WWII aces in Syrian Air Force

[hanshauprich]

I know about the Croatian Top As Capitan Mato Dukovac (44 Kills) that he served in the Syrian Air Force in 1948 or so. What kind of airplanes the syrians used at that time? (Former RAF planes or old ones from the Vichy Airforce)?

Was Dukovac the only WWII Veteran served with the Syrian Air Force?

[mars]

Most like, he flew Harvard

[mars]

Not long before the war of 1948,Mato Dukovac defect to Italy in a Po-2, after that, he basically lived in a refugee camp, he wanted to settle down in North America, but he was broke, had no money. Since Israel and some Arab conturies were recruiting pilots with WWII combat experience, since he served at Axis side, he was politically unacceptable for Israel, so that his only choice was going to Arab side.
As far as I know, Mato Dukovac did not encount Isarelian aircraft in his brief time served in the Syria airforce, after the war, he eventually settled in the Canada

[Lastan]

mars

1. Incorrect year when Mato Dukovac defected to Italy
2. Incorrect information that he was broke
3. Incorrect informatin that he had no CM for SAF
4. Mato Dukovac got 1 conf. victor, two Siryan AF eye-witness (not Croats!)
5. He left for Canada immediately when receive money-award from SAF

Other: with Mato Dukovac SAF join two ex WW II Croatian AF fighters pilots and one WT operator. In 1949. they both were in IAF, and as Mato Dukovac did, they left for Canada to.

[mars]

Originally Posted by Lastan

mars

1. Incorrect year when Mato Dukovac defected to Italy
2. Incorrect information that he was broke
3. Incorrect informatin that he had no CM for SAF
4. Mato Dukovac got 1 conf. victor, two Siryan AF eye-witness (not Croats!)
5. He left for Canada immediately when receive money-award from SAF

Other: with Mato Dukovac SAF join two ex WW II Croatian AF fighters pilots and one WT operator. In 1949. they both were in IAF, and as Mato Dukovac did, they left for Canada to.

So when Mr Dukovac claimed his victory ? I have almost the complete list of Israel losses in that war, I could do a check

[Lastan]

Hmm, so easily...

Try to find out that information from mebers of this Forum: Boris Ciglic, Larry deZeng, and especially from markojeras. They all are familiar with CAF ace capt. Mato Dukovac.

After you receive informations from them, correct your mistakes in my mentions 1./2./3. And, you hawe to impress me, because even in Israel AF in 1948. there was no secret that Mato Dukovac fly in CM against them.

Good luck...

[mars]

I got my information from Brian Cull who wrote a book about the air war in the Israel independence war, and I also read memoir of some western volunteers who served in the Israel air force, and if you believe me, nowhere I found them mentioned Mr Mato Dukovac, this is not a surprise (at least to me!), since Mr Mato Dukovac fought at the East Front in the WWII, those former USAAF and RAF pilots would hardly had any knowledge of him, and I could say in the year of 1947-1948, most of them would not even know Hartman and Garland.
In the Israel independence war, there was indeed a rumor there was former Luftwaffe aces joined Royal Egyptian Air Force which is far stronger than Syrian Air Force.
At the beginning of the Israel independence war, the Syrian Air Force received two squadrons of AT-6 Harvard trainer from French, and the aircraft of one of these squadrons were fitted with underwing bomb racks and machine guns, this is the reason I guess that it is the Harvard trainer in which Mr Mato Dukovac flew his combat sorties.
Though the Syrian Air Force only played a minor part in that air war comparing to REAF, they did managed to scored one kill which could be confirmed in the Israel record, though the victor is not Mr Mato Dukovac, so if you INDEED have some information about Mr Mato Dukovac's victory, I would be very appropriated if you could let me know, so that I could compare it with the Israel losses.
I am very sorry if I offend you when I said Mr Mato Dukovac was broke when he joined the Syrian Air Force, he was a refugee that time, and in order to earn money to settle in the North America, he had to fought another war. So I assume he must have not money, if I was wrong, and Mr Mato Dukovac indeed had reasonable saving or income, I am sorry, I was wrong. But to my defense, I never said Mr Mato Dukovac never flew combat mission for Syrian, what I said is "As far as I know, Mato Dukovac did not encount Isarelian aircraft in his brief time served in the Syria airforce,"
At last, Sir,I have no intention to impress you.

[Horst Fliegel]

A air battle twixt Ezer Weizman in his Avia (aka Me109)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezer_Weizman and Dukovac would've been interesting!

[mars]

Bf1-09 vs harvard? Dukovac would have no chance

[newcomer]

I don't know what's the problem with Dukovac religion? It is personal thing, and I think this forum were not proper place for such reaction. About his religious identity take a look for Axis military forum in 2004 by Larry de Zeng and Dukovac relative:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=51359

Kind regards

Newcomer