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Listing of Liberator aircraft and Serial Numbers that served with 311 (Czech) Squadron RAF between 1943 and 1945.
Squadron code letters ‘PP’
Abbreviations in use:
| ATA | Air Transport Auxiliary |
| Del. | Delivered |
| FP. | Ferry Pool |
| Flt. | Flight |
| MTO | Motor Transport Officer |
| OTU | Operational Training Unit |
| PRU | Photographic Reconnaissance Unit |
| Sqn. | Squadron |
| Trans. | Transfer |
Abbreviations in use for personnel (k) = Killed; (m) = Missing, (i) = Injured; (dli) = Died later of injuries; (pow) = Prisoner of War; (s) = safe.
| Serial No: | Aircraft Code: | Mk: | Details: |
| BZ716 | ‘B’,’K’ and ‘M’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 06/04/44 to 59 Sqn 13/05/44. |
| BZ717 | ‘L’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 06/03/44 Recalled in bad weather and crashed at Bolt Head at 1346 hours on 13.7.44. Sgt Vaclav Capek (k); Sgt Pavel Dreveny (k); Sgt Jan Filip (k); W/O Ludvik Kosek (k); Sgt Miroslav Manasek (k); F/Sgt Rudolf Nemecek (k); F/O Karel Novotny (k); W/O Vaclav Tarantik (k). |
| BZ720 | ‘G’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 08/05/44 crashed Helmsdale after attack on U-Boat 29/10/44 5 killed 4 saved. Sgt Rudolf Barvir (k); Sgt Vaclav Cerny (k); Sgt Josef Kostal (k); F/O Frantisek Politzer (k); Sgt Stepan Stetka (k); P/O K Pospichal (s); Sgt Sacha (s); Sgt Svec (s). |
| BZ721 | ‘T’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 21/10/44 transfer to Scottish Aviation Ltd 28/02/45. |
| BZ723 | ‘H’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 11/05/44 to 22 MU 12/03/45. |
| BZ726 | ‘R’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 21/11/44 to 22 MU 16/03/45. |
| BZ741 | ‘Q’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 31/03/44 transfer to Scottish Aviation Ltd 28/02/45. |
| BZ742 | ‘H’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 10/02/44 to 59 Sqn 1.5.44. |
| BZ743 | ‘B’ and later ‘E’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn as ‘B’ 02/06/43 damaged and transferred to Scottish Aviation Ltd for modifications 13/12/43. Returned to 311 Sqn 10/02/44 as ‘E’ then to 59 Sqn 28/04/44. Returned to 311 Sqn 21/01/45 then to Preparation Pool, St Davids 26/01/45. |
| BZ745 | ‘E’ | GR. V | Del’ 311 Sqn 06/05/44 to 22 MU 11/03/45. |
| BZ749 | ‘F’ | GR. V | Del’ 311 Sqn 06/05/44 to 22 MU 11/03/45. |
| BZ750 | ‘C’ | GR. V | Del’ 311 Sqn 21/07/44 damaged 10/10/44 and repaired by Scottish Aviation Ltd and returned 15/06/45 then to 1332 HCU 04/09/45. |
| BZ751 | ‘Z’ | GR. V | Del’ 311 Sqn 21/07/44 damaged 10/10/44 and repaired by Scottish Aviation Ltd and returned 15/06/45 then to 1332 HCU 04/09/45. |
| BZ754 | ‘J’ | GR. V | Del to 311 Sqn 20/04/44. Hit trees and crashed at Predannack, 8 killed 1 saved 29/06/44. Sgt Josef Jiroutek (k); Sgt Josef Kubat (k); Sgt Emil Kuklinek (k); F/O Frantisek Naxera (k); Sgt Walter Stano (k); F/Sgt Miroslav Stepanek (k); F/O Vaclav Zdimal (k); Sgt Ladislav Zilak (k); Sgt Bebenek (i). |
| BZ763 | ‘O’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 15/09/43. Damaged 19/01/44 repaired and returned to the squadron 25/02/44 then to Scottish Aviation Ltd 22/03/44. |
| BZ769 | ‘C’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 15/07/43 damaged repaired and returned to the squadron 12/01/44. then to Scottish Aviation Ltd for Leigh Light fitting 07/01/44 after delivered to 53 Sqn 03/02/44. |
| BZ773 | ‘A’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 13/07/43 damaged and reduced to spares at Beaulieu by Scottish Aviation Ltd 09/08/43. |
| BZ774 | ‘D’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 16/07/43 (Used for testing with rockets the dame day by Scottish Aviation Ltd) to SAL 29/11/43. |
| BZ775 | ‘G’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 17/01/43 crashed on take off Beaulieu 29.8.43. Flt/Lt Bruno Babs (k); Sgt Eduard Blahacek (k); Sgt Vaclav Blahna (k); F/O Miroslav Ctvrtlik (k); Sgt Stanislav Jelinek (k); F/O Adolf Musalek (k); Sgt Hanus Polak (k); Sgt Jiri Rubin (k).. |
| BZ776 | ‘P’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 02/08/43 damaged 07/11/43 and transferred to Scottish Aviation Ltd for modifications . |
| BZ777 | ‘F’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/10/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 24/01/44. |
| BZ779 | ‘J’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 20/07/43 damaged by Ju88s whilst on patrol and struggled back to a crash landing at St Eval 07/10/43. Captain was F/Sgt Josef Kuhn. Struck off charge 31/10/43. |
| BZ780 | ‘O’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 31/07/43 Failed to return from operational sortie (311’s first with the Liberator) 21/08/43. The crew included the squadron’s commanding officer; Wing Commander Jindrich Breitcetl DFC (m); Flt/Lt Frantisek Fencl (m); Sgt Josef Felkl (m); F/Sgt Josef Halada (m); W/O Wilem Jaks (m); P/O Emilian Mrazek (m); P/O Eduard Pavelka (m); F/Sgt Michal Pizur (m). |
| BZ782 | ‘K’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 20/07/43 transfer to Scottish Aviation Ltd 06/03/44. |
| BZ784 | ‘F’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 13/07/43 transfer to Scottish Aviation Ltd 28/09/43 for Leigh Light installation then to 53 Sqn.. |
| BZ785 | ‘L’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 20/07/43 stalled off steep turn at Beaulieu during a practice evasion flight and crash landed at 1542 hours on 30/08/43.The aircraft stalled in a steep turn, probably due to mishandling. In addition, the fact that the aircraft apparently exceeded the normal all up weight laid down by flight limitations probably contributed to the incident. Flt/Lt Emil Palichleb (k); Sgt Emil Szeliga (k); Sgt Zdeněk Řezáč (k); Sgt Josef Bittner (k); Sgt Josef Fišera (k) and Sgt Teodor Schwarz. (k). |
| BZ786 | ‘G’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 05/09/43 transferred to 86 Sqn 12/01/44. |
| BZ787 | ‘E’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 16/07/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 07/11/43 for modifications. |
| BZ789 | ‘N’ and later ‘P’ | ? | Del’ to 311 Sqn 20/07/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 07/11/43. |
| BZ790 | ‘E’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 06/12/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 08/02/44. |
| BZ793 | ? | GR. V | Allotted to 311 Sqn but not delivered went to 53 Sqn instead 20/07/43. |
| BZ794 | GR. V | Alloted to 311 Sqn but not delivered went to 53 Sqn instead 24/07/43. | |
| BZ795 | ‘H’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 17/07/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 28/09/43. |
| BZ796 | ‘H’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/10/43 then to Scottish Aviation Ltd for Leigh Light installation 08/02/44 (Note; this was the aircraft that attacked the ‘Alsterufer’). |
| BZ797 | ‘D’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 02/01/44 then to 547 Sqn 06/03/44. |
| BZ798 | ‘L’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 06/09/43 then to Scottish Aviation Ltd 17/02/44 |
| BZ872 | ‘E’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 11/11/43 missing from night patrol 17-18/11/43 with crew of 9, believed ditched. F/Sgt Ladislav Cernohorsky (m); F/Sgt Albert Fuksa (m); Sgt Felix Heller (m); Sgt Josef Novak (m); F/Sgt Miroslav Prochazka (m); Flt/Lt Metodej Sebela DFC (m); P/O Emmerich Urban (m); F/O Alois Vavra (m); the body of Sgt Linhard Fajt (k) was washed up on the French coast some time later. |
| BZ875 | ‘R’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 24/09/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 30/12/43. |
| BZ880 | ‘J’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 11/11/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 07/01/44. |
| BZ882 | ‘Q’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 21/09/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 17/02/44. |
| BZ961 | ‘C’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 07/02/44 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 11/05/44 for Leigh Light installation. |
| BZ968 | ‘P’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 17/02/44 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 11/05/44 for Leigh Light installation. |
| BZ975 | ‘R’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 19/02/44 damaged by four Ju88s on 10/03/44 repaired on site by Scottish Aviation Ltd and returned to the squadron 20/04/44, then to SAL 07/05/44 for Leigh Light installation. |
| BZ979 | ‘U’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 12/02/44 then to Scottish Aviation Ltd 09/05/44 for Leigh Light installation. |
| BZ984 | ‘F’and later ‘S’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 08/02/44 then to Scottish Aviation Ltd 11/05/44 for Leigh Light installation. Returned to the squadron 03/03/45 (S) then to SAL 11/05/45. |
| BZ985 | ‘?’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 08/12/44 then to 512 MU 10/02/45. |
| BZ986 | ‘G’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 08/02/44 to Scottish Aviation Ltd 09/05/44. |
| BZ987 | ‘A’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 14/02/44 damaged and repaired on site by SAL at Predannack from 29/02/044 to 17/03/44 and to SAL 30/05/44. |
| BZ995 | ‘J’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 13/02/44 Failed to return from anti-submarine patrol over Bay of Biscay 13-14/03/44 believed shot down by JU88s. Sgt Herbert Bek (m); F/Sgt Frantesek Hecl (m); W/O Ladislav Kadlec (m); F/O Pavel Kubin (m); Sgt Oskar Lojka (m); P/O Jan Timko (m); Flt/Lt Alois Uvizl (m); P/O Ole Zanta (m). |
| BZ999 | ‘T’ | GR. V | Del to 311 Sqn 19/02/44 then to 206 Sqn 31/07/44. |
| EV872 | ‘Y’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/03/45 made forced landing after engine fire at Tain 04/07/45. Repaired on site by Scottish Aviation Ltd then returned to the squadron 13/11/45 then to 51 MU 02/09/46. |
| EV882 | ‘?’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 24/02/44 then to 51 MU 13/03/44. |
| EV883 | ‘C’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 28/02/45 based at Prague 10/09/45 returned to RAF Valley 17/12/45 for disposal. |
| EV895 | ‘?’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 24/02/44 to 51 MU 31/03/44. |
| EV943 | ‘F’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45 returned to RAF Valley 22/12/45 for disposal. |
| EV953 | ‘K’ | ? | Del’ to 311 Sqn 31/01/45 overshot landing at Prague Ruzyne with Czech/RAF passengers. Ran off the end of the runway into a sewage tank 20/08/45. No casualties and aircraft was never repaired and was scrapped ’in situ’ and struck off charge on 21/06/47. |
| EV955 | ‘D’ | ? | Del’ to 311 Sqn 03/03/45 lost height an flew into ground after take off at night at 0406 hours from Tain on 10/04/45. F/Sgt Arnost Hayek (k); F/Sgt Otto Kennedy (dil); F/Sgt Zdenek Palme (k); Sgt Rudolf Scholz (k); Flt/Lt Josef Simet (k); Sgt Josef Vanis (k). P/O Zdenek Munzar (s); F/Sgt V Vrba (s); Sgt J Chovanec (s).Struck off charge 12/04/45. |
| EV963 | ‘V’ | GR. VI | unconfirmed April ’45 to December ’45 |
| EV985 | ‘Z’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45 returned to RAF Valley for disposal 14/12/45. |
| EV994 | ‘G’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 05/02/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Lost both starboard engines due to fuel failure and force landed at Redhill 30/10/45. Returned to RAF Valley for disposal 21/03/46. |
| EW291 | ‘Q’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 31/01/45 Damaged in an accident 07/03/45 to 51 MU 05/02/46. |
| EW295 | ‘E’ | GR. VI | Del to 311 Sqn 16/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Returned to RAF Valley for disposal 27/12/45. |
| EW301 | ‘O’ | GR. VI | unconfirmed February ’45 to December ’45 |
| EW313 | ‘B’ | ? | Del’ to 311 Sqn 23/02/45 involved in an accident 15/05/45 repaired on site by Scottish Aviation Ltd. Struck off charge 31/05/46. |
| FL937 | ‘K’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 28/08/44 shot down by Bf110 from 10/ZG26 and ditched in position 5924N 0415E, whilst on patrol on 03/10/44. P/O Jaroslav Hala (m); W/O Stepan Jaros (m); F/Sgt Karel Katz (m); F/O Frantisek Koranda (m); F/Sgt Michal Kubina (m); F/Sgt Josef Remenar (m); Sgt Bedrich Sklar (m); F/Sgt Alois Satocek (m); F/Sgt Frantisek Veitl (m). |
| FL941 | ‘F’ | GR. V | unconfirmed May ’44 to July ’44 |
| FL944 | ‘B’ | GR. V | Trans to 311 Sqn from 86 Squadron 04/03/44 then to 59 Sqn 25/04/44. |
| FL948 | ‘M’ and later ‘D’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 18/07/43 to Scottish Aviation Ltd for modifications 30.12.43 Returned to the squadron (D) 11/02/44 then to 22 MU 11/03/45. |
| FL949 | ‘Y’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 26/04/44 Sank U-1060 04/11/44. (together with Liberator ‘H’ of 311 and Halifaxes of 502 Sqn). Flew into high ground in cloud at Rora Head, Hoy in the Orkneys 01/01/45. F/Sgt Antonin Bednar (k); F/Sgt Oldrich Bodlak (k); W/O Oldrich Bures (k); Sgt Martin Dorniak (k); F/Sgt Ivo Englander (k); F/Sgt Zdenek Launer (k); F/Sgt Otto Mandler (k); F/Sgt Jaroslav Zapletal (k). |
| FL953 | ‘M’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 17/02/44 Belly landed at Stornoway after fuel problems and undercarriage failure 12/11/44. |
| FL954 | ‘A’ | GR. V | unconfirmed April ’44 to May ’44 |
| FL955 | ‘N’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 08/02/44 damaged in accident and repaired on site 13/11/44 by 51 and 83 MUs. Returned to the squadron 05/07/45 then to 51 MU finally on 21/03/46. |
| FL956 | ‘W’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 21/04/44 then to 22 MU 23/08/44. |
| FL960 | ‘V’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 25/04/44 then to 12 MU 21/03/45. |
| FL961 | ‘O’ and later ‘S’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 14/04/44 damaged 25/07/44 and repaired on site by 67 MU. Returned to the squadron 08/11/44 then to 22 MU 12/03/45. |
| FL966 | ‘B’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 24/04/44 then to 22 MU 08/03/45. |
| FL975 | ‘X’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 26/04/44 damaged beyond repair by fire 17/01/45 after a flare ignited in the launch tube. Struck off charge 16/03/45. |
| FL978 | ‘S’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 12/02/44 transferred to 59 Sqn 08/05/44. |
| FL981 | ‘O’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 12/10/44. Crashed after take off at 2100 hours from Tain on 04/12/44, for a night training flight. The aircraft began to climb and then went into a right hand banking turn, lost height and crashed. F/Sgt Frantisek Bedendikt (k); F/Sgt Frantisek Havranek (k); Sgt Walter Hnilicka (k); Sgt Jaroslav Kulhavy (k); W/O Stepan Petrasek (k); F/Sgt Josef Sebastik (k); F/O Eduard Zbroj (k). |
| FL982 | ‘U’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 22/10/44 to 22 MU 16/03/45. |
| FL985 | ‘P’ | GR. V | Del’ to 311 Sqn 09/12/44 to 22 MU 16/03/45. |
| KG856 | ‘R’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Returned RAF Valley 12/12/45 for disposal. |
| KG859 | ‘U’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 04/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Returned to RAF Valley 17/12/45 for disposal. |
| KG860 | ‘M’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 15/05/45 based at Prague 10/09/45.Returned to RAF Valley 12/12/45 for disposal. |
| KG861 | ‘L’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 03/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45 Returned to RAF Valley 12/12/45 for disposal. |
| KG862 | ‘T’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 26/02/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Returned to RAF Valley 14/12/45 for disposal. |
| KG867 | ‘N’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 18/05/45 one of three Liberators based at Blackbushe 29/09/45. Crashed on take off 05/10/45 following engine fire 5 crew and 15 passengers killed. P/O Jaroslav Kudlacek (k); W/O Antonin Broz (k); P/O Karel Rybnicek (k); F/Sgt Zdenek Sedlacek (k); F/O Bohumil Vaverka (k). |
Remains of the burnt out fuselage of Liberator GR VI, PP-N, KG867
| KG870 | ‘H’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 03/03/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Returned to RAF Valley 11/12/45 for disposal. |
| KG898 | ‘W’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 22/04/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. At RAF Valley awaiting disposal 21/03/46. |
| KG917 | ‘D’ | GR. VI | Del’ to 311 Sqn 05/06/45 based at Prague 10/09/45. Returned to RAF Valley 11/12/45 for disposal. |
| KN736 | GR. VIII | Allocated to 311 Sqn but delivered instead to 102 Sqn 07/09/45. | |
| KN756 | GR. VIII | Transferred to 311 Sqn 04/09/45 then to 426 Sqn 21/09/45. |
Notes on Scottish Aviation Ltd
Scottish Aviation Ltd (SAL) was based during the Second World War at Prestwick, with out-stations at Edzell, Greenock, Merryfield and Silloth. They had contracts for the reception and preparation for service use of newly arrived Liberators. They also had a range of contracts for the maintenance, modification and conversion of Liberators and the supply of aircraft spares.
SAL moved their main engineering base (lock stock and barrel!) from its original site at Bellahouston in Glasgow in 1941 and re-erected the whole set up at Prestwick. They undertook a wide range of acceptance checks, conversion work and etc. This carried on after the war, when they were involved with converting ex-military C.47s and C.54s for civilian use. They went on to design and build their own aircraft; the Pioneer (59 built) and Twin Pioneer (87 built) –production of which ceased in 1962. They continued in the post war years with contracts for a range of American aircraft types including T.33 trainers and F.104 Starfighters for the Canadian Air Force. In the early 1970s they also began producing Bulldog trainers and the twin-engined Jetstream, both of which were used by the RAF.
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© F/Lt John P Rennison retd. 2012
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Free Czechoslovak Air Force 
BZ762 – Liberator not mentioned here. I have a pic from Pavel, re the Bahamas with the number clearly displayed on the aircraft and the crew in photo.
[Moderaters Note: This is a listing of Liberator aircraft that were in 311 squadron. BZ762 was used by 111 OTU in the Bahamas.]
Trans from New Zealand Flight (later 75 Sqn) to 311 Sqn – Struck tree and crashed on approach to Honington after engine failure on 16/04/41.