USAAF 41-31679 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder

USAAF serial number S/N: 41-31679 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder

1941031679, 41-31679 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder Fate: Mid-air collision Unit: 387BG556BS Remarks: 387BG556BS (Chipping Ongar) - Tiger Tails Code:FW-K named: Itsy Bitsy Midair collision in the clouds with Double Trouble during formation assembly. The pilot of Itsy Bitsy that day was 2nd Lt. Sam Ayers, who was able to safely crash-land his stricken aircraft. The Aircraft was salvaged and went on to complete 58 missions, Disposal:

Further web reference: http://387bg.com/Aircraft/B-26%20Itsy%20Bitsy.htm

Itsy Bitsy
Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder
Sn: 41-31679
Squadron Code: FW-K

First Sortie	Last Sortie	Total
24 Aug 43	8 Aug 44	58

Crew Chief: T/Sgt. James E. Stalnaker
Asst. Crew Chief: Sgt. Seymour Cohen

Itsy Bitsy was one of the original cadre of B-26s that formed the 556th Bomb. Squadron. Navigator Art Newett reports that he suggested the named: Pilot Jess Watson's wife was nicknamed "Bitsy". The crew to which the aircraft was originally assigned and that flew the aircraft from the United States to England was:

Pilot CP B/N EG ROG AG C.C.

1st Lt. 2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. S/Sgt. T/Sgt. S/Sgt. T/Sgt.

Jess A. Watson Thomas W. Deering Arthur W. Newett, Jr. Curtiss L. Christley Andrew Smerek Carl O. Kihlstrom James E. Stalnaker

Itsy Bitsy made a total of  58 sorties. On August 8, 1944 the aircraft was scheduled to participate in a mission against the Soesterberg Airfield. During formation assembly, Itsy Bitsy and Double Trouble collided in the clouds. 2nd Lt. Sam Ayers, piloting Itsy Bitsy, was able to safely crash-land his stricken plane. 1st. Lt. Edward Sargant's crew was not as fortunate; all were killed in action when Double Trouble plunged to earth and crashed. Itsy Bitsy was salvaged for parts.