The Bomber that Stopped German’s Final Attack

As the winter storm of December 1944 cleared, the skies over Europe buzzed with the activity of Allied aircraft. The Ninth Air Force resumed missions, bringing much-needed air support to the besieged Allied troops in the Ardennes region. The Battle of the Bulge was in full swing, and the German offensive aimed to break through the Allied lines, capturing key supply routes. Amid this desperate struggle, one aircraft and its crew played a significant role in halting Germany’s final major attack: the Martin B-26 Marauder.

Early Wings of Fate: The Trials of Pilot Kendall Eeks

The story begins with Kendall Eeks, a young pilot from North Carolina, who had recently earned his wings and commission in the United States Army Air Forces. Like many of his peers, Eeks joined the service to avoid being drafted into the infantry, hoping for better conditions as an officer in the air corps. His training journey was far from easy, marked by the dangers of aviation and the loss of fellow cadets. The high stakes of learning to fly military aircraft became apparent when a classmate failed to follow critical safety protocols, resulting in a fatal crash. Such incidents underscored the hazards of training during wartime, where over 15,000 American airmen lost their lives in non-combat accidents.

Eeks’s training advanced through multiple stages, including primary and basic flight school, before he opted for twin-engine aircraft. This decision led him to train on the B-26 Marauder, a medium bomber with a reputation for being difficult to handle. Nicknamed the “Widowmaker” due to its narrow wings and high landing speed, the B-26 demanded skilled pilots. Despite its challenges, the aircraft’s speed and versatility made it an asset in combat. Eeks’s early experiences with the B-26 were harrowing, including a flight where the rudder was locked due to a pin not being removed. Fortunately, the crew’s quick actions prevented disaster, but such incidents highlighted the risks of flying the Marauder.

Kendall Eeks’s Combat Missions in the European Theater

After completing training in May 1944, Eeks and his crew were sent to Europe to join the ongoing fight against German forces. By December of that year, they were stationed in the European Theater, preparing for missions during the critical Battle of the Bulge. The German offensive aimed to split the Allied forces, and their success depended heavily on cutting off key supply routes. The B-26 crews played a vital role in disrupting these plans, targeting supply lines, bridges, and enemy positions to weaken the German advance.

On one particular mission, Eeks and his crew faced heavy anti-aircraft fire and attacks from German fighters. The B-26, with its twin Pratt & Whitney engines, could outrun many enemy planes, but survival depended on teamwork and precision. Flying low to avoid radar detection, the crew navigated through flak-filled skies, delivering their payload on target. Such missions were not without cost, as many aircraft were lost to enemy fire. However, the efforts of Eeks and his fellow airmen proved instrumental in stalling the German offensive, allowing the Allied ground forces to regroup and counterattack.

The B-26’s Role and Legacy in the Battle of the Bulge

The B-26 Marauder’s impact during the Battle of the Bulge extended beyond its firepower. Its crews’ determination and skill were a testament to the resilience of the Allied air forces. Despite its early reputation as a difficult aircraft, the B-26’s performance in combat earned it respect among those who flew it. By the end of the war, it had one of the lowest loss rates of any Allied bomber, a testament to the training and bravery of its crews.

For Kendall Eeks, the experiences of flying the B-26 during the war left a lasting impression. The challenges he faced, from the dangers of training to the perils of combat, were shared by countless young men who took to the skies in defense of freedom.