42-107740 B-26C Marauder 9AF 391BG573BS T6U Junior flak damage over Normandy 20th May 1944 NA1435

Photo description: All this and a safe landing too! Somewhere behind the enemy lines in Normandy, Nazi flak gunners literally tore to shreds the tail assembly of this 9th AF Marauder medium bomber. But the pilot--Lt. Col. John S. Samuel, of Hinsdale, Ill., brought bomber and crew back for a "miracle landing'’ using his engines to turn the plane and control its direction on the long trip "home".(U.S. Air Force Number 52437AC); '42-107740' (nicknamed 'Junior') and coded 'T6-U' was a 391st Bomb-Grp Martin B.26 Marauder that had it's tail smashed by German AA.fire (88mm) on the 20th May 1944. This picture was taken at her home-base, Matching-Green, Essex, England (USAAF Station 166) after the event. 'T6-U' was eventually repaired & went on to fly-total of 96missions.

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204842199 Local ID: 342-FH-3A05610-52437AC