WW2 fighter pilot legend Otto Smik was born 100 years ago
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 20.01.2022
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
Today (20 January 2022), the Institute of Military History commemorates the 100th birthday of legendary Czechoslovak pilot Otto Smik, the most successful Slovak pilot to have served in the ranks of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in WW2.
This exceptional pilot was today also honoured by members of the Slovak Armed Forces in a remembrance ceremony at the Otto Smik Bust located at 81 Wing Sliač, which has borne the name of this personality in its historical designation since August 2002.
During his service with the Royal Air Force, Otto Smik flew 263 sorties and shot down ten enemy aircraft and three V-1 flying bombs. He probably downed another two and damaged another 3 enemy aircraft, whereas he was also credited with engaging a number of targets on the ground, causing quite a lot of losses to the enemy in terms of manpower, tanks and military vehicles, and material.
Director of the Military History Research Branch and Deputy Director of the Institute of Military History Peter Šumichrast said: “Otto Smik refused to identify himself with the emergence of an authoritative Slovak State, which is why he left Slovakia illegally in March 1940. After his arrest and detention in prison in Hungary, he was released and continued his distressful journey to reach the Czechoslovak Army in France through the southern route. Following the surrender of France, he joined other Czechoslovak patriots in sailing aboard the Apapa to Britain's Liverpool.”
Otto Smik joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Having undertaken rigorous pilot training programmes in the UK and Canada, he was assigned to an operational squadron. Throughout WW2, he served with several RAF squadrons where he demonstrated his excellence. For his record of sorties against the enemy, he rose to the RAF rank of Squadron Leader and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross and many Czechoslovak military medals and decorations.
He was shot down for the first time as he led an attack on Gilze-Rijen airfield in the Netherlands. Thanks to his experience, he made a successful emergency landing. Aided by Dutch patriots, he evaded capture and escaped to the United Kingdom.
His fatal day came on the morning of 28 November 1944, when Sqn Ldr Smik, Commander of No. 127 Squadron RAF, led a reconnaissance patrol involving 12 Spitfire warplanes. Their mission was to conduct armed reconnaissance over Arnhem – Hengele – Zwolle. While he was leading an attack on a railway marshalling yard at Zwolle, the enemy ground defences retaliated with anti-aircraft fire. His Spitfire was hit and crashed on a farm in Ittersum. He died in the plane's debris.
Maj Gen (Posth) Otto Smik is buried in the Nightingale Valley cemetery in Bratislava.
This exceptional pilot was today also honoured by members of the Slovak Armed Forces in a remembrance ceremony at the Otto Smik Bust located at 81 Wing Sliač, which has borne the name of this personality in its historical designation since August 2002.
During his service with the Royal Air Force, Otto Smik flew 263 sorties and shot down ten enemy aircraft and three V-1 flying bombs. He probably downed another two and damaged another 3 enemy aircraft, whereas he was also credited with engaging a number of targets on the ground, causing quite a lot of losses to the enemy in terms of manpower, tanks and military vehicles, and material.
Director of the Military History Research Branch and Deputy Director of the Institute of Military History Peter Šumichrast said: “Otto Smik refused to identify himself with the emergence of an authoritative Slovak State, which is why he left Slovakia illegally in March 1940. After his arrest and detention in prison in Hungary, he was released and continued his distressful journey to reach the Czechoslovak Army in France through the southern route. Following the surrender of France, he joined other Czechoslovak patriots in sailing aboard the Apapa to Britain's Liverpool.”
Otto Smik joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Having undertaken rigorous pilot training programmes in the UK and Canada, he was assigned to an operational squadron. Throughout WW2, he served with several RAF squadrons where he demonstrated his excellence. For his record of sorties against the enemy, he rose to the RAF rank of Squadron Leader and was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross and many Czechoslovak military medals and decorations.
He was shot down for the first time as he led an attack on Gilze-Rijen airfield in the Netherlands. Thanks to his experience, he made a successful emergency landing. Aided by Dutch patriots, he evaded capture and escaped to the United Kingdom.
His fatal day came on the morning of 28 November 1944, when Sqn Ldr Smik, Commander of No. 127 Squadron RAF, led a reconnaissance patrol involving 12 Spitfire warplanes. Their mission was to conduct armed reconnaissance over Arnhem – Hengele – Zwolle. While he was leading an attack on a railway marshalling yard at Zwolle, the enemy ground defences retaliated with anti-aircraft fire. His Spitfire was hit and crashed on a farm in Ittersum. He died in the plane's debris.
Maj Gen (Posth) Otto Smik is buried in the Nightingale Valley cemetery in Bratislava.
