The importance of being in Marauders

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IN MARAUDERS


When we were all in cadet school at Big Spring, what we talked about most was
what type of aircraft we would be assigned to; B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20 or the
grand prize of all; the fast, hot B-26 Martin Marauder. As the term went on and
we approached graduation these concerns became more intense. We knew that after
we graduated, got our wings and our assignments were posted, we could tell the
type of plane we had drawn by the location of the posting. As the training
reached its final weeks, I was second in my class in terms of my circle of
error for total bombs dropped. My feelings were that with my high bombing
scores I deserved the best. I wanted Marauders. I prayed for Marauders. I
dreamt Marauders. I knew that if I was posted to Lake Charles or Shreveport my
dreams had come true. I was going to Marauders. If I were posted anywhere else,
I would be one unhappy bombardier. We graduated and the whole class made
straight for the posting lists. Some came away smiling, and some didn't. As one
bombardier put it, "Damn. B-24's. I'm going to go through this war with a hotel
strapped to my ass".

I finally got to the list and BINGO! Lake Charles. I made it! It was a proud
day that I still remember vividly. Then a strange thing happened. They guys all
joined together by aircraft forming tight little groups that went everywhere
together. I became part of the B-26 group and when we all walked by others were
heard to say, "Lucky *******s going to Marauders". It also turned out that many
of those who had the highest bombing scores were assigned to B-26's. I guess it
is the importance of being in Marauders.





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Arthur Kramer
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

"ArtKramr" wrote in message
...
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IN MARAUDERS




I finally got to the list and BINGO! Lake Charles. I made it! It was a
proud
day that I still remember vividly. Then a strange thing happened. They
guys all
joined together by aircraft forming tight little groups that went
everywhere
together. I became part of the B-26 group and when we all walked by others
were
heard to say, "Lucky *******s going to Marauders". It also turned out that
many
of those who had the highest bombing scores were assigned to B-26's. I
guess it
is the importance of being in Marauders.



Well I believe there was one other factor that would have become significant
for you post war. Marauders AFAIKT had the lowest combat attrition of all
those types at about 0.6%