311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron
by Pavel Vancata

MMP Books

Reviewed by Brad Fallen

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Mushroom Model Publications' Blue Series books focus on unit histories and biographies.  Subjects covered to date include Adolf Galland, 304 (Polish) Squadron RAF and the Koscuiszko Squadron during the 1919-21 Polish/Bolshevik war.  One of the newer titles in the series is Pavel Vancata's study of the RAF's 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, which operated under Bomber, Coastal and finally Transport Command between 1940 and 1946.  Vancata has produced a significant work that will likely remain the definitive examination of 311 Squadron operations, achievements and losses for many years.

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Vancata addresses his subject both chronologically and thematically, which provides more depth than a simple narrative.  The first half of the book tells the story of 311 Squadron, starting with the unit's creation in summer 1940 as "the only Czechoslovak bomber squadron in the RAF".  Initial training is covered briefly before Vancata turns to the squadron's operations under Bomber Command, when it flew Wellingtons against targets across Europe.  This was a bloody experience that took a high toll on men and machines; at one stage in early 1942 the squadron "nearly ceased to exist as only four operational crews remained".

311 Squadron's transfer to Coastal Command in May 1942 was an opportunity to rebuild and regroup.  Flying Wellingtons and then B-24s the squadron achieved successes against German submarines and surface vessels, but enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire – along with hazardous flying conditions – claimed a steady flow of casualties.

After the end of the war, 311 Squadron joined No.301 Wing, Transport Command to assist with "the transport of Czechoslovak military material and Czechoslovak military personnel back to Czechoslovakia".  This work was complete by the end of 1945, albeit marred by several further fatal accidents (including of captured Luftwaffe aircraft which were assumed to have been sabotaged during construction by Czech labourers).  The squadron was officially disbanded in February 1946.

Vancata fleshes out his narrative with a number of aircrew profiles and quotes from operational reports and combatants from both sides.  These add a further human dimension to the history, as do the appendices that make up the second half of the book.  These are as follows:

1.  311 Squadron facts – aircraft types, commanders, codes, bases.

2.  Bases of 311 Squadron – map of the UK and Ireland showing relevant Bomber Command, Coastal Command and Transport Command bases.

3.  The number of sorties flown by 311 Squadron, broken down by year and the RAF Command under which they were flown.

4.  Operations and losses – broken down into sorties, claims against enemy aircraft and submarines, and personnel and aircraft losses.

5.  Targets of 311 Squadron – a breakdown of the locations in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands targeted by the squadron, and how often.

6.  311 Squadron aircraft – descriptions of the Wellingtons and B-24s flown by the squadron, including key features of sub-variants and the types of camouflage applied, and supplemented by a list of the individual aircraft used, broken down by mark, serial, and code letter.  

7.  311 Squadron aircrews – Prisoners of War and Roll of Honour – these two tables respectively list the 30-plus squadron personnel taken prisoner during the war, and the nearly 250 personnel lost in action or operational service.  Details listed include service number, rank, duty, country of origin, and the date killed or taken prisoner.

8.  Squadron personnel list 1940-45 – according to the author, this is the "first complete list of 311 Squadron's flying personnel covering the period of...World War II ever published".

9.  List of abbreviations – a glossary for interpreting the book's many acronyms.

10.  Faces of 311 Squadron – contemporary photos of 68 squadron members, which put a human face on otherwise dry statistics.

11.  Training of crews – a summary of operational training arrangements for squadron aircrew, and of flying accidents that claimed the lives of a number of Czechoslovak airmen before they could finish training and join the squadron.

The book concludes with two pages of colour photographs of squadron personnel, and 25 colour profiles of squadron Wellingtons, Liberators and Ansons.  Of particular interest are profiles of two Wellingtons (backed up by photos earlier in the book) that crash-landed in occupied Europe in 1940-41 and subsequently received Luftwaffe markings.

On the subject of photographs, Vancata has included a large number and variety of wartime images; these are generally of good quality and will be useful to anyone interested in modelling 311 Squadron aircraft.  The latter include some rarely seen subjects, such as post-war Liberators with Coastal Command camouflage (Extra Dark Sea Grey over white) and RAF squadron codes but wearing Czechoslovak national insignia.

Unit histories can be dry and stodgy affairs if appropriate care is not taken with their presentation.  Fortunately Vancata ticks all the right boxes with this account of 311 Squadron's exploits, with his blend of narrative, statistics and illustrations keeping the story fresh and accessible. 

There is plenty of inspiration here for modellers, but what will remain with me most are the number of aircraft losses to all causes that resulted in the deaths of nearly 250 squadron personnel between 1940 and 1945.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to MMP Books  for the sample.

All MMP Books are available direct from the publishers, who now accept credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Switch)  

North American distributors are MMD, Australian distributors are Platypus Publications. In Europe, the books are available from any good bookshop (via our UK distributors, Orca). Contact MMP direct in case of difficulties. 

Thanks to Roger at MMO Books  for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2015 by Brad Fallen
This Page Created on 6 January, 2015
Last updated 6 January, 2015

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