine that gave me Normandy as a bd gift 

[XQ_Lothar29]

it's too late to start this fun competition?

 

I have read several times how to register but I do not quite understand it...

[kozmo514]

Certainly Lothar. Just check out the first post to see which aces have not been claimed yet, chose your opponent and post here for @Varibraun to record your challenge. Good luck, mate.

Edited October 10, 2021 by kozmo514

[Varibraun]

29 minutes ago, XQ_Lothar29 said:

it's too late to start this fun competition?

 

I have read several times how to register but I do not quite understand it...

 

Welcome @XQ_Lothar29!  As @kozmo514 said above, definitely not too late, just read down into the first post to see the Aces with rewards still remaining - look for the "IL2 First Ace of Aces: TBD"  (Right now I think it is Beurling, Johnson, Bong, Kozhedub & Hartmann)

 

It is all outlined in the original post - You can challenge in either PWCG (follow the instructions for Dead is Dead settings) or stock Career (click the Ironman box - see the instructions to randomize each mission).  As soon as you decide which historical Ace you want to challenge, post it here and I will enter your name under that category (I will also enter you under Hartmann automatically).  I am happy to try answer any questions also.

 

55 minutes ago, oFlyingDutchman said:

 

@Varibraun is the Rival: Kozhedub still up for grabs? if so, i would like to switch after that one to get it and, if i manage to survive it, im gonna gift it for a friend of mine that gave me Normandy as a bd gift 

 

Hi @oFlyingDutchman - It is, but fair warning that since no one wanted to take him on for over a month when we got this going, I began challenging him with my "Uri" PWCG pilots (see the post below).  I have promised to donate it to the community if I get there.  Right now Uri (#3) Chebykin has 56 victories, so he is only 11 away (if he survives, which we will probably know over the next few days). 

 

So certainly feel free to enter, because Maj Uri Chebykin could still end up eating a 20mm cannon round before he gets to 67 (I almost lost him a couple of days ago as I described in my post yesterday).  Also, if he does end up KIA/POW, I won't challenge again if someone else is now actively pursuing Kozhedub . 

 

Finally, if you want to stick with Beurling for a couple more days to see what happens to Uri, I will be posting it in this thread if I get to 67 and will have a couple of questions about the IRL Marshall Kozhedub and the AofA contest itself.  The first one to get those correct, will get the BoBp Premium Reward - so you could get it for your friend that way too if I get to 67 over the next couple of days.  Either way - good luck! 

 

Here is where I entered back in July:

 

[oFlyingDutchman]

@Varibraun you underestimate my hability to no life the sim, the competition is on. Good luck, have fun

[oFlyingDutchman]

well, i was going to write a story, but i got jumped by some F-2's and lost my double ace character. that hurts.
... Bong it is, easy enough gonna start as a p38 and upgrade later to a p51, good luck me

Edited October 10, 2021 by oFlyingDutchman

[krebs]

Maybe a bit late since @Varibraun is already at 56 atm, but I'll try my hand at rivaling Kozhedub. I'm assuming any VVS squadron at any timeframe would be acceptable?

[Varibraun]

4 hours ago, krebs said:

Maybe a bit late since @Varibraun is already at 56 atm, but I'll try my hand at rivaling Kozhedub. I'm assuming any VVS squadron at any timeframe would be acceptable?

 

Welcome aboard @krebs!  Yes, any VVS squadron is fine...Kozhedub himself didn't start scoring until July '43.  FYI - PWCG does give you the option to fly through the end of the war with the VVS if you don't mind not picking up the La-7 he flew later.  Good luck!

 

7 hours ago, oFlyingDutchman said:

well, i was going to write a story, but i got jumped by some F-2's and lost my double ace character. that hurts.
... Bong it is, easy enough gonna start as a p38 and upgrade later to a p51, good luck me

 

LOL...yep, surviving is the hard part - just ask Uri #1 & Uri #2!  I will go ahead and enter you for both.  I am really glad to see that Kozhedub and Bong have both recently picked up some interest.  

[oFlyingDutchman]

Today is a new day, and i'll be challenging bong in a P-47 as i strongly belive it's an underated plane by the some players
I'll be writting stories and reports as other members, just a fair warning, english isnt my native languege, so typos are going to be present lol
Looking forward to blast some hanz out of the skies with 8 .50 guns

[oFlyingDutchman]

Erich McGuire log#1

In the front, everyone is equal, doens't matter if you came from a big city, a small city, if you were rich or poor.. every one can kill and get killed the same way. One day you may be an officer, but the next day, you may be nothing more than a memory.

I remember reading the news about the germans advance a few years prior, giving it nothing more than a small thought of "those poor bastards, dying for what? glory? freedom? what a way to put a end to so many lives" end here i'm not, in the front, fighting the same germans i read times and times, how skilled those pilots were, and how many kills they were scoring.

But things have changed, we got attacked, and that i can not allow to happen without doing anything about it. 

After basic training and getting transported to the front, i meet my peers and we joined our first mission, a regular patrol, i didnt though much about it, everyone was saying that the germans were in the brink of surrender and there was no resistence left. How wrong they were. I meet aircraft that i though were almost a legend in this sortie, faster that anything i saw before, a jet as they call it. But in the end, it seems that they fall from the sky with the same grace as they were, just moments ago, flying on.

The mission was a sucess, the darkness helped me get the jump into a squad of 3 Me 262, the first two didnt even had time to react before catching fire, the third tried to turn and look for me, but ended just as the other two. I saw no parachutes.

Shortly after, i caught a climpse of something about 2km to my left. After further investigation, it turned out to be a flight of 4 fw 190. I managed to hit 3 of them, two went down, one limped back to his front and the last one, maybe their greenest pilot, just ran after i started my atack. One parachute sighted behind their lines.

Going back to base, i saw two aircrafts. "Bombers!" i thought, they were higher than me, about 2km higher, but that didnt matter, i knew there were slow, and had no more friends nearby. After a few minutes of climbing after them, i got close enough to start squeezing the trigger and just as i was ready to do so, they spotted me and starting banking right and pulling. What a mistake, the ju 88 further behind didn't stand a chance. When he pulled he showed just enough of his cockpit to me, enough to a rail of .50 bullets to strike into the cockpit. I don't think anyone inside there survived those shots since just after my burst, the aircraft just kept the same bank util it hit the ground. 

I, then, went after the second ju 88 i spotted. There's nothing worst then expecting a loud noise and hear nothing. Never in my life a sound so quiet was so loud... i had no more bullets.

Back in the airfield i was congratulated over my achivements, a few of my collegues said they never saw anyone do so well fresh out of training. Maybe this war is my thing after all.
 

Edited October 10, 2021 by oFlyingDutchman

[Varibraun]

2 hours ago, oFlyingDutchman said:

Back in the airfield i was congratulated over my achivements, a few of my collegues said they never saw anyone do so well fresh out of training. Maybe this war is my thing after all.

 

Nice flying, shooting and narrative Dutch!  It will be quite the achievement to best Bong in the P-47. 

[oFlyingDutchman]

Erich McGuire log#2

"Have you ever heard that when someone says duck, you should duck and not say where?" 
Well, what was supposed to be a simple bomb run turned into a nightmare.
We were tasked to bomb a few trucks transporting suplies, intel sugested that the skies would be clear, but just to be safe, we would meet a group of P51's over or lines, and go togheter to the bombing spot.. Easy enough, right?

Shortly after getting to the revendous point, i saw a few aircrafts flying over head, they looked quite similar to p51's and the altitude and heading matched our scorts. I saw them getting further ahead, turn around and start a dive toward us. 

All of the sudden, 2nd Lt Rogers exclaimed "Break McGuire!", i figured someone must have dive into our six, so i broke right, dropped my bombs and started looking behind me. How wrong i was..

While looking at my tail, seeing nothing but clouds, me engine, windshield, wings and tail took a burst of a mix of machineguns and cannons and all i remember was seeing black. I thought to myself "this is it, one they you are the predator, the other you are the prey"

However, lucky was on my side today, kinda. Even thought i got hit pretty bad, the cannons that hitted my wings took me out of my turn with the raw power of the hits, and putted me into a level flight. If i had been hit into my other wing, i would have spun into the curve and wouldnt even had get into my consious again before reaching the ground.

Just before baling out, i saw the same A8 lining up to finish the job, but 2nd Lt Rogers got into his six and shot him down before the german could finish the job

Bailed succesfully. I'll have to take a few days off to heal my wounds after those nasty hits, but i'll manage.

I learned a few days later that while i was in the hospital, Rogers was shot down over enemy lines. One of my friends told me that while on mission, a 109 got into his tail and the last thing he saw was Rogers in flames spiraling into a cloud. I wish i could have been there to save him, as he did to me.

[kozmo514]

@oflyindutchman respect brother. The P-47 is one of my favorites but in it's current form, especially at lower altitude is a real challenge ( for me)to fight effectively with.

 

Wishing you great success. To best bong in a P-47 will be a remarkable achievement.

 

 

 

[Varibraun]

Uri hit 60 victories tonight...barely.  The Luftwaffe has been chewing up his squadron and I was literally wiping sweat off my face in taking off the VR headset after this last mission.  All 3 of his wingmen downed, damaged and cornered low by 2 109F4s (one rookie and one ace) :

 

 

Managed to get the rookie to overshoot:

 

 

and eventually got in a good shot while somehow avoiding his ace wingman:

 

 

Ran for home dodging the enraged Luftwaffe Ace the whole way back and then made a quick fast break for the field:

 

 

The experienced Hun even braved the field's AA to try to make a final gun run before Uri could get out of the cockpit:

 

 

 

But...luck was on Uri's side tonight...whew!  

 

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by Varibraun

[kozmo514]

F/Sgt Rik Mayall has achieved 10 aerial victories!   It has not been an easy feat by any standard.   The huns continue to contest every incursion and every attempt by the allies to press the advance.   Sqdn intelligence notes a dramatic uptick in Luftwaffe presence in the AO around Arnhem and the 401st sqdn has certainly borne a brunt. 

 

 

A recent sortie to bomb the railyard at Venlo on the Maas resulted in the loss of three squadron mates.  Mayall managed to press his attack but in haste missed his target.  Straining for altitude he was engulfed in the swirling fight of Focke Wulfs and Spitfires.  He narrowly avoided a Spitfire that swept past his nose chasing a 190. 

In pursuit of another enemy fighter some time on that day, a Spitfire from another sqdn nearly shot him down firing on the same target. 

 

Mayall was successful with one kill, a 190 A-8 that lost part of the left wing and spun in.  No chute was observed. 

 

The following day, Mayall again took off with a full compliment of bombs to deliver a blow to an armored column threatening Nijmegen. 

Multiple hits were observed and the sqdn was satisfied with the armor and supporting vehicles that were destroyed.  Enroute to the airbase, the escorting Spitfires were directed to a flight of bogies.  Mayall chose to join them.   12 enemy aircraft engaged the 8 Spits.  Pursuing a 109, Mayall was struck by a passing 190 causing severe engine damage.   Result:  ditched in a snowy field Uden. 

 

The missions continue to strain the nerves and push the limits of the pilots skills.   Mayall remains optimistic, but the sqdn losses and the numerous close calls are hard to overlook.  It's likely just a matter of time before his luck gives out.  So many have already been unlucky....

Edited October 11, 2021 by kozmo514

[krebs]

Oh boy, at 60 already? I better start picking up my pace, still haven't flown my first mission lmao.

37 minutes ago, Varibraun said:

Uri hit 60 victories tonight...barely.

 

[krebs]

Lt. Vasily Kharkov made his debut over the skies of Stalingrad on the morning of January 3rd, 1942. This first sortie would prove to be an eventful one. Leading a pair of Yak-1 Ser. 69s, Lt. Kharkov engaged a flight of Ju-87s. He proceeded to down a Stuka. Unfortunately, he was only able to damage the rest of the Stukas before running out of ammo. On the way back home, he picked up a tail of 2 Bf-109s. Fortunately for the young Lieutenant, they decided to break off after the Soviet pilot dived down to the deck. A promising start, but still a long road to go.

[oFlyingDutchman]

Erich McGuire just shot down his 30th foe.
He briefly switched over to another division to test the P51's and up the moral of the squadron that had a few losses, and to get away from his mad commander that sent him not once, but twice to patrol over enemy airfield, where, both times, we has the only one to get over the patrol point without getting shot by AAA.
He's back at the P-47, but at a diferent squadron. 

Words are that his tour over Europe is almost over and he will be able to go back to America and train the trops over there that are going to be sent to the front, just as he was a few months prior. 

Edited October 11, 2021 by oFlyingDutchman
wrong name LOL

[Varibraun]

3 hours ago, oFlyingDutchman said:

Thomas McGuire just shot down his 30th foe.

 

Nice and fast work to you and Tommy!  As IRL, he is definitely giving Bong a contest. 

 

You also definitely weren't kidding about your dedication to the task.  

[grcurmudgeon]

Warrant Officer Buerling Attempt III was taken out by a kamizake FW-190. After hitting an airbase and taking out a bunch of AAA, the squadron was returning home and ran into a pair of higher FWs. At the merge Buerling watched one of them roll over and look like he was going to turn to get on the tail of one of the flight leaders, so Buerling was watching for his opportunity to get on the 190's tail. All of a sudden Buerling realized the FW was not turning and was growing bigger headed right for him inverted. He tried to pull up and right but it was too late, both planes hit in a massive fireball.

 

Attempt IV coming.

[Varibraun]

6 minutes ago, grcurmudgeon said:

All of a sudden Buerling realized the FW was not turning and was growing bigger headed right for him inverted. He tried to pull up and right but it was too late, both planes hit in a massive fireball.

 

Ouch! 

[oFlyingDutchman]

Memoirs of flight lieutenant Erich McGuire, recepiente of the medal of honor over Europe

I remember as if it was yesterday how i was shaking like a green leaf the first time i aligned my machine in the run way, the pilot in front of me gave full power and it was my turn to take off and join them

How my hands were sweaty knowing we could face germans any time from now, and how well recieved i was back at base, how everyone went quiet hearing me tell how i downed so many germans in my first flight. A stroke of luck if you ask me

I remember how happy i was when i got words that i would be recieving the medal of honor, and how i was only there because Second Lieutenant Rogers saved me right before i got blasted out of the skies. He would have been happy to see me recieving that medal.. If only he survived.

I never took my self as the best pilot, i regularly dove away from my leader to chase some germans, i got shot at often, but the P47 always held up. I bailed out three times over my tour, but always managed to come back. I may not be the best pilot, but i was indeed the luckiest, that's for sure.

It terrifies me thinking about it know, how close to death i was a few times but survived with only scars.

In the end, i learned that it wasn't me that was supposed to fear the germans, but they would be the ones in fear when they spotted my shinny P47 flying over the skies

Nothing but luck made me come back in one piece, but here I'm, with all but memoirs of the war over Europe.

- Flight Lieutenant Erich "No guts no glory" McGuire

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by oFlyingDutchman