Number 73 in Osprey's Combat Aircraft series is on the B-26 Marauder and those units operating in the Mediterranean during WWII. Thanks to its relatively high wing loading, it had a rather high landing speed and was an aircraft that had a lot of air speed and maneuverability. Those bomber pilots who transitioned to it were used to more sedate aircraft and thanks to a series of fatal accidents, the plane earned the name 'widow maker'. However, it was a very effective bombing platform and provided accuracy that was pretty well unmatched by other types. Improvements in the airframe also resulted in the B-26 having one of the lowest loss rates of any US bomber.

Like just about everything new, the plane was rushed into combat when America entered the fighting part of the war with operations in North Africa. Initially, results were not good as inadequately trained pilots and crews led to rather high loss rates and poor bombing accuracy. However, as with all systems, improved training and practice turned around those stats.

Author Mark Styling has put together a superb book that covers the story of Marauder operations, from its early operations with the 319th BG in Algeria (where just 17 of 57 aircraft that left the US arrived in full operational condition) to the overwhelming numbers that helped end the war from bases in Southern France and Northern Italy. The amount of research done by the author is exceptional and just about every B-26 of note is mentioned by both subtype, serial and aircraft name.

Superbly illustrated with multiple profiles by the author, the book also contains a goodly number of period photographs of pilots and planes and nose art, much of which is new to the eyes of this reviewer. In all, it is another superlative publication from a publisher we have come to trust for accuracy and a good read. As such, it is highly recommended and I'm sure you will agree.

December 2008

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