Warren E Thompson talked to B-26 Marauder crews about their exploits from North Africa to Germany
WORLD WAR TWO MARTIN MARAUDER
When the Martin Marauder first entered service, it became known as the ‘Widowmaker’ because of its high accident rate. On take-off and landing, the B-26 was challenging, especially for fresh-from-flight school crews.
On final for landing, the shortwinged bomber needed to maintain an exact 150mph (241km/h). This was frightening enough for novice pilots, but it was also far higher than any type they had previously experienced. Straying below 150 could result in a fatal stall, letting the speed rise above that figure ended in an over-run, often with the aircraft on its belly.
With better propellors, an increase in span and a larger fin, the B-26 began to lose its morbid reputation. By the time the war ended, the Marauder had the lowest loss rate of any of the USAAF’s bombers.
Part of the USAAF’s Twelfth Air Force, the 320th Bombardment Group (BG) began operations in the Mediterranean theatre from April 1943, flying from bases in Algeria, Tunisia, Sardinia and Corsica. Early missions were against enemy shipping in the approaches to Tunisia, before supporting the Allied invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943.
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