CS:
Jaroslav Chmelík...
(*29. cervence 1921 Rabí – †23. února 2002 Holešov) byl ceskoslovenský zahranicní voják, úcastník bitvy u Tobruku a letec RAF.
Nápis na pametní desce:
We Fight to Rebuild
Per Ardua ad Astra
Jaroslav Chmelík
v letech 1940-1945
príslušník Ceskoslovenského pešího praporu 11 – Východního
úcastník boju u Tobruku
pilot 310. cs. stíhací perute RAF ve Velké Británii
narozen 29. cervence 1921 v Rabí c.p. 109
K trvalé památce venují rodina a rodná obec
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EN:
Jaroslav Chmelík...
(*July 29, 1921 Rabí - †February 23, 2002 Holešov) was a Czechoslovak foreign soldier, a participant in the Battle of Tobruk and a RAF pilot.
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About Czechoslovak pilots during WWII
Many of the Czechoslovak pilots had fled to France after Hitler's occupation of their country in March 1939 and had fought in the short Armée de L'Air in the Battle of France, gaining important combat experience.
The rapid fall of France caused Czechoslovak soldiers and airmen to leave for Britain, where they established their own squadrons.
Nearly 90 Czechoslovak pilots would fly in the Battle of Britain, with No. 310 and No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadrons, RAF, formed in the summer 1940 and operational during the battle.
Some Czechs also served in other Fighter Command squadrons. Both Czechoslovak squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes.
Czechoslovak fighters earned a reputation for aggressive aerial combat and for skills and bravery.
Together with Czechoslovak pilots serving in other RAF units, a total of 84 - 86 Czechs and 2 Slovaks - served, claiming almost 60 air kills.
Nine pilots were killed. The top Czechoslovak ace was Sgt. Josef František, flying with No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, who claimed 17 confirmed kills, making him the highest scoring non-British pilot in the Battle of Britain.
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About Czechoslovak soldier in the Siege of Tobruk
Several thousand Czechoslovak soldiers served in the Battle of France. 206 Czechoslovak Army volunteers were in Beirut, Lebanon, waiting to be posted to join the Czechoslovak 1st Infantry Division in France when France capitulated to Nazi Germany.
Vichy France could have interned the men and surrendered them to the German military authorities, had not the Czechoslovak Consul-General in Jerusalem secured visas for them to move to Mandatory Palestine.[1]
The Czechoslovaks were housed in a camp at Al-Sumayriyya north of Acre. Further arrivals increased the group to 280 and it was formed into the 4th Infantry Regiment as part of the Czechoslovak 1st Infantry Division.
The regiment was then transferred south to a camp at Gedera near Tel Aviv to be armed and trained. On 1 October 1940 at Gedera the regiment was reconstituted as the 11th Infantry Battalion. Lt-Col Karel Klapálek was appointed commanding officer.
In December 1940 the battalion received acclimatization training and then was posted to Egypt, where it was assigned guard duty at camps first at Sidi Bishr and then at Agami. On 30 May it was put under the command of the British 23rd Infantry Brigade and posted to Sidi Haneish near Mersa Matruh.
In June and July 1941 the 23rd Infantry Brigade, including the Czechoslovak 11th Infantry Battalion, fought in the Allied invasion of Syria and Lebanon. In August the battalion was stationed on Syria's border with Turkey.
Members of the 11th Infantry Battalion in the Siege of Tobruk in 1941.
In August 1941 the Czechoslovak government-in-exile asked for the 11th Battalion to be moved to Britain to be united with Czechoslovak forces there. The British military authorities refused, and instead on 6 October 1941 transferred the battalion from the 23rd Infantry Brigade to the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade, which was besieged in Tobruk in Libya. The battalion served at Tobruk for 158 days, including 51 in combat.
At the end of December 1941 the battalion was withdrawn to the rear and transferred to the 38th Indian Infantry Brigade. In April 1942 the battalion was returned to Palestine and in May it was reorganised as the 200th Czechoslovak Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, with Karel Klapálek continuing as its commander.
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Plaque Inscription:
We Fight to Rebuild
Per Ardua ad Astra
Jaroslav Chmelík
v letech 1940-1945
príslušník Ceskoslovenského pešího praporu 11 – Východního
úcastník boju u Tobruku
pilot 310. cs. stíhací perute RAF ve Velké Británii
narozen 29. cervence 1921 v Rabí c.p. 109
K trvalé památce venují rodina a rodná obec
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