USAAF 41-18201 Martin B-26B-10-MA Marauder

USAAF serial number S/N: 41-18201 Martin B-26B-10-MA Marauder

1941018201, 41-18201 Martin B-26B-10-MA Marauder Fate: Unit: 17BG432BS Remarks: 17BG432BS Code:88 named: 'Sweet Sue-Sweet' She was initially named 'Sweet Sue's Duke of Paduke', but was renamed 'Sweet Sue' later on as a different BS had a B-26 called 'Sweet Sue's Duke of Paducha' (so not to be confused) 'Sweet Sue' was one of the first of the new B-26B-10-MA long wing and big tail planes delivered to the 17th Bombardment Group per crew chief information we have received. It got wheels up, but never gained altitude and the frag bombs exploded on impact destroying the plane. They were headed to the Anzio Beach head in Italy that ill fated day. Disposal: Crashed on takeoff at the Villacidro base in Sardinia Italy 29^th February 1944.

1941018201, 41-18201 Martin B-26B-10-MA Marauder Fate: Unit: 17BG432BS Remarks: 17BG432BS Code:88 named: Sweet Sue-Sweet Sue's Duke of Paduke, Disposal: Crashed 29^th February 1944

Steven Altamura

NEW YORK TIMES 'The Journey home in Sight, Bomber Burns' 8^th April 1944

WITH THE A.E.F. IN ITALY, April 8th 1944 — 'Sweet Sue' was slated for a trip home as soon as she hit her 100th mission. It was all fixed up to load up the B-26 Marauder, which had flown raids from Tunisia to the French Riviera, with its crew of guys who had finished their tour of duty and fly her home for a bond-selling tour.

Tech. Sgt. George E. Beeman of Brookfordi, N.C., was their crew chief—in charge of the gang of ground guys who kept her going—and he’d been commended for the swell job because Sweet Sue had flown more than 90 missions. The whole squadron was 'sweating her out' for the trip home.

But it wasn’t in the cards. On, her 95th mission the flak-scarred, bullet-marked Marauder never quite made it off the ground. She got her wheels up, but somehow she wouldn’t rise, crashed and burst into flames, killing the six men aboard.