A history of Czechoslovak aircrew trainees at 111 OTU, Bahamas during World War 2

Liberator BZ810 (MA) of 111 OTU

The last Czechoslovak aircrews passed out from No.6 (C) OTU at Silloth in August 1943 and shortly after the ‘Czechoslovak Flight’ was disbanded. A new training base was needed and No.111 (Coastal) OTU in the Bahamas was selected. The location would provide better flying weather, leading to greater continuity in training and less likelihood of contact with the enemy. The unit also operated the B24 Liberator, the aircraft with which 311 Squadron had re-equipped during the early to mid part of 1943. The initial part of the crew training would be undertaken using the twin-engined B25 Mitchell’s (Mk’s I, II and III). The second, semi-operational stage would be undertaken using the B24 Liberator GR III, GR V and later GR VI and GR.VIII. Whilst the unit was under RAF command a group of Czechoslovak instructors would also be on hand to lead the trainees through flying and operating the B25 and the B24. and a Czechoslovak officer would oversee the Czechoslovak’ contingent.

The unit had been formed in August 1942 to train crews in the general reconnaissance role, using the types of aircraft then being delivered by the USA under ‘lend lease’. By the end of 1942 the OTU had nearly 30 B24’s on strength and had begun to perform patrols in the Caribbean area in conjunction with the USAAF and USN. At this time it was also decided that the unit would dedicate itself to training crews that were going to be operating the B24 in both the European and South East Asia areas of operations. It was also decided that upon completion of their training the crews would ‘ferry’ a B24 across the Atlantic to Prestwick in Scotland.

The training was to be carried out in three integral squadrons, numbered 1, 2 and 3 (they had originally been A, B and C Squadrons). The first two were equipped with the B25 Mitchell, with ‘A’ Squadron providing training for pilots and navigators. By 1943 Approximately 50 B25’s were based at Oakes Field. It was seen as an ideal aircraft for conversion to the B24, not least because of its similar tri-cycle undercarriage, something with which RAF crews would not be particularly familiar. The pilots and navigators would then join the wireless operators and air-gunners in ‘B’ Squadron to form the new crews. The B24 Liberators were operated by ‘C’ Squadron from nearby Windsor Field.

B25 Mitchell’s of 111 OTU in flight. In the background is KJ593 (B), a Mk III, and in the foreground FV954 (FB), a Mk II.

In addition to the Czechoslovaks, large numbers of Canadian (RCAF) and RAF aircrew were to be trained by the unit during its two years in the Caribbean. Whilst classroom activities were, as might be expected, an essential part of the training, operating the aircraft meant that a considerable number of navigational and radar homing exercises, practice anti-submarine patrols, fighter affiliation exercises, low level bombing and photographic sorties, air to air and air to sea firing exercises were undertaken. All of which largely took place during daylight hours. However, night flying also played a part, when exercises with the Liberators in the use of the Leigh Light would be undertaken. The training courses would usually finish with an up to ten hour practice anti-submarine patrol, usually entitled ‘Esco’ or ‘Kingsley’.

B25 Mitchell (FF) of 111 OTU.

The first Czechoslovak crew to complete the training didn’t unfortunately come through unscathed. They commenced their training (as part of Course No. 7) on the 21st of June 1943 and the nominated crew consisted of Flt/Lt Jan HRNČÍŘ, Sgt Vítězslav BŘÍZA, F/O Jaroslavl MOTL, Sgt Jan BUCHTA, Sgt Karel SALZ and Sgt Jozef TURNA.

Towards the end of the first part of their training, on the morning of the 7th of August 1943, the crew carried out a training sortie in Mitchell FR352 (DF) returning shortly before lunch. It was thought that the wireless operators (Sgt SALZ and Sgt TURNA) required additional assessment and after lunch they went aloft again in Mitchell FV953 (FA), which on this occasion was piloted by Flying Instructor P/O Jan HADRÁVEK, they were also accompanied by the Radio Instructor Flt/Lt Jaroslav MAREŠ. The aircraft got airborne at 1500 hours, but according to an eye witness it appeared to lose power at a height of 250 to 300 feet and spiralled into the ground to the east of Nassau. Those that perished were 149112 P/O Jan HADRÁVEK (Flying Instructor), 787341 F/Sgt Josef ŠOTOLA, 787155 Sgt Vitezslav BŘÍZA, 101497 Flt/Lt Jaroslav MAREŠ (Radio Instructor), 788106 Sgt Karel SALZ and 788278 Sgt Jozef TURNA.They were buried the next day in Nassau War Cemetery.

The crew was reconstituted and finally consisted of Ft/Lt Jan HRNČÍŘ, F/Sgt Josef DROBNÍK, F/O Jaroslav MOTL, Sgt Jan BUCHTA, Sgt Tibor KARAS, Sgt Josef MIKULEC and Sgt Bohuslav HUBENÝ. They completed their training on the 18th of September 1943.

The commander of the Czechoslovak contingent at this time was Sqn/Ldr Bohumil LIŠKA. The Flying Instructor for the B.25 was P/O Jan HADRÁVEK, the Navigation Instructor was F/O Jaroslav MOCEK and the Radio telegraphy Instructor was Flt/Lt Jaroslav MAREŠ. Following their deaths on the 7th of August, HADRÁVEK and MAREŠ were replaced in September 1943 by Flt/Lt Karel SCHOŘ and in February 1944 by Flt/Lt Vladimír DOMINIK respectively. In addition Flt/Lt František RADINA and F/O Jan IRVING were also appointed in September as Flying Instructors for the B24. The instructing staff were further supplemented by experienced 311 Sqn airmen who had completed their operational tour and where deployed on instructional roles whilst on their non-operational rest periods between tours.

Jan Irving with one his training crews

From this point on crews began to flow through the system quickly and they are listed below;

On 22 February 1944, the Duke of Windsor, Governor of the Bahamas, visited Oakes Fields for an inspection of 111 OTU. He inspected the Czechoslovak contingent and was accompanied by G/Cpt Alexander Hess, former 310 Sqn C/O and pilot and now Czechoslovak Air Attache in Ottawa, Canada.

Czechoslovak airmen of 111 OTU being inspected by the Duke of Windsor.

Windsor Field, 1944, left to right; Flt/Lt Protiva (crew 12), P/O Zezulka (crew 10), Flt/Lt Kvapil (crew 10) and Flt/Lt Radina , an instructor with 111 OTU.

During the spring of 1944 the unit received several Liberator GR.VIs, these aircraft were fitted with a nose turret).

Typical aircraft in use by the 111 OTU at this time (October 1944) included ;

B25 Mitchells – FW145 (FM), FW147 (FO), FW150 (FP), FV946 (FF), FV954 (FB), FV 997 (FG), HD308 (FU), HD327 (FV), HD330 (FW), KJ580 (JD), KJ586 (JD), KJ668 (FJ), KJ671 (JX), KJ718 (JM), KJ719 (JL);

Liberators – BZ757 (LR), BZ761 (LN), BZ762 (LO), BZ808 (LY), BZ809 (LZ), BZ811 (MB), EV886G (ND), EV896 (NA), EV935G (NX), EV987 (NB), FL962 (LG), FL964 (LD), FL967 (LJ), FL968 (LF), FL993 (LB) and FL994 (LA).

Liberator GR.VIII KH262 (NH) of 111 OTU

A mixed group of trainees from Courses 30 and 31 leaving Liberator BZ811 (MB) after a training sortie.

Both the crews that had been on Course No.40 left Nasau on 21.2.45. Around this time the unit began to receive Liberator GR.VIIIs, these aircraft were equipped with the advanced ASV Mk.X radar and additional anti-submarine equipment.

This crew was the last Czechoslovak crew to complete training in the Bahamas and they departed for the UK on the 11th of July. The unit had been informed that it was to relocate to the UK and from the 25th of July personnel began to return home. The normal flight route was via Nassau – Bermuda – Gander – Lagens and Prestwick to Lossiemouth, the units new home in the UK. It was reconstituted later in the year with a mixed bag of Liberators and some Wellingtons. However, the demand for crews was falling and the number of aircraft was shrinking. By November 1945 the unit could only boast eight Liberators. It was officially disbanded in May 1946.

John Rennison
Flt/Lt (Ret’d)
1/2017

Article last updated 14 September 2017.