Czech ALA and RAF pilot Josef Vopalecky

[Recceswind]

Hello,

I would like to ask about Czech pilot Josef Vopalecky. I am especially interested in his military rank during his service in the Armée de l'Air. Both - French and Czech - version of the rank will be useful.

Thanks!
R.

[gedburke3]

Hi,

Not much but I hope this is a useful start.

VOPALECKY, Josef
Vojenské Letecvo
Pilot
Rank ?
4 Recruit Centre RAF
----------
-
1. 7.40
7 School of Technical Training RAF
1. 7.40
-
12. 7.40
Enlisted for the duration of hostilities
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
??????
Aircraftman 2nd Class
Sergeant
????
310 (F) Squadron RAF
12. 7.40
-
----------
Czechoslovakian - Enlisted in the VL, date? 1929; demobilised, 17 March 1939; rejoined the VL in Poland, June 1939; enlisted for five years in la LE, mid-1939; released and enlisted in l‟A de l‟A, late 1939; reverted to the VL, June 1940

[Recceswind]

Thanks, it is a good start. First - or rather second - rank in the RAF was sgt. It would indicate that in France he had been "četar". "Desatnik" is also possible.

[Michal]

Josef Vopálecký

Vopálecký (born February 10 1911, died May 7 1995) began Service in Czechoslovak Air Force in July 1931 as Member of 10. pozorovací letka, Letecký pluk 3, based Nitra A/F. In June 1933 he succesfuly ended Fighter School and was transferred to 38. stíhací letka, Vajnory A/F. During 1938 he served as pilot of Avia B-71 (SB-2) in 74. letka Letecký pluk 6.

He served in GCD I/55 during Battle of France in Czechoslovak Rank rotmistr. Wounded in Action on June 3 1940 when attacked Dornier Do 17s of I./KG 76. His plane was shot by defence fire and he was able to belly landed nearby Étamps. For this action awarded Croix de Guerre. Awarded also Českolovenská medaile za chrabrost on October 28 1940.

In Great Britain he served firstly in No 310 (Cz) Squadron, later in 54. OTU and No. 68 Squadron.

uring Night April 30/May 1 1942 P/O Josef Vopálecký claimed damage of Do 217 in Beaufighter Mk.IF, R2248, No 68 Squadron, R/O Sgt Rudolf Husár. Do 217 was in fact probably Ju 88 of either IV./KG 3 or IV./KG 30.

Belly landed Blenheim Mk.IV, R3752, 54. OTU, 5 km E of Church Fenton A/F, Yorkshire during training flight on January 7/8 1942.

Crash on landing at Coltishall A/F on February 2 1943 at 21:40 with Beaufighter Mk.IF, X7575, WM-H, No 68 Squadron. Return from Patrol Flight. F/O Josef Vopálecký and R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár both uninjured. Fault of undercarriage.

During Night March 11/12 1943 he shot down one Ju 88 over North Sea at 23.45. Ju 88 crashed at sea some 65 km E of Cromer. It was probably 3E+HL of 3./KG 6. F/O Josef Vopálecký flew with R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár in Beaufighter Mk.VIF, WM-U, V8656/G.

During Night March 28/29 1943 he shot down one Ju 88 over North Sea at 22:07. Ju 88 crashed at sea nearby Southwold. Crashed enemy Plane was confirmed by Patrols of Royal Observers Corps, Cstal Guards and No 384 Battery Coast Artillery Regiment. F/O Josef Vopálecký flew with R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár in Beaufighter Mk.VIF, WM-U, V8656/G.

Intelligence officer revided Vopálecký´s Claim as Do 217 which shot down Vopálecký Crew together with F/O John R. Beckett, RAAF, No 157 Squadron, flying Mosquito NF.Mk. II, W4079, RS-W.

Common Victim was Do 217E-4, W.Nr. 4375, U5+NM, 4./KG 2.


Shortly after take-off for training flight on May 30 1943 happened engine failure of Beaufighter Mk. VIF, V8656/G, WM-U, No. 68 Squadron, piloted by F/O Josef Vopálecký, R/O F/Sgt Rudolf Husár. During attempt to belly landed on Coltishall A/F plane was switched off runway and hit standing Beaufighter Mk.VIF, V8737/G, No. 68 Squadron. Both planes written off (Cat. E). F/Sgt Husár slightly injured, F/O Vopálecký uninjured.

Vopálecký´s Last Mission by No 68 Squadron was carried out on April 19 1945 in Rank of Flight Lieutenant.

[Recceswind]

Thank you Michal! Great and very interesting text. It answers all my questions.

[Fairlop]

Hi,

He was with ELD I/55 from 19/5/40 till 21/6/40, as Adj.

Michal

[gedburke3]

Hi Michal,
Thanks for that wealth of information.
Have a good Christmas.
Gerry

[68 Sqn]

Before you have a copy of the personal card p.Vopáleckého. So you can interpret all the details. June 28, 1939. was admitted to the Foreign Legion with the rank of Soldat and sent to Sidi Bel Abbes (cs.hodnost rotmistr.let.). September 1, 1939. moved to Sidi Ahmed (Airport) September 14, 1940. transferred to Blida (airport) 27 November 1939. sent to fighter training in Chartres. January 12, 1939. fr.sergenta promoted. May 1, 1940. promoted to cs.hodnost.štábního rotmistra.let. May 18, 1940. assigned to 1 / 55 3 June 1940. Down. June 3-June 13, 1940. in the hospital. June 19, 1940. departure from France (Bordeaux). June 21, 1940 arrival in GB (Falmouth)
Regards,
Pavel (68Sqn)

[Recceswind]

It is interesting Pavel. So on May 1, 1940 he was promoted to "štábní rotmistr". For me it is a new info.

I also have another question: what is the correct name of the "GC I/55"? I have seen such versions: GC I/55, GC 1/55, GCD I/55, ELD I/55.

[68 Sqn]

Hi
May 1, 1940 he was promoted to "štábní rotmistr".
August 1, 1938. čs.rank rotmistr, 1.5.40. štabní rotmistr.
P. Vopálecký always shows the GC 1 / 55 (Groupe de = Chase = Fighter Group)
It is true that it shows the various sources ELD 1/55, the GCD of 1/55, GC 1/55,
ELD (= Escadrille de Léger Defence). It shall establish schools for the air defense of the airport before students finished their assignment to a combat unit. In this case, d'Etampes
GCD (= Groupe de Chase de Defense = Defense Fighter Group)
For me it has the name changed to the degree level of training and the degree of applicability of the molded unit.
ELD - defense of the airport. ,
GCD - defense areas - regions
GC - the fighting unit applicable to the front.
I hope that satisfies you. I'm not a specialist in Fr. Air Force.
I hope you understand my Googel compiler.
Just a small question. Why are you looking for information p.Vopáleckém?
Regards,
68 Sqn