I found this lurking in the back of…

R.A.F. Air Station – Vis

Mark,

you still have chance to visit it, if you connect yourself with RAF Veterans Association. In beginning of September they will have reunion on Vis. Reunion is organised also by UK Embassy in Croatia.

Btw Air Station Vis is mentioned more than few times in http://www.yuairwar.com/novj.asp and here I can give you some extracts just to for get the general idea:

Combat Activities and Losses of the No. 352 (Y) Squadron since August 1944

Regarding the assigned combat missions, the squadron received orders from the 281st Wing Commander and the R.A.F. Air Station – Vis Commander who defined and specified in accordance with their guidelines the following elements of combat activities; type of the target, manner of activities, number of aircraft, take off time and how to carry out the mission. The squadron executed combat missions exclusively on the former Yugoslav territory, the majority of which was in the coastal and mountain areas of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and more rarely Monte Negro and Kosovo.
The presumed squadron missions mainly consisted of the following fighter-bomber missions:
– combat activities over enemy traffic and transport on the ground, sea and in the air,
– combat activities over enemy manpower and technical equipment, commands and coastal batteries, harbours and ports as well as other stationary targets,
– providing fighter protection for facilities, naval convoys and other aircraft,
– reconnoitring enemy movements and occasionally weather situation,
– neutralisation of AAA, direct firing support to the NOVJ units, and sweep missions.

The Beginning of Activities and Losses of the No. 352 (Y) Squadron since August to October, 1944

On August 16, upon the arrival of all 16 aircraft onto the Canne runway, the squadron numbered 13 Spitfires of Mk V.C version, and three Spitfires of older version Mk V.B.. Apart from the already described problems due to different maintenance methods of these two versions, another problem arose concerning the differences in mutually irreplaceable bomb carriers that were supposed to be installed into the aircraft upon their acquisition. Hence, air-mechanics immediately started to work on the carrier installation intended for two bombs of 250 lb (112kg). Almost at the same time, on August 17, 1944, during these works the No. 352 (Y) Squadron was assigned its first combat mission, the same as the following ones during the next five days until the completion of works on the carrier installation and auxiliary gas-tank check. While the squadron was still being gradually introduced into fighting, its first combat missions consisted mostly of providing fighter protection to the neighbouring British fighter-bomber squadrons from the No. 281 B.A.F. Wing (the squadrons were noted as follows: No. 32 , No. 249 and No. 253 Hyderabad State).

On August 23 the unit was proclaimed ready for the beginning of independent activities, and a group of 6 aircraft led by Commander Protić took off for their first independent mission of bombing the Marčetić village situated north-west from Knin. The British high officers, such as
Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal (Chief of Air Staff) and Air Marshal Sir John Slessor (CinC Coastal Command) as well as the B.A.F. Commander, Air Vice Marshal Sir Wiliam Elliot had an opportunity to personally witness the units readiness. From that time on the squadron entered the period of intensive activities, mostly above the Dalmatian and BiH area. The activities were performed in groups of six and more rarely eight aircraft, while the majority of missions were launched in pairs or groups of two pairs or fours.

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Already from January 1944, a British commando unit was located on Vis and was in charge of fitting the radio-station for the connection with the allied aircraft. At the beginning of the same month, the meeting regarding the construction of the auxiliary airfield on Vis was held between the Commander of the Allied Military Mission at VŠ, Brigadier Fitzroy Maclean escorted by the VŠ representative, Vladimir Velebit and the representative of the NOVJ Naval Command (Zapovjedništvo Mornarice NOVJ) to which the island, i.e. the Vis Town Command was directly subordinated. After that, on January 20 the VŠ brought the decision on consistent defence of the island of Vis, and on March 23, the R.A.F. expert commission arrived onVis to choose the ground for the airport construction in the wine-growing area of Velo Polje. After the arrival of British mechanisation and with the help of Partisans and citizens of Vis around 60 hectares of vineyards were cleared between April 18 and 25 for the construction of the auxiliary airfield for the Allied bombers and fighters which were most frequently flying on bombing missions from Italy to targets in Austria, Hungary and Romania. The largest problem during these works occurred during the construction of the runway. Due to surrounding area relief in the rainy periods, a larger amount of water was pouring down the surrounding hills to the valley, i.e. the field and very slowly flowing away from the runway which made taking off and, in particular landing difficult or even completely impossible. The solution was found in the installation of special profile steel boards (the same as at the Canne airport) which had already mentioned disadvantages leading to tyre damages and swinging off the runway. Apart from the basic runway dimensions of 900 x 60m, there were additional 150 meters of security extension on the runway tresholds which resulted in the largest runway length of 1200 m.

The airport was officially open on May 1, 1944 when the first R.A.F. fighter flew down on the runway. From February 1944 up to then, the Vis anti-aircraft defence consisted of only 15 AAA machine-guns from the NOVJ 26th Dalmatian Division, but from May onwards the detached fighter aircraft from British squadrons also protected the airfield. At the same time, the Auxiliary Allied Air Force Base was organised, as well as the SAR (Search and Rescue) service. The importance of the Vis airport for the Allies could be seen in the fact that, in the period between July and September 1944 215 allied four-engine bombers with 1936 fliers made forced landing on Vis. Moreover, 204 aircraft were repaired and continued their flights towards Italy. However, with the VŠ arrival on Vis in June, the AAA defence was significantly reinforced. Therefore the R.A.F. assigned the special anti-aircraft unit from Rome for the protection of the Hum Hill, which was the VŠ Seat and, later on two more AAA batteries equipped with radars from the 2825th B.A.F. Regiment. Two observation radars were set up on the Stončica and Barjaci Capes guiding three 94 mm AAA batteries. Thus, the bulk of the island’s AAA defence consisted of 24 cal. 94 cannons, 20 cal. 20 cannons and 18 cal. 12.7 heavy machine guns. Besides that, additional 5000 British soldiers were based on the island, along with 4500 to 9700 Partisan soldiers. This included the following units: No. 2 Special Air Service Brigade, No. 2 Highland Light Infantry Battalion (Scottish), No. 111 Field Infantry Regiment, and parts of the Auxiliary Assault Regiment i.e. invasion force.

Besides that, the Vis airfield ensured to the Allied aircraft the expansion of flight range for about 300 km in relation to the bases in Italy. Hence, already on August 19 the first two Spitfires Mk V.C from the No. 352 (Y) Squadron arrived, and in the next few days several more Spitfires joined them, thus forming the Vis “Detachment” which since then overtook the fighter protection to the airport which included the VŠ. On October 18 they were followed by the arrival of six Hurricanes Mk IV on Vis, which presented the No. 351 (Y) Squadron combat “Detachment”.
Most probably on August 26, 12 Spitfires with pilots and 24 ground mechanics, landed on Vis. On the occasion of Maršal Tito’s review and inspection of the NOVJ 26th Dalmatian Division, he visited this Royal Air Force No. 352 (Y) Squadron “Detachment” and the VŠ Liaison Squadron, holding a short speech. The Air Vice Marshal Sir William Elliot (B.A.F. CinC) also attended this event.

Apart from the arrival of the No. 352 (Y) Squadron Detachment, on August 18, 1944 the VŠ Liaison Squadron (Eskadrila za vezu VŠ) was officially organised under the command of potpukovnik Jevrem Bijelica and later on Zdenko Ulepič. Besides two SAIMAN 200 aircraft (probably Salih Hađiomerivić defected in one of them on April 6, while the NDH pilots, Cerinski and Majnarić defected in another one on June 25), the unit had four Po-2 liaison aircraft which had been brought from Bari on August 14, but disassembled in two Lisunov Li-2 and given to the NOVJ by the Soviets. However, the majority of various squadron aircraft and pilots were acquired later, after the defections from the NDH Air Force.

Already on August 27, the squadron disposed of a Fizir F.P.2 in which the pilot, zastavnik Fatih Delić and the military official, Mitar Obučina had defected from Mostar to Vis.
Most probably on August 26 (or September 2) the unit acquired a fighter of the Italian make Fiat G.50 bis (reg. 3505) in which poručnik Andrija Arapović had defected from 2nd Squadron 1st Wing (2. jato 1. skupina) based in 1st Air base (1. zrakoplovna luka) Borongaj (Zagreb) to Vis.
On September 3 a pilot, zastavnik Nenad Kovačević defected from Rajlovac to Italy with a cadet-pilot in the Bü 181C Bestmann after which it was allocated to the VŠ Liaison Squadron.

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…and story about that Fiat G.50 bis (reg. 3505) is one whole new subject for discussion. Especially since it is last example in the World today.

Vis a Vie.

JeT,

On my recent visit to Croatia, time and Mrs Mark12 made a trip to the outer island of Vis, to look at the old Spitfire base, difficult.

I know the Island has only in recent times been open to tourism.

Could you tell us a bit about the WWII operations from Vis and its subsequent use by the military?

Any photos?

Thanks.

Mark

Is there any other interest about the topic or questions about the historic aviation in Croatia?

I would be glad to answer you.

Tnx Mark, Moggy, TT for kind welcome…

Of course I’ll do my best but as you probably know that is small area for big posting 😉

Welcome JeT and well done for saving the aeroplane!

TT

Also in my first post I wish to send best regards to all enthusiasts & professionals who are contributing to this forum.

All the best
JeT

And to you 🙂

Welcome

Moggy

JeT,

Welcome to the forum.

We look forward to you keeping us posted on things ‘aviation Historic’ in the Adriatic region.

Mark

Clearly it has not flown for quite a while and it seems the Aeroclub lacks the funds to restore it.

Hi Mark 😉

Just to mention Aero-3 is not flying since 70’s but her engine is in perfect condition. For example last month it started from first attempt. Aero-3 manages to survive the 1991-95 war against Croatia tnx to Aero Club personnel and because she was towed to Split airport and hidden in some former YuAF underground facilities.

Today main problem is unsolved ownership over her because as a former AF bird she was signed in register as ownership of Yugo-Aero Club association, although AC Split-Sinj operated it all the time.

Also in my first post I wish to send best regards to all enthusiasts & professionals who are contributing to this forum.

All the best
JeT

Those floats

The word from my host of last week:-

“Probably floats from Utva-60H which after withdrawal from service was handed over to AK Split as
YU-DBD (ex. 50503). Today is situated in Zadar as ground exhibit.”

Mark

Very interesting, and that would be a pair of floats lurking on the floor? Anything in the hangar suggesting that they would belong to each other? 😀

Newforest,

Nothing obvious.

Perhaps a Polikarpov P0-2 floatplane?

Definately too small for the Stirling. 😉

Mark

Very interesting, and that would be a pair of floats lurking on the floor? Anything in the hangar suggesting that they would belong to each other? 😀

Yeah, that’s a Slepcev Storch, going by the size of it.

The other one looks like an overgrown Taylor Mono! :p

…and in one of the corners…

…this little ‘Chipmunkesque’ ex Yugoslav Air Force trainer, which I gather from the website below is an Utva Aero 3. It is (Y)U-CWE and formerly 40105 of the military. Clearly it has not flown for quite a while and it seems the Aeroclub lacks the funds to restore it.

Mark

http://www.yuairwar.com/galerija.asp

funny looking cub….

Looks like one for Daz.

Maybe a Slepev ???