41-31773 Flak Bait
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 Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A crew of a B-26 Marauder of the 322nd Bomb Group in the cockpit of the aircraft. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication [illegible] Nov 1943.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Crew of PN:N 131441. MIA 13/8/44.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379979.jpg.webp?itok=h92P11Pb)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- 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
- 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
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Great Saling
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
AAM Photos
