Flak-Bait

Flak-Bait was a Martin B-26 Marauder bomber of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. It is renowned for surviving an extraordinary number of combat missions.

Flak-Bait was assigned to the 449th Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group, Ninth Air Force, based in Europe. The name "Flak-Bait" was a self-deprecating reference to its propensity for attracting anti-aircraft fire, or "flak," which was prevalent over enemy territory.

The aircraft flew a documented 207 combat missions over Europe between 1943 and 1945, a remarkable feat considering the high attrition rate of bombers during the war. It participated in numerous bombing raids targeting strategic and tactical targets in France and Germany.

The survival of Flak-Bait is attributed to a combination of factors, including the skill of its pilots and crew, its relatively robust construction, and a degree of luck. The constant maintenance and repair work by the ground crew were also crucial to its operational readiness.

After the war, Flak-Bait was brought back to the United States. The forward fuselage section of Flak-Bait is currently preserved and displayed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington D.C., serving as a testament to the resilience of American airmen and the aircraft they flew during World War II. The display provides insight into the damage the aircraft sustained during its many missions and offers a tangible connection to the history of the air war in Europe.