41-31819 Mild and Bitter

Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mild and Bitter". Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

Object Number - FRE 4477 - Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mild and Bitter". Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

Assigned to 452BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF. First B-26 in the European Theater of Operations to complete 100 operational missions. This was accomplished on an afternoon raid on a Nazi airfield at Evreux/Fauville, southwest of Rouen, France, 9-May-44. She had flown her first mission on 23 July 1943. She did all this on her original engines, amassing a total of 449 hours and 30 minutes on them, 310 hours and 40 minutes of that in combat! During this time she never aborted due to mechanical failure, and not one of her many crewmen was a casualty. She was taken off operations after her 100th mission and flown back to the States to conduct a War Bond tour.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

322nd Bomb Group

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

People

Walter J Bond

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 452nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio operator

James Kenneth Brandemihl

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 452nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19055460
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret

Harry Cross

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 452nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret

Harry Rouse Harp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 452nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator

Robert E Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 452nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail gunner

Places

Aircraft

Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mild and Bitter". Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

41-31819

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Mild and Bitter
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron 452nd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

100th combat missions

Évreux, France 9 May 1944 Completed 100 missions in ETO. Evreux being the final mission.

Manufactured

Offutt AFB, NE, USA Built at Martin.

Delivered

Nebraska, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Andrewsfield Aviation Ltd, Saling Airfield Stebbing Great Dunmow Essex CM6 3TH, United Kingdom Assigned to 452BS, 322BG, 9AF USAAF.

Other

Returned to ZI.

United States Flown back Stateside to carry out a war bond tour.

Revisions

Date20 May 2022 13:21:52
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

http://www.b26.com/page/b26_history.htm

Date19 Feb 2019 17:15:35
Contributorlexilad
Sources

Charles Parker, step-son of Lee Willison Rice

Date16 May 2017 13:35:48
ContributorAl_Skiff
Sources

http://www.b26.com/page/b26_history.htm

Date22 Jan 2015 08:33:39
ContributorTanks
Sources

AAM Photo

41-31819: Gallery (21 items)

Object number: UPL 37389 - Video of Mild & Bitter's 100th mission

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed "Mild and Bitter" of the 322nd Bomb Group. This aircraft has been signed by personnel of the 322nd Bomb Group. Image via Eugene Allen from Peter Dole. Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

Object number: FRE 1174 - The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41...

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed "Mild and Bitter" of the 322nd Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: The Martin Marauder "Mild and Bitter", 49 pint sized bombs painted on its fuselage sent 49 trips to enemy territory, heads for [illegible]On its 50th mission. US Air Force Photo.'

Object number: FRE 1191 - A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed...

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed "Mild and Bitter" of the 322nd Bomb Group, which has been signed by personnel. Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

Object number: FRE 4476 - The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41...

Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mild and Bitter". Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

Object number: FRE 4477 - Airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group admire the nose art...

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed "Mild and Bitter" of the 322nd Bomb Group, signed by personnel. Handwritten caption on reverse: '322BG.'

Object number: FRE 4478 - A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed...

B-26 Marauders of the 322nd Bomb Group fly above the clouds during a mission. Handwritten caption on reverse: '2222-24. Mild and Bitter.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Marauders Hit Nazis In France. USP/2222-24. Nearing the target - Marauders high above the clouds on their way to blast a vital Nazi target in France.' On reverse: Keystone Press [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 4552 - B-26 Marauders of the 322nd Bomb Group fly above...

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed "Mild and Bitter" of the 322nd Bomb Group flies through flak.

Object number: FRE 6400 - A B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31819) nicknamed...

Three airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group at Andrewsfield. Image via Roland Scott. Written on slide casing: Sebille, Scott & Posson, Andrewsfield, 9/43, 322 BG.'

Object number: FRE 7079 - Left to Right: Captains Louis Sebille, Roland...

Three airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group at Andrewsfield. Image via Roland Scott. Written on slide casing: Sebille, Scott & Posson, Andrewsfield, 9/43, 322 BG.'

Object number: FRE 7091 - Three airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group at...

Five airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group and Andrewsfield. Image via Roland B Scott. Written on slide casing: 'L to R- Azad A Sarkision (B), Cpt Louis J Sebille (P), Lt Charles H Lane (BN), Cpt Mark McNully (post war AA), L/Lt Ben Tillandon (BN). Scott's visit to Andrewsfield before return to the States, 322 BG.'

Object number: FRE 7505 - Five airmen of the 322nd Bomb Group and...

Object number: UPL 28011 - Martin B-26s co-operate by making diversionary...