USAAF 44-67886 Martin B-26G-15-MA Marauder

USAAF serial number S/N: 44-67886 Martin B-26G-15-MA Marauder

1944067886, 44-67886 Martin B-26G-15-MA Marauder Fate: MIA Unit: 387BG556BS Remarks: 387BG556BS (Chipping Ongar) - Tiger Tails Code:FW-H MIA Apr 12, 1945. MACR-14372 Disposal: 12-Apr-45

(unnamed)
Martin B-26G-15-MA Marauder
Sn: 44-67886
Squadron Code: FW-H

First Sortie	Last Sortie	Total
14 Jan 44	12 Apr 45	34

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

This aircraft was lost on April 12, 1945, in a mission against an ordance depot at Kempten, Germany. Kempten's location near the German-Austrian border made the mission one of the longest of the war. As the Group neared the target, a barrier of commulonimbus clouds blocked the route. Efforts to fly above the immense build-up of clouds proved impossible and the mission was aborted. As the cloud coverage closed in around the returning formation, maintaining flight positions soon became impossible as the aircraft darted in and out of the clouds. Many individual planes found themselves alone, blind, and in a sky filled with B-26s; left to find their own way back. Fortunately, on the return heading, better weather conditions prevailed and most of the Groups planes were able to reform for their return to A-71. The B-26G #86/FW-H, flying deputy lead position in II-Box, Low flight, disappeared. The crew was listed as missing in action.

KIA KIA KIA KIA KIA KIA

Pilot Copilot B/N ROG EG AG

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

RodmanW. Bates Fred F. Bangert G. E. Warner Leland S. Wiggs Arthur Homer, Jr. M. L. Marr

O1285695 O-779049 O1296600 38366654 31211102 35564000

Lorraine Cemetery, C-19-93 Lorraine Cemetery, C-8-92 Lorraine Cemetery, E-30-29

The aircraft apparently went down with crew on board, and was apparently later found. Three of the crewmembers are buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery at St. Avold, France, where they are listed as having been killed in action on April 12, 1945. I suspect that the bodies of all six crewmembers were found and that the families of the other three requested their bodies be returned to the United States.

Web reference: http://387bg.com/Aircraft/B-26%2044-67886.htm