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43-34565

B-26 Marauder

  • Bomber “Marauder” B-26, serial number 43-34565, Gratis Gladys, 7I-B, 497 Squadron, 344th Bombardment Group, 9th U.S. Air Force is crashing to the ground after receiving a direct hit in the left engine during the bombing of a Erkelenz, Germany, 26 Feb 1945.

    Bomber “Marauder” B-26, serial number 43-34565, Gratis Gladys, 7I-B, 497 Squadron, 344th Bombardment Group, 9th U.S. Air Force is crashing to the ground after receiving a direct hit in the left engine during the bombing of a Erkelenz, Germany, 26 Feb 1945.

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On 23 February 1945, B-26 43-34565 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. All eight crew killed. MACR 12649.

Service

Units

People

  • Ballard Bentley

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Flight Engineer, Top Turret Gunner | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 497BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. FTR Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: PH.

  • Kenneth Bowdish

    Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 497BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: PH.

  • Carl Chapman

    Military | Captain | Pilot | 344th Bomb Group
    Capt Carl F. Chapman Jr. attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia. ...

  • James Harl

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 497BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: PH.

  • John Herndon

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator, Gunner | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 397BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: AM (4OLC), PH.

  • John Sheehan

    Military | First Lieutenant | Co-pilot | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 397BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: AM (11OLC), PH (OLC).

  • Frederick Storey

    Military | First Lieutenant | Gee Operator | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 397BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: PH.

  • W Williamson

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 344th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 397BS, 344BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Erkeland in B-26 43-34565; shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Erkeland, Germany. 23-Feb-45. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 12649 Awards: AM (4OLC), PH.

Places

Events

Event Location Date
Failed to Return (FTR) 41812 Erkelenz, Germany 23 February 1945
Crashed 41812 Erkelenz, Germany 23 February 1945

The aircraft crashed to the ground after receiving a direct hit in the left engine during the bombing of a Erkelenz, Germany, 26 Feb 1945.
Nicknames
Gratis Gladys
Production block number
B-26G-11-MA Marauder
Manufacturer
Martin
Markings and paint scheme/livery

7I-B

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
21 February 2018 16:54:59 Lucy May Changes to description
Sources

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_2.html
Date Contributor Update
01 November 2017 21:48:20 Cassowary Colorizations Changes to events
Sources

MACR - Missing Air Crew Report #12649
Date Contributor Update
01 November 2017 18:02:03 Cassowary Colorizations Changes to events
Sources

https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemeter...
Date Contributor Update
01 November 2017 16:45:45 Cassowary Colorizations Changes to events
Sources

http://shopwornangel.imaginarynumber.net/lt-don-corky-korkowski/
Date Contributor Update
01 November 2017 16:45:16 Cassowary Colorizations Changes to events
Sources

http://shopwornangel.imaginarynumber.net/lt-don-corky-korkowski/
Date Contributor Update
26 January 2015 21:15:41 Tanks Changes to nicknames, markings and unit associations
Sources

http://shopwornangel.imaginarynumber.net/344th-bombardment-group-b-26-ma...
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:41:21 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

MACR 12649 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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