The definitive history of Flak-Bait, the most accomplished American bomber of the Second World War.



The definitive history of Flak-Bait, the most accomplished American bomber of the Second World War.

Battling flak and enemy fighters over the skies of Europe during World War II, the US Army Air Force Martin B-26 Marauder bomber named “Flak-Bait” completed a remarkable 201 combat missions, a feat that made it the highest mission scorer of any Allied medium or heavy bomber. For many years, the author has held a special interest in the B-26, and especially those of the 387th Bomb Group. It was during his first visit to the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC, over 20 years ago, where “Flak-Bait's” nose section was on display, that he became interested in what the aircraft had achieved during its illustrious career.

• Using official World War II–era records
• Day-by-day account of the missions it flew, crew lists, flight routes, and weapons dropped
• Records any comments made by the various crews during their post-mission debriefing
• A special photo section features the current restoration display of “Flak-Bait” at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington, DC.
• Corrects previously held perceptions about the aircraft and its missions

This is the most definitive account of any single World War II aircraft’s combat career ever published.