Editing Martin B-10 (section)

==Operational history==
{{Expand section|date=July 2016}}

===United States===
[[File:Martin B-10B during exercises.jpg|thumb|Martin B-10B during exercises]]
[[File:Martin B-12 at March Field, Calif., on Nov. 19, 1935.jpg|thumb|Martin B-12 at [[March Field]], California, 1935]]

In 1935, the Army ordered an additional 103 aircraft designated '''B-10B'''. These had only minor changes from the YB-10. Shipments began in July [[1935 in aviation|1935]]. B-10Bs served with the [[2d Operations Group|2d Bomb Group]] at [[Langley Field]], the [[9th Operations Group|9th Bomb Group]] at [[Mitchel Field]], the [[19th Operations Group|19th Bomb Group]] at [[March Field]], the [[6th Operations Group|6th Composite Group]] in the [[Panama Canal Zone]], and the 4th Composite Group in the [[Philippines]]. In addition to conventional duties in the bomber role, some modified YB-10s and B-12As were operated for a time on large twin floats for coastal patrol.<ref name="world2">Eden and Moeng 2002, p. 932.</ref><ref name="ohnine">Swanborough and Bowers 1964, p. 331.</ref>

In February 1936, the US Army Air Corps used 13 B-10Bs of the [[49th Bomb Squadron]] to drop supplies to the residents of [[Virginia]]'s [[Tangier Island]] and [[Maryland]]'s [[Smith Island, Maryland|Smith Island]]; with ships unable to reach the islands due to heavy ice in the [[Chesapeake Bay]], the islanders faced starvation after a severe winter storm. The B-10B supply flights followed earlier supply flights to the islands by the [[Goodyear Blimp]] ''Enterprise'' on 2 February 1936 and by the squadron's [[Keystone B-6|Keystone B-6A]] bombers on 9 and 10 February 1936.<ref name="TouchofGreatnesspp4142">[https://books.google.com/books?id=OsIBdVV_YOAC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43 Bentley, Stewart W., Jr., PhD., ''The Touch of Greatness: Colonel William C. Bentley, Jr., USAAC/USAF; Aviation Pioneer''], Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse, 2010, {{ISBN|978-1-4490-2386-7}}'', pp. 41–42.''</ref><ref>Anonymous, "Bombing Planes to Bring Food to Ice Victims," ''Chicago Tribune'', 2 February 1936.</ref>

With its advanced performance, the Martin company fully expected that export orders for the B-10 would flood in. The U.S. Army owned the rights to the Model 139 design. Once the Army's orders had been filled in 1936, Martin received permission to export Model 139s, and delivered versions to several air forces. These included six Model 139Ws sold to [[Siam]] in April 1937, powered by [[Wright R-1820]]-G3 Cyclone engines, and 20 Model 139Ws sold to [[Turkey]] in September 1937, powered by R-1820-G2 engines.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}

===China===

In July 1936, the Martin B-10 was put up for export, with the first sale being made to the [[Republic of China Air Force]] in the same year, purchasing six Model 139WC-1s and three Model 139WC-2s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chant |first=Christopher |title=The World's Great Bombers: From 1914 to the Present Day |date= |publisher=Amber Books Ltd |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7858-1989-9 |pages=68}}</ref> When introduced, it was the fastest aircraft in China.

The 139WC was primarily used for [[night bombing]] and [[Maritime reconnaissance aircraft|maritime reconnaissance]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cluett |first=Nathan |date=2023-06-23 |title=Martin B-10 - A Leap in Military Aviation |url=https://planehistoria.com/the-martin-b-10/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=PlaneHistoria |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 25 August 1937, as the air battles intensified in the early part of the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Sun|first=Lianggang|title=Shanghai 1937 – Where World War II Began|url=http://www.shanghai1937.tv/|access-date=2020-11-20|website=SHANGHAI 1937: WHERE WORLD WAR II STARTED|language=en-US}}</ref> five [[Republic of China Air Force|Chinese Nationalist Air Force]] bombers of the [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–1945)|8th BG, 19th and 30th Squadrons]] consisting of three [[Heinkel He 111|Heinkel He 111A]]s and two Martin B-10s, flying from their base in [[Nanjing]] to [[Shanghai]], successfully dropped their bombs on Japanese landing forces at [[Liuhe, Taicang]], northwest of Shanghai. However, Japanese aircraft pursued the bombers and shot up two of the Heinkels, forcing them to crash land; two crew members were killed on the ground by Japanese aircraft strafing them.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martyr Chen Xiong-ji|url=https://air.mnd.gov.tw/EN/PastCurrent/PastCurrent_Detail.aspx?FID=28&CID=176&ID=1328|access-date=2020-11-20|website=air.mnd.gov.tw|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Martyr Yun Feng-zeng|url=https://air.mnd.gov.tw/EN/PastCurrent/PastCurrent_Detail.aspx?FID=28&CID=176&ID=1329|access-date=2020-11-20|website=air.mnd.gov.tw|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Martin 139WC (B-10) No 1403.jpg|thumb|ROCAF Martin 139WC]]

As the [[National Revolutionary Army]] of China fought desperately to hold onto their remaining positions in the [[Battle of Shanghai]], the Chinese Air Force launched a major strike with a motley mix of aircraft against Japanese positions in Shanghai on 14 October 1937, consisting of three B-10s, two Heinkel He 111As, five [[Douglas O-2]]MCs, five [[Northrop Gamma]]s, and three [[Curtiss BF2C Goshawk|Curtiss Hawk IIIs]] from Nanjing in the late afternoon; in the evening, one bomber was launched every hour from Nanjing to attack Japanese positions in Shanghai until 03:00 on 15 October.

On 19 May 1938, two B-10s of the [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–1945)|2nd BG, 14th Squadron]], led by Capt. [[Xu Huansheng|Hsu Huan-sheng]] and Lt. Teng Yen-bo, successfully flew the first air raid on mainland Japan; the unescorted nighttime raid over Japan saw the B-10s dropped 2 million leaflets in "alerting the conscience of the Japanese people against atrocities committed by the Japanese invasion and occupation of China", over the cities of Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Kurume, Saga, and others, while reconnoitering airbases, ports, warships and factories.<ref>Dunn, Richard L. [http://www.warbirdforum.com/elusive.htm "Illusive <sic> Target: Bombing Japan from China."] ''warbirdforum.com'', 2006. Retrieved: 16 May 2013.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Re8pJnCXvWoC&pg=PA265 Li & Li 1998], p. 265.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mpSkIrOCrQkC&pg=PA126 Xu 2001], p. 126.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=s2NKutuUlA8C&pg=PA320 Fenby 2009], p. 320.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=N6yy9mXwAEUC&pg=PA86 Underwood 1942], p. 86.</ref>

===Dutch East Indies===
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een Glenn Martin bommenwerper van het KNIL op het militaire vliegveld Andir bij Bandoeng TMnr 60029585.jpg|left|thumb|Dutch Martin 139 at Andir in 1937]]

In the mid-1930s, the Netherlands government adopted a doctrine for defense of the [[Netherlands East Indies]], which relied on the use of land-based bombers against any attacking force, with orders for defensive fighters cancelled to pay for the bomber force. The Martin 139 was chosen in preference to the Dutch [[Fokker T.V]], as its all metal construction was considered more robust than the steel tube and fabric Fokker, while the Martin bomber was also already in production and therefore would be available sooner.<ref name="Casius p1-2">Casius 1983, pp. 1–2.</ref> Twelve Martin 139 WH-1s were ordered for the [[Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force]] (ML-KNIL) in 1936, followed by 26 improved WH-2s in March 1937, sufficient bombers to equip a Group of three squadrons.<ref name="Casius p2">Casius 1983, p. 2.</ref> In December 1937, an order was placed for 39 Martin 139 WH-3s, followed by an order for 40 Martin 139 WH-3As in November 1938. Two more Martin 139 WH-3As were ordered in July 1939 to replace aircraft lost during delivery. The last of these attrition replacement aircraft was delivered in March 1940, including the last Martin B-10/139 built.<ref name="Casius p3">Casius 1983, p. 3</ref> On the outbreak of war with Japan in December 1941, about 58 Martins (WH-3 and WH-3As) were operational with six squadrons, with about 20 more of the older variants in reserve.<ref>Shores, Cull & Izawa 1992, pp. 59–60</ref> B-10s of the ML-KNIL served in the [[Dutch East Indies campaign|defense of the Dutch East Indies]].

During the start of [[Pacific War]], Dutch Martin units were as follows:<ref name="Oktorinop42">Oktorino 2019, pp. 42</ref>
*''Ie Vliegtuiggroep'' (VLG-I) based on [[Husein Sastranegara International Airport|Andir Airfield]], [[Bandung|Bandoeng]] which consisted of ''1e Afdeling'' (1-VLG-I) and ''2e Afdeling'' (2-VLG-I), each has nine Martin 139WH-3/3A with additional two aircraft as reserve. Each ''afdeling'' has a detachment during the war, with the ''Patrouille'' Butner of 1-VLG-I stationed at [[Juwata International Airport|Tarakan]] and ''Patrouille'' Cooke of 2-VLG-I stationed at [[West Kutai Melalan Airport|Samarinda II Airfield]], [[West Kutai Regency|Melak]].
*''IIe Vliegtuiggroep'' (VLG-II) based on [[Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport|Singosari Airfield]], [[Malang]] which consisted of ''1e Afdeling'' (1-VLG-II) with nine WH-3/3A with three additional reserves and three WH-2. During the war, four ''patrouille'' consisted of three aircraft plus a reserve were created from 1-VLG-II, with the crews mobilized from [[Suryadarma Air Force Base|Kalidjati]] flight school.
*''IIIe Vliegtuiggroep'' (VLG-III) based on [[Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport|Tjililitan Airfield]], [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]] which consisted of ''1e Afdeling'' (1-VLG-III) and ''3e Afdeling'' (3-VLG-III), each equipped with nine WH-3/3A with two additional reserves, and ''2e Afdeling'' (2-VLG-III) with nine WH-2 with two additional reserves. ''7e Afdeling Bommenwerpers'', a reserve unit mobilized on 15 December 1941, were placed under VLG-III and consisted of one WH-2, two WH-3 and six WH-3A.
[[File:AWM 011293.jpg|thumb|Dutch Martin Model 166 over Malaya in January 1942]]

In efforts to reinforce the British defense of the Malay Peninsula, the Dutch East Indies sent some ML-KNIL squadrons. Included were 22 Martin 139s from VLG-III that were organized into three squadrons, which arrived at Singapore on 9 December 1941. Due to a lack of coordination, British AA mistook the Dutch Martins for enemy aircraft and engaged them as they neared Singapore. The Martins were then stationed at [[Sembawang Air Base|Sembawang]].<ref>Oktorino 2019, pp. 82–83</ref> In early January 1942, Dutch Martins along with British [[Bristol Blenheim|Blenheim]] bombers sortied over the west coast of Malaya to halt the Japanese advance.<ref>Oktorino 2019, pp. 84–85</ref> On 8 January, nine Martin and four Australian [[Lockheed Hudson|Hudson]] attacked a suspected Japanese seaplane tender anchored offshore in South China Sea, but the results were inconclusive. In the next day, nine Martin "quite successfully" bombed several Japanese ships unloading cargo at [[Kuantan]].<ref>Oktorino 2019, pp. 93 & 96</ref> Two Martins were shot down by the Japanese near [[Penang]] on 1 January, while a further four Martins were lost while attacking Japanese forces on the [[Muar River]] on 19 January. On the same day, Dutch fighter squadrons were withdrawn to Sumatra, while the Martins were also withdrawn to Java three days later.<ref>Oktorino 2019, pp. 99</ref>

===Thailand===
Six B-10s formed the medium bomber force of the [[Royal Thai Air Force#History|Royal Thai Air Force]] at the start of the 1940–1941 [[Franco-Thai War]].<ref name="Young p23"/> They flew several bombing missions during the war, with their first mission against [[Khoune district|Xieng Khuang]], [[Laos]] and a nearby airfield on 15 December 1940,<ref name="Youngp278">Young 1984, pp. 27–28</ref> with the last mission, against [[Serei Saophoan (city)|Sisophon]] in what is now Cambodia on 28 January at the very end of the Franco-Thai War.<ref name="Youngp33">Young 1984, p. 33</ref> Later on, B-10s had been assigned to the airfield in Phrae as a part of Phayap Army to invade Shan state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.finearts.go.th/chiangmailibrary/view/7088-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A8|script-title=th:เชียงใหม่กับภัยทางอากาศ|language=th|work=[[National Library of Chiang Mai]]|access-date=2023-06-23}}</ref>

=== Turkey ===
After being delivered in September 1937, the Martin 139WTs were assigned to the 55th and 56th Tayyare Bölüğü (Aviation Squadrons) of the 9th Tayyare Taburu (Aviation Battalion).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=MARTIN 139 WT B10 .. 1923 - 1950 Period TUAF {{sic|nolink=yes|AIRCRAFTS}} 1923 -1950 dönemi Turk HvKK UCAKLARI|url=http://www.tayyareci.com/digerucaklar/turkiye/1923ve50/martin139wt.asp|access-date=2023-01-07|website=www.tayyareci.com|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107110746/http://www.tayyareci.com/digerucaklar/turkiye/1923ve50/martin139wt.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the aircraft were extensively deployed for surveillance over the [[Black Sea]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Oryx|title=From Martin 139 To Kızılelma: 85 Years Of Turkish Bombers|url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/01/from-martin-139-to-kzlelma-85-years-of.html|access-date=2023-01-07|website=Oryx}}</ref> After being replaced by British Blenheims and Beauforts in 1944, the Martin 139WTs served as backup aircraft until 1946, when twelve of the sixteen remaining aircraft were still operational.<ref name=":0" />