The Martin B-26 Marauder was an American twin-engine military medium bomber built for high-speed attacks. It saw its earliest combat in the Pacific but became especially important in Europe and the Mediterranean. It is a separate aircraft from the Douglas Invader, which later also carried the B-26 designation.[1]History: Martin B-26 MarauderNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Martin B-26G MarauderNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
A demanding new bomber
Martin's Model 179 answered the Army's January 1939 requirement for a fast medium bomber. An order followed before the aircraft had flown, and the first flight took place on 25 November 1940. Its high wing loading contributed to relatively high takeoff and landing speeds, making conversion difficult for inexperienced crews.[1]History: Martin B-26 MarauderNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Martin B-26G MarauderNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Training accidents gave the Marauder an alarming early reputation. The aircraft's introduction therefore involved both technical development and improved preparation of its crews. Its later combat record cannot be understood solely through the nicknames associated with those early training difficulties.[1]History: Martin B-26 MarauderNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Combat employment
Marauders entered operations in the Southwest Pacific during spring 1942. A small force attempted torpedo attacks during the Battle of Midway. North African operations followed the Allied landings in November 1942, and the type began flying combat missions from Britain in May 1943.[1]History: Martin B-26 MarauderNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
In Europe, the Marauder increasingly operated as a tactical bomber. The aircraft generally attacked from medium altitude, striking targets relevant to the ground campaign. Units transferred from the Eighth to the Ninth Air Force in October 1943 as preparations developed for the invasion of France.[1]History: Martin B-26 MarauderNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Martin B-26G MarauderNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Production and Allied use
Martin built 5,266 Marauders before production ended in 1945. American, British and Free French forces operated them, with aircrew drawn from several Allied countries. The National Museum of the United States Air Force's B-26G served with Free French forces during the final months of the war before passing into a French training establishment.[2]Martin B-26G MarauderNational Museum of the United States Air Force · nationalmuseum.af.mil · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details