Sgt. Sodak 258 Squadron 1941

[Christer Bergström]

I am looking for any information on RAF 258 Sqn's Sgt. Sodak. whose Hurricane ZT-N was damaged by Adolf Galland on 13 June 1941.

[David Sumerauer]

Dear Christer,

it is likely Sgt. Jaroslav Sodek , RAF No. 787426 (146372), Czech national. He narrowly missed BofB serving in 32 sqn since Oct 1940, then with 258. sgn between Nov 24, 1940 and Jun 28, 1941, later with 312 sqn and 1 sqn. Second tour with 312 sqn in between 1943- 45, B Flight commander Sep 3, 1944 - Feb 1, 1945.
Returned to Czech Republic after the war, but emigrated to GB after Communist putch in 1948. Serving again in RAF as a pilot instructor.

Unfortunately I was never able to confirm the event from other source. There is only short notice in ORB and the same information in J. Foreman book ( Air War 1941 The Turning Point).

There is one photo of Sgt. Sodek with 258 sqn

https://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/25245/258-squadron

Sgt. Sodek is standing first from right in third row, the second from right is another Czech pilot with 258 sqn Sgt. Frantisek Sticka (787585 /158966). Both wearing distinctive Czech Air Force Flying Badges.

There are other photos and information readily available with a correct spelling of Sgt. SODEK name.

Best. David

[Christer Bergström]

Thank you very much! Do you have access to his or 258 Sqn's combat report from 13 June 1941, when his Hurricane was damaged by fire from Adolf Galland's Bf 109?

[Frank Olynyk]

Christer,
The only combat report I have for Jaroslev Sodek is for July 12, 1941, a damaged Ju 88, at Air 50/123-17. If he did not shoot at Galland on June 13 he would not normally prepare a combat report. Any details for June 13 would only be in the ORB.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Chris Goss]

...and the F540/541 just says he was in aircraft N, Cat 2 damage in combat, landed Hawkinge 1320 hrs

[David Sumerauer]

As Chris and Frank already mentioned there is only a short notice about the incident in ORB. No claims submitted, no combat report available.

Form 540
13 June 1941 , Patrolled Canterbury. In action near Dover. No claims. Sgt. Sodak (note spelling) shot down and forced landed at Hawkinge. Aircraft Cat. 2.


Form 541
13 June 1941 Patrol Canterbury 15 000 ft
S/Ldr Clouston " V ", Sgt. White "M" , F/O Sharp "W", P/O Grace "Y", P/O Clouston "X", Sgt Sodek "N". In action near Dover.
Sgt. Sodek - Landed at Hawkinge (13.20), A/C Cat II

It is interesting that this combat is not mentioned in any Czech source dealing with history including the prominent ones. I do believe that Sgt. Sodek´s Flying Log Book is around to confirm event described in ORB.
Sgt Sodek´s only claim was with 312 sqn on July 12, 1942 (not 1941).

Kind Regards.

David

[David Sumerauer]

Hi there,
I was looking into the case again and finally found this film on the net confirming that Sgt. Sodek was involved in the incident described and that he was the pilot shot down. It is interview with the Jaroslav Sodek himself (his name again misspelled as Sodka) and he is describing being shot down by Bf 109´s from minute 6.30 of the footage.

http://video.flyingheritage.com/v/11...slav-sodka.htm

Interesting part is his announcement that except being shot down early on in his combat career with 258 sqn and his combat with JU-88, he never saw German aircraft closer then 2-3 miles during his entire flying. Remember, that he completed 2 tours (> 530 combat hours and over 250 missions). Second interesting information is that he received Kings Commendation for saving the aircraft after being shot down.
His description of successfull bale out from other part of footage relates to his pre-war mid air collision flying Avia B534.35. He baled out on Sep 6, 1937, the other pilot Julius Zaoral flying Avia B534.208 successfully landed damaged aircraft.

David