Bombing operations during the Second World War were one of the most hazardous undertakings Americans had to endure throughout the conflict. Consider for example the Operation Tidal Wave strike by American B-24 bombers against oil reserves in Ploesti Romania in 1943: of 178 bombers and 1,726 men on the mission, 54 aircraft, and nearly 500 men failed to return (310 killed and 186 captured).
Due to the extremely hazardous nature of bombing Axis targets, the Army Air Corps mandated that the country only expected bomber pilots and crews to fly a maximum of 25 combat missions before their time in the military was honorably served. The crew of Air Corps B-26 medium bomber “Flak-Bait” fulfilled their quota of 25 bomb runs… but, feeling the momentum, they rolled up their sleeves and knocked out another 175 bomb runs for good measure.
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I’m a nobody*, but my venerable uncle Robert Hand flew a cool 81 missions over mainland Japan in a Boeing B-29 (Super Fortress). As with many men, he was not one to talk about his part in the war. He had the same answer every time I asked him about his military service:
“Oh… you know, son, I just heated up the Japs every chance I got.”
I think I knew what that meant without actually knowing what it meant.
Flak-Bait flew 725 hours in combat and covered 177,460 miles while consuming 157,850 gallons of gasoline. Living up to its name, the bomber accumulated over 1,000 patched holes from combat flak (anti-aircraft fire) damage. To sustain all of that damage and stay flying is staggering when you consider that plenty of bombers were actually shot down and destroyed on their maiden flights.
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single red bomb decal for each of the missions it flew, and then a master “200” decal indicating the final
high number of bomb missions flown (Smithsonian).
After the war, the Army Air corps recognized Flak-Bait’s historic significance and saved it from the fate of destruction that befell most post-war aircraft. It was sent back to the United States in 1946 where the modern U.S. Air Force officially donated the aircraft to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Flak-Bait’s port forward fuselage section went on display in the museum in 1976 while the bulk of the bomber artifacts remain in storage until 2014 when the entire remains of the bomber went in for complete restoration at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar.
In the end, no other bomber matched Flak-Bait’s mission count — all with the same original flight crew members. Its success could be seen as a matter of high speed and heavy protective armament delivered by engineering design, but the flight crews are the ones that brought its performance to the top rung and made it the lowest loss of aircraft of the entire war.
By Almighty God and with Honor,
Geo sends
*Editor’s Note: The author of this article sure as heck isn’t a nobody.
God bless your uncle for 81 missions! My dad did 76 missions in North Africa and Europe and people can’t believe he did that many, so I understand how significant 81 is. Amazing. I know my dad never took a day of his life for granted after that, and I am sure it was the same for your uncle. I honor his service in those… as my dad called them… “flying tin cans.”
George,
Hope you can help. I have a print with the image of “FLAK BAIT” signed by 1lt Warren Langer.
It says he was the pilot on it’s 202nd combat mission 24 Apr 1945.
but i can’t find anything about Lt Warren Langer. I found a lot about FLAK BAIT. Remarkable stories.
Do you know anything about Lt Warren Langer?
Flak-Bait’s April 24, 1945 mission target was Schroben Hausen POL Dep. Crew consisted of 1LT W. Langer-Pilot, 1LT J.E. Smith-Co-Pilot
Sgt. J. Baker-togglier(?), SSgt G.D. Mitchell-engineer/gunner, TSgt E.F. Smith-radio/gunner, Sgt B.H. Scales-gunner.
While it is true that the name Flak-Bait was a play on the nickname of James “Boss” Farrell’s family dog the picture caption indicates that Col. John Samuel is seating on the left. This picture is the original crew of Flak-Bait. Col. Samuel flew as a guest on Flak-Bait’s 200th mission. The pilot and crew in the picture had finished their tour(s) when Samuel flew in Flak Bait.
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WOW that is cool, thanks Geo. I love the bomb run decal on the side.
Ms. Loula,
Flak-Bait was a spin-off name from the senior pilot’s family dog, who was ‘Flea-Bait’.
geo sends
Geo, thank you for such an interesting article! I’ve been watching and watching for another article from you. I read everything you write!
Thank you for telling us about the Flak-Bait (what a name!) and her crew. Extraordinary.
And your Uncle Robert – 81 missions?? Oh. My. Goodness!
You’re very welcome, Ms. Susan.
I build the 1/48 scale model of the Boeing B-29 Super Fortress with my son GeoV a few years ago. I thought of my uncle Robert quite a lot in the process.
geo sends
It is amazing that the bomber accrued over 1,000 patched holes from combat flak damage, and was still functional after each repair. The men would have spoken about the air craft with affection, since after all, it pulled them through each mission. I wonder if they had a nickname for “her” as I believe all planes were characterized as female. Great glimpse of outstanding history, Geo. Thank you. (You have never been, nor will you ever be, a nobody!)
You’re absolutely right, Ms. Loula… most of the WWII bomber nose art was reflective of a female for one reason or another.
geo sends
Geo, this is a very interesting read.
200 bomb runs and survived to be a national treasure in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s National Mall Building. I bet I saw it in 1986 when we took our daughters there. Wish I had known the story then. This was a real pleasure to read today. Thank you!
Thanks, Mic-Mac…
I was unaware that so many companies answered to papers when the Air Corpe sent out its specification for the light twin-engine bomber. The B-25 and B-26 as well as the A-20 Havoc were all picked up by the Air Corps and all three have stellar records. No other country was able to answer to air superiority like the United States. Flak-Bait really went above and beyond.
geo sends
*corps