Curtiss-Hawk no.17 GCII/5 21.05.40

[robert]

Hi,

on the 21.05.40 Ladislav Svetlik from GCII/5 returned with damaged CH-75 no.17 after combat. Does anybody know more details of this accident?

Regards

Robert

[Ota Jirovec]

Hello Robert,

May I inquire what is your source of this information? According to the book "Na nebi sladké Francie" by Jiří Rajlich, which describes in big detail the activities of Czechoslovak airmen in France in 1939-40, nothing is written about Ladislav Světlík on this date. The only accident when Světlík´s plane suffered any damage mentioned in this book happened as early as 19.1.1940 when he ran out of fuel while pursuing a Dornier Do 17 and he belly landed his Hawk H.75C.1 (number unknown) near Blenod in Nancy area.

Ota

[robert]

Hi Ota,

I get this information from articel of Jiri Rajlich posted in HPM 10/2007 - he also wrote there that an up-dated version of his book will be published in the future.
I have also found some information in Aero Journal No.20 which reveals that at 10.15-10.30 some Bf109s attacked GCII/5 in the area of Damvillers and some Curtiss fighters were damaged. I posted this thread to confirm this information or to correct it.

Regards

Robert

[Leendert]

A post on http://www.valka.cz/newdesign/v900/clanek_10330.html (in Czech)
has a biography about pilot Ladislav Svetlik.

It seems that Svetlik saw quite some activity over France in May 1940, including several victories.
The date 21.5.40 isn't mentioned as such, but his engagement that day may be described.
Perhaps a Czech reader may help us out?

Regards,

Leendert
Brugge/Belgium

[Petitpoucet]

Hi Robert,

Not at home today, so i don't have all my documents with me.
I'm sure that this Curtiss n°17 was damaged, and after was sent to Toulouse for repairs, but i don't remember all details.
Please wait Sunday, i'll be back home.

Friendly,

Lionel

[Petitpoucet]

I can confirm what i just said. At about 9am, after a combat against a Henschel 126, some Messerschmitt 109 attacked the GC II/5 pilots and few french aircrafts were damaged. N°17 had 29 impacts but the pilot was safe.

LP

[robert]

Hi Lionel,

thanks for confirming. Do you know details of other damaged planes - I noted the name of Lt.Ruchoux?

Regards

Robert

[Petitpoucet]

You're right, other Curtisses were damaged, and a second one had to be send to Toulouse's ARAA (Atelier de Réparation de l'AA) for repairs, the n°32 of S/Lt Ruchoux. N°46 of S/Lt Angiolini had to spend few days in the Auxerre's CES (Centre d'Entretien Spécialisé).


LP

[robert]

Hi,

thanks for your help!

Regards

Robert