S/Ldr Josef Stehlík - In Four Airforces

[seesul]

Alois Vasatko was born on the 25th August 1908 in Celakovice. When he finished his studies at the teachers institute he became a teacher in Litomerice but not for long. In October of the next year he started military service which he finished in spring 1929 when he moved to a school for Officers reserve Artillery. From here he moved again to the Army Academy in Hranice na Morave. After qualifying as a Lieutenant of Artillery he was posted to the 54th Artillery Regiment in Bratislava. In October 1935 he was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and he qualified on the course for Air Observers. Since November 1935 he served at the 2nd Air Regiment where he became commander of the 14th flight on the 31st December 1936. During the years 1937-38 he attended pilot training in Olomouc and on the 1st March 1939 he became an active pilot. After a short time the Germans occupied the country and Vasatko with a group of friends crossed the Polish border on the 13th July 1939. He had got to the camp in Male Bronowice via Tesin and Krakow. From there he sailed to France on the "Chrobry". The war had begun and "Amos" (nickname of Vasatko) was on the 11th September 1939 posted to fighter school at Chartres. He had finished his retraining on Curtiss Hawk 75 aircraft and on the 11th May 1940 he came to Suippes to the famous Grouppe de Chasse I/5. On the 17th May he had his first successful air battle. He shared the shooting down of one Bf 109 at Roucourt and he took part in the shooting down of a Henschel He126 at Stonre. Then he was appointed to the function of a flight commander. He was flying in combat regularly with his victories growing. On the 12th June 1940 he took part in the destroying of twelve enemy planes and he shot down three alone. During a dogfight at Vouziers where he shot down a Heinkel He111 he was lightly wounded. And on the 9th and the 15th June he made two crash landings with a damaged aircraft. He became the most successful Czechoslovak fighter pilot in the battle of France. At the end of June he flew together with his unit to North Africa and on the 5th August 1940 he arrived to port Cardiff on board the ship "David Livingstone". He then moved to the Czech camp at Cholmodeley Park and after a short time he was transferred to the Czech depot at Cosford. He joined the RAFVR with the rank of Pilot Officer and on the 5th September he came to the newly created No 312 (Czech) Fighter Squadron in the first group of pilots. On the 12th December 1940 he was appointed to the function of flight commander of "B" Flight and on the 5th June 1941 he became commander of the whole squadron. Under his lead No 312 (Czech) Squadron (at the time part of Kenley Wing) took part in first offensive flights over occupied France. Vasatko was involved with all these operations and on the 9th July he probably shot down a Bf 109 and damaged another one during In spring 1942 he helped with the organisation of the Czechoslovak Fighter Wing which consisted of No's 310, 312 and 313 (Czech) Squadron's and started its activities in June 1942. The first commander of this unit on 30th May was just Alois Vasatko. During an escort of Boston's over Cherbourg on the 3rd June he probably shot down one Fw190. Then came the fatal day, the 23rd June 1942 when the Czechoslovak Wing made an escort of Boston's during their air raid against an airfield in Morlaix. During their return near the coast of England No 312(Czech) Squadron attacked by a group of six Fw190 from above. Vasatko tried to manoeuvre to a better position for fight but his Spitfire "AV" had collided into one of attacking aircraft. Both planes then crashed into sea. The man whose name will be ever connected with the fight of Czechoslovak airmen on the Western Front has found his grave in the sea near the British coast. Alois Vasatko had been awarded many Czechoslovak and Allied orders and medals, Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion (in memoriam), Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 (three times), French Legion d'honneur – Chevalier, French War Cross (Croix de Guerre with seven palms, two golden stars and one silver star) and the British Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.) which he obtained on the day of his death. By the order of the President of Czechoslovak republic of the 7th March 1992 was Alois Vasatko promoted to the rank of Major General in memoriam.

Josef Stehlik was born in Pikarec at Nove Mesto na Morave on the 23rd March 1915. He started pilot training at the Elementary Pilot School in Prague in 1936. The next year he studied at non-officer school and later at the fighter school in Hradec Kralove. Until the German occupation he served as pilot and instructor at No. 3 Air Regiment at Spisska Nova Ves. On the 5th June 1939 he crossed the border with Poland with the rank of Sergeant. After arriving in France at the end of August he joined the Foreign Legion. When the war began he was transferred to Chartres for retraining. On the 1st December 1939 he was posted to Groupe de Chasse III/3 which was equipped with Morane 406 aircraft but after short time was re-equipped by Dewoitine D-520 aircraft. With these aircraft the unit took part in air battle over France. In this time Stehlik showed his good ability when he shot down four enemy planes alone and four more in co-operation. After retreating by plane to Africa he sailed from Casablanca to Great Britain. On the 5th September 1940 he came as a Sergeant to Duxford to the newly created No 312 (Czech) Fighter Squadron. He took part in the Battle of Britain with this unit. Further victory resulted on the 14th March 1941 when he shot down another Ju88 over the sea in co-operation. During offensive flights over France he added to his score one damaged Bf109 and on the 10th July 1941 he probably shot down another plane of the same type. He left operational duty in October and after course for instructors at Upavon he became an instructor. At first he trained pilots at Hullavington and since January 1942 till February 1943 he served at Elementary and Secondary Flying Training Schools in Canada. In April 1943 he returned to No 312 (Czech) Squadron where he made many flights over occupied Europe. In January 1944 he moved to Soviet Union together with a group of 20 Czechoslovak pilots. After retraining on Soviet fighter planes La-5 he was posted on the 17th September 1944 to Slovakia as commander of one squadron of 1st Czechoslovak Fighter Regiment, which had, took part in SNP (Slovakian National Uprising). Next day after arrive to Slovakia he made a raid on the airfield in Piestany, which he knew very well from his pre-war service. During operations in SNP he added to his score one Ju88 and one half of Ju87. He has destroyed two more planes on the ground, five trucks, one locomotive and three other vehicles. After returning to the Soviet Union he was at the forming of 1st Czechoslovak Air Division where he was promoted to the function of second in command of the 2nd Fighter Regiment. With this unit he came to Prague in May 1945. For his brave service he was awarded the Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 (five times), Czechoslovak Medal for Bravery (three times), French War Cross with eight palms and many other Czechoslovak and Allied orders and medals. In post-war life Captain Stehlik took part in the creating of the new Czechoslovak Air Force. At first he became the commander of the retraining course for SNB members on Messerschmitt Bf109G aircraft and since the end of 1945 he became the commander of the course in Ceske Budejovice where he lead practice training of instructors for the Army Air Academy. Then in 1948 when he was discharged from the army and arrested for one year. There was an absence of evidence so he was acquitted, although he was degraded and since 1950 he worked as workmen at Pozemni stavby in Brno. In 1963 he became a driver and porter of luggage of patients in Lipova Spa near Jeseniky. In 1964 he was rehabilitated and he got back his rank and he returned into the army. He retired as a Colonel of the Air Force, and died suddenly on the 30th May 1991 in Slavicin.

 

[seesul]

Denys Gillam was born in November 1915 in Tynemouth, at the age of 16 he attended a Public School Aviation Camp at Norwich, were he managed to obtain his "A" license, Aero Club Certificate No 12291 on the 12th September 1934, it was then decided that Gillam would apply for entry into the RAF, he made an application and went for a interview and was subsequently offered a Short Service Commission. Two months after leaving school he was called up into the RAF and went to Uxbridge for basic training, following this he was posted to No 6 Flying Training School at Netheravon. Upon completing his flying training he was posted to No 29 squadron at Amriya in the Middle East, flying Hawker Demons for about six months during the Abyssinian crisis.

After returning to England, Gillam volunteered for the Met Flight in January 1937 and was posted to Aldergrove in Northern Ireland remaining there for 2 ½ years. It was whilst serving with this unit that Gillam was awarded the AFC in February 1938 after flying supplies to the inhabitants of Rathlin Island after being cut off due to the severe weather conditions and his work with the Met Flight.

When war broke out Gillam was posted to the position of a flight leader with No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron on the 27th September 1939 at Doncaster and it was with this squadron that Gillam fought during the Battle of Britain, at the end of the Battle he was awarded the DFC and posted to Duxford to assisting in the forming of No 312 (Czech) Squadron. At the end of November 1940 Gillam was given command of No 306 (Polish) Squadron, until the 2nd March 1941 when he was posted to No 9 Group Headquarters at Barton Hall, Preston. Finally in July 1941 he was given command of No 615 (Surrey) Squadron at Valley, the squadron soon started offensive action over the channel and into France, at the end of 1941 he was awarded the DSO and sent to the United states, which had just entered the war. Upon his return in March 1942 he was given the command of the first Typhoon Wing based at Duxford and after many months of problems with the new aircraft the squadron started offensive operations in August 1942 during the Dieppe operation.

In October 1942 Gillam attended Staff College for three months, then in February 1943 he was posted to No 12 Group Headquarters and then went on to form the Special Low attack Instructors School at Milfield. In July 1943 he formed No 83 Group but was then posted to the Command and General Staff School at Fort Worth Texas, returning in November 1943 to command No 146 Wing. On the 28th February he was posted to No 84 Group as Group Captain Ops, making his last operational sortie on the 25th April 1945.

Gillam left the RAF in October 1945 and joined No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron when the reformed at Finingley in 1947 as a Flight Lieutenant!, he finally left in 1950 to join the family carpet business in Halifax until he finally retired to become a gentleman farmer in his beloved Yorkshire. He suddenly died of a heart attack in 1992.

Source: Shooting down of a Ju88 by No 312 Squadron

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff, Roman! The picture of Josef with the Spitfire is different to the one I remember, where he was sitting in the cockpit, but it must be the same occassion; it only seems like four or five years ago, time flies!!
What a real shame he passed away the day before receiving the medal!
As for the Junkers 88, I used to manage a civilian free-fall parachute team a few years ago, before this stupid disability, and most of the guys lived in, or around, Liverpool. We used Liverpool airport (Speke) for our aircraft. The Rootes factory, until recently Ford, now Jaguar (Ford owned) is virtually next door to the airport. The next coincidence, between 1988 and early 1990, I lived on the Wirral, which is the peninsula across the River Mersey from Liverpool. The JU88 came down in a field about 2 kilometres from where I lived!! I'll definitely have to try to find the magazine article, hope I've still got it.
Thanks very much for the information.
Terry.

 

[seesul]

Amazing,amazing,amazing, simply got no words...!!!
You lived few miles away from the field where JU88 crash landed and I lived with Joe in the same town
I still remember Joe speaking about this shot down in our school class back in 1987 or 1988...he said that that German pilot was pretty pissed off after he found out that he was shot down by Czechs from Protectorat...
You know, when I found out that Joe lives in my town (and I was 13 or 14 back then), I was absolutely crazy for him. I found his address, I knew the time when he went for a walk, I knew the pub where he used to go to play the cards so I had to go there with my father to see my hero...yep, like a detective...and then, with a help of my teacher, I got him in our school...unfortunately for a first and last time...
Should you find the article post it please!

 

[pbfoot]

Just rediscovered this thread . I spent last fall trying to come up with a pic of Stearmans at 31 efts to give to my father , thats the best one I've seen they are rare . Since the Stearman had a very short lifespan in the RCAF

 

[Airframes]

This really is getting more amazing, Roman! First, I was born and brought up in the north east of England, on the banks of the River Tyne, moving to Cheshire many years later, with my civilian job. As a child and teenager, I used to visit the coast often,to Tynemouth, and not only that, one of my Aunts lived there, the place where Gillam was born!
Next, as I am writing this, a friend of mine has called in and read the account of the JU88 crash-landing at Bromborough. About 12 years ago, he used to work at the docks there, and his father had a pub in Bebbington! Amazing!
Perhaps you would like a model of the JU88? If I can get info on the correct markings (noted in one of the photos) and, if possible, a picture of the badge, I could do one for you, and hope it would reach you in one piece! It would be my pleasure, as you were able to locate Bob's address for me. I can do it intact, as if on the home airfield, or as it looked after crash-landing. Revell have just announced a forthcoming kit of a JU88 A1/A4, but it's in 1/32nd. scale, which would be nice, but maybe a bit big, depending on how much room you have to spare! Perhaps also a model or painting of Josef's aircraft?
Let me know if this appeals to you, my friend.
I see you now live in Zlin, is this the same as the aircraft, great aerobatic types?
Terry.

 

[seesul]

Hi Terry!
Amazing, gotta say it again!
As for Zlin A/C- yes, they were produced in Otrokovice, some 7 miles away from Zlin town, where I live today.
And as for JU88 kit- I´d appreciate your amazing offer but ONLY if you would let me pay at least for the kit, colors and shippment costs. Otherwise I won´t give you my address... Or, I could buy it here, send it to you and you would send it back on my charge...
I´m happy I helped you to find Bob but it was because I wanted, not because I´d expected anything. It was really my pleasure...
When I was a kid I used to build kits as well but there´s no time now with 2 little kids around... the only kit I built since I got married in 2001 was B-17G in 1:48 scale as I love big kits...the problem I have is that I can´t use the airbrush as I live in appartment, so all the painting was done by brush...few pics attached...
And I built it because of that guy in my signature (Joe Owsianik) who was going to visit me for a first time in 2005...

 

[Airframes]

Hi Roman, that B17 looks great! Got the same kit, a picture of which is in the modelling threads at the moment.
O.K., I'll let you cover the shipping costs, how's that?!! I would like to do the model, and I'll find out which kit to get. The Revell one is due out in November, but it will be as big as your B17! if you can get the relevant information about the badge described, it will help. Also, I think a painting of Josef's aircraft would be nice!
I'll post a map showing the crash area of the JU88 later, as my youngest daughter is here before she goes to school, so I have to have some time with her. I had to get up at 06.00 to let her in!
Terry.

 

[seesul]

Hi Terry!
I appreciate your offer but plese, let me pay also for the kit...
I posted your request about color profile and badge to one German forum LBB « Luftwaffe Bullet Board » Forum zur deutschen Luftfahrtgeschichte hoping we will have the answer soon...
As for the kit, I don´t mind my wife yelling at me ''where do you want to put this wreck, to the living room?'' as I really love big scale a/c´s...

Btw, I used to work for a JCB dealer here and have been to England several times for a training or warranties in 1995-1997...I visited Derby, Uttoxeter, Rochester and Chester as well and this is not far away from Liverpool...
For a last time I was in England this year in July to visit FL in Duxford, more here http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/warbird-displays/flying-legends-duxford-2008-a-10748-5.html and http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/warbird-displays/flying-legends-duxford-2008-a-10748-7.html
One of the forum members Lee (Trackend) picked me up at the Luton airport and brought me back then...I´ll never forget his willingness...

 

[Airframes]

Hi Roman, that's good news about the badge. I've had a look for JU88 kits, and there are only 1/72nd scale, or 1/48th scale later marks at the moment. I converted a 1/48th Hobbycraft kit from an A4 to an A5 a few years ago, but this kit is currently unavailable. I think you're right though, a big one would look great! I'll see what it's like when it's released and let you know.
My friend (originally from Bebington) is calling in later, so we'll check the maps and I'll send you a PM with the relevant locations of the target, combat and crash site etc.
Another coincidence, I used to visit the main JCB plant's drawing office printing section, on business, back in the late 80's!
I'll send the info later,
Cheers, Terry.

 

[Airframes]

Hi Roman. I've just re-checked the info you posted on the JU88 crash, and located the spot more accurately now. On the 1:50,000 map I e-mailed you, you will see a symbol, underneath the words 'Bromborough Pool', that looks like a small black spot with a cross on the top; this represents a church with a spire, which I am virtually sure was not there at the time (I'll have this confirmed fairly soon). Go to the right of this church, and you will see a double line, representing a road, which bends 90 degrees to the left, towards north west, above the 'pink' looking rectangles representing a built-up area; none of these were there at the time, and it is in this approximate area where the JU88 came down.
A friend of mine, who works for the local Government Council, is going to see if he can access mapping for the period, which, at the time, would have been in Imperial measurement of one inch to the mile (UK Ordnance Survey maps changed, in stages, to metric measurement in the early 1980's). If he can do this, I should be able to correlate the information, possibly with period and current aerial photographs also, and establish a more accurate general location of the crash site. Also, I will make enquiries with the Liverpool Echo newspaper group (one of my former customers with my old civilian job), in order to establish if they have any photographs and articles in their archives that cover the crash, which I think there is a very good chance they MIGHT have, as the event was 'big news' locally at the time. If I am able to obtain this information, I should be able to assemble a nice little file on the incident. Depending on what I can find, I might go to the area (it's only about thirty miles from my house) and get some photographs. I doubt if it will be worth trying to photograph the crash site, as it is even more built-up now than is shown on the map, but a picture of the general area and the Bebington church might be worthwhile. If possible, from the information about the flight path you provided, I will try to draw a map overlay of the approximate route of the '88, and the Hurricanes, in order to roughly illustrate the course of the combat.
Cheers for now, Terry.

 

[Pisis]

Hey, this is getting super-interesting! Thank you for all the research, Roman!

Pisis, our former Czech president, Václav Havel met him in in May 1945 as a kid... Here is a part of the letter that Václav Havel sent to Stehlík´s wife Marie in 90´s:
'' Možná s budete divit, ale mám dodnes v živé paměti, jak Váš zesnulý manžel přistál s letadlem po 9. květnu 1945 v blízkosti Havlova a pak byl u nás na večeři. Bylo mi tehdy devět let a obdivoval jsem ho jako hrdinu a navíc se mi líbila ho anglická uniforma.''

Havlova? What's that?! Havel has always lived in Prague, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Airframes]

A little bit more news. I've been able to look at the Ordnance Survey map for 1948 (the previous one was 1932 I think), and I can confirm that the church I pointed out was NOT there, and the whole area was open at the time of the JU88's crash-landing. The dock area was not as developed, and, when I am able to obtain a copy of the map, I should be able to mark the area fairly accurately. I tried to get a copy of the map in question on-line, but for some reason, the 'saved' item 'saved' as a totally different part of the U.K.! No problem though, as my Council friend should be able to get it, including prints, from his 'Official' source. I have also found three more interesting photos of the JU88, plus a photo of a painting of Gillam's Hurricane about to engage, and a photo of a model of the JU88, belonging to the son of one of the crew. Another photograph shows the newspaper page, with a picture of the wreck, and the three pilot's responsible for shooting it down. The accounts that accompany these pics are the same as yours, and you might have already seen the source. I found them at South Lancs Aviation. I tried to send a message using the e-mail address included on their web site, but I think it is printed incorrectly, and the 'phone was switched to fax. I will get to send a fax on Monday, and wait for a response; I am asking for copies of all/any photos they have. If you haven't seen this web site, when you view, go to the list shown as 'Accidents', scroll down to 'Speke', and you will find the listing under the date, October 1940. The list has mis-spelled the name of the Junker's base, it should read Caen-Carpiquet. Soon as I get anything further, I'll let you know.
Terry.

 

[seesul]

Hi Pissis and Terry,

just a side note...Joe Owsianik, my friend mentioned in my siggy, flew that B-17G that was shot down on August 29,1944. Loy Dickinson (former president of 2nd BG vets assn) was a navigator of the same plane and bailed out as well. He stayed in touch with a Czech man that helped him after Loy´s landing and visited our town (Slavicin) several times, for a first time in 1984 (we were still under communist goverment back then). As I learned out, Joe Stehlik became Loys interpretor during Loy´s first visit. Here´s a caption from the book ''The 2nd was first'':
''One morning, Mojmir (Loy´s Czech friend since Loy´s bail out) drove us into Slavicin to pick up his English speaking friend Josef Stehlik. Joe flew with the Czech RAF squadron and the last year and half against Germans. He was one of 22 Czech pilots sent to Russia to fight against the Germans. He was he most openly contemptuos of Russians of any Czechs we met.''
Source: The second was first , Second Bomb Group , books

Last week I sent an e-mail to Loy with some pics and stories of Joe Stehlik and Loy sent me back his answer with his story:

''How good of you to send this wondeful montage of our Czech friend Joe Stehlik. I need to tell you the story. Midge (my then wife) and I visited Slavicin and the Baca family in June of 1984. It was to be the first of many memorable visits to the Czech Republic, at that time, Czechoslovakia. Joe had entertained us with his stories about his exploits with the Czech Air Force then the British, Canadian and I think French air forces.. Corect me if I am wrong..

At the time we were preparing to leave for Vienna we were in the downtown area at a flower shop purchasing flowers to place at the commemorative grave site of the 28 flyers. Joe drove up on his little two wheeler, got off, came to Midge and on his knees he told us that he had just come from the doctors office and had learned that he was dying of a broken heart. It seems that the love of his life was leaving and he would have nothing more to live for.

It was one of those delicious moments I will not soon forget. He was a great guy and a wonderful human being. He died about 5 or 6 months before my next visit which was in August - September 1991. Thank you ever so much for the photos and the "bio" link.''

 

[rwethi]

It is very touching to find so many details about the life of Josef Stehlik here ... Why I am interested in it? I am the son of one of the crew members of that Ju-88-A which Josef - together with Alois Vasatko and Dennys Gillam - shot down on Oct. 8th, 1940 near Liverpool - Unteroffizier Helmut Weth (mentioned in your post) who died already in 1985. Too bad that before his death the internet did not exist yet - otherwise the former enemies could have been reunited during their lifetime. Please keep me informed about any other details of Josef and the other men involved in that event. Today I own a very detailed model of my Dad's Ju-88-A, built by the most skillful Czech airplane model-builder: Jakub Vilingr! I am also in touch with the son of Helmut Brückmann, the pilot of the Ju88.
Let's keep contact! Living in the Erfurt/Thuringia area in Germany, it would be easy for me to visit Czechia - and meet someone who knew Josef Stehlik ....

 

[rwethi]

I own a model of my Dad's plane. Now I would like to get very detailed models of the three Hurricanes flown by Stehlik, Vasatko and Gillam. Do you have any information how these airplanes looked like (for instance: which Camouflage painting? Did they carry their Squadron coat of arms? If yes: where?)? Thank you for fast answers!

 

[rwethi]

Hi Terry: would you be kind enough to also sending me this map? If you compare yours with the one published in the ebook ISSUU - The Bromborough Dock Ju88 Incident by New Ferry Regeneration Action Group : is there any difference? If yes: please make sure to contact Colin Schroeder, the author of this book. Thank you!
Kind regards,
Reinhard Weth (son of former Unteroffizier Helmut Weth, the Radio Operator and air gunner of the Ju-88-A which crash-landed in Birkenhead on Oct.8th, 1940...)

 

[Airframes]

Hi Reinhard, it's really good to hear from you, and I'm staggered that you found this thread and got in touch. Fantastic!
I'll have to try to find the copy of the 1948 map, as it's in a folder 'hidden' at the moment under a lot of other stuff, as I've recently been re-arranging my house !
But, from what I can see in the excellent PDF in the link you posted (which I'll read properly later), the crash location matches with my rough estimate. When, or if, I find the map, I'll gladly send you a copy, along with a copy of the current map.
I'm in the process of building a 1/32nd scale diorama of your father's aircraft, as it looked after the forced landing, along with a 1/32nd scale model of Josef Stehlik's Hurricane, both of which will be presented to the Slavicin Museum, when I visit again in August next year. It would be fantastic if you could be there too!
Please keep in touch.
Regards,
Terry.

 

[Crimea_River]

Great stuff here guys. Looking forward that dio Terry.

 

[rwethi]

The Internet is really a great thing...!
I really would like to come to Czechia next year to meet you there ... - as you know: I already own a very detailed copy of "my Dad's Ju88A", built by a great Czech (!) model builder JACUB VILINGR. Here you find details how he built it several years ago: MODELPLAC - although it is in the Czech language, it may be helpful for you ...
And at the end of this Website http://www.south-lancs-aviation.bravepages.com/ju88.htm you also find a Picture of "my Ju88A"! Enjoy!