Riverside in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

B-26 Martin Marauder

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

1. B-26 Martin Marauder Marker

Inscription. B-26
Martin Marauder ( right side ) Isolating the Battlefield The B-26 Marauder, developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company, was first delivered to the Air Corps in February 1941. Its high landing speed made it the ‘hottest' aircraft of its time. This medium bomber contributed to Allied victories in Europe, North Africa, the Aleutians and the Pacific. The largest number flew in Europe isolating the battlefield prior to and after "D-day.” By D-day 6 June 1944, all major bridges in France scheduled as targets had been destroyed. The B-26's were the primary aircraft used to destroy railroad yards, roads and communication centers as well as bridges, limiting the enemy's mobility. After World War II, Hans Speidel, a respected German general, highlighted the work of medium bombers. “Destruction of railways was making regulated railway supply impossible as early as mid-May 1944 . . . Lack of fuel paralyzed all movement. The Seine bridges below Paris and the Loire bridges below Orleans were destroyed from the air before 6 June 1944.”

The first B-26 Group assigned to the 8th Air Support Command, European

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Theater of Operations, arrived in England in March 1943. All B-26 Groups in the ETO as of 16 October 1943 were assigned to the 9th Air Force: 322nd · 323rd · 344th · 386th · 387th · 391st · 394th · 397th · Pathfinder Group Other major B-26 groups included: 12th AF, North African and Mediterranean Theaters: 17th · 319th · 320th 5th AF, Pacific Theater: 22nd 13th AF, So. Pacific Theatre 11th AF, Aleutians 73rd Sqd · 77th Sqd

( left side ) The
B-26 Martin Marauder
Medium Bomber The bombardier in this lead plane of the sixth and final flight of a 36 plane formation centered the cross-hairs of his Norden Bomb Sight on the target. All 24 of this flight's 1000-pound bombs are headed for the remaining span of a six span bridge. The other spans are obscured and probably destroyed by the earlier flights. This pilot is leading his flight home in evasive action to avoid the deadly flak from German 88-mm guns.

Before and after D-day" Marauders destroyed targets to isolate the battlefield and limit the enemy's ability to advance troops and supplies.

The members of the 397th Bombardment Group (M), the 'Bridgebusters," dedicate

Isolating the Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

2. Isolating the Battlefield

this memorial to the comrades who gave their lives and to all who supported, maintained and flew the B-26 Martin Marauder, and for their immeasurable contribution to the Allied victory in World War II.

Dedicated this 4th day of September 1987
by the
397th Bomb Group Association
The Marauder
Its men - their victories
World War II

This memorial completed through the generosity of individuals
from all B-26 Marauder Units.

Re-dedication,
This 23rd day of September 1988

Erected 1987.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II.

Location. 39° 46.812′ N, 84° 6.708′ W. Memorial is in Riverside, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is on Springfield Street near Bong Street, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Memorial Park of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1100 Spaatz Street, Dayton OH 45431, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Dayton Metro

and in the Miami Valley.

It is also in the American

The B-26 Martin Marauder Medium Bomber image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

3. The B-26 Martin Marauder Medium Bomber

Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 21st Air Depot Group (here, next to this marker); 442nd Troop Carrier Wing (here, next to this marker); 95th Bomb Group (H) (a few steps from this marker); Fifth Fighter Squadron (a few steps from this marker); Doolittle Tokyo Raiders (a few steps from this marker); Lt. Col. Francis S. Hapner (a few steps from this marker); 13th Bomb Squadron (a few steps from this marker); 351st Bombardment Group Memorial (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Stone on the Ground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

4. Stone on the Ground

B-26 Martin Marauder
This Monument Was Dedicated
On September 23, 1988
To All B-26 Units
In WWII Worldwide

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

5. Stone on the Ground

397th Bombardment Group (M)
United States Army Corps
9th Air Force
Activated 20 April, 1943, Tampa, Florida
First Mission 20 April, 1944, from England
Last Mission 20 April, 1945, from France
Presidential Unit Citation
23 December, 1944

Granite Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

6. Granite Bench

386th Bomb Group (M)
552nd Sqdn · 553rd Sqdn · 554th Sqdn · 555th Sqdn
Presidential Unit Citation
“The untiring devotion to duty and extraordinary skill and courage reflect great credit upon the entire organization.”

B-26 Martin Marauder Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, February 28, 2018

7. B-26 Martin Marauder Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 574 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.