USAAF 41-31694 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder
USAAF serial number S/N: 41-31694 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder
1941031694, 41-31694 Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder Fate: AAIR Unit: 387BG556BS Remarks: 387BG556BS (Chipping Ongar) - Tiger Tails Code:FW-F named: Hangover Hut Completed 152 missions. Disposal:
Further Web Reference: http://387bg.com/Aircraft/B-26%20Hangover%20Hut.html
Hangover Hut
Martin B-26B-20-MA Marauder
Sn: 41-31694
Squadron Code: FW-F
First Sortie |
Last Sortie |
Total |
31 Jul 43 |
17 Apr 45 |
152 |
Crew Chief: T/Sgt. Thomas F. Coughlin
Asst. Crew Chief: Sgt. "Pete" Petrie
Hangover Hutwas one of the original cadre of B-26s that formed the 556th Bomb. Squadron. The crew to which the aircraft was originally assigned and that flew the aircraft from the United States to England was:
Pilot CP B/N EG ROG AG C.C. |
1st Lt. 2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. S/Sgt. T/Sgt. PFC T/Sgt. |
William H. Sanders Edwin J. Anderson Carl M. Caudill Raymond E. Vogel Benjamin Costello, Jr. Joseph A. Alfree Thomas F. Coughlin |
Hangover Hut flew on both th Group's first combat mission on July 31, 1943, when it flew diversion for the B-17s, and its last on April 26, 1945, against oil storage tanks at Schrobenhausen, Germany. In the latter mission the Group was recalled three minutes from base because the target had been overrun by the fast-advancing U.S. ground forces; the Group did not get credited for the mission because it never entered hostile air space.
Constituted as 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 25 Nov 1942. Activated on 1 Dec 1942. Trained with B-26 aircraft. Moved to England in Jun 1943. Served with Eighth AF until assigned to Ninth in Oct 1943. Began combat in Aug 1943 and concentrated its attacks on airdromes during the first months of operations. Made numerous strikes on V-weapon sites in France in the winter of 1943-1944. Hit airfields at Leeuwarden and Venlo during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944, the intensive campaign against the German Air Force and aircraft industry. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by attacking coastal batteries and bridges in France during May 1944. Bombed along the invasion coast on 6 Jun 1944 and supported ground forces throughout the month by raiding railroads, bridges, road junctions, defended areas, and fuel dumps. Moved to the Continent in Jul 1944 and participated in attacks on the enemy at St Lo in the latter part of the month and on German forces at Brest during Aug and Sep. Extended operations into Germany by fall of 1944. Received a DUC for action during the Battle of the Bulge when the group hit strongly defended transportation and communications targets at Mayen and Prum. Supported the Allied drive into the Reich by attacking bridges, communications centers, marshalling yards, storage installations, and other objectives. Ended combat operations in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Nov. Inactivated on 17 Nov 1945.
559th Bombardment Squadron 556th BS: 1942-1945.
559th Bombardment Squadron 557th BS: 1942-1945.
558th Bombardment Squadron 558th BS: 1942-1945.
559th Bombardment Squadron 559th BS: 1942-1945.
Squadrons. 556th: 1942-1945. 557th: 1942-1945. 558th: 1942-1945. 559th: 1942-1945.
Stations. MacDill Field, Fla, 1 Dec 1942; Drane Field, Fla, 12 Apr 1943; Godman Field, Ky, c. 11 May-10 Jun 1943; Chipping Ongar, England, 25 Jun 1943; Stony Cross, England, 18 Jul 1944; Maupertuis, France, 22 Aug 1944; Chateaudun, France, 18 Sep 1944; Clastres, France, 30 Oct 1944; Beek, Holland, 29 Apr 1945; Rosieres-en-Santerre, France, 24 May-c. Nov 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 14-17 Nov 1945.
Commanders. Maj David S Blackwell, 20 Dec 1942; Col Carl R Storrie, c. 19 Jan 1943; Col Jack E Caldwell, 8 Nov 1943; Col Thomas M Seymour, 13 Apr 1944; Col Grover C Brown, c. 18 Jul 1944; Lt Col Richard R Stewart, 20 May 1945; Col Philip A Sykes, Jun 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 23 Dec 1944.
Insigne. None.
387th Bombardment Group Mission List
387th Bombardment Group Chronology
Martin B-26 Marauder photograph list.
USAAF Military History Section
USAAF Chronology and War Diaries USAAF Combat Units 1941-1942 1943 1944 1945
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