WORLD WAR 2 IN REVIEW: Martin B-26 Marauder: American Medium Bomber

Martin B-26 Marauder USAAF, 18 September 1941.

The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. The B-26 was built at two locations: Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska, by the Glenn L. Martin Company.

First used in the Pacific Theater of World War II in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe.

After entering service with the United States Army aviation units, the aircraft quickly received the reputation of a "widowmaker" due to the early models' high accident rate during takeoffs and landings. This was because the Marauder had to be flown at precise airspeeds, particularly on final runway approach or when one engine was out. The unusually high 150 mph (241 km/h) speed on short final runway approach was intimidating to many pilots who were used to much slower approach speeds, and when they slowed to speeds below those stipulated in the manual, the aircraft would often stall and crash.

The B-26 became a safer aircraft once crews were retrained, and after aerodynamics modifications (an increase of wingspan and wing angle-of-incidence to give better takeoff performance, and a larger vertical stabilizer and rudder). The Marauder ended World War II with the lowest loss rate of any U.S. Army Air Forces bomber.

In total, 5,288 were produced between February 1941 and March 1945; 522 of these were flown by the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. By the time the United States Air Force was created as an independent military service separate from the United States Army in 1947, all Martin B-26s had been retired from U.S. service. After the Marauder was retired, the unrelated Douglas A-26 Invader then assumed the "B-26" designation, which led to confusion between the two aircraft.

Photographers standing in front of "Pappy's Pram", a Martin B-26 Marauder at a base, 1943.

A B-26B of the 70th Bomb Squadron that ran into a B-25C on the ground at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield, New Caledonia, 11 March 1943.

B-26s with the bomb bay opened and ready to drop. 12th Air Force, Italy, May 1944.

Employees installing Plexiglas panels on the nose of a Martin B-26 Marauder. Per notations accompanying the photograph, the two halves that form the nose of the bomber are cemented together with acrylic resin and bolted into position on the aircraft. This photograph was likely taken at the Rohm and Haas Company plant located in Bristol, Pennsylvania.

Martin B-26 Marauder "Ginger".

Martin B-26B-2 Marauder 41-17993 over Suffolk countryside, wrecked when it hit the ground near Cambridge.

Martin B-26B-4 Marauder 41-18072 ER-T 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-10 Marauder 41-18276 “Pickled Dilly” 322nd Bomb Group, Great Sailing, Essex.

Martin B-26B Marauder “Smokey Joe” 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-25 Marauder 41-31773 PN-O “Flak Bait” 449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, Ninth Air Force. The first Allied bomber in the European theater to achieve 200 missions. She had 300 patches covering more than 1,000 flak and bullet holes. In formation with her is 43-34371, PN-X.

Martin B-26B Marauder 41-17704.

Martin B-26B Marauder 41-17694.

Martin B-26B-25 Marauder 41-31819 “Mild and Bitter” 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, the first Marauder to complete 100 missions from the United Kingdom.

Martin B-26B-2 Marauder 41-17876.

Martin B-26B-50 Marauder 42-95930 KX-D 559th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-55 Marauder RJ-M 455th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-55 Marauder 42-96165 6B-T 598th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-55 Marauder 42-96137 9F-Y (foreground; the aircraft to its right is 42-96191, 9F-N) 596th and 599th Bomb Squadrons, 397th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-50 Marauder 42-95857 558th Bomb Squadron, 98th Bomb Wing.

Martin B-26B Marauder 42-96246 TQ-H 556th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, Ninth Air Force.

Martin B-26B Marauder 41-17876 USAAF.

A U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26B-55-MA Marauder 42-96142. The aircraft was assigned to the 596th Bombardment Squadron, 397th Bombardment Group, 98th Bombardment Wing, 9th Bomber Command, 9th Air Force in Europe. "X2-A" was named "Dee-Feater" and carries numerous mission markers, and D-Day invasion stripes. The 397th BG was stationed starting 15 April 1944 at Rivenhall, Essex, and moved to Hurn, Hampshire, on 4 August 1944. On 30th August 1944 the Group was relocated to France.

A Royal Air Force Martin Marauder over Banja Luca.

A U.S. Army Air Force Martin B-26B Marauder 41-17747 of the 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group. This aircraft was hit by flak and belly landed at Telergma, Algeria, on 23 March 1943.

B-26B "A Kay Pro's Dream" in flight.

A low-angle view of the XB-26H Marauder and its experimental "bicycle" landing gear.

WASPs on flight line at Laredo AAF, Texas, 22 January 1944.

Martin B-26C Marauder in flight, 1944. Assigned to 450BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. Serial Number 41-31765. Coded ER-X. Name “Fightin' Cock”. This aircraft was written-off after crash landing on 12 August 1944. It had received flak damage while over Flers, France and had its electrical system, generators and hydraulic systems shot out. The crew nursed it back to the base, Great Saling, Essex, USAAF St 485, renamed, Andrews Field, and got the gear cranked down after which the pilot ordered the enlisted men to bail out. While trying to land the plane it skidded off the runway and into the control tower, killing both pilots. 2nd Lt. John R. Walker, Jr., Pilot; 2nd Lt. Bruce Taylor, Co-Pilot; S/Sgt. Ernest Pilot, Togglier; Sgt. George E. Peterson, Engineer/Gunner; Sgt. John B. Hill, Radio Operator/Gunner; Sgt. Marvin E. Vogt, Tail Gunner.

Captain Howard M. Posson (back row, third from left) with the crew of "Fightin’ Cock", mostly likely taken at Bury St. Edmonds, England or Great Salig, Essex [Renamed Andrew Field], circa early August 1943.