A Bomber Born for Battle
Flak-Bait was a Martin B-26 Marauder, delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943. It was assigned to the 449th Bombardment Squadron of the 322nd Bombardment Group, operating from England during World War II. Its name reflected its frequent encounters with anti-aircraft fire.
Unmatched Mission Record
The aircraft completed 207 combat missions, more than any other American bomber during the war. It survived extensive damage from flak and enemy fighters, earning its crew’s admiration. Despite being hit numerous times, Flak-Bait always returned safely to base.
Surviving Damage and Danger
Flak-Bait’s fuselage bore over 1,000 patched holes from enemy fire. The plane carried out bombing runs over heavily defended targets, including strategic locations in Germany, during the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.
Preservation for History
After the war, Flak-Bait was disassembled and stored. Today, its preserved remains are part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s collection, showcasing the extraordinary story of this remarkable bomber.
Flak-Bait, a B-26 Marauder bomber from WWII, holds the unmatched record of completing 207 combat missions, more than any other American bomber. Assigned to the 322nd Bombardment Group, its name reflected its encounters with relentless enemy anti-aircraft fire. pic.twitter.com/GlMgdSswSf
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