|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 348th FG 341st FS   Lolos c1943  Justin Taylan 2009 |
Pilot 1st Lt. John S. Lolos, O-665834 Springfield, MA (survived) Ditched October 10, 1943 at 11:15am MACR none Aircraft History Built by Republic at Farmingdale, NY. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-2-RE Thunderbolt serial number 42-8081. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) "Black Jack". Nose Number 36. Assigned to 1st Lt. John S. Lolos. Nicknamed "Hi Topper" for hi top clouds, with a top hat and the name on both sides of the engine cowl. Mission History On October 10, 1943 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. John S. Lolos on a mission to escort transports to Nadzab. Returning, Lolos asked permission to leave the formation and test his guns by firing at rocks off Redscar inside Redscar Bay. Bullets and tracers ricocheted off the rocks hitting his belly tank and caused it to catch fire and ditched into the sea. Accident No. 44-10-1-503 for John S. Lolos: "While firing on what was evidently a regular range tracer ricocheted into belly tank and caught plane on fire. Belied plane in and pilot swam for several days until he reached shore." Account of Ditching of P-47D "Hi Topper" 42-808, October 15, 1943 by 1st Lt. John S. Lolos: "I was about fifty feet over the water when I noticed that my whole underside was on fire with flames sweeping back to the tail. The next thing i remember I was nosed straight down into the water and the cockpit was filling up with water. My nose, left eye and upper lip were paining and my nose was bleeding." Fate of the Pilot After ditching roughly three miles from shore, Lolos found a raft, and observed aircraft in the area, but none saw him. That night, a storm created rough seas and drifted overnight, and the next day swam for shore, and observed sharks and overnight finally made landfall. The next morning, Lolos attempted to walk long the shore and found native people who assisted him, until a car with four Australians arrived and took him to Hisu Plantation, where he rested at the plantation house in bed. The following day, he was picked up by PBY Catalina and transported to Port Moresby. Afterwards, he was admitted to a hospital in Australia for ten days and was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries and two weeks leave in Australia. Back home, his parents received a letter saying he was Missing In Action (MIA), followed by a telegram stating he had been found a few hours after the letter was delivered. Afterwards, he returned to the squadron and continued flying combat missions. Relatives Joanne Zimakas (daughter) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-2-RE Thunderbolt 42-8081 "8081 (341st FS, 348th FG, 5th AF) ditched in Redscar Bay, Papua New Guinea due to own gunfire while test firing the guns Oct 10, 1943. The shells ricocheted off rocks into the belly tank. Pilot survived and was rescued by natives." Account of Ditching of P-47D "Hi Topper" 42-8081 by John Lolos October 15, 1943 USAAF Accident No. 44-10-1-503 "Beat Off Sharks Bare-Handed" December 11, 1944 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-47 Thunderbolt - 10 October 1943 Thanks to John S. Lolos and Joanne Zimakas for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 P-47  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
