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The skies are full as the 8th Air
Force shows up in force again. |
Scores are posted by Ashton Worley in flight
gear.
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It appears the Mafia has lost one. |
Yep, the Mafia table seems to be missing
someone in formation. |
Milk Runs Still Pack 'em in!
The 2014 WBC B-17 event marked the 23rd year of competition
for this tournament, which now spans a grand total of 68 missions
over those years. As always, the B-17 tournament missions
are recreations of actual raids using many reference materials.
This year featured three missions to Germany in late November
1943.
Another great turnout of 62 USAAF aviators took to the skies
to oppose the Luftwaffe. We had our usual strong group of returning
veterans, minus a few who we hope make it back soon. We also
had another encouraging crop of rookies, numbering about a dozen,
which helped keep our high attendance levels alive and well.
The first mission was to Bremen on 26 November 1943, in which
half of the Pathfinder radar aircraft took significant damage,
affecting overall bombing results. The afternoon mission was
a repeat trip to Bremen on 29 November 1943. This mission featured
special rules to account for the icing problems that were encountered
at high altitudes as the bombers reached the coast of Germany.
Finally, the evening mission took the USAAF to the industrial
area of Solingen on 30 November 1943.
All participants completed all three missions, results were
tallied, and another boisterous After Action Meeting was held
the next night. Our annual prize table was conducted, with players,
from worst to first (or most unfortunate to most fortunate),
making selections among the donated prizes. Many thanks to all
who volunteered donations to the prize table. The best and worst
squadron trophies were also awarded for the second year running.
On the down side, Joe Burch came in last, with Paul Weintraub
only two points ahead of him. On the plus side, Paul's opponent,
Bill Burch, had a very good day and scored 167.5 points for sixth
place. And so, Bill earned the coveted, sixth place Sand Plaque,
which is actually EARNED in this tournament with no chance of
sand bagging. So, the B17 tournament will have initiated
another member to the Fez community. Tim Evinger, already a Sand
Plaquer, came in 7th and just missed out on being a double Sand
winner with a score of 166.5.
Scores were tight throughout the standings, with tiebreakers
employed to resolve the pecking order for the prize table. Returning
veterans Rob Schoenen came in fifth with a score of 169, and
John Conlon fourth with a score of 170. There was a tie for second
and third places with a score of 173, which was broken by better
bombing accuracy. Jon Izer got the better of that deal over Scott
Driessen..
This year's B-17 champion was another rookie, like
last year. This time, Karl Henning claimed top wood with a score
of 176 in a year where the Henning brothers could do no wrong.
This was Karl's second title of the week which would normally
be good for family bragging rights. But nooooooooooooo - he has
to have a brother who wins five tournaments in one week.
As a sign of how fickle the fates can be, the defending champ,
Steve Ambruzs, had a much tougher time this year; scoring just
87 for 51st place.
The B-17 tournament has been held in Camp Hill, PA,
moved south to Hunt Valley, MD and north to Lancaster, PA. We
will be back in Lancaster in 2015, and as an announcement to
all returning veterans and future players, the B17 tournament
will definitely be in Seven Springs, PA in 2016. See you there.
Below is a summary of the many medals that were given out
during the 2014 tournament. Many thanks to contributions from
Kaarin Engelmann (medals), Paul Weintraub (medals and dice towers),
and Mike Coomes (Best and FUBAR squadron perpetual trophies).
MEDALS
MISSION #1
BREMEN
26 NOVEMBER 1943
SQUADRON 2 JOE BURCH POW
During the mission in zone 7 of outbound leg, fuel tank fire
in the port wing could not be controlled resulting in all of
the crew bailing out into Germany. According to the Red Cross,
all of the crew are interned in Stalag 17.
SQUADRON 2 PAUL WEINTRAUB PURPLE HEART
During the mission in zone 7 of the outbound leg. Flak hit
the plane in the bomb bay area causing an explosion. No chutes
were seen out of the plane. All crew KIA. Awarded the Purple
Heart for being killed in action.
SQUADRON 3 KYLE MCCOOL PURPLE HEART
During the mission in Zone 7 of the outbound leg. Flak hits
the starboard wing causing the plane to go into an uncontrolled
spinwith no chutes seen. All crew KIA. Awarded the Purple Heart
for being killed in action.
SQUADRON 6 JOSH DETAMORE POW
During the mission in zone 7 of inbound leg. Port wing was
hit by fighters causing a fire that could not be controlled.
Nine crew members are confirmed by Red Cross to be POW's in Stalag
13.
SQUADRON 10 GREG SMITH POW
During the mission in zone 7 of inbound leg, #3 engine was
hit and couldn't be feathered. Because the plane could not be
controlled for the rest of the mission the crew bailed out of
the plane. All ten are confirmed to be interned at Stalag 13
by Red Cross.
MEDALS
MISSION #2
BREMEN
29 NOVEMBER 1943
SQUADRON 2 JOE BURCH PURPLE HEART
In Zone 6 of the inbound leg, fighters were able to hit the
port wing fuel tank causing an explosion. No chutes were seen.
All crew KIA.
SQUARON 6 DOUG KOLPIEN PURPLE HEART
In Zone 7 of the inbound leg, fighters were able to hit the
bomb bay area. Bombs exploded. No chutes seen. All crew KIA.
SQUADRON 6 ROSE HITCHINGS PURPLE HEART
In zone 4 of the inbound leg, fighters hit the bomb bay area
causing an explosion. No chutes seen, all crew KIA.
SQUADRON 7 CRAIG REECE POW
In zone 6 of the inbound leg, fighters hit the #4 engine causing
a fire which could not be controlled. Ten chutes were seen leaving
the plane. Red Cross confirms that all of the crew is interned
in Stalag 17.
SQUADRON 8 CRAIG YOPE PURPLE HEART
In zone 5 of the outbound leg, fighters were able to hit the
bomb bay area causing an explosion. No chutes were seen leaving
the plane. All KIA.
MEDALS
MISSION #3
SOLINGEN
30 NOVEMBER 1943
SQUADRON 1 ROGER COVINGTON SILVER STAR
With both the Pilot and Co-Pilot seriously wounded the engineer
piloted the plane over several zones. With six seriously wounded
crew (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Bombardier, Radio Operator, and both Waist
Gunners), he enabled the Tail Gunner, Navigator, and Ball Gunner
to bail out safely. During the landing all seven were killed
in the crash. Because of his Heroic efforts the engineer is awarded
the Silver Star posthumously for his actions during the raid
on Solingen, 30 November 1943.
SQUADRON 1 EARLE SCHULTZ POW
In zone 6 of the inbound leg, fighters hit the starboard wing
tank area causing a fuel fire that could not be extinguished.
Ten chutes were observed and the Red Cross confirmed that they
are all POW's in Stalag 17.
SQUADRON 2 PAUL WEINTRAUB POW
On Zone 6 of the inbound leg, hit caused leakage of gas tank
which caused the crew to bail out. All 10 are confirmed to be
in Stalag 13 by the Red Cross.
SQUADRON 3 STEVE MUNCHAK POW
In zone 5 of the outbound leg, fighters were able to hit the
port wing causing a fire that could not be controlled. All 10
crew bailed out of the plane and are now interned at Stalag 3
which was confirmed by the Red Cross.
SQUADRON 6 ERIC BUETIKOFER PURPLE HEART
In zone 7 of the inbound leg. Fighters hit the wing causing
an explosion. No chutes seen, all crew KIA.
SQUADRON 8 DAN OVERLAND PURPLE HEART
In zone 6 of inbound leg, fighters were able to hit the bomb
bay area. No chutes were seen. All crew KIA.
SQUADRON 8 CRAIG YOPE SILVER STAR
With, the pilot seriously wounded and co-pilot dead, the Engineer
piloted the plane from Zone 5 of the inbound leg to base. Waiting
for the rest of the crew to bail out (in which the Ball Gunner
was killed). The Engineer tried to land the plane with the Co-pilot
and Navigator seriously wounded. In attempting to land, the Engineer,
Pilot, and Navigator were killed. Because of his heroic actions
the Engineer is awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his
actions during the raid to Solingen, 30 November 1943.
SQUADRON 9 STEVE AMBRUZS PURPLE HEART
In Zone 3 of the inbound leg, fighters were able to hit the
port wing fuel tank which caused an explosion. No chutes were
seen. All crew KIA.
SQUADRON 9 LARRY SISSON PURPLE HEART
In Zone 6 of the inbound leg fighters were able to hit the
bomb bay area which caused the plane to explode. No chutes were
seen. All crew KIA.
SQUADRON 9 GARY LIBBY POW
In Zone 6 of the inbound leg, fighters were able to hit the
fuel tank of the starboard wing causing a fire. 10 chutes were
counted. All were interned to Stalag 3 which was confirmed by
the Red Cross.
SQUADRON 10 BILL BECKMAN PURPLE HEART
In Zone 6 of the inbound leg, fighters hit the bomb bay area
which caused an explosion. No chutes were seen. All crew KIA.
SQUADRON 10 KEN RICHARDS SILVER STAR
During the mission both the Pilot and Co-pilot were seriously
wounded, the engineer piloted the plane from zone 7 on the inbound
leg to base. Over base, the Ball Gunner and Starboard Waist were
able to bail out but the Port Waist Gunner chute failed, killing
him. The Engineer attempted to land the plane with the Bombardier,
Pilot, Co-Pilot, Radio Operator, and Tail Gunner aboard - all
seriously wounded The landing was unsuccessful, killing all aboard.
Because of his heroic actions, the engineer is awarded the Silver
Star Posthumously for his actions during the Raid to Solingen,
30 November 1943
SQUADRON 10 PHIL WHITE SILVER STAR
With the Pilot and Co-Pilot seriously wounded, the Engineer
attempted to land the plane after allowing the Navigator, Radio
Operator, Ball Gunner, and Tail Gunner to bail from the plane.
In attempting to land, the Engineer, Pilot, and Co-Pilot were
killed. Because of his actions, the engineer is awarded the Silver
Star posthumously for his actions during the Raid to Solingen,
30 November 1943.
SQUADRON 1 ROGER COVINGTON BOMBARDIER WINGS
In Mission 3, Roger was able to put 94% of his bombload on
target. He is awarded his wings for this accomplisment.
SQUADRON 1 BILL THOMPSON GUNNER'S WINGS
In Mission 3, Bill Thompson was able to shoot down 13 fighters
over the course of the mission. He is awarded his wings for this
accomplisment.
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Roger Covington, Bill Thomson and
Pete Pollard prove that grognards can be pilots too. |
The Pattisons, Linda and Jeff, show
that the family that shoots each other stays together. |
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Chris Storzillo gets blown out of
the sky by Pete Pollard's Me-109. Disaster can strike on any
dice roll. |
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