B26.COM	Guest Book	Pages & Links

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Privacy Guarantee. Because of spam, addresses are not added to the guestbook. If you wish to contact a person in the guestbook, simply cut and paste their post into a new email, provide your contact information and the reason for contact. Your email will be reviewed and forwarded. Sign the guestbook. Tell us something about your Marauder man :)

Send email to: contact at b26.com

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Date:

11/08/2024

Time:

7:17 AM

"On the day he went missing, Peterson was supposed to end his tour of duty and reunite with his family after being stationed in England for more than a year serving the Allied cause. However, he decided to go on one more mission – taking the place of a friend in the Air Corps who was sick – before flying home. It was Peterson’s 60th mission."

https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2024/11/07/gold-star-peterson

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Date:

11/07/2024

Time:

11:55 AM

 

Pilot: Roy B. Edge
Co-Pilot: Elliot S. Moorhead, Jr.

Engineer/Gunner: Perry M. Steele (turret guns)

Radio/Gunner: Dale W. Martin (waist guns)

Gunner: Thomas J. Amoury Jr., (tail gunner)

 

I would like to highlight the actions of 2nd Lt. Roy B. Edge, who piloted his aircraft long enough for his crew to bail out and successfully steered clear of civilians in the Wembley area of London.

**THIS PAGE IS DECLASSIFIED IAW EO 13526**
**RESTRICTED DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT**

(Brief narrative of accident. Included statement of responsibility and recommendation for action to prevent repetition.)

On a return trip from an operational mission during which no enemy reaction was experienced, the left engine of the B26C 41-34792, piloted by Lt. Roy B. Edge, failed. A normal single-engine procedure was used, with a gradual descent, including instrument navigation through clouds, established. On reaching the south coast of England, as requested by IX Bomber Command, a heading of 030° was provided, which took them directly over London. At that time, it became apparent that fuel was running low in the right engine. Bomber Command was contacted again, requesting a heading to clear London and instructions for an immediate emergency landing. The crew was ordered to stand by to bail out.

The right engine cut out, and the bail-out alarm was sounded. The co-pilot stated that pilot Roy Edge unfastened his safety belt and appeared to plan to bail out. However, as the aircraft was over a densely populated area, the pilot decided to attempt landing at Hendon Aerodrome. The field is difficult under the best circumstances; the aircraft came in high and fast, pulled up at the end of the runway, cleared a railroad embankment, landed in an open field, and crashed into trees at the end of the field, demolishing the aircraft and fatally injuring the pilot.

The engines on the airplane had been sluggish on take-off but cleared up in flight. The normal fuel transfer system was known to be inoperative before reaching the continent, but the crew decided to continue the mission. After crossing the channel, the engineer came forward to transfer fuel using the hand pump. The left engine failed completely and without warning at this time. Pratt and Whitney engine specialists from London have been requested to investigate the failure.

The engineer had never previously used the hand fuel transfer pump, and the situation was further complicated by the fact that he lost his pliers (the only tool available) while attempting to connect the emergency hoses. He advised the pilot that fuel transfer was impossible once they had reached the outskirts of London. The aircraft was on its fourth operational mission. It was an old airplane but had been in storage at depots for a year. No previous malfunction such as the one that caused this accident had been reported. The aircraft’s total time at the moment of the crash was approximately 90 hours.

**Cause of the Accident:**
The accident was caused by failure of the left engine and the normal fuel transfer system for reasons undetermined, aggravated by:
1. Lack of judgment on the part of the pilot.
2. Lack of knowledge of emergency procedures on the part of the engineer.
3. Poor operational procedures.
4. Either improper or inadequate air control under emergency conditions on the part of IX Bomber Command Control ("PARADE").

**Recommendations:**
1. Aircraft operating on a single engine should be encouraged to land at the first available suitable airfield unless no accompanying malfunctions are of consequence.
2. Engineer gunners should receive more thorough and ongoing instructions covering emergency procedures.
3. Crews should be reminded that either the pilot or co-pilot should be aware of the status of the aircraft and the success or necessity of emergency procedures. This responsibility should fall to the co-pilot, as the pilot must concentrate on flying the aircraft.
4. IX Bomber Command Control ("PARADE") should exercise more complete control of aircraft in distress, emphasizing the avoidance of densely populated areas and ensuring suitable airfields are constantly available.

Signed by two Lt. Colonels and a Captain

**THIS PAGE IS DECLASSIFIED IAW EO 13526**
1 September 1944

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Date:

10/30/2024

Time:

12:53 PM

 

Hello,
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) James F. Eckrich received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of a B-26 in the 450th Bombardment Squadron, 322d Bombardment Group (M), NINTH Air Force. The general explanation is about his personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Eckrich on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
My question is - what are the details of his action to received this honor. Did he save the lives of his aircrew? (Yes, bought the crew time to bailout.)
Looking forward to see your answer.

With kind regards
Joerg Dietsche

 

43-34423, 322BG, 450BS
23 Dec 44 hit by fighters, left engine on fire, tail and rudder damaged, crew bailed out, spun down in flames and exploded near Scheid about 1 mile E of Losheim on the German/Belgian border.
2.Lt's. James F. Eckrich P; William W Kuchinskas C/P; 1.Lt Theodore A Bunn B/N; T/Sgt Ralph M Wagner R/G; Sgt's Alvin P Patterson E/G; Peter B Olson A/G. (all POW's, MARC 11404)

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Date:

9/19/2024

Time:

7:42 AM

 

Guerino Del Pesco was 1st Lt (Navigator) in the 394th BG 586th Squad, KIA November 18, 1944 with his fellow airmen on the Mi Lei Fo over Gee, Germany. The fuselage of the plane was found decades later in the mud near the Hürtgen forest, and transported via truck to Belgium, where it is on display at Marcel and Mathilde Schmetz’s Remember Museum.

 

Belinda Del Pesco, Niece

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Date:

9/7/2024

Time:

3:42 PM

 

Marauders's Name: Richard H. Chadwell
Bomb Group: 391
Bomb Squadron: 572
Years in Service: 1944-45
Graduation Class: UNK
Class Location: UNK
Comments: T/SGT Chadwell was Engineer/Gunner on B26 and A26. I am in possession of his diary which lists missions (39) and remarks. Plane was "Kings Express" and primary pilot was Evan F. Detwiler (d. 1981 according to internet source). Richard died August 1979, soon after moving from Maryland to Florida.
He arrived at Matching Green August 24, 1944 and back in States Aug 6, 1945.
Among those named in Diary as being pilots or crew he flew with are: Detwiler, Gates, Collier, Major Joe E. Earll, Pilot, Squadron Commander, LT Chapman. Dad never talked about his experiences, I would be glad to have any information from any sources and share what I have.

Respectfully,

Barry W. Chadwell (son)

Hi Barry,

Thank you for reaching out to B26.com regarding your fathers service with the 391st BG / 572nd BS in WW2.
From my preliminary research, it looks like your father served as a tail gunner/armourer whilst flying the Martin B-26 Marauder and latterly as a gunner/ aerial engineer whilst flying the Douglas A-26 Invader.

The names you mentioned from his diary are as follows:
2Lt (later 1Lt) Evan F Detwiler was a pilot and flew on a majority of the missions with your father, both in the B-26 and then the A-26.
2Lt. John D Collier was co-pilot on most of the missions with your father. Of note, the A-26 was flown by a single pilot and therefore a co-pilot was not required.
2Lt. Lyman R Gates flew as pilot on one recorded mission with your father.
Capt. (later Major) Joe E Earll, Jnr was operations officer and flew on one recorded mission with your father.
2Lt (later 1Lt) James W Chapman was a bombardier and flew on a lot of the missions with your father, but only on B-26’s.

I am in the process of making a list of the missions your father flew on with the 391st BG, and what aircraft he flew on. I will include the names of the crew members listed above on each mission for your reference.
Your list of 39 missions tallies with what I found, so we are off to a good start.
I would be most interested in finding out more about the aircraft “Kings Express” listed in the diary, as this is one 391st BG aircraft nose name I am not familiar with.
Will be in touch shortly with the mission list once completed.

Best wishes,
Paul Clouting (B-26 historan)

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Date:

9/4/2024

Time:

10:18 PM

 

Hi,

 

Can you identify these Marauders?

 

Taken from photo album of Tech. Sgt. Alphonse S. Rutkowski.

 

May be 319BG or 320BG.

 

The one named 'Jeanie' has some strange mission markers in form of a cube (10) do you know what these represent?

 

Many thanks,

Ian

 

Hi Ian,

 

These are actually both 17th Bomb Group aircraft.

 

“Jeanie”, serial 41-34883, Battle number 38 on the tail, served with the 37th Bomb Squadron.

 

“Old Iron Sides”, serial 41-31962, Battle number 86 on the tail, served with the 432nd Bomb Squadron.

 

I have also seen photographs of “Jennie” showing those strange cubes painted on the nose section. Ii you zoom in on them they are all marked “Ford”. I assume that this aircraft may have been paid for by war bonds raised by the Ford company.

 

FYI, “Old Iron Sides” held the record at the end of the war, having flown the most combat missions of any 17th BG aircraft, having flown 175 of them.

 

Best regards,

Paul Clouting

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Date:

7/19/2024

Time:

9:42 AM

 

Marauderman's Name: Captain Garrett Patrick “Mac” McGowan, Pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
Bomb Group: 323rd
Bomb Squadron: 455th
Years in service: 3+
Graduation Class: 43-F, June 22, 1943
Class Location: Marfa Air Base, Texas

Comments: Thank you for this remarkable treasure of history and tribute to the Maraudermen and their contribution to the air war in Europe. And among Marauder Men, I raise special appreciation not only to the aircrews, but also to their ground support at every level, without whom the aerial missions would not have been possible.

I’m coming to the party rather late, but I’m interested in learning more about my dad’s crew members, his ship(s) and the White Tailed Marauder’s history in Europe. My dad passed away in 1986. He shared memories and events from his training and combat in the Army Air Force, but he didn’t volunteer much unless probed. I now wish that I had probed more frequently and more intently.

I was able to briefly attend one of the reunions of the 455th B.G., where I met his Bombardier, Russell P. Hall, Jr. Others whom I am confident were members of his crew include Co-Pilot Max Guthrie and Co-Pilot Byrd Moore (based on entries in his log book). I suspect that he also flew his last two missions alongside Co-Pilot ___ Sauer, who transitioned on April 15, 1945.

The ship he most identified with was “Bat-outa-Hell II”, Tail 131643 YU-G. This ship was reported by Marauderman Russell Hall to have been piloted initially by Capt. Michael F. Groom during his tour of duty.

I hold my father’s pilot log, in which he recorded each and every flight, from training; ferrying a B-26 to England around the southern route; his first combat mission on June 2, 1944; his promotion to group lead on his 52nd mission; his last (61st) combat mission on April 17, 1945; and his return home to the U.S. piloting a Consolidated B-24 Liberator. Your detailed descriptions of the air campaign align and bring added perspective to his own log entries, including success in bombing objectives, the loss of a Marauder wingman’s ship from flak, encounters with German Fw-190 fighters, and bringing his ship home on a single engine or missing a wing tip.

I have summarized his flight history, training, and missions based upon the entries in his pilot’s log for my family’s interest. It is about 14 printed pages long, including several of his photos and others that I assembled. I would be pleased to post it to the B26.COM web site. Please let me know if this would be of interest, and how and where to upload it.

Description of photo: Alongside Martin B-26 Marauder “Bat-outa-Hell II”: Standing far left, Garrett P. “Mac” McGowan, Pilot; Standing center right, Russell “Russ” P. Hall, Jr., Bombardier; Others not known.

Thank you again, and blessings to all Maraudermen and their families.

Keith McGowan

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Date:

7/17/2024

Time:

8:51 AM

 

Hello,

I am trying to find information on my Great Uncle, Walter Thomas Vaughn. He went by Tom. I have found him on the 9th AF web page but there is limited information. I know he was a SSG, was awarded the DFC, and according to my dad he was the Engineer/Gunner (upper turret) on a B26. Is there somewhere that might have more information? We know he was in the 387th BG but there is no information on him on their web page.

Marauderman's Name: Walter Thomas Vaughn
Bomb Group: ?
Bomb Squadron: ?
Years in service: ?
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: ?

Thanks,

Steve Vaughn

 

Alan Crouchman, 387th historian and author of "Flak Bait", provided text and photographs that answered Steve's question. click here

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Date:

7/9/2024

Time:

12:45 AM

 

Hello

I wonder if you could help me. I am have been to your website B26.com which I found after a number of searches trying to find contact details for Alan Crouchman. I am trying to contact Alan on behalf of Stebbing Local History Society after seeing his fascinating talks at the Remembering The USAF organised by the Essex Records Office. Our Society would be very interested if Alan could come and talk to members around these subjects,

So if you have a contact can you pass this onto Alan if I am in the wrong place may apologies.

My thanks and best wishes

Jonathan Bouffler

Task completed by Alan Crouchman

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Date:

6/24/2024

Time:

6:37 AM

 

Greetings! My father -n-Law, Gene E. Smith, Sergeant, was a member of the 320th Bomb Group, 444th Squadron and was active in a number of missions over German. I have located three Final Mission Reports that lists him, with all of the other data matching (squadron, rank, etc). I have found some other reports that list a Sergeant Smith in 444th that served as an Engineer, and I was wondering if it is plausible that my father-in-law might have served as a radio operator on some missions and an engineer on others. I have been trying to locate a document that provides an overview the different crew members and their specific duties while on board.

 

Perhaps during WW2 crew members may have interchangeable on missions. Gene told me that he was a backup waist gunner, if needed.

 

I am hopeful you can provide this information or point me in the right direction.

 

I enjoy your site very much and look forward to your feedback.

 

Best regards,
Greg

 

Task Completed

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Date:

6/21/2024

Time:

10:28 AM

 

Good evening,
I collect money and someone found this behind a photo and gave it to me the photo was purchased at an estate sale in Ohio. I’m not sure where though. Thought it would be cool to find out who the person in the photos is. Photos are from May 10 1943 from Lakeland Army Air Base. From the dates a some research it looks like it could be from the 344th or 557th/387th Bombardment Group.
Thank you,
Chris K.

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Date:

6/6/2024

Time:

5:20 AM

 

Martin B-26 Marauder Operations on 6th June 1944, D-Day

Unit | Target | Take Off Time | Bomb Release Time
1st Pathfinder Sqdn | Ouistreham 69 | 0345 hrs | 0520 hrs
322nd.Bomb Group | Ouistreham 69 | 0345 hrs | 0520 hrs
1st Pathfinder Sqdn | Bennerville | 0345 hrs | 0526 hrs
391st Bomb Group | Bennerville PFF B26 | 0345 hrs | 0517 hrs *
* did not drop its bombs
1st Pathfinder Sqdn | Ouistreham 74 | 0400 hrs | 0555 hrs
322nd Bomb Group | Ouistreham 74 | 0400 hrs | 0555 hrs
344th Bomb Group | Beau Guillot 20 | 0405 hrs | 0605 hrs
344th Bomb Group | La Madeleine 22 | 0355 hrs | 0608 hrs
344th Bomb Group | St Martin de Varreville 19 | 0410 hrs | 0609 hrs
387th Bomb Group | La Madeleine 36 | 0442 hrs | 0614 hrs
387th Bomb Group | Beau Guillot 23 | 0442 hrs | 0614 hrs
387th Bomb Group | Les Dunes de Varreville 104 | 0449 hrs | 0614 hrs
394th Bomb Group | St Martin de Varreville 19 | 0427 hrs | 0616 hrs
323rd Bomb Group | Beau Guillot 20 | 0400 hrs | 0616.5 hrs
323rd Bomb Group | La Madeleine 36 | 0425 hrs | 0617 hrs
323rd Bomb Group | St Martin de Varreville 101 | 0435 hrs | 0617.5 hrs
394th Bomb Group | La Madeleine 22 | 0427 hrs | 0617.5 hrs
394th Bomb Group | St Martin de Varreville 101 | 0427 hrs | 0618 hrs
397th Bomb Group | Les Dunes de Varreville 104 | 0407 hrs | 0619 hrs
397th Bomb Group | La Madeleine 36 | 0407 hrs | 0620 hrs
397th Bomb Group | Beau Guillot 23 | 0407 hrs | 0622 hrs
386th Bomb Group | Les Dunes de Varreville 104 | 0439 hrs | 0623 hrs
386th Bomb Group | La Madeleine | 0441 hrs | 0624 hrs
386th Bomb Group | St Martin de Varreville 101 | 0445 hrs | 0624 hrs
391st Bomb Group | Maisy 7 | 0445 hrs | 0625 hrs
391st Bomb Group | St Pierre du Mont | 0430 hrs | 0626 hrs
322nd Bomb Group | Montfarville 308 | 0500 hrs | 0627 hrs

D-Day has been much in the news for obvious reasons. The chart above and some reports highlight why the bombing of the beach defenses and concrete pillboxes by both heavy bombers and B-26s has been in the news.

The results have been surprising. All the B-26 groups reported that they hit their targets accurately and on time, while the heavy bombers missed altogether. Several films of the landing have been shown on TV. If the B-26 groups did hit their targets, they caused little or no damage to these concrete gun emplacements. As a result, the incoming landing forces ran into a storm of enemy fire, resulting in severe casualties to the troops. Watching this on film was terrible. The death toll was initially reported as 3,000 men, but the real number was probably 6,000.

Trevor Allen, Historian
++++++++++++++++
The 391st BG were assigned three separate Normandy coastal defense targets on the morning of 6th June.

Target 1 – Benerville-sur-Mer: 16 aircraft + 1 pathfinder were dispatched but failed to attack due to the weather, having encountered icing conditions in the clouds. The lone ship which bombed was a Pathfinder aircraft on special equipment, and the results were unobserved. The rest of the formation returned bombs to base.

Target 2 - St. Pierre du Mont: 16 aircraft + 1 pathfinder were dispatched, and 10 of them dropped 16 x 2,000lb GP bombs on the target. Pathfinder technique was employed from above the clouds, but since there was no photo coverage, the results were unknown.

Target 3 - Maisy: 16 aircraft + 1 pathfinder were dispatched, all dropping a total of 31 x 2,000lb GP and 2 x 1,000lb GP bombs on the primary target area. Bombing was done by flights, with two having good results by striking within the target area, the third having poor results when the bombs fell about 1200 feet southwest of the desired Aiming Point, across a road and into an open field.

Paul Clouting, Historian

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Date:

6/5/2024

Time:

5:57 PM

 

This is a record for my uncle, Howard Vincent Krump, killed in action. He served in the 552nd Bomber Squadron, 386th Bomber Group, Medium as a Technical Sergeant during World War II. He died on July 18, 1944 at the age of 21 when he was killed in action.

He is 2nd from the right in this photo.

Nan Moss

 

Hi Nan,

Your uncle, T/Sgt. Howard Vincent Krump, radio operator & gunner was killed when his B-26 Marauder aircraft serial 42-96298, coded RG-M was hit by flak on the 18th July 1944 mission to attack a German defended area at Demouville, near Caen, France in support of British troops who were attempting to advance and capture the port town of Caen following the D-Day landings. The pilot Lt. Charles A Ritter landed the heavily damaged aircraft at RAF Tangmere airfield on the south coast of England, away from the 386th BG's base at Great Dunmow, USAAF station number 164.

Best regards
Paul Clouting

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Date:

6/5/2024

Time:

12:19 PM

 

Good day,

Can you please add my dad to your guest book or list of Marauder pilots, he was a Marauder pilot during WW2.

He was Danie Petrus Taljaard, a co-pilot. (DP Taljaard).

As far as I know, they operated from Malta and were operational in Italy. I would very much like to learn more about this squadron’s whereabouts, photos etc.

Many many thanks and best regards,

Dirk Taljaard (son)
Pretoria,
South Africa.

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Date:

6/4/2024

Time:

7:19 AM

 

On this day 80 years ago, my wife’s father, Lt. Bill Rose, B-26 bombardier/navigator in the 573rd Bomb Squadron, 391st Bomb Group, flying out of Matching Green Airfield, took these photos of the Normandy invasion. He, with thousands of other airmen, sailors and soldiers, had an early start to “The Longest Day”!

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Date:

5/20/2024

Time:

7:42 AM

 

Dear B26 .com,

I hope you have the chance to watch the little video!

On May 17, 1942 (I was 8 years old at the time), the Marauder Bomber with James and Edward Norton as pilots was shot down by a German fighter plane on its way to a target near IJmuiden in the Netherlands (just north of Amsterdam). James Norton's body was recovered by the Germans, but the body of his twin brother Edward was never found. James Norton was buried in Margraten Cemetery, and Edward Norton's name was carved into the Missing Wall of Margraten Cemetery. I'm doing well, but I am becoming an old man as I am over 90 years old, as is my partner Mieke. I have agreed that one of my grandchildren will continue the adoption of "my" two graves.

I am very grateful that you have often helped me in my search for information about James Norton buried in Margraten and about the Norton Twins.

Thank you very much!

With greetings, Henk Marinus and Mieke

 

Thank you Henk Marinus and Mieke!

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Date:

4/13/2024

Time:

4:16PM

 

New dedication page for Mr. John R Hartman, T/Sgt, Marauderman, 587th Squadron 394 Bomb Group

His crew:
2Lt. Guy F. Laney (pilot)
F/O. Samuel G. Best (co-pilot)
2Lt. Bruce D. McCall (bombardier/navigator)
Cpl. Adrian A. Fisher (engineer/gunner)
Cpl. John R. Hartman (radio operator/gunner)
Cpl. Albert A. Onda (tail gunner)
Cpl. Noel G. Reukema (extra gunner)

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Date:

2/26/2024

Time:

11:05 AM

Please help identify the soldiers pictured in the photographs.

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Date:

2/18/2024

Time:

6:46 AM

Frank A. Osetek, 386th/555th

He was a tail gunner on Mr. Five By Five, flew 50 missions and was a "Lake Charles original" with the 386th. I have a bunch of his photos and he kept a substantial number of records - including a complete individual flight record packet - two pages are attached (6/6/44 and his last flight - notice the date!). I am sure my Uncle Frank was like many, he never talked about his service and I learned of this from his records that were given to me and from the b26.com site!. Have a good day. - G. Osetek

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Date:

2/13/2024

Time:

11:31 AM

I have searched for a very long time looking for information on my father’s WW2 experience. I know he was with the 322nd 459 & 451, before moving to the 391st bomb group, I have a lot information on the 391st but very little info of his time with the 322nd.. I known he flew the "Tobacco Road" 41-18210. His name was Dwight L. Morrison. Pictured with my Dad, top row left to right Dwight Morrison, Bill Mill, Howard Erickson, bottom row James Furbeck, Joseph Koballa (I may have Furbeck and Koballa reversed) Charles Grudnick. Any information about the rest of his crewmates would be appreciated. Contact and exchange of information with descendants are welcomed. Thanks for the website. -Dwight Morrison Jr.

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Date:

2/06/2024

Time:

7:00 AM

 

Pilot Don Epstein
386th bomb group
555 squadron

I was once again looking through the guest book posts after several years and came across a post by Brian Kostel on 12/8/2021. He had photos of aircraft of the 555th squadron with ground crews, photographs of 555th BS B-26's with ground crews. I was astonished to see two photos of Sparta 131794! This is the plane my father flew the day they were shot down, 7/14/44. I have attached the two photos along with a third which is Sparta on the beach in France where my father bellied it in after both engines were shot out. All were taken prisoner and survived the war. And a fourth showing Sparta in flight. Amazing web site! Thanks! - James Epstein

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Date:

2/02/2024

Time:

6:16 AM

 

Update regarding U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Henry L. Stevens, 23, of Monroe, Louisiana, killed in action during World War II

[Archived]

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Date:

1/29/2024

Time:

4:56 PM

 

Trevor,

 

My name is Brandon Hall and I’m the grandson of Boyd V. Hall whom I know you spoke with many years ago about his time in England when he was in the war on the B-26. I had a couple questions and was wondering if you may be able to help me piece some things together about his Missions from the war. Here is an article written by a local historian about my grandfather. Boyd V Hall, B-26 Engineer-Gunner from Altoona, Pennsylvania, written and researched by Philip J. Waite.

 

Looking forward to connecting with you and hopefully able to get some things ironed out.

 

Thank you!

Brandon

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Date:

1/29/2024

Time:

12:10 PM

 

To the best of my knowledge my grandfather was on B-26's during the war. His name was Robert J. Morris and he served in Europe. Italy I know for sure. I have attached a photo of him in uniform. Any help tracking down where he served and who he served with would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the great website. -G. Morris

Your Grandfather was in the 441st bomb squadron, 320th bomb group! https://www.320thbg.org

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Date:

1/19/2024

Time:

4:13 PM

 

Hello B26

My apologies for troubling you and congratulations on a wonderful site on the B-26. What a splendid resource and I can imagine the commitment and work that it has taken. I hope you will be able to keep up the good work!

I will endeavour to keep this brief as I can also imagine you received a lot of emails.

I am a military aviation historian and author based in southern England. I specialise in the Luftwaffe, an interest I have had since boyhood (I was born in 1959), and I have around 35 books to my name. Professionally, I work as an editor.

I am honoured that my name is mentioned on your Site Index page.

Way back in 1994 I self-published my first book which covered the history of Adolf Galland’s ‘elite’ squadron of Luftwaffe Me 262 jet fighters, JV 44, between late 1944 and 1945. I met Galland and interviewed him and several other German veterans. That book is now out of print (but sells for ridiculous sums of money on line).

A happy result of publishing that book was the ensuing contact I had with several ‘Marauder men’ in the mid-1990s; I attended a gathering in London and subsequently enjoyed much correspondence with Major John O. Moench, Robert L. Harwell and many other former B-26 crewmen and I have many letters and photos.

From that correspondence it became apparent that there was almost a ‘private war’ fought between the Me 262s of JV 44 and the 17th and 323rd BGs (and others) over southern Germany in 1945. What became especially apparent, was that to some extent Intelligence about the new German jet interceptors had not reached the crews of these Groups’ B-26s.

A second book followed – published in 1998, called ‘Battle over Bavaria: The B-26 Marauder versus the German Jets – April 1945’ which had Forewords by Generals Galland and Moench, Robert Harwell and William D. Baird of the 17th BG.

I have now been approached by Osprey Publishing to write a book in their ‘Duel’ series on the ‘Me 262 vs the B-26 Marauder’.

I have a fair amount of material, but I would very much like to include a photo of Paul Brady, a pilot of the 387th BG and I spotted on the site two crew photos of him with his crews; one in the USA, the other in Europe during combat operations.

I am writing in the hope that you might be willing to provide scans of these photos for inclusion in the book which I would do under full credit and acknowledgement to you and/or b26.com and/or any other appropriate party. I would also, of course, be delighted to send you a copy of the book when it is eventually published.

That’s it; my apologies again and thanks for getting this far.

With best regards,
Robert Forsyth

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Date:

1/19/2024

Time:

12:20 PM

 

Great website! Dick Cockrum, my father flew over 70 missions over Europe in a B-26 called “The Front Burner” in WW II. - Robert Cockrum

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Date:

1/11/2024

Time:

9:07 AM

 

I haven't been back to this site in quite a few years I am the nephew of Maurice L Cohen who is lust d here in these pages I believe sometimes after 2002. Anyway just checking back as I purchased a poster of a B26 bomber in flight. I will get back to you when I figure out what squadron it is, I believe it's the 598th. Anyway I was just checking back in

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Date:

1/9/2024

Time:

5:24 PM

 

My brother Samuel M Thistlethwaite was a navigator on the B-26 Marauder. His plane was shot down after dropping bombs on Düsseldorf Germany. Their plane crashed in Rumeln Germany He and his crew are buried at Arlington.

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Date:

1/7/2024

Time:

3:00 PM

 

Hello!
I am the youngest granddaughter of Curtis S. Church, pilot of the 320th Bomb Group, 441st Bomb Squadron. I would very much like to know how I could help restore B26.com to its previous, wonderfully thorough, and informative state. My grandfather passed before I was old enough to fully appreciate the courage it took to record his memoirs after years of keeping his experience as a POW to himself from my mother and her sisters. I never met my grandmother. However, my Grandpa Church not only overcame his hesitancy to speak of his time in the war aloud, but he documented his experience as a B26 pilot for my siblings, cousins, and myself. I recall him speaking with my brothers' classes, although I was far too young for him to speak with my classmates. His experiences, however, have instilled in me a great amount of pride. I am am now 36 years old, but my Grandpa Church most certainly helped to mold my siblings and I into the people we are today. Please let me know if there is anything myself or my family could do to bring B26.com's pages back from the "Way Back Machine" archive! -Katherine (Katie) Jones

 

Hi Katie, the old site is back. Thank you!

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Date:

1/6/2024

Time:

6:32 PM

 

George Theodore, Flying 9th, tail gunner on B-26 Marauder PISONYA. Enlisted 20/11/1945 - Separated 15/06/1948 - Died 22/02/2002.
If the his name rings a bell of is listed in any documents, contact me please. Thanks for the great website! -Jeannette Sieland

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Date:

1/4/2024

Time:

12:42 PM

 

My father was with the387th bg 558thsq from Chipping Ongar all the way to Germany where he reenlisted. Looking for any info relating to him and the men he served with!

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Date:

1/1/2024

Time:

12:01 AM

 

Happy New Year!

Marauder Men, family and friends are invited to add content to the web site. Send scanned pictures 300dpi or mail pictures via post. Tell a story about your Marauderman and include as much information as you can.

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