42-7944 Speed / Lil Jo

P-47D-1-RE 42-7944 [WR:P] "Speed / Lil Jo", was assigned to 355FG/354FS at Steeple Morden, UK. On 13 November 1943, the aircraft, piloted by LTC Thomas H. Hubbard, Group Headquarters, took off from Bungay and was despatched with other P-47s from the 355FG to provide escort to B-17 bombers returning from a raid on Bremen, Germany. Flying over The Netherlands, the aircraft's engine dropped forward in its frame. With his aircraft off balance and the gas and oil lines broken, pilot Hubbard got away from the bombers and bailed out at 25,000ft over Bergentheim, the Netherlands. He came down in his parachute near Scibulo,

6 km SE of Mariënberg, Overijssel, while his P-47 crashed near Laarbrug, between Vlisteren and Ommen, Overijssel, The Netherlands. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 1449. For the full story of Col. Hubbard's evasion, see http://www.evasioncomete.be/fhubbarth.html

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group Headquarters Squadron (355th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-380248
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Deputy Group Commander / Fighter Pilot

Places

Aerial photograph of Bungay (Flixton) airfield, looking south, the technical site- with T2 hangar- and control tower are to the right, where the main airfield gate is also situated, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/930. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Flixton

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

7731 Ommen, Netherlands 13 November 1943 Aircraft's engine dropped forward in its frame. With his P-47 off balance and the gas and oil lines broken, pilot Hubbard got away from the bombers and bailed out at 25,000ft over Bergentheim, the Netherlands. He came down in his parachute near Scibulo, 6 km SE of Mariënberg, Overijssel, and managed to evade capture. His P-47 crashed near Laarbrug, between Vlisteren and Ommen, Overijssel, The Netherlands.

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Updated evasioncomete website address

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 1449
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 802

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Jul-2105. Correcting typo in Description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Jul-2015. Added Nickname, Markings and Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Added FTR event per MACR 1449.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 1449 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database