Aircraft History
Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26B Marauder serial number 41-17567.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 38th Bombardment Group, 69th Bombardment Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

On May 22, 1942 this bomber suffered a take off accident at McClellan Field. Afterwards, repaired. Ferried across the Pacific via Hickam Field to the South Pacific.

Mission History
On January 7, 1943, one of six B-26s that took off from Henderson Field piloted by Captain Long leading a formation of six B-26s on a bombing mission against Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The formation proceeded to the target area but found it covered by a low ceiling of cloud. Instead, they proceeded to Rekata Bay that also had a low ceiling. Since B-26's had attacked this target the previously without opposition, the formation initiated a low level attack.

Afterwards, this B-26 was written off due to the damage sustained on the mission. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26B Marauder 41-17567
"41-17567 (38th BG, 69th BS, 13th AF) in takeoff accident at McClellan Field, California May 22, 1942. Scrapped at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands due to flak damage Jan 7, 1943"
69th Bombardment Squadron Diary January 7, 1943
"Well diary this day is the saddest day in our history, we lost our best Captain and crew yesterday afternoon in a raid over Rekata Bay, a Jap sea plane base. Captain Behling lead 6 planes in the afternoon to bomb Munda airdrome but found it impossible as they had a very low ceiling so they went over to Rekada Bay [sic] and it too had a low ceiling but on the last raid we encountered no no AA fire so he decided to make a low bombing run at 600 feet. The Japs were laying for them and shot everything at 'em except the kitchen sink and maybe that. Our boys reported it was a solid sheet of flame they flew right through it spreading their 100 lbs bombs all over the place. Evidently Captain Behling got an explosive shell in the cockpit as over the target his plane shot straight up and fell off on one wing and spun down in flames and exploded when hitting the water. The other ships managed to limp home. Captain Long nursed his aircraft home on one engine with hydraulic, electrical systems out, and bullet holes in his wings, tail and every where else. Lt. Howbert and my class mate Don White received as a present 52 bullet holes in his plane, two of which went between Whites' legs. They put a neat hole through a brace of the landing gear but it stood up for the landing. Lt. Field and co-pilot Shurman, also my classmate, received 37 holes in their plane which got one of their oil tanks but not bad enough to cause engine failure. His tail gunner got a float type zero fighter. Lt Howbert tail gunner was shot in the leg but will be OK in a few weeks. Capt. Lingamfelter, our flight leader, plane was shot up so bad that he dared not land as everything on his ship was shot up. All crew members got out OK near the field and he bailed out last and fell 500 feet before his chute opened as it tangles in his legs and he fought to free it to open at 600 feet. They're OK except a little shaken up but are ready for another crack at the Japs. Out of that raid we lost a crew and one airplane #117550. Lingamfelter in #17588 is gone. Lt. Howbert in #7536 may fly again but it is doubtful. Lt.Fields #115780 may fly again. Capt. Longs #117567 definitely will never fly."

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Last Updated
January 1, 2022