310 Squadron May 1942 to June 1943

310 SQUADRON at RAF EXETER

310 Sqn was stationed at RAF Exeter from May 1942 to June 1943 carrying out offensive sweeps and bomber escort missions in Spitfire VBs and VCs. As recorded by Fl/Lt Ford in the Operational Record Books, the squadron had a busy time, taking part in Operation Jubilee initiated from RAF Redhill.
Besides the action carried out by the squadron against the enemy during their stay at Exeter, Fl/Lt Ford gives a very good account of the more social side of life. For example this is his account of Christmas 1942:
“For some days elaborate preparations have been going on for the Czech Christmas Dinner which is always held on Christmas Eve. The British personnel of the squadron were all invited and the function was held in the Station Theatre which had been beautifully decorated by two of the squadron’s personnel. In addition, to all British and Czech squadron personnel who were not on urgent duty, the following officers of RAF Exeter and No 307(Polish) Sqn were present: Group Captain Rhys Jones, Sqn/Ldr W G Dreschfield, Sqn/Ldr J Jewell (Engineer Officer), A/S/O Stern and W/Cmr J Michalowski.
The tables were nicely laid and cards bearing the name of each officer and airman were placed around them. All guests were in their seats by 20.00 hrs and the squadron Commanding Officer (Sqn/Ldr F Dolezal) rose to make a short speech. He first recalled the names of all the officers and airmen of 310 Sqn who had given their lives in the common cause during the past year and the assembly stood in silence for one minute. The CO went on to congratulate the squadron personnel for their work and read the message of goodwill received from the A C C in Fighter Command. In conclusion he wished all ranks the very best for the New Year and hoped that Christmas 1943 would see the Czech personnel back in their beloved country once more.
An excellent dinner was then served and was greatly appreciated by all. After dinner, a presentation was made to Sqn/Ldr F Dolezal and Fl/Lt F W Merrin the squadron’s Education Officer, whose work amongst the Czechs has been greatly appreciated.
Throughout the proceedings the Czech Dance Band played light classical music and when dinner was finished more items were rendered by the band and a little Czech girl (daughter of Sgt O Grun) sang two Czech carols and one English carol accompanied at the piano by a British Sergeant. The singing of the small girl brought great applause and the squadron’s Medical Officer Sqn Ldr Z Vitek afterwards filmed her standing on the stage at the microphone. The party broke up at about 23.00 hrs after a really most enjoyable dinner.
On the 31/12/42, Fl/Lt Ford writes:
“ looking forward to this New Year it can be said that the morale of our pilots and the squadron personnel is very high. Six of our pilots have been killed during the year. Two by enemy action and four by sad mischance; amongst them W/Cmdr A Vasatko and P/O Doucha. Sgt Z Skarvada is in enemy hands. On the other hand, the squadron claims for the year 6½ in the air, 1 on the ground destroyed, 4 probables and 18 damaged bringing the grand total of enemy aircraft accounted for to 50 destroyed, 10 probables and 20½ damaged. All feel that this year they have contributed materially to the general war effort and that the day of return to their own homeland is appreciably nearer and all are prepared to give their utmost in this battle against tyranny and darkness, for freedom and light for all mankind and in the certainty that this will be achieved as we enter the New Year with high hopes”
The New Year did indeed bring further successes to the squadron. On the 29th Jan 43, Exeter Czech Wing in the vicinity of Morlaix, claimed for 310 Sqn two FW190s destroyed (P/O Foit and F/Sgt Popelka), one FW190 probable (Fl/Lt Chocholin) and two FW190s damaged (Fl/Lt Chocholin and Fl/Lt Hrbacek)
From the ORBs it is obvious that this was a close knit and friendly squadron who fought hard and played hard. Their New Years Eve party for 1942/43 was recorded as follows:
“This evening a dance was held in the Officers Mess and being the first dance in the new Mess at Farrington House proved to be a great success. A very pretty Christmas tree had been provided by a Polish Officer and the dining room was filled to capacity. The decorations in the bar, extension bar and dining hall where the dance was held were very effective. Two Officers F/O R Borovec and P/O A Wegiel being responsible for these.
P/O Wegiel also made some very fine Mural Panel Sketches in chalk. P/O Prune and his ancestors being very conspicuous in the bar room, together with the old family motto “ Dieu et mon Droit”
Most of the ladies wore evening dress which added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. Twelve clashes on the cymbals denoted that the Old Year had passed away and Auld Lang Syne was sung by a very happy crowd.
The enjoyment of this evening was considerably enhanced by the fact that free drinks were provided partly by subscription and partly by Mess funds. In spite of the terrific efforts by all concerned it is pleasing to note that the liquor supply did not fail. The Czech Squadron Band provided the music. The dance finished at approx 3’o clock.”
Farrington House, previously owned by James & Violet Putnam, was acquired by the Ministry of Home Securities by compulsory purchase order. It was used by RAF Czech and Polish Air Force squadrons during the war years. It had the largest sprung dance floor of any of the large houses in Devon. Ideal for formal dances.
The squadron made a point of celebrating the days close to their hearts ie: the 3rd Sept 1942 . National Day of Prayer marked by a special service at “A” flight dispersal at 3.00pm and led by the Sqn Czech Chaplain K Vit (RAF)
On the 7th Nov 1942. “International Students Day” commemorating the massacre of the Czech Students by the Germans in Prague on the 17th Nov 1939. The meeting was held at Exeter University.
The 24th Anniversary of Independence Day was celebrated on the 23rd Nov 1942 when Czechoslovakia declared itself free from the hated Austrian Rule.
The squadron also showed that it became very much part of the local Exeter community. On the 25th Nov 1942, a letter of thanks was received from the Major of Exeter for a cheque presented to him (proceeds of the Czech/Polish Dance held in Exeter on the 3rd Nov 1942) in aid of the Exeter Air Raid Victims Fund. The Czech Band was a firm favourite in the area and played at garden parties and many other events; once at the Old Castle Park arranged specially by the Major
Two happy romantic events happened while the squadron was stationed at Exeter. The ORB states that “Fl/Lt V Bergmann (81884) got up a somewhat hush–hush operation today (16/11/42) and got married in Exeter Registry Office to Miss Jean Doris Cooper of Perranporth in Cornwall. The squadron wish them the very best and all happiness”
On the 1/4/43, Fl/Lt Sikl (82518) married Barbara F Platt who served as a WAAF at RAF Exeter.
310 Squadron personnel were very well known at the George & Dragon and very much liked by the Lobb family. It was somewhere to relax away from the RAF Mess rooms.
It was with sadness that the squadron moved in June 1943 to Castletown. Fl/Lt Ford wrote in his report on the 26/6/1943
“After breakfast the squadron paraded at the flight dispersals and then loaded their baggage into the Harrows. Group Captain Woodhall OBE, the Station Commander, was down at the flights early to say goodbye and it was with many regrets that the squadron left Exeter where not only by the station itself but by the people of the city and district, much kindness, consideration, help and hospitality has, from the first coming, been shown, making the squadrons stay at Exeter most enjoyable.”

Film Footage 1942/1943 of 310 Sqn at RAF EXETER

RUDY KLECKA with 310 Sqn 1944 RAF EXETER.

https://rafexeter.co.uk. Please visit this wonderful site compiled and manned by Chris Wiseman.Its very special and a work of dedication.

DUKE OF KENT RAF EXETER 12th July 1942

On the 12/7/1942, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited RAF Exeter. He arrived in mufti and changed into uniform and then had lunch in the Officers Mess with the acting Station Commander and Wing Commander. After lunch, the Duke was photographed on the terrace steps in the midst of all the officers present. Later His Highness paid a visit to 310 Sqn “A” flight dispersal and there met W/C K Mrazek and Sqn Ldr F Dolezal. His Royal Highness is seated in the photograph third from the left with W/C Mrazek and Sqn Ldr Dolezal on his left.
The Duke was sadly killed shortly after this event on the 20th August 1942 aged 39 along with 13 others on board an RAF Short Sunderland flying boat W42026 which crashed into a hillside near Dunbeath in Scotland.
Group photograph shows Karl Mrazek and Frantisek Dolezal with fellow Czech officers after a presentation.

SIZZLING SAUSAGES! at St George and Dragon Inn

The Czech pilots of 310,312 and 313 sqns were very fond of their black sausages and had them brought specially from London. They were probably Jaternice sausages made from pork/offal, spices and cereal. The sausage is course ground and always contains garlic and sometimes blood.
According to the Operational Record Book for March 1943, 310 sqn celebrated the 93rd anniversary on the 7th March of the late T G Masaryk; 1st Czech President known as The Liberator. To mark the day, a parade was held at “A” flight dispersal at 10.00am. The Czech flag was hoisted by W/O Frantisek Adam and the sqn gave the general salute. Once the parade was dismissed, the Officers and Airmen were treated to a snack feast of “special” hot Czech sausages, bread and French mustard. Then the aircrew retired to the Sergeant’s Mess at Westall Hse for lunch and free beer.
The Czech pilots could often be seen in the kitchen of the George & Dragon Inn cooking up their sausages; Sqn Ldr Alois Hochmal (313 Sqn) and Sqn Ldr Vaclav Raba (310 Sqn) are mentioned in the newspaper articles (Spring 1943 and Express & Echo July 1988) as the cooks——- bringing back a taste of their homeland.