The Men of the B-26 Marauder

On November 25. 1940, 75 years ago today, the Glenn L. Martin Company out of Santa Ana, California put an airplane in the sky. It was a Martin B-26 Marauder. During the course of World War Two, they produced 5,288 Marauders. Today, only seven remain. Out of those, only one is flight worthy.

While Martin was producing the planes, a nation was producing the pilots and crews that would use them to help bring down the Axis powers that were trying to remove freedom from the face of the Earth. When the United States Army Air Force called, men answered. The men took the machines and became some of the most successful units of the war. The Marauder went on to record the lowest attrition rate per sortie of any aircraft used by the USAAF in Europe, the primary theater of operation. From the first mission flown by the 22nd Bomb Group on April 5, 1942 to attack a Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britian, to the last bombing  mission flown by the 17th Bomb Group, 1st tactical Air Force when they attacked gun positions on the Isle d'Orelon, France, the men of the Marauders served with distinction and honor, participating in 129,943 missions, dropping 169,382 tons of bombs. The Marauder achieved these records with the loss rate of less than one percent.

There is an outstanding website, originally created in 1998 by the nephew of a Marauder Pilot, Robert Brockett, who flew with the 387th BG, 558th BS on 65 missions. It has since turned into a wonderful place where many crew and their descendants have shared an extraordinary amount of photos and history. I highly suggest you check out b26.com/. I warn you though, if you enjoy wartime photos, set aside some time, because you will be there for a while.

Thank you to all of the men and women who were pilots, gunners, engineers, and crew on this storied aircraft that played such an important role during World War Two. To those who were lost, we are forever grateful for your sacrifices. We will never forget the price you paid for the freedoms we enjoy to this day. To those who made it home, your service is no less appreciated. You fought over the skies of the Pacific and Europe not only for one another, but for your very lives. Back home, the WASPs played an often overlooked or forgotten role. Their contribution was integral in the war effort. All who played a part will forever stand in the history of this great nation on a well deserved but never asked for pinnacle. 

 "Fightin' Cock" of the 450th BS 322nd BG 9th AF

"A Kay Pro's Dream"

"Dee Feater"

596th BS, 397th BG, 98th BW, 9th BC, 9th AF

With D-Day Markings

Pilot, Robert Brockett