When This American POW Stole a German Fighter to Escape — His Own Side Almost Shot Him Down

The Incredible Journey of First Lieutenant Bob Hoover: From POW to Aviation Legend

Introduction

On February 9th, 1944, First Lieutenant Bob Hoover found himself in a dire situation over the Mediterranean Sea. At 11:32 a.m., he pulled his Spitfire Mark V into a climbing turn, only to see four Focke-Wulf 190s diving toward his flight of American fighters. With 58 combat missions under his belt, Hoover was one of the best pilots in the 52nd Fighter Group. However, he was about to face one of the most challenging moments of his life, one that would lead him from the skies of battle to the confines of a POW camp and ultimately, to legendary status in aviation history.

The Battle Begins

The early morning of February 9th was marked by tension as Hoover and his flight escorted bombers returning from a strike on shipping off the southern coast of France. The German fighters, led by Lieutenant Siegfried Limke from the notorious Jagdgeschwader 2, were among the deadliest in the Luftwaffe. Hoover’s Spitfire was equipped with external drop tanks, which made it slower and less maneuverable—a significant disadvantage in a dogfight.

As Hoover prepared for the engagement, he reached for the drop tank release handle, only to have it come off in his hand. The tank remained attached, further compromising his aircraft’s performance. Within moments, two of his wingmen were downed, and panic set in as Hoover realized he was now alone against four enemy fighters. In a moment of instinct and bravery, he turned to face the lead Focke-Wulf and opened fire, scoring his first confirmed kill. However, it would also be his last, as Limke’s wingman caught him off guard, and his Spitfire was hit.

The Crash and Capture

With his aircraft on fire and fuel lines ruptured, Hoover had no choice but to bail out. He rolled the burning Spitfire inverted and ejected at 8,000 feet, parachuting into the cold Mediterranean waters. Alone and adrift, he floated for four hours, battling hypothermia and the harsh reality of survival in the open ocean. The statistics for downed pilots in the Mediterranean were grim, with most never being found. Just as hope began to fade, a German corvette spotted him and pulled him from the water, ending his fight for survival but beginning a new chapter in his life as a prisoner of war.

Within 48 hours, Hoover found himself at Stalag Luft I, a Luftwaffe prison camp on the Baltic coast. The camp held thousands of Allied airmen, including Americans, British, Canadians, and Australians. The escape statistics were dismal; fewer than 30 prisoners had successfully escaped from German POW camps. The camp was designed to contain men considered the most dangerous—those who could potentially escape and return to fight.

The Decision to Escape

Despite the odds, Hoover made a decision: he would not wait for liberation; he would find a way out. Over the next 16 months, he attempted to escape more than 20 times, each failure resulting in solitary confinement. The isolation and harsh conditions took their toll on many prisoners, but Hoover used the time to plan his next attempt.

Stalag Luft I was not designed for escape; it was built specifically for captured airmen. The camp featured multiple perimeter fences, guard towers, and patrol dogs. Yet Hoover’s determination did not waver. He studied the camp’s layout and began gathering information about the Germans’ capabilities and weaknesses.

The Art of Escape

Hoover’s persistence caught the attention of other prisoners, some of whom admired his efforts while others deemed them reckless. Among them were Luftwaffe pilots who had been captured early in the war and later exchanged or escaped back to Germany. They shared technical information with the camp’s German staff, which sometimes filtered back to the prisoners.

Hoover learned about a Luftwaffe maintenance facility that operated somewhere west of the camp, where damaged aircraft were repaired. He began collecting information about the aircraft, particularly the Focke-Wulf 190, which he had fought against. As the war progressed, the situation in the camp grew increasingly desperate. The Soviets were advancing, and the German guards were becoming less vigilant.

On April 20th, 1945, Hoover woke to the sound of explosions as Soviet forces pushed hard from the east. The camp’s senior American officer received word from General Eisenhower that all prisoners were ordered to stay in place. However, Hoover understood that the chaos of the collapsing war provided a unique opportunity. That night, he gathered two fellow prisoners and executed a daring escape plan.

The Great Escape

The riot started just before midnight, with thousands of prisoners surging toward the eastern fence, creating a diversion. Hoover and his companions moved through the darkness toward the western perimeter. They had a wooden plank, a pistol stolen from a distracted guard, and a plan that depended entirely on the chaos unfolding around them.

They reached the first fence and quickly climbed over, using the plank to bridge the barbed wire. Once they were outside the camp, they ran west into the darkness, leaving the chaos behind. For the first time in 16 months, Hoover stood on ground that was not controlled by German guards.

The three men traveled on foot, avoiding patrols and navigating by the stars. They found shelter in a farmhouse, where an elderly German woman risked her life to help them, providing food and warmth. With renewed strength, they continued their journey, eventually spotting an airfield where German aircraft were being repaired.

The Stolen Fighter

Hoover recognized a Focke-Wulf 190 among the damaged aircraft. Realizing that this could be his ticket to freedom, he formulated a plan to steal the fighter. After a tense encounter with a German mechanic, Hoover managed to convince him to help start the engine. With the aircraft ready to go, Hoover climbed into the cockpit and took off, leaving the chaos of the war behind him.

Flying low to avoid detection, Hoover navigated toward the setting sun, knowing that west meant Allied territory. As he crossed into Dutch airspace, he faced the challenge of landing the stolen fighter. Finding a suitable field, he executed a successful landing just as the fuel gauge hit empty.

Liberation and Legacy

After landing, Hoover encountered Dutch civilians who initially mistook him for a German pilot. However, he quickly explained his situation and was soon in the hands of British soldiers, who verified his story. Hoover’s escape and subsequent flight in a stolen enemy aircraft became an extraordinary tale of resilience and ingenuity.

The war in Europe ended on May 8th, 1945, and Hoover returned to the United States as a minor celebrity. His journey from POW to freedom fighter inspired many, and he went on to have a distinguished career as a test pilot, flying numerous aircraft and setting records.

Conclusion

First Lieutenant Bob Hoover’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity. From the harrowing moments in the Mediterranean to his daring escape from a POW camp, Hoover’s journey reflects courage, determination, and the will to survive. His legacy as a pilot and a hero continues to inspire future generations, reminding us of the incredible feats that can be achieved through perseverance and teamwork. As we remember his story, we honor not only his bravery but also the countless individuals who fought for freedom during World War II.