| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-70-VE: 44-8501 to 44-8600 |
| Delievered: | Lincoln |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 94th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 410th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | GL-L |
| MACR | 13573 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (21 March 1945) |
History of
B-17 44-8509 / Wagon Wheels
Delivered Lincoln 4/10/44; Grenier 27/10/44; Assigned: 410BS/94BG [GL-L] Rougham 30/10/44; taxi accident Pilot: Vernon Tally 5/12/44; MIA Plauen 21/3/45 w/Dale Nahrnstedt, Bob Knott, Art Janneck, Benedict Vitale {togg}, John Willey, Tom Kitts, Frank Camp, Bill Kirby {tg}, Pete Musso {a repatriated crewman} (9RTD); Flavis Heirs {ettg}; flak, crash-landed Kobylin, Poznan, Poland. MACR 13573. WAGON WHEELS.
B-17 44-8509 / Wagon Wheels Details
This aircraft had one (1) engine out and another engine smoking while en route on course from the primary I. P. to the secondary I. P. This aircraft was unable to keep up with formation and, as right turn was made onto the secondary target, this aircraft made a left turn (50°43’N 13°14’E) and headed for territory behind the Russian lines.
When this aircraft was last seen, it was flying at about 18,000 feet, with the two (2) right engines smoking, flying on a heading of 052 degrees, and was over the Russian lines headed for a landing field to the rear of their lines. Two (2) P-51 friendly fighter aircraft from the 357th Fighter Group escorted this aircraft until it was over the Russian lines and headed for a landing field to the rear of their lines.
Friendly fighters left the distressed B-17 aircraft at this point and returned to their base in England because of insufficient fuel to escort plane to a landing field. Fighter pilots reported that this aircraft should have made a safe landing at a Russian field, as the aircraft was under control and had partial use of the two (2) smoking engines.
It is believed that the aircraft made a safe landing in Russian-held territory; however, no official confirmation has been received.
Source: MACR 13573
B-17 44-8509 / Wagon Wheels Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Dale P. Nahrstedt | RTD | - |
| CP | F/O | Robert E. Knott | RTD | - |
| NAV | F/O | Arthur Jannek, Jr. | RTD | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Flavis J. Hiers | RTD | - |
| RO | SGT | John N. Willey | RTD | - |
| BT | SGT | Thomas L. Kitts | RTD | - |
| WG | SGT | Frank M. Camp | RTD | - |
| TG | SGT | William J. Kirby | RTD | - |
| TOG | SGT | Benedict F. Vitale | RTD | - |
| RCM | S/SGT | Peter P. Musso | RTD | - |
This page was last updated on 28 January 2026
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