b-17; queen of the skies  

Updated Nov. 12, 2014

2014 WBC Report    

 2015 Status: pending 2015 GM commitment

Karl Henning, DC

2014 Champion

Event History
1992    Frank Alexander    32
1993    Kevin Combs    35
1994    Kevin Combs    32
1995    Paul Risner    31
1996    Robert Hamel    32
1997    Paul Risner    34
1998    Paul Weintraub    32
1999    William Burch     32
2000    John Conlon    29
2001    Jim LeVay    32
2002    Paul Risner    32
2003    William Rohrbeck    34
2004    Stephen Quirke    37
2005    Keith Hunsinger    36
2006    Paul Risner    39
2007    Dave Long    42
2008     Dan Dolan Sr    46
2009    Rich Moyer    47
2010    Paul Risner    66
2011     Steve Sabatino    77
2012    Paul Risner    60
2013    Steve Ambruzs    61
2014    Karl Henning    62

 Laurels

Rank  Name              From  Last  Total
  1.  Paul Risner        FL    12    343
  2.  Richard Moyer      MN    09    156
  3.  William Rohrbeck   NH    06    106
  4.  Keith Hunsinger    OH    05    100
  5.  Bill Beckman       SC    13     90
  6.  Eric Stranger      OH    11     76
  7.  Karl Henning       DC    14     60
  8.  Steve Ambruzs      VA    13     60
  9.  Steve Sabatino     PA    11     60
 10.  Dan Dolan Sr       NJ    08     60
 11.  Dave Long          NC    07     60
 12.  John Conlon        OK    14     58
 13.  Stephen Quirke     WI    04     56
 14.  Jonathan Izer      MD    14     54
 15.  Judy Krauss        PA    02     42
 16.  William Burch      MD    14     40
 17.  Jim LeVay          MA    01     40
 18.  Justin Rice        VA    13     36
 19.  Brian Wool         DE    11     36
 20.  Chris Daly         SC    10     36
 21.  Tim Evinger        PA    10     31
 22.  Kevin Coombs       GA    07     28
 23.  Anthony Musella    VA    10     27
 24.  Scott Driessen     MD    14     24
 25.  Chris Storzillo    NJ    13     24
 26.  Gus Collars        SC    12     24
 27.  Joshua Vierheller  MD    10     24
 28.  Ruth Evinger       PA    09     24
 29.  Mike Windle        DE    09     24
 30.  Ken Richards       SC    08     24
 31.  Don Del Grande     CA    01     24
 32.  John Ellmann Sr    MD    00     24
 33.  Paul Weintraub     MD    09     22
 34.  David Gantt        SC    03     20
 35.  Daniel Hoffman     NC    12     18
 36.  Steve Shedden      TN    12     18
 37.  Jim Miller         TN    08     18
 38.  Bill LeVay         MA    01     16
 39.  John Poniske       PA    00     16
 40.  Roger Knowles      OH    04     15
 41.  Rob Schoenen       PA    14     12
 42.  Ashton Worley      ru    13     12
 43.  Nathan Hill        MD    12     12
 44.  Bruce Peckham      NY    07     12
 45.  Scott Pfeiffer     SC    06     12
 46.  Ralph Gleaton      SC    02     12
 47.  Rob Navolis        OH    01     12
 48.  Chris LeFevre      AZ    04     10
 49.  Michael Metcalf    NC    99      9
 50.  John Emery         SC    02      8
 51.  Joshua Dunn        VA    02      8
 52.  Michael Haley      NY    00      8
 53.  Pete Pollard       TN    13      6
 54.  Roger Covington    MD    11      6
 55.  Steve Munchak      VA    08      6
 55.  Phil White         MD    09      6
 57.  Marty Musella      VA    06      6
 58.  Evan Hitchings     DE    04      5
 59.  John Poniske Jr    PA    05      5
 60.  Henry Richardson   VA    03      3

2014 Laurelists
Repeating Laurelists: 0

Jonathan Izer, MD
2nd

Scott Driessen, MD
3rd

John Conlon, OK
4th

Rob Schoenen, PA
5th

William Burch, MD
6th


Past Winners

Kevin Coombs, GA
'93-'94

Paul Risner, TN
95, 97, 02, 06, 10, 12

Robert Hamel, CT
1996

Paul Weintraub, MD
1998

William Burch, MD
1999

John Conlon, OK
2000

Jimmy Levay, MA
2001

William Rohrbeck, NH
2003

Stephen Quirke, WI
2004

Keith Hunsinger, OH
2005

Dave Long, NC
2007

Dan Dolan Sr, NJ
2008

Richard Moyer, MN
2009

Steve Sabatino, PA
2011

Steve Ambruzs, VA
2013

The skies are full as the 8th Air Force shows up in force again.

Scores are posted by Ashton Worley in flight gear.

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.

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.

Chris Storzillo gets blown out of the sky by Pete Pollard's Me-109. Disaster can strike on any dice roll.
 GM     Dave Terry  [23rd Year]  NA 
   david.terry@jhuapl.edu   NA

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