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Aircraft History Built by Martin in Baltimore, Maryland. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-26B Marauder Serial Number 41-17556. Wartime History Assigned to the 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 69th Bombardment Squadron (69th BS). Assigned to pilot Long. No known nickname or nose art. On May 22, 1942 flown to Hickam Field. On May 27, 1942 or May 28, 1942 piloted by Long this B-26 was damaged when it clipped the seawall and overran the runway at Luke Field (Ford Island Airfield). Afterwards, repaired at the Hawaiian Air Depot (HAD) at Hickam Field. On February 27, 1943 transfered to the 70th Bombardment Squadron (70th BS) and flown across the Pacific to Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield and then to Henderson Field. Mission History On January 7, 1943 in the afternoon took off from Henderson Field, piloted by Lt. Howbert and co-pilot Don White armed with 100 pound bombs as one of six six B-26s led by B-26 "KreJan" 41-17550 pilot Captain Lincoln E. Behling on a bombing mission against Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The formation was led by B-26 "KreJan" 41-17550 pilot Captain Lincoln E. Behling, B-26B 41-17567 pilot Captain Long, B-26B 41-17588 pilot Captain Lingamfelter, B-26B 41-17556 pilot Lt. Howbert, B-26B 41-175?? pilot Lt. Field, B-26B "Kansas City Kitty" B-26B 41-175?? pilot Lt Stephen H. Howbert. Over Munda Airfield, a low ceiling of clouds obscured the target area and the formation proceeded to the alternate target of Rekata Bay on Santa Isabela but found it also had a low ceiling. Previously, B-26's attacked this target without opposition and the formation initiated a low level attack from 600' and experienced intense anti-aircraft fire and intercepted by float plane fighters. Shot down was B-26B "KreJan" 41-17550 pilot Captain Lincoln E. Behling. The other five bombers were damaged but managed to return. 1) B-26B "KreJan" 41-17550 pilot Captain Lincoln E. Behling 2) B-26B 41-17567 Captain Long returned with hydraulic and electrical systems out with bullet holes 3) B-26B 41-17556 (this plane) pilot Lt. Howbert and co-pilot Don White returned with 52 bullet holes 4) B-26 41-15780 pilot Lt. Field and co-pilot Shurman returned with 37 bullet holes and was hit in the oil tanks, tail gunner claims a floatplane Zero. 5) B-26B "Kansas City Kitty" 41-17536 [sic?] pilot Lt Stephen H. Howbert damaged by returned 6) B-26B 41-17588 pilot Captain Lingamfelter shot up and crew bailed out. B-26B "Plenty Peed Off Patootie" 41-17589 flew mission This bomber returned with 52 bullet holes. 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 41-17556 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 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 everywhere 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." Thanks to Larry Hickey / International Historical Research Associates for additional information Contribute
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