This past Friday, the 82nd Fighter Group "Adorimini" and the 80th Fighter Squadron "Headhunters" teamed up with the 91st Bomb Group "Ragged Irregulars" for a fun little mission. Our targets were to hit a group of Rook bases. Enemy opposition was to be expected. Four P38s from both the 82nd FG and 80th FS teamed up to create a well-coordinated escort run. ForkTail, the 82nd FG CO assumed command of the escorts of the 91st BG. The story kinda goes like this:
I kidnapped my fellow squaddes Delirium, Soulyss, and Cactus. Tied them up to their wooden chairs with duct tape and put makeup on them. I told them they must be my wingmen for the evening, else their spare 38 parts will be shipped to the Japanese for salvage. They obligued.
- So we dressed up in our green trim 38s. Two P38Gs and two P38Ls. Full fuel and drop tanks. We lined up... err... massed in a blob... on the runway.
- We lift off, with Delirium taking tail-end-charlie.
- 82nd FG and their red-nosed P38s climbing out in a left-echelon formation. ForkTail leads, followed by RedShirt and Strokes.
- 80th FS forms up a right-hand finger-four formation. Soulyss as lead, Cactus on his left wing, followed by Delirium and myself (Plazus) in the rear.
- Bird's eye view of the group. 82nd FG in the foreground leads the way, followed by the 80th FS below and behind. A few guests tagged along as well in some 38s and 51s.
- Thndregg's tight-nit group of B17s lining up for their drop on their first target.
- But not without opposition! A brave 190A8 attempts a sneak attack while they calibrate. Escorts give the early warning and the 91st shot him down swiftly.
- ForkTail, 82nd FG Commanding Officer, guards the left flank of the buffs.
- An Me262 pilot takes a chance, bringing down one B17 in exchange for some damage in his right engine.
- Me being a bumbling fool as the 91st BG comes in to land and conclude their sortie.
- Fly as a group, land as a group. This is what the 91st is renowned for.
