323rd Bomb Group
Group![Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-380000.jpg.webp?itok=4yRtnrHN)
Changed serial number of B-26 from 41-34982 to 41-34942.
See:
http://www.b26.com/guestbook/2011.htm
http://cdm15960.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15960coll3/id/13…
Object Number - FRE 1204 - Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34942) nicknamed "Jolly...
The 323rd Bombardment Group operated with B-26 Marauders, American medium bombers. They were the first Eighth Air Force Group to fly a medium level bombing mission with this aircraft on 16 July 1943. After flying a total of 33 missions with the Eighth, the Group were assigned to the Ninth Air Force, and they continued to fly strategic bombing missions over Europe throughout the war, staying at Earls Colne, Essex until 21 July 1944, at which point they moved to Beaulieu, England.
The 323rd moved to an airfield adjacent to the village of Lessay, France on 26 August 1944 and then moved to an airfield near Chartres, France on 21 September 1944. On 13 October 1944, the 323rd moved to Laon/Athies Airfield from which the group flew missions in the Battle of the Bulge from December 23 -27, 1944 for which the Distinguished Unit Citation was conferred upon the group. On 9 February 1945, the gorup moved to Denain/Pouvy Airdrome where is was stationed until 15 May 1945.
Selected Bibliography of Publications, Media and Websites:
Moench, John O. Marauder Men: An Account of the Martin B-26 Marauder: An Examination and History of the Martin B-26 Marauder and Those Who Built, Supported, and Flew It in World War II: USAF-USN-RAF-SAAF-FFAF: Includes an in Depth Account of the 323rd Bombardment Group (M) of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in Europe. Longwood, FL: Malia Enterprises, 1999.
Harlan, Ross E. Strikes: 323rd Bomb Group in World War II. Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma Cavanal Publishers, 2005.
Pyle, Ernie. Brave Men. New York: H. Holt and, 1944.
Rehr, Louis S., and Carleton R. Rehr. Marauder: Memoir of a B-26 Pilot in Europe in World War II. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2004.
70th Anniversary Tribute D-Day: 24 Hours That Saved the World. TIME, 2014.
Scutts, Jerry. B-26 Marauder Units of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. London: Osprey Aerospace, 1997.
Freeman, Roger Anthony., Trevor J. Allen, and Bernard Mallon. B-26 Marauder at War. New York: Scribner, 1978.
Moore, Carl H. Flying the B-26 Marauder over Europe: Memoir of a World War II Navigator. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2013.
Butcher, Harry C. My Three Years with Eisenhower: The Personal Diary of Captain Harry C. Butcher, USNR, Naval Aide to General Eisenhower, 1942 to 1945. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 1946.
Ambrose, Stephen E. D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994.
B-26 Marauder Historical Society Return of the Marauder Men. Turner Publishing Company.
Commanding Officers
![General Dwight D Eisenhower inspects photographs from a raid by the 386th Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photo, Keystone Press.' [stamp], 21 Apr 1944.' [stamp] Printed caption on reverse :'US Official Photograph No. Distributes through OWI. Gen Eisenhower inspects raid photos. Nine Air Force Headquarters: During an inspection of a Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauder Medium Bombers station in England, General Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in the European Theatre of](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380194.jpg.webp?itok=3qnRxub7)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron 454th Bomb Squadron 455th Bomb Squadron 456th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot / Commanding Officer
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Earls Colne | 21 May 1943 - 14 June 1943 |
|
Based |
Dover Army Air Base | 27 July 1944 |
|
Based |
Lessay | 26 August 1944 |
|
Based |
Chartres | 21 September 1944 |
|
Based |
Laon/Athies | 13 October 1944 |
|
Based |
Gablingen | 15 May 1945 |
|
Based |
16 July 1945 | |
|
Based |
Clastres |
Encompassing
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380000.jpg.webp?itok=SSrEVQvb)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Lieutenant "John Bull" Sterling of the 322nd Bomb Group in the cockpit of his B-26 Marauder nicknamed "John Bull" Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276112.'[Censor no. ] Printed caption on reverse: 'Passed by the Censor- no 2761. Marauder is now operating from this country. Fastest Medium Bomber in use is now operating from this country. It has just been disclosed that the American Medium Bomber, the B-26 Marauder, which already has done](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379989.jpg.webp?itok=wQ5AkzOm)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-663007
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6979275
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 454th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6667781
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Bat-Outa-Hell II
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Red Dog II
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Lois Rose
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Howard Hurricane II
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group
Mission
- Date: 9 October 1943
- Date: 8 October 1943
- Date: 4 October 1943
- Date: 3 October 1943
- Date: 3 October 1943
Revisions
323rd BG Archives - Roy R. Bozych 323rd BG Historian
JMF
323rd Bomb Group Association Website, "323rd BG History": http://www.323bg454bs.org/history.html
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)
![Two B-26 Marauders, (RJ-H, serial number 42-107614) nicknamed "Lady Luck III" and (RJ-C) of the 323rd Bomb Group in flight. Printed caption on reverse: '55172 A.C. - Martin B-26 Marauders in flight over France on bombing mission to Germany. The Marauder can carry 4000 pounds of bombs to a tactical range of 350 miles and is armed with eleven .50 calibre machine guns. U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Detachment-5, HQ AAVS (MAC) [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-457854.jpg.webp?itok=CxI6rg8X)
![A bomber crew of the 323rd Bomb Group sit on the flak damaged nose of their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34719) nicknamed "Miss Emily". Image stamped on reverse: 'Central Press Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '279282.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'America's new super medium bomber in Britain 18.8.43, The U.S. Super Medium bomber, the "MARAUDER", is now operating from Britain after doing fine work in N Africa and Sicily. It has a range of 2,000 miles, with a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379990.jpg.webp?itok=zvBniIzM)
![A bomber crew of the 323rd Bomb Group in full flight gear, beneath the nose of their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mr Falla". Image stamped on reverse: 'Central Press Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '279281.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'America's new super medium bomber in Britain 18.8.43. The U.S super medium bomber, the "MARAUDER" is now operating from Britain after doing fine work in N Africa and Sicily. It has a range of 2,000 miles with a speed of 350 m.p.h a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379991.jpg.webp?itok=uCi4JtO4)
![Staff Sergeant Joseph S White (radio operator), Staff Sergeant George Lemberger (tail gunner) and Staff Sergeant Richard King (engineer) of the 323rd Bomb Group who flew in a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34719) nicknamed "Miss Emily". Image stamped on reverse: 'Daily Sketch.' [stamp], 'Passed as censored 17 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '279193.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'A bomber that has played a great part in the N African and Sicilian Campaigns and is now being used in great numbers in thi](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379992.jpg.webp?itok=vVL57lNN)
![Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379993.jpg.webp?itok=sxDCkoFu)
![Ground personnel of the 323rd Bomb Group prepare a B-26 Marauder (WT-O, serial number 41-34786) nicknamed "Buffalo Girl" for a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276107.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Fasted Medium Bomber in use is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo shows: A Marauder is got ready for a bombing flight at a US bomber station "somewhere in England".' Handwritten caption on reverse: '](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379994.jpg.webp?itok=E2sUMNw7)
![Corporal William E Haley holds Corporal Foy L Jackson (both ground crewmen of the 323rd Bomb Group) by the legs as the latter cleans the nose turret of a B-26 Marauder (WT-O, serial number 41-34786) nicknamed "Buffalo Gal.' Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 24 July 1943.' [stamp] and '276109.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Fastest Medium Bomber in use is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo shows : Cpl W. E. Haley of Chichester, Ill.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379995.jpg.webp?itok=busaKyCc)
![Ground personnel of the 323rd Bomb Group prepare a B-26 Marauder (WT-O, serial number 41-34786) nicknamed "Buffalo Girl" for a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276105.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Fasted Medium Bomber in use is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo shows: A Marauder is got ready for a bombing flight at a US bomber station "somewhere in England".'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379996.jpg.webp?itok=a5EGx7Pl)
![A bomber crew of the 323rd Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Baltimore Sun.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and Passed 17 Oct 1943.' [stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379997.jpg.webp?itok=9vbGH0hz)