My Uncle. 1st Lt. Louis W. Makk flew this craft with the 7th Army Air Corp, 336 Bomb Group. I can safely say he put three coats of wax on Hitler's rear end, not bad for a Chicago boy. Great job Uncle Lou. Giver the gun Unc. Your loving nephew.
My heroic uncle was on board a B-26 in WWII...he flew 66 missions before rotating back to the states...he was stationed in England...told me that the flak was so thick that one could get out of the plane and walk on it....66 missions and no mishaps ...except they crashed on take off (tree top high) and landed in a farmers field which was freshly plowed....dust put out all fires...only casualty was the tail gunner who suffered a broken thumb.....what a ride!
My great uncle flew a B-26 over the Mediterranean in a mission to destroy an Italian supply ship that was heading to aid German troops in North Africa. They successfully bombed the ship but then the front of their plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire from and Italian ship and shrapnel went throughout his body including his eye. They went down but lived the crash and swam out. The cold water somehow helped his wounds and each of the 5 men swam to shore and the Arabs saved them- all got medals
@autro2 My grandfather flew the B-26 throughout WWII mainly in Europe. He has told me how hard it was to control the aircraft and how dangerous it got if it lost an engine. I think too few people know anything about the B-26, most people talk about the Liberator or Flying Fortress or Super FL. tell your great uncle thanks for fighting for his country
@walkup: My respect and honor goes to your father. Indeed, he was a member of the greatest generation. My father fought in the pacific islands and came back thank God without wounds. We baby boomers and all future generations have a debt of gratitute to this heroes.
I leave this post in honor of my father. He was a B-26 pilot, badly wounded on his 35th mission over Normandy 2 days after the invasion. He received the Purple Heart, and Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Clusters. They wanted to take his leg off for 2 years after the wound but he wouldn't let them. He was very brave, and reminded me more of John Wayne than any man I ever knew.
My husband, James R. Turner flew thirty-five missions in the B-26 Marauder and twenty-eight missions in the A-26 Invader as a member of the 386th Bomb Group/555th Bomb Squadron. He passed away at age 86 three years ago in his sleep. In 2005 he wrote a wonderful story complete with photographs and drawings called, "My Great Adventure". Thanks for this video. Fran Turner
Fran , my dad was also in the 386th . He ran the ground crew mobile teams for the squadron and went along on many missions to assess what the air crews were reporting . Dad passed away at age 94 last year .Where can I get Jame's book? I would love to read it . They probably knew each other well . Dad was there thru the entire A-26 transition and until VE Day
Fran , my dad was also in the 386th . He ran the ground crew mobile teams for the squadron and went along on many missions to assess what the air crews were reporting . Dad passed away at age 94 last year .Where can I get Jame's book? I would love to read it . They probably knew each other well . Dad was there thru the entire A-26 transition and until VE Day
@franturner1727 Mrs Turner, the country owes the greatest debt and highest honor to men like your Jim...and to you.
at this moment, he stands with heroes like Anthony Wayne, Washington, Lincoln, Robt E Lee, Audie Murphy and Hal Moore, in a special part of Heaven reserved for the very best of the best..
great footage...my uncle (still alive and well at 90 yrs) was with the RAF 193 Typhoon Sqd. and often flew escort for the bomber crews. Nice to see this acknowledged in the film!
@Javexer - Yes. The high speed required for landings and the high wing-loading on this plane (especially when loaded) resulted in a lot of crashes before they installed power control surfaces in the later models.
My Granddad was a bombardier in the 9th USAAC, 394th , 585th he flew the B26, I would also like to talk to people about this plane, and the groups... I have lots of info, and pix, even some flight logs...drop me a line at THESEAPIMP@AOL.COM Thanks...Troy
My Granddad was a bombardier in the 9th USAAC, 394th , 585th he flew the B26, I would also like to talk to people about this plane, and the groups... I have lots of info, and pix, even some flight logs...drop me a line at THESEAPIMP@AOL.COM Thanks...Troy
@thecoolerstinger yes the marauder was a nice aircraft but "the most used bomber off all time??" what about the lancaster, liberator, flying fortress, mosquito and mitchell??
Continued; My Dad is 77 now and would love to hear from anyone who has any information to give him about his brother, my uncle who died in 1951 from a brain tumor at the age of 29. He loved the B-26, he even spoke at Martin plant a few times about how well the planes were built. Any info from any family members of Men who flew in these great planes will be greatly appreciated
Continued; I would love to find someone who is still alive who flew in that group but I feel none are. He wrote home about singing "On a wing and a prayer" when returning from missions.
My uncle was an Eng Waist Gunner and Instructor in the B-26 Marauder Devils Playmate 442nd Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group. T Sgt Harry M Walden Flew 88+ missions over North Africa, Med, Italy, France and Germany. Never shot down, but heavily damaged many times. Records show at least DFC 2 OLC, Air Medal 11 OLC, 6 Bronze Stars.
Really great film. Truly enjoyed it, especially your addition of the song "on a wing and a prayer" edit.
74Lilly, you can find out if that was your dad's aircraft by locating the mission debrief and manifest from Air Force files. I'm not sure where to go, but doesnt seem like something out of the realm of possibilities.
Fascinating compilation, with much footage of the 323rd BG. The 'home airfield' referred to looks like a base under construction rather than one of the active B26 fields in Essex, UK.
I think the chances of any of that Marauder crew escaping once hit were very very slim. Centrifugal force would keep them pinned to wherever they were once that roll and spin started. And then there's the fire. Truly awful. Very brave very young men.
@MechelenManiac You are right once Doolottle I think taught them how to correctly roll in and flair during landing the accident rate went down lot. I saw one front section in the Smithsonian that had around 200 missions I think. They did great serve for Air Corps and USA!
@luridplanet "I understand that the Marauder was in use for decades, in Central American air forces, CIA too"
That would have been the 'Invader'. originally designated the A26 it was redesignated B26 after 1945. The mauraders were to worn out to continue after 1945. All but a very few were scrapped.
there was a B-24 gunner in the 8th air force who enlisted at 14 yearsold and was given an honorable discharge at 17 when it was discovered he was so young. he survived 15 missions and i bleive he was awarded an air medal.
@patriot91101rip" there was a B-24 gunner in the 8th air force who enlisted at 14 yearsold and was given an honorable discharge at 17 when it was discovered he was so young. he survived 15 missions and i bleive he was awarded an air medal."
I wonder if he had to register with his draft board after returning home? :)
el marauder era un tipico bombardero medio de la segunda guerra mundial, veloz fuerte y facil de fabricar. era capaz de enfrentar en pie de igualdad a aviones caza y fue una excelente plataforma de ataque al suelo
Thank you, view of Martin B-26 Marauder prototype initially, and then a 322nd BG mission. The Marauder seen first there is 450th BS "Pappy's Pram" ER-G. Later we see 344th BG mission, and last part "The Bulge" shows a 344th BG mission, the commentary says Pathfinder techniques against target Wittlich. This mission was February 1st 1945. The Marauder hit in left engine is probably also February 1945 missions, but the squadron code is not visible. 344th BG lost several aircraft that month.
Warbird...it may be a B-26 from the 323rd BG. My Dad's squadron was the 455th. I believe they were known as the "White Tail Marauders", with the white band across the tail.
My Dad was in the 9th Air Force ( Army Air Corps). He was a 19 year old B-26 pilot. He was in Belgium and flew 43 missions over Germany. He lost four planes during the war.
Looks to me like the left engine failed and the aircraft rolled into the dead engine, away from the camera ship. If the prop went into flat pitch on that engine, it would become a big airbrake in a hurry and would cause yaw into that side.
I don't understand why the B26 in this clip did a flick roll AWAY from the camera when the engine was hit by flak. If the prop governor failed and the prop went into flat pitch - or if the engine simply failed - then surely that would cause that wing to drop and the B26 to roll towards the camera, not away from it? Does anyone know the answer to this one?
The left engine was completely removed by the flak. The roll was caused by a combination of three factors - the prop thrust generated increased lift on the right wing, the right slip caused a roll due to the wind on the right side of the fin and once the roll started the wind got under the right wing and helped it. I think they could have got it under control before they bailed out but it must have been terrifying. Brave crews.
I believe that was my Dad's crew that lost their lives in the plane shot down in 8:28. He was the pilot and his crew was "on loan" to a new pilot when they were shot down. I have a picture of that crew with my Dad. I also have a still shot of that plane when it was going down. Those were brave men.
Thanks my dad also flew in them as a tail gunner in the liberation of Italy, an RAF seconded to South African AF, 33 squadron.....
0THEartThreAt9 2 weeks ago
Salute to all brave pilots and salute to all here who honor them in a respectful language.
Gasthauz 6 months ago
My Uncle. 1st Lt. Louis W. Makk flew this craft with the 7th Army Air Corp, 336 Bomb Group. I can safely say he put three coats of wax on Hitler's rear end, not bad for a Chicago boy. Great job Uncle Lou. Giver the gun Unc. Your loving nephew.
TheIronAirship 7 months ago 4
My heroic uncle was on board a B-26 in WWII...he flew 66 missions before rotating back to the states...he was stationed in England...told me that the flak was so thick that one could get out of the plane and walk on it....66 missions and no mishaps ...except they crashed on take off (tree top high) and landed in a farmers field which was freshly plowed....dust put out all fires...only casualty was the tail gunner who suffered a broken thumb.....what a ride!
jvsandrin1 9 months ago
My great uncle flew a B-26 over the Mediterranean in a mission to destroy an Italian supply ship that was heading to aid German troops in North Africa. They successfully bombed the ship but then the front of their plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire from and Italian ship and shrapnel went throughout his body including his eye. They went down but lived the crash and swam out. The cold water somehow helped his wounds and each of the 5 men swam to shore and the Arabs saved them- all got medals
autro2 10 months ago 3
@autro2 My grandfather flew the B-26 throughout WWII mainly in Europe. He has told me how hard it was to control the aircraft and how dangerous it got if it lost an engine. I think too few people know anything about the B-26, most people talk about the Liberator or Flying Fortress or Super FL. tell your great uncle thanks for fighting for his country
booksrule0240 9 months ago 2
@booksrule0240 he recently passed away and thank you for saying thanks
also, he used skip bombing in the b-26 which is very difficult to use with timing and accuracy
also tell your grandfather thanks for fighting for his country
autro2 9 months ago
@walkup: My respect and honor goes to your father. Indeed, he was a member of the greatest generation. My father fought in the pacific islands and came back thank God without wounds. We baby boomers and all future generations have a debt of gratitute to this heroes.
billace90 1 year ago
My dad's friend Andy flew on over 44 missions in one of these over France he was the gunner in the back of it
battlestations1941 1 year ago
I leave this post in honor of my father. He was a B-26 pilot, badly wounded on his 35th mission over Normandy 2 days after the invasion. He received the Purple Heart, and Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Clusters. They wanted to take his leg off for 2 years after the wound but he wouldn't let them. He was very brave, and reminded me more of John Wayne than any man I ever knew.
wwalkup 1 year ago 2
My husband, James R. Turner flew thirty-five missions in the B-26 Marauder and twenty-eight missions in the A-26 Invader as a member of the 386th Bomb Group/555th Bomb Squadron. He passed away at age 86 three years ago in his sleep. In 2005 he wrote a wonderful story complete with photographs and drawings called, "My Great Adventure". Thanks for this video. Fran Turner
franturner1727 1 year ago 18
@franturner1727 God Bless you Fran and your late husband James- RIP. Thanks for all the sacrifices made during the war.
orcstr8d 1 year ago
@franturner1727
Fran , my dad was also in the 386th . He ran the ground crew mobile teams for the squadron and went along on many missions to assess what the air crews were reporting . Dad passed away at age 94 last year .Where can I get Jame's book? I would love to read it . They probably knew each other well . Dad was there thru the entire A-26 transition and until VE Day
Exsurgemous 1 year ago
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@franturner1727
Fran , my dad was also in the 386th . He ran the ground crew mobile teams for the squadron and went along on many missions to assess what the air crews were reporting . Dad passed away at age 94 last year .Where can I get Jame's book? I would love to read it . They probably knew each other well . Dad was there thru the entire A-26 transition and until VE Day
Exsurgemous 1 year ago
@franturner1727 Mrs Turner, the country owes the greatest debt and highest honor to men like your Jim...and to you.
at this moment, he stands with heroes like Anthony Wayne, Washington, Lincoln, Robt E Lee, Audie Murphy and Hal Moore, in a special part of Heaven reserved for the very best of the best..
God bless you, and thank you.
dyhanendra 1 year ago
@franturner1727 I would love to get a copy of your husband's story for my uncle, who was a navagator on the A26.
njbfrbps163 1 year ago
great footage...my uncle (still alive and well at 90 yrs) was with the RAF 193 Typhoon Sqd. and often flew escort for the bomber crews. Nice to see this acknowledged in the film!
Kingpoint 1 year ago
didnt they nickname the early Mk's of this aircraft the Widow maker?
Javexer 1 year ago
@Javexer - Yes. The high speed required for landings and the high wing-loading on this plane (especially when loaded) resulted in a lot of crashes before they installed power control surfaces in the later models.
vv55sst 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
My Granddad was a bombardier in the 9th USAAC, 394th , 585th he flew the B26, I would also like to talk to people about this plane, and the groups... I have lots of info, and pix, even some flight logs...drop me a line at THESEAPIMP@AOL.COM Thanks...Troy
SEAPIMP1 1 year ago
My Granddad was a bombardier in the 9th USAAC, 394th , 585th he flew the B26, I would also like to talk to people about this plane, and the groups... I have lots of info, and pix, even some flight logs...drop me a line at THESEAPIMP@AOL.COM Thanks...Troy
SEAPIMP1 1 year ago
Some of these are familiar to me from stills reproduced in the book 'Flak Bait', a history of the Marauder my father left me.
CarlSchwamberger 2 years ago
Comment removed
74Lilly 2 years ago
don't u mean at 8:23 ???
Eirik36 1 year ago
yes 8:23...
74Lilly 1 year ago
My grandpa flew the B 26 and was in the 586th Bombardment Squadron in WW ll. i wish that i had talked to him more about what it was like.
dabun32 2 years ago
vey nice to have some one in the family whit all that avilityes
Jordan4497 2 years ago
Must have been a very brave man. Thanks.
ckolonko 2 years ago
The marauder was one of the most successful bombers in the war, and one of the most used bombers of all time.
thecoolerstinger 2 years ago
@thecoolerstinger yes the marauder was a nice aircraft but "the most used bomber off all time??" what about the lancaster, liberator, flying fortress, mosquito and mitchell??
pramboy09 1 year ago
amazing how we have faster cars now concidering this wasnt that that that long ago
kixmgc 2 years ago 2
I'm still trying to figure out if my car ( a Mercury Marauder) was named after the bomber, or Merills' Marauders. Anybody know??
sanpedrojohn 2 years ago
I'd bet on the bomber. They named the Mustang for the P-51 after all.
Daddiode 2 years ago
Continued; My Dad is 77 now and would love to hear from anyone who has any information to give him about his brother, my uncle who died in 1951 from a brain tumor at the age of 29. He loved the B-26, he even spoke at Martin plant a few times about how well the planes were built. Any info from any family members of Men who flew in these great planes will be greatly appreciated
jackiewalden 2 years ago
Continued; I would love to find someone who is still alive who flew in that group but I feel none are. He wrote home about singing "On a wing and a prayer" when returning from missions.
jackiewalden 2 years ago
My uncle was an Eng Waist Gunner and Instructor in the B-26 Marauder Devils Playmate 442nd Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group. T Sgt Harry M Walden Flew 88+ missions over North Africa, Med, Italy, France and Germany. Never shot down, but heavily damaged many times. Records show at least DFC 2 OLC, Air Medal 11 OLC, 6 Bronze Stars.
jackiewalden 2 years ago
Thanks for the video post. This really helped for my ROTC project.
aceknifer2 2 years ago 2
Really great film. Truly enjoyed it, especially your addition of the song "on a wing and a prayer" edit.
74Lilly, you can find out if that was your dad's aircraft by locating the mission debrief and manifest from Air Force files. I'm not sure where to go, but doesnt seem like something out of the realm of possibilities.
tmallow2004 3 years ago
Fascinating compilation, with much footage of the 323rd BG. The 'home airfield' referred to looks like a base under construction rather than one of the active B26 fields in Essex, UK.
bollyer 3 years ago
I think the chances of any of that Marauder crew escaping once hit were very very slim. Centrifugal force would keep them pinned to wherever they were once that roll and spin started. And then there's the fire. Truly awful. Very brave very young men.
middxboy9 3 years ago 2
The Martin B-26 had the lowest loss rate of any US bomber, fast, heavily armed and very, very reliable.
MechelenManiac 3 years ago
@MechelenManiac You are right once Doolottle I think taught them how to correctly roll in and flair during landing the accident rate went down lot. I saw one front section in the Smithsonian that had around 200 missions I think. They did great serve for Air Corps and USA!
danielnordeen 1 year ago
I understand that the Marauder was in use for decades, in Central American air forces, CIA too
luridplanet 3 years ago
Comment removed
thisisnev 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@luridplanet "I understand that the Marauder was in use for decades, in Central American air forces, CIA too"
That would have been the 'Invader'. originally designated the A26 it was redesignated B26 after 1945. The mauraders were to worn out to continue after 1945. All but a very few were scrapped.
CarlSchwamberger 2 years ago
The pilot who crash landed safely was 19.
19 for christ sake.
354sd 3 years ago
there was a B-24 gunner in the 8th air force who enlisted at 14 yearsold and was given an honorable discharge at 17 when it was discovered he was so young. he survived 15 missions and i bleive he was awarded an air medal.
patriot91101rip 3 years ago
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@patriot91101rip" there was a B-24 gunner in the 8th air force who enlisted at 14 yearsold and was given an honorable discharge at 17 when it was discovered he was so young. he survived 15 missions and i bleive he was awarded an air medal."
I wonder if he had to register with his draft board after returning home? :)
CarlSchwamberger 2 years ago
man i totaly for got about these planes
patriot91101rip 3 years ago
el marauder era un tipico bombardero medio de la segunda guerra mundial, veloz fuerte y facil de fabricar. era capaz de enfrentar en pie de igualdad a aviones caza y fue una excelente plataforma de ataque al suelo
scifiqaz 3 years ago
Thank you, view of Martin B-26 Marauder prototype initially, and then a 322nd BG mission. The Marauder seen first there is 450th BS "Pappy's Pram" ER-G. Later we see 344th BG mission, and last part "The Bulge" shows a 344th BG mission, the commentary says Pathfinder techniques against target Wittlich. This mission was February 1st 1945. The Marauder hit in left engine is probably also February 1945 missions, but the squadron code is not visible. 344th BG lost several aircraft that month.
warbird2001no 4 years ago
Warbird...it may be a B-26 from the 323rd BG. My Dad's squadron was the 455th. I believe they were known as the "White Tail Marauders", with the white band across the tail.
gregbone222 3 years ago
My Dad was in the 9th Air Force ( Army Air Corps). He was a 19 year old B-26 pilot. He was in Belgium and flew 43 missions over Germany. He lost four planes during the war.
74Lilly 3 years ago
Great clips,as usual. Thanks
timjim100 4 years ago
Looks to me like the left engine failed and the aircraft rolled into the dead engine, away from the camera ship. If the prop went into flat pitch on that engine, it would become a big airbrake in a hurry and would cause yaw into that side.
JayM0001 4 years ago
I don't understand why the B26 in this clip did a flick roll AWAY from the camera when the engine was hit by flak. If the prop governor failed and the prop went into flat pitch - or if the engine simply failed - then surely that would cause that wing to drop and the B26 to roll towards the camera, not away from it? Does anyone know the answer to this one?
denberg2 4 years ago
I can't even grasp your question!
kripteam 3 years ago
The left engine was completely removed by the flak. The roll was caused by a combination of three factors - the prop thrust generated increased lift on the right wing, the right slip caused a roll due to the wind on the right side of the fin and once the roll started the wind got under the right wing and helped it. I think they could have got it under control before they bailed out but it must have been terrifying. Brave crews.
KrisRamJ 3 years ago
I believe that was my Dad's crew that lost their lives in the plane shot down in 8:28. He was the pilot and his crew was "on loan" to a new pilot when they were shot down. I have a picture of that crew with my Dad. I also have a still shot of that plane when it was going down. Those were brave men.
74Lilly 3 years ago 23
@74Lilly did your dad get out or did all crew die?
pramboy09 1 year ago
@74Lilly
They were very brave indeed, just can't imagine being there.
Sorry it's taken me a year to reply.
God bless them.
spib65 1 year ago
@74Lilly so ya honor ya dad with a nazi guy in your profile photo, hmm weird way of honoring
modwebby 5 months ago 2
I watch and enjoy all that you put up Bomberguy.
TheOriginalWheelsTV 4 years ago
A great bomber very much a war horse with a good bomb load and plenty of .50 cals. Derr Furfuer at some point must have saelf talk.
" What I have I started" usually in despair.
Go USAAF.
fordroad 4 years ago 2