Famous Picture of B-26 Marauder on fire

[kaki3152]

This is a famous picture that has been seen many times on film. A B-26 is hit by flak and rolls inverted before crashing. I think it's a 323rd BG Marauder.
Can anyone identify the airplane?

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This picture (and two others in the same sequence when the aircraft is seen to turn on its back before going down) are on fold3, as free files:
https://www.fold3.com/image/1/37205410

The text noted that this loss occured during a raid on Wittlich, Germany.

Somebody annotated the picture in the following comment:
"Martin B-26B-30-MA Marauder (s/n 41-31896) named "Louisiana Mud Hen" (aka "Circle Jerk") from the 453rd BS, 323rd BG, 9th AF. Lost on December 23,1944 when it was shot down by AAA over Germany. All 6 crewmen were KIA. MACR 11659 Shown just seconds before a direct hit by flak in the left engine sent the plane spinning out of control."

MACR is available here: https://www.fold3.com/image/1/46705346 (but this needs a paying account)

[kaki3152]

Thanks Laurent! I had some idea since I have seen this film footage many times. However, I could not place it. I figured the learned folk on this site could identify quickly.

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by kaki3152

Thanks Laurent! I had some idea since I have seen this film footage many times. However, I could not place it. I figured the learned folk on this site could identify quickly.

Good evening Kaki !

This MARAUDER crashed at the Western outskirts if Lissendorf, which is located about 17 km Northeast of Prüm, Germany and about 11 km North of Gerolstein, Germany.


The entire crew perished in the crash and the remaines were initially buried at th cemetary of Lissendorf.

Best wishes !

Horst Weber

[kaki3152]

Thanks Horst for the additional info.