World War 2 In Review: Greek air force

“Baltimores return, 454 Squadron, Italy” showing unidentified air crews of 454 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force leaving their aircraft after an operational mission in mid winter. Martin Baltimore aircraft, Falconara Marittima, Italy, Europe. Painting by Alan Moore, 1944.

The Martin 187 Baltimore was a twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in the United States, originally ordered by the French in May 1940 as a follow-up to the earlier Martin Maryland, then in service in France. With the fall of France, the production series was diverted to Great Britain. Baltimore development was hindered by a series of problems, although the type eventually became a highly versatile combat aircraft. Produced in large numbers, the Baltimore was not used in combat by the United States forces, but eventually served with the British, Canadian, Australian, South African, Hellenic and the Italian air forces.

Design and Development

Initially designated the A-23 (derived from the A-22 Martin 167 Maryland design), the Model 187 (company designation) had a deeper fuselage and more powerful engines. The Model 187 met the needs for a light to medium bomber, originally ordered by the Anglo-French Purchasing Commission as a joint project in May 1940. The French Air Force sought to replace the earlier Maryland; 400 aircraft being ordered. With the fall of France, the Royal Air Force (RAF) took over the order and gave it the service name Baltimore. To enable the aircraft to be supplied to the British under the Lend-Lease Act the United States Army Air Forces designation A-30 was allocated. (With the passing of the Lend Lease Act two further batches of 575 and then 600 were provided to the RAF.)

Operational History

The first British aircraft were delivered in late 1941 to equip Operational Training Units. The RAF only used the Baltimores operationally in the Mediterranean theater and North Africa.

Many users were impressed by the step up that the Baltimore represented from older aircraft like the Bristol Blenheim. The users of the Baltimore, and Martin pilot Benjamin R. Wallace, praised the aircraft for its heavy armament, structural strength, maneuverability, bombing accuracy, and relatively high performance, but crews complained of cramped conditions similar to those in the earlier Maryland bomber. Due to the narrow fuselage it was nearly impossible for crew members to change positions during flight if wounded (the structure of the interior meant that the pilot and observer were separated from the wireless operator and rear gunner). This was common for most light bombers of the era like the Handley Page Hampden, Douglas Boston, and Blenheim. Crews also complained about the difficulties in handling the aircraft on the ground. On takeoff, the pilot had to co-ordinate the throttles perfectly to avoid a nose-over, or worse.

Thrown into action to stop Rommel’s advance, the Baltimore suffered massive losses when it was utilized as a low-level attack aircraft, especially in the chaos of the desert war where most missions went unescorted. However, operating at medium altitude with fighter escorts, the Baltimore had a very low loss rate, with the majority of losses coming from operational accidents.

Undertaking a variety of missions in the Middle East, Mediterranean and European theaters, the Baltimore’s roles included reconnaissance, target-towing, maritime patrol, night intruder and even served as highly uncomfortable fast transports. The Baltimore saw limited Fleet Air Arm service with aircraft transferred from the RAF in the Mediterranean to equip a squadron in 1944. Used in the anti-submarine role during the war, the Baltimore achieved moderate success, sinking up to eight U-boats.

The RAF also transferred aircraft to other Allies in the Mediterranean area. After the capitulation of Italy in 1943, the type was used intensively in the Italian campaign to clear the road to Rome for advancing Allied forces. After the armistice, an Italian-manned squadron, the 28th Bomber Wing, was equipped with ex-RAF Baltimores, becoming the co-belligerent Stormo Baltimore. The Italians suffered considerable attrition during their training phase on the Baltimore. The majority of accidents were during takeoffs and landings due to the aircraft’s fairly high wing loading, high approach speed and a directional stability problems during takeoffs. The Italians only operated the Baltimore for roughly six months. Many of those operations were in Yugoslavia and Greece, providing air support for partisan forces or dropping supplies.

Most Baltimores were scrapped soon after the war, although one RAF squadron continued to use the type in Kenya where the aircraft were used in aerial mapping and locust control until 1948. In post-war service, the Baltimore took part in United States Navy instrument and control surface tests in the effort to break the sound barrier. With its powerful engines and light, yet robust construction, the aircraft was able to be dived at high speed, reaching Mach .74 in tests. All Baltimores were withdrawn from service by the end of 1949, the last one being retired on 23 December 1949.

Variants

Baltimore B. I

Fitted with 1,600 hp (1,193 kW) Wright GR-2600-A5B radial piston engines, armed with ten 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns, eight fixed Brownings and two flexible Vickers K machine guns; all marks had two fixed 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Brownings in the leading-edge of each wing and four similar fixed guns, two on each side of the lower fuselage aft firing backwards, plus two flexible Vickers guns in dorsal and ventral. 50 aircraft built.

Baltimore B. II

As with the Mk I; defensive armament was increased to 12 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns including twin 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine guns in both the dorsal and ventral positions. 100 aircraft built.

Baltimore B. III

Modified Mk II design defensive armament was increased to 14 0.303 in (7.7 mm) guns and improved with a hydraulically powered dorsal turret supplied by Boulton Paul in the UK with 4 Browning machine guns. 250 aircraft built.

Baltimore B. IIIa (A-30-MA)

Ordered by USAAF and supplied under Lend-lease to the RAF, two 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in a Martin-built electrically powered dorsal turret. 281 aircraft built.

Baltimore B. IV (A-30A-MA)

USAAF order, lend-lease to RAF. Four 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Brownings machine guns in the wings. 294 aircraft built.

Baltimore B. V (A-30A-MA)

USAAF order, Upgraded with two 1,700 hp (1,268 kW) Wright R-2600-29 radial piston engines, Wings fitted with 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns. 600 aircraft built.

Baltimore GR. VI (A-30C-MA)

Two prototypes were built for maritime reconnaissance. They included a lengthened fuselage, accommodations for extra fuel tanks and a torpedo, and a Radome in nose. The whole program was cancelled in April 1944. (900 cancelled)

All of the series were built for the RAF. A number were lost on delivery across the Atlantic Ocean when two ships carrying Baltimores were sunk.

Operators

Australia

Royal Australian Air Force

No. 454 Squadron RAAF (Baltimore III, IV, V) (North Africa, Pescara Italy: February 1943 – 14 August 1945)

No. 459 Squadron RAAF (Baltimore IV - V) (Mediterranean: July 1944 – March 1945)

Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force

Baltimore B. III FA187

A single Baltimore was loaned to the RCAF by RAF Ferry Command for “special” project duties (1942)

Free France

Free French Air Force

GB 1/17

Greece

Royal Hellenic Air Force

RHAF 13 Light Bomber Squadron (Baltimore II, IV) (Gambut North Africa, Biferno Pescara Italy, Balkans: 1943–1945)

Kingdom of Italy

Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force - 49 aircraft

28° Gruppo (Stormo Baltimore) (1945 - February 1948)

132° Gruppo - 254 Wing RAF

Italy

Italian Air Force operated the aircraft until 1947

South Africa

South African Air Force

No. 15 Squadron SAAF (Baltimore IIIa - V) (Mediterranean: 1943–1945)

No. 21 Squadron SAAF. (Baltimore III - IV) (North Africa, Italy: 1942–1944)

No. 60 Squadron SAAF (Baltimore II - III) (North Africa: 1942–1943)

Turkey

Turkish Air Force

1st Bomber Regiment

United Kingdom

Royal Air Force

1st Middle East Training Squadron

No. 13 Squadron RAF (Baltimore IV – V) (Italy: 1944)

No. 52 Squadron RAF (Baltimore IIIa – V) (Tunisia, Italy: February 1942 – February 1943)

No. 55 Squadron RAF (Baltimore I – V) (Libya, Tunisia, Italy: 1942–1944)

No. 69 Squadron RAF (Baltimore I – IV) (Mediterranean: 1942–1944)

No. 162 Squadron RAF (Baltimore III) (Libya: 1943–1944)

No. 203 Squadron RAF (Baltimore I, II, IIIa, V) (North Africa: 1942–1943)

No. 223 Squadron RAF (Baltimore I - V) (North Africa, Italy: April 1941 – 12 August 1944)

No. 249 Squadron RAF (Baltimore IV - V) (South-East Europe: October 1945 - April 1946)

No. 500 Squadron RAF (Baltimore IV - V) (Italy: 1944–1945)

No. 680 Squadron RAF (Baltimore III, V) (Italy: 1944)

Fleet Air Arm

728 Naval Air Squadron (Baltimore GR IV - V) (Malta: September 1944 - November 1946)

Survivors

Although the Baltimore was produced in greater numbers than any other Martin design except the B-26 Marauder, with 1575 produced, no aircraft have survived intact, although the wreckage of several are known to exist.

Data (Baltimore GR.V)

Role:

Light bomber

Reconnaissance

Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company

First flight: 14 June 1941

Introduction: 1941

Retired: 1949

Primary users:

Royal Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force

South African Air Force

Number built: 1,575

Martin Baltimore Mk I: 50

Martin Baltimore Mk II: 100

Martin Baltimore Mk III: 250

Martin Baltimore Mk IIIA: 281

Martin Baltimore Mk IV: 294

Martin Baltimore Mk V: 600

Unit cost: $120,000

Developed from: Martin Maryland

Crew: four: pilot, navigator/bombardier, radio operator, gunner

Length: 48 ft 6 in (14.8 m)

Wingspan: 61 ft 4 in (18.7 m)

Height: 14 ft 2 in (4.32 m)

Wing area: 538.5 ft² (50 m²)

Empty weight: 15,991 lb (7,253 kg)

Loaded weight: 23,185 lb (10,900 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × Wright GR-2600-A5B geared radial engines, 1,700 hp (1,268 kW) each

Maximum speed: 305 mph (295 kn, 488 km/h) at 11,600 ft (3,540 m)

Cruise speed: 224 mph (360 km/h)

Range: 980 miles (1,577 km)

Wing loading: 46.2 lb/ft² (226 kg/m²)

Power/mass: 0.14 hp/lb (220 W/kg)

Guns:

4 × wing mounted 0.303 in (7.7 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns

2–4 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in dorsal turret

2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in ventral position

and

provisions for up to 4 × fixed rear firing 0.303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns.

Bombs: 2,000 lb (910 kg) carried internally

“Baltimore crew talking after raid.” Depicts three unidentified Baltimore crew members talking after a raid, Italy. Painting by Alan Moore, 1944.

Martin (A-30) Baltimore I.

A Royal Air Force Martin Baltimore GR.IV/V bomber. Most aircraft were delivered to Commonwealth countries, a few were kept in the U.S. under the USAAF designation A-30.

Martin Baltimore.

Baltimore Mark I, AG688, at the Burtonwood Repair Depot, Lancashire, before despatch to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, for flight tests.

Baltimore Mark IV, FA463 ‘U’, of No. 223 Squadron RAF, on the ground at Celone, Italy, after completing 102 operational sorties with the Squadron over Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. ‘U’ for Uncle’s total flying time on its retirement from operations amounted to 313.50 hours.

The plane was recovered in the Bay of Treason , then in the municipality of Mamanguape, by its mayor at the time, José Fernandes de Lima, that the services rendered to the Brazilian Air Force, received the medal of merit Santos Dumont , from the hands of Minister Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , in 1942 .

Martin Baltimore.

A Martin Baltimore Mark IV taxis to its dispersal in a cloud of dust after landing at Accra, Gold Coast, while flying the South Atlantic ferry route from Nassau, Bahamas, to Cairo. Note the long-range fuel tank fitted under the fuselage of the aircraft.

A Flight Lieutenant bomb-aimer of No 223 Squadron, Royal Air Force checks over his bomb sight in Martin Baltimore aircraft `N-NAN.’ The open bomb-bay doors give a glimpse of general purpose 250-pounder bombs. April 1943.

A line of Martin Baltimore Mark IVs of No. 223 Squadron RAF Detachment at Luqa, Malta, being refueled and loaded with bombs for a raid on enemy positions around Catania, Sicily.

A USAAF ferry crew hand over a Martin Baltimore Mark V to Flight Lieutenant A N Buell of No. 45 (Atlantic Transport) Group at Windsor Field, Nassau, Bahamas. From Nassau, the Baltimore would be flown to the Mediterranean theatre of operations, via the South Atlantic ferry route. The aircraft is fitted with a long-range fuel tank under the fuselage.

Martin Baltimores of No. 232 Wing RAF of the Tactical Bomber Force, head return to their base at Celone, Italy, after bombing enemy gun positions near Lanciano in the Sangro river battle area. Baltimore Mark IV, FA591 ‘H’, of No. 223 Squadron RAF flies in the foreground.

A Martin Baltimore Mark IV of No. 223 Squadron RAF drops 500-lb GP bombs on a road junction between Avezzano and Popoli on the Rome-Pescara highway in Abruzzo, during attacks by medium bombers of the Desert Air Force on enemy supply and reinforcement routes following the Allied landings at Anzio, (Operation SHINGLE).

A Martin Baltimore Mark IV of No. 223 Squadron RAF flying over the Abruzzan Appenines after bombing a a road junction between Avezzano and Popoli on the Rome-Pescara highway, during attacks by medium bombers of the Desert Air Force on enemy supply and reinforcement routes following the Allied landings at Anzio, (Operation SHINGLE).

Martin Baltimore Mark IV, FA495 ‘N,’ of No. 223 Squadron RAF, flying over the Abruzzan Appenines after bombing a road junction between Avezzano and Popoli on the Rome-Pescara highway, during attacks by medium bombers of the Desert Air Force on enemy supply and reinforcement routes following the Allied landings at Anzio, (Operation SHINGLE).

Martin Baltimore Mark IVs of No. 223 Squadron RAF, based at Celone, Italy, flying over the mouth of the Biferno River, whilst en route up the Adriatic coast to attack the railway and sidings at Montesilvano Marina, north of Pescara.

Martin Baltimore Mark IVs of No. 223 Squadron RAF based at Celone, Italy, flying in loose box formation over Italian farmland while on their way to bomb the railway station and junction at Sulmona.

A Martin Baltimore Mark IV of No. 223 Squadron RAF, flying from Celone, Italy, releasing 500-lb MC bombs over the target during a raid on the railway station and junction at Sulmona.

A Martin Baltimore Mark IV of No. 223 Squadron RAF based at Celone, Italy, flying over San Severo while heading north-west to bomb the railway junction at Sulmona.

Two Martin Baltimore Mark IVs of No. 223 Squadron RAF based at Celone, Italy, in flight while en route to bomb a chemical factory in the Popoli area.

A Martin Baltimore Mark IV of No. 223 Squadron RAF sends up sprays of water while landing at rain-soaked Celone, Italy, along a runway laid with pierced steel planking (PSP).

A Royal Air Force Martin Baltimore Mark I (AG697) flying past RAF Kasfareet, Egypt, during an air test, following assembly at No. 107 Maintenance Unit. AG697 served with the Strategic Reconnaissance Unit in North Africa, and was then transferred to No. 69 Squadron RAF in Malta, with whom it was lost while conducting an air-sea rescue search on 25 August 1942.

A formation of Martin Baltimores of No. 232 Wing RAF flying to attack enemy positions during the Battle of El Alamein, seen through the lower gun hatch of another aircraft.

Wrecked bomber of type Martin Baltimore type IIIA of the British Royal Air Force on 12th December 1942 near Accra, Gold Coast.

Crash of a Martin Baltimore type IIIA bomber near Accra, Gold Coast.

Groundcrew of No. 223 Squadron RAF paint the 105th bomb symbol on the nose of Martin Baltimore Mark IV, ‘V’ for Vera, at Celone, Italy, to signify the number of successful operations carried out by the aircraft. ‘V’ for Vera’s fitter, Leading Aircraftman P Cowell of Kettering, Northamptonshire holds the paint can, while the rigger, LAC T Newton of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, wields the brush.

RAF air gunners attached to 13th Squadron, Royal Hellenic Air Force, stand in front of Martin Baltimore Mark V, FW852 ‘Y,’ at Pescara, Italy, where the Squadron operated as part of No. 254 Wing RAF, Balkan Air Force, in missions over northern Italy and Yugoslavia.

Trolleys loaded with 250-lb GP bombs are driven to the flight lines of No. 223 Squadron RAF Detachment at Luqa, Malta, where their Martin Baltimore Mark IVs are being prepared for a raid on enemy positions around Catania, Sicily.

Ground crews servicing, or stripping, a Martin Baltimore Mark IIIA, FA353 ‘X,’ of No. 69 Squadron RAF in a revetment built of limestone blocks at Luqa, Malta.

A Martin Baltimore of No. 69 Squadron RAF is serviced in a revetment built with limestone blocks at Luqa, Malta. In the background can be seen St Andrew’s parish church in Luqa village.

A Martin Baltimore of the Tactical Bomber Force of the North West African Air Forces, flies over its target by a road in Sicily, while bombing retreating German forces heading for Messina.

Operation PUGILIST. Martin Baltimore Mark IIIAs of No. 232 Wing RAF taxi to the take-off point at Ben Gardane North, Tunisia, to bomb the Mareth Line.

Operation PUGILIST. Martin Baltimore Mark IIIAs of No. 232 Wing RAF flying in loose formation off the coast of Tunisia, en route to bomb the Mareth Line.

A Martin Baltimore Mark IIIA of No. 55 Squadron RAF (right), takes off from Ben Gardane North, Tunisia, for an attack on Mareth village, as other aircraft of the Squadron taxi to the take off point

Martin Baltimores of No. 232 Wing RAF of the Tactical Bomber Force attacking a German division moving up through the mountains of Campania from southern Italy to counter-attack Allied troops landing at Salerno.

Martin Baltimores of No. 232 Wing RAF of the Tactical Bomber Force, head northwards along the Adriatic coast of Italy to bomb enemy gun positions near Lanciano in the Sangro River battle area.

Anti-aircraft gun bursts fill the sky above Two Martin Baltimores of No. 232 Wing RAF of the Tactical Bomber Force, as they head inland to bomb enemy gun positions near Lanciano in the Sangro River battle area.

Vertical aerial photograph showing smoke rising from the target area during an attack on a chemical factory at the foot of a mountain near Popoli, Pescara, Italy, by Martin Baltimores of No. 232 Wing RAF of the Tactical Bomber Force.

Vertical aerial photograph taken from a Martin Baltimore of the Desert Air Force during an attack by Baltimores and Curtiss Kittyhawks on the airfield at Rieti, north of Rome, showing bombs exploding on the hangars and landing areas.

Martin Baltimores of the Desert Air Force fly over the Adriatic coast after bombing bridges at Giulianova, Abruzzo, Italy.

Six Martin Baltimores of the Desert Air Force, flying in formation on their way to attack German gun positions in the Liri Valley. The River Liri can be seen at left.

Engine mechanics at work on a Martin Baltimore Mark II, AG747, at a desert airfield.

Armorers fitting tail fins to 250-lb GP bombs prior to loading them on board a Martin Baltimore of No. 232 Wing RAF at LG 86, Egypt, during Operation LIGHTFOOT, the first phase of the Alamein offensive.

Wrecked Martin Baltimore of the Royal Air Force on the Takoradi airport on 21st December 1942.

The crew of a Martin Baltimore of No. 69 Squadron RAF, disembark from their aircraft at Luqa, Malta, following a reconnaissance sortie.

Western Desert, Cyrenaica, Libya. 28 October 1942. A pilot climbs into the cockpit of a Glenn Martin Baltimore bomber aircraft via the door underneath the nose while ground crew are still working on the aircraft. In a few minutes he will be airborne and on his way to pound the enemy in the series of ‘shuttle service’ raids which have been maintained ceaselessly for days.

While a formation flies overhead, other Martin Baltimores of No 223 Squadron stir up the dust on a Tunisian airfield (probably Ben Gardane).

Martin Baltimore.

Martin Baltimore serving with 13 Light Bomber Squadron, RHAF (Royal Hellenic Air Force).

Martin A-30 in USAAF colors prior to delivery.

A Royal Air Force Martin Baltimore GR.I. Photograph taken 14 June 1941. Most aircraft were delivered to Commonwealth countries, a few being kept in the U.S. under the USAAF designation A-30.

The Baltimore GR.IIIA variant supplied to the British under the Lend-Lease program. This variant was equipped with a dorsally mounted turret housing twin .50-caliber M2 machine guns.

Seven U.S. Army Air Force North American B-25C Mitchell bombers of the 82nd Bomb Squadron, 12th Bomb Group, and seven Martin Baltimore bombers of No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force, during a sortie against German forces in North Africa in 1943. The B-25C in the foreground, s/n 41-12863, was written off on 19 April 1943. A single escorting Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter is visible in the left background.

Falconara, Italy. 1944. Aircrews who have returned from operational flights being debriefed by the Intelligence Officer on No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF.

Falconara, Italy. November 1944. After completing a close support bombing mission for the British Eighth Army north of Rimini, 402346 Squadron Leader George Gray of Sydney, NSW (right), observer, is debriefed by Flying Officer Bradshaw RAF (left), the squadron Intelligence Officer in the operations tent of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF. These medium level strikes by “boxes” of six Baltimores went on all day from the Falconara airfield on three days in August 1944. A daily total of thirty six sorties were completed by No. 454 Squadron’s light bombers on each day.

Falconara, Italy. 1944. Flying Officer Jack Ennis of Sydney, NSW (third from left), and his crew remember a funny incident in their trip on which they took part in an air strike on a twelve-boat convoy near Crete. They fly with No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF.

Falconara, Italy. 1944. Flying Officer Jack Ennis of Sydney, NSW, and his crew find the spot on the map (wall chart) where a German convoy had an unlucky day. They fly with No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF.

Gambut, Cyrenaica, Libya c. November 1943. Members of No. 454 Squadron RAAF, after flying for several hours over the sea while on an anti-submarine patrol, found plenty of water still about them when they returned to their flooded airfield in the desert. Left to right, beside their Martin Baltimore aircraft are: Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) V. C. Mitchell of Kyogle, NSW; Flying Officer J. C. Clough of Wagga, NSW; Flt Sgt H. Worboys of Gunbowen, Vic; Flt Sgt L. Holley of Revesby, NSW.

Gambut, Cyrenaica, Libya. c. August 1943. After several hours flying over the Aegean Sea on anti-submarine patrol, these members of No. 454 Squadron RAAF based in the Western Desert walk away from their Martin Baltimore aircraft towards the operations room to report to the Intelligence Officer.

Gambut, Cyrenaica, Libya. c. 30 November 1943. Members of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF playing a card game of poker in the Sergeant’s mess on their desert airfield while relaxing between anti-submarine patrols.

Falconara, Italy. 1944. RAAF personnel in the officer’s mess of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF, waiting for the dinner gong to summon them to a meal.

Western Desert, c. 1944. Crew of a Martin Baltimore bomber, members of No. 459 Squadron RAAF, standing beside the aircraft. L to R: Ross Smith; Reg W. Calvert (Pilot): Roy Mahoney; Ken Wiblin (Navigator).

The crew of a Martin Baltimore Mark IV of No. 223 Squadron RAF walk from their aircraft (FA394) at Celone, Italy, after successfully completing a bombing sortie to enemy targets in the Popoli area. They are, (left to right): Sergeant S A Jupp (pilot), of Gravesend, Kent; Flight Sergeant W G Gidley (navigator), of Callington, Cornwall; Sergeant W A Airth (air gunner), of Hamilton, Lanarkshire; Warrant Officer J W Simpson (wireless operator), of Sydney, Australia.

Operation PUGILIST. The Intelligence Officer of a Martin Baltimore Squadron of No. 232 Wing RAF gives a last-minute change of course to aircrews preparing to take off from Ben Gardane North, Tunisia, to bomb the Mareth Line.

Wing Commander P le Cheminant (later Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter le Cheminant), Commmanding Officer of No. 223 Squadron RAF, briefs aircrews for the final bombing raid of the North African campaign in front of a Martin Baltimore Mark IIIA at La Fauconnerie South, Tunisia; (scene reconstructed after the event). On 12 May 1943, eighteen Baltimores of Nos. 55 and 223 Squadrons RAF, led by le Cheminant, bombed remnants of the German 90th Light Division which had refused to surrender its defended positions near Bou Ficha.

Western Desert, c. 1944. Members of 459 Squadron RAAF with one of the Squadron’s Martin Baltimore aircraft.

An example of nose art on the side of a Baltimore bomber, “Gentleman George,” of No. 459 Squadron RAAF.

A Martin Baltimore aircraft of No. 454 Squadron RAAF, flying over the Italian countryside on its way to a target area, in 1944.

Baltimore Mk. II, No. 55 Squadron RAF, Western Desert.

Baltimore Mk. III, Boscombe Down.

Baltimore Mk. IV, FA599, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Baltimore, No. 454 Squadron RAAF.

Same Baltimore as in previous photo, No. 454 Squadron RAAF.

Baltimore, No. 454 Squadron RAAF.

Baltimores, No. 454 Squadron, RAAF.

Baltimores, January 16, 1943.

Baltimore FW793, “Glamorous Greta,” No. 454 Squadron RAAF. Last flight was on April 13, 1945.

Baltimore “Glamorous Greta.”

Cesenatico, Italy. c. November 1944. Martin Baltimore aircraft of No. 454 Squadron RAAF lined up for takeoff prior to a raid.

Cesenatico, Italy. c. November 1944. Martin Baltimore aircraft of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF lined up for take off prior to a raid.

Western Desert. c. 1942. The nose of a Glenn Martin Baltimore aircraft that belongs to No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF operating from the Western Desert.

Benghazi, Cyrenaica, Libya. c. 1943. A Martin Baltimore aircraft of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF, a General Reconnaissance Squadron, warms up before taking off on a reconnaissance mission over the Aegean Sea.

Benghazi, Cyrenaica, Libya. c. 1943. Despite adverse weather, air cover for our Mediterranean convoys must continue. this Martin Baltimore aircraft of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF, a General Reconnaissance Squadron, is about to take off from a flooded runway.

Italy. 1944-05-27. RAF Baltimore aircraft flying in formation on the way to attack heavy gun positions north west of Cassino.

Italy. c. 1944. Informal portrait of 407165 Lieutenant Vic Cashmore of SA, flight commander of a Baltimore squadron in Italy, just after completing a close support operation on the Eighth Army front. Note the Martin Baltimore aircraft behind him.

Italy. c. 1944. Aircrew personnel of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF in Italy, climbing aboard the operations gharry prior to a raid on enemy positions in Northern Italy. Note the Martin Baltimore aircraft in the background.

Benghazi, Cyrenaica, Libya. c. 1943. Leading Aircraftman Jack Raffen, photographer with No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF, a General Reconnaissance Squadron, waits for a shot of one of the squadron’s Martin Baltimore aircraft as it comes in to land after an operation over the Aegean Sea.

Salerno, Italy. 23 September 1943. An RAF Glen Martin Baltimore bomber aircraft flies over the bursts of bombs dropped by other aircraft during a raid on German positions in the Salerno area. The valley is filled with smoke from the bombs dropped by the Baltimores.

Berca, Cyrenaica. November 1944. Informal portrait of 217 Wing Commander A. D. Henderson of Bathurst, NSW, in front of his Martin Baltimore aircraft. Former commanding officer (CO) of No. 459 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF situated in the Western Desert, he is now CO of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF in Italy.

Cesenatico, Italy. c. 1944. 400679 Flight Lieutenant Alec Noel Cresswell of Ballarat, Vic, pilot of a RAF Baltimore squadron operating in the same wing as No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF in Italy. The squadron, after a term on general reconnaissance work converted to close support daylight of Eighth Army targets, and then converted to night intrusion, taking a notable pat in the Spring offensive against the Axis forces before the PO.

Berca. Curemaoca. November 1944. Informal portrait of 217 Wing Commander A. D. Henderson of Bathurst, NSW, in the cockpit of his Martin Baltimore aircraft. Former commanding officer (CO) of No. 459 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF situated in the Western Desert, he is now CO of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF in Italy.

Western Desert. c. 1942. Flight mechanics of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF in the Western Desert working on a squadron aircraft.

Western Desert. c. 1942. Flight mechanics of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF, in the Western Desert working on one of the squadron’s aircraft.

Western Desert. c. 1942. A group portrait of the Maintenance Section of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF in the Western Desert.

Western Desert. c. 1942. A maintenance fitter of No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron RAAF works on an aircraft.

A Martin Baltimore attacks the retreating German columns after the second battle of El Alamein.

Baltimore Mk. I with Boulton Paul turret.

Baltimore of No. 69 Squadron destroyed while on the ground at Luqa, Malta, in 1942.

Baltimore, North Africa.

Baltimore I AG697 with single hand-operated gun in the mid-upper position. Note the all-plastic nose molding.

A formation of Baltimores over typical operational terrain the desert, where they played a prominent role with the Desert Air Force.

Baltimore II, probably AG743, at Fayid, Egypt on April 15, 1943. Note the twin Vickers guns in the mid-upper position. Power-operated turrets were introduced with the Baltimore III.

Baltimore II, probably AG743, at Fayid, Egypt on April 15, 1943.

Baltimore IIIA FA195, showing the Boulton Paul dorsal turret housing two 0 303 guns. The maximum speed of the Baltimore III was 300 m.p.h. at 11,000 ft, and it had a range of 950 miles.

Baltimore IIIA FA195 taking off from Gerbini 3, Sicily, on September 5, 1943.

Baltimore IV FA475 “D” of 232 Wing, RAF, at Gerbini 3, on September 5, 1943.

Plan view of a Baltimore emphasizes the two main features which distinguished it from the Maryland, namely its pointed nose and the engine nacelles extending aft of the wing trailing edge.

Baltimore FA630.

A Martin Baltimore II taking off from a desert airfield, leaving a wake of sand behind it.

A Martin Baltimore II, identifiable by the twin machine guns in a manual mounting at the rear of the aircraft.

A Martin Baltimore flying over Tunisia in the spring of 1943. The aircraft could be any of the later versions of the Baltimore from the IIIA to the V, all of which carried the same twin gun turret and were very similar externally. Note the damage to the rudder, suffered during an attack on a German airfield.