escaped airmen in italy

[micky]

Hello friends, i've found traces of an unknow airmen hidden by the locals in my province (Reggio Emilia) after he crashed or baled out. His name was Hugh Jobling or Joblin.

I've found no traces of "Hugh Jobling" in the U.S. enlistment lists, so i guess it was a RAF or Commonwealth.

Anyone know more? Thanks in advance.

[Leendert]

Micky,

Online archives of Flight Magazine mentions a P/O H.W. Jobling (RAF) in its Nov 11, 1943 issue, but in the ominous "Killed on active service" paragraph.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Micky,

Checked website of CWGC as well. Probably P/O B.W. Jobling, buried in Hull. Died 31/08/43, so more than likely not your man.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Micky,

Third try. Has your search anything to do with following story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a2899533.shtml

This may narrow it down a bit.

Local history you know of: more precise location and/or date?

Regards,

Leendert

[micky]

Thank you friends, but "my" Hugh Jobling survived the war, and returned in italy in the 50's to visit his rescuers.

I know only that the airmen was two, Jobling and another, still unknow.
They was picked up by the partisan in the mountains, dressed as civilian, and then hidden in a church until the allied lines came to the "gothic line", just in the other side of the mountains, close enough to try the passage.

As for many other allied airmen, they get the allied lines and, i guess, returned home.

I don't know the exact dates, but this mean that their crash or bailout happens before august 1944, when the allied get Florence.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

If he was a 145 Sqn pilot then perhaps someone can name the pilots of the following Spitfires from 145 that were down in Italy in Summer of 44 ?
There were many but here are ten.
JG110 missing Velletri 21st May 44
JG186 abandoned 24th June 44
JF568 landing accident Perugia 8th July 44
JF472 Force landed Pergola 14th July 44
JG542 Force landed Foligno 18th July 44
JF578 abandoned SW of Bologna 1st August 44
JG244 abandoned Po Estuary 23rd August 44
JG338 Shot down 31st August 44
JF810 belly landed Fano 16th September 44
MT671 Shot down San Marino 16th September 44

Details from the Air Britain series.

Alex

[micky]

Hi Alex, i don't know if Jobling was a Spit pilot, but i think not, because he was rescued with another crewman. The area where he was picked up is, about, in the high Enza river valley, between Parma and Reggio Emilia provinces.
This put out some of your spitfires (even if he was a Spit pilot) , the few remaining are:
JG186 abandoned 24th June 44
JF578 abandoned SW of Bologna 1st August 44
JG338 Shot down 31st August 44

I'm also trying to find more detailed data, as the exact names and crash data...

Tell me good luck!

[Alex Smart]

Hello Micky,
Found this on another site

145 Squadron Association
Hon Secretary.
Eric Young
email e.young145@virgin.ne

Perhaps he may be able to help.
Alex

[micky]

Here is a picture of Jobling during his visit in italy to meet his helpers.

First from right, Hugh Jobling, two ladyes, and last in the left Fogliano's priest.

[micky]

Originally Posted by Leendert

Micky,
Third try. Has your search anything to do with following story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a2899533.shtml
This may narrow it down a bit. Local history you know of: more precise location and/or date?
Regards,
Leendert

Sorry Leendert, i forgot!! About my post in the BBC site, i had later identified the pilot: he was a 417 RCAF pilot (and not 145 sqn) called Roland Locke.
He is still alive and in good shape, Roland had sent to me a brief account of his story. Due to engine problems, he must bail out near gazzano, and spent some month with our partisans before to cross the gothic line.