Friendly fire WWII

[Michal R.]

Hi Brian,

I have some other accidents for you, maybe you know it or they were there in thread because this is big thema now

At first some accidents of Czechoslovak pilots

On 3. (or 5.) June 1940 about 20.15 Lt. Josef Dekastello from GC I/8 made test flight in repaired Bloch MB.152 (No.567). He made simulated attack on AA battery wich protected his airport Claye-Souilly. Unfortunately battery started fire and hit the Bloch. Dekastello attempted make crash land but crashed and was killed.

On 9. June 1940 wes French AA fire shot down Bloch MB.152 from GC I/1 near St.Quentin. Bloch was set on fire and pilot Cpl. Cyril Nováček bailed out wounded on leg.

On 12. June 1940 was shot dow by French AA fire Bloch MB.152 from GC I/8 in which Cpl.Chef. Otto Špaček made cross country flight from Nancy to Brétigny.
On 12. March 1943 was crew P/O Ladislav Bobek, DFC - W/O Bohuslav Kovařík on night patrol over North Sea when they met some Halifax which started fire and hit their Beaufighter Mk.VIF (V8591). Bobek made crash landing on Coltishal in 23:00 and was lightly wounded.

On 27. June 1944 was crew F/Lt Josef Čapka, DFM – F/LT G.T.Williams,DFM from 68 squadron in Beaufighter Mk.VIF KV974(WM-R) on day training flight. They encoutered US Liberator and Čapka made formation with him but rear gunner started fire and set Beaufighter on fire. Čapka made carash landing and was badly hurt (he lost left eye). Williams bailed out before crash.

And one from Balkan -

On 17. October 1944 was shot down Fiesler Fi 167 of NOVJ (People's Liberation Army - Yugoslav Partisans) air force by four RAF fighters, probably Mustangs. In this plane was General Ćetković, commanding Officre of VIII. Corps NOVJ, General was killed, other three members survived crash landing.

And I read somewhere that there were some dog fights between Americans and Soviet fighters over Yugoslavia but I do not know details.

Maybe this help
Best wishes
Michal