USAAF 41-31793 Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder

USAAF serial number S/N: 41-31793 Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder

1941031793, 41-31793 Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder Fate: Shot Down Unit: 387BG556BS Remarks: 387BG556BS (Chipping Ongar) - Tiger Tails Code:FW-B named: Gravel Gertie This aircraft originally belonged to the 386BG. Shot down by a ME-262 jet fighter during the bomb run at the Donau Oil Storage Depot on 18 April 1945. No parachutes were sighted. Completed 11 missions. shot down by Me 262 Apr 18, 1945. MACR-14456, Disposal: 18-Apr-45

Web reference: http://387bg.com/Aircraft/B-26%20Gravel%20Gertie.htm

Gravel Gertie
Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder
Sn: 41-31793
Squadron Code: FW-B

First Sortie	Last Sortie	Total
30 Mar 45	18 Apr 45	11

Crew Chief: T/Sgt. Stephen Haberski
Asst. Crew Chief: Cpl. Ralph B. Robinson *

Gravel Gertie was originally assigned to the 386th Bombardment Group and was transferred to the 387th when the 386th converted to the newer and faster Douglas A-26 Invader.

On April 18, 1945 the group made two attacks on the Donau oil storage depot.Gravel Gertie, piloted by 2nd Lt. Edward L. Walker, was assigned to the first of these, a morning mission. During the bomb run the formation was attacked by the revolutionary new German jet fighter, the ME-262. Gravel Gertie was shot down, and no parachutes were reported seen before it crashed. The crew was:

KIA KIA KIA KIA KIA KIA

Pilot CP B/N EG ROG AG

2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. Sgt. Sgt. T/Sgt.

Edward L.Walker L. Opalka G. L. Swift John J. Scalzo Gerald G. Kalas Frank M. Papile

Lt. Walker and his crew were the last KIA listed for the 387th Bombardment Group, which completed its last hostile mission the following day (all subsequently scheduled missions were either cancelled or recalled). The ME-262 also damaged Nobby, a 559th squadron Marauder (A/C No. 42-107590/TQ-S), which crash-landed on its return to base.