B26 Marauder in French Service

[keith A]

https://www.39-45.org/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=52451

I would refer to my previous post on this subject where Zoran was able to identify several bomb groups that made aerial victory claims, according to this site GBI/22 "Maroc" claimed two fighters shot down, and is the only one to be credited with victories.

I haven't been able to locate any victories by any of the French bomb groups although I believe the sources jointly credit them with at least fourteen to seventeen.

One possible encounter was on 24 December 1944 when 13./JG53 lost at least three Bf109 to the Spitfire escort (which claimed four). One French Spitfire was shot down but unclaimed (perhaps the victor was one of the German pilots killed?) and one B-26 was lost (probably the 49th victim of Ofw Eduard Isken).

Perhaps the bomber crews double-claimed, seeing the escorts victims as their own?

6./JG53 made four other B-26 claims, but I assume they were American.

At this stage in the war the B26 raids rarely saw enemy fighters and almost all the losses I have found to French units came from Flak.

[Trendle]

Good Evening Keith,

At Christmas Eve JG 53 shot down three B-26 of the 17th Bomb Group - 1st Tactical Air Force (Prov.) during attack on Singen Marshalling Yard. 1st Tactical Air Force (Prov.) Bomber Command < > Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres lost at the same day one B-26 during attack on Tuttlingen Marshalling Yard. This one was GBM 2/52 Martin B-26 C-45 Marauder # 42-107801 which made a crashlanding near Geney, north of L`Isle-sur-le-Doubs (Région Franche-Comté) - France. If you want to know more about the French Marauders i recommend the excellent book: Les Marauders Français, Patrick Ehrhardt · Polygone 2 Janvier 2001

Cheers

Fred

[edwest2]

As it turns out, there is a Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/maraudersfrancais/

[Nick Beale]

There was a book in 2002 as well: Les Marauders français: https://www.amazon.fr/Marauders-fran...ks%2C66&sr=1-1

[keith A]

Your killing me! I really can't justify £66 to get a copy of Les Marauders Francais...... much as I would love to own one. Please don't tell me it has the details I have asked for. My interest in the Marauders is peripheral but now it's developing into an unhealthy obsession.

Does it have details of the claims? Exact details. Types (I assume all were Bf109 but maybe a Fw190 creeps in), dates, crew names (pilot/air gunner)? The blurb is effusive in it's claims but I have bought books before where it's not lived up to the hype.

best regards

Keith

[keith A]

Ed. The Facebook page is superb with lots of excellent photos of the B26 and their crews. Constantly updated. If I find out a few names of claimants I will add to the page (I have joined the group), pleading for information

best regards

Keith

[keith A]

Many thanks also to Fred. I assumed they'd hit another formation (not the French) but you've zeroed in on the info I wanted.

Best regards

Keith

[Trendle]

Hello Keith,

the French Marauder was shot at by Flak over Tuttlingen and made a crashlanding on the return flight

Cheers

Fred

[Zoran Petek]

Hello,

Journal de marche de la 31e Escadre de Bombardement 1944-1946 and
Journal de marche de la 34e EB and some other documents are available
for free.
These are brief comments on missions, losses in (tail) battle number form.

Just search

Zoran

[Nick Beale]

https://www.traditions-air.fr/texte/...he_31e_EB.html

https://www.traditions-air.fr/texte/...che_34e_EB.htm