41-35000 Swamp Chicken

media-27661.jpeg UPL 27661 " 'Somewhere over France' this twin-engine B-26 Marauder medium bomber caught a direct hit from a Nazi flak battery and lost an entire engine. Despite nearly 2500 lbs. of lost weight the crippled bomber stayed aloft until all crew members had bailed. " - 41-35000 YU-R Swamp Chicken, 455th BS 323rd BG, Pilot Lt. Robert P Mims Jr., Shot down 3 miles north of Fervent, France on February 5, 1944, MACR 2056.

NARA Ref 342-FH-3A17935-50149AC.

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Object Number - UPL 27661 - " 'Somewhere over France' this twin-engine B-26 Marauder medium bomber caught a direct hit from a Nazi flak battery and lost an entire engine....

Assigned to 455BS, 323BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to V-1 target near Desvres, France a direct flak hit near the port engine, caused its departure from the A/C and forced crew to bail-out. 1 x RTD, 4 x POW, 1 x KIA. MACR 2056.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Flak the Spaniel

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Mascot
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Other
  • Role/Job: Mascot
Sergeant William Vermillion and Lieutenant Ralph Phillips of the 323rd Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder Passed as censored 17 Aug 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'A Bomber that has palyed[sic] a great part in the N. African and Sicilian campaigns and is now being used in large numbers in this country is the U.S. "Marauder". The Marauder has a speed of 350 [censor ammended to read '346'] m.p.h., arange[sic] of 2,000 miles, carries a bomb load of over a ton and is fitted with 8 calibre .50 guns. ... 17

William F Vermillion

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37128367
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW)

62240 Desvres, France 5 February 1944 - 5 February 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) mission to V-1 target near Desvres, France a direct flak hit near the port engine, caused its departure from the A/C and forced crew to bail-out. 1 x RTD, 4 x POW, 1 x KIA. MACR 2056.

Manufactured

Offutt AFB, NE, USA Built at Martin.

Delivered

Nebraska, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Earls Colne, Colchester CO6, UK Assigned to 455BS, 323BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28711732
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=35000&Submit6=Go

Date
ContributorTanks
Changes
Sources

http://asisbiz.com/il2/B-26-Marauder/1941035000.html

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 2056 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-35000: Gallery (3 items)