USAAF B-26 Marauder 12AF 320BG444BS 85 after bombing Heidelberg Germany 23rd Mar 1945 NA1323

Photo description: Martin B-26 Marauders of the 1st Tac. AF striking a blow at the Heidelberg marshalling yards in Germany, on 23 March 1945. The bombs are bursting dead on the target--cutting all through tracks to the Mannheim area; destroying workshops; sidings; and rolling stock. The line could have been used by the Nazis either for rushing reinforcements or for retreating. (U.S. Air Force Number 56881AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204903107 Local ID: 342-FH-3A21596-56881AC

 USAAF 1TAF B-26 Marauder after bombing ammunition storage area Haslach Germany Feb 1945 NA1399

Photo description: Martin B-26 "Marauders" of First U.S. TAF chalk up bull's-eyes on their target, rail yards at Haslach, Germany during the campaign to disrupt Germany's battered transportation system. Feb. 1945. (U.S. Air Force Number 56981AC) The First Tactical Air Force was an ad-hoc multinational force established in November 1944 in south east France to provide air support to the Franco-American Sixth Army Group. It operated until May 1945. The force was made up of bomber and fighter units from the American Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces, and French First French Air Corps and Western French Air Forces.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204903155 Local ID: 342-FH-3A21644-56981AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder taking off from its North African base NA774

Photo description: Martin B-26 Marauder taking off from its North African base on way to a bombing mission.(U.S. Air Force Number 26850AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204945057 Local ID: 342-FH-3A28573-26850AC

 USAAF 1TAF B-26 Marauder bomb barracks and supply area at Lahr Germany 1945 NA1647

Photo description: Leaving a smoke-covered enemy barracks and supply area at Lahr, Germany, 18 miles southeast of Strasburg, an American Martin B-26 Marauder of the Franco-American 1st Tac. A.F. breaks away from the target to head for home. As a result of this attack by strong forces of the medium bombers the German installation virtually destroyed. (U.S. Air Force Number A56890AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204903312 Local ID: 342-FH-3A21785-A56890AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder 12AF 319BG437BS GI Kid with 1Lt Paul Mathews n TSGT Milo Rethmeier crew chief Sardinia 1944 NA

Photo description: 1st Lt. Paul Mathews (left) talks with T/Sgt. Milo Rethmeier, crew chief of this Martin B-26 Marauder "G.I.KID," based on Sardinia. Lt. Mathews is a flight leader of a medium bomber group of the 12th Air Force. 1944. 1LT Paul Mathews, pilot, 437th Bomb Sq, 319th BG. Later promoted to the rank of Captain, Mathews flew a total of 60 combat missions from North Africa and Sardinia. (U.S. Air Force Number 68225AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204903312 Local ID: 342-FH-3A21785-A56890AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder 12AF 319BG 22 after bombing the Ostiglia Bridge over the Po River Italy 1944 NA1151

Photo description: This Is The Attack - A Lone Martin B-26 Marauder Breaks Away From The Ostiglia Bridge Target As Smoke Rises From A String Of Bombs Walking Across The Enemy's last link over the Po River between Germany and the front lines in Northern Italy. The Germans had set up 70 Flak guns to proteet this new vital link in the Nazi suppoly line. In the first formation of bombers over the target, 74 were damaged by flak, but they all returned safely to their base.(U.S. Air Force Number 90235AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204913002 Local ID: 342-FH-3A24743-90235AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder 12AF 320BG take-off from an airfield in Berteaux Algeria 7th Mar 1943 NA780

Photo description: Four Martin B-26s of the 320th Bomb Group take-off on a mission over enemy territory from an airfield in Berteaux, North Africa. 7 March 1943. (U.S. Air Force Number 78950AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204945066 Local ID: 342-FH-3A28576-78950AC

 USAAF 43-34xxx B-26G Marauder 9AF 394BG586BS H9E during an attack on a German railroad yard 1944 NA1351

Photo description: Bombing with the aid of instruments, a 9th AF Martin B-26 Marauder bombardier releases eight 500 pound bombs through heavy cloud.- cover during an attack on a German railroad yard. Marauders, Havocs and Invaders of the 9th Bombardment Division, often searching out their objectives with pathfinder technique, have systematically attacked the enemy transportation net to deny German Armies the use of road and rail lines for supply and reinforcement movements.(U.S. Air Force Number 58222AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204901793 Local ID: 342-FH-3A20638-58222AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder 9AF 386BG leaves its target in Ostend France 12th Jun 1944 NA092

Photo description: Bombs, Dropped By Martin B-26 "Marauders" Of The 386Th Bomb Group, Explode On An Enemy Installation Somewhere In France As B-26 Leaves The Target Area On 12 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number 70170AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204895394 Local ID: 342-FH-3A18352-70170AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder 9AF over the target area in Weisweiler Germany 1944 NA1222

Photo description: Fire and smoke erupt from the town of Weisweiler, Germany, converted into a fort by the enemy, after a recent bombing attack by 9th Air Force Martin B-26 Marauders. The Germans established strong points in the town to hamper the advance of the U.S. First and Ninth Armies. A Marauder i8 shown leaving the area after the attack.(U.S. Air Force Number 55100AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204905876 Local ID: 342-FH-3A22615-55100AC

 43-34558 B-26G Marauder 12AF 319BG437BS with crew chief Sgt Leo E Walker MTO NA303

Photo description: Sgt. Leo E. Walker, Fitchburg, Mass., gets in his licks on one of his AAF Martin B-26 Marauders 2,000-horsepower engines during a lull in operations at a 12th AAF bomber base. Having flown 455 hours, crew chief Walker's "bee-two-six" is one of the veterans’of the Big-tail Birds oldest group in the Mediterranean Theatre.(U.S. Air Force Number 27231AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204946261 Local ID: 342-FH-3A28996-27231AC

 USAAF 1TAF B-26 Marauder over the Siegfried line northeast of Wissembourg Germany 1945 NA1237

Photo description: First Tactical Air Force Martin B-26 Marauders of the oldest medium bombardment group in the AAF wing over the Siegfried line northeast of Wissembourg while below them smoke rises from artillery shells fired by the army to mark the enemy defenses.(U.S. Air Force Number 55669AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204900249 Local ID: 342-FH-3A20576-55669AC

 USAAF B 26 Marauder 9AF 386BG leaves its target in Pas de Calais area France May 1944 NA1193

Photo description: SOFTENING UP THE COAST. Marauders of the U.S. Army 9th and 15th Air Forces during recent attacks on Nazi-held coastal points in France. These B-26 Marauder bombers crossing the French coastline in the early morning light to strike at another Nazi installation in what may be the Pas de Calais area. Note cliffs at the shore line.(U.S. Air Force Number 50871AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID 204894207 Local ID: 342-FH-3A18209-50871AC

 USAAF B-26 Marauder 9AF 386BG554BS RU showing flak damaged it received over Europe 22nd Aug 1943 NA1328

Photo description: During A Mission Over Enemy-Occupied Territory On 22 August 1943, Jagged Pieces Of Flak Penetrated The Fuselage Of A Martin B-26 "Marauder" Of The 386Th Bomb Group Based At Great Dunmow, Essex, England. (U.S. Air Force Number 70027AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204842656 Local ID: 342-FH-3A05678-70027AC

  ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): VIII Air Support Command Missions 76, 77 and 78:

1. 36 B-26's are dispatched to the Lille/Vendeveille Airfield in France but weather prevents their hitting the target.
2. 131 of 144 B-26's dispatched to Amsterdam/Schiphol (71 aircraft), Woensdrecht (34 aircraft) and Haamstede (26 aircraft) Airfields in the Netherlands hit their targets at 1120-1136 hours; 47 B-26's are damaged.
3. 72 B-26's are dispatched to Beauvais/Tille Airfield, France; 63 hit the target at 1724-1727 hours; 1 B-26 is lost and 27 damaged. Total casualties for all missions are 5 WIA.
The 153Liaison Squadron, 67OG, transfers from Keevil to Membury, England with A-20's and L-4's.
The 328th, 329th, 330th and 409BS(H), 93BG(H), cease operating from Oudna, Tunisia and return to their base at Hardwick, England with B-24's.
The 564th, 565th, 566th and 567BS(H), 389BG(H), cease operating from Massicault, Tunisia and return to their base at Hethel, England with B-24's.

 USAAF B-26 Marauders 8AF bomb Schipol Airport Amsterdam Holland 3rd Oct 1943 A50166c

Photo description: Marauder bombers (B-26) of the U.S. Army 9th Air Force head for home as their bombs explode on the Nazi-held Schipol Airdrome at Amsterdam, Holland. Although it is one of the largest airfield in Europe, and heavily defended by the Germans 9th Air Force bombers have made many successful attacks against it. (U.S. Air Force Number 50166AC) photo used in Impact Feb 1944 addition hence photo is taken from the 3rd Oct 1943 mission.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204916958 Local ID: 342-FH-3A26249-50166AC and IWM

319th Bombardment Group History

Constituted as 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 June 1942 and activated on 26 June. Trained with B-26's then moved via England to the Mediterranean theater, August-November 1942, with part of the group landing at Arzeu beach during the invasion of North Africa on 8 November. Operated with Twelfth AF until Jan 1945, except for a brief assignment to Fifteenth, November 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat in November 1942, attacking airdromes, harbors, rail facilities, and other targets in Tunisia until February 1943. Also struck enemy shipping to prevent supplies and reinforcements from reaching the enemy in North Africa.

After a period of reorganization and training, Feb-Jun 1943, the group resumed combat and participated in the reduction of Pantelleria and the campaign for Sicily. Directed most of its attacks against targets in Italy after the fall of Sicily in Aug 1943.

The 319th attacked bridges, airdromes, marshalling yards, viaducts, gun sites, defense positions, and other objectives. They supported forces at Salerno in Sep 1943 and at Anzio and Cassino during Jan-Mar 1944. Carried out interdictory operations in central Italy to aid the advance to Rome, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation ("DUC") for a mission on 3 March 1944 when the group, carefully avoiding religious and cultural monuments, bombed rail facilities in the capital. Received another DUC for striking marshalling yards in Florence on 11 Mar 1944 to disrupt rail communications between that city and Rome.

They received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of the Allied offensive in Italy, Apr-Jun 1944. From July to December 1944, bombed bridges in the Po Valley, supported the invasion of Southern France, hit targets in northern Italy, and flew some missions to Yugoslavia, converting in the meantime, in November, to B-25 aircraft.

Returned to the U.S. in Jan 1945. Redesignated 319th Bombardment Group (Light) in February. Trained with A-26 aircraft. Moved to Okinawa, April-Jul 1945, and assigned to Seventh AF. Flew missions to Japan and China, attacking airdromes, shipping, marshalling yards, industrial centers, and other objectives. Returned to the U.S., November-December 1945 and inactivated on 18 Dec. 1945.

The B-26 Marauder

National origin:- United States

Role:- Medium bomber

Manufacturer:- Glenn L. Martin Company

Designer:- produced by a team led by Peyton M. Magruder

First flight:- 25th November 1940

Introduction:- 1941; Retired:- Status Retired

Primary users:- United States Army Air Forces, Free French Air Force, Royal Air Force, South African Air Force

Produced:- between 1941–1945

Number built:- 5,288[1]

Unit cost:- $102,659.33/B-26A[2]

Development:- into XB-33 Super Marauder (Unbuilt)

Specifications Martin B-26 Marauder

Data from Quest for Performance[60] and Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II[61]

General characteristics

Crew: 7: (2 pilots, bombardier/radio operator, navigator/radio operator, 3 gunners)

Length: 58 ft 3 in (17.8 m)

Wingspan: 71 ft 0 in (21.65 m)

Height: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)

Wing area: 658 ft2 (61.1 m2)

Airfoil: NACA 2213 (root) NACA 2209.4 (tip)

Empty weight: 24,000 lb (11,000 kg)

Loaded weight: 37,000 lb (17,000 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 radial engines, 2,000–2,200 hp (1,491 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 287 mph (250 knots, 460 km/h) at 5,000 feet (1,500 m)

Cruise speed: 216 mph (188 knots, 358 km/h)

Landing speed: 114 mph (90 knots, 167 km/h))

Combat radius: 1,150 mi (999 nmi, 1,850 km)

Ferry range: 2,850 mi (2,480 nmi, 4,590 km)

Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)

Wing loading: 46.4 lb/ft² (228 kg/m²)

Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (170 W/kg)

Armament Guns:

Guns: 12 × .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns

Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)

Specification of Martin B-26B Marauder (B-10 to B-55):

Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 eighteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engines with two-speed superchargers, each rated at 1920 hp for takeoff and 1490 hp at 14,300 feet. Driving Curtiss 13 foot 6 inch four-bladed propellers. Performance (at 37,000 pounds weight): Maximum speed 270 mph at sea level, 282 mph at 15,000 feet. Initial climb rate 1200 feet per minute. Service ceiling 21,700 feet. Range 1150 miles at 214 mph with 3000 lbs of bombs and 962 gallons of fuel. Ferry range 2000 miles at 195 mph with 1462 gallons or (early blocks only) 2850 miles with 1962 gallons. Take off distance to 50 feet, 3500 feet. Landing distance from 50 feet, 2900 feet. Weights: 24,000 pounds empty, 37,000 pounds combat. Fuel: The main fuel tanks are carried in the wings. Three main self-sealing tanks are installed in the wing inboard of the nacelles. Two auxiliary tanks are installed in the wings outboard of the nacelles. Long-range ferry tanks can be carried in the bomb bay. Dimensions: Wingspan 71 feet 0 inches, length 58 feet 3 inches, height 21 feet 6 inches, wing area 658 square feet. Armament: Eleven 0.50-inch Colt-Browning machine guns. One in flexible nose position, four in blister packs on sides of fuselage, two in dorsal turret, two in tail turret, two in waist positions (one on each side of the fuselage aft of the turret). The internal bomb bay had maximum accommodation for two 2000-pound bombs or four 2000-pound bombs, the latter being carried in pairs one above each other on each side of the central catwalk.

The B-26 was initially deployed on combat missions in the South West Pacific in the spring of 1942, but most of the B-26s subsequently assigned to operational theaters were sent to England and the Mediterranean area.

By the end of World War II, it had flown more than 110,000 sorties, dropped 150,000 tons (136,078 tonnes) of bombs and had been used in combat by British, Free French and South African forces in addition to US units. In 1945, when B-26 production was halted, 5,266 had been built

Photo Data has been collected from many books and websites over the years. There are some fantastic WWII veteran websites out there and I have combined the information and matched the photos with the USAAF serial numbers. Because many aircraft served with several different Groups and Squadrons, during their service life.

Hence individual aircraft are often mentioned in several websites with different names and squadron and group codes. It’s often very hard to determine the order in which each aircraft served with which group and when. So what I have done, when an aircraft which severed with more than one group I used ‘+’ sign to indicate the additional units it served in. I have given preference to the last known Group to operate the aircraft or the Group which provided the most information about the particular aircraft.

With photos I have tried to identify as many planes as possible by their unique USAAF serial number then by Bombardment Group and Bombardment Squadron hence the BG & BS coding. Out of 5,266 aircraft produced I can only claim to have identified 155 aircraft by serial numbers so far. I you have any additional photo's or information of any of the aircraft featured here please email me a copy so I can make the photo and record list more complete. I am trying to create a photographic and historic database of US aircraft used during WWII. With combining the history of the various ‘veterans websites’ I hoped to get a better understanding of the unique history of each aircraft.

In doing this I hope I haven’t offended anyone. Since the USAAF records where destroyed we all need to try and combine all the information available so we can have a more accurate historical view point of each aircraft and the men who flew them. There courage and sacrifice made our world a better place and as the years roll on the historical accuracy and lack of records makes keeping track of the data harder and harder.

USAAF Military History Section

USAAF Chronology and War Diaries 1941-1942 1943 1944 1945

United States Army Air Force - USAAF units

USAAF Combat Units

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This webpage was updated 13th September 2023

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