| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-55-VE: 44-8201 to 44-8300 |
| Delievered: | Dallas |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 92nd Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 325th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | NV-M |
| MACR | 10780 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | KU-1104A |
| Fate: |
, Crashlanding (02 November 1944) |
History of
B-17 44-8215 / Satan’s Lady
Delivered Dallas 12/7/44; Langley 10/8/44; Grenier 14/9/44; Assigned 325BS/92BG [NV-M] Podington 4/10/44; battle damaged Merseburg 2/11/44 with Maj Ernie Hardin, Lt Col Jim Wilson, Capt Erro Michelson {Wounded in Action}, Chas Few {Wounded in Action}, Monroe Goldstein, Bob Davidson, Lt Herb Palmer {wg}, Lt Frank Fabek [radio nav} (8 Returned to Duty); George Knoble {Ex nav}, Lt John Staples {tg} (2 Prisoner of War); Capt Stan Hall (MIA); crash landed RAF Woodbridge, Suf, UK; Salvaged 3/11/44. Missing Air Crew Report 10780. SATAN’S LADY II.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 44-8215 / Satan’s Lady Details
Eyewitness Statement
Flak was intense at target (Merseburg) knocked out number two and number four engines and wounded 1st Lt George J. Knoble in the hand and knocked out wheels, flaps and the hydraulic system. Capt Stanley E. Hall had done an exceptional job of navigation and the target was bombing on the briefed heading, PFF technique being employed. He and Lt Knoble continued to operate in spite of handicaps and brought the ship back on the briefed route to within twenty miles of the Dutch border (5232-0712)[52°32’N-07°12’E].
The ship was at this time about 7000 feet. (The pilot feathered number four engine and was having trouble with number three which prevented maintaining altitude above this level). The air speed was about 120 when icing caused the ship to stall and go into a spin. The pilot finding the controls stiff from the ice felt that he would have some trouble recovering rang the alarm bell and the above mentioned men [see crew list below] bailed out. The pilot subsequently recovered control in time to stop the remainder of the crew from leaving the ship.
Major Ernest C. Hardin, Jr.
Pilot, Shop 44-8215
Source: MACR 10780
B-17 44-8215 / Satan’s Lady Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | MAJ | Ernest C. Hardin, Jr. | RTD | - |
| CP | LTC | James W. Wilson | RTD | - |
| NAV | CPT | Stanley E. Hall | POW | - |
| BOMB | CPT | Erro A. Michelson | RTD | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Charles M. Few | RTD | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Monroe I. Goldstein | RTD | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Robert L. Davidson | RTD | - |
| TG | 1LT | John J. Staples | POW | - |
| RCM | 1LT | Frank L. Fabec | RTD | - |
| NAV2 | 1LT | George J. Knoble | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 08 February 2026
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