Pilot 2nd Lt. Earl C. Foster (survived)
Crashed September 26, 1942
MACR none
Aircraft History
Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26 Marauder serial number 40-1392. Disassembled and shipped to Oahu and reassembled at the Hawaiian Air Depot (HAD) at Hickam Field.
Wartime History
During March 1942 assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 2nd Bombardment Squadron (2nd BS). Nicknamed "Old Timer". Assigned to 1st Lt. George R. Anderson (C. O. 2nd Bombardment Squadron), 1st Lt. John N. Ewbank, Jr. with crew chief Jones.
During April 1942 flown overseas by 1st Lt. George R. Anderson via Hickam Field then across the Pacific before arriving at Amberley Field near Brisbane on April 16, 1942. Assigned to Anderson, Ewbank with crew chief Jones.
On May 2, 1942 this B-26 flew its first combat mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. In total, this B-26 completed eighteen combat missions before being lost.
Mission History
On September 26, 1942 took off from Reid River Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. Earl C. Foster a new pilot who accidentally retracted the landing gear before becoming airborne and skidded on the belly with one propeller blade damaging the fuselage and caused a bomb to come loose from the bomb bay and came to rest nearby. Fortunately, none of the crew were injured but the bomber was written off.
References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-26 40-1392
"1392 (2nd BS, 22nd BG, 5th AF) crashed near Reid River Airfield, Queensland, Australia Apr 4, 1943 due to engine failure while on practice flight. One crewman killed, rest survived, aircraft was destroyed."
Revenge of the Red Raiders pages 142 (photos), 490
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Last Updated
January 25, 2023
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