Memorial Plaque Slatinice Text
It has just been posted in the ´Links´ Section ´Memorials and Museums´, ´Czech Rep´ Subsections as a tribute to StCpt Joseph Ocelka DFC.
In May 1942 Cz No 311 Bomber Sqn lost three crews on operations.over the Continent. From Apr 10 to Apr 15 two more. As the last Wellington twin-engined bomber belonging to the Sqn Z 1098 one captained by Sgt Para failed to return. Three crewmen including F/Sgt Joseph Talab perished. He had lived for several years prior to WWII at the village of Slatinice. That reason for a ceremony in honour of three RAF airmen was held on Apr 15, 2017 there.
Following the loss of Z 1098 only four crews were at disposal to further operations. Though five freshmen crews were posted to 311 three days later they lacked experience for going on operations as far as over Germany. Due to this flying personnel shortage the RAF Supreme Command ordered to transfer No 311 Sqn to the Coastal Command.
Names of thirty crewmen mentioned above who passed out Nos 6 - 7 courses can be seen in the text authored by Mr John Rennison ´311 Sqn Air-Crew Training - Bomber Command´ posted on Sep 25, 2016 on the www.fcafa.wordpress.com website.
On Apr 20, 1942 No 311 Sqn´s CO S/L Joseph Ocelka was posted to the Czech Inspectorate Office in London. He had been nicknamed ´Steel´ by his men. He had been held in high respect by the overwhelming majority of the personnel. Sadly not by the Czechoslovak Inspectorate General Office.
The ´Memorial Plaque Slatinice´ Text - HERE