41-31773 Flak Bait

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31773) nicknamed "Flak Bait" of the 322nd Bomb Group. Image via Clarence Lunnemann. Written on slide casing: '"Flak Bait" 200 mission plane, 322nd BG.' Written on duplicate slide: '322BG, Flak Bait Germany, 5/45.' media-395799.jpg FRE 7083 A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31773) nicknamed "Flak Bait" of the 322nd Bomb Group. Image via Clarence Lunnemann. Written on slide casing: '"Flak Bait" 200 mission plane, 322nd BG.' Written on duplicate slide: '322BG, Flak Bait Germany, 5/45.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 7083 - A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31773) nicknamed "Flak Bait" of the 322nd Bomb Group. Image via Clarence Lunnemann. Written on slide casing: '"Flak...

Assigned to 449BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. During the course of its service life of 207 missions, with bombing runs over France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, it was perforated with over 1000 holes, twice returned with only one engine operating, once with an engine on fire and twice with the complete loss of its electrical and hydraulic systems. Having survived the war in Europe, Flak Bait was selected to be returned to the US. On 18-Mar-46, Major John Egan and Captain Norman Schloesser flew Flak-Bait one last time, to an air depot at Oberpfaffenhofen in Bavaria to be broken down to component parts and shipped in crates back home. Currently being restored at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA part of the National Air and Space Museum - Smithsonian Institution.

Connections

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Units served with

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

A bomber crew of the 322nd Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31773) nicknamed "Flak Bait" celebrate their aircraft's 200th mission. Image via Peter Dole
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 449th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombadier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot, 322nd , Commander, 450th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
A bomber crew of the 322nd Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31773) nicknamed "Flak Bait" celebrate their aircraft's 200th mission. Image via Peter Dole
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 449th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 449th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16085574
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew chief

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Selected for display in US

Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Weßling, Germany 18 March 1946 Flown to air depot to be crated back to the US.

Manufactured

Middle River, MD, USA Built at Martin's.

Delivered

Joint Base Andrews, MD, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Andrewsfield Aviation Ltd, Saling Airfield Stebbing Great Dunmow Essex CM6 3TH, United Kingdom Assigned to 449BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

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AAM Photos

41-31773: Gallery (11 items)