Clowns of Death Fielded 6 formations of B26 out of A32 for A1. We were tracking with 9GIAP squad on our inbound legs.
9GIAP turned in early after take off placing themselves well ahead of us and I think leveled at a lower altitude. This placed them over the target about 10 minutes ahead of us in heavy resistance at their altitude.
Clowns made the approach point about the time that 9GIAP was taking heavy losses we went in knowing they got only one of their targets due to fearsome resistance of N1k's and KI84s. They said perhaps 40 were in the area.
I believed we were about 5k higher than 9Giap and soothed my nervous squad 'The bogeys are going to be well below us, that will buy us time...Don't worry. I also figured that the Axis birds would follow 9giap after departure.
I wasn't entirely correct... We ran into firm resistance beginning about 10 miles prior to A1. I knew that 9Giap had taken heavy losses and that their targets weren't effectively hit, I split my squad into two flights of 3 formations, one on A41 as clean up for 9giap and the other for our initial target A1.
We had several brief skirmishes with KI84's and N1K prior to bombs away. One of our pilots, nick was shot down on approach, my plane was leaking fuel and lost an engine. We killed two or three during the approach. Most of the fighters tailed my X.O's group into A41 leaving me Dagger and Gaidin to work on A1, we took our hangers clean in one pass.
Chatter was fast and furious calling bogeys, Dagger was lost over A1 shortly after making a successful drop, but did bail out, I'm just hoping our guys pulled him out of the water and not the enemy.
Tonk called in that one Bomber hanger on A41 remained, he was out of bombs but bravely made a 270 degree left turn to follow me back to the target and destory it offering nothing more than gun cover.
My X.O was shot down after his attack and Gaidin was lost on the return to A32. Tonk and I soldiered on fighting moderate resistance most of the way home.
I began a steep descent into 32 from about 25 miles out and the base was clear. Radio reported a bandit inbound and my gunner called out a high bandit at 7 o'clock... I was at about 500ft AGL on approach, nothing to do now but out run him to the runway!
Tonk still with me held his altitude and sacraficed him self bravely keeping the KI84 away from me.
I skidded to a stop not knowing the fate of my wingman Tonk, as the wheels came to a stop I killed the engines and ran from the plane as the KI84 swooped down destroying it on the runway. I didn't stop running till I reached the tower.
Some survivers of 9Giap were there, they saw that dramatic landing and congratulated me, but my joy was short lived as the radio cracked the loss of my brave wingman Tonk... That plus the uncertain fate of so many of my squad stole my brief joy... I landed alone of my squad. I hope I am reunited with the survivors soon.
Great Work Allies!
Good Fight Axis!
Thank you Clowns of Death!
