I am honored to include on my website a small portion of the wartime diary of Loy F. Peterson. Loy was the pilot of Satan’s Lady, a most lucky B17. Loy flew 33 missions in her before returning to the States in late June, 1944. The aircraft survived the war, and even more remarkably, never had a wound or death among her crews on the 130 plus missions.
I am deeply indebted to Loy’s son, Roger Sykes, for allowing me the time to read through this awesome document.
PAGE TWO OF INTRO -THE CREWPAGE THREE OF INTRO- CREW CONTINUEDSEPTEMER 28, 1943- THE TRIP OVER (PAGE 1)SEPTEMBER 30, 1943 – THE TRIP OVER (PAGE 2)OCTOBER 1, 1943- THE TRIP OVER (PAGE 3)OCTOBER 3, 1943- THE TRIP OVER (PAGE 4)OCTOBER 4, 1943 – THE TRIP OVER (PAGE 5)OCTOBER 6, 1943- THE TRIP OVER (PAGE 6)SOME THOUGHTS BEFORE THE MISSIONS BEGIN (PAGE 1)SOME THOUGHTS BEFORE THE MISSIONS BEGIN (PAGE 2)NOVEMBER 3, 1943 FIRST MISSION -WILHELMSHAVENNOVEMBER 3, 1943 CONT.THE HEARTBREAK OF LOST CREWS – 1THE HEARTBREAK OF LOST CREWS – 2JUNE 12, 1944 – HOW MUCH MORE CAN THEY TAKE?JUNE 12, 1944 – THE STRESS HAS BECOME UNBEARABLED-DAY! AND SATAN’S LADY’S 41ST MISSIONSATAN’S LADY’S 41ST MISSION ON D-DAY – PAGE 2
