Kimlichka 310 Squadron 1940

[gedburke3]

Hi all,

I have a small concern that this man could have flown operationally during the Battle of Britain, but for whatever reason he wasn't and still isn't recognised as one of the few.
The reason for my concern is two fold:

1. I have a photograph of him with a 310 Hurricane taken at Duxford in late October early November 1940.

2. I was surprised to see that the national archives has a combat report for him during the period of the Battle (10/071040 - 31/10/1940)

Would he have had reason to fill in a combat report if he wasn't in fact flying operationally?

Incidently, the archives have him listed as P/O Kimlicka J.

I hope one of you can our some light on this, I would hate for him to have denied his rightful place amongst those that flew during the Battle.

Best wishes
Gerry

[Leendert]

Gerry,

This man must be Bohuslav Kimlicka (19/9/1915-31/5/1991) who later became a Squadron Leader and also flew in such operations as the Dieppe raid, where he claimed a Do217 damaged.

If you google his name, then quite a few sites (and a lot from Czechia for sure) will turn out results. However, when you look at the dates, it seems that he played a bigger role after the BoB days.

Regards,

Leendert

[Andy Saunders]

Gerry

If there is proof that he flew at least one operational flight on an accredited squadron between 10/7 and 31/10 1940 then he should have been awarded the clasp.

Andy

[Fairlop]

Hi Gerry,

Bohuslav Vaclav Kimlicka, 82553 was one of the founders of No.310 Sqn in August 1940. He served intermittently with this fighter unit almost four years, and claimed two damaged a/c in total. One Ju 88 in share on 27/03/1941 and one Do 217 on 19/08/1942. There is no claim from BoB time on his tally.

310 Sqn 06/08/40 - 15/09/40 as P/O
312 Sqn 15/09/40 - 24/09/40 as P/O
310 Sqn 24/09/40 - 25/09/42 as P/O-F/L
313 Sqn 25/09/42 - 01/01/43 as F/L and B Flight Leader
310 Sqn 15/06/43 - 29/11/43 as F/L and B Flight Leader
310 Sqn 01/01/44 - 20/01/44 as F/L

Hope this helps,
Michal

[gedburke3]

Hi all,
Many thanks for your replies.
I was already aware that he was with 310, but whilst browsing today I discovered that the National Archives list several combat reports involving him:-

Name: Kimlicka, JRank: Pilot OfficerSquadron: 310Other Dates of Combat: 27 March 1941; 05 September 1940, 07 September 1940, 09 September 1940, 09 September 1940, 15 September 194027 March 1941AIR 50/122
I am assuming that if he had indeed completed combat reports for these dates then he must surely qualify for the clasp. I had always been told that he failed to fly operationally during the required dates, but this would seem to suggest otherwise.
Intriguing
Gerry

[Fairlop]

Gerry,

The list of several combat reports "involving him" is rather list of the 310 Sqn CRs because the date you mentioned are exactly the days when 310 Sqn fought. He did not score. For example I have 12 airmen who were in action on 7/9 and there is no record with his name.

Michal

[gedburke3]

Hi Michal,
Thanks for your reply.
Can I assume then that you think he didn't qualify and that this list of dates applies to 310 Squadron as a whole and not specifically to him.
I will buy copies of the reports tomorrow when the Archives are open. That will confirm one way or another.
Gerry