352nd Fighter Group
S3: The Killing Time AAR
Frame 1
During this frame we had the honor of escorting the 305th BG on a run to Munich, Germany.
We rolled from F2 and took up positions over the heavies as they crossed the English Channel.
DGoose took his 328th FS out to the o'clock position and BBGun positioned the 486th on the 9
o'clock of the buffs. YT and I moved up front and while Alsail went to cover our 6 o'clock.
The flight was uneventful until the heavies began their run into the target. A flight of 4 Fw
190's broke through the formation. DGoose and Alsail's Squads went after them. A flight of Me
262's soon followed.
From then on we were subject to intermittent attacks by the LW. We brought
four of the eight bombers home and scored two kills (YT and DGoose). 11 of the 12 Bastards who
sortied returned to Bodney.
Frame 2
For frame 2 we were assigned to protect our heavies, the 457th on a run to the Big B. We knew
it would be tough, but we had no idea. On the way in we received reports that two LW formations
were moving to intercept us. After JV 44's 109's came through our formation, 190's and 262's
soon followed. We had a small turnout and were unable to hold them off. We lost half of our
fighters and all of the bombers in 20 minutes of brutal fighting; Skybax scored our only kill.
This was not one of our better missions.
Frame 3
Fresh from out rough outing the mission before, the Bastards and the 457th were impatient to take
our revenge. To do so we'd have to fly deep into the heart of Germany, all the way to Regensberg.
We rendezvoused with the heavies just as they crossed the French coast. Due to flak and reports
of enemy fighters we detoured south before cutting east towards the target. As we moved further
into enemy territory, our fighters took their places. BBGun led the 487th to the 3ok, DGoose's
328th took up position at the 9ok and YT and I began to try to cover the center. Shortly before
we reached Stuttgart we were engaged by JG 2. Two bombers were lost but the enemy was driven off.
Things were quiet after that and the 457th flatten their target at Regensberg. Knowing that angry
fighters would be lifting up to gain their revenge, the 352nd tried to close our shield even
closer over the bombers as they began their run home. We didn't have long to wait as a
one-by-one; Bastards began calling out the cloud of 190's, 109's and 262's of JG 14 that overflew
our formation. This began a running fight all the way home. We scored 3 kills (Dune x 2, Rhino)
but we lost 7 in return. More importantly though, 3 of the 8 bombers made it home.
Frame 4
This was one of the best missions I've seen the Bastards ever fly. We were tasked with escorting
the 457th and elements of the 1st ACG to Munich. A huge number turned out for us. In the dark of
the English morning we rolled our Mustangs and formed up. We meet the bombers over F12 and took
our positions. DGoose took his 328th FS, along with Bhoot and Todzil, to cover the 9ok position
of the heavies. Alsail took command of the 487th and moved out to the 3ok position. YT, Foxtwo and
I took the 12ok slot. It was near Nuremburg, when the bomber made their turn for Munich, that
several Me 109's came in from the 9ok. Alsail and the 487th moved to intercept them and I ordered
DGoose to bring the 328th closer to the buffs. From there until the drop, we had 3 or 4 Me 262's
make passes on the buff box, but didn't lose any. The 487th fought a running battle with a couple
of LW and kept them away from the heavies. We made the drop and began our trip home. The 487th
drove off the 109's and rejoined the group. Southwest of Stuttgart we meet the reception escort of
the 1st BFS's P-47D's. They were a welcome sight as we moved back into our original positions. We
had a few more 262's make passes on the bombers, but they did no damage. The trip home was
uneventful and the 352nd were released from its escort duties as the 457th and 1st ACG reached the
English Channel. We may not have scored any kills, but all of the Bastards made it home as did
all of the 457th and 1st ACG. The discipline showed was the best we've ever had. The Bastards
obeyed the hard-deck, stayed with their wings and elements and didn't let the LW drag us low and
away from the bombers. The buffs kept a solid formation and plastered Munich.
Frame 5
This was one of the roughest missions we've ever flown. Things started going wrong right from
the beginning. We were to escort the 457th to Regensberg. They had 3 or 4 pilots disco otw there.
With four remaining, the jets showed up. Two jets managed to kill two and leave the other 2 s
moking badly. We did a great job shielding the buffs from the 109's and 190's otw to the target.
But we couldn't' stop the jets. I want to compliment all of you on your discipline. After the
457th were taken out, I think we let our emotions take over. We went hunting the LW. We started
off doing ok. But lost Jamdru to overstressing his Pony.
After that we headed up to F28 and found JG 14. BB, Bomar, Wicked, Joemac and I started a running
fight out west. But there were just too many for us to handle. We scored 10 kills (YT x 2,
BBGun x 2, Skybax x 2, Dune, Wicked, Bomar, SD) but we lost 11 in the process. However SD did
score our only 262 kill of the event.
Final Totals
| Kills | 17 |
| Dune | 3 |
| YT | 3 |
| Skybax | 3 |
| BBGun | 2 |
| DGoose | 1 |
| Wicked | 1 |
| Rhino | 1 |
| SD | 1 |
| Bomar | 1 |
| Loses | 23 |