[Lastan]

Perhaps I misunderstand you, thanks for explayn of your work on mato Dukovac. Enjoy a 1 th announced story about Croatians in SAF:


Mato Dukovac escaped to Italy in a Tiger Moth on 8 August 1946. (not in 1945.). As he was born “leader”, immediately after he entered the internment camp Bagnoli near Napoli, he become commander and representative for internists. Beside all position benefits together with Š. Muftić he organize future mercenary pilots. Croatian contingent that in autumn 1947. went to Syria served as trainers and combat mission pilots for the Syrian Air Force. Who were they? Beside Mato Dukovac, and Ljudevit Katušić there where two more fighter pilots and w/t operator Čedomir Čorkalo in SAF. Only Čorkalo went to Syria without proper doccuments, and he was actually hidden on the boat for Haifa harbour. Beside Croatians, in SAF squadrons where pilots from GB, Germany, Italy, France, Iraq etc. Mato fly first mission as member of 1st Aerial Squadron onCanadian – built T-6 Harvard armed with two 0.303 Browning machine-guns, equiped with a radio from al Mezze airfield (near Damascus). Continuewith flying training course for cadets in 1948. from airfields around Istabl (in Lebanon). Mato's mission in aircraft number 207 (Harvard) with gunner Fadil Shatra to bomb Tuba on July 14th was actually the first occasion that, Israeli intelligence report state about foreign volunteers in Arab Armies… His only aerial victory occur few days latter, on dangerous recco mission with SAF commander himself in his T-6 on gunner position. In fact his wingman, Iraqian pilot got order from commander to attack an Israeli scout aircraft (described as Fairchild 24) that they observe.
Iraqian pilot miss and lost ammunition, and new order was given to Mato Dukovac. He made turn and in one minute put him in position to shot IAF aircraft down. Mato was argue about commander risk and stupidity, but he was awarded with two month salary plus aerial victory bonus. Before the end of 1948. Mato Dukovac interrupt contract with SAF and went to Canada. He stated to other Croatian pilots – this is one more unfair war! Under his recommend two of them in 1949. join Israeli Air Force, and like in SAF they fly like civilians, voluntary employee with no ranks…
This information about Mato Dukovac serving with SAF is separated from manuscript for 2 nd edition of book: Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia 1941 – 1945. by Danijel Frka, Josip Novak and Siniša Pogačić. Authentic records and interviews with two SAF pilots about Mato Dukovac, keep Josip Novak in his archive.
And a few important things about Mato Dukovac and other Croatian pilots: he and other pilots were not anti-Semites! They fly for money, promises was given to them in Italy that they shall serve as fly instructors in SAF, not a combat pilots.
Mato Dukovac was born on September 23rd, 1918. in Zemun and attended the Franjevacka Crkva Sv. Ante in Zemun. He was a Catholic and seriously considered becoming a Franscian Priest before the WW II. His relatives and closest friends agree that statement about he was a "pravoslavac" is flat out ridiculous and one more nonsense. His serving in SAF was brilliant but with only one victory as described above.

regards, Lastan