Josef Vopálecký
Vopálecký (born February 10 1911, died May 7 1995) began Service in Czechoslovak Air Force in July 1931 as Member of 10. pozorovací letka, Letecký pluk 3, based Nitra A/F. In June 1933 he succesfuly ended Fighter School and was transferred to 38. stíhací letka, Vajnory A/F. During 1938 he served as pilot of Avia B-71 (SB-2) in 74. letka Letecký pluk 6.
He served in GCD I/55 during Battle of France in Czechoslovak Rank rotmistr. Wounded in Action on June 3 1940 when attacked Dornier Do 17s of I./KG 76. His plane was shot by defence fire and he was able to belly landed nearby Étamps. For this action awarded Croix de Guerre. Awarded also Českolovenská medaile za chrabrost on October 28 1940.
In Great Britain he served firstly in No 310 (Cz) Squadron, later in 54. OTU and No. 68 Squadron.
uring Night April 30/May 1 1942 P/O Josef Vopálecký claimed damage of Do 217 in Beaufighter Mk.IF, R2248, No 68 Squadron, R/O Sgt Rudolf Husár. Do 217 was in fact probably Ju 88 of either IV./KG 3 or IV./KG 30.
Belly landed Blenheim Mk.IV, R3752, 54. OTU, 5 km E of Church Fenton A/F, Yorkshire during training flight on January 7/8 1942.
Crash on landing at Coltishall A/F on February 2 1943 at 21:40 with Beaufighter Mk.IF, X7575, WM-H, No 68 Squadron. Return from Patrol Flight. F/O Josef Vopálecký and R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár both uninjured. Fault of undercarriage.
During Night March 11/12 1943 he shot down one Ju 88 over North Sea at 23.45. Ju 88 crashed at sea some 65 km E of Cromer. It was probably 3E+HL of 3./KG 6. F/O Josef Vopálecký flew with R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár in Beaufighter Mk.VIF, WM-U, V8656/G.
During Night March 28/29 1943 he shot down one Ju 88 over North Sea at 22:07. Ju 88 crashed at sea nearby Southwold. Crashed enemy Plane was confirmed by Patrols of Royal Observers Corps, Cstal Guards and No 384 Battery Coast Artillery Regiment. F/O Josef Vopálecký flew with R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár in Beaufighter Mk.VIF, WM-U, V8656/G.
Intelligence officer revided Vopálecký´s Claim as Do 217 which shot down Vopálecký Crew together with F/O John R. Beckett, RAAF, No 157 Squadron, flying Mosquito NF.Mk. II, W4079, RS-W.
Common Victim was Do 217E-4, W.Nr. 4375, U5+NM, 4./KG 2.
Shortly after take-off for training flight on May 30 1943 happened engine failure of Beaufighter Mk. VIF, V8656/G, WM-U, No. 68 Squadron, piloted by F/O Josef Vopálecký, R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár. During attempt to belly landed on Coltishall A/F plane was switched off runway and hit standing Beaufighter Mk.VIF, V8737/G, No. 68 Squadron. Both planes written off (Cat. E). F/Sgt Husár slightly injured, F/O Vopálecký uninjured.
Vopálecký´s Last Mission by No 68 Squadron was carried out on April 19 1945 in Rank of Flight Lieutenant.