World War 2 In Review: Martin B-26 Marauder: American Medium Bomber in View (2025-09-06)

Martin B-26 Marauder, 42-107582, 454th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26C (42-107669), 495th Bomb Squadron.

An unidentified B-26 Marauder with distinctive “invasion stripes” flies over Sword Beach as landing craft make their way ashore below on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Two B-26 Marauders over Germany. The black splotches are flak bursts.

Lt. James Farrell (front row, kneeling) and his crew pose on B-26 Marauder "Flak-Bait" shortly before the Normandy invasion.

Martin B-26 Marauders belonging to the 322nd Bomb Group’s four squadrons can be seen dispersed around Andrews Field near Great Saling, Essex, England.

B-26 Marauder with flak damage.

Ordnance Lieutenant Elroy Derksen glances up from writing on papers laying on the hood of his jeep at a military base in New Guinea. His jeep has the phrase "On Wisconsin" painted below the windshield. "On Wisconsin" is the title of the University of Wisconsin Fight Song and the State Song of Wisconsin. The tail of a B-26 Marauder is behind him. 14 December 1943.

Martin B-26 Marauder cockpit USAAF.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-31944, WT-G, “Klassie Lassie,” 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-31664, KX-A, “Heavenly Body,” 558th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-35264, TQ-U, “Sky Queen,” 559th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, “Little Audrey,” 19th Bomb Squadron.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-34862, battle number “01,” “Little Sirocco,” 319th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 84, 444th Bomb Squadron.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 323rd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, N3-A (foreground), “Maxwell House,” 496th Bomb Squadron, 344th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, “Rat Poison” (left), 553rd Bomb Squadron and B-26, 554th Bomb Squadron, on a D-Day strike.

Martin B-26 Marauder, HS-C, 394th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 386th Bomb Group.

Martin B-26 Marauder.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 42-95903, 7I-F, “Hard to Get,” personal aircraft of 497th Bomb Squadron’s commanding officer, Maj. D. Bentley.

Martin B-26 Marauder.

Martin B-26A Marauder with dummy torpedo.

Attack by Martin B-26 Marauders on the railroad bridge across the Moselle river at Trier-Pfalzel, Germany, 24 December 1944.

Cockpit of the Martin B-26 Marauder, 18 February 1941.

Martin B-26 Marauder, 41-17704, “75”.

B-26B, 41-17876, USAAF.

B-26, 41-17747, damaged by flak.

Martin B-26 Marauder, "Ginger". The six "duck" mission symbols are for diversion missions. The 9th Air Force would send out two formations to try and confuse the Germans on what the main target was. The second smaller formation was called the diversionary force and painted the duck symbol on their planes for those missions.

Martin B-26 Marauder, AN-Y, 553 BS, 386 BG, over Cherbourg.

WASP piloting a Martin B-26 Marauder.

Two B-26 Marauders carrying invasion stripes.

Martin B-26 Marauder armorers.

Martin B-26 Marauder received a direct hit to the left engine during the bombing of Erkelenz, Germany, February 23, 1945.

However...

Carl Carrozza, web master for the 344th Bomb Group, posted this info about this photo:

As webmaster for the 344th Bomb Group, I gather information, photos, and am in contact with some of the remaining veterans. My problem comes with the famous picture shown here. It is commonly identified to be:

“Official” record of above: Bomber “Marauder” B-26, serial number 43-34565, Gratis Gladys, 7I-B, 497 Squadron, 344th Bombardment Group, 9th U.S. Air Force is crashing to the ground after receiving a direct hit in the left engine during the bombing of a Erkelenz, Germany, 23 Feb 1945. MACR 12649

Capt. Carl Franklin Chapman (killed) Pilot
1st Lt. John Jack Sheehan (killed) Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. James Richard Harl (killed) Bombardier
1st Lt. Kenneth Gordon Bowdish (killed) Navigator
T/Sgt. J P Herndon (killed) Radio/Gunner
S/Sgt. Ballard James Bentley (killed) Engineer/Turret
S/Sgt. W T Williamson (killed) Tail Gunner/Armourer
1st Lt. Frederick Darwin Storey, Jnr – GEE operator (killed)

The problem comes from a conflicting story from an eyewitness! Don (Corky) Korkowski tells me that his plane’s camera took this picture on February 13, 1945. His story goes as follows.

“The camera was intended to record our bombing results. I helped to develop the film and we were surprised that the exploding plane happened to be right in the camera’s view. Two planes were shot down at almost the same moment. Yeager’s plane (MACR# 12221 DATE – 13 Feb 1945) to his left and Williams plane (MACR# 12305 DATE – 13 Feb 1945) in front of him. It was hit and rolled over and went under my plane as the picture was taken. You can see shrapnel in the picture and possibly the trails of rockets that I believe were shot at the formation.”

So I would like to ask the historians who come [here] to advise me. Korkowski who is still with us and in very good shape has gone over this me several times and has mailed me copies of this picture from his collection. He is sure this photo is of Williams plane (42-107679 7I-M). How should I label this picture or do I just provide the controversy as outlined here?

Also from a Reddit post of the same photo:

23rd February 1945 only one B26 was lost to 497Bomber Squadron according to Volume 6 of The Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces: B-26G-10-MA 43-34565 7I: 344BG,497BS. P* Capt Carl F Chapman Jr СР* 1 Lt John J Sheehan N* 1 Lt Kenneth G Bowdish N/B* 2 Lt James R Harl E* S/Sgt Ballard J Bentley RO* T/Sgt J P Herndon GOP* 1 Lt Frederick D Storey Jr TG* S/Sgt W T Williamson

MACR 12649:- T/O Cormeilles-en-Vexin, France on mission to Erkelenz, Germany. Aircraft was struck by flak while crossing the target, burst into flames, pulled out of the formation, went into a spin, crashed and exploded on the ground at Erkelenz. This is about 9 miles southwest of Mönchen-Gladbach. 8 KIA. Note:- Interred in Netherlands Cemetery on 8 March 1945, Plots Q-9-209 (P), 9-12-298 (CP), Q-12-296 (E) and Q-9-214 (TG) The P, RO and TG remain in Netherlands Cemetery, Plots L-3-1 (P), 0-21-1 (RO) and L-4-22 (TG). The CP was intered in Ardennes Cemetery; Plot B-10-236. He was finally buried in Plot C-9-31, Ardennes Cemetery: The N and N/B were also interred in Ardennes Cemetery to-gether with the remains of what seems to be Lt Storey. After the war the three remains could not be individually identified and they received a Group Burial in Plot R-96 and 97, Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder (41-31765) "Fightin' Cock" [ER-X] of the 450th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. The aircraft was later lost to a landing accident at RAF Great Dunmow on 12 August 44 due to battle damage received over France.

Walter Cronkite with the crew of a B-26 Marauder assigned to the 323rd Bomb Group.

"Flossie's Fury," Martin B-26C-45-MO Marauder, s/n 42-107735, 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group. A direct hit by AAA between the right engine and the wing severed the engine and caused the aircraft to lose control on the August 20,1944 mission to Toulon, France. Only two of the eight man crew were able to bail out of the aircraft. MACR 7867: 1st Lt. Joseph L. Albury, Jr. - Pilot (O-747698) Florida, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; 2nd Lt. Joseph J. Casey - Co-Pilot (O-817628) Pennsylvania, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; 1st Lt. Paul Marshall, Jr. - Navigator (O-681935) Wisconsin, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; 2nd Lt. Edgar W. Hawthorne - Bombardier (O-760120) Louisiana, KIA - buried in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; S/Sgt. George L. Moscovis - Engineer/Gunner (38483705) Louisiana, EVADED - returned to duty 16 OCT 1944; S/Sgt. Robert J. McCluskey - Radio Operator/Gunner (16034496) Illinois, EVADED - returned to duty 5 SEPT 1944; S/Sgt. Francis A. Pesta - Armorer/Gunner (31065486) Connecticut, KIA; Pvt. Herman L. Frieden - Photographer/Gunner (16051044) Missouri, KIA - buried in Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan, France.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder "Elmer" (AN-Y) s/n 41-31577, 553rd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder "A Kay Pea's Dream" (KX-H) s/n 41-31669, 558th BS, 387th BG, 9th AF. Hit by AAA on June 15,1944 raid on Villers Bocage near Caen,France. Ditched off Sussex coast, 3KIA and 2 returned. (USAF photo) MACR 8164: 1st Lt. Jack McHenry - Pilot (O-742339) KIA, Burbank, California / On the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge, England; 1st Lt. James M. Jack - Co-Pilot (O-680988) KIA, Denver, Colorado / On the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge, England; Sgt. Alexander Malash - Engineer/Gunner (6150553) KIA, Trumbull, Connecticut / On the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge, England; S/Sgt. Dominic A. Gelormo - Radio Operator/Gunner (33581094) Returned to Duty, Paoli, Pennsylvania; S/Sgt. Warren C. Schriver - Armorer/Tail Gunner (13092140) Returned to Duty, Shamkin, Pennsylvania.

Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder "Can't Get Started" aka "Texas Tiff" (RJ-R) s/n 41-31918, 454th BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF. Shot down by an Me262 over Germany on April 20,1945. (USAF photo) MACR 14083: Crew on April 20,1945: 1st Lt. Dale E. Sanders - Pilot (POW), (O-819622) Glendale,California; 1st Lt. Edwin T. Murphy - CoPilot (POW) (O-777773) Shreveport, Louisiana; T/Sgt. Robert V. Mollett - Bombardier (POW) (19074057) Tacoma,Washington; T/Sgt. Nicholas L. Lavalouis - Engineer/Gunner (POW) (39277804) San Diego, California; T/Sgt. James E. Payne - Radio Operator/Gunner (POW) (14132230) Lone Mountain,Tennessee; S/Sgt. Herbert J. Thompson - Armorer/Gunner (POW) (6289391) Port Arthur,Texas.

Martin B-26B-55-MA Marauder "Mama Liz" (9F-R)s /n 42-96120, 597th BS, 397th BG, 9th AF. Reported as MIA on June 24,1944. (USAF photo) MACR 6197: Crew on June 24,1944: Capt. Moses J. Gatewood,Jr. - Pilot (Evaded) (O-25613) Columbus, Georgia; 1st Lt. Richard Haymond - CoPilot (POW - Stalag 7a) (O-812258) Wilson, Pennsylvania; 1st Lt. Walter D. Blatchford - Bombardier (POW - Stalag 7a) (O-743752) Trenton, New Jersey; S/Sgt. William J. Snyder - Engineer/Gunner (POW - Stalag Luft 4) (32384117) Watertown, New York; T/Sgt. William T. O'Brien - Radio Operator/Gunner (POW - Stalag Luft 4) (6148980) Tampa, Florida; S/Sgt. Lee E. Hughes - Armorer/Tail Gunner (POW - Dulag Luft) (36382232) Paris, Tennessee.

Martin B-26F-1-MA of the 584th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bomb Group in flight at bomb release. (U.S. Air Force photo) This may be a plane named "Who Cares" (s/n 42-96323).

Another shot of "Elmer", B-26B-15-MA s/n 41-31577 "Elmer" from the 553rd BS, 386th BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-20-MA s/n 41-31718 "El Capitain" (KS-O) from the 557th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Martin B-26C-15-MO s/n 41-34959 named "Clark's Little Pill" codes SS-Q from the 451st Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group. Lost 9 September 1943.

Lt. Clayton F. "Lucky" Allen,a 'bombagator' on a B-26 Marauder, with his missions painted on his flying jacket - bombs for missions, ducks for diversions, 1943.

Martin B-26C-45-MO s/n 42-107692 from the 455th BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF.

B-26 Marauder on the runway, 28 November 1940. Note pre-war rudder markings.

Formation of Martin B-26Bs from the 555th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group 9th Air Force, taken June 26, 1944. Closest aircraft is B-26B-15-MA "Mr. Five by Five" (s/n 41-31612). Note the invasion stripes. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26B-1-MA Marauder "Earthquake McGoon" s/n 41-17747 with flak damage to the No. 1 engine nacelle, left wing and wheel well, in September 1943. Note the missing landing gear doors. (U.S. Air Force photo) This plane was assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force.

General Doolittle in the pilot's seat of a B-26 Marauder, somewhere in North Africa. Nose is a jackass with Hirohito as the head and Hitler as the back-end.

Photographers standing in front of Martin B-26B Marauder "Pappy's Pram". They have been on a total of 50 missions since operations began during WWII: (L-R) Sgt. James Hinkle, Sgt. Robert Hammerberg, Sgt. Frank Udovich, Sgt. Charles Smith, Sgt. Wilbur DeGroff.

B-26 with open bomb bay. This B-26 is either from the 455th BS, 323rd BG with a squadron code YU, or it's from the 495th BS, 344th BG with a squadron code Y5.

A B-26 Marauder in its early war standard camouflage and markings. The astrodome for celestial navigation, usually retracted, is raised atop the fuselage just forward of the wing in this photo.

Martin B-26B-4-MA Marauder "Lil Joe II" s/n 41-18063, 452nd Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

Eight B-26 Marauders of the US Army Air Corps, at least three with and three without propellers, on the ramp outside the Middle River factory due to a shortage of Curtiss electric propellers during 1941.

The JM-1 was the Navy version of the USAAF's AT-23B trainer, an unarmed, unarmored B-26 variant. Painted yellow and used primarily for target towing, JM-1s were among the fastest Marauders.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) received 19 B-26B-4s, designated Marauder IA. Though the British are credited with coining the name Marauder (Martin Aircraft had proposed the name Martian) in 1940, no B-26s were exported until 1942.

The first of 96 B-26B-2 Marauders inflight on 16 September 1942. Almost 1900 -B series Marauders were built, 19 of which were sent to the RAF under a lend-lease agreement as Marauder IAs.

A B-26B Marauder inflight. Note the enlarged engine scoops atop the nacelles.

The B-26B-55s were the first Marauders delivered in unpainted aluminum finish; main gear doors are just closing as this one climbs out.

Two B-26 Marauders escort a damaged third Marauder (with vapor trail) back from a mission over France. The Marauders' heavy armor helped protect them from enemy flak, and the B-26 had the lowest loss rate of any aircraft type during 1943.

A formation of B-26B Marauder medium bombers in flight.

B-26 Marauders from the 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force over France. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26 Marauders. (SDASM Archives)

Martin B-26 Marauder from the 599th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group.

Two squadrons of B-26 Marauders joining up for a mission. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Formation of Martin B-26Gs of the 441st Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. Closest aircraft is B-26G-5-MA "Sandra Lee" (s/n 43-34252). (U.S. Air Force photo)

A group of B-26's from the 449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force being led by "Flak Bait", a B-26B-25-MA serial number 41-31773. "Flak Bait" was the first Allied bomber to complete 200 sorties. Her nose section is on display at the National Air & Space Museum. (USAF photo) B-26B at top of photo is s/n 43-34371 of the 449th BS, 322nd BG.

A formation of B-26's from the 553rd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group. The plane at the upper left is "Rat Poison", a B-26B-15-MA s/n 41-31606.

Close-up of Martin B-26G-25-MA (s/n 44-68254) "Tail End Charlie '30,'" the last B-26G built. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26B-2-MA (s/n 41-17876), taken 21 August 1942. This plane ended up serving with the 37th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force.(U.S. Air Force photo)

A pair of B-26's from the 494th Bomb Squadron, 344th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. Almost positive the lead plane is "Willie the Wolf" B-26G-5-MA s/n 43-34381 coded K9-D and not quite as sure that the other plane is "The Hearse III" B-26B-50-MA s/n 42-95941, shot down by AAA and abandoned on 28 November 1944. (USAF photo)

Martin B-26B-55-MA s/n 42-96138 "By Golly" (U2-C) From the 598th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. She was hit by fighters and crashed and burned on 9 July 1944.

Martin B-26 Marauder. (SDASM Archives)

Martin B-26C-15-MO Marauder "Jake's Jerks" (WT-Q) s/n 41-34963, 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. A B-26 Marauder crashes with a burning engine during a raid on Amsterdam-Schipol airdrome, Holland, 13 November 1943. Entire crew of seven were KIA. Hit by flak, this 8th (later 9th) Air Force Marauder has had one wing shot away, and tailing smoke from the burning remains of the wing, plunges towards the earth. It was the only Marauder lost in the raid on the Amsterdam-Schipol airdrome, Holland. Note the plane's severed engine at top-right of photo. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Martin B-26-MA (s/n 40-1361) in flight in December 1940. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Martin B-26 Marauders heading out on a mission.

B-26B-4 Marauder "Mister Period Twice" (coded SS-T) s/n 41-17995, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Originally named "Tondelayo".

B-26C-15-MO Marauder "Idiot's Delight" s/n 41-34947, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Later transferred to 554th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF and re-named "Lady Luck". Lost on February 10,1944 when a wing was blown off by AAA over France. MACR 2082: 1st Lt. Robert B. Spencer - Pilot (O-521555) POW; F/O Dayton B. Mitstifer - Co-Pilot (T-186567) KIA; 1st Lt. Arch A. Dennen, Jr. - Bombardier (O-666009) KIA; S/Sgt. Gerard G. Bergeron - Engineer/Gunner (36178693) KIA; T/Sgt. Richard R. Faith - Radio Operator/Gunner (13087676) KIA; S/Sgt. John L. Dorton - Armorer/Gunner (35285622) KIA.

Martin B-26B Marauder s/n 41-18289 of the 452nd Bomb Sq, 322nd BG (coded PN-R). Nose art is the Ole Miss mascot Colonel Rebel.

Martin B-26B-10-MA Marauder "Colonel Rebel" s/n 41-18289 codes PN-R, 449th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26C-15-MO Marauder "Blue Beard II" (coded SS-R) s/n 41-34973, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder "Sparta" (coded YA-D) s/n 41-31794, 555th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Damaged by AAA and low on fuel on July 12,1944 mission to bomb the Nogent Leroi R/R Bridge, and bellylanded on a French beach. MACR 7045: 2nd Lt. Donald M. Epstein - Pilot (O-814884) POW; 2nd Lt. Herbert M. Zweig - Co-Pilot (O-820143) POW; 2nd Lt. Horace D. Dow - Bombardier/Navigator (O-762714) POW; S/Sgt. Wayne R. Austin - Engineer/Gunner (11085303) POW; T/Sgt. Bernard J. Adamski - Radio Operator/Gunner (32841696) POW; S/Sgt. John J. Farrell - Armorer/Gunner (31353862) POW.

Loading bombs on Martin B-26 Marauder of the 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.

The AT-23A/TB-26B were B-26Bs converted into target tugs and gunnery trainers designated JM-1 by the US Navy.

Martin B-26B-4 Marauder "Jezabelle" (coded DR-H) s/n 41-18054, 452nd BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Broken up at Stansted,England in February 1945.

Martin B-26 Marauder s/n 41-17756.

Martin B-26 Marauder PN-H of the 449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group.

Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder "Fighting Cock" codes ER-X s/n 41-31765 of the 450th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder "Perkatory" codes YM-Q s/n 41-31627, 555th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Destroyed when a German Ju 88 crashed on it on 22 March 1944.

Martin B-26G-25-MA Marauder "Kathleen" (H9-C) s/n 44-68160, 586th BS, 394th BG, 9th AF. On bomb run over the rail yard at Ulm,Germany.

Martin B-26c-15-MO Marauder "Clark's Little Pill" (SS-Q) s/n 41-34959, 451st BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Official caption: The Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber "Clark's Little Pill" has thundered over western Europe to its target 75 times without mechanical trouble, and the ground crew responsible for this record performance are: T/Sgt. Melvin Mumbower, Kalispell, MT - Crew Chief; M/Sgt. Floyd Cunningham, Mountain Grove, MO - Maintenance Flight Chief for the 451st BS, 322nd BG; Sgt. Peter F. Penrose, Philadelphia, PA - Assistant Crew Chief.

AT-23A/TB-26B were B-26Bs converted into target tugs and gunnery trainers designated JM-1 by the US Navy. 23 December 1943. (U.S. Navy photo)

#1 in a series of 3: Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder "Louisiana Mud Hen" aka "Circle Jerk" s/n 41-31896, 453rd BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF. Lost on December 23,1944 when a direct hit by flak in the left engine sent it spinning out of control. All six crewmen were KIA. MACR 11659: 1st Lt. Joseph C. Bostick - Pilot (O-700857) KIA; 2nd Lt. James P. Hodges - Copilot (O-823584) KIA; 1st Lt. Howard Detel - Bombardier/Navigator (O-712259) KIA; S/Sgt. Albin W. Les - Engineer/Gunner (31287711) KIA; S/Sgt. Robert E. Hohimer - Radio Operator/Gunner (19175127) KIA; S/Sgt. A.C. Carrell - Armorer/Gunner (34805620) KIA.

#2 in a series of 3 (see previous photo).

#3 in a series of 3 (see previous two photos.

Two B-26 Marauders from the 454th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. Nearest aircraft: "Lady Luck III" (RJ-H) B-26C-45-MO Marauder s/n 42-107614. Lost on 23 December 1944 when she had her hydraulics shot out and the crew bailed out. Far Aircraft: "Black Magic IV" aka "Mr. Shorty" (RJ-S) B-26C-25-MO Marauder s/n 41-35253. Condemned as salvage on 1 June 1945.

Martin B-26C-25-MO Marauder "Carefree Carolyn" s/n 41-35247, 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. The only info with the photo said this is her crew after returning from the plane's 100th mission, belly landed at Great Dunmow,Essex, England (Station 164). Aircraft was condemned as salvage on 17 June 1944.

B-26B-10-MA Marauder "Murder Inc." s/n 41-18272, 449th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF.

Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder "War Eagle" (ER-H) s/n 41-31888, 450th BS, 322nd BG, 9th AF. Shot down by AAA on February 23,1945. Took a direct hit in the cockpit and went down. MACR 12642: Crew on last mission: 1st Lt. Jack G. Cox - Pilot / O-759356 (KIA) Alcoa, TN; 2nd Lt. Lyle A. Taggart - CoPilot / O-780093 (KIA) San Francisco, CA; 2nd Lt. Edward Wallerstein - Bombardier / O-746774 (KIA) New York, NY; S/Sgt. John R. Mackett - Engineer/Gunner / 36242794 (KIA) Milwaukee, WI; T/Sgt. Marion T. Evans - Radio Operator/Gunner / 39410223 (KIA) Stockton, CA; S/Sgt. Joseph M. Mischik - Tail Gunner / 31332552 (KIA) Bridgeport, Conn.

Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder "Cloud Hopper 2nd" s/n 41-31763, 554th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Lost on May 31,1944 mission to bomb the highway bridge near Rouen,France. The aircraft's left engine was hit by a falling bomb from the high flight. MACR 5120: 1st Lt. Donald B. Wren - Pilot (O-738326) EVD Kansas; 1st Lt. Uriah W. Miller - Co-Pilot (O-688835) KIA California / Buried in Epinal American Cemetery in Epinal, France; Sgt. Thomas J. Yates - Bombardier/Navigator (11096395) POW Rhode Island; S/Sgt. Dee E. Mitchell - Engineer/Gunner (18038345) POW Texas; Sgt. Angelo M. Staffo - Armorer/Tail Gunner (32668669) EVD New York; T/Sgt. Steve Tirpak - Radio Operator/Gunner (16052195) EVD Illinois. Lt. Miller was shot in his chute as he came down over what was then the front lines.

B-26B-15-MA Marauder "Rat Poison" (AN-S) s/n 41-31606, 553rd BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. This plane had flown more than 160 combat missions at this point. Guessing this photo was taken at Beaumont-sur-Oise,France (A-60). The 386th was only based at two different fields on continental Europe during the war. Beaumont-sur-Oise,France (A-60) moving there on 2 October 1944 and then to Sint-Truiden,Belgium (A-92) on 9 April 1945. The ruined walls give it an interesting framing. This also showed the conditions that 9th Air Force units lived in at their bases on the continent. The engineers learned it was quicker to repair existing Luftwaffe bases than to build new all the time and they would have some structures to live and work in, instead of tents.

B-26B-20-MA Marauder "Ye Olde Crocke" (coded RU-F) s/n 41-31755, 554th BS, 386th BG, 9th AF. Written off after crash-landing in France on 7 October 1944.